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Complexities in ETS-domain transcription factor function and regulation: lessons from the TCF (ternary complex factor) subfamily. The Colworth Medal Lecture.

The ETS-domain transcription factor family can be divided into a series of subfamilies. Elk-1 represents the founding member of the ternary complex factor (TCF) subfamily. By focusing on the TCF subfamily, we can demonstrate the complexities that exist in the function and regulation of ETS-domain transcription factors. This article focuses on Elk-1 in detail and summarizes the functions of other TCFs. The key themes covered include the domain structure of the TCFs, the mechanisms of complex formation with serum response factor, regulation of TCFs by mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades, and transcriptional regulatory properties of the TCFs. Finally, the emerging role of the TCFs in vivo is discussed. A picture is developing indicating that, while these proteins exhibit significant sequence and functional conservation, key differences in their structure and regulation are being identified which may relate to unique functions of these proteins in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The NADH oxidase activity of the plasma membrane of synaptosomes is a major source of superoxide anion and is inhibited by peroxynitrite.

Plasma membrane vesicles from adult rat brain synaptosomes (PMV) have an ascorbate-dependent NADH oxidase activity of 35-40 nmol/min/(mg protein) at saturation by NADH. NADPH is a much less efficient substrate of this oxidase activity, with a Vmax 10-fold lower than that measured for NADH. Ascorbate-dependent NADH oxidase activity accounts for more than 90% of the total NADH oxidase activity of PMV and, in the absence of NADH and in the presence of 1 mm ascorbate, PMV produce ascorbate free radical (AFR) at a rate of 4.0 +/- 0.5 nmol AFR/min/(mg protein). NADH-dependent *O2- production by PMV occurs with a rate of 35 +/- 3 nmol/min/(mg protein), and is a coreaction product of the NADH oxidase activity, because: (i) it is inhibited by more than 90% by addition of ascorbate oxidase, (ii) it is inhibited by 1 micro g/mL wheat germ agglutinin (a potent inhibitor of the plasma membrane AFR reductase activity), and (iii) the KM(NADH) of the plasma membrane NADH oxidase activity and of NADH-dependent *O2- production are identical. Treatment of PMV with repetitive micromolar ONOO- pulses produced almost complete inhibition of the ascorbate-dependent NADH oxidase and *O2- production, and at 50% inhibition addition of coenzyme Q10 almost completely reverts this inhibition. Cytochrome c stimulated 2.5-fold the plasma membrane NADH oxidase, and pretreatment of PMV with repetitive 10 microm ONOO- pulses lowers the K0.5 for cytochrome c stimulation from 6 +/- 1 (control) to 1.5 +/- 0.5 microm. Thus, the ascorbate-dependent plasma membrane NADH oxidase activity can act as a source of neuronal.O2-, which is up-regulated by cytosolic cytochrome c and down-regulated under chronic oxidative stress conditions producing ONOO-.

Animals↗

Urate oxidase: primary structure and evolutionary implications.

Urate oxidase, or uricase (EC 1.7.3.3), is a peroxisomal enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of uric acid to allantoin in most mammals. In humans and certain other primates, however, the enzyme has been lost by some unknown mechanism. To identify the molecular basis for this loss, urate oxidase cDNA clones were isolated from pig, mouse, and baboon, and their DNA sequences were determined. The mouse urate oxidase open reading frame encodes a 303-amino acid polypeptide, while the pig and baboon urate oxidase cDNAs encode a 304-amino acid polypeptide due to a single codon deletion/insertion event. The authenticity of this single additional codon was confirmed by sequencing the mouse and pig genomic copies of the gene. The urate oxidase sequence contains a domain similar to the type 2 copper binding motif found in other copper binding proteins, suggesting that the copper ion in urate oxidase is coordinated as a type 2 structure. Based upon a comparison of the NH2-terminal peptide and deduced sequences, we propose that the maturation of pig urate oxidase involves the posttranslational cleavage of a six-amino acid peptide. Two nonsense mutations were found in the human urate oxidase gene, which confirms, at the molecular level, that the urate oxidase gene in humans is nonfunctional. The sequence comparisons favor the hypothesis that the loss of urate oxidase in humans is due to a sudden mutational event rather than a progressive mutational process.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phosphatidic acid and diacylglycerol directly activate NADPH oxidase by interacting with enzyme components.

