Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Redox potential”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 775 records · Page 43Linked to original sources

Role of the aromatic ring of Tyr43 in tetraheme cytochrome c(3) from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F.

Tyrosine 43 is positioned parallel to the fifth heme axial ligand, His34, of heme 1 in the tetraheme cytochrome c(3). The replacement of tyrosine with leucine increased the redox potential of heme 1 by 44 and 35 mV at the first and last reduction steps, respectively; its effects on the other hemes are small. In contrast, the Y43F mutation hardly changed the potentials. It shows that the aromatic ring at this position contributes to lowering the redox potential of heme 1 locally, although this cannot be the major contribution to the extremely low redox potentials of cytochrome c(3). Furthermore, temperature-dependent line-width broadening in partially reduced samples established that the aromatic ring at position 43 participates in the control of the kinetics of intramolecular electron transfer. The rate of reduction of Y43L cytochrome c(3) by 5-deazariboflavin semiquinone under partially reduced conditions was significantly different from that of the wild type in the last stage of the reduction, supporting the involvement of Tyr43 in regulation of reduction kinetics. The mutation of Y43L, however, did not induce a significant change in the crystal structure.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

THe proton-per-electron stoicheiometry of 'site 1' of oxidative phosphorylation at high protonmotive force is close to 1.5.

The maximum redox potential difference between the NAD+/NADH couple and the succinate/fumarate couple generated during ATP-energized reduction of NAD+ by succinate in submitochondrial particles was measured, together with the electrochemical potential difference for protons (delta mu approximately H+). The presence of cyanide, the time-independence of the redox potential difference and the irrelevance of the initial redox state of the NAD+/NADH couple ensured that the experimental situation corresponded to a 'static-head condition' with delta mu approximately H+ as the input force and the redox potential difference as the output force, the flow of electrons having reached dynamic equilibrium. Consequently, the observed value of 1.6 for the ratio delta Ge/delta mu approximately H+ is interpreted as indicating that the leads to H+/e- stoicheiometry at 'site 1' is 1.5 and that therefore the mechanism of the proton pump at 'site 1' is not of the group-translocation type (no direct leads to e - leads to H+ coupling).

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Reactions of peroxyl radicals with Fe(H(2)O)(6)(2+).

The reactions of RO(2)* radicals with Fe(H(2)O)(6)(2+) were studied, R[double bond]H; CH(3); CH(2)COOH; CH(2)CN; CH(2)C(CH(3))(2)OH; CH(2)OH; CHCl(2)/CCl(3). All these processes involve the following reactions: Fe(H(2)O)(6)(2+)+RO(2)*<==>(H(2)O)(5)Fe(III)[bond]OOR(2+) K(1) approximately 250 M(-1); (H(2)O)(5)Fe(III)[bond]OOR(2+)+H(3)O(+)/H(2)O-->Fe(H(2)O)(6)(3+)+ROOH+H(2)O/OH(-); (H(2)O)(5)Fe(III)[bond]OOR(2+)+2Fe(H(2)O)(6)(2+)-->3Fe(H(2)O)(6)(3+)+ROH; 2 RO(2)*-->Products; RO(2)*+(H(2)O)(5)Fe(III)[bond]OOR(2+)-->Fe(H(2)O)(6)(2+)+products. The values of k(1) and k(3) [reaction is clearly not an elementary reaction] approach the ligand exchange rate of Fe(H(2)O)(6)(2+), i.e. these reactions follow an inner sphere mechanism and the rate determining step is the ligand exchange step. The rate of reaction is several orders of magnitude faster than that of the Fenton reaction. Surprisingly enough the K(1) values are nearly independent of the redox potential of the radical and are considerably higher than calculated from the relevant redox potentials. These results indicate that the ROO(-) ligands considerably stabilise the Fe(III) complex, this stabilisation is smaller for radicals with electron withdrawing groups which raise the redox potential of the radical but decrease the basicity of the ROO(-) ligands, two effects which seem to nearly cancel each other. Finally, the results clearly indicate that reaction (5) is relatively fast and affects the nature of the final products. The contribution of these reactions to oxidation processes involving 'Fenton-like' processes is discussed.

