Substrate activation in pyridine nucleotide-linked reactions: illustrations from the steroid field

Single-molecule enzymology of steroid transforming enzymes: Transient kinetic studies and what they tell us

Structure-function studies on steroid transforming enzymes often use site-directed mutagenesis to inform mechanisms of catalysis and effects on steroid binding, and data are reported in terms of changes in steady state kinetic parameters kcat, Km and kcat/Km. However, this dissection of function is limited since kcat is governed by the rate-determining step and Km is a complex macroscopic kinetic constant. Often site-directed mutagenesis can lead to a change in the rate-determining step which cannot be revealed by just reporting a decrease in kcat alone. These issues are made more complex when it is considered that many steroid transforming enzymes have more than one substrate and product. We present the case for using transient-kinetics performed with stopped-flow spectrometry to assign rate constants to discrete steps in these multi-substrate reactions and their use to interpret enzyme mechanism and the effects of disease and engineered mutations. We demonstrate that fluorescence kinetic transients can be used to measure ligand binding that may be accompanied by isomerization steps, revealing the existence of new enzyme intermediates. We also demonstrate that single-turnover reactions can provide a klim for the chemical step and Ks for steroid-substrate binding and that when coupled with kinetic isotope effect measurements can provide information on transition state intermediates. We also demonstrate how multiple turnover experiments can provide evidence for either "burst-phase" kinetics, which can reveal a slow product release step, or linear-phase kinetics, in which the chemical step can be rate-determining. With these assignments it becomes more straightforward to analyze the effects of mutations. We use examples from the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (AKR1Cs) and human steroid 5β-reductase (AKR1D1) to illustrate the utility of the approach, which are members of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily.

Human hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and pre-receptor regulation: insights into inhibitor design and evaluation

Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) represent a major class of NAD(P)(H) dependent steroid hormone oxidoreductases involved in the pre-receptor regulation of hormone action. This is achieved by HSDs working in pairs so that they can interconvert ketosteroids with hydroxysteroids resulting in a change in ligand potency for nuclear receptors. HSDs belong to two protein superfamilies the aldo-keto reductases and the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductases. In humans, many of the important enzymes have been thoroughly characterized including the elucidation of their three-dimensional structures. Because these enzymes play fundamental roles in steroid hormone action they can be considered to be drug targets for a variety of steroid driven diseases, e.g. metabolic syndrome and obesity, inflammation, and hormone dependent malignancies of the endometrium, prostate and breast. This article will review how fundamental knowledge of these enzymes can be exploited in the development of isoform specific HSD inhibitors from both protein superfamilies. Article from the Special issue on Targeted Inhibitors.

Molecular and structural aspects of xenobiotic carbonyl metabolizing enzymes. Role of reductases and dehydrogenases in xenobiotic phase I reactions

The major metabolic pathways involved in synthesis and disposition of carbonyl and hydroxyl group containing compounds are presented, and structural and functional characteristics of the enzyme families involved are discussed. Alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases (ADH, ALDH) participate in oxidative pathways, whereas reductive routes are accomplished by members of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR), short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) and quinone reductase (QR) superfamilies. A wealth of biochemical, genetic and structural data now establishes these families to constitute important phase I enzymes.

Comparative anatomy of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily

The aldo-keto reductases metabolize a wide range of substrates and are potential drug targets. This protein superfamily includes aldose reductases, aldehyde reductases, hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and dihydrodiol dehydrogenases. By combining multiple sequence alignments with known three-dimensional structures and the results of site-directed mutagenesis studies, we have developed a structure/function analysis of this superfamily. Our studies suggest that the (alpha/beta)8-barrel fold provides a common scaffold for an NAD(P)(H)-dependent catalytic activity, with substrate specificity determined by variation of loops on the C-terminal side of the barrel. All the aldo-keto reductases are dependent on nicotinamide cofactors for catalysis and retain a similar cofactor binding site, even among proteins with less than 30% amino acid sequence identity. Likewise, the aldo-keto reductase active site is highly conserved. However, our alignments indicate that variation ofa single residue in the active site may alter the reaction mechanism from carbonyl oxidoreduction to carbon-carbon double-bond reduction, as in the 3-oxo-5beta-steroid 4-dehydrogenases (Delta4-3-ketosteroid 5beta-reductases) of the superfamily. Comparison of the proposed substrate binding pocket suggests residues 54 and 118, near the active site, as possible discriminators between sugar and steroid substrates. In addition, sequence alignment and subsequent homology modelling of mouse liver 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and rat ovary 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase indicate that three loops on the C-terminal side of the barrel play potential roles in determining the positional and stereo-specificity of the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. Finally, we propose that the aldo-keto reductase superfamily may represent an example of divergent evolution from an ancestral multifunctional oxidoreductase and an example of convergent evolution to the same active-site constellation as the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily.

