Stress-activated leukocyte 12/15-lipoxygenase metabolite enhances struggle behaviour and tocotrienols relieve stress-induced behaviour alteration

Daidzein phosphorylates and activates 5-lipoxygenase via the MEK/ERK pathway: a mechanism for inducing the production of 5-lipoxygenase metabolite that inhibit influenza virus intracellular replication

We previously reported that the soy isoflavone daidzein (Dz) suppresses the intracellular replication of influenza virus and that arachidonic acid-derived oxidation product via lipid oxidase 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) is involved in its antiviral effect. The activation of 5-LOX by Dz triggers anti-influenza activity; however, the mechanism of activation of 5-LOX remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to clarify the activation mechanism using human monocyte-derived THP-1 cells differentiated using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. THP-1 cells expressed 5-LOX endogenously and Dz did not induce 5-LOX expression. However, 8 h after treatment with Dz, the amount of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), an arachidonic acid oxidation product via 5-LOX, increased significantly suggesting that the enzyme is activated regardless of changes in 5-LOX protein levels. Intracellular Ca²⁺ content, ATP concentration, 5-LOX protein phosphorylation, and 5-LOX intracellular localization are known 5-LOX activation factors. The intracellular Ca²⁺ and ATP concentrations were not affected by Dz treatment. The enzymatic activity of 5-LOX is regulated by the phosphorylation of three serine residues and four tyrosine residues. Pretreatment with inhibitors of each kinase revealed that Dz-induced 5-HETE production was suppressed by the MEK/ERK inhibitor. 5-LOX in which the Ser663 residue was phosphorylated was found to be increased in the nuclear fraction of Dz-treated THP-1 cells. Furthermore, immunocytochemistry showed that 5-LOX translocates to the nuclear envelope following Dz treatment. These results indicate that Dz activates 5-LOX by phosphorylating Ser663 via the MEK/ERK pathway. Thus, these results demonstrate that Dz exerts anti-influenza virus activity via the MEK/ERK signal transduction pathway.

Application of regulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation to disease treatment

Although many diseases in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals are involved in their pathogenesis are known, and antioxidants that effectively capture ROS have been identified and developed, there are only a few diseases for which antioxidants have been used for treatment. Here, we discuss on the following four concepts regarding the development of applications for disease treatment by regulating ROS, free radicals, and lipid oxidation with the findings of our research and previous reports. Concept 1) Utilization of antioxidants for disease treatment. In particular, the importance of the timing of starting antioxidant will be discussed. Concept 2) Therapeutic strategies using ROS and free radicals. Methods of inducing ferroptosis, which has been advocated as an iron-dependent cell death, are mentioned. Concept 3) Treatment with drugs that inhibit the synthesis of lipid mediators. In addition to the reduction of inflammatory lipid mediators by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and leukotriene synthesis, we will introduce the possibility of disease treatment with lipoxygenase inhibitors. Concept 4) Disease treatment by inducing the production of useful lipid mediators for disease control. We describe the treatment of inflammatory diseases utilizing pro-resolving mediators and propose potential compounds that activate lipoxygenase to produce these beneficial mediators.

Dysregulation of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor-Cholesterol Crosstalk in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of complex neurodevelopmental diseases that include impaired social interaction, delayed and disordered language, repetitive or stereotypic behavior, restricted range of interests, and altered sensory processing. The underlying causes of the core symptoms remain unclear, as are the factors that trigger their onset. Given the complexity and heterogeneity of the clinical phenotypes, a constellation of genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and immunological factors may be involved. The lack of appropriate biomarkers for the evaluation of neurodevelopmental disorders makes it difficult to assess the contribution of early alterations in neurochemical processes and neuroanatomical and neurodevelopmental factors to ASD. Abnormalities in the cholinergic system in various regions of the brain and cerebellum are observed in ASD, and recently altered cholesterol metabolism has been implicated at the initial stages of the disease. Given the multiple effects of the neutral lipid cholesterol on the paradigm rapid ligand-gated ion channel, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, we explore in this review the possibility that the dysregulation of nicotinic receptor-cholesterol crosstalk plays a role in some of the neurological alterations observed in ASD.