Ferric Compounds↗

Mutation of conserved residues in Escherichia coli thioredoxin: effects on stability and function.

Mutations were made in three highly conserved residues in Escherichia coli thioredoxin. An internal charged residue, Asp-26, was changed to an alanine. The mutant protein was more stable than the wild type. It can function as a substrate for thioredoxin reductase with a 10-fold increase in the Km over the wild type. Although the redox potential was not substantially changed from that of the wild type, thioredoxin D26A was a poor reducing agent for ribonucleotide reductase. Asp-26 apparently serves to maintain an optimal charge distribution in the active site region for interaction with other proteins. Mutation of a surface Pro-34 in the active site disulfide ring to a serine had little effect on protein stability. A slight decrease in the redox potential (9 mV) made thioredoxin P34S a better reducing agent for ribonucleotide reductase. In contrast, mutation of the internal cis Pro-76 to an alanine destabilized the protein. The data indicate a change had also occurred in the charge distribution in the active site region. Thioredoxin P76A had a higher redox potential than the wild type protein and was not an effective reducing agent for ribonucleotide reductase. It was concluded that this residue is essential for maintaining the conformation of the active site and the redox potential of thioredoxin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Modelling of the electron transfer reactions in Photosystem I by electron tunnelling theory: the phylloquinones bound to the PsaA and the PsaB reaction centre subunits of PS I are almost isoenergetic to the iron-sulfur cluster F(X).

Photosystem I is a large macromolecular complex located in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts and in cyanobacteria that catalyses the light driven reduction of ferredoxin and oxidation of plastocyanin. Due to the very negative redox potential of the primary electron transfer cofactors accepting electrons, direct estimation by redox titration of the energetics of the system is hampered. However, the rates of electron transfer reactions are related to the thermodynamic properties of the system. Hence, several spectroscopic and biochemical techniques have been employed, in combination with the classical Marcus theory for electron transfer tunnelling, in order to access these parameters. Nevertheless, the values which have been presented are very variable. In particular, for the case of the tightly bound phylloquinone molecule A(1), the values of the redox potentials reported in the literature vary over a range of about 350 mV. Previous models of Photosystem I have assumed a unidirectional electron transfer model. In the present study, experimental evidence obtained by means of time resolved absorption, photovoltage, and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements are reviewed and analysed in terms of a bi-directional kinetic model for electron transfer reactions. This model takes into consideration the thermodynamic equilibrium between the iron-sulfur centre F(X) and the phylloquinone bound to either the PsaA (A(1A)) or the PsaB (A(1B)) subunit of the reaction centre and the equilibrium between the iron-sulfur centres F(A) and F(B). The experimentally determined decay lifetimes in the range of sub-picosecond to the microsecond time domains can be satisfactorily simulated, taking into consideration the edge-to-edge distances between redox cofactors and driving forces reported in the literature. The only exception to this general behaviour is the case of phylloquinone (A(1)) reoxidation. In order to describe the reported rates of the biphasic decay, of about 20 and 200 ns, associated with this electron transfer step, the redox potentials of the quinones are estimated to be almost isoenergetic with that of the iron sulfur centre F(X). A driving force in the range of 5 to 15 meV is estimated for these reactions, being slightly exergonic in the case of the A(1B) quinone and slightly endergonic, in the case of the A(1A) quinone. The simulation presented in this analysis not only describes the kinetic data obtained for the wild type samples at room temperature and is consistent with estimates of activation energy by the analysis of temperature dependence, but can also explain the effect of the mutations around the PsaB quinone binding pocket. A model of the overall energetics of the system is derived, which suggests that the only substantially irreversible electron transfer reactions are the reoxidation of A(0) on both electron transfer branches and the reduction of F(A) by F(X).

Electron Transport↗

The role of amino-acid residues in the hydrophobic patch surrounding the haem group of cytochrome f in the interaction with plastocyanin.

