Detection of a novel familial catalase mutation (Hungarian type D) and the possible risk of inherited catalase deficiency for diabetes mellitus

Association Study between Antioxidant Nutrient Intake and Low Bone Mineral Density with Oxidative Stress-Single Nucleotide Variants: GPX1 (rs1050450 and rs17650792), SOD2 (rs4880) and CAT (rs769217) in Mexican Women

Oxidative stress is essential in developing multiple bone metabolism diseases, including osteoporosis. Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) have been associated with oxidative stress, promoting an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the ability to neutralize them, and it has been reported that antioxidant nutrient intake can influence bone mineral density (BMD). This work reports the association between oxidative stress-related SNVs (GPX1-rs1050450, rs17650792, SOD2-rs4880, and CAT-rs769217), BMD, and antioxidant nutrient intake. The study included 1269 Mexican women from the Health Workers Cohort Study. Genotyping was performed using predesigned TaqMan assays. Dietary data were collected using a 116-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A dietary antioxidant quality score (DAQS) was used to estimate antioxidant-nutrient intake. Association analysis was estimated via linear, logistic, or quantile regression models. The results showed an association of the rs1050450-A and rs17650792-A alleles with femoral neck BMD (p = 0.038 and p = 0.017, respectively) and the SNV rs4880-A allele with total hip BMD (p = 0.026) in respondents aged 45 years or older. In addition, antioxidant-nutrient intake was associated with the rs4880-GG genotype, being significant for fiber (p = 0.007), riboflavin (p = 0.005), vitamin B6 (p = 0.034), and vitamin D (p = 0.002). The study showed an association between oxidative stress-related SNVs, BMD, and antioxidant-nutrient intake in Mexican women. Therefore, treatments for low BMD could be developed based on antioxidant supplementation.

Role of Catalase in Oxidative Stress- and Age-Associated Degenerative Diseases

Reactive species produced in the cell during normal cellular metabolism can chemically react with cellular biomolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, thereby causing their oxidative modifications leading to alterations in their compositions and potential damage to their cellular activities. Fortunately, cells have evolved several antioxidant defense mechanisms (as metabolites, vitamins, and enzymes) to neutralize or mitigate the harmful effect of reactive species and/or their byproducts. Any perturbation in the balance in the level of antioxidants and the reactive species results in a physiological condition called “oxidative stress.” A catalase is one of the crucial antioxidant enzymes that mitigates oxidative stress to a considerable extent by destroying cellular hydrogen peroxide to produce water and oxygen. Deficiency or malfunction of catalase is postulated to be related to the pathogenesis of many age-associated degenerative diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, anemia, vitiligo, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, bipolar disorder, cancer, and schizophrenia. Therefore, efforts are being undertaken in many laboratories to explore its use as a potential drug for the treatment of such diseases. This paper describes the direct and indirect involvement of deficiency and/or modification of catalase in the pathogenesis of some important diseases such as diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, vitiligo, and acatalasemia. Details on the efforts exploring the potential treatment of these diseases using a catalase as a protein therapeutic agent have also been described.

Oxidative stress signaling to chromatin in health and disease

Oxidative stress has a significant impact on the development and progression of common human pathologies, including cancer, diabetes, hypertension and neurodegenerative diseases. Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress globally influences chromatin structure, DNA methylation, enzymatic and non-enzymatic post-translational modifications of histones and DNA-binding proteins. The effects of oxidative stress on these chromatin alterations mediate a number of cellular changes, including modulation of gene expression, cell death, cell survival and mutagenesis, which are disease-driving mechanisms in human pathologies. Targeting oxidative stress-dependent pathways is thus a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. We summarize recent research developments connecting oxidative stress and chromatin regulation.

Long-term follow-up evaluation of an acatalasemia boy with severe periodontitis

BACKGROUND

Acatalasemia is a rare genetic catalase deficiency that is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Although usually asymptomatic, a syndrome of oral ulcerations and gangrene may be present (Takahara's disease). In this report, we presented the diagnosis and 15-y periodontal treatments of an acatalasemia patient with Takahara's disease in China.

METHODS

To confirm the diagnosis of acatalasemia, intron 4 of the catalase gene was amplified and sequenced. Erythrocyte catalase activity was measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometer. Besides, periodontal treatments and 15y follow-up were performed.

