Proteome-wide identification and quantification of S-glutathionylation targets in mouse liver

Glutathione and Glutaredoxin-Key Players in Cellular Redox Homeostasis and Signaling

This Special Issue of Antioxidants on Glutathione (GSH) and Glutaredoxin (Grx) was designed to collect review articles and original research studies focused on advancing the current understanding of the roles of the GSH/Grx system in cellular homeostasis and disease processes. The tripeptide glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant non-enzymatic antioxidant/nucleophilic molecule in cells. In addition to various metabolic reactions involving GSH and its oxidized counterpart GSSG, oxidative post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins has been a focal point of keen interest in the redox field over the last few decades. In particular, the S-glutathionylation of proteins (protein-SSG formation), i.e., mixed disulfides between GSH and protein thiols, has been studied extensively. This reversible PTM can act as a regulatory switch to interconvert inactive and active forms of proteins, thereby mediating cell signaling and redox homeostasis. The unique architecture of the GSH molecule enhances its relative abundance in cells and contributes to the glutathionyl specificity of the primary catalytic activity of the glutaredoxin enzymes, which play central roles in redox homeostasis and signaling, and in iron metabolism in eukaryotes and prokaryotes under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The class-1 glutaredoxins are characterized as cytosolic GSH-dependent oxidoreductases that catalyze reversible protein S-glutathionylation specifically, thereby contributing to the regulation of redox signal transduction and/or the protection of protein thiols from irreversible oxidation. This Special Issue includes nine other articles: three original studies and six review papers. Together, these ten articles support the central theme that GSH/Grx is a unique system for regulating thiol-redox hemostasis and redox-signal transduction, and the dysregulation of the GSH/Grx system is implicated in the onset and progression of various diseases involving oxidative stress. Within this context, it is important to appreciate the complementary functions of the GSH/Grx and thioredoxin systems not only in thiol-disulfide regulation but also in reversible S-nitrosylation. Several potential clinical applications have emerged from a thorough understanding of the GSH/Grx redox regulatory system at the molecular level, and in various cell types in vitro and in vivo, including, among others, the concept that elevating Grx content/activity could serve as an anti-fibrotic intervention; and discovering small molecules that mimic the inhibitory effects of S-glutathionylation on dimer association could identify novel anti-viral agents that impact the key protease activities of the HIV and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Thus, this Special Issue on Glutathione and Glutaredoxin has focused attention and advanced understanding of an important aspect of redox biology, as well as spawning questions worthy of future study.

Cystine/Glutamate Xc- Antiporter Induction Compensates for Transsulfuration Pathway Repression by 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) to Ensure Cysteine for Hepatic Glutathione Biosynthesis

Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been associated with the induction of oxidative stress and the progression of steatosis to steatohepatitis with fibrosis. It also disrupts metabolic pathways including one-carbon metabolism (OCM) and the transsulfuration pathway with possible consequences on glutathione (GSH) levels. In this study, complementary RNAseq and metabolomics data were integrated to examine the hepatic transsulfuration pathway and glutathione biosynthesis in mice following treatment with TCDD every 4 days for 28 days. TCDD dose-dependently repressed hepatic cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CTH) mRNA and protein levels. Reduced CBS and CTH levels are also correlated with dose-dependent decreases in hepatic extract hydrogen sulfide (H2S). In contrast, cysteine levels increased consistent with the induction of Slc7a11, which encodes for the cystine/glutamate Xc- antiporter. Cotreatment of primary hepatocytes with sulfasalazine, a cystine/glutamate Xc- antiporter inhibitor, decreased labeled cysteine incorporation into GSH with a corresponding increase in TCDD cytotoxicity. Although reduced and oxidized GSH levels were unchanged following treatment due to the induction of GSH/GSSG efflux transporter by TCDD, the GSH:GSSG ratio decreased and global protein S-glutathionylation levels in liver extracts increased in response to oxidative stress along with the induction of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (Gclc), glutathione synthetase (Gss), glutathione disulfide reductase (Gsr), and glutathione transferase π (Gstp). Furthermore, levels of ophthalmic acid, a biomarker of oxidative stress indicating GSH consumption, were also increased. Collectively, the data suggest that increased cystine transport due to cystine/glutamate Xc- antiporter induction compensated for decreased cysteine production following repression of the transsulfuration pathway to support GSH synthesis in response to TCDD-induced oxidative stress.