The enzyme NADPH oxidase is regulated by phospholipase D in intact neutrophils and is activated by phosphatidic acid (PA) plus diacylglycerol (DG) in cell-free systems. We showed previously that cell-free NADPH oxidase activation by these lipids involves both protein kinase-dependent and -independent pathways. Here we demonstrate that only the protein kinase-independent pathway is operative in a cell-free system of purified and recombinant NADPH oxidase components. Activation by PA + DG was ATP-independent and unaffected by the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine, indicating the lack of protein kinase involvement. Both PA and DG were required for optimal activation to occur. The drug reduced activation of NADPH oxidase by either arachidonic acid or PA + DG, with IC(50) values of 46 and 25 microm, respectively. The optimal concentration of arachidonic acid or PA + DG for oxidase activation was shifted to the right with, indicating interference of the drug with the interaction of lipid activators and enzyme components. inhibited the lipid-induced aggregation/sedimentation of oxidase components p47(phox) and p67(phox), suggesting a disruption of the lipid-mediated assembly process. The direct effects of on NADPH oxidase activation complicate its use as a "specific" inhibitor of DG kinase. We conclude that the protein kinase-independent pathway of NADPH oxidase activation by PA and DG involves direct interaction with NADPH oxidase components. Thus, NADPH oxidase proteins are functional targets for these lipid messengers in the neutrophil.

Cell-Free System↗

Proline oxidase induces apoptosis in tumor cells, and its expression is frequently absent or reduced in renal carcinomas.

Proline oxidase is a p53-induced gene that can mediate apoptosis in lung carcinoma cells. Here, we provide evidence implicating a role for proline oxidase in renal carcinoma. We observed absent or reduced expression of proline oxidase in 8 of 12 primary renal cell carcinomas, with respect to their normal tissue counterparts. Two renal cell carcinomas, which displayed little or no expression of proline oxidase, expressed p53s that were less capable of inducing proline oxidase than p53 isolated from normal renal tissue. One of those tumor-derived p53s contained a double transition mutation at amino acid residues 125 (Ala to Thr) and 193 (Arg to His), and the other exhibited a single transition mutation at amino acid 149 (Ser to Phe). Forced up-regulation of proline oxidase induced the formation of reactive oxygen species and mediated apoptosis in the 786-0 renal cell carcinoma cell line. A proline oxidase antisense vector repressed p53-induced up-regulation of proline oxidase, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and apoptosis in 786-0 renal carcinoma cells. Taken together, these findings support a role for proline oxidase as a downstream effector in p53-mediated apoptosis. We hypothesize that its altered expression can contribute to the development of renal carcinomas. The presence of proline oxidase in mitochondria, a primary organelle that regulates apoptosis, places this molecule in a subcellular localization that can directly influence the apoptotic pathway and thus tumorigenesis.

Alanine↗

R1, a novel repressor of the human monoamine oxidase A.

Monoamine oxidase catalyzes the oxidative deamination of a number of neurotransmitters. A deficiency in monoamine oxidase A results in aggressive behavior in both humans and mice. Studies on the regulation of monoamine oxidase A gene expression have shown that the Sp1 family is important for monoamine oxidase A expression. To search for novel transcription factors, the sequences of three Sp1 sites in the monoamine oxidase A core promoter were used in the yeast one-hybrid system to screen a human cDNA library. A novel repressor, R1 (RAM2), has been cloned. The R1 cDNA encodes a protein with 454 amino acids and an open reading frame at the 5'-end. The transfection of R1 in a human neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-BE (2)-C, inhibited the monoamine oxidase A promoter and enzymatic activity. The degree of inhibition of monoamine oxidase A by R1 correlated with the level of R1 protein expression. R1 was also found to repress monoamine oxidase A promoter activity within a natural chromatin environment. A gel-shift assay indicated that the endogenous R1 protein in SK-N-BE (2)-C cells interacted with the R1 binding sequence. R1 also bound directly to the natural monoamine oxidase A promoter in vivo as shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that R1 was expressed in both cytosol and nucleus, which suggested a role for R1 in transcriptional regulation. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of endogenous R1 mRNA in human brain and peripheral tissues. Taken together, this study shows that R1 is a novel repressor that inhibits monoamine oxidase A gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Bovine milk xanthine oxidase, blood lipids and coronary plaques in rabbits.

