Inhibition of ALDH3A1-catalyzed oxidation by chlorpropamide analogues

In our efforts to identify agents that would specifically inhibit ALDH3A1, we had previously studied extensively the effect of an N(1)-alkyl, an N(1)-methoxy, and several N(1)-hydroxy-substituted ester derivatives of chlorpropamide on the catalytic activities of ALDH3A1s derived from human normal stomach mucosa (nALDH3A1) and human tumor cells (tALDH3A1), and of two recombinant aldehyde dehydrogenases, viz. human rALDH1A1 and rALDH2. The N(1)-methoxy analogue of chlorpropamide, viz. 4-chloro-N-methoxy-N-[(propylamino)carbonyl]benzenesulfonamide (API-2), was found to be a relatively selective and potent inhibitor of tALDH3A1-catalyzed oxidation as compared to its ability to inhibit nALDH3A-catalyzed oxidation, but even more potently inhibited ALDH2-catalyzed oxidation, whereas an ester analogue, viz. (acetyloxy)[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]carbamic acid 1,1-dimethylethyl ester (NPI-2), selectively inhibited tALDH3A1-catalyzed oxidation as compared to its ability to inhibit nALDH3A1-, ALDH1A1- and ALDH2-catalyzed oxidations, and this inhibition was apparently irreversible. Three additional chlorpropamide analogues, viz. 4-chloro-N,O-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-N-hydroxybenzenesulfonamide (NPI-4), N,O-bis(carbomethoxy)methanesulfohydroxamic acid (NPI-5), and 2-[(ethoxycarbonyl)oxy]-1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxide (NPI-6), were evaluated in the present investigation. Quantified were NAD-linked oxidation of benzaldehyde catalyzed by nALDH3A1 and tALDH3A1, and NAD-linked oxidation of acetaldehyde catalyzed by rALDH1A1 and rALDH2, all at 37 degrees C and pH 8.1, and in the presence and absence of inhibitor. NPI-4, NPI-5 and NPI-6 were not substrates for the oxidative reactions catalyzed by any of the ALDHs studied. Oxidative reactions catalyzed by the ALDH3A1s, rALDH1A1 and rALDH2 were each inhibited by NPI-4 and NPI-5. NPI-6 was a poor inhibitor of nALDH3A1- and tALDH3A1-catalyzed oxidations, but was a relatively potent inhibitor of rALDH1A1- and rALDH2-catalyzed oxidations. In all cases, inhibition of ALDH-catalyzed oxidation was directly related to the product of inhibitor concentration and preincubation (enzyme+inhibitor) time. As judged by the product values (microMxmin) required to effect 50% inhibition (IC(50)): (1) nALDH3A1 and tALDH3A1 were essentially equisensitive to inhibition by NPI-4 and NPI-5, and both enzymes were poorly inhibited by NPI-6; (2) rALDH1A1 was, relative to the ALDH3A1s, slightly more sensitive to inhibition by NPI-4 and NPI-5, and far more sensitive to inhibition by NPI-6; and (3) rALDH1A1 was, relative to rALDH2, essentially equisensitive to inhibition by NPI-5, whereas, it was slightly more sensitive to inhibition by NPI-4 and NPI-6.     