The kinetic mechanism catalysed by homogeneous rat liver 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Evidence for binary and ternary dead-end complexes containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Rat liver 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha-HSD) (EC 1.1.1.50) is an NAD(P)(+)-dependent oxidoreductase that is potently inhibited at its active site by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Initial-velocity and product-inhibition studies performed in either direction at pH 7.0 are consistent with a sequential ordered Bi Bi mechanism in which pyridine nucleotide binds first and leaves last. This mechanism is supported by fluorescence titrations of the E-NADH complex, and by the failure to detect the binding of either [3H]androsterone or [3H]androstanedione to free enzyme by equilibrium dialysis. Dead-end inhibition studies with NSAIDs also support this mechanism. Initial-velocity studies with indomethacin show that this drug is an uncompetitive inhibitor against NAD+, but a potent competitive inhibitor against androsterone, indicating the ordered formation of an E.NAD+.indomethacin complex. Calculation of the individual rate constants reveals that the binding and release of pyridine nucleotide is rate-limiting and that isomerization of the central complex is favoured in the forward direction. Equilibrium dialysis experiments with [14C]indomethacin reveal the presence of two abortive NSAID complexes, a high-affinity ternary complex corresponding to E.NAD+.indomethacin (Kd = 1-2 microM for indomethacin) and a low-affinity binary complex corresponding to E.indomethacin (Kd = 22 microM for indomethacin). Since indomethacin has a low affinity for free enzyme, the formation of this abortive binary complex does not complicate kinetic measurements which are made in the presence of NAD+, but may contribute to the inhibition of the enzyme by NSAIDs. Using either pro-R-[4-3H]NADH or pro-S-[4-3H]NADH as cofactor, radiolabelled androsterone was formed only when the pro-R-[4-3H]NADH was used, confirming that purified 3 alpha-HSD is a Class A dehydrogenase.

Mechanism based inhibition of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases

Steroid hormone action can be regulated not only at the receptor level but also by the enzymes that are responsible for the synthesis and degradation of biologically active steroids. Traditionally the pharmacological intervention of steroid hormone action has focused on the development of steroidal and nonsteroidal hormone receptor agonists and antagonists with appropriate pharmacokinetics. Recently, the development of selective inhibitors/inactivators of steroid metabolizing enzymes has gained momentum. This review will concentrate on the development of mechanism-based inhibitors for one class of steroid hormone transforming enzymes, the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases.

Stereospecificity for nicotinamide nucleotides in enzymatic and chemical hydride transfer reactions

The pyridine nucleotide (NAD and NADP)-linked enzymes are a large class of enzymes constituting approximately 17% of all classified enzymes. When these enzymes catalyze their reactions, the hydride transfer between the substrate and the reaction site (i.e., C-4 of the nicotinamide/dihydronicotinamide ring) of the coenzyme takes place in a stereospecific manner. Thus, in the reaction of oxidation of the reduced coenzyme, one group of enzymes catalyzes the extraction of only the hydrogen having the R configuration at the No. 4 carbon, while the other group catalyzes the removal of only that with the S configuration. Because this aspect of enzyme stereospecificity provides essential information for a given enzyme's reaction mechanism, active site structure, and evolutionary relationship with other enzymes, intensive effort has been made to establish the stereospecificities of as many enzymes as possible. This review presents the compilation of the stereospecificities of these enzymes. Some empirical rules, which are useful but not definitive, in predicting a given enzyme's stereospecificity are also described. In addition, the stereospecificity in enzymatic reactions is compared to the stereo-preference in chemical oxidoreduction of the coenzyme. In order to elucidate the mechanism for the enzyme stereospecificity, the conformations of the coenzyme in free-state and enzyme-bound state are extensively discussed here.

Mechanism of hydroxylation at C-22 during the biosynthesis of ecdysteroids in the locust Schistocerca gregaria

1. The fates of the 22-pro-R and 22-pro-S hydrogen atoms of cholesterol during the biosynthesis of ecdysteroids in the ovaries of Schistocerca gregaria were investigated. 2. Two stereospecifically labelled cholesterol species, obtained by incubating 3R,2R- and 3R,2S-[2-14C, 2-3H]mevalonic acid with rat liver preparations, were administered, in turn, to maturing adult female locusts and the radiolabelled ecdysteroid conjugates isolated from the eggs. Enzymic hydrolysis of the conjugates yielded free ecdysteroids, from which ecdysone was purified. 3. Derivative formation and oxidation at C-22 of both ecdysone samples indicated that the 22-pro-R and 22-pro-S hydrogen atoms of cholesterol were stereospecifically eliminated and retained respectively during ecdysteroid formation. This indicates that C-22 hydroxylation in ecdysone biosynthesis is direct and occurs with retention of configuration.