The effects of prolonged intravenous administration of bovine milk xanthine oxidase (EC 1.2.3.2.) on blood lipids and arterial integrity were measured to determine if the administration of this enzyme produces metabolic changes conducive to plaque formation. New Zealand White rabbits were injected intravenously with bovine milk xanthine oxidase at 4-day intervals during a 13-week test period. At the end of the test period, the rabbits were killed and blood, heart, aorta, liver, and kidneys were collected and evaluated. Rabbits injected with phosphate buffer or acid-denatured xanthine oxidase for the same length of time served as negative controls. Additional rabbits fed a diet containing 3% added cholesterol for the same time period served as positive controls. The administration of xanthine oxidase in large amounts over a prolonged period did not alter serum cholesterol or triglyceride levels and did not reduce plasmalogen levels in the aorta or heart. Xanthine oxidase administration did not induce arterial plaque formation. Cholesterol feeding over the same time period increased serum cholesterol levels, reduced liver xanthine oxidase activity levels and resulted in a marked development of arterial plaques. Althouth xanthine oxidase activity was found in liver from all rabbits, enzyme activity was not detectable in aorta, heart or kidneys from any rabbit. Free or complexed bovine milk xanthine oxidase could not be demonstrated in heart, aorta, liver or kidneys from any of the rabbits with immunodiffusion or with immunofluorescent techniques. The study showed that when large intravenous doses of bovine milk xanthine oxidase were given to rabbits, the enzyme was not deposited in heart, aorta, liver or kidneys. The study also showed that large intravenous doses of xanthine oxidase over prolonged periods did not deplete arterial or coronary tissue plasmalogens, and did not induce arterial plaque formation.

Animals↗

Respiratory burst of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils. Transition from an NADPH diaphorase activity to an .O2(-)-generating oxidase activity.

Superoxide (.O2-) production by the NADPH oxidase of a membrane fraction derived from rabbit peritoneal neutrophils activated by 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was studied at 25 degrees C under different conditions, and measured by the superoxide dismutase inhibitable reduction of cytochrome c. Whereas PMA-activated rabbit neutrophils incubated in a glucose-supplemented medium exhibited a substantial rate of production of .O2-, the membranes prepared by sonication of the activated neutrophils were virtually unable to generate .O2- in the presence of NADPH. Instead, they exhibited an NADPH-dependent diaphorase activity, measured by the superoxide-dismutase-insensitive reduction of cytochrome c. Upon addition of arachidonic acid, which is known to elicit oxidase activation, the NADPH diaphorase activity of the rabbit neutrophil membranes vanished and was stoichiometrically replaced by an NADPH oxidase activity. The emerging oxidase activity was fully sensitive to iodonium biphenyl, a potent inhibitor of the respiratory burst, whereas the diaphorase activity was not affected. Addition of 0.1% Triton X-100 or an excess of arachidonic acid, acting as detergent, resulted in the reappearance of the diaphorase activity at the expense of the oxidase activity. These results indicate that the diaphorase-oxidase transition is reversible. When the rabbit neutrophil membranes were supplemented with rabbit neutrophil cytosol, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate and Mg2+, in addition to arachidonic acid, not only the NADPH diaphorase activity disappeared, but the emerging NADPH oxidase activity was markedly enhanced (about 10 times compared to that of membranes treated with arachidonic acid alone). The diaphorase-oxidase transition was accompanied by a 10-fold increase in the Km for NADPH, suggesting a change of conformation propagated to the NADPH-binding site during the transition. The treatment of PMA-activated rabbit neutrophils with cross-linking reagents, like glutaraldehyde or 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl carbodiimide, prevented the loss of the PMA-elicited oxidase activity upon disruption of the cells by sonication, suggesting that the interactions between the components of the oxidase complex are stabilized by cross-linking.

Animals↗

Xanthine oxidase in human skeletal muscle following eccentric exercise: a role in inflammation.

