Judith M. Myers

Chromium(VI) reductase activity is associated with the cytoplasmic membrane of anaerobically grown Shewanella putrefaciens MR-1.

C.R. MYERS, B.P. CARSTENS, W.E. ANTHOLINE and J.M. MYERS.2000. Shewanella putrefaciens MR‐1 can reduce a diverse array of compounds under anaerobic conditions, including manganese and iron oxides, fumarate, nitrate, and many other compounds. These reductive processes are apparently linked to a complex electron transport system. Chromium (Cr) is a toxic and mutagenic metal and bacteria could potentially be utilized to immobilize Cr by reducing the soluble and bioavailable state, Cr(VI), to the insoluble and less bioavailable state, Cr(III). Formate‐dependent Cr(VI) reductase activity was detected in anaerobically grown cells of S. putrefaciens MR‐1, with highest specific activity in the cytoplasmic membrane. Both formate and NADH served as electron donors for Cr(VI) reductase, whereas l‐lactate or NADPH did not support any activity. The addition of 10 μmol l−1 FMN markedly stimulated formate‐dependent Cr(VI) reductase, and the activity was almost completely inhibited by diphenyliodonium chloride, an inhibitor of flavoproteins. Cr(VI) reductase activity was also inhibited by p‐chloromercuriphenylsulphonate, azide, 2‐heptyl‐4‐hydroxyquinolone‐N‐oxide, and antimycin A, suggesting involvement of a multi‐component electron transport chain which could include cytochromes and quinones. Cr(V) was detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, suggesting a one‐electron reduction as the first step.

The Effects of Hexavalent Chromium on Thioredoxin Reductase and Peroxiredoxins in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Inhalational exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) compounds (e.g., chromates) is of concern in many Cr-related industries and their surrounding environments. The bronchial epithelium is directly exposed to inhaled Cr(VI). Cr(VI) species gain easy access inside cells, where they are reduced to reactive Cr species, which may also contribute to the generation of reactive oxygen species. The thioredoxin (Trx) system promotes cell survival and has a major role in maintaining intracellular thiol redox balance. Previous studies with normal human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) demonstrated that chromates cause dose- and time-dependent oxidation of Trx1 and Trx2. The Trxs keep many intracellular proteins reduced, including the peroxiredoxins (Prxs). Prx1 (cytosolic) and Prx3 (mitochondrial) were oxidized by Cr(VI) treatments that oxidized all, or nearly all, of the respective Trxs. Prx oxidation is therefore probably the result of a lack of reducing equivalents from Trx. Trx reductases (TrxRs) keep the Trxs largely in the reduced state. Cr(VI) caused pronounced inhibition of TrxR, but the levels of TrxR protein remained unchanged. The inhibition of TrxR was not reversed by removal of residual Cr(VI) or by NADPH, the endogenous electron donor for TrxR. In contrast, the oxidation of Trx1, Trx2, and Prx3 was reversible by disulfide reductants. Prolonged inhibition of TrxR in Cr(VI)-treated cells might contribute to the sustained oxidation of Trxs and Prxs. Reduced Trx binds to an N-terminal domain of apoptosis signaling kinase (ASK1), keeping ASK1 inactive. Cr(VI) treatments that significantly oxidized Trx1 resulted in pronounced dissociation of Trx1 from ASK1. Overall, the effects of Cr(VI) on the redox state and function of the Trxs, Prxs, and TrxR in the bronchial epithelium could have important implications for redox-sensitive cell signaling and tolerance of oxidant insults.

The effects of acrolein on peroxiredoxins, thioredoxins, and thioredoxin reductase in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Inhalation is a common form of exposure to acrolein, a toxic reactive volatile aldehyde that is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Bronchial epithelial cells would be directly exposed to inhaled acrolein. The thioredoxin (Trx) system is essential for the maintenance of cellular thiol redox balance, and is critical for cell survival. Normally, thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) maintains the cytosolic (Trx1) and mitochondrial (Trx2) thioredoxins in the reduced state, and the thioredoxins keep the peroxiredoxins (Prx) reduced, thereby supporting their peroxidase function. The effects of acrolein on TrxR, Trx and Prx in human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells were determined. A 30-min exposure to 5 microM acrolein oxidized both Trx1 and Trx2, although significant effects were noted for Trx1 at even lower acrolein concentrations. The effects on Trx1 and Trx2 could not be reversed by treatment with disulfide reductants. TrxR activity was inhibited 60% and >85% by 2.5 and 5 microM acrolein, respectively. The endogenous electron donor for TrxR, NADPH, could not restore its activity, and activity did not recover in cells during a 4-h acrolein-free period in complete medium. The effects of acrolein on TrxR and Trx therefore extend beyond the duration of exposure. While there was a strong correlation between TrxR inhibition and Trx1 oxidation, the irreversible effects on Trx1 suggest direct effects of acrolein rather than loss of reducing equivalents from TrxR. Trx2 did not become oxidized until > or = 90% of TrxR was inhibited, but irreversible effects on Trx2 also suggest direct effects of acrolein. Prx1 (cytosolic) and Prx3 (mitochondrial) shifted to a largely oxidized state only when >90 and 100% of their respective Trxs were oxidized. Prx oxidation was readily reversed with a disulfide reductant, suggesting that Prx oxidation resulted from lack of reducing equivalents from Trx and not direct reaction with acrolein. The effects of acrolein on the thioredoxin system and peroxiredoxins could have important implications for cell survival, redox-sensitive cell signaling, and tolerance to other oxidant insults.