Regulation of Mitochondrial Hydrogen Peroxide Availability by Protein S-glutathionylation

BACKGROUND

It has been four decades since protein S-glutathionylation was proposed to serve as a regulator of cell metabolism. Since then, this redox-sensitive covalent modification has been identified as a cell-wide signaling platform required for embryonic development and regulation of many physiological functions.

SCOPE OF THE REVIEW

Mitochondria use hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as a second messenger, but its availability must be controlled to prevent oxidative distress and promote changes in cell behavior in response to stimuli. Experimental data favor the function of protein S-glutathionylation as a feedback loop for the inhibition of mitochondrial H₂O₂ production.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

The glutathione pool redox state is linked to the availability of H₂O₂, making glutathionylation an ideal mechanism for preventing oxidative distress whilst playing a part in desensitizing mitochondrial redox signals.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The biological significance of glutathionylation is rooted in redox status communication. The present review critically evaluates the experimental evidence supporting its role in negating mitochondrial H₂O₂ production for cell signaling and prevention of electrophilic stress.

Defining the S-Glutathionylation Proteome by Biochemical and Mass Spectrometric Approaches

Protein S-glutathionylation (SSG) is a reversible post-translational modification (PTM) featuring the conjugation of glutathione to a protein cysteine thiol. SSG can alter protein structure, activity, subcellular localization, and interaction with small molecules and other proteins. Thus, it plays a critical role in redox signaling and regulation in various physiological activities and pathological events. In this review, we summarize current biochemical and analytical approaches for characterizing SSG at both the proteome level and at individual protein levels. To illustrate the mechanism underlying SSG-mediated redox regulation, we highlight recent examples of functional and structural consequences of SSG modifications. Finally, we discuss the analytical challenges in characterizing SSG and the thiol PTM landscape, future directions for understanding of the role of SSG in redox signaling and regulation and its interplay with other PTMs, and the potential role of computational approaches to accelerate functional discovery.

Ferrochelatase: Mapping the Intersection of Iron and Porphyrin Metabolism in the Mitochondria

Porphyrin and iron are ubiquitous and essential for sustaining life in virtually all living organisms. Unlike iron, which exists in many forms, porphyrin macrocycles are mostly functional as metal complexes. The iron-containing porphyrin, heme, serves as a prosthetic group in a wide array of metabolic pathways; including respiratory cytochromes, hemoglobin, cytochrome P450s, catalases, and other hemoproteins. Despite playing crucial roles in many biological processes, heme, iron, and porphyrin intermediates are potentially cytotoxic. Thus, the intersection of porphyrin and iron metabolism at heme synthesis, and intracellular trafficking of heme and its porphyrin precursors are tightly regulated processes. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the physiological dynamics of eukaryotic ferrochelatase, a mitochondrially localized metalloenzyme. Ferrochelatase catalyzes the terminal step of heme biosynthesis, the insertion of ferrous iron into protoporphyrin IX to produce heme. In most eukaryotes, except plants, ferrochelatase is localized to the mitochondrial matrix, where substrates are delivered and heme is synthesized for trafficking to multiple cellular locales. Herein, we delve into the structural and functional features of ferrochelatase, as well as its metabolic regulation in the mitochondria. We discuss the regulation of ferrochelatase via post-translational modifications, transportation of substrates and product across the mitochondrial membrane, protein-protein interactions, inhibition by small-molecule inhibitors, and ferrochelatase in protozoal parasites. Overall, this review presents insight on mitochondrial heme homeostasis from the perspective of ferrochelatase.

