Calcium-dependent oxidation of thioredoxin during cellular growth initiation

Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma-Activated Medium Modulates Cellular Functions of Human Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells In Vitro

Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) offers a variety of therapeutic possibilities and induces the formation of reactive chemical species associated with oxidative stress. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) play a central role in tissue regeneration, partly because of their antioxidant properties and ability to migrate into regenerating areas. During the therapeutic application, MSCs are directly exposed to the reactive species of CAP. Therefore, the investigation of CAP-induced effects on MSCs is essential. In this study, we quantified the amount of ROS due to the CAP activation of the culture medium. In addition, cell number, metabolic activity, stress signals, and migration were analyzed after the treatment of MSCs with a CAP-activated medium. CAP-activated media induced a significant increase in ROS but did not cause cytotoxic effects on MSCs when the treatment was singular and short-term (one day). This single treatment led to increased cell migration, an essential process in wound healing. In parallel, there was an increase in various cell stress proteins, indicating an adaptation to oxidative stress. Repeated treatments with the CAP-activated medium impaired the viability of the MSCs. The results shown here provide information on the influence of treatment frequency and intensity, which could be necessary for the therapeutic application of CAP.

Progress in the mechanism and targeted drug therapy for COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis characterised by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow. The prevalence of COPD has increased over the last decade and the drugs most commonly used to treat it, such as glucocorticoids and bronchodilators, have significant therapeutic effects; however, they also cause side effects, including infection and immunosuppression. Here we reviewed the pathogenesis and progression of COPD and elaborated on the effects and mechanisms of newly developed molecular targeted COPD therapeutic drugs. Among these new drugs, we focussed on thioredoxin (Trx). Trx effectively prevents the progression of COPD by regulating redox status and protease/anti-protease balance, blocking the NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways, suppressing the activation and migration of inflammatory cells and the production of cytokines, inhibiting the synthesis and the activation of adhesion factors and growth factors, and controlling the cAMP-PKA and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways. The mechanism by which Trx affects COPD is different from glucocorticoid-based mechanisms which regulate the inflammatory reaction in association with suppressing immune responses. In addition, Trx also improves the insensitivity of COPD to steroids by inhibiting the production and internalisation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). Taken together, these findings suggest that Trx may be the ideal drug for treating COPD.

Unveiling the Physical and Functional Niches of FAM26F by Analyzing Its Subcellular Localization and Novel Interacting Partners

The knowledge of a protein's subcellular localization and interacting partners are crucial for elucidating its cellular function and associated regulatory networks. Although FAM26F (family with sequence similarity 26, member F) has been recognized as a vital player in various infections, stimulation studies, cancer, and immune pathogenesis, the precise location and function of FAM26F are not well understood. The current study is the first to focus on functional characterization of FAM26F by analyzing its subcellular localization and identifying its novel interacting partners using advanced proteome approaches. The immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy results revealed FAM26F to be largely localized within the Golgi apparatus of the cell. However, its minor presence in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) pointed toward the probable retrograde transfer of FAM26F from Golgi to ER during adverse conditions. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation and MS/MS results demonstrated a total of 85 proteins, 44 of which significantly copurified with FAM26F. Interestingly, out of these 44 MS/MS identified proteins, almost 52% were involved in innate immunity, 38.6% in neutrophil degranulation, and remaining 10% were either involved in phosphorylation, degradation, or regulation of apoptosis. Further characterization through Ingenuity Pathway Analysis showed that majority of these proteins was involved in maintaining calcium homeostasis of cell. Consequently, the validation of selected proteins uncovered the key interaction of FAM26F with Thioredoxin, which essentially paved the way for depicting its mechanism of action under stress or disease conditions. It is proposed that activation and inhibition of the cellular immune response is essentially dependent on whether FAM26F or Thioredoxin considerably interact with CD30R.

Spatial and temporal alterations in protein structure by EGF regulate cryptic cysteine oxidation

Stimulation of plasma membrane receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), locally increases the abundance of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS then oxidize cysteine residues in proteins to potentiate downstream signaling. Spatial confinement of ROS is an important regulatory mechanism of redox signaling that enables the stimulation of different RTKs to oxidize distinct sets of downstream proteins. To uncover additional mechanisms that specify cysteines that are redox regulated by EGF stimulation, we performed time-resolved quantification of the EGF-dependent oxidation of 4200 cysteine sites in A431 cells. Fifty-one percent of cysteines were statistically significantly oxidized by EGF stimulation. Furthermore, EGF induced three distinct spatiotemporal patterns of cysteine oxidation in functionally organized protein networks, consistent with the spatial confinement model. Unexpectedly, protein crystal structure analysis and molecular dynamics simulations indicated widespread redox regulation of cryptic cysteine residues that are solvent exposed only upon changes in protein conformation. Phosphorylation and increased flux of nucleotide substrates served as two distinct modes by which EGF specified the cryptic cysteine residues that became solvent exposed and redox regulated. Because proteins that are structurally regulated by different RTKs or cellular perturbations are largely unique, these findings suggest that solvent exposure and redox regulation of cryptic cysteine residues contextually delineate redox signaling networks.

