Thiol-based redox switches in eukaryotic proteins

Redox regulation and dynamic control of brain-selective kinases BRSK1/2 in the AMPK family through cysteine-based mechanisms

In eukaryotes, protein kinase signaling is regulated by a diverse array of post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation of Ser/Thr residues and oxidation of cysteine (Cys) residues. While regulation by activation segment phosphorylation of Ser/Thr residues is well understood, relatively little is known about how oxidation of cysteine residues modulate catalysis. In this study, we investigate redox regulation of the AMPK-related brain-selective kinases (BRSK) 1 and 2, and detail how broad catalytic activity is directly regulated through reversible oxidation and reduction of evolutionarily conserved Cys residues within the catalytic domain. We show that redox-dependent control of BRSKs is a dynamic and multilayered process involving oxidative modifications of several Cys residues, including the formation of intramolecular disulfide bonds involving a pair of Cys residues near the catalytic HRD motif and a highly conserved T-loop Cys with a BRSK-specific Cys within an unusual CPE motif at the end of the activation segment. Consistently, mutation of the CPE-Cys increases catalytic activity in vitro and drives phosphorylation of the BRSK substrate Tau in cells. Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that oxidation of the CPE-Cys destabilizes a conserved salt bridge network critical for allosteric activation. The occurrence of spatially proximal Cys amino acids in diverse Ser/Thr protein kinase families suggests that disulfide-mediated control of catalytic activity may be a prevalent mechanism for regulation within the broader AMPK family.

Conformational Dynamics and Catalytic Backups in a Hyper-Thermostable Engineered Archaeal Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are a family of enzymes that play important roles in regulating cellular signaling pathways. The activity of these enzymes is regulated by the motion of a catalytic loop that places a critical conserved aspartic acid side chain into the active site for acid-base catalysis upon loop closure. These enzymes also have a conserved phosphate binding loop that is typically highly rigid and forms a well-defined anion binding nest. The intimate links between loop dynamics and chemistry in these enzymes make PTPs an excellent model system for understanding the role of loop dynamics in protein function and evolution. In this context, archaeal PTPs, which have evolved in extremophilic organisms, are highly understudied, despite their unusual biophysical properties. We present here an engineered chimeric PTP (ShufPTP) generated by shuffling the amino acid sequence of five extant hyperthermophilic archaeal PTPs. Despite ShufPTP's high sequence similarity to its natural counterparts, ShufPTP presents a suite of unique properties, including high flexibility of the phosphate binding P-loop, facile oxidation of the active site cysteine, mechanistic promiscuity, and most notably, hyperthermostability, with a denaturation temperature likely >130 °C (>8°C higher than the highest recorded growth temperature of any archaeal strain). Our combined structural, biochemical, biophysical and computational analysis provides insight both into how small steps in evolutionary space can radically modulate the biophysical properties of an enzyme, and showcase the tremendous potential of archaeal enzymes for biotechnology, to generate novel enzymes capable of operating under extreme conditions.

A mitochondria-targeted iridium(III) complex-based sensor for endogenous GSH detection in living cells

Glutathione (GSH) plays an important role in maintaining redox homeostasis in biological systems. Development of reliable glutathione sensors is of great significance to better understand the role of biomolecules in living cells and organisms. Based on the advantages of the photophysical properties of iridium complexes, we proposed a "turn-on" phosphorescent sensor. Ir-DNFB has the characteristics of a large Stokes shift, high sensitivity for GSH detection, low cytotoxicity, and extremely short response time, and can specifically analyze glutathione in living cells and highly target endogenous glutathione in mitochondria. The N-H group on the imidazole ring of Ir-DNFB could form a new electrostatic interaction with the α-carboxyl group on the glutamate moiety of glutathione. The nucleophilic attack reaction was regulated by the sulfhydryl group on GSH, following which the ether bond linking the 2,4-dinitrobenzene to probe Ir-DNFB was broken, accompanied with a phosphorescence enhancement. Most importantly, the process of recognizing glutathione was not affected by other amino acids. Overall, this work provided a very useful tool for rapidly distinguishing between normal, inflammatory, and progressive tumor cells.

Extracellular vesicles deliver thioredoxin to rescue stem cells from senescence and intervertebral disc degeneration via a feed-forward circuit of the NRF2/AP-1 composite pathway

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is largely attributed to impaired endogenous repair. Nucleus pulposus-derived stem cells (NPSCs) senescence leads to endogenous repair failure. Small extracellular vesicles/exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (mExo) have shown great therapeutic potential in IDD, while whether mExo could alleviate NPSCs senescence and its mechanisms remained unknown. We established a compression-induced NPSCs senescence model and rat IDD models to evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of mExo and investigate the mechanisms. We found that mExo significantly alleviated NPSCs senescence and promoted disc regeneration while knocking down thioredoxin (TXN) impaired the protective effects of mExo. TXN was bound to various endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) proteins. Autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR) mediated TXN K63 ubiquitination to promote the binding of TXN on ESCRT proteins and sorting of TXN into mExo. Knocking down exosomal TXN inhibited the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and activator protein 1 (AP-1). NRF2 and AP-1 inhibition reduced endogenous TXN production that was promoted by exosomal TXN. Inhibition of NRF2 in vivo diminished the anti-senescence and regenerative effects of mExo. Conclusively, AMFR-mediated TXN ubiquitination promoted the sorting of TXN into mExo, allowing exosomal TXN to promote endogenous TXN production in NPSCs via TXN/NRF2/AP-1 feed-forward circuit to alleviate NPSCs senescence and disc degeneration.

Reactive oxygen species-scavenging biomaterials for neural regenerative medicine

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are natural by-products of oxygen metabolism. As signaling molecules, ROS can regulate various physiological processes in the body. However excessive ROS may be a major cause of inflammatory diseases. In the field of neurological diseases, ROS cause neuronal apoptosis and neurodegeneration, which severely impede neuroregeneration. Currently, ROS-scavenging biomaterials are considered as a promising therapeutic strategy for neurological injuries due to their ability to scavenge excessive ROS at defects and modulate the oxidative stress microenvironment. This review provides an overview of the generation and sources of ROS, briefly describes the dangers of generating excessive ROS in nervous system diseases, and highlights the importance of scavenging excessive ROS for neuroregeneration. We have classified ROS-scavenging biomaterials into three categories based on the different mechanisms of ROS clearance. The applications of ROS-responsive biomaterials for neurological diseases, such as spinal cord injury, brain injury, and peripheral nerve injury, are also discussed. Our review contributes to the development of ROS-scavenging biomaterials in the field of neural regeneration.

A near-infrared fluorescent probe with a large Stokes shift for the detection and imaging of biothiols in vitro and in vivo

In this study, a new near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent turn-on probe featuring a large Stokes shift (198 nm) was developed for the detection of biothiols. The probe was based on a dicyanoisophorone derivative serving as the fluorophore and a 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonyl (DNBS) group functioning as both a recognition site and a fluorescence quencher. In the absence of biothiols, the fluorescence of the probe was low due to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) effect between the fluorophore and DNBS. Upon the presence of biothiols, the DNBS group underwent a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction with the sulfhydryl group of biothiols, leading to the release of the fluorophore and a notable emission peak at 668 nm. This developed probe exhibited exceptional selectivity and sensitivity to biothiols in solution, with an impressive detection limit of 28 nM for cysteine (Cys), 22 nM for homocysteine (Hcy), and 24 nM for glutathione (GSH). Furthermore, the probe demonstrated its applicability by successfully visualizing both endogenous and exogenous biothiols in living systems.