Nrf2 activation does not affect adenoma development in a mouse model of colorectal cancer

Transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its main negative regulator, Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 (Keap1), are at the interface between redox and intermediary metabolism. Nrf2 activation is protective in models of human disease and has benefits in clinical trials. Consequently, the Keap1/Nrf2 protein complex is a drug target. However, in cancer Nrf2 plays a dual role, raising concerns that Nrf2 activators may promote growth of early neoplasms. To address this concern, we examined the role of Nrf2 in development of colorectal adenomas by employing genetic, pharmacological, and metabolomic approaches. We found that colorectal adenomas that form in Gstp-/-: ApcMin/+ mice are characterized by altered one-carbon metabolism and that genetic activation, but not disruption of Nrf2, enhances these metabolic alterations. However, this enhancement is modest compared to the magnitude of metabolic differences between tumor and peri-tumoral tissues, suggesting that the metabolic changes conferred by Nrf2 activation may have little contribution to the early stages of carcinogenesis. Indeed, neither genetic (by Keap1 knockdown) nor pharmacological Nrf2 activation, nor its disruption, affected colorectal adenoma formation in this model. We conclude that pharmacological Nrf2 activation is unlikely to impact the early stages of development of colorectal cancer.

Characterization of cellular oxidative stress response by stoichiometric redox proteomics

The thiol redox proteome refers to all proteins whose cysteine thiols are subjected to various redox-dependent posttranslational modifications (PTMs) including S-glutathionylation (SSG), S-nitrosylation (SNO), S-sulfenylation (SOH), and S-sulfhydration (SSH). These modifications can impact various aspects of protein function such as activity, binding, conformation, localization, and interactions with other molecules. To identify novel redox proteins in signaling and regulation, it is highly desirable to have robust redox proteomics methods that can provide global, site-specific, and stoichiometric quantification of redox PTMs. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based redox proteomics has emerged as the primary platform for broad characterization of thiol PTMs in cells and tissues. Herein, we review recent advances in MS-based redox proteomics approaches for quantitative profiling of redox PTMs at physiological or oxidative stress conditions and highlight some recent applications. Considering the relative maturity of available methods, emphasis will be on two types of modifications: 1) total oxidation (i.e., all reversible thiol modifications), the level of which represents the overall redox state, and 2) S-glutathionylation, a major form of reversible thiol oxidation. We also discuss the significance of stoichiometric measurements of thiol PTMs as well as future perspectives toward a better understanding of cellular redox regulatory networks in cells and tissues.

S-glutathionylation, friend or foe in cardiovascular health and disease

Glutathione is a low molecular weight thiol that is present at high levels in the cell. The high levels of glutathione in the cell make it one of the most abundant antioxidants contributing to cellular redox homeostasis. As a general rule, throughout cardiovascular disease and progression there is an imbalance in redox homeostasis characterized by reactive oxygen species overproduction and glutathione underproduction. As research into these imbalances continues, glutathione concentrations are increasingly being observed to drive various physiological and pathological signaling responses. Interestingly in addition to acting directly as an antioxidant, glutathione is capable of post translational modifications (S-glutathionylation) of proteins through both chemical interactions and enzyme mediated events. This review will discuss both the chemical and enzyme-based S-glutathionylation of proteins involved in cardiovascular pathologies and angiogenesis.

Deletion of the Glutaredoxin-2 Gene Protects Mice from Diet-Induced Weight Gain, Which Correlates with Increased Mitochondrial Respiration and Proton Leaks in Skeletal Muscle