Soluble turnip cytochrome f has been purified from the periplasmic fraction of Escherichia coli expressing a truncated petA gene encoding the precursor protein lacking the C-terminal 33 amino-acid residues. The protein is identical [as judged by 1H-NMR spectroscopy, midpoint redox potential (+ 365 mV) and electron transfer reactions with plastocyanin] to cytochrome f purified from turnip leaves. Several residues in the hydrophobic patch surrounding the haem group have been changed by site-directed mutagenesis, and the proteins purified from E. coli. The Y1F and Q7N mutants showed only minor changes in the plastocyanin-binding constant Ka and the second-order rate constant for electron transfer to plastocyanin, whereas the Y160S mutant showed a 30% decrease in the overall rate of electron transfer caused in part by a 60% decrease in binding constant and partially compensated by an increased driving force due to a 27-mV decrease in redox potential. In contrast, the F4Y mutant showed increased rates of electron transfer which may be ascribed to an increased binding constant and a 14-mV decrease in midpoint redox potential. This indicates that subtle changes in the hydrophobic patch can influence rates of electron transfer to plastocyanin by changing the binding constants and altering the midpoint redox potential of the cytochrome haem group.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Properties of the hydrogenase of Megasphaera elsdenii.

The catalytic activities of Megasphaera elsdenii hydrogenase are stimulated by salts. The stimulation is due to the anion: the more chaotropic the anion, the greater the effect. Dithionite-reduced and dye-oxidised preparations of hydrogenase are inactivated by reaction with oxygen. The inactivation of the reduced enzyme by excess oxygen follows pseudo-first-order kinetics; the reaction order for the oxidised enzyme has not been established. The rate of oxygen-inactivation is decreased by bovine serum albumin. The hydrogen production activity decreases in the presence of dimethylsulphoxide and ethylene glycol. The hydrogen oxidation activity is stimulated by dimethylsulphoxide, and the activity remains linear with time at concentrations up to 50% (v/v). Above 70% dimethylsulphoxide the steady-state activity of hydrogenase is abolished for both types of activity. The enzyme is more stable in a hydrogen atmosphere than in an argon atmosphere, and the oxidized enzyme is more stable than the reduced enzyme. The enzyme is isolated in the presence of dithionite and it is therefore reduced. When the enzyme is oxidized by treatment with 2,6-dichloroindophenol or with (bi)sulphite, its activity increases by up to 65%; this activation is not reversed when the enzyme is re-reduced. The increase in activity is associated with a change of the redox potential of the incubation medium to a less negative value; half of the maximum activation occurs at -0.41 V. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of the dithionite-reduced hydrogenase resembles that of a reduced ferredoxin-type of spectrum with two 4Fe-4S clusters. The spectrum of the oxidized enzyme is similar to that of Chromatium high-potential iron-sulphur protein. No redox potentials can be ascribed to these spectra since the redox system changes upon freezing to liquid helium temperatures.

Aerobiosis↗

3-O-alkylascorbic acids as free-radical quenchers: synthesis and inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation.

A novel series of 3-O-alkylascorbic acids (3-RASA, 3a-n) was synthesized to act as radical scavengers for active oxygen species and free radicals, and their redox potentials and inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes were evaluated. The redox potentials of the 3-RASA compounds were increased by the substituent group to 90-190 mV above the potential for ascorbic acid (i.e., 3-RASA compounds were harder to oxidize). Although 3-O-dodecylascorbic acid (3c) and 3-O-(decylcarbomethyl)ascorbic acid (3i) differed in their redox potentials, they both markedly inhibited lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes to a similar extent (IC50 = 3.1 and 3.3 X 10(-6) M, respectively). Structure-activity relationship studies demonstrated that the anti lipid peroxidation activity of the 3-RASA compounds was markedly dependent upon their hydrophobicity.

Animals↗

Catalytic and potentiometric characterization of E201D and E201Q mutants of Trypanosoma congolense trypanothione reductase.

