Arnold Stern

Mechanism of kainate toxicity to cerebellar neurons in vitro is analogous to reperfusion tissue injury

The neuroexcitotoxin kainate has been used as a selective lesioning agent to model the etiology of a number of neurodegenerative disorders. Although excitotoxins cause susceptible neurons to undergo prolonged or repeated depolarization, the proximate metabolic pathology responsible for neuronal necrosis has remained elusive. We report here that kainate‐induced death of cerebellar neurons in culture is prevented by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine ox‐idase, a cellular source of cytotoxic superoxide radicals (O2‐). Moreover, neurons are also protected from excitotoxin‐induced death by the addition to the culture medium of either superoxide dismutase or mannitol, which scavenge superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, respectively, or serine protease inhibitor, which forestalls formation of xanthine oxidase. These findings indicate that excitotoxin‐induced neuronal degeneration is mediated by superoxide radicals generated by xanthine oxidase, a mechanism partially analogous to that proposed for tissue damage seen upon reperfusion of ischemic tissues.

Redox modulation of tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent signal transduction pathways

The main purpose of this review article is to provide a better understanding of the role of oxidants as modulators/mediators of tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent signal transduction pathways. It is generally accepted that reversible phosphorylation of protein tyrosine residues by polypeptide growth factor receptor protein tyrosine kinases (e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor, platelet derived growth factor receptor, insulin receptor) is a signalling mechanism implicated in cell proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, transformation, and apoptosis. It is controlled by the opposing actions of protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases. Nevertheless, increasing amounts of experimental data indicate that intracellular redox state plays a major role in the mechanisms underlying the actions of growth factors. Furthermore, redox active species mediate signalling processes on their own. Thus, in this article we attempted to discuss these points, presenting our published as well as unpublished contribution to the field.

The autoxidation of glyceraldehyde and other simple monosaccharides under physiological conditions catalysed by buffer ions

Abstract Glyceraldehyde and other simple monosaccharides autoxidise under physiological conditions generating 1-hydroxyalkyl (carbon-centred) free radicals and intermediates of dioxygen reduction: superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals. The major glyceraldehyde-derived product is the α-ketoaldehyde, hydroxy-pyruvaldehyde. Close similarities between the temperature dependence of the kinetics of glyceraldehyde autoxidation and glyceraldehyde enolisation to an ene-diol indicates that enolisation is the rate-determining step in the autoxidative process. Inspection of a wide range of carbonyl compounds showed that the monosaccharide moiety -CH(OH)-C- is conserved in carbonyl compounds reactive towards autoxidation, indicating that the ability to form an ene-diol is a prerequisite to monosaccharide autoxidation. The ene-diol intermediate autoxidises rapidly to the products: hydrogen peroxide, water and α-ketoaldehydes: β-hydroxypyruvaldehyde is produced from glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone, glyoxal from glycolaldehyde autoxidation. Ene-diol autoxidation is catalysed by hydrogen peroxide and trace metal ion contaminants; removal of either of these factors sufficiently retards ene-diol autoxidation such that ene-diol autoxidation rather than enolisation becomes the rate determining step in the overall autoxidative process. Under enolisation control, the rate of monosaccharide autoxidation is influenced by pH and the buffer system used for pH control.

Free radical involvement in the oxidate phenomena induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in erythrocytes

Free radical involvement in the oxidative events induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in erythrocytes has been demonstrated by the use of the electron spin resonance technique of spin trapping with the spin trap 5.5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). The reactions of tert-butyl hydroperoxide with haemoglobins and intact cell systems were studied. Oxyhaemoglobin-containing system showed exclusive production of the t-butyloxy radical spin adduct of DMPO (DMPO-OBut), indicating t-butyloxy radical production. Methaemoglobin-containing systems showed the production of an oxidised derivative of DMPO, 5,5-dimethyl-2-ketopyrrolidino-1-oxyl (DMPOX)-previously associated with the generation of highly oxidised haem-iron. Carbon monoxyhaemoglobin-containing systems show the production of both DMPO-OBut and DMPOX but markedly slower than in either of the other haemoglobin systems. Generally, free radical production in haemoglobin systems was faster than in intact cell systems, indicating a membrane transport rate-limiting step for the tert-butyl hydroperoxide-mediated effects. Data from the use of free radical scavengers to inhibit DMPO-OBut production was consistent with the known reactivities of the scavengers toward t-butyloxy radicals. These and previously reported results (Trotta, R. J., Sullivan, S. G. and Stern, A. (1981) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 679, 230-237 and (1982) Biochem. J. 204, 405-415) implicate important roles for t-butyloxy radicals and haem intermediates in tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced lipid peroxidation and haemoglobin oxidation in erythrocytes, respectively.