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine whether deleting the gene encoding glutaredoxin-2 (GRX2) could protect mice from diet-induced weight gain. Results: Subjecting wild-type littermates to a high fat diet (HFD) induced a significant increase in overall body mass, white adipose tissue hypertrophy, lipid droplet accumulation in hepatocytes, and higher circulating insulin and triglyceride levels. In contrast, GRX2 heterozygotes (GRX2^+/-) fed an HFD had a body mass, white adipose tissue weight, and hepatic and circulating lipid and insulin levels similar to littermates fed a control diet. Examination of the bioenergetics of muscle mitochondria revealed that this protective effect was associated with an increase in respiration and proton leaks. Muscle mitochondria from GRX2^+/- mice had a ∼2- to 3-fold increase in state 3 (phosphorylating) respiration when pyruvate/malate or succinate served as substrates and a ∼4-fold increase when palmitoyl-carnitine was being oxidized. Proton leaks were ∼2- to 3-fold higher in GRX2^+/- muscle mitochondria. Treatment of mitochondria with either guanosine diphosphate, genipin, or octanoyl-carnitine revealed that the higher rate of O₂ consumption under state 4 conditions was associated with increased leaks through uncoupling protein-3 and adenine nucleotide translocase. GRX2^+/- mitochondria also had better protection from oxidative distress. Innovation: For the first time, we demonstrate that deleting the Grx2 gene can protect from diet-induced weight gain and the development of obesity-related disorders. Conclusions: Deleting the Grx2 gene protects mice from diet-induced weight gain. This effect was related to an increase in muscle fuel combustion, mitochondrial respiration, proton leaks, and reactive oxygen species handling. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 31, 1272-1288.

Dysregulation of the glutaredoxin/S-glutathionylation redox axis in lung diseases

Glutathione is a major redox buffer, reaching millimolar concentrations within cells and high micromolar concentrations in airways. While glutathione has been traditionally known as an antioxidant defense mechanism that protects the lung tissue from oxidative stress, glutathione more recently has become recognized for its ability to become covalently conjugated to reactive cysteines within proteins, a modification known as S-glutathionylation (or S-glutathiolation or protein mixed disulfide). S-glutathionylation has the potential to change the structure and function of the target protein, owing to its size (the addition of three amino acids) and charge (glutamic acid). S-glutathionylation also protects proteins from irreversible oxidation, allowing them to be enzymatically regenerated. Numerous enzymes have been identified to catalyze the glutathionylation/deglutathionylation reactions, including glutathione S-transferases and glutaredoxins. Although protein S-glutathionylation has been implicated in numerous biological processes, S-glutathionylated proteomes have largely remained unknown. In this paper, we focus on the pathways that regulate GSH homeostasis, S-glutathionylated proteins, and glutaredoxins, and we review methods required toward identification of glutathionylated proteomes. Finally, we present the latest findings on the role of glutathionylation/glutaredoxins in various lung diseases: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Sex-dependent Differences in the Bioenergetics of Liver and Muscle Mitochondria from Mice Containing a Deletion for glutaredoxin-2

Our group recently published a study demonstrating that deleting the gene encoding the matrix thiol oxidoreductase, glutaredoxin-2 (GRX2), alters the bioenergetics of mitochondria isolated from male C57BL/6N mice. Here, we conducted a similar study, examining H₂O₂ production and respiration in mitochondria isolated from female mice heterozygous (GRX2+/−) or homozygous (GRX2−/−) for glutaredoxin-2. First, we observed that deleting the Grx2 gene does not alter the rate of H₂O₂ production in liver and muscle mitochondria oxidizing pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate, or succinate. Examination of the rates of H₂O₂ release from liver mitochondria isolated from male and female mice revealed that (1) sex has an impact on the rate of ROS production by liver and muscle mitochondria and (2) loss of GRX2 only altered ROS release in mitochondria collected from male mice. Assessment of the bioenergetics of these mitochondria revealed that loss of GRX2 increased proton leak-dependent and phosphorylating respiration in liver mitochondria isolated from female mice but did not alter rates of respiration in liver mitochondria from male mice. Furthermore, we found that deleting the Grx2 gene did not alter rates of respiration in muscle mitochondria collected from female mice. This contrasts with male mice where loss of GRX2 substantially augmented proton leaks and ADP-stimulated respiration. Our findings indicate that some fundamental sexual dimorphisms exist between GRX2-deficient male and female rodents.