Trypanothione reductase is a member of the structurally and functionally well-characterized family of flavoprotein reductases, which catalyze the reduced pyridine nucleotide dependent reduction of their disulfide, peroxide, or metal ion substrates. Trypanothione reductase is found in a wide variety of Trypanosoma species, where the enzyme serves physiologically to protect the organism from oxidative stress and assists in maintaining low intracellular levels of hydrogen peroxide. The redox potential of the flavin and the hydride ion transfer reaction of the pro-S hydrogen of NADPH to N5 of FAD have been proposed to be influenced by the presence of a conserved Lys-Glu (K60-E201) ion pair at the bottom of the nicotinamide binding pocket. We have evaluated this hypothesis by making modest substitutions for both the Lys and Glu residues using site-directed mutagenesis. Replacement of the K60 residue with an arginine led to a poorly expressed, and completely inactive, enzyme. Replacement of the Glu201 residue with either a glutamine (E201Q) or an aspartate (E201D) residue led to expressed enzymes which could be readily purified in > 20 mg amounts using protocols developed for the WT enzyme, and which had significant residual trypanothione-reducing activity. These enzymes have now been characterized to determine their redox potentials, catalytic activities, and nucleotide specificities. Relative to the WT enzyme, both E201D and E201Q exhibit ca. 5% of WT trypanothione-reducing activity using NADPH as reductant, but significantly enhanced quinone reductase activity. The oxidase activity of both mutants is enhanced by over 50-fold compared to that of the WT. The redox potential of the WT enzyme has been determined to be -273 mV, while both the E201D and E201Q exhibit more positive redox potentials (-259 and -251 mV, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Control of oxidation-reduction potentials in flavodoxin from Clostridium beijerinckii: the role of conformation changes.

X-ray analyses of wild-type and mutant flavodoxins from Clostridium beijerinckii show that the conformation of the peptide Gly57-Asp58, in a bend near the isoalloxazine ring of FMN, is correlated with the oxidation state of the FMN prosthetic group. The Gly-Asp peptide may adopt any of three conformations: trans O-up, in which the carbonyl oxygen of Gly57 (O57) points toward the flavin ring; trans O-down, in which O57 points away from the flavin; and cis O-down. Interconversions among these conformers that are linked to oxidation-reduction of the flavin can modulate the redox potentials of bound FMN. In the semiquinone and reduced forms of the protein, the Gly57-Asp58 peptide adopts the trans O-up conformation and accepts a hydrogen bond from the flavin N5H [Smith, W. W., Burnett, R. M., Darling, G. D., & Ludwig, M. L. (1977) J. Mol. Biol. 117, 195-225; Ludwig, M. L., & Luschinsky, C. L. (1992) in Chemistry and Biochemistry of Flavoenzymes III (Müller, F., Ed.) pp 427-466, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL]. Analyses reported in this paper confirm that, in crystals of wild-type oxidized C. beijerinckii flavodoxin, the Gly57-Asp58 peptide adopts the O-down orientation and isomerizes to the cis conformation. This cis form is preferentially stabilized in the crystals by intermolecular hydrogen bonding to Asn137. Structures for the mutant Asn137Ala indicate that a mixture of all three conformers, mostly O-down, exists in oxidized C. beijerinckii flavodoxin in the absence of intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Redox potentials have been manipulated by substitutions that alter the conformational energies of the bend at 56M-G-D-E. The mutation Asp58Pro was constructed to study a case where energies for cis-trans conversion would be different from that of wild type. Intermolecular interactions with Asn137 are precluded in the crystal, yet Gly57-Pro58 is cis, and O-down, when the flavin is oxidized. Reduction of the flavin induces rearrangement to the trans O-up conformation. Redox potential shifts reflect the altered energies associated with the peptide rearrangement; E(ox/sq) decreases by approximately 60 mV (1.3 kcal/mol). Further, the results of mutation of Gly57 agree with predictions that a side chain at residue 57 should make addition of the first electron more difficult, by raising the energy of the O-up conformer that forms when the flavin is reduced to its semiquinone state. The ox/sq potentials in the mutants Gly57Ala, Gly57Asn, and Gly57Asp are all decreased by approximately 60 mV (1.3 kcal/mol). Introduction of the beta-branched threonine side chain at position 57 has much larger effects on the conformations and potentials. The Thr57-Asp58 peptide adopts a trans O-down conformation when the flavin is oxidized; upon reduction to the semiquinone, the 57-58 peptide rotates to a trans O-up conformation resembling that found in the wild-type protein. Changes in FMN-protein interactions and in conformational equilibria in G57T combine to decrease the redox potential for the ox/sq equilibrium by 180 mV (+4.0 kcal/mol) and to increase the sq/hq potential by 80 mV (-1.7 kcal/mol). A thermodynamic scheme is introduced as a framework for rationalizing the properties of wild-type flavodoxin and the effects of the mutations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Periodic change of viscosity and density in an oscillating chemical reaction.