Inhibition of ALDH3A1-catalyzed oxidation by chlorpropamide analogues

In our efforts to identify agents that would specifically inhibit ALDH3A1, we had previously studied extensively the effect of an N¹-alkyl, an N¹-methoxy, and several N¹-hydroxy-substituted ester derivatives of chlorpropamide on the catalytic activities of ALDH3A1s derived from human normal stomach mucosa (nALDH3A1) and human tumor cells (tALDH3A1), and of two recombinant aldehyde dehydrogenases, viz. human rALDH1A1 and rALDH2. The N¹-methoxy analogue of chlorpropamide, viz. 4-chloro-N-methoxy-N-[(propylamino)carbonyl]benzenesulfonamide (API-2), was found to be a relatively selective and potent inhibitor of tALDH3A1-catalyzed oxidation as compared to its ability to inhibit nALDH3A-catalyzed oxidation, but even more potently inhibited ALDH2-catalyzed oxidation, whereas an ester analogue, viz. (acetyloxy)[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]carbamic acid 1,1-dimethylethyl ester (NPI-2), selectively inhibited tALDH3A1-catalyzed oxidation as compared to its ability to inhibit nALDH3A1-, ALDH1A1- and ALDH2-catalyzed oxidations, and this inhibition was apparently irreversible. Three additional chlorpropamide analogues, viz. 4-chloro-N,O-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-N-hydroxybenzenesulfonamide (NPI-4), N,O-bis(carbomethoxy)methanesulfohydroxamic acid (NPI-5), and 2-[(ethoxycarbonyl)oxy]-1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one 1,1-dioxide (NPI-6), were evaluated in the present investigation. Quantified were NAD-linked oxidation of benzaldehyde catalyzed by nALDH3A1 and tALDH3A1, and NAD-linked oxidation of acetaldehyde catalyzed by rALDH1A1 and rALDH2, all at 37°C and pH 8.1, and in the presence and absence of inhibitor. NPI-4, NPI-5 and NPI-6 were not substrates for the oxidative reactions catalyzed by any of the ALDHs studied. Oxidative reactions catalyzed by the ALDH3A1s, rALDH1A1 and rALDH2 were each inhibited by NPI-4 and NPI-5. NPI-6 was a poor inhibitor of nALDH3A1- and tALDH3A1-catalyzed oxidations, but was a relatively potent inhibitor of rALDH1A1- and rALDH2-catalyzed oxidations. In all cases, inhibition of ALDH-catalyzed oxidation was directly related to the product of inhibitor concentration and preincubation (enzyme+inhibitor) time. As judged by the product values (μM×min) required to effect 50% inhibition (IC₅₀): (1) nALDH3A1 and tALDH3A1 were essentially equisensitive to inhibition by NPI-4 and NPI-5, and both enzymes were poorly inhibited by NPI-6; (2) rALDH1A1 was, relative to the ALDH3A1s, slightly more sensitive to inhibition by NPI-4 and NPI-5, and far more sensitive to inhibition by NPI-6; and (3) rALDH1A1 was, relative to rALDH2, essentially equisensitive to inhibition by NPI-5, whereas, it was slightly more sensitive to inhibition by NPI-4 and NPI-6.     

The mechanism for the inhibition of prostaglandin H synthase-catalyzed xenobiotic oxidation by methimazole. Reaction with free radical oxidation products

Methimazole, an irreversible, mechanism-based (suicide substrate) inhibitor of thyroid peroxidase and lactoperoxidase, also inhibits the oxidation of xenobiotics by prostaglandin hydroperoxidase. The mechanism(s) by which methimazole inhibits prostaglandin H synthase-catalyzed oxidations is not conclusively known. In studies reported here, methimazole inhibited the prostaglandin H synthase-catalyzed oxidation of benzidine, phenylbutazone, and aminopyrine in a concentration-dependent manner. Methimazole poorly supported the prostaglandin H synthase-catalyzed reduction of 5-phenyl-4-pentenyl hydroperoxide to the corresponding alcohol (5-phenyl-4-pentenyl alcohol), suggesting that methimazole is not serving as a competing reducing cosubstrate for the peroxidase. Methimazole is not a mechanism-based inhibitor of prostaglandin hydroperoxidase or horseradish peroxidase since methimazole did not inhibit the peroxidase-catalyzed, benzidine-supported reduction of 5-phenyl-4-pentenyl hydroperoxide. In contrast, methimazole inhibited the reduction of 5-phenyl-4-pentenyl hydroperoxide to 5-phenyl-4-pentenyl alcohol catalyzed by lactoperoxidase, confirming that methimazole is a mechanism-based inhibitor of that enzyme and that such inhibition can be detected by our assay. Glutathione reduces the aminopyrine cation free radical, the formation of which is catalyzed by the hydroperoxidase, back to the parent compound. Methimazole produced the same effect at concentrations equimolar to those required for glutathione. These data indicate that methimazole does not inhibit xenobiotic oxidations catalyzed by prostaglandin H synthase and horseradish peroxidase through direct interaction with the enzyme, but rather inhibits accumulation of oxidation products via reduction of a free radical-derived metabolite(s).     