Detecting post-translational modification signatures as potential biomarkers in clinical mass spectrometry

INTRODUCTION

Numerous diseases are caused by changes in post-translational modifications (PTMs). Therefore, the number of clinical proteomics studies that include the analysis of PTMs is increasing. Combining complementary information-for example changes in protein abundance, PTM levels, with the genome and transcriptome (proteogenomics)-holds great promise for discovering important drivers and markers of disease, as variations in copy number, expression levels, or mutations without spatial/functional/isoform information is often insufficient or even misleading. Areas covered: We discuss general considerations, requirements, pitfalls, and future perspectives in applying PTM-centric proteomics to clinical samples. This includes samples obtained from a human subject, for instance (i) bodily fluids such as plasma, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid, (ii) primary cells such as reproductive cells, blood cells, and (iii) tissue samples/biopsies. Expert commentary: PTM-centric discovery proteomics can substantially contribute to the understanding of disease mechanisms by identifying signatures with potential diagnostic or even therapeutic relevance but may require coordinated efforts of interdisciplinary and eventually multi-national consortia, such as initiated in the cancer moonshot program. Additionally, robust and standardized mass spectrometry (MS) assays-particularly targeted MS, MALDI imaging, and immuno-MALDI-may be transferred to the clinic to improve patient stratification for precision medicine, and guide therapies.

Protein S-glutathionylation: The linchpin for the transmission of regulatory information on redox buffering capacity in mitochondria

Protein S-glutathionylation reactions are a ubiquitous oxidative modification required to control protein function in response to changes in redox buffering capacity. These reactions are rapid and reversible and are, for the most part, enzymatically mediated by glutaredoxins (GRX) and glutathione S-transferases (GST). Protein S-glutathionylation has been found to control a range of cell functions in response to different physiological cues. Although these reactions occur throughout the cell, mitochondrial proteins seem to be highly susceptible to reversible S-glutathionylation, a feature attributed to the unique physical properties of this organelle. Indeed, mitochondria contain a number of S-glutathionylation targets which includes proteins involved in energy metabolism, solute transport, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, proton leaks, apoptosis, antioxidant defense, and mitochondrial fission and fusion. Moreover, it has been found that conjugation and removal of glutathione from proteins in mitochondria fulfills a number of important physiological roles and defects in these reactions can have some dire pathological consequences. Here, we provide an updated overview on mitochondrial protein S-glutathionylation reactions and their importance in cell functions and physiology.

Mitoproteomics: Tackling Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Human Disease

Mitochondria are highly dynamic and regulated organelles that historically have been defined based on their crucial role in cell metabolism. However, they are implicated in a variety of other important functions, making mitochondrial dysfunction an important axis in several pathological contexts. Despite that conventional biochemical and molecular biology approaches have provided significant insight into mitochondrial functionality, innovative techniques that provide a global view of the mitochondrion are still necessary. Proteomics fulfils this need by enabling accurate, systems-wide quantitative analysis of protein abundance. More importantly, redox proteomics approaches offer unique opportunities to tackle oxidative stress, a phenomenon that is intimately linked to aging, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In addition, cutting-edge proteomics approaches reveal how proteins exert their functions in complex interaction networks where even subtle alterations stemming from early pathological states can be monitored. Here, we describe the proteomics approaches that will help to deepen the role of mitochondria in health and disease by assessing not only changes to mitochondrial protein composition but also alterations to their redox state and how protein interaction networks regulate mitochondrial function and dynamics. This review is aimed at showing the reader how the application of proteomics approaches during the last 20 years has revealed crucial mitochondrial roles in the context of aging, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic disease, and cancer.

Ethanol Induced Disordering of Pancreatic Acinar Cell Endoplasmic Reticulum: An ER Stress/Defective Unfolded Protein Response Model

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Heavy alcohol drinking is associated with pancreatitis, whereas moderate intake lowers the risk. Mice fed ethanol long term show no pancreas damage unless adaptive/protective responses mediating proteostasis are disrupted. Pancreatic acini synthesize digestive enzymes (largely serine hydrolases) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where perturbations (eg, alcohol consumption) activate adaptive unfolded protein responses orchestrated by spliced X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1). Here, we examined ethanol-induced early structural changes in pancreatic ER proteins.

