Aromatic hydroxylation as a potential measure of hydroxyl-radical formation in vivo. Identification of hydroxylated derivatives of salicylate in human body fluids.

Attack by .OH radicals, generated by a Fenton system, upon salicylate produces 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate as major products and catechol as a minor product. H.p.l.c. separation combined with electrochemical detection was used to identify and quantify 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate in human plasma and synovial fluid. We propose that conversion of salicylate into 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, or of other aromatic compounds into specific hydroxylated products, may be a useful assay for .OH formation in the human body.     

Determination of hydroxyl free radical formation in human platelets using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

The formation of the hydroxyl free radical (HFR) can be quantified indirectly, by measuring two products of the hydroxylation of salicylic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate (2,3-DHB) and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate (2,5-DHB). In this study, we used reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical (coulometric) detection to measure 2,3- and 2,5-DHB levels in human platelets. The limits of detection of the method were 10 and 5 fmol on column for 2,3-DHB and 2,5-DHB, respectively. We tested the technique by measuring increases in dihydroxybenzoate levels after exposure of platelets to experimentally induced oxidative stress. Then, we measured platelet levels of 2,3- and 2,5-DHB in patients with Parkinson’s disease, under therapy with l-DOPA, and in normal subjects. We also measured platelet concentrations of l-DOPA and its major metabolite, 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD). Parkinsonian patients showed increased levels of both 2,3- and 2,5-DHB. Platelet levels of 2,3-DHB were positively correlated with platelet levels of l-DOPA and 3-OMD. The technique we describe proved simple and extremely sensitive and may represent a useful tool for the study of oxidative stress in humans.     

Catabolism of tryptophan, anthranilate, and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate in Trichosporon cutaneum.

Trichosporon cutaneum degraded L-tryptophan by a reaction sequence that included L-kynurenine, anthranilate, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, catechol, and beta-ketoadipate as catabolites. All of the enzymes of the sequence were induced by both L-tryptophan and salicylate, and those for oxidizing kynurenine and its catabolites were induced by anthranilate but not by benzoate; induction was not coordinate. Molecular weights of 66,100 and 36,500 were determined, respectively, for purified 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate decarboxylase and its single subunit. Substrates for this enzyme were restricted to benzoic acids substituted with hydroxyl groups at C-2 and C-3; no added coenzyme was required for activity. Partially purified anthranilate hydroxylase (deaminating) catalyzed the incorporation of one atom of 18O, derived from either 18O2 or H2(18)O, into 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid.     

Catabolism of 3-hydroxybenzoate by the gentisate pathway in Klebsiella pneumoniae M5a1

Growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae M5a1 on 3-hydroxybenzoate leads to the induction of 3-hydroxybenzoate monooxygenase, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate dioxygenase, maleylpyruvate isomerase and fumarylpyruvate hydrolase. Growth in the presence of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate also induces all of these enzymes including the 3-hydroxybenzoate monooxygenase which is not required for 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate catabolism. Mutants defective in 3-hydroxybenzoate monooxygenase fail to grow on 3-hydroxybenzoate but grow normally on 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate. Mutants lacking maleylpyruvate isomerase fail to grow on 3-hydroxybenzoate and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate. Both kinds of mutants grow normally on 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate. Mutants defective in maleylpyruvate isomerase accumulate maleylpyruvate when exposed to 3-hydroxybenzoate and growth is inhibited. Secondary mutants that have additionally lost 3-hydroxybenzoate monooxygenase are no longer inhibited by the presence of 3-hydroxybenzoate. The 3-hydroxybenzoate monooxygenase gene (mhbM) and the maleylpyruvate isomerase gene (mhbI) are 100% co-transducible by P1 phage.     

Catabolism of aromatic acids in Trichosporon cutaneum.