RESULTS

Direct sequencing showed a clear splicing mutation of guanine to adenine substitution at the fifth position of intron 4 in the patient. Erythrocyte catalase activity of the patient (5.2MU/l, 4.6%) was 10% lower than the normal range (113.3±16.5MU/l). After 15-y treatments, the periodontal pocket depth ≥4mm and clinical attachment loss reduced to 30% and 3.7±1.2mm.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these findings, a diagnosis of acatalasemia was established. And the periodontal therapies have achieved a stable periodontal status.

Frequency of polymorphism -262 c/t in catalase gene and oxidative damage in Slovak children with bronchial asthma

INTRODUCTION

Bronchial asthma is a complex disease in which genetic factors, environmental factors and oxidative damage are responsible for the initiation and modulation of disease progression. If antioxidant mechanisms fail, reactive oxygen species damage the biomolecules followed by progression of the disease. Catalase is one of the most important endogenous enzymatic antioxidants. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that increased oxidative damage and polymorphism in the CAT gene (-262 promoter region, C/T) are associated with childhood bronchial asthma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Genotyping of the polymorphisms in the CAT gene in healthy (249) and asthmatic children (248) was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Markers of oxidative damage: content of sulfhydryl groups and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were determined by spectrophotometry in children.

RESULTS

The TT genotype of catalase was more frequent among the asthmatic patients (22.6%) than in healthy children (4.8%) (odds ratio=5.63; 95% confidence interval=2.93-10.81, P<.001). The amount of sulfhydryl groups decreased significantly and conversely, the content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances increased significantly in bronchial asthma and in catalase TT genotype compared to other catalase genotypes of this gene.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that catalase polymorphism might participate in development of bronchial asthma and in enhanced oxidative damage in asthmatic children. Genetic variation of enzymatic antioxidants may modulate disease risk.

A simple method for examination of polymorphisms of catalase exon 9: rs769217 in Hungarian microcytic anemia and beta-thalassemia patients

Catalase decreases the high, toxic concentrations of hydrogen peroxide but it lets the physiological, low concentrations in the cells mainly for signaling purposes. Its decreased activity may contribute to development of several pathological conditions. Catalase mutations occur frequently in exon 9, these were examined with different, complicated and costly methods. The aim of the current study was to evaluate a method for screening of polymorphisms in catalase exon 9. We used the slab gel electrophoresis of PCR amplicons without denaturation and silver staining for visualization of the DNA bands. We detected extra DNA bands in the 400-800 bp region of the catalase exon 9. Their single stranded nature was proved with nucleotide sequence analyses, comparison with the standard SSCP, staining with Sybr Green II and Sybr Green I, ethidium bromide, no digestion with RFLP (BstX I), and digestion with plant nuclease. We used this method for examination of polymorphisms of catalase exon 9 in microcytic anemia and beta-thalassemia patients. The lowest blood catalase activities were detected in microcytic anemia and beta-thalassemia patients with the TT genotypes of the C111T polymorphism. This method was sensitive for detection of G113A acatalasemia mutation, but poorly detected C37T and G5A acatalasemia mutations.

Decreased blood catalase activity is not related to specific beta-thalassemia mutations in Hungary

INTRODUCTION

Thalassemia erythrocytes are exposed to oxidative stress especially to hydrogen peroxide, which is regulated with the enzyme catalase. The aim of this study was to examine blood catalase activity and the relationship of blood catalase and beta-thalassemia gene mutations.

METHODS

Blood catalase activity, hemoglobin, HbA(2) , HbF, and beta-globin gene mutations were determined in 43 Hungarian patients with beta-thalassemia trait.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, the beta-thalassemia trait patients showed a low mean (P < 0.001) of blood catalase (men: 84 ± 29 MU/L vs. sex-matched controls: 118 ± 18 MU/L and women: 74 ± 18 MU/L vs. 108 ± 114 MU/L) and a low mean of blood catalase-to-blood hemoglobin ratio (men: 0.72 ± 0.22 MU/g vs. 0.85 ± 0.12 MU/g, women: 0.77 ± 0.26 MU/g vs. 0.84 ± 0.11 MU/g). The HbA(2) determination showed high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of beta-thalassemia trait patients. Mutation analyses revealed 13 beta-thalassemia trait mutations, of which six have not been reported before in Hungarian beta-thalassemia trait patients. Each group of mutations revealed decreased (P < 0.01) mean of blood catalase and catalase-to-hemoglobin ratio. Acatalasemia mutations were not found in beta-thalassemia trait patients.