METHODS

Wild-type and Xbp1+/- mice were fed control and ethanol diets, then tissues were homogenized and fractionated. ER proteins were labeled with a cysteine-reactive probe, isotope-coded affinity tag to obtain a novel pancreatic redox ER proteome. Specific labeling of active serine hydrolases in ER with fluorophosphonate desthiobiotin also was characterized proteomically. Protein structural perturbation by redox changes was evaluated further in molecular dynamic simulations.

RESULTS

Ethanol feeding and Xbp1 genetic inhibition altered ER redox balance and destabilized key proteins. Proteomic data and molecular dynamic simulations of Carboxyl ester lipase (Cel), a unique serine hydrolase active within ER, showed an uncoupled disulfide bond involving Cel Cys266, Cel dimerization, ER retention, and complex formation in ethanol-fed, XBP1-deficient mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Results documented in ethanol-fed mice lacking sufficient spliced XBP1 illustrate consequences of ER stress extended by preventing unfolded protein response from fully restoring pancreatic acinar cell proteostasis during ethanol-induced redox challenge. In this model, orderly protein folding and transport to the secretory pathway were disrupted, and abundant molecules including Cel with perturbed structures were retained in ER, promoting ER stress-related pancreas pathology.

Assessment of glutathione/glutathione disulphide ratio and S-glutathionylated proteins in human blood, solid tissues, and cultured cells

Glutathione (GSH) is the major non-protein thiol in humans and other mammals, which is present in millimolar concentrations within cells, but at much lower concentrations in the blood plasma. GSH and GSH-related enzymes act both to prevent oxidative damage and to detoxify electrophiles. Under oxidative stress, two GSH molecules become linked by a disulphide bridge to form glutathione disulphide (GSSG). Therefore, assessment of the GSH/GSSG ratio may provide an estimation of cellular redox metabolism. Current evidence resulting from studies in human blood, solid tissues, and cultured cells suggests that GSH also plays a prominent role in protein redox regulation via S -glutathionylation, i.e., the conjugation of GSH to reactive protein cysteine residues. A number of methodologies that enable quantitative analysis of GSH/GSSG ratio and S-glutathionylated proteins (PSSG), as well as identification and visualization of PSSG in tissue sections or cultured cells are currently available. Here, we have considered the main methodologies applied for GSH, GSSG and PSSG detection in biological samples. This review paper provides an up-to-date critical overview of the application of the most relevant analytical, morphological, and proteomics approaches to detect and analyse GSH, GSSG and PSSG in mammalian samples as well as discusses their current limitations.

A Cell-Permeable Biscyclooctyne As a Novel Probe for the Identification of Protein Sulfenic Acids

Reactive oxygen species act as important second messengers in cell signaling and homeostasis through the oxidation of protein thiols. However, the dynamic nature of protein oxidation and the lack of sensitivity of existing molecular probes have hindered our understanding of such reactions; therefore, new tools are required to address these challenges. We designed a bifunctional variant of the strained bicyclo[6.1.0]nonyne (BCN-E-BCN) that enables the tagging of intracellular protein sulfenic acids for biorthogonal copper-free click chemistry. In validation studies, BCN-E-BCN binds the sulfenylated form of the actin-severing protein cofilin, while mutation of the cognate cysteine residues abrogates its binding. BCN-E-BCN is cell permeable and reacts rapidly with cysteine sulfenic acids in cultured cells. Using different azide-tagged conjugates, we demonstrate that BCN-E-BCN can be used in various applications for the detection of sulfenylated proteins. Remarkably, cycloaddition of an azide-tagged fluorophore to BCN-E-BCN labeled proteins produced in vivo can be visualized by fluorescence microscopy to reveal their localization. These findings demonstrate a novel and multifaceted approach to the detection and trapping of sulfenic acids.