Exploring the unmapped cysteine redox proteoform landscape

Cysteine redox proteoforms define the diverse molecular states that proteins with cysteine residues can adopt. A protein with one cysteine residue must adopt one of two binary proteoforms: reduced or oxidized. Their numbers scale: a protein with 10 cysteine residues must assume one of 1,024 proteoforms. Although they play pivotal biological roles, the vast cysteine redox proteoform landscape comprising vast numbers of theoretical proteoforms remains largely uncharted. Progress is hampered by a general underappreciation of cysteine redox proteoforms, their intricate complexity, and the formidable challenges that they pose to existing methods. The present review advances cysteine redox proteoform theory, scrutinizes methodological barriers, and elaborates innovative technologies for detecting unique residue-defined cysteine redox proteoforms. For example, chemistry-enabled hybrid approaches combining the strengths of top-down mass spectrometry (TD-MS) and bottom-up mass spectrometry (BU-MS) for systematically cataloguing cysteine redox proteoforms are delineated. These methods provide the technological means to map uncharted redox terrain. To unravel hidden redox regulatory mechanisms, discover new biomarkers, and pinpoint therapeutic targets by mining the theoretical cysteine redox proteoform space, a community-wide initiative termed the "Human Cysteine Redox Proteoform Project" is proposed. Exploring the cysteine redox proteoform landscape could transform current understanding of redox biology.

How denitrifiers defense ciprofloxacin: Insights from intracellular and extracellular stress response

Overuse of antibiotics has led to their existence in nitrogen-containing water. The impacts of antibiotics on bio-denitrification and the metabolic response of denitrifiers to antibiotics are unclear. We systematically analyzed the effect of ciprofloxacin (CIP) on bio-denitrification and found that 5 mg/L CIP greatly inhibited denitrification with a model denitrifier (Paracoccus denitrificans). Nitrate reduction decreased by 32.89 % and nitrous oxide emission increased by 75.53 %. The balance analysis of carbon and nitrogen metabolism during denitrification showed that CIP exposure blocked electron transfer and reduced the flow of substrate metabolism used for denitrification. Proteomics results showed that CIP exposure induced denitrifiers to use the pentose phosphate pathway more for substrate metabolism. This caused a substrate preference to generate NADPH to prevent cellular damage rather than NADH for denitrification. Notably, despite denitrifiers having antioxidant defenses, they could not completely prevent oxidative damage caused by CIP exposure. The effect of CIP exposure on denitrifiers after removal of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) demonstrated that EPS around denitrifiers formed a barrier against CIP. Fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy revealed that the binding effect of proteins in EPS to CIP prevented damage. This study shows that denitrifiers resist antibiotic stress through different intracellular and extracellular defense strategies.

Targeting Metabolic-Redox Nexus to Regulate Drug Resistance: From Mechanism to Tumor Therapy

Drug resistance is currently one of the biggest challenges in cancer treatment. With the deepening understanding of drug resistance, various mechanisms have been revealed, including metabolic reprogramming and alterations of redox balance. Notably, metabolic reprogramming mediates the survival of tumor cells in harsh environments, thereby promoting the development of drug resistance. In addition, the changes during metabolic pattern shift trigger reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which in turn regulates cellular metabolism, DNA repair, cell death, and drug metabolism in direct or indirect ways to influence the sensitivity of tumors to therapies. Therefore, the intersection of metabolism and ROS profoundly affects tumor drug resistance, and clarifying the entangled mechanisms may be beneficial for developing drugs and treatment methods to thwart drug resistance. In this review, we will summarize the regulatory mechanism of redox and metabolism on tumor drug resistance and highlight recent therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic-redox circuits, including dietary interventions, novel chemosynthetic drugs, drug combination regimens, and novel drug delivery systems.

Low-dose ionizing radiation generates a hormetic response to modify lipid metabolism in Chlorella sorokiniana

Algal biomass is a viable source of chemicals and metabolites for various energy, nutritional, medicinal and agricultural uses. While stresses have commonly been used to induce metabolite accumulation in microalgae in attempts to enhance high-value product yields, this is often very detrimental to growth. Therefore, understanding how to modify metabolism without deleterious consequences is highly beneficial. We demonstrate that low-doses (1-5 Gy) of ionizing radiation in the X-ray range induces a non-toxic, hormetic response in microalgae to promote metabolic activation. We identify specific radiation exposure parameters that give reproducible metabolic responses in Chlorella sorokiniana caused by transcriptional changes. This includes up-regulation of >30 lipid metabolism genes, such as genes encoding an acetyl-CoA carboxylase subunit, phosphatidic acid phosphatase, lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase, and diacylglycerol acyltransferase. The outcome is an increased lipid yield in stationary phase cultures by 25% in just 24 hours, without any negative effects on cell viability or biomass.

Signatures of cysteine oxidation on muscle structural and contractile proteins are associated with physical performance and muscle function in older adults: Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA)

Oxidative stress is considered a contributor to declining muscle function and mobility during aging; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly described. We hypothesized that greater levels of cysteine (Cys) oxidation on muscle proteins are associated with decreased measures of mobility. Herein, we applied a novel redox proteomics approach to measure reversible protein Cys oxidation in vastus lateralis muscle biopsies collected from 56 subjects in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA), a community-based cohort study of individuals aged 70 years and older. We tested whether levels of Cys oxidation on key muscle proteins involved in muscle structure and contraction were associated with muscle function (leg power and strength), walking speed, and fitness (VO2 peak on cardiopulmonary exercise testing) using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, and body weight. Higher oxidation levels of select nebulin Cys sites were associated with lower VO2 peak, while greater oxidation of myomesin-1, myomesin-2, and nebulin Cys sites was associated with slower walking speed. Higher oxidation of Cys sites in key proteins such as myomesin-2, alpha-actinin-2, and skeletal muscle alpha-actin were associated with lower leg power and strength. We also observed an unexpected correlation (R = 0.48) between a higher oxidation level of eight Cys sites in alpha-actinin-3 and stronger leg power. Despite this observation, the results generally support the hypothesis that Cys oxidation of muscle proteins impairs muscle power and strength, walking speed, and cardiopulmonary fitness with aging.

Redox Regulation of Brain Selective Kinases BRSK1/2: Implications for Dynamic Control of the Eukaryotic AMPK family through Cys-based mechanisms

In eukaryotes, protein kinase signaling is regulated by a diverse array of post-translational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation of Ser/Thr residues and oxidation of cysteine (Cys) residues. While regulation by activation segment phosphorylation of Ser/Thr residues is well understood, relatively little is known about how oxidation of cysteine residues modulate catalysis. In this study, we investigate redox regulation of the AMPK-related Brain-selective kinases (BRSK) 1 and 2, and detail how broad catalytic activity is directly regulated through reversible oxidation and reduction of evolutionarily conserved Cys residues within the catalytic domain. We show that redox-dependent control of BRSKs is a dynamic and multilayered process involving oxidative modifications of several Cys residues, including the formation of intramolecular disulfide bonds involving a pair of Cys residues near the catalytic HRD motif and a highly conserved T-Loop Cys with a BRSK-specific Cys within an unusual CPE motif at the end of the activation segment. Consistently, mutation of the CPE-Cys increases catalytic activity in vitro and drives phosphorylation of the BRSK substrate Tau in cells. Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that oxidation of the CPE-Cys destabilizes a conserved salt bridge network critical for allosteric activation. The occurrence of spatially proximal Cys amino acids in diverse Ser/Thr protein kinase families suggests that disulfide mediated control of catalytic activity may be a prevalent mechanism for regulation within the broader AMPK family.