1. The present study tested the hypothesis that the level of xanthine oxidase is elevated in injured human skeletal muscle in association with inflammatory events. Seven male subjects performed five bouts of strenuous one-legged eccentric exercise. Muscle biopsies from both the exercised and the control leg, together with venous blood samples, were obtained prior to exercise and at 45 min, 24, 48 and 96 h after exercise. The time courses of xanthine oxidase immunoreactivity and indicators of muscle damage and inflammation were examined. 2. The number of xanthine oxidase structures observed by immunohistological methods in the exercised muscle was up to eightfold higher than control from day 1 to day 4 after exercise (P < 0.05). The increase was attributed to an enhanced expression of xanthine oxidase in microvascular endothelial cells and an invasion of leucocytes containing xanthine oxidase. 3. The concentration of plasma interleukin-6 was significantly higher 90 min after exercise than before exercise (P < 0.05) and remained higher than pre-exercise levels throughout the 4 days. On day 4 the plasma creatine kinase activity was approximately 150-fold higher (P < 0.05) than resting levels. 4. Despite the increase in xanthine oxidase in the muscle there were no detectable changes in the levels of muscle malondialdehyde or in plasma antioxidant capacity up to 4 days post-exercise. 5. It is concluded that eccentric exercise leads to an increased level of xanthine oxidase in human muscle and that the increase is associated with secondary inflammatory processes. The increase in xanthine oxidase in the muscle occurs mainly in microvascular endothelial cells, but occurs also via infiltrating leucocytes containing xanthine oxidase. A role for leucocytes in xanthine oxidase induction in endothelium is proposed.

Adult↗

Activated neutrophils increase microvascular permeability in skeletal muscle: role of xanthine oxidase.

To determine the role of xanthine oxidase in the microvascular dysfunction produced by activated granulocytes, we examined the effect of xanthine oxidase depletion or inhibition on the increase in microvascular permeability produced by infusion of the neutrophil activator phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Changes in vascular permeability were assessed by measurement of the solvent drag reflection coefficient for total plasma proteins (sigma) in rat hindquarters subjected to PMA infusion in xanthine oxidase-replete and -depleted animals, in animals pretreated with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor oxypurinol, and in animals depleted of circulating neutrophils by pretreatment with antineutrophil serum (ANS). Xanthine oxidase depletion was accomplished by administration of a tungsten-supplemented (0.7 g/kg diet) molybdenum-deficient diet. In animals fed the tungsten diet, muscle total xanthine dehydrogenase plus xanthine oxidase activity was decreased to less than 10% of control values. Estimates of sigma averaged 0.84 +/- 0.04 in control hindquarters, whereas PMA infusion was associated with a marked increase in microvascular permeability (decrease in sigma to 0.68 +/- 0.03). PMA infusion also caused an increase in the amount of the radical-producing oxidase form of xanthine oxidase (from 3.9 +/- 0.05 to 5.6 +/- 0.4 mU/g wet wt). ANS pretreatment attenuated this permeability increase (sigma = 0.77 +/- 0.04) and diminished the rise in xanthine oxidase activity (4.9 +/- 0.5 mU/g wet wt). Xanthine oxidase depletion with the tungsten diet or pretreatment with oxypurinol had no effect on this neutrophil-mediated microvascular injury (sigma = 0.69 +/- 0.06 and 0.67 +/- 0.03, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Lysyl oxidase expression and collagen cross-linking during chronic adriamycin nephropathy.

Collagen cross-linking induced by lysyl oxidase has been implicated in liver and lung fibrosis. To define the role of this process in kidney fibrosis, we investigated the renal expression of lysyl oxidase and the content in collagen cross-links at various stages of chronic Adriamycin nephropathy in Sprague-Dawley rats. Lysyl oxidase expression was determined by RT-PCR; collagen pyridinium residues, indicating lysyl oxidase induced cross-links, were evaluated by HPLC. These parameters followed a synergic albeit asynchronous outcome: (a) lysyl oxidase mRNA levels in total kidney, glomeruli and medulla from Adriamycin-treated rats increased up to 3 times compared to controls between week 8 and 12, then returning within the normal range; (b) the pyridinium residue content did not show any significant difference between Adriamycin-treated and control rats, until diffuse interstitial fibrosis developed (16 weeks), showing at this time a 2- to 3-fold increment. Lysyl oxidase was expressed by several renal cell lines and in tubular-epithelial cells it was up-regulated in vitro by TGF beta-1, a recognized fibrogenetic factor in Adriamycin nephropathy. Our observations demonstrated that an increased expression of lysyl oxidase in the kidney precedes the development of diffuse fibrotic lesions and that, at this stage, collagenic structures contain highly cross-linked components, the final product of lysyl oxidase activity. The evidence of lysyl oxidase up-regulation in tubular epithelial cells by the same factor implicated in Adriamycin toxicity in the kidney suggests a common pathogenetic mechanism. Collagen cross-link formation by lysyl oxidase may be implicated in the pathogenesis of irreversible, fibrotic renal lesions.