Characterization of the East Asian Variant of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-2: BIOACTIVATION OF NITROGLYCERIN AND EFFECTS OF Alda-1*

The East Asian variant of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) exhibits significantly reduced dehydrogenase, esterase, and nitroglycerin (GTN) denitrating activities. The small molecule Alda-1 was reported to partly restore low acetaldehyde dehydrogenase activity of this variant. In the present study we compared the wild type enzyme (ALDH2*1) with the Asian variant (ALDH2*2) regarding GTN bioactivation and the effects of Alda-1. Alda-1 increased acetaldehyde oxidation by ALDH2*1 and ALDH2*2 approximately 1.5- and 6-fold, respectively, and stimulated the esterase activities of both enzymes to similar extent as the coenzyme NAD. The effect of NAD was biphasic with pronounced inhibition occurring at ≥5 mm. In the presence of 1 mm NAD, Alda-1 stimulated ALDH2*2-catalyzed ester hydrolysis 73-fold, whereas the NAD-stimulated activity of ALDH2*1 was inhibited because of 20-fold increased inhibitory potency of NAD in the presence of the drug. Although ALDH2*2 exhibited 7-fold lower GTN denitrating activity and GTN affinity than ALDH2*1, the rate of nitric oxide formation was only reduced 2-fold, and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activation was more pronounced than with wild type ALDH2 at saturating GTN. Alda-1 caused slight inhibition of GTN denitration and did not increase GTN-induced sGC activation in the presence of either variant. The present results indicate that Alda-1 stimulates established ALDH2 activities by improving NAD binding but does not improve the GTN binding affinity of the Asian variant. In addition, our data revealed an unexpected discrepancy between GTN reductase activity and sGC activation, suggesting that GTN denitration and bioactivation may reflect independent pathways of ALDH2-catalyzed GTN biotransformation.     

The effect of a novel irreversible inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenases 1 and 3 on tumour cell growth and death

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are a family of several isoenzymes expressed in various tissues and in all subcellular fractions. In some tumours, there is an increase of ALDH activity, especially that of class 1 and 3. The increase in the activity of these isoenzymes is correlated with cell growth and drug resistance shown by these cells. It has been observed that hepatoma cells expressing low ALDH3 activity are more susceptible to growth inhibition by low concentration of lipid peroxidation products than hepatoma cells expressing high ALDH3 activity. The products of lipid peroxidation are good substrates for ALDH, but when their intracellular levels are increased in hepatoma cells treated repeatedly with prooxidants, they inhibit ALDH3 and bring about growth inhibition or cell death. As a follow up to the work previously reported on S-methyl 4-amino-4-methylpent-2-ynethioate, a synthetic suicide inhibitor of ALDH1, which induced bcl2 overexpressing cells into apoptosis and exhibited an ED50 of 400 μM, a novel broad spectrum inhibitor of ALDH1 and ALDH3 was synthesised. This new compound (ATEM) is a suicide inhibitor of ALDH1, an irreversible inhibitor of ALDH3 and exhibits an ED50 of 10–25 μM on rat cultured hepatoma cells. Four hours after treatment with 25 μM ATEM, ALDH activity using benzaldehyde or propionaldehyde in hepatoma cells was decreased by 40% and cell number by 15% compared with controls. As cell growth did not resume when the inhibitor was removed from the culture medium, it suggested strongly that ALDHs play a pivotal role in mediating cell death.     

The effect of a novel irreversible inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenases 1 and 3 on tumour cell growth and death

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are a family of several isoenzymes expressed in various tissues and in all subcellular fractions. In some tumours, there is an increase of ALDH activity, especially that of class 1 and 3. The increase in the activity of these isoenzymes is correlated with cell growth and drug resistance shown by these cells. It has been observed that hepatoma cells expressing low ALDH3 activity are more susceptible to growth inhibition by low concentration of lipid peroxidation products than hepatoma cells expressing high ALDH3 activity. The products of lipid peroxidation are good substrates for ALDH, but when their intracellular levels are increased in hepatoma cells treated repeatedly with prooxidants, they inhibit ALDH3 and bring about growth inhibition or cell death. As a follow up to the work previously reported on S-methyl 4-amino-4-methylpent-2-ynethioate, a synthetic suicide inhibitor of ALDH1, which induced bcl2 overexpressing cells into apoptosis and exhibited an ED50 of 400 microM, a novel broad spectrum inhibitor of ALDH1 and ALDH3 was synthesised. This new compound (ATEM) is a suicide inhibitor of ALDH1, an irreversible inhibitor of ALDH3 and exhibits an ED50 of 10-25 microM on rat cultured hepatoma cells. Four hours after treatment with 25 microM ATEM, ALDH activity using benzaldehyde or propionaldehyde in hepatoma cells was decreased by 40% and cell number by 15% compared with controls. As cell growth did not resume when the inhibitor was removed from the culture medium, it suggested strongly that ALDHs play a pivotal role in mediating cell death.     