A rapid and specific fluorescent probe based on aggregation-induced emission enhancement for mercury ion detection in living systems

Mercury is a harmful heavy metal that seriously threatens the environment and organisms. In this study, we combined the aggregation-induced emission mechanism and the advantages of peptides to design a novel tetraphenylene (TPE)-based peptide fluorescent probe, TPE-Cys-Pro-Gly-His (TPE-CPGH), in which the sulfhydryl group of Cys in the peptide chain and the imidazolium nitrogen provided by His were used to mimic the Hg2+ binding site of metalloproteins. The β-fold formed by Pro-Gly was used to promote the spatial coordination of the probe with Hg2+ and the formation of the coordination complex aggregates, these changes led to the "turn on" response to Hg2+. The detection of Hg2+ by TPE-CPGH not only showed high specificity and sensitivity (LOD=46.2 nM), but also had the advantages of fast response and applicability for detection over a wide pH range. Additionally, TPE-CPGH effectively detected Hg2+ in environmental samples, living cells and organisms due to its low cytotoxicity, high water solubility and cell membrane permeability. More interestingly, TPE-CPGH was also mitigated Hg2+ exposure-induced oxidative stress toxicity in vitro and in vivo.

Structural perturbations induced by cumulative action of methylglyoxal and peroxynitrite on human fibrinogen: An in vitro and in silico approach

Methylglyoxal (MGO); a reducing sugar and a dicarbonyl; attaches to the biomolecules (proteins, lipids, and DNA) leading to glycation and accumulation of oxidative stress in cells and tissues. Superoxide anion formed under such conditions entraps free nitric oxide radical (NO) to form peroxynitrite (PON). Nitro-oxidative stress due to PON is well established. Human fibrinogen plays a key role in haemostasis and is a highly vulnerable target for oxidation. Modifications of fibrinogen can potentially disrupt its structure and function. Earlier evidence suggested that glycation and nitro-oxidation lead to protein aggregation by making it resistant to lysis. This study aims to reveal the structural perturbations on fibrinogen in the presence of MGO and PON synergistically. The in vitro glyco-nitro-oxidation of human fibrinogen by MGO and PON leads to substantial structural alterations, as evident by biophysical and biochemical studies. In-silico results revealed the formation of stable complexes. UV-visible, intrinsic fluorescence, and circular dichroism investigations confirmed the synergistic effect of MGO and PON caused micro-structural modifications leading to secondary structural alterations. AGEs formation in MGO-modified fibrinogen reduced the free lysine and free arginine residues which were quantified by TNBS and phenanthrenequinone assays. Enhanced oxidative status was confirmed by estimating carbonyl content. ANS fluorophore validated exposure of hydrophobic patches in modified protein and thioflavin-T showed maximum binding with synergistically modified fibrinogen, indicated the formation of β-sheet. Confocal and electron microscope results corroborated the formation of aggregates. This study, therefore, evaluated the impact of MGO and PON on the structural integrity, oxidative status and aggregate formation of fibrinogen that can aggravate metabolic complications.

Quantitative measurements of reactive oxygen species partitioning in electron transfer flavoenzyme magnetic field sensing

Biological magnetic field sensing that gives rise to physiological responses is of considerable importance in quantum biology. The radical pair mechanism (RPM) is a fundamental quantum process that can explain some of the observed biological magnetic effects. In magnetically sensitive radical pair (RP) reactions, coherent spin dynamics between singlet and triplet pairs are modulated by weak magnetic fields. The resulting singlet and triplet reaction products lead to distinct biological signaling channels and cellular outcomes. A prevalent RP in biology is between flavin semiquinone and superoxide (O2 •-) in the biological activation of molecular oxygen. This RP can result in a partitioning of reactive oxygen species (ROS) products to form either O2 •- or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Here, we examine magnetic sensing of recombinant human electron transfer flavoenzyme (ETF) reoxidation by selectively measuring O2 •- and H2O2 product distributions. ROS partitioning was observed between two static magnetic fields at 20 nT and 50 μT, with a 13% decrease in H2O2 singlet products and a 10% increase in O2 •- triplet products relative to 50 µT. RPM product yields were calculated for a realistic flavin/superoxide RP across the range of static magnetic fields, in agreement with experimental results. For a triplet born RP, the RPM also predicts about three times more O2 •- than H2O2, with experimental results exhibiting about four time more O2 •- produced by ETF. The method presented here illustrates the potential of a novel magnetic flavoprotein biological sensor that is directly linked to mitochondria bioenergetics and can be used as a target to study cell physiology.

Uterine secretome: What do the proteins say about maternal-fetal communication in buffaloes?

The aim was to compare the UF proteomics of pregnant and non-pregnant buffalo during early pregnancy. Forty-four females were submitted to hormonal estrus synchronization and randomly divided into two groups: pregnant (n = 30) and non-pregnant (n = 14). The pregnant group was artificially inseminated and divided into a further two groups: P12 (n = 15) and P18 (n = 15). Conceptus and uterine fluid samples were collected during slaughter at, respectively, 12 and 18 days after insemination. Of all the inseminated females, only eight animals in each group were pregnant, which reduced the sample of the groups to P12 (n = 8) and P18 (n = 8). The non-pregnant group was also re-divided into two groups at the end of synchronization: NP12 (n = 7) and NP18 (n = 7). The UF samples were processed for proteomic analysis. The results were submitted to multivariate and univariate analysis. A total of 1068 proteins were found in the uterine fluid in both groups. Our results describe proteins involved in the conceptus elongation and maternal recognition of pregnancy, and their action was associated with cell growth, endometrial remodeling, and modulation of immune and antioxidant protection, mechanisms necessary for embryonic maintenance in the uterine environment. SIGNIFICANCE: Uterine fluid is a substance synthesized and secreted by the endometrium that plays essential roles during pregnancy in ruminants, contributing significantly to embryonic development. Understanding the functions that the proteins present in the UF perform during early pregnancy, a period marked by embryonic implantation, and maternal recognition of pregnancy is of fundamental importance to understanding the mechanisms necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy. The present study characterized and compared the UF proteome at the beginning of pregnancy in pregnant and non-pregnant buffaloes to correlate the functions of the proteins and the stage of development of the conceptus and unravel their processes in maternal recognition of pregnancy. The proteins found were involved in cell growth and endometrial remodeling, in addition to acting in the immunological protection of the conceptus and performing antioxidant actions necessary for establishing a pregnancy.

Studying the Human Microbiota: Advances in Understanding the Fundamentals, Origin, and Evolution of Biological Timekeeping

The recently observed circadian oscillations of the intestinal microbiota underscore the profound nature of the human-microbiome relationship and its importance for health. Together with the discovery of circadian clocks in non-photosynthetic gut bacteria and circadian rhythms in anucleated cells, these findings have indicated the possibility that virtually all microorganisms may possess functional biological clocks. However, they have also raised many essential questions concerning the fundamentals of biological timekeeping, its evolution, and its origin. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent literature in molecular chronobiology, aiming to bring together the latest evidence on the structure and mechanisms driving microbial biological clocks while pointing to potential applications of this knowledge in medicine. Moreover, it discusses the latest hypotheses regarding the evolution of timing mechanisms and describes the functions of peroxiredoxins in cells and their contribution to the cellular clockwork. The diversity of biological clocks among various human-associated microorganisms and the role of transcriptional and post-translational timekeeping mechanisms are also addressed. Finally, recent evidence on metabolic oscillators and host-microbiome communication is presented.