A Technology Roadmap for Innovative Approaches to Kidney Replacement Therapies: A Catalyst for Change

The number of patients dialyzed for ESKD exceeds 500,000 in the United States and more than 2.6 million people worldwide, with the expectation that the worldwide number will double by 2030. The human cost of health and societal financial cost of ESKD is substantial. Dialytic therapy is associated with an unacceptably high morbidity and mortality rate and poor quality of life. Although innovation in many areas of science has been transformative, there has been little innovation in dialysis or alternatives for kidney replacement therapy (KRT) since its introduction approximately 70 years ago. Advances in kidney biology, stem cells and kidney cell differentiation protocols, biomaterials, sensors, nano/microtechnology, sorbents and engineering, and interdisciplinary approaches and collaborations can lead to disruptive innovation. The Kidney Health Initiative, a public-private partnership between the American Society of Nephrology and the US Food and Drug Administration, has convened a multidisciplinary group to create a technology roadmap for innovative approaches to KRT to address patients' needs. The Roadmap is a living document. It identifies the design criteria that must be considered to replace the myriad functions of the kidney, as well as scientific, technical, regulatory, and payor milestones required to commercialize and provide patient access to KRT alternatives. Various embodiments of potential solutions are discussed, but the Roadmap is agnostic to any particular solution set. System enablers are identified, including vascular access, biomaterial development, biologic and immunologic modulation, function, and safety monitoring. Important Roadmap supporting activities include regulatory alignment and innovative financial incentives and payment pathways. The Roadmap provides estimated timelines for replacement of specific kidney functions so that approaches can be conceptualized in ways that are actionable and attract talented innovators from multiple disciplines. The Roadmap has been used to guide the selection of KidneyX prizes for innovation in KRT.

Thioredoxin silencing-induced cardiac supercontraction occurs through endoplasmic reticulum stress and calcium overload in chicken

The thioredoxin (Txn) system is the most crucial antioxidant defense mechanism in the myocardium, and hampering the Txn system may compromise cell survival. Calcium (Ca) imbalance is associated with a variety of cardiomyopathies, and dysregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis is often considered a critical starting point for heart disease. However, the roles of Txn and the Txn system in maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis in cardiomyocytes have been infrequently reported. Here, we examined the expression of genes associated with Ca2+ channels using a model of Txn suppression in cardiomyocyte cultures (siRNA and Txn inhibitor) and report that Txn knockdown can cause Ca2+ overload in the myocardial cytoplasm and release of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+, which induces ER stress. Our results showed that Txn knockdown could lead to cytosolic Ca2+ overload through upregulated gene expression of Ca2+ channel-related genes in the cytoplasmic and ER membranes. Furthermore, we find that excessive Ca2+ concentrations in the cytoplasm may increase myocardial contraction, and heat shock proteins may play a protective role throughout the process. Our present study reveals a novel model of regulation for low Txn expression in myocardial injury.

Epidermal growth factor-induced hydrogen peroxide production is mediated by dual oxidase 1

Stimulation of mammalian cells by epidermal growth factor (EGF) elicits complex signaling events, including an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. Understanding the significance of this response is limited by the fact that the source of EGF-induced H2O2 production is unknown. Here we show that EGF-induced H2O2 production in epidermal cell lines is dependent on the agonist-induced calcium signal. We analyzed the expression of NADPH oxidase isoforms and found both A431 and HaCaT cells to express the calcium-sensitive NADPH oxidase, Dual oxidase 1 (Duox1) and its protein partner Duox activator 1 (DuoxA1). Inhibition of Duox1 expression by small interfering RNAs eliminated EGF-induced H2O2 production in both cell lines. We also demonstrate that H2O2 production by Duox1 leads to the oxidation of thioredoxin-1 and the cytosolic peroxiredoxins. Our observations provide evidence for a new signaling paradigm in which changes of intracellular calcium concentration are transformed into redox signals through the calcium-dependent activation of Duox1.

Reversible oxidation of vicinal-thiols motif in sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium regulatory proteins is involved in muscle fatigue mechanism

The mechanism underlying fatigue in skeletal muscle (SM) related to the redox-potential hypothesis, ranges from a direct effect of oxygen reactive species, to a number of other free radical intermediates targeting specific amino acids in the Ca(2+)-regulatory proteins of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). In the present study, we investigate the selective oxidation/reduction of the protein motif Cys-(Xn=2-6)-Cys, known as a vicinal thiol group (VTG), present in the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) and in the Ca(2+)-channel ryanodine receptor (RyR) which are modified during muscle fatigue in SM. Selective oxidation of VTG with phenyl arsine oxide (PAO) increases fatigue in rat isolated SM and fatigue is prevented when muscle is previously incubated with a VTG selective reducing agent, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol (British anti-Lewisite (BAL)). In isolated SR membranes, PAO [<0.1mM] modifies SERCA conformation and inhibits ATPase activity but does not affect Ca(2+)-release. However, PAO at [>0.1mM] inhibits SERCA and RyR activities in a reversible manner by selectively reducing them. Interestingly, as observed by differential scanning calorimetry, the conformation of SERCA from fatigued muscle changed in a similar manner as when SERCA VTG where oxidized. The addition of BAL to fatigued muscle restored the structural conformation and activity of SERCA with full recovery of muscle force production after fatigue. We conclude that VTG reversible oxidation of SR Ca(2+) regulatory proteins are involved in muscle contraction/relaxation and are a molecular mechanism to be considered for muscle fatigue.