Animals↗

High concentrations of antibodies to xanthine oxidase in human and animal sera. Molecular characterization.

The widespread occurrence of antibodies (IgG) specific to xanthine oxidase in both normal (nonimmune) human and animal sera, and in antisera raised against a diversity of unrelated antigens is described. A study of sera from 81 humans revealed that xanthine oxidase-specific IgG represents a high proportion (1-8%) of total IgG. No obvious correlation to pathological events or symptoms of disease could be found. These xanthine oxidase-specific antibodies could be isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography on purified human or bovine xanthine oxidase and showed specific binding to the enzyme polypeptide of Mr 155,000 in immunoblotting experiments. By immunofluorescence microscopy they displayed the same cell type-specific reaction as experimentally induced antibodies, i.e., the staining of lactating mammary gland epithelium and capillary endothelium. The naturally occurring xanthine oxidase-specific antibodies consisted of polyclonal IgG of various subclasses. F(ab')2 preparations gave immune-reactions identical to those of IgG. The human xanthine oxidase-specific IgG cross-reacted with the bovine enzyme and both human and animal antibodies partially inhibited its activity. The xanthine oxidase activity of human milk lipid globules and supernatant fractions from various human tissues was extremely low when compared with that of the bovine antigen. The enzyme protein, however, was effectively precipitated from these sources by both the human and bovine antibodies. We suggest that the exceptionally high concentrations of antibodies against one protein, xanthine oxidase, are due to self-immunization to the xanthine oxidase antigen present in endothelial cells of capillaries. We do not exclude, however, nutritional contributions of bovine milk antigen to the appearance of xanthine oxidase antibodies in human sera. The possible biological functions of this immunological reaction are discussed.

Animals↗

In situ substrate specificity and ultrastructural localization of polyamine oxidase activity in unfixed rat tissues.

Data concerning the substrate specificity and the exact intracellular localization of the polyamine-catabolizing enzyme polyamine oxidase are conflicting. Biochemical studies have shown that N1-acetylation of spermine and spermidine dramatically increases the specificity of these compounds for peroxisomal polyamine oxidase to produce spermidine and putrescine, respectively. On the other hand, polyamine oxidase activity was demonstrated histochemically both in peroxisomes and in cytoplasm of several tissues, using spermidine and/or spermine as substrate. To elucidate the in situ substrate specificity of polyamine oxidase and the localization of its activity, enzyme activity was detected in rat liver, kidney, and duodenum at the light and electron microscopic levels. For this purpose, unfixed cryostat sections were applied to avoid changes in enzyme activity owing to chemical fixation. Spermine, spermidine, their N1-acetylated forms, and putrescine were used as substrates, and cerium ions as capturing agent for H2O2. Control reactions were performed in the absence of substrate or in the presence of substrate and specific oxidase inhibitors. At the light microscopic level, final reaction product specifically generated by polyamine oxidase activity was found exclusively in a granular form in hepatocytes, epithelial cells of proximal tubules of the kidney, and epithelial cells of duodenal villi with N1-acetylspermidine or N1-acetylspermine as substrates. Final reaction product was not observed in any of the tissues after incubation in the presence of putrescine, spermidine, or spermine. Formation of specific final reaction product was prevented by incubation in the presence of a specific polyamine oxidase inhibitor, but it was not affected by a diamine oxidase inhibitor. Ultrastructural studies revealed that polyamine oxidase activity is localized exclusively to the matrix of peroxisomes of kidney and liver and to microperoxisomes of the duodenum. The localization patterns obtained with unfixed tissues are in agreement with biochemical data. Strong intraperoxisomal, interperoxisomal, and intercellular heterogeneity in polyamine oxidase activity was found in all tissues investigated.