Signatures of Cysteine Oxidation on Muscle Structural and Contractile Proteins Are Associated with Physical Performance and Muscle Function in Older Adults: Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA)

Oxidative stress is considered a contributor to declining muscle function and mobility during aging; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly described. We hypothesized that greater levels of cysteine (Cys) oxidation on muscle proteins are associated with decreased measures of mobility. Herein, we applied a novel redox proteomics approach to measure reversible protein Cys oxidation in vastus lateralis muscle biopsies collected from 56 subjects in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA), a community-based cohort study of individuals aged 70 years and older. We tested whether levels of Cys oxidation on key muscle proteins involved in muscle structure and contraction were associated with muscle function (leg power and strength), walking speed, and fitness (VO2 peak on cardiopulmonary exercise testing) using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, and body weight. Higher oxidation levels of select nebulin Cys sites were associated with lower VO2 peak, while greater oxidation of myomesin-1, myomesin-2, and nebulin Cys sites was associated with slower walking speed. Higher oxidation of Cys sites in key proteins such as myomesin-2, alpha-actinin-2, and skeletal muscle alpha-actin were associated with lower leg power and strength. We also observed an unexpected correlation (r = 0.48) between a higher oxidation level of 8 Cys sites in alpha-actinin-3 and stronger leg power. Despite this observation, the results generally support the hypothesis that Cys oxidation of muscle proteins impair muscle power and strength, walking speed, and cardiopulmonary fitness with aging.

50 shades of oxidative stress: A state-specific cysteine redox pattern hypothesis

Oxidative stress is biochemically complex. Like primary colours, specific reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant inputs can be mixed to create unique "shades" of oxidative stress. Even a minimal redox module comprised of just 12 (ROS & antioxidant) inputs and 3 outputs (oxidative damage, cysteine-dependent redox-regulation, or both) yields over half a million "shades" of oxidative stress. The present paper proposes the novel hypothesis that: state-specific shades of oxidative stress, such as a discrete disease, are associated with distinct tell-tale cysteine oxidation patterns. The patterns are encoded by many parameters, from the identity of the oxidised proteins, the cysteine oxidation type, and magnitude. The hypothesis is conceptually grounded in distinct ROS and antioxidant inputs coalescing to produce unique cysteine oxidation outputs. And considers the potential biological significance of the holistic cysteine oxidation outputs. The literature supports the existence of state-specific cysteine oxidation patterns. Measuring and manipulating these patterns offer promising avenues for advancing oxidative stress research. The pattern inspired hypothesis provides a framework for understanding the complex biochemical nature of state-specific oxidative stress.

Mitochondrial complex I ROS production and redox signaling in hypoxia

Mitochondria are a main source of cellular energy. Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is the major process of aerobic respiration. Enzyme complexes of the electron transport chain (ETC) pump protons to generate a protonmotive force (Δp) that drives OXPHOS. Complex I is an electron entry point into the ETC. Complex I oxidizes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and transfers electrons to ubiquinone in a reaction coupled with proton pumping. Complex I also produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) under various conditions. The enzymatic activities of complex I can be regulated by metabolic conditions and serves as a regulatory node of the ETC. Complex I ROS plays diverse roles in cell metabolism ranging from physiologic to pathologic conditions. Progress in our understanding indicates that ROS release from complex I serves important signaling functions. Increasing evidence suggests that complex I ROS is important in signaling a mismatch in energy production and demand. In this article, we review the role of ROS from complex I in sensing acute hypoxia.

Noncovalent Peptide Assembly Enables Crystalline, Permutable, and Reactive Thiol Frameworks

Though thiols are exceptionally versatile, their high reactivity has also hindered the synthesis and characterization of well-defined thiol-containing porous materials. Leveraging the mild conditions of the noncovalent peptide assembly, we readily synthesized and characterized a number of frameworks with thiols displayed at many unique positions and in several permutations. Importantly, nearly all assemblies were structurally determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction to reveal their rich sequence-structure landscape and the cooperative noncovalent interactions underlying their assembly. These observations and supporting molecular dynamics calculations enabled rational engineering by the positive and negative design of noncovalent interactions. Furthermore, the thiol-containing frameworks undergo diverse single-crystal-to-single-crystal reactions, including toxic metal ion coordination (e.g., Cd2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+), selective uptake of Hg2+ ions, and redox transformations. Notably, we find a framework that supports thiol-nitrosothiol interconversion, which is applicable for biocompatible nitric oxide delivery. The modularity, ease of synthesis, functionality, and well-defined nature of these peptide-based thiol frameworks are expected to accelerate the design of complex materials with reactive active sites.

Genome-wide identification of bZIP transcription factor family in Artemisia annua, its transcriptional profiling and regulatory role in phenylpropanoid metabolism under different light conditions

The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein transcription factors are known to modulate development, plant growth, metabolic response, and resistance to several biotic and abiotic stressors and have been widely studied in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. However, no comprehensive information about the bZIP transcription factor family in Artemisia annua has been explored to date. In this genome-wide study, we identified 61 bZIP TFs after removing false positives and incomplete sequences from Artemisia annua. Seven highly expressed homolog AabZIP TF genes under UV-B and differential light conditions in different tissues were identified from the publicly available microarray dataset as having their cis-regulatory elements involved in, flavonoids biosynthesis, seed-specific gene regulation, stress responses, and metabolic regulation. In-silico analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed the interaction of AabZIP19 TF over the AaPAL1 promoter in order to regulate the phenolics and flavonoid biosynthesis via the phenylpropanoid pathway. Further, RT-PCR analysis has been carried out to validate the transcript levels of selected AabZIP genes under white light, red light, blue light (45 min), and UV-B exposure (12 and 24 h). These genes have their highest expression levels under UV-B and blue light exposure, in contrast with white light. Therefore, the detection of ROS through staining confirms the accumulation of superoxide radicals and H2O2, and in addition to reducing ROS accumulation under UV-B and blue light irradiation, total phenols and flavonoids are significantly enhanced. This study laid the groundwork for deciphering the possible role of AabZIP TFs under different light stress-responsive conditions and in the regulation of secondary metabolism.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01338-0.

Redox Balance in Type 2 Diabetes: Therapeutic Potential and the Challenge of Antioxidant-Based Therapy

Oxidative stress is an important factor in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and associated complications. Unfortunately, most clinical studies have failed to provide sufficient evidence regarding the benefits of antioxidants (AOXs) in treating this disease. Based on the known complexity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) functions in both the physiology and pathophysiology of glucose homeostasis, it is suggested that inappropriate dosing leads to the failure of AOXs in T2D treatment. To support this hypothesis, the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of T2D is described, together with a summary of the evidence for the failure of AOXs in the management of diabetes. A comparison of preclinical and clinical studies indicates that suboptimal dosing of AOXs might explain the lack of benefits of AOXs. Conversely, the possibility that glycemic control might be adversely affected by excess AOXs is also considered, based on the role of ROS in insulin signaling. We suggest that AOX therapy should be given in a personalized manner according to the need, which is the presence and severity of oxidative stress. With the development of gold-standard biomarkers for oxidative stress, optimization of AOX therapy may be achieved to maximize the therapeutic potential of these agents.