It was found that the periodic change of the solution viscosity and density was generated in the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction. This rhythmic phenomenon was observed in both the iron catalyst [[Fe(Phen)(3)](2+)-[Fe(Phen)(3)](3+)] and the cerium catalyst [Ce(III)-Ce(IV)] system, where the solution viscosity and density were synchronized with the redox potential in the in-phase mode. However, the time delay existed between the redox potential and the solution viscosity and density. The behavior of the BZ reaction was also monitored in the presence of the nonionic surfactant. This experiment revealed that, beyond the critical micelle concentration, the phase between the redox potential and the solution viscosity and density was synchronized into the antiphase mode. We suggested that the variation of the catalyst drove the oscillation of the solution viscosity and density in the BZ reaction.

Journal Article↗

Determination of the reduction-oxidation potential of the thioredoxin-like domains of protein disulfide-isomerase from the equilibrium with glutathione and thioredoxin.

Protein disulfide-isomerase (PDI) contains two thioredoxin-like domains with the active-site sequence: Cys-Gly-His-Cys. Reduction of the two active-site disulfides in PDI by NADPH and bovine thioredoxin reductase was not reversible by addition of excess NADP+, consistent with a redox potential (E0') above -200 mV. Redox states of PDI and a mutated Escherichia coli thioredoxin, P34H Trx, were determined by quantitative analysis of cysteine residues by alkylation in equilibrium mixtures of oxidized and reduced forms of the two proteins. From the known E0' of P34H Trx (-235 mV), an E0' value of -190 +/- 10 mV was calculated for PDI. Similarly, with defined redox buffers of glutathione, the redox-active dithiols in PDI were shown to have an equilibrium constant of 3 mM (E0' = -175 +/- 15 mV). The results showed that PDI has a high redox potential and therefore is a good oxidant of nascent protein thiols. Direct transfer of reducing equivalents from PDI to NADP+ via thioredoxin reductase during protein disulfide formation seems unlikely due to the unfavorable equilibrium. The thioredoxin domains in PDI have a widely different redox potential compared with that of thioredoxin. A Pro to His exchange in the active site contributes to half of the change; the other half remains to be identified in the structure of PDI.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[The relationship between oxidized form glutathione, coenzyme II and carotid artery atherosclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between plasma redox status and atherosclerosis. METHODS: IVUS was performed in common carotid in the neck of 167 patients with heart diseases. Patients were divided into three groups: plaque-forming group (A, n = 79), intima-thickening group (B, n = 52) and control group (C, n = 36). Plasma glutathione (reduced form GSH and oxidized form GSSG), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form NADPH and oxidized form NADP(+)), oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in all patients. The GSH/GSSG and NADPH/NADP(+) redox potential were calculated according to Nernst equation, and correlation analysis performed. RESULTS: GSH and GSH/GSSG gradually reduced and GSH/GSSG redox potential gradually increased in proportion to the thickening of artery intima (from Group C to Group A, P < 0.05). Similar but milder results were shown for NADPH and NADPH/NADP(+) redox status. The products of oxidative stress ox-LDL and MDA also increased significantly (P < 0.05) in proportion to the thickening of artery intima. GSH/GSSG redox potential is positively correlated to ox-LDL (P < 0.05). The redox status shifted to oxidizing direction in proportion to the intima thickness. CONCLUSION: The imbalance of plasma redox status deviating to oxidation might be implicated in oxidized injury of lipid, intima thickening and atherosclerosis progress.