A thioredoxin reductase and/or thioredoxin system-based mechanism for antioxidant effects of ambroxol

Long-term treatment with ambroxol (ABX), a bronchial expectorant, was found to prevent acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The underlying mechanism remains unclear. To address this, we have investigated the effect of ABX on critical antioxidant proteins thioredoxin (Trx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) that are decreased in patients with AECOPD. Trx, TrxR and NADP(H) form Trx system, which is involved in regulating numerous oxidative stress-related events. In human bronchial epithelial cells, treatment with ABX from 0 to 200 μM gradually increased mRNA and protein levels of TrxR/Trx. At these ABX concentrations, TrxR activity was elevated progressively, whereas Trx activity exhibited a dose-dependent biphasic response, increasing at 50 and 75 μM, but decreasing at ABX over 150 μM. Pre-treatment with 75 μM ABX enhanced the capacity of the cells to eliminate reactive oxygen species, which was largely prevented by knockdown of cytosolic Trx (hTrx1). In a purified system, ABX shortened the initial lag phase during the reduction of insulin disulfide by Trx system. Pre-treatment of NADPH-reduced TrxR with ABX caused a dose- and time-dependent increase in thiolate/selenolate species, i.e. the catalytically active form of TrxR. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that the reduction of H2O2 by TrxR or Trx system were enhanced by 100 or 200 μM ABX. When hTrx1 was mixed with ABX in a molar ratio of 1:1 to 1:100 (which could occur in human plasma), changes in intrinsic Trp fluorescence occurred, and the response of reduced hTrx1 was especially remarkable. These data reveal an ABX-sensing mechanism of TrxR/Trx. We therefore conclude that the antioxidant actions of ABX at physiological concentrations are, at least partially, mediated by TrxR and/or Trx system.

Thioredoxin 1 is inactivated due to oxidation induced by peroxiredoxin under oxidative stress and reactivated by the glutaredoxin system

The mammalian cytosolic thioredoxin system, comprising thioredoxin (Trx), Trx reductase, and NADPH, is the major protein-disulfide reductase of the cell and has numerous functions. Besides the active site thiols, human Trx1 contains three non-active site cysteine residues at positions 62, 69, and 73. A two-disulfide form of Trx1, containing an active site disulfide between Cys-32 and Cys-35 and a non-active site disulfide between Cys-62 and Cys-69, is inactive either as a disulfide reductase or as a substrate for Trx reductase. This could possibly provide a structural switch affecting Trx1 function during oxidative stress and redox signaling. We found that two-disulfide Trx1 was generated in A549 cells under oxidative stress. In vitro data showed that two-disulfide Trx1 was generated from oxidation of Trx1 catalyzed by peroxiredoxin 1 in the presence of H2O2. The redox Western blot data indicated that the glutaredoxin system protected Trx1 in HeLa cells from oxidation caused by ebselen, a superfast oxidant for Trx1. Our results also showed that physiological concentrations of glutathione, NADPH, and glutathione reductase reduced the non-active site disulfide in vitro. This reaction was stimulated by glutaredoxin 1 via the so-called monothiol mechanism. In conclusion, reversible oxidation of the non-active site disulfide of Trx1 is suggested to play an important role in redox regulation and cell signaling via temporal inhibition of its protein-disulfide reductase activity for the transmission of oxidative signals under oxidative stress.

Principles in redox signaling: from chemistry to functional significance

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are currently considered not only harmful byproducts of aerobic respiration but also critical mediators of redox signaling. The molecules and the chemical principles sustaining the network of cellular redox regulated processes are described. Special emphasis is placed on hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), now considered as acting as a second messenger, and on sulfhydryl groups, which are the direct targets of the oxidant signal. Cysteine residues of some proteins, therefore, act as sensors of redox conditions and are oxidized in a reversible reaction. In particular, the formation of sulfenic acid and disulfide, the initial steps of thiol oxidation, are described in detail. The many cell pathways involved in reactive oxygen species formation are reported. Central to redox signaling processes are the glutathione and thioredoxin systems controlling H(2)O(2) levels and, hence, the thiol/disulfide balance. Lastly, some of the most important redox-regulated processes involving specific enzymes and organelles are described. The redox signaling area of research is rapidly expanding, and future work will examine new pathways and clarify their importance in cellular pathophysiology.

Assessment of redox changes to hydrogen peroxide-sensitive proteins during EGF signaling

Hydrogen peroxide acts as a second messenger in growth factor signaling where it can oxidize and modify the function of redox-sensitive proteins. While selective thiol oxidation has been measured, there has been no global assessment of protein oxidation following growth factor activation. Significant changes to the abundant and widely distributed redox sensitive thiol proteins were observed in A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide, but no changes were observed following treatment with epidermal growth factor (EGF). This included members of the peroxiredoxin family, which were also monitored in the presence of the thioredoxin reductase inhibitor auranofin to limit their capacity to recycle to the reduced form. We conclude that widespread thiol oxidation does not occur in cells during EGF signaling, and that hydrogen peroxide must act in a highly localized or selective manner.