Animals↗

Decavanadate inhibits the cell-free activation of neutrophil NADPH oxidase without affecting tyrosine phosphorylation.

NADPH oxidase was activated by arachidonate in a cell-free system consisting of membrane and cytosol fractions prepared from guinea pig neutrophils. Vanadate apparently inhibited the NADPH oxidase activity in the cell-free system (IC50=2 microM) without phosphotyrosine accumulation. The pH dependency and stability of the inhibitory effect observed for vanadate solution indicated that decavanadate, an isopolyanion of vanadate, was responsible for the inhibition. Pervanadate (vanadyl hydroperoxide) also inhibited the oxidase activity but at a higher concentration (IC50=0.2 mM). Decavanadate lowered the Vmax but did not affect the Km value of NADPH oxidase for NADPH. Decavanadate inhibited the activation process of NADPH oxidase but not the oxidase activity itself. Decavanadate-pretreatment of membrane and cytosol fractions irreversibly decreased the abilities of both fractions to activate NADPH oxidase in the cell-free system. Translocation of p47-phox, one of the cytosolic activation factors of NADPH oxidase, from cytosol to membrane, was little affected by decavanadate. These results suggest that decavanadate inhibits the activation of NADPH oxidase in the cell-free system without affecting the phosphotyrosine phosphatase, and that decavanadate can bind to both the membrane and cytosolic activation factors when they are in a dormant state, but not to the active oxidase complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Xanthine oxidoreductase and xanthine oxidase in human cornea.

Xanthine oxidoreductase (xanthine dehydrogenase + xanthine oxidase) is a complex enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine, subsequently producing uric acid. The enzyme complex exists in separate but interconvertible forms, xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase, which generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), a well known causative factor in ischemia/reperfusion injury and also in some other pathological states and diseases. Because the enzymes had not been localized in human corneas until now, the aim of this study was to detect xanthine oxidoreductase and xanthine oxidase in the corneas of normal post-mortem human eyes using histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Xanthine oxidoreductase activity was demonstrated by the tetrazolium salt reduction method and xanthine oxidase activity was detected by methods based on cerium ion capture of hydrogen peroxide. For immunohistochemical studies. we used rabbit antibovine xanthine oxidase antibody, rabbit antihuman xanthine oxidase antibody and monoclonal mouse antihuman xanthine oxidase/xanthine dehydrogenase/aldehyde oxidase antibody. The results show that the enzymes are present in the corneal epithelium and endothelium. The activity of xanthine oxidoreductase is higher than that of xanthine oxidase, as clearly seen in the epithelium. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the role of these enzymes in the diseased human cornea. Based on the findings obtained in this study (xanthine oxidoreductase/xanthine oxidase activities are present in normal human corneas), we hypothesize that during various pathological states, xanthine oxidase-generated ROS might be involved in oxidative eye injury.

Adult↗

Activation of NADPH oxidase in human neutrophils permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. A lower Km when the enzyme is activated in situ.

The NADPH oxidase is a multicomponent enzyme system that produces the reduced oxygen species essential for bacterial killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Study of the oxidase has typically been carried out in cell-free systems in which Km values of 20-150 microM NADPH have been reported. However, when compared with affinities reported for other flavoprotein dehydrogenases and when considering the cellular concentration of NADPH/NADP+ of approximately 35 microM, the reported affinity of the oxidase for NADPH appears low. To investigate this apparent discrepancy we have studied the kinetics of NADPH oxidase activation in situ in human PMN permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. alpha-Toxin permeabilization of human PMN did not initiate NADPH oxidase activation at physiologic concentrations of NADPH. If permeabilized cells were stimulated with 1 microM formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, 10 microM guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), 0.5 mM Ca2+, 5 micrograms/ml cytochalasin B in the presence of varying concentrations of NADPH, we were able to demonstrate activation of the oxidase complex as shown by superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of cytochrome c. In this system we determined that the Km for oxidase activation was 4-7 microM NADPH, a 4-10-fold decrease from reported values. The oxidase was the enzyme being studied as shown by the absence of enzymatic activity in patients with chronic granulomatous disease. In addition, if the enzyme was initially activated in permeabilized cells, the cells homogenized, and the Km for the oxidase determined in a cell-free system, the observed Km reverted to previously reported values (36 microM). These results indicate that NADPH oxidase, studied in situ, has a significantly higher substrate affinity than that observed in isolated membranes and, moreover, indicate that substrate affinity is optimal for catalysis at reported concentrations of cytosolic NADPH.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The translocation of respiratory burst oxidase components from cytosol to plasma membrane is regulated by guanine nucleotides and diacylglycerol.