Trichosporon cutaneum readily metabolized protocatechuate, homoprotocatechuate, and gentisate, but lacked ring fission dioxygenases for these compounds. Benzoic, salicylic, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic, and gentisic acids were converted into beta-ketoadipic acid before entry into the Krebs cycle. Benzoic acid gave rise successively to 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, and hydroxyquinol (1,3,4-trihydroxybenzene), which underwent ring fission to maleylacetic acid. Salicylate and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate were both initially metabolized to give catechol. 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoate was the substrate for a specific nonoxidative decarboxylase induced by salicylate, although 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate was not a catabolite of salicylate. Gentisate was metabolized to maleylacetic acid and was also readily attacked by salicylate hydroxylase at each stage of a partial purification procedure. Phenylacetic acid was degraded through 3-hydroxyphenylacetic, homogentisic, and maleylacetoacetic acids to acetoacetic and fumaric acids. All the reactions of these catabolic sequences were catalyzed by cell extracts, supplemented with reduced pyridine nucleotide coenzymes where necessary, except for the hydroxylations of benzoic and phenylacetic acids which were demonstrated with cell suspensions and isotopically labeled substrates.     

Production of hydroxyl free radical by brain tissues in hyperglycemic rats subjected to transient forebrain ischemia

Preischemic hyperglycemia is known to aggravate brain damage resulting from transient ischemia. In the present study, we explored whether this aggravation is preceded by an enhanced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the early reperfusion period. To that end, normo- and hyperglycemic rats were subjected to 15 min of forebrain ischemia and allowed recovery periods of 5, 15, and 60 min. Sodium salicylate was injected intraperitoneally in a dose of 100 mg/kg, and tissues were sampled during recirculation to allow analyses of salicylic acid (SA) and its hydroxylation products, 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate (DHBA). Tissue sampled from thalamus and caudoputamen in normoglycemic animals failed to show an increase in 2,3- or 2,5-DHBA after 5 and 15 min of recirculation. However, such an increase was observed in the neocortex after 60 min of recirculation, with a suggested increase in the hippocampus as well. Hyperglycemia had three effects. First, it increased 2,5-DHBA in the thalamus and caudoputamen to values exceeding normoglycemic ones after 15 min of recirculation. Second, it increased basal values of 2,5- and total DHBA in the neocortex. Third, it increased the 60-min values for 2,5- and total DHBA in the hippocampus. These results hint that, at least in part, hyperglycemia may aggravate damage by enhancing basal- and ischemia-triggered production of ROS.     

Purification and characterization of an oxygen-sensitive, reversible 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate decarboxylase from Clostridium hydroxybenzoicum.

A 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.63) from Clostridium hydroxybenzoicum JW/Z-1T was purified and partially characterized. The estimated molecular mass of the enzyme was 270 kDa. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gave a single band of 57 kDa, suggesting that the enzyme consists of five identical subunits. The temperature and pH optima were 50 degrees C and pH 7.0, respectively. The Arrhenius energy for decarboxylation of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate was 32.5 kJ . mol(-1) for the temperature range from 22 to 50 degrees C. The Km and kcat for 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate were 0.6 mM and 5.4 x 10(3) min(-1), respectively, at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C. The enzyme optimally catalyzed the reverse reaction, that is, the carboxylation of catechol to 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, at pH 7.0. The enzyme did not decarboxylate 2-hydroxybenzoate, 3-hydroxybenzoate, 4-hydroxybenzoate, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate, 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoate, 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate, 3-F-4-hydroxybenzoate, or vanillate. The decarboxylase activity was inhibited by 25 and 20%, respectively, by 2,3,4- and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate. Thiamine PPi and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate did not stimulate and hydroxylamine and sodium borohydride did not inhibit the enzyme activity, indicating that the 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate decarboxylase is not a thiamine PPi-, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-, or pyruvoyl-dependent enzyme.     