Adult↗

Purification and characterisation of the NADH:acceptor reductase component of xylene monooxygenase encoded by the TOL plasmid pWW0 of Pseudomonas putida mt-2.

The xylene monooxygenase system encoded by the TOL plasmid pWW0 of Pseudomonas putida catalyses the hydroxylation of a methyl side-chain of toluene and xylenes. Genetic studies have suggested that this monooxygenase consists of two different proteins, products of the xylA and xylM genes, which function as an electron-transfer protein and a terminal hydroxylase, respectively. In this study, the electron-transfer component of xylene monooxygenase, the product of xylA, was purified to homogeneity. Fractions containing the xylA gene product were identified by its NADH:cytochrome c reductase activity. The molecular mass of the enzyme was determined to be 40 kDa by SDS/PAGE, and 42 kDa by gel filtration. The enzyme was found to contain 1 mol/mol of tightly but not covalently bound FAD, as well as 2 mol/mol of non-haem iron and 2 mol/mol of acid-labile sulfide, suggesting the presence of two redox centers, one FAD and one [2Fe-2S] cluster/protein molecule. The oxidised form of the protein had absorbance maxima at 457 nm and 390 nm, with shoulders at 350 nm and 550 nm. These absorbance maxima disappeared upon reduction of the protein by NADH or dithionite. The NADH:acceptor reductase was capable of reducing either one- or two-electron acceptors, such as horse heart cytochrome c or 2,6-dichloroindophenol, at an optimal pH of 8.5. The reductase was found to have a Km value for NADH of 22 microM. The oxidation of NADH was determined to be stereospecific; the enzyme is pro-R (class A enzyme). The titration of the reductase with NADH or dithionite yielded three distinct reduced forms of the enzyme: the reduction of the [2Fe-2S] center occurred with a midpoint redox potential of -171 mV; and the reduction of FAD to FAD. (semiquinone form), with a calculated midpoint redox potential of -244 mV. The reduction of FAD. to FAD.. (dihydroquinone form), the last stage of the titration, occurred with a midpoint redox potential of -297 mV. The [2Fe-2S] center could be removed from the protein by treatment with an excess of mersalyl acid. The [2Fe-2S]-depleted protein was still reduced by NADH, giving rise to the formation of the anionic flavin semiquinone observed in the native enzyme, thus suggesting that the electron flow was NADH --> FAD --> [2Fe-2S] in this reductase. The resulting protein could no longer reduce cytochrome c, but could reduce 2,6-dichloroindophenol at a reduced rate.

Anaerobiosis↗

Review of the effects of pH on the synthesis of heteropoly tungstate anions.

The reaction of the WO4(2-) ion in the pH range 2 to 8 was carried out with the following metal ions individually in combination: Mn2+, Mn3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Co2+, Co3+, Ni2+, Cu1+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Ga3+, Mg2+, In3+, RAsO3(2-), RSbO3(2-). Some 36 heteropolyanions have been isolated in the crystalline form characterized fully. The antiviral activity of these anions has been determined against HIV, herpes respiratory viruses. The redox potentials for these anions have been measured by cyclic voltammetry documented. At pH 8, the anions adopt a Weakley structure at pH 7, the Keggin structure is formed. At pH 6 to 7, the distorted Keggin structure, 1:1:11, is formed. Below pH 6, the distorted Dawson structure is formed. Some anions showed good antiviral activity with positive redox potentials and others with negative redox potentials. When the metal ion is attached to an organic group, a ring-type structure is formed: a 2:5, 2:6, and 1:7 heteropolytungstate.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of naphthoquinones for Ames Salmonella tester strains.