Role of the General Base Glu-268 in Nitroglycerin Bioactivation and Superoxide Formation by Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-2

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) plays an essential role in nitroglycerin (GTN) bioactivation, resulting in formation of NO or a related activator of soluble guanylate cyclase. ALDH2 denitrates GTN to 1,2-glyceryl dinitrate and nitrite but also catalyzes reduction of GTN to NO. To elucidate the relationship between ALDH2-catalyzed GTN bioconversion and established ALDH2 activities (dehydrogenase, esterase), we compared the function of the wild type (WT) enzyme with mutants lacking either the reactive Cys-302 (C302S) or the general base Glu-268 (E268Q). Although the C302S mutation led to >90% loss of all enzyme activities, the E268Q mutant exhibited virtually unaffected rates of GTN denitration despite low dehydrogenase and esterase activities. The nucleotide co-factor NAD caused a pronounced increase in the rates of 1,2-glyceryl dinitrate formation by WT-ALDH2 but inhibited the reaction catalyzed by the E268Q mutant. GTN bioactivation measured as activation of purified soluble guanylate cyclase or release of NO in the presence of WT- or E268Q-ALDH2 was markedly potentiated by superoxide dismutase, suggesting that bioavailability of GTN-derived NO is limited by co-generation of superoxide. Formation of superoxide was confirmed by determination of hydroethidine oxidation that was inhibited by superoxide dismutase and the ALDH2 inhibitor chloral hydrate. E268Q-ALDH2 exhibited ∼50% lower rates of superoxide formation than the WT enzyme. Our results suggest that Glu-268 is involved in the structural organization of the NAD-binding pocket but is not required for GTN denitration. ALDH2-catalyzed superoxide formation may essentially contribute to oxidative stress in GTN-exposed blood vessels.Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH; EC 1.2.1.3)² catalyze the oxidation of aliphatic and aromatic aldehyde substrates to the corresponding carboxylic acids with NAD(P) serving as electron accepting co-factor (1). The mitochondrial isoform (ALDH2), a homotetrameric protein with subunits of ∼54 kDa, appears to be essential for detoxification of ethanol-derived acetaldehyde, as indicated by significantly lowered alcohol tolerance of individuals expressing a low activity mutant of the protein (2, 3). Aldehyde oxidation by ALDH2 is thought to involve nucleophilic reaction of the substrate with a critical cysteine residue in the active site (Cys-302 in the human protein), resulting in formation of a thiohemiacetal intermediate, followed by hydride transfer to NAD, yielding a thioester intermediate that is hydrolyzed to the carboxylic acid product in a reaction that involves activation of H₂O by an adjacent glutamate residue (Glu-268). In addition to aldehyde oxidation, ALDH2 catalyzes ester hydrolysis (4). The esterase activity is stimulated by NAD, but the co-factor is not essential for the reaction, which is initiated by nucleophilic attack of the substrate by Cys-302, resulting in formation of a thioester and release of the corresponding alcohol by hydrolysis of the intermediate through activation of water by Glu-268 (4).The beneficial therapeutic effects of the antianginal drug GTN are thought to involve bioactivation of the organic nitrate in vascular smooth muscle to yield NO or a related species that activates sGC, resulting in cGMP-mediated vasorelaxation (5). In a seminal paper published in 2002, Stamler and co-workers (6) discovered that ALDH2 essentially contributes to vascular GTN bioactivation, and this has been confirmed in numerous later studies (for review see Ref. 7). Stamler and co-workers (6) proposed that GTN denitration involves the established esterase activity of ALDH2, i.e. nucleophilic attack of a nitro group of GTN by Cys-302, resulting in formation of a thionitrate intermediate and release of the corresponding alcohol, preferentially 1,2-glyceryl dinitrate (1,2-GDN). The thionitrate intermediate would then release nitrite either through nucleophilic attack of one of the adjacent cysteine residues (Cys-301 or Cys-303), resulting in formation of a disulfide in the active site, or through Glu-268-aided hydrolysis yielding a sulfenic acid derivative of Cys-302, which could undergo S-thiolation (8) to form a cysteinyl disulfide with one of the adjacent cysteine residues. This mechanism would be compatible both with the effect of NAD, which is not essential but increases reaction rates, and with GTN-triggered enzyme inactivation that is partially prevented by reduced thiols with two SH groups like DTT or dihydrolipoic acid. According to a brief statement in a paper on the structure of the East Asian (E487K) variant, mutation of Cys-302 and Glu-268 resulted in an almost complete loss of GTN reductase activity of ALDH2 (3), but so far the proposed role of these residues in GTN metabolism has not been thoroughly studied, and the mechanism underlying bioactivation of the nitrate is still unknown.     