Bacillus subtilis YtpP and Thioredoxin A Are New Players in the Coenzyme-A-Mediated Defense Mechanism against Cellular Stress

Coenzyme A (CoA) is an important cellular metabolite that is critical for metabolic processes and the regulation of gene expression. Recent discovery of the antioxidant function of CoA has highlighted its protective role that leads to the formation of a mixed disulfide bond with protein cysteines, which is termed protein CoAlation. To date, more than 2000 CoAlated bacterial and mammalian proteins have been identified in cellular responses to oxidative stress, with the majority being involved in metabolic pathways (60%). Studies have shown that protein CoAlation is a widespread post-translational modification which modulates the activity and conformation of the modified proteins. The induction of protein CoAlation by oxidative stress was found to be rapidly reversed after the removal of oxidizing agents from the medium of cultured cells. In this study, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based deCoAlation assay to detect deCoAlation activity from Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megaterium lysates. We then used a combination of ELISA-based assay and purification strategies to show that deCoAlation is an enzyme-driven mechanism. Using mass-spectrometry and deCoAlation assays, we identified B. subtilis YtpP (thioredoxin-like protein) and thioredoxin A (TrxA) as enzymes that can remove CoA from different substrates. With mutagenesis studies, we identified YtpP and TrxA catalytic cysteine residues and proposed a possible deCoAlation mechanism for CoAlated methionine sulfoxide reducatse A (MsrA) and peroxiredoxin 5 (PRDX5) proteins, which results in the release of both CoA and the reduced form of MsrA or PRDX5. Overall, this paper reveals the deCoAlation activity of YtpP and TrxA and opens doors to future studies on the CoA-mediated redox regulation of CoAlated proteins under various cellular stress conditions.

The Oxidative Stress-Induced Hypothetical Protein PG_0686 in Porphyromonas gingivalis W83 Is a Novel Diguanylate Cyclase

The survival/adaptation of Porphyromonas gingivalis to the inflammatory environment of the periodontal pocket requires an ability to overcome oxidative stress. Several functional classes of genes, depending on the severity and duration of the exposure, were induced in P. gingivalis under H2O2-induced oxidative stress. The PG_0686 gene was highly upregulated under prolonged oxidative stress. PG_0686, annotated as a hypothetical protein of unknown function, is a 60 kDa protein that carries several domains including hemerythrin, PAS10, and domain of unknown function (DUF)-1858. Although PG_0686 showed some relatedness to several diguanylate cyclases (DGCs), it is missing the classical conserved, active site sequence motif (GGD[/E]EF), commonly observed in other bacteria. PG_0686-related proteins are observed in other anaerobic bacterial species. The isogenic mutant P. gingivalis FLL361 (ΔPG_0686::ermF) showed increased sensitivity to H2O2, and decreased gingipain activity compared to the parental strain. Transcriptome analysis of P. gingivalis FLL361 showed the dysregulation of several gene clusters/operons, known oxidative stress resistance genes, and transcriptional regulators, including PG_2212, CdhR and PG_1181 that were upregulated under normal anaerobic conditions. The intracellular level of c-di-GMP in P. gingivalis FLL361 was significantly decreased compared to the parental strain. The purified recombinant PG_0686 (rPG_0686) protein catalyzed the formation of c-di-GMP from GTP. Collectively, our data suggest a global regulatory property for PG_0686 that may be part of an unconventional second messenger signaling system in P. gingivalis. Moreover, it may coordinately regulate a pathway(s) vital for protection against environmental stress, and is significant in the pathogenicity of P. gingivalis and other anaerobes. IMPORTANCE Porphyromonas gingivalis is an important etiological agent in periodontitis and other systemic diseases. There is still a gap in our understanding of the mechanisms that P. gingivalis uses to survive the inflammatory microenvironment of the periodontal pocket. The hypothetical PG_0686 gene was highly upregulated under prolonged oxidative stress. Although the tertiary structure of PG_0686 showed little relatedness to previously characterized diguanylate cyclases (DGCs), and does not contain the conserved GGD(/E)EF catalytic domain motif sequence, an ability to catalyze the formation of c-di-GMP from GTP is demonstrated. The second messenger pathway for c-di-GMP was previously predicted to be absent in P. gingivalis. PG_0686 paralogs are identified in other anaerobic bacteria. Thus, PG_0686 may represent a novel class of DGCs, which is yet to be characterized. In conclusion, we have shown, for the first time, evidence for the presence of c-di-GMP signaling with environmental stress protective function in P. gingivalis.

Prevention of Oxidative Stress and Diseases by Antioxidant Supplementation

Excessive and uncontrolled oxidative stress can damage biomacromolecules, such as lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA, by free radical and oxidant overproduction. In this review, we critically discuss the main properties of free radicals, their implications in oxidative stress, and specific pathological conditions. In clinical medicine, oxidative stress can play a role in several chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular, inflammatory, neurodegenerative diseases, and tumours. Antioxidant supplements can theoretically prevent or stop the progression of diseases, but a careful literature analysis finds that more evidence is needed to dissect the ultimate beneficial effect of antioxidants versus reactive oxygen species in several diseases.

Light harvesting regulation: A versatile network of key components operating under various stress conditions in higher plants

Light harvesting is finetuned through two main strategies controlling energy transfer to the reaction centers of photosystems: i) regulating the amount of light energy at the absorption level, ii) regulating the amount of the absorbed energy at the utilization level. The first strategy is ensured by changes in the cross-section, i.e., the size of the photosynthetic antenna. These changes can occur in a short-term (state transitions) or long-term way (changes in antenna protein biosynthesis) depending on the light conditions. The interrelation of these two ways is still underexplored. Regulating light absorption through the long-term modulation of photosystem II antenna size has been mostly considered as an acclimatory mechanism to light conditions. The present review highlights that this mechanism represents one of the most versatile mechanisms of higher plant acclimation to various conditions including drought, salinity, temperature changes, and even biotic factors. We suggest that H₂O₂ is the universal signaling agent providing the switch from the short-term to long-term modulation of photosystem II antenna size under these factors. The second strategy of light harvesting is represented by redirecting energy to waste mainly via thermal energy dissipation in the photosystem II antenna in high light through PsbS protein and xanthophyll cycle. In the latter case, H₂O₂ also plays a considerable role. This circumstance may explain the maintenance of the appropriate level of zeaxanthin not only upon high light but also upon other stress factors. Thus, the review emphasizes the significance of both strategies for ensuring plant sustainability under various environmental conditions.

Redox signaling and metabolism in Alzheimer's disease

Reduction and oxidation reactions are essential for biochemical processes. They are part of metabolic pathways and signal transduction. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) as second messengers and oxidative modifications of cysteinyl (Cys) residues are key to transduce and translate intracellular and intercellular signals. Dysregulation of cellular redox signaling is known as oxidative distress, which has been linked to various pathologies, including neurodegeneration. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative pathology linked to both, abnormal amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, generating Aβ peptide, and Tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation. Signs of oxidative distress in AD include: increase of ROS (H2O2, O2 •-), decrease of the levels or activities of antioxidant enzymes, abnormal oxidation of macromolecules related to elevated Aβ production, and changes in mitochondrial homeostasis linked to Tau phosphorylation. Interestingly, Cys residues present in APP form disulfide bonds that are important for intermolecular interactions and might be involved in the aggregation of Aβ. Moreover, two Cys residues in some Tau isoforms have been shown to be essential for Tau stabilization and its interaction with microtubules. Future research will show the complexities of Tau, its interactome, and the role that Cys residues play in the progression of AD. The specific modification of cysteinyl residues in redox signaling is also tightly connected to the regulation of various metabolic pathways. Many of these pathways have been found to be altered in AD, even at very early stages. In order to analyze the complex changes and underlying mechanisms, several AD models have been developed, including animal models, 2D and 3D cell culture, and ex-vivo studies of patient samples. The use of these models along with innovative, new redox analysis techniques are key to further understand the importance of the redox component in Alzheimer's disease and the identification of new therapeutic targets in the future.