The respiratory burst oxidase is a multimeric enzyme responsible for O2- production by stimulated neutrophils and a few other cell types. In the resting neutrophil, the oxidase is dormant, and its subunits are distributed between the cytosol, in which they appear to exist in the form of a multisubunit complex, and the plasma membrane; but, when the neutrophil is activated, the cytosolic complex translocates to the membrane to assemble the active enzyme. Using a cell-free system in which oxidase activity was elicited with SDS, we examined the effects of GTP gamma S and dioctanoylglycerol (DiC8) on both the activation of O2- production and the transfer of the cytosolic oxidase components p47phox and p67phox to the plasma membrane. GTP (added as undialyzed cytosol) and GTP gamma S augmented the transfer of the oxidase components to the plasma membrane and was essential for the acquisition of O2- producing activity by the oxidase. DiC8 also supported the SDS-mediated transfer of oxidase components to the membrane, but O2- production did not take place unless GTP or GTP gamma S was present. In the presence of these nucleotides, however, DiC8 augmented both translocation and O2- production. We interpreted these results in terms of a mechanism in which 2 membrane-binding sites are created during the activation of the cytosolic complex, one for diacylglycerol and the other for a second site on the membrane. Development of the second membrane-binding site depends upon the action of a G protein and is essential for the expression of oxidase activity. The results further suggested that the priming of the respiratory burst oxidase in intact neutrophils might be due to an increase in membrane diacylglycerol concentration that occurs in response to the priming stimulus. Because of the increased diacylglycerol content, a larger than usual amount of active respiratory burst oxidase could be assembled on the primed plasma membrane when the neutrophil is fully activated.

Adult↗

Enzymatic oxidation of phthalazine with guinea pig liver aldehyde oxidase and liver slices: inhibition by isovanillin.

The enzymes aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase catalyze the oxidation of a wide range of N-heterocycles and aldehydes. These enzymes are widely known for their role in the metabolism of N-heterocyclic xenobiotics where they provide a protective barrier by aiding in the detoxification of ingested nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Isovanillin has been shown to inhibit the metabolism of aromatic aldehydes by aldehyde oxidase, but its inhibition towards the heterocyclic compounds has not been studied. The present investigation examines the oxidation of phthalazine in the absence and in the presence of the inhibitor isovanillin by partially purified aldehyde oxidase from guinea pig liver. In addition, the interaction of phthalazine with freshly prepared guinea pig liver slices, both in the absence and presence of specific inhibitors of several liver oxidizing enzymes, was investigated. ldehyde oxidase rapidly converted phthalazine into 1-phthalazinone, which was completely inhibited in the presence of isovanillin (a specific inhibitor of aldehyde oxidase). In freshly prepared liver slices, phthalazine was also rapidly converted to 1-phthalazinone. The formation of 1-phthalazinone was completely inhibited by isovanillin, whereas disulfiram (a specific inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase) only inhibited 1-phthalazinone formation by 24% and allopurinol (a specific inhibitor of xanthine oxidase) had little effect. Therefore, isovanillin has been proved as an inhibitor of the metabolism of heterocyclic substrates, such as phthalazine, by guinea pig liver aldehyde oxidase, since it had not been tested before. Thus it would appear from the inhibitor results that aldehyde oxidase is the predominant enzyme in the oxidation of phthalazine to 1-phthalazinone in freshly prepared guinea pig liver slices, whereas xanthine oxidase only contributes to a small extent and aldehyde dehydrogenase does not take any part.

Aldehyde Oxidase↗