Protein Thiol Redox Signaling in Monocytes and Macrophages

SIGNIFICANCE

Monocyte and macrophage dysfunction plays a critical role in a wide range of inflammatory disease processes, including obesity, impaired wound healing diabetic complications, and atherosclerosis. Emerging evidence suggests that the earliest events in monocyte or macrophage dysregulation include elevated reactive oxygen species production, thiol modifications, and disruption of redox-sensitive signaling pathways. This review focuses on the current state of research in thiol redox signaling in monocytes and macrophages, including (i) the molecular mechanisms by which reversible protein-S-glutathionylation occurs, (ii) the identification of bona fide S-glutathionylated proteins that occur under physiological conditions, and (iii) how disruptions of thiol redox signaling affect monocyte and macrophage functions and contribute to atherosclerosis. Recent Advances: Recent advances in redox biochemistry and biology as well as redox proteomic techniques have led to the identification of many new thiol redox-regulated proteins and pathways. In addition, major advances have been made in expanding the list of S-glutathionylated proteins and assessing the role that protein-S-glutathionylation and S-glutathionylation-regulating enzymes play in monocyte and macrophage functions, including monocyte transmigration, macrophage polarization, foam cell formation, and macrophage cell death.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Protein-S-glutathionylation/deglutathionylation in monocytes and macrophages has emerged as a new and important signaling paradigm, which provides a molecular basis for the well-established relationship between metabolic disorders, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular diseases.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

The identification of specific S-glutathionylated proteins as well as the mechanisms that control this post-translational protein modification in monocytes and macrophages will facilitate the development of new preventive and therapeutic strategies to combat atherosclerosis and other metabolic diseases. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 25, 816-835.

Induction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production by GSH mediated S-glutathionylation of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase

2-Oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (Ogdh) is an important mitochondria redox sensor that can undergo S-glutathionylation following an increase in H₂O₂ levels. Although S-glutathionylation is required to protect Ogdh from irreversible oxidation while simultaneously modulating its activity it remains unknown if glutathione can also modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by the complex. We report that reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione control O2∙-/H₂O₂ formation by Ogdh through protein S-glutathionylation reactions. GSSG (1 mM) induced a modest decrease in Ogdh activity which was associated with a significant decrease in O2∙-/H₂O₂ formation. GSH had the opposite effect, amplifying O2∙-/H₂O₂ formation by Ogdh. Incubation of purified Ogdh in 2.5 mM GSH led to significant increase in O2∙-/H₂O₂ formation which also lowered NADH production. Inclusion of enzymatically active glutaredoxin-2 (Grx2) in reaction mixtures reversed the GSH-mediated amplification of O2∙-/H₂O₂ formation. Similarly pre-incubation of permeabilized liver mitochondria from mouse depleted of GSH showed an approximately ~3.5-fold increase in Ogdh-mediated O2∙-/H₂O₂ production that was matched by a significant decrease in NADH formation which could be reversed by Grx2. Taken together, our results demonstrate GSH and GSSG modulate ROS production by Ogdh through S-glutathionylation of different subunits. This is also the first demonstration that GSH can work in the opposite direction in mitochondria-amplifying ROS formation instead of quenching it. We propose that this regulatory mechanism is required to modulate ROS emission from Ogdh in response to variations in glutathione redox buffering capacity.

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ROS formation by Ogdh is controlled by glutathione.

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GSH amplifies ROS production by Ogdh.

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Ogdh is S-glutathionylated by GSH.

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Grx2 deglutathionylates Ogdh.

Protein S-glutathionlyation links energy metabolism to redox signaling in mitochondria