Effects of H2O2 on protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in HER14 cells

Oxidative stress has been implicated in protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation in cells. In our current studies, H2O2 was shown to reversibly inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity in HER14 cells. H2O2 (150 mM) resulted in 40% inhibition of PTPase activity by 15 min and recovery from inhibition was nearly complete by 60 min. H2O2-induced inhibition or recovery of PTPase activity was not affected by cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor. L-Buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, had no effect on H2O2-induced inhibition of PTPase activity but retarded the recovery of activity. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGTA, a Ca2+ chelator, did not influence H2O2-induced inhibition or recovery of PTPase activity. These results suggest that at least 40% of fibroblast PTPase activity can be regulated by cellular redox activity.

The role of the superoxide anion as a toxic species in the erythrocyte.

Abstract The toxic action of the superoxide anion (O2−) toward the erythrocyte was investigated with O2− generated through the autooxidation of dihydroxyfumaric acid (DHF). A suspension of human red cells exposed to DHF undergoes a rapid breakdown of the cellular hemoglobin to methemoglobin and other green pigments. This hemoglobin breakdown is inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase (CAT) and is accelerated by lactoperoxidase (LP) added externally to the red cell medium. Associated with the hemoglobin breakdown is a hypotonic hemolysis also inhibited by SOD or CAT and initially accelerated but later inhibited by LP. Conversion of the red cell hemoglobin to carbonmonoxyhemoglobin in an aerated medium results in no hemoglobin breakdown or hypotonic lysis in the presence of DHF, even though O2− can be demonstrated in the medium. Although no evidence for membrane sulfhydryl oxidation or lipid peroxidation can be demonstrated in red cells exposed to DHF, the membranes of these cells were found to retain a green pigment. The presence of this green pigment in red cell membranes was inhibited by SOD, CAT, or conversion of the cellular hemoglobin to carbonmonoxyhemoglobin, but was not inhibited by LP. These results have been interpreted as a peroxide-dependent formation of O2− by DHF, followed by attack of O2− on hemoglobin. The reaction of O2− with hemoglobin leads to the formation of a hemoglobin-breakdown product that binds to the red cell membrane, resulting in an increased osmotic fragility of the cell.

MAPK-dependent expression of p21WAF and p27kip1 in PMA-induced differentiation of HL60 cells

Treatment of HL60 cells with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) results in growth arrest and differentiation towards the macrophage lineage. PMA‐induced changes are easily monitored by morphological changes while cells in suspension start adhering onto substrate. PMA induces rapid activation of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERKs). Activation of the ERK pathway is essential to PMA‐induced differentiation of HL60 cells. PMA also induces the expression of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors p21WAF and p27kip1, which is modulated by the use of an inhibitor of the ERK cascade. This implies that a link exists between ERK activation and p21WAF and p27kip1 induction in the process of terminal differentiation.

Enhanced oxidative stress and accelerated cellular senescence in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient human fibroblasts

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is involved in the generation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and the maintenance of the cellular redox balance. The biological effects of G6PD deficiency in nucleated cells were studied using G6PD-deficient human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF). In contrast to that of normal HFF, the doubling time of G6PD-deficient cells increased readily from population doubling level (PDL) 15 to 63. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the percentage of G(1) cells. The slow-down in growth preceded an early entry of these cells into a nondividing state reminiscent of cellular senescence. These cells exhibited a significant increase in level of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal) staining. The importance of G6PD activity in cell growth was corroborated by the finding that ectopic expression of active G6PD in the deficient cells prevented their growth retardation and early onset of senescence. Mechanistically, the enhanced fluorescence in dichlorofluorescin (H(2)DCF)-stained G6PD-deficient cells suggests the possible involvement of reactive oxygen species in senescence. Taken together, our results show that G6PD deficiency predisposes human fibroblasts to retarded growth and accelerated cellular senescence. Moreover, G6PD-deficient HFF provides a useful model system for delineating the effects of redox alterations on cellular processes.