Focus on Nitric Oxide Homeostasis: Direct and Indirect Enzymatic Regulation of Protein Denitrosation Reactions in Plants

Protein cysteines (Cys) undergo a multitude of different reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive sulfur species (RSS), and/or reactive nitrogen species (RNS)-derived modifications. S-nitrosation (also referred to as nitrosylation), the addition of a nitric oxide (NO) group to reactive Cys thiols, can alter protein stability and activity and can result in changes of protein subcellular localization. Although it is clear that this nitrosative posttranslational modification (PTM) regulates multiple signal transduction pathways in plants, the enzymatic systems that catalyze the reverse S-denitrosation reaction are poorly understood. This review provides an overview of the biochemistry and regulation of nitro-oxidative modifications of protein Cys residues with a focus on NO production and S-nitrosation. In addition, the importance and recent advances in defining enzymatic systems proposed to be involved in regulating S-denitrosation are addressed, specifically cytosolic thioredoxins (TRX) and the newly identified aldo-keto reductases (AKR).

Gene-Regulated Release of Distinctive Volatile Organic Compounds from Stressed Living Cells

Breath-borne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been increasingly studied as non-invasive biomarkers in both medical diagnosis and environmental health research. Recently, changes in breath-borne VOC fingerprints were demonstrated in rats and humans following pollutant exposures. In this study, the eukaryotic model Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used to study the release of cellular VOCs resulting from toxicant exposures (i.e., O₃, H₂O₂, and CO₂) and its underlying biological mechanism. Our results showed that different toxicant exposures caused the release of distinctive VOC profiles of yeast cells. The levels of ethyl acetate and ethyl n-propionate were altered in response to all the toxicants used in this study and could thus be targeted for future environmental toxicity monitoring. The RNA-seq results revealed significant changes in the metabolic or signaling pathways related to the ribosome, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolisms after exposures. Notably, the shift from glycolysis to the pentose phosphate pathway of carbohydrate metabolism and the inhabitation of the aspartate pathway in the lysine synthesis was essential to the cellular antioxidation by providing reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). The reprogrammed metabolisms could have resulted in the observed changes of VOCs released, e.g., the production of ethyl acetate for detoxification from yeast cells. This study provides further evidence that VOCs released from living organisms could be used to monitor and guard against toxic exposures while providing better mechanistic insights of the changes in breath-borne VOCs previously observed in rats and humans exposed to air toxicants.

Matrix Metalloproteinases: From Molecular Mechanisms to Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology

The first matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) was discovered in 1962 from the tail of a tadpole by its ability to degrade collagen. As their name suggests, matrix metalloproteinases are proteases capable of remodeling the extracellular matrix. More recently, MMPs have been demonstrated to play numerous additional biologic roles in cell signaling, immune regulation, and transcriptional control, all of which are unrelated to the degradation of the extracellular matrix. In this review, we will present milestones and major discoveries of MMP research, including various clinical trials for the use of MMP inhibitors. We will discuss the reasons behind the failures of most MMP inhibitors for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. There are still misconceptions about the pathophysiological roles of MMPs and the best strategies to inhibit their detrimental functions. This review aims to discuss MMPs in preclinical models and human pathologies. We will discuss new biochemical tools to track their proteolytic activity in vivo and ex vivo, in addition to future pharmacological alternatives to inhibit their detrimental functions in diseases. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in most inflammatory, autoimmune, cancers, and pathogen-mediated diseases. Initially overlooked, MMP contributions can be both beneficial and detrimental in disease progression and resolution. Thousands of MMP substrates have been suggested, and a few hundred have been validated. After more than 60 years of MMP research, there remain intriguing enigmas to solve regarding their biological functions in diseases.

Thiol Modifications in the Extracellular Space-Key Proteins in Inflammation and Viral Infection

Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) allow to control molecular and cellular functions in response to specific signals and changes in the microenvironment of cells. They regulate structure, localization, stability, and function of proteins in a spatial and temporal manner. Among them, specific thiol modifications of cysteine (Cys) residues facilitate rapid signal transduction. In fact, Cys is unique because it contains the highly reactive thiol group that can undergo different reversible and irreversible modifications. Upon inflammation and changes in the cellular microenvironment, many extracellular soluble and membrane proteins undergo thiol modifications, particularly dithiol-disulfide exchange, S-glutathionylation, and S-nitrosylation. Among others, these thiol switches are essential for inflammatory signaling, regulation of gene expression, cytokine release, immunoglobulin function and isoform variation, and antigen presentation. Interestingly, also the redox state of bacterial and viral proteins depends on host cell-mediated redox reactions that are critical for invasion and infection. Here, we highlight mechanistic thiol switches in inflammatory pathways and infections including cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Redox-sensitive E2 Rad6 controls cellular response to oxidative stress via K63-linked ubiquitination of ribosomes

Protein ubiquitination is an essential process that rapidly regulates protein synthesis, function, and fate in dynamic environments. Within its non-proteolytic functions, we showed that K63-linked polyubiquitinated conjugates heavily accumulate in yeast cells exposed to oxidative stress, stalling ribosomes at elongation. K63-ubiquitinated conjugates accumulate mostly because of redox inhibition of the deubiquitinating enzyme Ubp2; however, the role and regulation of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2) in this pathway remained unclear. Here, we show that the E2 Rad6 associates and modifies ribosomes during stress. We further demonstrate that Rad6 and its human homolog UBE2A are redox regulated by forming a reversible disulfide with the E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme (Uba1). This redox regulation is part of a negative feedback regulation, which controls the levels of K63 ubiquitination under stress. Finally, we show that Rad6 activity is necessary to regulate translation, antioxidant defense, and adaptation to stress, thus providing an additional physiological role for this multifunctional enzyme.

Complexity of NAC Action as an Antidiabetic Agent: Opposing Effects of Oxidative and Reductive Stress on Insulin Secretion and Insulin Signaling

Dysregulated redox balance is involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. While the benefit of antioxidants in neutralizing oxidative stress is well characterized, the potential harm of antioxidant-induced reductive stress is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the dose-dependent effects of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on various tissues involved in the regulation of blood glucose and the mechanisms underlying its functions. H₂O₂ was used as an oxidizing agent in order to compare the outcomes of oxidative and reductive stress on cellular function. Cellular death in pancreatic islets and diminished insulin secretion were facilitated by H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress but not by NAC. On the other hand, myotubes and adipocytes were negatively affected by NAC-induced reductive stress, as demonstrated by the impaired transmission of insulin signaling and glucose transport, as opposed to H₂O₂-stimulatory action. This was accompanied by redox balance alteration and thiol modifications of proteins. The NAC-induced deterioration of insulin signaling was also observed in healthy mice, while both insulin secretion and insulin signaling were improved in diabetic mice. This study establishes the tissue-specific effects of NAC and the importance of the delicate maintenance of redox balance, emphasizing the challenge of implementing antioxidant therapy in the clinic.

Intertwined associations between oxidative and nitrosative stress and endocannabinoid system pathways: Relevance for neuropsychiatric disorders

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) appears to regulate metabolic, cardiovascular, immune, gastrointestinal, lung, and reproductive system functions, as well as the central nervous system. There is also evidence that neuropsychiatric disorders are associated with ECS abnormalities as well as oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways. The goal of this mechanistic review is to investigate the mechanisms underlying the ECS's regulation of redox signalling, as well as the mechanisms by which activated oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways may impair ECS-mediated signalling. Cannabinoid receptor (CB)1 activation and upregulation of brain CB2 receptors reduce oxidative stress in the brain, resulting in less tissue damage and less neuroinflammation. Chronically high levels of oxidative stress may impair CB1 and CB2 receptor activity. CB1 activation in peripheral cells increases nitrosative stress and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) activity, reducing mitochondrial activity. Upregulation of CB2 in the peripheral and central nervous systems may reduce iNOS, nitrosative stress, and neuroinflammation. Nitrosative stress may have an impact on CB1 and CB2-mediated signalling. Peripheral immune activation, which frequently occurs in response to nitro-oxidative stress, may result in increased expression of CB2 receptors on T and B lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages, reducing the production of inflammatory products and limiting the duration and intensity of the immune and oxidative stress response. In conclusion, high levels of oxidative and nitrosative stress may compromise or even abolish ECS-mediated redox pathway regulation. Future research in neuropsychiatric disorders like mood disorders and deficit schizophrenia should explore abnormalities in these intertwined signalling pathways.