Gentisic acid and its 3- and 4-methyl-substituted homologues as intermediates in the bacterial degradation of m-cresol, 3,5-xylenol and 2,5-xylenol

1. Intact cells of a non-fluorescent Pseudomonas grown with m-cresol, 2,5-xylenol, 3,5-xylenol, 3-ethyl-5-methylphenol or 2,3,5-trimethylphenol rapidly oxidized all these phenols to completion. 3-Hydroxybenzoate and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate (gentisate) were also readily oxidized. 2. 3-Hydroxybenzoic acid and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid were isolated as products of m-cresol oxidation by cells inhibited by alphaalpha'-bipyridyl. Alkyl-substituted 3-hydroxybenzoic acids and alkyl-substituted gentisic acids were formed similarly from 2,5-xylenol, 3,5-xylenol, 3-ethyl-5-methylphenol and 2,3,5-trimethylphenol. 3. When supplemented with NADH, not NADPH, extracts of cells grown with 2,5-xylenol catalysed the oxidation of all five phenols and accumulated the corresponding gentisic acids in the presence of alphaalpha'-bipyridyl. 4. Cells of a fluorescent Pseudomonas grown with m-cresol oxidized m-cresol, 3,5-xylenol and 3-ethyl-5-methylphenol to completion and oxidized 2,5-xylenol and 2,3,5-trimethylphenol partially. The oxidation product of 2,5-xylenol was identified as 3-hydroxy-4-methylbenzoic acid. In the presence of alphaalpha'-bipyridyl, 3-hydroxy-5-methylbenzoic acid and 3-methylgentisic acid were formed from 3,5-xylenol.     

Biosynthesis of enterochelin in Escherichia coli K-12 separation of the polypeptides for by the entD,E, F and G genes

Four enzymic components, coded for by the entD, entE, entF and entG genes, involved in the biosynthesis of enterochelin from 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate have been separated from cell extracts of mutant strains of Escherichia coli K-12.The starting material for fractionation of the E, F and G components was a cell extract of an entD mutant strain, which yielded the E, F and G enzymic components uncontaminated by a functional D component. The D component was isolated from cell extracts of an entE mutant strain. The conversion of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate and l-serine into enterochelin is dependent on the presence of all four enzymic components.The E and F components were shown to catalyze ATP-pyrophosphate exchange reactions dependent on 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate and l-serine, respectively, whereas fractionated extracts of the entE and entF mutant strains lacked these reactions. These data provide firm evidence that the E and F components are involved in the initial activation of the substrates. The D and G components are necessary for subsequent and, as yet, undefined reactions.     

In vitro assessment of the acaricidal activity of computer-selected analogues of carvacrol and salicylic acid on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is a tick that causes huge economic losses in cattle. The indiscriminate use of acaricides has generated resistance to most compounds present on the market. This makes further investigation on other potential acaricides necessary, the in silico assay being an alternative to the design of new compounds. In the present study a biosilico assay was performed using TOMOCOMD-CARDD (TOpological MOlecular COMputer Design-Computer-Aided Rational Drug Design) and WEKA (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis) software. Two carvacrol and four salicylic acid derivatives, synthesized by conventional methods and evaluated with the larval packet test on larvae of R. (B.) microplus were selected. All evaluated compounds presented acaricidal activity; however, ethyl 2-methoxybenzoate (91.8 ± 1.7 % mortality) and ethyl 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate (89.1 ± 1.6 % mortality) showed greater activity than salicylic acid. With regard to the carvacrol analogues, carvacrol acetate (67.8 ± 2.1 % mortality) and carvacrol methyl ether (71.7 ± 1.6 % mortality) also showed greater activity than carvacrol (35.9 ± 3.2 % mortality). TOMOCOMD-CARDD and WEKA software were helpful tools in the search for alternative structures with potential acaricidal activity on R. (B.) microplus.     

Salicylate hydroxylation as an early marker of in vivo oxidative stress in diabetic patients.

In vivo metabolism of salicylic acid produces two main hydroxylated derivatives (2,5- and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid). The former can be produced by enzymatic pathways through the cytochrome P-450 system, while the latter is reported to be solely formed by direct hydroxyl radical attack. Therefore, measurement of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, following oral administration of salicylate in its acetylated form (aspirin), has been proposed for assessment of oxidative stress. In this article we report plasma levels of 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoates following the administration of 1 g aspirin and plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive material (TBARM) in well-controlled diabetic patients and in healthy subjects. 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoate levels were significantly higher (23%) in diabetic patients than in controls (63.4 +/- 20.1 versus 49.0 +/- 6.8 nM; p < .05). On the other hand, TBARM values were not significantly different between groups. These results suggest that the method is useful to reveal in vivo oxidative stress independently from the peroxidation of lipids, and they support the hypothesis that oxygen radicals are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic complications of diabetes.     