Studies on the 14 alpha-demethylation mechanism in cholesterol biosynthesis

Identification of radioactive 5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-ene-3 beta,7 alpha-diol in extracts obtained from incubations of 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-[7-3H]cholest-7-ene-14 alpha-carbaldehyde with rat liver microsomes is reported. Levels of this diol in incubations of the 14 alpha-[32-3H]carbaldehyde were measured by multiple selected ion monitoring and were found to be of the same order of those of [3H]formate released from the substrate during the removal of the C-32 atom. The results demonstrate that the diol does not originate from known intermediates of cholesterol biosynthesis, i.e. 5 alpha-cholesta-7,14-dien-3 beta-ol, 5 alpha-cholest-7-en-3 beta-ol and from 5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-3 beta-ol. Functionalization at position 7 in the metabolism of 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-cholest-7-ene-14 alpha-carbaldehyde suggests the direct involvement of the double bond in the elimination of the 14 alpha-formyl group in the biosynthetic pathway from lanosterol to cholesterol. 5 alpha-Cholest-8(14)-en-3 beta-ol appears not to be involved in the metabolism of the 14 alpha-carbaldehyde.

Is a Schiff base involved in the mechanism of the delta4-3-oxo steroid 5alpha- or 5beta-reductases from mammalian liver?

The saturation of the delta4-double bond of delta4-3-oxo steroids by the mammalian 5alpha- or 5beta-reductases is by an enzyme mechanism that does not involve a Schiff-base intermediate.

Relationship between steroids and pyridine nucleotides in the oxido-reduction catalyzed by the 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase purified from the porcine testicular microsomal fraction

The 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase which was purified from porcine testicular microsomal fraction [Inano, H. and Tamaoki, B (1974) Eur. J. Biochem. 44, 13-23] catalyzed the reduction of androstenedione to testosterone with the accompanying oxidation of equimolar NADPH. For the oxido-reduction of the steroids, the 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase preferred NADP(H) to NAD(h). Transhydrogenation from NADPH to NAD+ or NADH to NADP+ through the cyclic oxido-reduction of the steroids by the purified 17 beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase preparation was not spectrophotometrically detectable, because of selective preference of the testicular 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase against NADP(H). To examine stereospecific transfer of the hydrogen from NADPH to androstenedione by the purified 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, the following tritiated cofactors were synthesized: [4-3-H]NADP+ was prepared by catalytic replacement from non-radioactive NADP+ and 3H2O in the presence of potassium cyanide. Then, [4-pro-R3H]NADPH was enzymatically synthesized from the [4-3H]NADP+ by glucose 6-phosphate and its dehydrogenase. On the other hand, [4-pro-S-3H]NADPH was prepared from the [4-3H]NADP+ by isocitrate and isocitrate dehydrogenase. When androstenedione was incubated with the 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the presence of these stereospecifically 3H-labeled cofactors, only the tritium located at 4-pro-S position of the nicotinamide moiety of NADPH was transferred to testosterone. The location of the tritium in the testosterone molecule produced, 17alpha-position of the steroid, was assigned by the fact that the tritium of the testosterone remained in its molecule after acetylation, but was completely lost by oxidation.

The effect of carbon monoxide on the nature of the accumulated 4,4-dimethyl sterol precursors of cholesterol during its biosynthesis from (2-14C)mevalonic acid in vitro

Cholesterol biosynthesis was studied in rat liver subcellular fractions incubated with dl-[2-(14)C]mevalonic acid under gas phases consisting of either N(2)+O(2) (90:10) or CO+O(2) (90:10). CO inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis from [2-(14)C]mevalonic acid and results in a large accumulation of radioactive 4,4-dimethyl sterols. Separation of the components of the 4,4-dimethyl sterol fraction showed that lanosterol and dihydrolanosterol are the major components that accumulate during cholesterol biosynthesis in an atmosphere containing CO, whereas 14-demethyl-lanosterol and 14-demethyldihydrolanosterol are the major components of the much less intensely radioactive 4,4-dimethyl sterol fraction isolated from incubations with N(2)+O(2) as the gas phase. The identities of lanosterol, dihydrolanosterol and 14-demethyldihydrolanosterol were confirmed by both radiochemical and physicochemical methods, including g.l.c. and combined g.l.c.-mass spectrometry. CO therefore results in a qualitative as well as a quantitative difference in the 4,4-dimethyl sterol fraction which arises during cholesterol biosynthesis from mevalonic acid. The specific radioactivity of the [(14)C]lanosterol biosynthesized in the presence of CO was lower than that of its companion, [(14)C]dihydrolanosterol. The relative amounts of 4,4-dimethyl-Delta(24)-sterols and 4,4-dimethyl-24,25-dihydrosterols present in each type of incubation suggest that enzymic reduction of the sterol side chain occurs predominantly at a stage after that of lanosterol.