CONCLUSION

The decrease in blood catalase activity might be due to the damaging effects of free radicals on the catalase protein. Consequently, these beta-thalassemia trait patients may be relatively susceptible to damage caused by oxidative stress.

Polymorphisms of antioxidant enzymes, blood pressure and risk of hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes codifying for antioxidant enzymes to blood pressure (BP) values and risk of hypertension.

METHODS

Population-based study including 1388 participants (704 women) older than 18 years in which 300 were untreated hypertensive patients. In 335 untreated hypertensive patients referred to one hypertension clinic, the study was replicated. Thirty-five SNP throughout 13 genes were analyzed using SNPlex. In a subgroup of hypertensive patients, the amount of 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine and GPX activity levels was measured in mononuclear cells.

RESULTS

In the general population, genotypes with the G allele of the c.172G>A polymorphism in the SOD3 gene and those with the T allele of the c.-20C>T polymorphism in the CAT gene were associated with significant lower values of BP. Likewise, these genotypes were associated with less risk for hypertension after adjusting for confounder variables. Haplotypes in both genes increased the strength of associations. In the hypertensive patients, the same alleles of the two polymorphisms were associated with lower BP values too. In addition, two others, the CT-TT genotypes of the c.891C>T polymorphism in the GPX1 gene and the CT-CC genotypes of the c.-793T>C polymorphism of the TXN gene were also significantly associated to lower BP values. Furthermore, the CC genotype of the c.891C>T polymorphism in the GPX1 gene was associated with higher values of 8-oxo-dG and GPX activity levels as compared to those for the CT-TT genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study support the influence of antioxidant enzyme genes in BP values and hypertension risk.

Sensitization to alloxan-induced diabetes and pancreatic cell apoptosis in acatalasemic mice

Human acatalasemia may be a risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanism by which diabetes is induced is still poorly understood. The impact of catalase deficiency on the onset of diabetes has been studied in homozygous acatalasemic mutant mice or control wild-type mice by intraperitoneal injection of diabetogenic alloxan. The incidence of diabetes was higher in acatalasemic mice treated with a high dose (180 mg/kg body weight) of alloxan. A higher dose of alloxan accelerated severe atrophy of pancreatic islets and induced pancreatic beta cell apoptosis in acatalasemic mice in comparison to wild-type mice. Catalase activity remained low in the acatalasemic pancreas without the significant compensatory up-regulation of glutathione peroxidase or superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, daily intraperitoneal injection of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist telmisartan (0.1 mg/kg body weight) prevented the development of alloxan-induced hyperglycemia in acatalasemic mice. This study suggests that catalase plays a crucial role in the defense against oxidative-stress-mediated pancreatic beta cell death in an alloxan-induced diabetes mouse model. Treatment with telmisartan may prevent the onset of alloxan-induced diabetes even under acatalasemic conditions.

Evolution of catalases from bacteria to humans

Excessive hydrogen peroxide is harmful for almost all cell components, so its rapid and efficient removal is of essential importance for aerobically living organisms. Conversely, hydrogen peroxide acts as a second messenger in signal-transduction pathways. H(2)O(2) is degraded by peroxidases and catalases, the latter being able both to reduce H(2)O(2) to water and to oxidize it to molecular oxygen. Nature has evolved three protein families that are able to catalyze this dismutation at reasonable rates. Two of the protein families are heme enzymes: typical catalases and catalase-peroxidases. Typical catalases comprise the most abundant group found in Eubacteria, Archaeabacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia, whereas catalase-peroxidases are not found in plants and animals and exhibit both catalatic and peroxidatic activities. The third group is a minor bacterial protein family with a dimanganese active site called manganese catalases. Although catalyzing the same reaction (2 H(2)O(2)--> 2 H(2)O+ O(2)), the three groups differ significantly in their overall and active-site architecture and the mechanism of reaction. Here, we present an overview of the distribution, phylogeny, structure, and function of these enzymes. Additionally, we report about their physiologic role, response to oxidative stress, and about diseases related to catalase deficiency in humans.