Mitochondrial Thioredoxin-Glutathione Reductase from Larval Taenia crassiceps (Cysticerci)

Mitochondrial thioredoxin-glutathione reductase was purified from larval Taenia crassiceps (cysticerci). The preparation showed NADPH-dependent reductase activity with either thioredoxin or GSSG, and was able to perform thiol/disulfide exchange reactions. At 25°C specific activities were 437 ± 27 mU mg⁻¹ and 840 ± 49 mU mg⁻¹ with thioredoxin and GSSG, respectively. Apparent K_m values were 0.87 ± 0.04 μM, 41 ± 6 μM and 19 ± 10 μM for thioredoxin, GSSG and NADPH, respectively. Thioredoxin from eukaryotic sources was accepted as substrate. The enzyme reduced H₂O₂ in a NADPH-dependent manner, although with low catalytic efficiency. In the presence of thioredoxin, mitochondrial TGR showed a thioredoxin peroxidase-like activity. All disulfide reductase activities were inhibited by auranofin, suggesting mTGR is dependent on selenocysteine. The reductase activity with GSSG showed a higher dependence on temperature as compared with the DTNB reductase activity. The variation of the GSSG- and DTNB reductase activities on pH was dependent on the disulfide substrate. Like the cytosolic isoform, mTGR showed a hysteretic kinetic behavior at moderate or high GSSG concentrations, but it was less sensitive to calcium. The enzyme was able to protect glutamine synthetase from oxidative inactivation, suggesting that mTGR is competent to contend with oxidative stress.

Respiration-dependent H2O2 removal in brain mitochondria via the thioredoxin/peroxiredoxin system

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in both physiological cell signaling processes and numerous pathological states, including neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson disease. While mitochondria are considered the major cellular source of ROS, their role in ROS removal remains largely unknown. Using polarographic methods for real-time detection of steady-state H(2)O(2) levels, we were able to quantitatively measure the contributions of potential systems toward H(2)O(2) removal by brain mitochondria. Isolated rat brain mitochondria showed significant rates of exogenous H(2)O(2) removal (9-12 nmol/min/mg of protein) in the presence of substrates, indicating a respiration-dependent process. Glutathione systems showed only minimal contributions: 25% decrease with glutathione reductase inhibition and no effect by glutathione peroxidase inhibition. In contrast, inhibitors of thioredoxin reductase, including auranofin and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, attenuated H(2)O(2) removal rates in mitochondria by 80%. Furthermore, a 50% decrease in H(2)O(2) removal was observed following oxidation of peroxiredoxin. Differential oxidation of glutathione or thioredoxin proteins by copper (II) or arsenite, respectively, provided further support for the thioredoxin/peroxiredoxin system as the major contributor to mitochondrial H(2)O(2) removal. Inhibition of the thioredoxin system exacerbated mitochondrial H(2)O(2) production by the redox cycling agent, paraquat. Additionally, decreases in H(2)O(2) removal were observed in intact dopaminergic neurons with thioredoxin reductase inhibition, implicating this mechanism in whole cell systems. Therefore, in addition to their recognized role in ROS production, mitochondria also remove ROS. These findings implicate respiration- and thioredoxin-dependent ROS removal as a potentially important mitochondrial function that may contribute to physiological and pathological processes in the brain.

Modulation of thioredoxin reductase-2 expression in EAhy926 cells: implications for endothelial selenoprotein hierarchy

BACKGROUND

We examined the expression of the mitochondrial selenoenzyme TrxR2 in the endothelial cell line EAhy926 under conditions known to modify its cytoplasmic counterpart TrxR1.

METHODS

Cells were cultured with varying concentrations of selenite, sulforaphane or the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 for 72-h, prior to assay of TrxR concentration and activity. Further cultures underwent prolonged (7-day) Se-depletion before selenoprotein measurement.

RESULTS

In Se-deficient cultures, neither Se, A23187 or sulforaphane affected TrxR2 concentration, while these treatments induced TrxR1 concentration (p<0.05). When co-incubated, optimal concentrations of Se (40 nM) and sulforaphane (4 microM) only modestly increased TrxR2 protein (approximately 1.3-fold), compared with TrxR1 (approximately 4-fold). In Se-deficient cells, TrxR activity was unaffected by sulforaphane or A23187. Prolonged Se-depletion caused a comparatively small reduction in TrxR2 (66% TrxR2 retained) against TrxR1 and glutathione peroxidase-1 activity (38% and 17% retained, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The relative resistance of TrxR2 to Se-deprivation and induction by sulforaphane and A23187 suggests TrxR2 lies near the top of the selenoprotein hierarchy in EAhy926 cells and exhibits near maximum expression under a range of culture conditions. In Se deficiency an inactive (possibly truncated) TrxR1 is produced in response to stimulus by sulforaphane and A23187.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

These observations underpin a likely critical antioxidant role for TrxR2 and TrxR1 in the endothelium.