Mitochondria Lead the Way: Mitochondrial Dynamics and Function in Cellular Movements in Development and Disease

The dynamics, distribution and activity of subcellular organelles are integral to regulating cell shape changes during various physiological processes such as epithelial cell formation, cell migration and morphogenesis. Mitochondria are famously known as the powerhouse of the cell and play an important role in buffering calcium, releasing reactive oxygen species and key metabolites for various activities in a eukaryotic cell. Mitochondrial dynamics and morphology changes regulate these functions and their regulation is, in turn, crucial for various morphogenetic processes. In this review, we evaluate recent literature which highlights the role of mitochondrial morphology and activity during cell shape changes in epithelial cell formation, cell division, cell migration and tissue morphogenesis during organism development and in disease. In general, we find that mitochondrial shape is regulated for their distribution or translocation to the sites of active cell shape dynamics or morphogenesis. Often, key metabolites released locally and molecules buffered by mitochondria play crucial roles in regulating signaling pathways that motivate changes in cell shape, mitochondrial shape and mitochondrial activity. We conclude that mechanistic analysis of interactions between mitochondrial morphology, activity, signaling pathways and cell shape changes across the various cell and animal-based model systems holds the key to deciphering the common principles for this interaction.

GPX4-Regulated Ferroptosis Mediates S100-Induced Experimental Autoimmune Hepatitis Associated with the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the liver. Oxidative stress triggered by reactive oxygen radicals is a common pathophysiological basis for the pathogenesis of many liver diseases, and ferroptosis is associated with the toxic accumulation of reactive oxygen species. The signaling transduction pathways responsible for iron processing and lipid-peroxidation mechanisms are believed to drive ferroptosis. However, the specific mechanisms regulating ferroptosis remain unclear. The aims of this investigation were to identify the possible effector functions of ferroptosis, based on glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) regulation in an S100-induced autoimmune hepatitis mouse model and hepatocyte injury models. The S100 liver antigen-induced AIH mouse model was used to detect ferroptotic biomarkers using western blotting. Upregulated levels of cyclooxygenase2 (COX2) and Acyl-Coenzyme A synthase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) were observed in the S100-induced AIH model group, while levels of GPX4 and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) were downregulated (P < 0.05). The expression profiles of COX2, ACSL4, GPX4, and FTH1 were restored following the administration of ferrostatin-1. In addition, Nrf2 and HO-1 levels in the S100-induced AIH model mice after treatment with ferrostatin-1 were downregulated compared to the nonferrostatin-1-treated S100-induced AIH model mice (P < 0.05). Moreover, COX2 and ACSL4 levels were significantly upregulated, with significant FTH1 downregulation, in the AIH model mice when liver-specific GPX4 was silenced using AAV8 constructs. These data indicate that inhibition of ferroptosis significantly ameliorated the influence of AIH on the Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway, and that ferroptosis may act as an initiator or intermediate mediator leading to AIH.

ROS-Scavenging Therapeutic Hydrogels for Modulation of the Inflammatory Response

Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential for cellular processes, excessive ROS could be a major cause of various inflammatory diseases because of the oxidation of proteins, DNA, and membrane lipids. It has recently been suggested that the amount of ROS could thus be regulated to treat such physiological disorders. A ROS-scavenging hydrogel is a promising candidate for therapeutic applications because of its high biocompatibility, 3D matrix, and ability to be modified. Approaches to conferring antioxidant properties to normal hydrogels include embedding ROS-scavenging catalytic nanoparticles, modifying hydrogel polymer chains with ROS-adsorbing organic moieties, and incorporating ROS-labile linkers in polymer backbones. Such therapeutic hydrogels can be used for wound healing, cardiovascular diseases, bone repair, ocular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. ROS-scavenging hydrogels could eliminate oxidative stress, accelerate the regeneration process, and show synergetic effects with other drugs or therapeutic molecules. In this review, the mechanisms by which ROS are generated and scavenged in the body are outlined, and the effects of high levels of ROS and the resulting oxidative stress on inflammatory diseases are described. Next, the mechanism of ROS scavenging by hydrogels is explained depending on the ROS-scavenging agents embedded within the hydrogel. Lastly, the recent achievements in the development of ROS-scavenging hydrogels to treat various inflammation-associated diseases are presented.

Oxidative Post-Translational Modifications: A Focus on Cysteine S-Sulfhydration and the Regulation of Endothelial Fitness

Significance: Changes in the oxidative balance can affect cellular physiology and adaptation through redox signaling. The endothelial cells that line blood vessels are particularly sensitive to reactive oxygen species, which can alter cell function by a number of mechanisms, including the oxidative post-translational modification (oxPTM) of proteins on critical cysteine thiols. Such modifications can act as redox-switches to alter the function of targeted proteins. Recent Advances: Mapping the cysteine oxPTM proteome and characterizing the effects of individual oxPTMs to gain insight into consequences for cellular responses has proven challenging. A recent addition to the list of reversible oxPTMs that contributes to cellular redox homeostasis is persulfidation or S-sulfhydration. Critical Issues: It has been estimated that up to 25% of proteins are S-sulfhydrated, making this modification almost as abundant as phosphorylation. In the endothelium, persulfides are generated by the trans-sulfuration pathway that catabolizes cysteine and cystathionine to generate hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and H₂S-related sulfane sulfur compounds (H₂S_n). This pathway is of particular importance for the vascular system, as the enzyme cystathionine γ lyase (CSE) in endothelial cells accounts for a significant portion of total vascular H₂S/H₂S_n production. Future Directions: Impaired CSE activity in endothelial dysfunction has been linked with marked changes in the endothelial cell S-sulfhydrome and can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and hypertension. It will be interesting to determine how changes in the S-sulfhydration of specific networks of proteins contribute to endothelial cell physiology and pathophysiology. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 35, 1494-1514.

ROS Pleiotropy in Melanoma and Local Therapy with Physical Modalities

Metabolic energy production naturally generates unwanted products such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative damage. Oxidative damage has been linked to several pathologies, including diabetes, premature aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. ROS were therefore originally anticipated as an imperative evil, a product of an imperfect system. More recently, however, the role of ROS in signaling and tumor treatment is increasingly acknowledged. This review addresses the main types, sources, and pathways of ROS in melanoma by linking their pleiotropic roles in antioxidant and oxidant regulation, hypoxia, metabolism, and cell death. In addition, the implications of ROS in various physical therapy modalities targeting melanoma, such as radiotherapy, electrochemotherapy, hyperthermia, photodynamic therapy, and medical gas plasma, are also discussed. By including ROS in the main picture of melanoma skin cancer and as an integral part of cancer therapies, a greater understanding of melanoma cell biology is presented, which ultimately may elucidate additional clues on targeting therapy resistance of this most deadly form of skin cancer.