The molecular mechanisms involved in quinone cytotoxicity, especially mutagenicity, are still largely unknown. In order to better understand the molecular aspects of the mechanisms of quinone mutagenicity and cytotoxicity, we examined them by using a series of 13 simple structural naphthoquinone (NQ) derivatives for 9 Ames Salmonella mutagenicity tester strains in the presence of absence of liver homogenate S9 mix from rats induced with phenobarbital and 5,6-benzoflavone. Most NQs used in this study showed mutagenicity with and/or without S9 mix. The most potent mutagenic NQ was 2,3-dichloro-1,4-NQ, with mutagenicity of 18 induced revertants/nmol/plate for strain TA104 without S9 mix. Among the strains used, TA104, which is sensitive to oxidative mutagens, was the most sensitive to the NQs, and the second most sensitive strain was TA2637, which detects bulky DNA adducts. The relationship of mutagenic potency to the one-electron reduction potential with TA104 suggested that the higher redox potential NQs were more mutagenic than the lower redox potential NQs. Significant reduction of the mutagenicity of 1,4-naphthoquinone without S9 mix was observed in the presence of catalase. Enhancement of the mutagenic potential of the NQs by the pKM101 plasmid implicated in error-prone repair was also observed. The most cytotoxic NQ was 2,3-dichloro-5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-NQ, and the least cytotoxic NQ was beta-NQ-4-sulfonic acid potassium salt, a 700-fold range in potency. The cytotoxic effect of the NQs was largely dependent on the structures of their substituents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Methionine sulfoxide cytochrome c.

Cytochrome c has been chemically modified by methylene blue mediated photooxidation. It is established that the methionine residues of the protein have been specifically converted to methionine sulfoxide residues. No oxidation of any other amino acid residues or the cysteine thioether bridges of the molecule occurs during the photooxidation reaction. The absorbance spectrum of methionine sulfoxide ferricytochrome c at neutrality is similar to that of the unmodified protein except for an increase in the extinction coefficient of the Soret absorbance band and for the complete loss of the ligand sensitive 695 nm absorbance band in the spectrum of the derivative. The protein remains in the low spin configuration which implies the retention of two strong field ligands. Spin state sensitive spectral titrations and model studies of heme peptides indicate that the sixth ligand is definitely not provided by a lysine residue but may be methionine-80 sulfoxide coordinated via its sulfur atom. Circular dichroism spectra indicate that the heme crevice of methionine sulfoxide ferri- and ferrocytochrome c is weakened relative to native cytochrome c. The redox potential of methionine sulfoxide cytochrome c is 184 mV which is markedly diminished from the 260 mV redox potential of native cytochrome c. The modified protein is equivalent to native cytochrome c as a substrate for cytochrome oxidase and is not autoxidizable at neutral pH but is virtually inactive with succinate-cytochrome c reductase. These results indicate that the major role of the methionine-80 in cytochrome c is to preserve a closed hydrophobic heme crevice which is essential for the maintainance of the necessary redox potential.

Amino Acids↗

Two resident ER-proteins, CaBP1 and CaBP2, with thioredoxin domains, are substrates for thioredoxin reductase: comparison with protein disulfide isomerase.

Protein disulfide-isomerase (PDI) is the best known representative of a growing family of enzymes with thioredoxin domains. Two such proteins with thioredoxin (Trx) domains, CaBP1 and CaBP2 (ERp72), have previously been isolated from rat liver microsomes. Here we report that they, like PDI are substrates for thioredoxin reductase and will catalyze NADPH-dependent insulin disulfide reduction. The activity of CaBP1 and CaBP2 in this assay was higher than that of PDI but lower than that of E. coli Trx. Furthermore, as isolated the thioredoxin domains of CaBP1 and CaBP2 were in disulfide form as judged by stoichiometric oxidation of 2 and 3 mol of NADPH in CaBP1 and CaBP2, respectively. The redox potential of the active site disulfide/dithiol was estimated from the equilibrium with a mutant E. coli Trx, P34H Trx, with a known redox potential (-235 mV). This showed that CaBP1 and CaBP2, like PDI, have a much higher redox potential than wild type thioredoxin (-270 mV) in agreement with a role in formation of protein disulfide bonds. In conclusion, in vitro CaBP1 and CaBP2 share catalytic properties in thiol disulfide-interchange reactions with PDI. Thus, the well known activity of PDI is not unique in the endoplasmic reticulum and CaBP1 and CaBP2 may be regarded as functional equivalents.

Animals↗