Cisplatin and oxaliplatin toxicity: importance of cochlear kinetics as a determinant for ototoxicity

BACKGROUND

Cisplatin is a cornerstone anticancer drug with pronounced ototoxicity, whereas oxaliplatin, a platinum derivative with a different clinical profile, is rarely ototoxic. This difference has not been explained.

METHODS

In HCT-116 cells, cisplatin (20 microM)-induced apoptosis was reduced by a calcium chelator from 9.9-fold induction (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.1- to 11.7-fold), to 3.1-fold induction (95% CI = 2.0- to 4.2-fold) and by superoxide scavenging from 9.3-fold (95% CI = 8.8- to 9.8-fold), to 5.1-fold (95% CI = 4.4- to 5.8-fold). A guinea pig model (n = 23) was used to examine pharmacokinetics. Drug concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography with post-column derivatization. The total platinum concentration in cochlear tissue was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Drug pharmacokinetics was assessed by determining the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC). Statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

In HCT-116 cells, cisplatin (20 microM)-induced apoptosis was reduced by a calcium chelator from 9.9-fold induction (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.1- to 11.7-fold to 3.1-fold induction) (95% CI = 2.0- to 4.2-fold) and by superoxide scavenging (from 9.3-fold, 95% CI = 8.8- to 9.8-fold, to 5.1-fold, 95% CI = 4.4- to 5.8-fold). Oxaliplatin (20 microM)-induced apoptosis was unaffected by calcium chelation (from 7.1- to 6.2-fold induction) and by superoxide scavenging (from 5.9- to 5.6-fold induction). In guinea pig cochlea, total platinum concentration (0.12 vs 0.63 microg/kg, respectively, P = .008) and perilymphatic drug concentrations (238 vs 515 microM x minute, respectively, P < .001) were lower after intravenous oxaliplatin treatment (16.6 mg/kg) than after equimolar cisplatin treatment (12.5 mg/kg). However, after a non-ototoxic cisplatin dose (5 mg/kg) or the same oxaliplatin dose (16.6 mg/kg), the AUC for perilymphatic concentrations was similar, indicating that the two drugs have different cochlear pharmacokinetics.

CONCLUSION

Cisplatin- but not oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis involved superoxide-related pathways. Lower cochlear uptake of oxaliplatin than cisplatin appears to be a major explanation for its lower ototoxicity.

Quinones are reduced by 6-tetrahydrobiopterin in human keratinocytes, melanocytes, and melanoma cells

Quinones are potentially dangerous substances generated from quinols via the intermediates semiquinone and hydrogen peroxide. Low semiquinone radical concentrations are acting as radical scavengers while high concentrations produce reactive oxygen species and quinones, leading to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and/or DNA damage. Recently it was recognised that thioredoxin reductase/thioredoxin (TR/T) reduces both p- and o-quinones. In this report we examine additional reduction mechanisms for p- and o-quinones generated from hydroquinone (HQ) and coenzyme Q10 and by 17beta-estradiol by the common cofactor 6(R)-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (6BH(4)). Our results confirmed that TR reduces the p-quinone 1,4 benzoquinone and coenzyme Q10-quinone back to HQ and coenzyme Q10-quinol, respectively, while 6BH(4) has the capacity to reduce coenzyme Q10-quinone and the o-quinone produced from 17beta-estradiol. 6BH(4) is present in the cytosol and in the nucleus of epidermal melanocytes and keratinocytes as well as melanoma cells and colocalises with TR/T. Therefore we conclude that both mechanisms are major players in the prevention of quinone-mediated oxidative stress and DNA damage.

Characterization of Alternative Cytosolic Forms and Cellular Targets of Mouse Mitochondrial Thioredoxin Reductase

Thioredoxin reductase (TR) and thioredoxin (Trx) define a major cellular redox system that maintains cysteine residues in numerous proteins in the reduced state. Both cytosolic (TR1 and Trx1) and mitochondrial (TR3 and Trx2) enzymes are essential in mammals, but the function of the mitochondrial system is less understood. In this study, we characterized subcellular localization of three TR3 forms that are generated by alternative first exon splicing and that differ in their N-terminal sequences. Only one of these forms resides in mitochondria, whereas the two other isoforms are cytosolic. Consistent with this finding, TR3 did not have catalytic preferences for mitochondrial Trx2 versus cytosolic Trx1, both of which could serve as TR3 substrates. Similarly, TR1 was equally active with Trx1, Trx2, or a bacterial Trx. We generated recombinant selenoprotein forms of TR1 and TR3 and found that these enzymes were inhibited by zinc, but not by calcium or cobalt ions. We further developed a proteomic method for identification of targets of TRs in mammalian cells utilizing affinity columns containing recombinant TR3 forms differing in C-terminal sequences. Using this procedure, we found that Trx1 was the major target of TR3 in both rat and mouse liver cytosol. The truncated form of TR3 lacking selenocysteine was particularly efficient in binding Trx1, consistent with the previously observed role of truncated TR1 in apoptosis. Overall, these data establish that the function of TR3 is not limited to its role in Trx2 reduction.