Mitochondrial ALDH2 protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced myocardial contractile dysfunction by suppression of ER stress and autophagy

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an essential component of outer membrane of the Gram-negative bacteria, plays a pivotal role in myocardial anomalies in sepsis. Recent evidence depicted an essential role for mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) in cardiac homeostasis. This study examined the effect of ALDH2 on endotoxemia-induced cardiac anomalies. Echocardiographic, cardiac contractile and intracellular Ca²⁺ properties were examined. Our results indicated that LPS impaired cardiac contractile function (reduced fractional shortening, LV end systolic diameter, peak shortening, maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening, prolonged relengthening duration, oxidation of SERCA, and intracellular Ca²⁺ mishandling), associated with ER stress, inflammation, O₂⁻ production, increased autophagy, CAMKKβ, phosphorylated AMPK and suppressed phosphorylation of mTOR, the effects of which were significantly attenuated or negated by ALDH2. LPS promoted early endosomal formation (as evidenced by RAB4 and RAB5a), apoptosis and necrosis (MTT and LDH) while decreasing late endosomal formation (RAB7 and RAB 9), the effects were reversed by ALDH2. In vitro study revealed that LPS-induced SERCA oxidation, autophagy and cardiac dysfunction were abrogated by ALDH2 activator Alda-1, the ER chaperone TUDCA, the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA, or the AMPK inhibitor Compound C. The beneficial effect of Alda-1 against LPS was nullified by AMPK activator AICAR or rapamycin. CAMKKβ inhibition failed to rescue LPS-induced ER stress. Tunicamycin–induced cardiomyocyte dysfunction was ameliorated by Alda-1 and autophagy inhibition, the effect of which was abolished by rapamycin. These data suggested that ALDH2 protected against LPS-induced cardiac anomalies via suppression of ER stress, autophagy in a CAMKKβ/AMPK/mTOR-dependent manner.     

Inhibition of human cytochrome P450 3A4 by cholesterol

If cholesterol is a substrate of P450 3A4, then it follows that it should also be an inhibitor, particularly in light of the high concentrations found in liver. Heme perturbation spectra indicated a K(d) value of 8 μM for the P450 3A4-cholesterol complex. Cholesterol inhibited the P450 3A4-catalyzed oxidations of nifedipine and quinidine, two prototypic substrates, in liver microsomes and a reconstituted enzyme system with K(i) ～ 10 μM in an apparently non-competitive manner. The concentration of cholesterol could be elevated 4-6-fold in cultured human hepatocytes by incubation with cholesterol; the level of P450 3A4 and cell viability were not altered under the conditions used. Nifedipine oxidation was inhibited when the cholesterol level was increased. We conclude that cholesterol is both a substrate and an inhibitor of P450 3A4, and a model is presented to explain the kinetic behavior. We propose that the endogenous cholesterol in hepatocytes should be considered in models of prediction of metabolism of drugs and steroids, even in the absence of changes in the concentrations of free cholesterol.     

Bioactivation of nitroglycerin by purified mitochondrial and cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenases

Metabolism of nitroglycerin (GTN) to 1,2-glycerol dinitrate (GDN) and nitrite by mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) is essentially involved in GTN bioactivation resulting in cyclic GMP-mediated vascular relaxation. The link between nitrite formation and activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is still unclear. To test the hypothesis that the ALDH2 reaction is sufficient for GTN bioactivation, we measured GTN-induced formation of cGMP by purified sGC in the presence of purified ALDH2 and used a Clark-type electrode to probe for nitric oxide (NO) formation. In addition, we studied whether GTN bioactivation is a specific feature of ALDH2 or is also catalyzed by the cytosolic isoform (ALDH1). Purified ALDH1 and ALDH2 metabolized GTN to 1,2- and 1,3-GDN with predominant formation of the 1,2-isomer that was inhibited by chloral hydrate (ALDH1 and ALDH2) and daidzin (ALDH2). GTN had no effect on sGC activity in the presence of bovine serum albumin but caused pronounced cGMP accumulation in the presence of ALDH1 or ALDH2. The effects of the ALDH isoforms were dependent on the amount of added protein and, like 1,2-GDN formation, were sensitive to ALDH inhibitors. GTN caused biphasic sGC activation with apparent EC(50) values of 42 +/- 2.9 and 3.1 +/- 0.4 microm in the presence of ALDH1 and ALDH2, respectively. Incubation of ALDH1 or ALDH2 with GTN resulted in sustained, chloral hydrate-sensitive formation of NO. These data may explain the coupling of ALDH2-catalyzed GTN metabolism to sGC activation in vascular smooth muscle.     