The Degradative Versatility, Arylesterase Activity and Hydroxylation Reactions of Acinetobacter lwoffii NCIB 10553

S ummary . A study of the range of organic compounds utilized as sole carbon source by Acinetobacter lwoffii NCIB 10553 indicates that the organism is Acinetobacter A2 in the classification of Baumann, Doudoroff & Stanier (1968). NCIB 10553 resembles NCIB 8250 ('Vibrio 01', described by Fewson, 1967 a , b ). NCIB 10553 adapted to utilize acetylsalicylate does not grow with the lower n -alkanes, whereas it does utilize some sugars, although after a lag, and grows readily on a number of aromatic and aliphatic carboxylic esters, including triglycerides, natural oils and fats and other compounds of pharmaceutical interest. Cell-free extracts readily hydrolyse fatty acid esters of the mono- and dihydroxybenzoates and of catechol, quinol, phenol and p -nitrophenol. They also simultaneously hydroxylate and decarboxylate salicylate, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5- and 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate but only in the presence of NADH (or NADPH) and FAD. Some other aromatic acids are slowly oxidized under these conditions.     

Synthesis of phosphonate and ether analogs of rac-phosphatidyl-L-serine

The chemical synthesis of four phosphonate-containing phosphatidylserine analogs namely, L-serine (±)-[2,3-bis(hexadecyloxy) and 2,3-bis(Palmitoyloxy)-propyl] phosphonates, and L-serine (±)-[3,4-bis(hexadecyloxy and 3,4-bis(palmitoyloxy)-butyl]phosphonates is described. (±)-2,3-Bis(hexadecyloxy) and 2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-propylphosphonic acids and (±)-3,4-bis (hexadecyloxy)butylphosphonic acid were prepared by reaction of tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite on the corresponding haloalkane. Condensation of the above phosphonic acids or (±)-3,4-bis (palmitoyloxy)butylphosphonic acid with N-carboxy-L-serine dibenzyl ester in the presence of trichloroacetonitrile or triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl chloride yielded the protected serine intermediates, which on hydrogenolysis gave the desired L-serine analogs. By a similar route, 1,2-dihexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphoric acid was converted to 1,2-dihexadecyl-rac-glycerophospho-L-serine [L-serine (±)-2,3-bis(hexadecyloxy)propyl hydrogen phosphate(ester)].     

Detection of Free Radical Activity During Transient Global Ischemia and Recirculation: Effects of Intraischemic Brain Temperature Modulation

Abstract: To obtain direct evidence of oxygen radical activity in the course of cerebral ischemia under different intraischemic temperatures, we used a method based on the chemical trapping of hydroxyl radical in the form of the stable adducts 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) following salicylate administration. Wistar rats were subjected to 20 min of global forebrain ischemia by two-vessel occlusion plus systemic hypotension (50 mm Hg). Intraischemic striatal temperature was maintained as normothermic (37°C), hypothermic (30°C), or hyperthermic (39°C) but was held at 37°C before and following ischemia. Salicylate was administered either systemically (200 mg/kg, i.p.) or by continuous infusion (5 mM) through a microdialysis probe implanted in the striatum. Striatal extracellular fluid was sampled at regular intervals before, during, and after ischemia, and levels of 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA were assayed by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Following systemic administration of salicylate, stable baseline levels of 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA were observed before ischemia. During 20 min of normothermic ischemia, a 50% reduction in mean levels of both DHBAs was documented, suggesting a baseline level of hydroxyl radical that was diminished during ischemia, presumably owing to oxygen restriction to tissue at that time. During recirculation, 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA levels increased by 2.5- and 2.8-fold, respectively. Levels of 2,3-DHBA remained elevated during 1 h of reperfusion, whereas the increase in 2,5-DHBA levels persisted for 2 h. The increases in 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA levels observed following hyperthermic ischemia were significantly higher (3.8- and fivefold, respectively). In contrast, no significant changes in DHBA levels were observed following hypothermic ischemia. The postischemic changes in DHBA content observed following local administration of salicylate were comparable to the results obtained with systemic administration, thus confirming that the hydroxyl radicals arose within brain parenchyma itself. These results provide evidence that hydroxyl radical levels are increased during postischemic recirculation, and this process is modulated by intraischemic brain temperature. Hence, these data suggest a possible mechanism for the effects of temperature on ischemic outcome and support a key role for free radical-induced injury in the development of ischemic damage.     