Differential effect of calcium ions on the cytosolic and mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase

The effect of calcium ions has been studied on three different isoforms of thioredoxin reductase. The cytosolic (TrxR1), mitochondrial (TrxR2), and the Escherichia coli enzymes were examined and compared. In our condition, TrxR1 appears extremely sensitive to Ca2+ showing an IC50 of about 160 nM, while Ca2+ exerts only a weak inhibitory effect on the mitochondrial isoform. The thioredoxin reductase purified from E. coli is almost completely insensitive to calcium ions. Circular dichroism analysis of highly purified mitochondrial and cytosolic thioredoxin reductases reveals that Ca2+ induces conformational alterations that are particularly relevant only in the cytosolic isoform. These observations are discussed with reference to the physiological role and, in particular, to the regulatory functions of the thioredoxin system.

Redox-sensitive target detection in gibberellic acid-induced barley aleurone layer

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in redox regulation by their capacity to reversibly oxidize cysteine residues. This regulation is used by cells to modulate and integrate different responses to extracellular stimuli. In the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) aleurone layer, gibberellic acid (GA(3)) is perceived at the plasma membrane and induces the synthesis and secretion of alpha-amylase. All aleurone membrane systems participate in the elaboration of this response. During these events, ROS are generated as a by-product from intense lipid metabolism. Therefore, we hypothesized that redox regulation may be operating in the GA(3)-induced response. To test this hypothesis, we measured if GA(3) treatment induced changes in the redox state of aleurone membrane-associated proteins. Membrane proteins with sulfhydryl and disulfide groups were isolated from reduced and in situ NEM-alkylated microsomal fractions, respectively. Each fraction was enriched by thiol-affinity chromatography and separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The in vivo redox state of each membrane protein present in GA(3)-treated and -untreated tissue was determined. Results showed that GA(3) induced the reduced state in 17 constitutive proteins and the oxidized state in another 5. These data indicate that redox changes occur in membrane proteins after GA(3) signaling in the aleurone layer.

Proteomic detection of hydrogen peroxide-sensitive thiol proteins in Jurkat cells

Thiol proteins are important in cellular antioxidant defenses and redox signalling. It is postulated that reactive oxidants cause selective thiol oxidation, but relative sensitivities of different cell proteins and critical targets are not well characterized. We exposed Jurkat cells to H2O2 for 10 min and measured changes in reversibly oxidized proteins by labelling with iodoacetamidofluorescein and two-dimensional electrophoresis. At 200 microM H2O2, which caused activation of the MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase), growth arrest and apoptosis, relatively few changes were seen. A total of 28 spots were reversibly oxidized (increased labelling intensity) and 24 decreased. The latter included isoforms of peroxiredoxins 1 and 2, which were irreversibly oxidized. Oxidation of GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) was striking, and other affected proteins included glutathione S-transferase P1-1, enolase, a regulatory subunit of protein kinase A, annexin VI, the mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine-protein kinase BUB1beta, HSP90beta (heat-shock protein 90beta) and proteosome components. At 20 microM H2O2, changes were fewer, but GAPDH and peroxiredoxin 2 were still modified. Dinitrochlorobenzene treatment, which inhibited cellular thioredoxin reductase and partially depleted GSH, caused reversible oxidation of several proteins, including thioredoxin 1 and peroxiredoxins 1 and 2. Most changes were distinct from those with H2O2, and changes with H2O2 were scarcely enhanced by dinitrochlorobenzene. Relatively few proteins, including deoxycytidine kinase, nucleoside diphosphate kinase and a proteosome activator subunit, responded only to the combined treatment. Thus most of the effects of H2O2 were not linked to thioredoxin oxidation. Our study has identified peroxiredoxin 2 and GAPDH as two of the most oxidant-sensitive cell proteins and has highlighted how readily peroxiredoxins undergo irreversible oxidation.

Effect of auranofin on the mitochondrial generation of hydrogen peroxide. Role of thioredoxin reductase

The mitochondrial production of hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of different respiratory substrates (succinate, glutamate, malate and isocitrate), is stimulated by submicromolar concentrations of auranofin, a highly specific inhibitor of thioredoxin reductase. This effect is particularly evident in the presence of antimycin. Auranofin was also able to unmask the production of hydrogen peroxide occurring in the presence of rotenone. However, at variance with whole mitochondria, auranofin does not stimulate hydrogen peroxide production in submitochondrial particles indicating that it does not alter the formation of hydrogen peroxide by the respiratory chain but prevents its removal. As the mitochondrial metabolism of hydrogen peroxide proceeds through the peroxidases linked to glutathione or thioredoxin, the relative efficiency of the two systems and the effects of auranofin were tested. In conclusion, the inhibition of thioredoxin reductase determines an increase of the basal flow of hydrogen peroxide leading to a more oxidized condition that alters the mitochondrial functions.