Nitric oxide and cGMP activate the Ras-MAP kinase pathway-stimulating protein tyrosine phosphorylation in rabbit aortic endothelial cells

The free radical nitric oxide is a very effective signal transducer, stimulating the enzyme guanylyl cyclase, the oncoprotein p21Ras, and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. In the present study using rabbit aortic endothelial cells (RAEC), it is demonstrated that the nitric-oxide-generating substances sodium nitroprusside and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, and a stable analog of cyclic GMP, 8BrcGMP stimulate p21Ras activity. Tyrosine phosphorylation of cytosolic proteins was stimulated and intracellular production of cGMP was increased, indicating that the NO/cGMP-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent signaling pathway is most likely associated with the activation of p21Ras. NO and cGMP-dependent activation of p21Ras result in binding of the oncoprotein to the Ras-binding domain of Raf-1 kinase. Incubation of RAEC with FPT II, a potent and selective inhibitor of p21Ras, prevented NO-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation. ODQ, a potent inhibitor of the soluble form of guanylyl cyclase, inhibited the signal as well. Conversely, the use of KT5823, a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) blocker, showed no effect on protein tyrosine phosphorylation. To further establish a role for p21Ras on the NO-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation-signaling pathway, RAEC were constitutively transfected with a dominant negative mutant of p21Ras, N17Ras. NO and cGMP-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation were prevented in N17Ras-expressing RAEC exposed to NO donors and 8BrcGMP. The above findings indicate that NO and cGMP stimulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation requires the participation of fully functional p21Ras. ERK1/2 MAP kinases and their subsequent targets, the transcription factors, lie downstream to Ras, Raf-1 kinase, and MEK. Treatment of both RAEC and mock-transfected RAEC with NO resulted in phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/2. On the other hand, NO did not stimulate phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in N17Ras-expressing RAEC. In addition, PD98059, a MEK inhibitor, prevented overall tyrosine phosphorylation and phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Upstream to Ras ERK1/2 MAP kinases target the EGF receptor. Incubation of RAEC or mock-transfected RAEC with NO donors resulted in activation of the EGF receptor autophosphorylation. PD98059 effectively blocked this activation. EGF receptor autophosphorylation was insensitive to NO stimulation in N17Ras-expressing RAEC. It is concluded that NO and cGMP stimulate a signaling pathway involving p21Ras-Raf-1 kinase-MEK-ERK1/2. Activation of this signaling pathway is connected to NO-stimulated overall tyrosine phosphorylation that also involves the transactivation of the EGF receptor mediated by ERK1/2.

Membrane changes associated with lysis of red blood cells by hypochlorous acid

This study was carried out to investigate HOCl-induced lysis of human erythrocytes. Using reagent HOCl with isolated red cells, we showed that the rate of lysis was dependent on the dose of HOCl per red cell rather than on the concentration of oxidant. The process was inhibited by scavengers such as methionine and taurine, but only if they were present at the time of addition of HOCl. Lysis was preceded by a decrease in cell density, a change in the deformability of the membrane as evidenced by ektacytometry, and an increase in K(+)-leak. Electron microscopy showed extensive disruption of the membrane. Increasing doses of HOCl caused progressive loss of membrane thiols, but complete thiol oxidation by N-ethylmaleimide did not result in an equivalent rate of lysis. Restoration of oxidised thiols by incubation with glucose did not significantly alter the pattern of lysis. Taken together, these results suggest that thiol oxidation was not responsible for HOCl-mediated lysis. There was evidence of increasing crosslinking of membrane proteins on electrophoresis, only some of which was due to the formation of disulfides. TLC of the membrane lipids indicated that there may be formation of chlorohydrins by reaction of HOCl with the fatty acid double bonds. This reaction results in the formation of a more polar species which, if formed, would be extremely disrupting to the lipid bilayer. The results indicate that HOCl-mediated damage to the membrane proteins or to the lipid bilayer comprises an initial damaging event that sets the cells on a path toward eventual lysis.