Thiol-disulphide independent in-cell trapping for the identification of peroxiredoxin 2 interactors

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) acts as a signalling molecule by oxidising cysteine thiols in proteins. Recent evidence has established a role for cytosolic peroxiredoxins in transmitting H2O2-based oxidation to a multitude of target proteins. Moreover, it is becoming clear that peroxiredoxins fulfil their function in organised microdomains, where not all interactors are covalently bound. However, most studies aimed at identifying peroxiredoxin interactors were based on methods that only detect covalently linked partners. Here, we explore the applicability of two thiol-disulphide independent in-cell trapping methodological approaches in combination with mass spectrometry for the identification of interaction partners of peroxiredoxin 2 (Prdx2). The first is biotin-dependent proximity-labelling (BioID) with a biotin ligase A (BirA*)-fused Prdx2, which has never been applied on redox-active proteins. The second is crosslinker co-immunoprecipitation with an N-terminally His-tagged Prdx2. During the initial characterisation of the tagged Prdx2 constructs, we found that the His-tag, but not BirA*, compromises the peroxidase and signalling activities of Prdx2. Further, the Prdx2 interactors identified with each approach showed little overlap. We therefore concluded that BioID is a more reliable method than crosslinker co-immunoprecipitation. After a stringent mass spec data filtering, BioID identified 13 interactors under elevated H2O2 conditions, including subunit five of the COP9 signalosome complex (CSN5). The Prdx2:CSN5 interaction was further confirmed in a proximity ligation assay. Taken together, our results demonstrate that BioID can be used as a method for the identification of interactors of Prdxs, and that caution should be exercised when interpreting protein-protein interaction results using tagged Prdxs.

Inflammation and Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications by Natural Products

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with no clear causative event making the disease difficult to diagnose and treat. The pathological hallmarks of AD include amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and widespread neuronal loss. Amyloid-beta has been extensively studied and targeted to develop an effective disease-modifying therapy, but the success rate in clinical practice is minimal. Recently, neuroinflammation has been focused on as the event in AD progression to be targeted for therapies. Various mechanistic pathways including cytokines and chemokines, complement system, oxidative stress, and cyclooxygenase pathways are linked to neuroinflammation in the AD brain. Many cells including microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes work together to protect the brain from injury. This review is focused to better understand the AD inflammatory and immunoregulatory processes to develop novel anti-inflammatory drugs to slow down the progression of AD.

Neobavaisoflavone May Modulate the Activity of Topoisomerase Inhibitors towards U-87 MG Cells: An In Vitro Study

Despite many advances in therapy, glioblastoma (GB) is still characterized by its poor prognosis. The main reason for this is unsuccessful treatment, which slightly extends the duration of remission; thus, new regimens are needed. One of many types of chemotherapeutics that are being investigated in this field is topoisomerase inhibitors, mainly in combination therapy with other drugs. On the other hand, the search for new anti-cancer substances continues. Neobavaisoflavone (NBIF) is a natural compound isolated from Psoralea corylifolia L., which possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of NBIF in human U-87 MG glioblastoma cells in comparison to normal human NHA astrocytes, and to examine if it influences the activity of irinotecan, etoposide, and doxorubicin in this in vitro model. We demonstrated that NBIF decreases U-87 MG cells viability in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that it inhibits cell growth and causes glutathione (GSH) depletion more intensely in U-87 MG cells than in astrocytes. This study also provides, for the first time, evidence of the potentialization of the doxorubicin effect by NBIF, which was shown by the reduction in the viability in U-87 MG cells.

Prediction and analysis of redox-sensitive cysteines using machine learning and statistical methods

Reactive oxygen species are produced by a number of stimuli and can lead both to irreversible intracellular damage and signaling through reversible post-translational modification. It is unclear which factors contribute to the sensitivity of cysteines to redox modification. Here, we used statistical and machine learning methods to investigate the influence of different structural and sequence features on the modifiability of cysteines. We found several strong structural predictors for redox modification. Sensitive cysteines tend to be characterized by higher exposure, a lack of secondary structure elements, and a high number of positively charged amino acids in their close environment. Our results indicate that modified cysteines tend to occur close to other post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylated serines. We used these features to create models and predict the presence of redox-modifiable cysteines in human mitochondrial complex I as well as make novel predictions regarding redox-sensitive cysteines in proteins.

Prdx1 Interacts with ASK1 upon Exposure to H2O2 and Independently of a Scaffolding Protein

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a key redox signaling molecule that selectively oxidizes cysteines on proteins. It can accomplish this even in the presence of highly efficient and abundant H₂O₂ scavengers, peroxiredoxins (Prdxs), as it is the Prdxs themselves that transfer oxidative equivalents to specific protein thiols on target proteins via their redox-relay functionality. The first evidence of a mammalian cytosolic Prdx-mediated redox-relay—Prdx1 with the kinase ASK1—was presented a decade ago based on the outcome of a co-immunoprecipitation experiment. A second such redox-relay—Prdx2:STAT3—soon followed, for which further studies provided insights into its specificity, organization, and mechanism. The Prdx1:ASK1 redox-relay, however, has never undergone such a characterization. Here, we combine cellular and in vitro protein–protein interaction methods to investigate the Prdx1:ASK1 interaction more thoroughly. We show that, contrary to the Prdx2:STAT3 redox-relay, Prdx1 interacts with ASK1 at elevated H₂O₂ concentrations, and that this interaction can happen independently of a scaffolding protein. We also provide evidence of a Prdx2:ASK1 interaction, and demonstrate that it requires a facilitator that, however, is not annexin A2. Our results reveal that cytosolic Prdx redox-relays can be organized in different ways and yet again highlight the differentiated roles of Prdx1 and Prdx2.

A guide to genetically encoded tools for the study of H2 O2

Cell metabolism heavily relies on the redox reactions that inevitably generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is now well established that ROS fluctuations near basal levels coordinate numerous physiological processes in living organisms, thus exhibiting regulatory functions. Hydrogen peroxide, the most long-lived ROS, is a key contributor to ROS-dependent signal transduction in the cell. H₂ O₂ is known to impact various targets in the cell; therefore, the question of how H₂ O₂ modulates physiological processes in a highly specific manner is central in redox biology. To resolve this question, novel genetic tools have recently been created for detecting H₂ O₂ and emulating its generation in living organisms with unmatched spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we review H₂ O₂ -sensitive genetically encoded fluorescent sensors and opto- and chemogenetic tools for controlled H₂ O₂ generation.

Protocol for determining protein cysteine thiol redox status using western blot analysis

This protocol describes the analysis of protein cysteine redox status. Redox status is crucial in regulating protein activity, stability, and redox signaling cascades. It is determined by conjugation with 1.24 kDa MM(PEG)₂₄ molecule to each reduced cysteine followed by western blot analysis. This protocol is easy to follow, and most of the reagents and instruments required are of common use in any lab. This protocol can be successfully applied to other biological sources.

For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Pant et al. (2020).

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Protein redox status is crucial in regulating its activity, stability, and signaling

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MM(PEG)24 reacts with reduced cysteine, increasing protein molecular weight by 1.24 kDa

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Protein’s reduced status is determined by increased molecular weight in western blot

Peroxiredoxins wear many hats: Factors that fashion their peroxide sensing personalities

Peroxiredoxins (Prdxs) sense and assess peroxide levels, and signal through protein interactions. Understanding the role of the multiple structural and post-translational modification (PTM) layers that tunes the peroxiredoxin specificities is still a challenge. In this review, we give a tabulated overview on what is known about human and bacterial peroxiredoxins with a focus on structure, PTMs, and protein-protein interactions. Armed with numerous cellular and atomic level experimental techniques, we look at the future and ask ourselves what is still needed to give us a clearer view on the cellular operating power of Prdxs in both stress and non-stress conditions.