Genetic association study of polymorphisms in the catalase gene with the risk of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in the Korean population

OBJECTIVE

Osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head frequently leads to progressive collapse of the femoral head followed by degenerative arthritis of the hip joint. Oxidative stress, which has been implicated in many pathological conditions, including vascular injury, recently has been suggested to play a part in the development of ON. Catalase (CAT) is a major antioxidant enzyme and a number of polymorphisms in the CAT have been described as being associated with several diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, and vitiligo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of CAT gene polymorphisms with ON of the femoral head (ONFH) in a case-control study.

METHODS

Eight polymorphic sites of CAT were selected from public databases, and genotyped in 443 ONFH patients and 273 control subjects using the Affymetrix Targeted Genotyping (TG) 3K chip array. The association analysis of genotyped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes was performed with ONFH.

RESULTS

The -89A>T, -20T>C, +3033C>T, +14539A>T, +22348C>T, and +24413T>C polymorphisms of the CAT gene were significantly associated with the risk of ONFH in all alternative analysis models (P range; 0.0001-0.035, odds ratio [OR]: 0.52-3.47). Particularly, the minor allele of -89A>T, -20T>C and +3033C>T had a protective effect on ONFH with significance (P range: 0.0014-0.035, OR: 0.52-0.73). Further analysis based on pathological etiology showed that the genotypes of -89A>T, -20T>C, +3033C>T, +14539A>T, and +22348C>T, and +24413T>C were also associated with the risk of ONFH in each subgroup with significant P values.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that the polymorphisms of CAT are associated with the ONFH, and suggest that oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ONFH.

Associations of catalase gene polymorphisms with bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress has been recently suggested to play a part in the development of osteoporosis. Catalase is a major antioxidant enzyme that detoxifies hydrogen peroxide by converting it into water and oxygen, thereby preventing cellular injury by oxidative stress.

AIMS

To examine the associations between the catalase gene (CAT) polymorphisms and bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal Korean women.

METHODS

All exons, their boundaries and the promoter region (approximately 1.5 kb) were directly sequenced in 24 individuals. Among 18 variants identified by a direct sequence method, four polymorphisms were selected and genotyped in all study participants (n = 560). BMD at the lumbar spine and proximal femur was measured using dual-energy x ray absorptiometry. Serum osteocalcin concentrations and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase activity were determined by an immunoradiometric assay and an immunoassay, respectively.

RESULTS

The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 59.4 (7.2) years. Multivariate analysis showed an association of the +22348C-->T polymorphism with BMD at the lumbar spine (p = 0.01 in the dominant model) and at femur neck (p = 0.05 in the dominant model), and with serum osteocalcin level (p = 0.008 in the dominant model). Haplotype analyses showed that HT4 (-20T, +144C, +22348T, +33078A) was significantly associated with higher BMD at various sites (p<0.001-0.03) and with lower serum osteocalcin levels (p = 0.01 in the codominant model).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that the +22348C-->T polymorphism and HT4 of CAT may be useful genetic markers for bone metabolism.

Analysis of allelic variants in the catalase gene in patients with the skin depigmenting disorder vitiligo

Vitiligo is an acquired hypomelanotic skin disorder characterised by circumscribed depigmented macules resulting from the loss of functional melanocytes from the cutaneous epidermis. Conditions that might result in epidermal oxidative stress and consequently damage to pigment cells have been reported in the skin of vitiligo patients, including low catalase activity and increases in hydrogen peroxide levels. However, the cause of the decrease in catalase activity has not been equivocally determined. Several allelic variants in the catalase gene, a number of which have deleterious effects upon the expression or function of the enzyme, have been described and the aim of the present work was to assess the relevance of catalase gene variants in patients with vitiligo. Associations between ten separate allelic variants in the catalase gene and a predisposition to vitiligo were investigated in case-control studies with 166 English patients and 169 ethnically-matched controls using DNA sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction methods. Of the ten allelic variants analysed, only a C/T single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 9 of the catalase gene was associated with vitiligo. The C/T genotype was significantly over-represented in the vitiligo patient group compared with the control cohort. Of 166 vitiligo genotypes, 66 (39.8%) had the C/T variant compared to 45/169 (26.6%) control genotypes (P = 0.030). No evidence for an association between other allelic variants in the catalase gene and vitiligo susceptibility was found. The low catalase activity in vitiligo patient epidermis is more likely to result from environmental conditions such as inhibitory levels of hydrogen peroxide rather than allelic variations in the catalase gene which affect either expression or function of the enzyme.