The modulation of thiol redox state affects the production and metabolism of hydrogen peroxide by heart mitochondria

In rat heart mitochondria, auranofin, arsenite, diamide, and BCNU increase H2O2 formation, further stimulated by antimycin. However, in submitochondrial particles, H2O2 formation and oxygen uptake are not affected, indicating that these substances do not alter respiration. Mitochondria are also able to rapidly metabolize added H2O2 in a process partially prevented by BCNU or auranofin. Calcium does not modify the production of H2O2 and the mitochondrial thioredoxin system is not affected by calcium ions. Auranofin, arsenite, and diamide determine a large mitochondrial permeability transition, while BCNU and acetoacetate are ineffective. Thiols and glutathione are modified only by BCNU and diamide. However, all the compounds tested cause the release of cytochrome c that occurs also in the absence of mitochondrial swelling. In conclusion, the compounds utilized share the common feature of shifting the mitochondrial thiol-linked redox balance towards a more oxidized condition that is responsible of the observed effects.

Compartmental oxidation of thiol-disulphide redox couples during epidermal growth factor signalling

Exogenously added ROS (reactive oxygen species) cause generalized oxidation of cellular components, whereas endogenously generated ROS induced by physiological stimuli activate discrete signal transduction pathways. Compartmentation is an important aspect of such pathways, but little is known about its role in redox signalling. We measured the redox states of cytosolic and nuclear Trx1 (thioredoxin-1) and mitochondrial Trx2 (thioredoxin-2) using redox Western blot methodologies during endogenous ROS production induced by EGF (epidermal growth factor) signalling. The glutathione redox state was measured by HPLC. Results showed that only cytosolic Trx1 undergoes significant oxidation. Thus EGF signalling involves subcellular compartmental oxidation of Trx1 in the absence of a generalized cellular oxidation.

Direct association of hepatopoietin with thioredoxin constitutes a redox signal transduction in activation of AP-1/NF-κB

It has been demonstrated that growth factors quiescin Q6 family was created by the fusion of the sulfhydryl oxidase fragment of the yeast essential for respiration and vegetative growth (ERV)1 prototype [an orthologue of hepatopoietin (HPO)] and thioredoxin (TRX)/disulfide isomerase domain during evolution. In this paper, our results demonstrated that two components of this composite protein, i.e., HPO and TRX, were involved in the same signal transduction and interacted physically in eukaryocyte. When HPO and TRX were cotransfected into COS7 cells, the activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and NF-kappaB was evidently enhanced compared with the transfection with HPO or TRX alone, at the same time, the phosphorylation of c-Jun was increased. They were colocalized in the cells. By Co-IP and GST pull-down experiments, we found that HPO could physically interact with TRX, which was also confirmed by yeast two-hybrid assay. By further investigation, we found both HPO and TRX were sensitive to cellular oxidative state. HPO dimer is in its natural state and could be reduced by dithiothreitol (DTT) in vitro and in vivo. Under the treatment of oxidants such as H(2)O(2) and diamide, the amount of HPO monomer was decreased significantly and assembled into dimer, and the free thiol in TRX was oxidized. HPO could transfer oxidizing equivalents to TRX via direct thiol-disulfide exchange in vitro, the redox state of TRX was also affected by HPO in vivo. Taken together, it was implicated that the oxidizing equivalents might flow from HPO to TRX and then to substrate protein by the dimerization of HPO, and its interaction with TRX finally activates the redox-sensitive transcription factor, suggesting a new redox signal pathway conducted by thiol-disulfide transformation in eukaryocytic cytoplasm.

Redox regulation of phosphatase function

Although reactive oxygen species play important roles in cellular physiology as signalling molecules, their molecular targets are largely unknown. A probable group of targets for mediating many of the effects of reactive oxygen species on cell signalling is the large diverse family of cysteine-dependent phosphatases, which includes the protein tyrosine phosphatases. Our work and that of others suggest that the oxidative inactivation of protein and lipid phosphatases plays an important part in signalling, downstream of many cellular stimuli. Future studies should give us a clearer picture of the role of phosphatase inactivation in cellular behaviour and explain how specificity is achieved in redox signalling.

Melanin protects melanocytes and keratinocytes against H2O2-induced DNA strand breaks through its ability to bind Ca2+

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) are produced in the skin under the influence of UV radiation. These compounds are highly reactive and can induce DNA lesions in epidermal cells. Melanin is considered to protect human skin against DNA damage by absorbing UV radiation. We have investigated whether melanin can, in addition, offer protection against the effects of H(2)O(2) in human melanocytes and HaCaT keratinocytes. In the present study, it was shown that 40 and 100 microM H(2)O(2) increased the number of DNA strand breaks as measured using the comet assay, in melanocytes of Caucasian origin. In melanocytes of the same origin in which melanin levels were increased by culturing in presence of 10 mM NH(4)Cl and elevated l-tyrosine, H(2)O(2)-induced DNA damage was reduced compared to that in control melanocytes. Similarly, HaCaT cells that were loaded with melanin were better protected against H(2)O(2)-induced DNA strand breaks than control HaCaT cells. These protective effects of melanin were mimicked by the intracellular Ca(2+)-chelator BAPTA. Thus, BAPTA reduced the level of H(2)O(2)-induced DNA strand breaks in melanocytes. Like BAPTA, melanin is known to be a potent chelator of Ca(2+) and this was confirmed in the present study. It was shown that melanin levels in melanocytic cells correlated directly with intracellular Ca(2+) binding capacity and, in addition, correlated inversely with H(2)O(2)-induced increases in intracellular Ca(2+). Our results show that melanin may have an important role in regulating intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis and it is suggested that melanin protects against H(2)O(2)-induced DNA strand breaks in both melanocytes and keratinocytes and through its ability to bind Ca(2+).