Androgen regulation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3 (ALDH1A3) in the androgen-responsive human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP

Previous gene array data from our laboratory identified the retinoic acid (RA) biosynthesis enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3 (ALDH1A3) as a putative androgen-responsive gene in human prostate cancer epithelial (LNCaP) cells. In the present study, we attempted to identify if any of the three ALDH1A/RA synthesis enzymes are androgen responsive and how this may affect retinoid-mediated effects in LNCaP cells. We demonstrated that exposure of LNCaP cells to the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) results in a 4-fold increase in ALDH1A3 mRNA levels compared with the untreated control. The mRNA for two other ALDH1A family members, ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A2, were not detected and not induced by DHT in LNCaP cells. Inhibition of androgen receptor (AR) with both the antiandrogen bicalutamide and small interfering RNA for AR support that ALDH1A3 regulation by DHT is mediated by AR. Furthermore, specific inhibition of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Src family of kinases with PD98059 and PP1 supports that AR's regulation of ALDH1A3 occurs by the typical AR nuclear-translocation cascade. Consistent with an increase in ALDH1A3 mRNA, DHT-treated LNCaP cells showed an 8-fold increase in retinaldehyde-dependent NAD(+) reduction compared with control. Lastly, treatment of LNCaP with all-trans retinal (RAL) in the presence of DHT resulted in significant up-regulation of the RA-inducible, RA-metabolizing enzyme CYP26A1 mRNA compared with RAL treatment alone. Taken together, these data suggest that (i) the RA biosynthesis enzyme ALDH1A3 is androgen responsive and (ii) DHT up-regulation of ALDH1A3 can increase the oxidation of retinal to RA and indirectly affect RA bioactivity and metabolism.     

Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity as the rate-limiting factor for acetaldehyde metabolism in rat liver

The velocity of acetaldehyde metabolism in rat liver may be governed either by the rate of regeneration of NAD from NADH through the electron transport system or by the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Measurements of oxygen consumption revealed that the electron transport system was capable of reoxidizing ALDH-generated NADH much faster than it was produced and hence was not rate-limiting for aldehyde metabolism. To confirm that ALDH activity was the rate-limiting factor, low-Km ALDH in slices or intact mitochondria was partially inhibited by treatment with cyanamide and the rate of acetaldehyde metabolism measured. Any inhibition of low-Km ALDH resulted in a decreased rate of acetaldehyde metabolism, indicating that no excess of low-Km ALDH existed. Approximately 40% of the metabolism of 200 microM acetaldehyde in slices was not catalyzed by low-Km ALDH. Fifteen of this 40% was catalyzed by high-Km ALDH. A possible contribution by aldehyde oxidase was ruled out through the use of a competitive inhibitor, quinacrine. Acetaldehyde binding to cytosolic proteins may account for the remainder. By measuring acetaldehyde accumulation during ethanol metabolism, it was also established that low-Km ALDH activity was rate-limiting for acetaldehyde oxidation during concomitant ethanol oxidation.     

Discovery of novel regulators of aldehyde dehydrogenase isoenzymes

Over the past three years we have been involved in high-throughput screening in an effort to discover novel small molecular modulators of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity. In particular, we have been interested in both the activation and inhibition of the three commonly studied isoenzymes, ALDH1A1, ALDH2 and ALDH3A1, as their distinct, yet overlapping substrate specificities, present a particularly difficult challenge for inhibitor discovery and design. Activation of ALDH2 has been shown to benefit cardiovascular outcome following periods of ischemia and renewed interest in specific inhibition of ALDH2 has application for alcohol aversion therapy, and more recently, in cocaine addiction. In contrast, inhibition of either ALDH1A1 or ALDH3A1 has application in cancer treatments where the isoenzymes are commonly over-expressed and serve as markers for cancer stem cells. We are taking two distinct approaches for these screens: in vitro enzyme activity screens using chemical libraries and virtual computational screens using the structures of the target enzymes as filters for identifying potential inhibitors, followed by in vitro testing of their ability to inhibit their intended targets. We have identified selective inhibitors of each of these three isoenzymes with inhibition constants in the high nanomolar to low micromolar range from these screening procedures. Together, these inhibitors provide proof for concept that selective inhibition of these broad specificity general detoxication enzymes through small molecule discovery and design is possible.     