Biosynthesis of the Iron-Transport Compound Enterochelin: Mutants of Escherichia coli Unable to Synthesize 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoate

Mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 blocked in each of the three enzymatic reactions between chorismate and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, in the pathway leading to the iron-sequestering compound enterochelin, have been isolated and biochemically characterized. The three genes concerned (designated entA, entB and entC) have been shown to be clustered on the chromosome between purE and gal and to be located near minute 14 by cotransduction with the purE, lip, and fep genes. entA, entB, and entC were shown to be the structural genes for 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybenzoate dehydrogenase, 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybenzoate synthetase, and isochorismate synthetase, respectively.     

Biosynthesis of enterochelin in Escherichia coli K-12: separation of the polypeptides coded for by the entD, E, F and G genes.

Four enzymic components, coded for by the entD, entE, entF and entG genes, involved in the biosynthesis of enterochelin from 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate have been separated from cell extracts of mutant strains of Escherichia coli K-12. The starting material for fractionation of the E, F and G components was a cell extract of an entD mutant strain, which yielded the E, F and G enzymic components uncontaminated by a functional D component. The D component was isolated from cell extracts of an entE mutant strain. The conversion of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate and L-serine into enterochelin is dependent on the presence of all four enzymic components. The E and F components were shown to catalyze ATP-pyrophosphate exchange reactions dependent on 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate and L-serine, respectively, whereas fractionated extracts of the entE and entF mutant strains lacked these reactions. These data provide firm evidence that the E and F components are involved in the initial activation of the substrates. The D and G components are necessary for subsequent and, as yet, undefinedd reactions.     

Regulation of the Pathway for the Degradation of Anthranilate in Aspergillus niger

Studies were carried out to determine the factors governing the induction of anthranilate hydroxylase and other enzymes in the pathway for the dissimilation of anthranilate by Aspergillus niger (UBC 814). The enzyme was induced by growth in the presence of tryptophan, kynurenine, anthranilate, and, surprisingly, by 3-hydroxyanthranilate, which was not an intermediate in the conversion of anthranilate to 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate. There was an initial lag in the synthesis of anthranilate hydroxylase when induced by tryptophan, anthranilate, and 3-hydroxyanthranilate. Cycloheximide inhibited the enzyme induction. Comparative studies on anthranilate hydroxylase, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate carboxy-lyase, and catechol 1:2-oxygenase revealed that these enzymes were not coordinately induced by either anthranilate or 3-hydroxyanthranilate. Structural requirements for the induction of anthranilate hydroxylase were determined by using various analogues of anthranilate. The activity of the constitutive catechol oxygenase was increased threefold by exposure to anthranilate, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, or catechol. 3-Hydroxyanthranilate did not enhance the levels of catechol oxygenase activity.     

Degradation of hydroquinone,gentisate, and benzoate by a fermenting bacterium in pure or defined mixed culture

From a methanogenic fixed-bed reactor fed with hydroquinone as sole energy and carbon source, a rodshaped bacterium was isolated in pure culture which could degrade hydroquinone and gentisate (2,5-dihydroxybenzoate). In syntrophic coculture with either Desulfovibrio vulgaris or Methanospirillum hungatei, also benzoate could be degraded. Other substrates such as sugars, fatty acids, alcohols, and cyclohexane derivatives were not degraded. Sulfate, sulfite, or nitrate were not used as external electron acceptor. The isolate was a Gram-negative, non-motile, nonsporeforming strict anaerobe; the guanine-plus-cytosine content of the DNA was 53.2±1.0 mol%. In pure culture, hydroquinone was degraded to acetate and benzoate, probably via an intermediate carboxylation. In syntrophic mixed cultures, all three substrates were converted completely to acetate. Phenol was never detected as a fermentation product.