Redox potential of human thioredoxin 1 and identification of a second dithiol/disulfide motif

Thioredoxin (Trx1) is a redox-active protein containing two active site cysteines (Cys-32 and Cys-35) that cycle between the dithiol and disulfide forms as Trx1 reduces target proteins. Examination of the redox characteristics of this active site dithiol/disulfide couple is complicated by the presence of three additional non-active site cysteines. Using the redox Western blot technique and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry mass spectrometry, we determined the midpoint potential (E0) of the Trx1 active site (-230 mV) and identified a second redox-active dithiol/disulfide (Cys-62 and Cys-69) in an alpha helix proximal to the active site, which formed under oxidizing conditions. This non-active site disulfide was not a substrate for reduction by thioredoxin reductase and delayed the reduction of the active site disulfide by thioredoxin reductase. Within actively growing THP1 cells, most of the active site of Trx1 was in the dithiol form, whereas the non-active site was totally in the dithiol form. The addition of increasing concentrations of diamide to these cells resulted in oxidation of the active site at fairly low concentrations and oxidation of the non-active site at higher concentrations. Taken together these results suggest that the Cys-62-Cys-69 disulfide could provide a means to transiently inhibit Trx1 activity under conditions of redox signaling or oxidative stress, allowing more time for the sensing and transmission of oxidative signals.

Protection of renal epithelial cells against oxidative injury by endoplasmic reticulum stress preconditioning is mediated by ERK1/2 activation

We investigated the role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response in intracellular Ca2+ regulation, MAPK activation, and cytoprotection in LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells in an attempt to identify the mechanisms of protection afforded by ER stress. Cells preconditioned with trans-4,5-dihydroxy-1,2-dithiane, tunicamycin, thapsigargin, or A23187 expressed ER stress proteins and were resistant to subsequent H2O2-induced cell injury. In addition, ER stress preconditioning prevented the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration that normally follows H2O2 exposure. Stable transfection of cells with antisense RNA targeted against GRP78 (pkASgrp78 cells) prevented GRP78 induction, disabled the ER stress response, sensitized cells to H2O2-induced injury, and prevented the development of tolerance to H2O2 that normally occurs with preconditioning. ERK and JNK were transiently (30-60 min) phosphorylated in response to H2O2. ER stress-preconditioned cells had more ERK and less JNK phosphorylation than control cells in response to H2O2 exposure. Preincubation with a specific inhibitor of JNK activation or adenoviral infection with a construct that encodes constitutively active MEK1, the upstream activator of ERKs, also protected cells against H2O2 toxicity. In contrast, the pkASgrp78 cells had less ERK and more JNK phosphorylation upon H2O2 exposure. Expression of constitutively active ERK also conferred protection on native as well as pkAS-grp78 cells. These results indicate that GRP78 plays an important role in the ER stress response and cytoprotection. ER stress preconditioning attenuates H2O2-induced cell injury in LLC-PK1 cells by preventing an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, potentiating ERK activation, and decreasing JNK activation. Thus, the ER stress response modulates the balance between ERK and JNK signaling pathways to prevent cell death after oxidative injury. Furthermore, ERK activation is an important downstream effector mechanism for cellular protection by ER stress.

JNK1 activity lowers the cellular production of H2O2 and modulates the growth arrest response to scavenging of H2O2 by catalase

Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) can interact with intracellular signaling pathways to regulate cell behavior. The c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) signal, involved in diverse aspects of cellular functioning, is implicated as a cell sensor of redox stress. The growth-inhibitory effect of both high-level H(2)O(2) and H(2)O(2)-scavenging catalase treatments is accompanied by increased JNK1 activity. To investigate the role of this response in growth regulation, the JNK1 signal was increased by the introduction of ectopic HA-JNK1. HA-JNK1 expression correlated with increases in basal c-Jun phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Transient expression of HA-JNK1 potentiated cell growth arrest by catalase; however, with stable expression a degree of resistance to this response was observed. Resistance was accompanied by a lowered endogenous production of H(2)O(2). Transient HA-JNK1 expression also reduced H(2)O(2) generation, and this effect was reversed by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. These results indicate that the JNK1 stress response contributes to growth inhibition by catalase treatment via inhibition of cellular H(2)O(2) production. Stable amplification of the JNK1 pathway leads to cellular adaptation to its signal, resulting in a diminished reliance upon H(2)O(2) for efficient growth.

The thioredoxin system?From science to clinic

The thioredoxin system-formed by thioredoxin reductase and its characteristic substrate thioredoxin-is an important constituent of the intracellular redox milieu. Interactions with many different metabolic pathways such as DNA-synthesis, selenium metabolism, and the antioxidative network as well as significant species differences render this system an attractive target for chemotherapeutic approaches in many fields of medicine-ranging from infectious diseases to cancer therapy. In this review we will present and evaluate the preclinical and clinical results available today. Current trends in drug development are emphasized.