Iodothyronine-induced catalatic activity of thyroid peroxidase

Iodothyronines induced catalatic (H2O2-decomposing) activity of thyroid peroxidase and lactoperoxidase, the effect increasing in the order of thyroxine (T4) greater than triiodothyronine (T3) greater than diiodothyronine (T2). The iodothyronines served as electron donors in the peroxidase reactions, and during the reactions the catalytic intermediate of thyroid peroxidase was confirmed to be Compound II for T4 and Compound I for T3 and T2 and from the Soret absorption spectra obtained by stopped-flow measurements. Rate constants for the reactions between T4 and Compound II, T3 and Compound I, and T2 and Compound I were estimated at 1.9 x 10(5), 1.3 x 10(6), and 7.1 x 10(5) M-1.s-1, respectively. Unlike the case of thyroid peroxidase, the catalytic intermediate of lactoperoxidase observed during the oxidation of iodothyronines was invariably Compound II. From these and other data it was concluded that thyroid peroxidase catalyzed one-electron oxidation of T4 and two-electron oxidations of T2 and T3 while lactoperoxidase catalyzed exclusively one-electron oxidation of the iodothyronines. Iodide was released during the enzymatic oxidation of iodothyronines, irrespective of the mechanism of one-electron and two-electron oxidations. The amount of released iodide increased in the order of T4 greater than T3 greater than T2. The iodothyronines-induced catalatic activity of these peroxidases was ascribable to the release of iodide, but it was also found that the iodide-enhanced catalatic activity was stimulated by iodothyronines. In this case the effect of iodothyronines was greater in the order of T2 greater than T3 greater than T4, which was consistent with the order of iodothyronine activation for the iodinium cation transfer from enzyme to acceptor.     

Partially irreversible inactivation of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase by nitroglycerin

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) may be involved in the biotransformation of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), and the inactivation of ALDH2 by GTN may contribute to the phenomenon of nitrate tolerance. We studied the GTN-induced inactivation of ALDH2 by UV/visible absorption spectroscopy. Dehydrogenation of acetaldehyde and hydrolysis of p-nitrophenylacetate (p-NPA) were both inhibited by GTN. The rate of inhibition increased with the GTN concentration and decreased with the substrate concentration, indicative of competition between GTN and the substrates. Inactivation of p-NPA hydrolysis was greatly enhanced in the presence of NAD(+), and, to a lesser extent, in the presence of NADH. In the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT) inactivation of ALDH2 was much slower. Dihydrolipoic acid (LPA-H(2)) was less effective than DTT, whereas glutathione, cysteine, and ascorbate did not protect against inactivation. When DTT was added after complete inactivation, dehydrogenase reactivation was quite modest (< or =16%). The restored dehydrogenase activity correlated inversely with the GTN concentration but was hardly affected by the concentrations of acetaldehyde or DTT. Partial reactivation of dehydrogenation was also accomplished by LPA-H(2) but not by GSH. We conclude that, in addition to the previously documented reversible inhibition by GTN that can be ascribed to the oxidation of the active site thiol, there is an irreversible component to ALDH inactivation. Importantly, ALDH2-catalyzed GTN reduction was partly inactivated by preincubation with GTN, suggesting that the inactivation of GTN reduction is also partly irreversible. These observations are consistent with a significant role for irreversible inactivation of ALDH2 in the development of nitrate tolerance.     

The effect of disulphides on mitochondrial oxidations

1. Nicotinamide nucleotide-linked mitochondrial oxidations were inhibited by the disulphides NNN′N′-tetraethylcystamine, cystamine and cystine diethyl ester, whereas l-homocystine, oxidized mercaptoethanol, oxidized glutathione, NN′-diacetylcystamine and tetrathionate were only slightly inhibitory. Mitochondrial oxidations were not blocked by the thiol cysteamine. 2. NAD-independent oxidations were not inhibited by cystamine. The oxidation of choline was initially stimulated. 3. The inactivation of isocitrate, malate and β-hydroxybutyrate oxidation of intact mitochondria could be partially reversed by external NAD. For the reactivation of α-oxoglutarate oxidation a thiol was also required. 4. A leakage of nicotinamide nucleotides from the mitochondria is suggested as the main cause of the inhibition. In addition, a strong inhibition of α-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase by cystamine was observed. A mixed disulphide formation with CoA and possibly also lipoic acid and lipoyl dehydrogenase is suggested to explain this inhibition.     