At its core mitochondrial function relies on redox reactions. Electrons stripped from nutrients are used to form NADH and NADPH, electron carriers that are similar in structure but support different functions. NADH supports ATP production but also generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide (O2·-) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). NADH-driven ROS production is counterbalanced by NADPH which maintains antioxidants in an active state. Mitochondria rely on a redox buffering network composed of reduced glutathione (GSH) and peroxiredoxins (Prx) to quench ROS generated by nutrient metabolism. As H₂O₂ is quenched, NADPH is expended to reactivate antioxidant networks and reset the redox environment. Thus, the mitochondrial redox environment is in a constant state of flux reflecting changes in nutrient and ROS metabolism. Changes in redox environment can modulate protein function through oxidation of protein cysteine thiols. Typically cysteine oxidation is considered to be mediated by H₂O₂ which oxidizes protein thiols (SH) forming sulfenic acid (SOH). However, problems begin to emerge when one critically evaluates the regulatory function of SOH. Indeed SOH formation is slow, non-specific, and once formed SOH reacts rapidly with a variety of molecules. By contrast, protein S-glutathionylation (PGlu) reactions involve the conjugation and removal of glutathione moieties from modifiable cysteine residues. PGlu reactions are driven by fluctuations in the availability of GSH and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and thus should be exquisitely sensitive to changes ROS flux due to shifts in the glutathione pool in response to varying H₂O₂ availability. Here, we propose that energy metabolism-linked redox signals originating from mitochondria are mediated indirectly by H₂O₂ through the GSH redox buffering network in and outside mitochondria. This proposal is based on several observations that have shown that unlike other redox modifications PGlu reactions fulfill the requisite criteria to serve as an effective posttranslational modification that controls protein function.

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Mitochondria employ redox buffering networks to regulate bioenergetics.

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PGlu reactions link energy/nutrient metabolism to redox signaling.

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Other redox modifications lack regulatory features.

Altered protein S-glutathionylation identifies a potential mechanism of resistance to acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity

Acetaminophen (APAP) is the most commonly used over-the-counter analgesic. However, hepatotoxicity induced by APAP is a major clinical issue, and the factors that define sensitivity to APAP remain unclear. We have previously demonstrated that mice nulled for glutathione S-transferase Pi (GSTP) are resistant to APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. This study aims to exploit this difference to delineate pathways of importance in APAP toxicity. We used mice nulled for GSTP and heme oxygenase-1 oxidative stress reporter mice, together with a novel nanoflow liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methodology to investigate the role of oxidative stress, cell signaling, and protein S-glutathionylation in APAP hepatotoxicity. We provide evidence that the sensitivity difference between wild-type and Gstp1/2(-/-) mice is unrelated to the ability of APAP to induce oxidative stress, despite observing significant increases in c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation in wild-type mice. The major difference in response to APAP was in the levels of protein S-glutathionylation: Gstp1/2(-/-) mice exhibited a significant increase in the number of S-glutathionylated proteins compared with wild-type animals. Remarkably, these S-glutathionylated proteins are involved in oxidative phosphorylation, respiratory complexes, drug metabolism, and mitochondrial apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that S-glutathionylation of the rate-limiting glutathione-synthesizing enzyme, glutamate cysteine ligase, was markedly increased in Gstp1/2(-/-) mice in response to APAP. The data demonstrate that S-glutathionylation provides an adaptive response to APAP and, as a consequence, suggest that this is an important determinant in APAP hepatotoxicity. This work identifies potential novel avenues associated with cell survival for the treatment of chemical-induced hepatotoxicity.

The Expanding Landscape of the Thiol Redox Proteome

Cysteine occupies a unique place in protein chemistry. The nucleophilic thiol group allows cysteine to undergo a broad range of redox modifications beyond classical thiol-disulfide redox equilibria, including S-sulfenylation (-SOH), S-sulfinylation (-SO(2)H), S-sulfonylation (-SO(3)H), S-nitrosylation (-SNO), S-sulfhydration (-SSH), S-glutathionylation (-SSG), and others. Emerging evidence suggests that these post-translational modifications (PTM) are important in cellular redox regulation and protection against oxidative damage. Identification of protein targets of thiol redox modifications is crucial to understanding their roles in biology and disease. However, analysis of these highly labile and dynamic modifications poses challenges. Recent advances in the design of probes for thiol redox forms, together with innovative mass spectrometry based chemoproteomics methods make it possible to perform global, site-specific, and quantitative analyses of thiol redox modifications in complex proteomes. Here, we review chemical proteomic strategies used to expand the landscape of thiol redox modifications.