Selective protection by stably transfected human ALDH3A1 (but not human ALDH1A1) against toxicity of aliphatic aldehydes in V79 cells

Toxic medium chain length alkanals, alkenals, and 4-hydroxyalkenals that are generated during lipid peroxidation are potential substrates for aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isoforms. We have developed transgenic cell lines to examine the potential for either human ALDH1A1 or ALDH3A1 to protect against damage mediated by these toxic aldehydes. Using crude cytosols from stably transfected cell lines, these aldehydes were confirmed to be excellent substrates for ALDH3A1, but were poorly oxidized by ALDH1A1. Expression of ALDH3A1 by stable transfection in V79 cells conferred a high level of protection against growth inhibition by the medium-chain length aldehyde substrates with highest substrate activity, including hexanal, trans-2-hexenal, trans-2-octenal, trans-2-nonenal, and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE). This was reflected in a parallel ability of ALDH3A1 to prevent depletion of glutathione by these aldehydes. Expression of hALDH3 completely blocked the potent induction of apoptosis by HNE in both V79 cells and in a RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line, consistent with the observed total prevention of HNE-protein adduct formation. Structure-activity studies indicated that the rank order of potency for the contributions of HNE functional groups to toxicity was aldehyde >/=C2=C3 double bond>C4-hydroxyl group. Oxidation of the aldehyde moiety of HNE to a carboxyl by ALDH3A1 expressed in stably transfected cell lines drastically reduced its potency for growth inhibition and apoptosis induction. In contrast, ALDH1A1 expression provided only moderate protection against trans-2-nonenal (t2NE), and none against the other six-nine carbon aldehydes. Neither ALDH1A1 nor ALDH3A1 conferred any protection against acrolein, acetaldehyde, or chloroacetaldehyde. A small degree of protection against malondialdehyde was afforded by ALDH1A1, but not ALDH3A1. Paradoxically, cells expressing ALDH3A1 were 1.5-fold more sensitive to benzaldehyde toxicity than control V79 cells. These studies demonstrate that expression of class 3 ALDH, but not class 1 ALDH, can be an important determinant of cellular resistance to toxicity mediated by aldehydes of intermediate chain length that are produced during lipid peroxidation.     

Selective protection by stably transfected human ALDH3A1 (but not human ALDH1A1) against toxicity of aliphatic aldehydes in V79 cells

Toxic medium chain length alkanals, alkenals, and 4-hydroxyalkenals that are generated during lipid peroxidation are potential substrates for aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isoforms. We have developed transgenic cell lines to examine the potential for either human ALDH1A1 or ALDH3A1 to protect against damage mediated by these toxic aldehydes. Using crude cytosols from stably transfected cell lines, these aldehydes were confirmed to be excellent substrates for ALDH3A1, but were poorly oxidized by ALDH1A1. Expression of ALDH3A1 by stable transfection in V79 cells conferred a high level of protection against growth inhibition by the medium-chain length aldehyde substrates with highest substrate activity, including hexanal, trans-2-hexenal, trans-2-octenal, trans-2-nonenal, and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE). This was reflected in a parallel ability of ALDH3A1 to prevent depletion of glutathione by these aldehydes. Expression of hALDH3 completely blocked the potent induction of apoptosis by HNE in both V79 cells and in a RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line, consistent with the observed total prevention of HNE-protein adduct formation. Structure–activity studies indicated that the rank order of potency for the contributions of HNE functional groups to toxicity was aldehyde ≥C2=C3 double bond>>C4-hydroxyl group. Oxidation of the aldehyde moiety of HNE to a carboxyl by ALDH3A1 expressed in stably transfected cell lines drastically reduced its potency for growth inhibition and apoptosis induction. In contrast, ALDH1A1 expression provided only moderate protection against trans-2-nonenal (t2NE), and none against the other six–nine carbon aldehydes. Neither ALDH1A1 nor ALDH3A1 conferred any protection against acrolein, acetaldehyde, or chloroacetaldehyde. A small degree of protection against malondialdehyde was afforded by ALDH1A1, but not ALDH3A1. Paradoxically, cells expressing ALDH3A1 were 1.5-fold more sensitive to benzaldehyde toxicity than control V79 cells. These studies demonstrate that expression of class 3 ALDH, but not class 1 ALDH, can be an important determinant of cellular resistance to toxicity mediated by aldehydes of intermediate chain length that are produced during lipid peroxidation.