The selenium-independent inherent pro-oxidant NADPH oxidase activity of mammalian thioredoxin reductase and its selenium-dependent direct peroxidase activities

Mammalian thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) is an NADPH-dependent homodimer with three redox-active centers per subunit: a FAD, an N-terminal domain dithiol (Cys59/Cys64), and a C-terminal cysteine/selenocysteine motif (Cys497/Sec498). TrxR has multiple roles in antioxidant defense. Opposing these functions, it may also assume a pro-oxidant role under some conditions. In the absence of its main electron-accepting substrates (e.g. thioredoxin), wild-type TrxR generates superoxide (O), which was here detected and quantified by ESR spin trapping with 5-diethoxyphosphoryl-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DEPMPO). The peroxidase activity of wild-type TrxR efficiently converted the O adduct (DEPMPO/HOO•) to the hydroxyl radical adduct (DEPMPO/HO•). This peroxidase activity was Sec-dependent, although multiple mutants lacking Sec could still generate O. Variants of TrxR with C59S and/or C64S mutations displayed markedly reduced inherent NADPH oxidase activity, suggesting that the Cys59/Cys64 dithiol is required for O generation and that O is not derived directly from the FAD. Mutations in the Cys59/Cys64 dithiol also blocked the peroxidase and disulfide reductase activities presumably because of an inability to reduce the Cys497/Sec498 active site. Although the bulk of the DEPMPO/HO• signal generated by wild-type TrxR was due to its combined NADPH oxidase and Sec-dependent peroxidase activities, additional experiments showed that some free HO• could be generated by the enzyme in an H2O2-dependent and Sec-independent manner. The direct NADPH oxidase and peroxidase activities of TrxR characterized here give insights into the full catalytic potential of this enzyme and may have biological consequences beyond those solely related to its reduction of thioredoxin.

Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 Restores Menaquinone Synthesis to a Menaquinone-Negative Mutant

ABSTRACT The mechanisms underlying the use of insoluble electron acceptors by metal-reducing bacteria, such as Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, are currently under intensive study. Current models for shuttling electrons across the outer membrane (OM) of MR-1 include roles for OM cytochromes and the possible excretion of a redox shuttle. While MR-1 is able to release a substance that restores the ability of a menaquinone (MK)-negative mutant, CMA-1, to reduce the humic acid analog anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS), cross-feeding experiments conducted here showed that the substance released by MR-1 restores the growth of CMA-1 on several soluble electron acceptors. Various strains derived from MR-1 also release this substance; these include mutants lacking the OM cytochromes OmcA and OmcB and the OM protein MtrB. Even though strains lacking OmcB and MtrB cannot reduce Fe(III) or AQDS, they still release a substance that restores the ability of CMA-1 to use MK-dependent electron acceptors, including AQDS and Fe(III). Quinone analysis showed that this released substance restores MK synthesis in CMA-1. This ability to restore MK synthesis in CMA-1 explains the cross-feeding results and challenges the previous hypothesis that this substance represents a redox shuttle that facilitates metal respiration.

REDUCTION OF CHROMIUM(VI) TO CHROMIUM(V) BY HUMAN MICROSOMAL ENZYMES: EFFECTS OF IRON AND QUINONES

The NADPH- and NADH-dependent reduction of chromium(VI), a known carcinogen, by human hepatic and lung microsomes likely proceeds through cytochrome b 5 as the common mediator of electron transfer to Cr(VI). Consistent with the ability of cytochrome b 5 to transfer one electron at a time, Cr(V) was generated as a transient intermediate during human microsomal Cr(VI) reduction. The redox cycling of small amounts of iron or quinones significantly accelerated the rate of Cr(VI) reduction, which should accelerate Cr(V) formation. However, Cr(V) did not accumulate under these conditions, suggesting that Fe(II) and semiquinones also reduce Cr(V). This could accelerate the formation of Cr(IV), a highly reactive intermediate. An indirect electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method suggested that Cr(IV) was produced during microsomal Cr(VI) reduction. Since iron and quinones significantly altered the rates of formation of reactive Cr intermediates, they could potentially influence cytotoxic damage associated with these intermediates.

Replication of plasmids with the p15A origin in Shewanella putrefaciens MR‐1

The plasmid pACYC184 was introduced into Shewanella putrefaciens MR‐1 by electroporation. In 100% of the transformants examined, the plasmid was maintained as a free replicon outside the chromosome. This was the case whether or not the plasmid contained a 224‐bp DNA insert derived from an open‐reading frame of MR‐1 genomic DNA. Therefore, in contrast to a report in the literature, plasmids containing the p15A origin of replication can replicate freely in S. putrefaciens MR‐1, and do not make convenient vectors for gene replacement in this bacterium. However, we found that plasmids with the pMB1 origin of replication (e.g. pBR322) cannot replicate in MR‐1 and could therefore have potential as vectors for gene replacement.

The Intracellular Redox Stress Caused by Hexavalent Chromium is Selective for Proteins that Have Key Roles in Cell Survival and Thiol Redox Control

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] compounds (e.g. chromates) are strong oxidants that readily enter cells where they are reduced to reactive Cr intermediates that can directly oxidize some cell components and can promote the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Inhalation is a major route of exposure which directly exposes the bronchial epithelium. Previous studies with non-cancerous human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) demonstrated that Cr(VI) treatment results in the irreversible inhibition of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and the oxidation of thioredoxins (Trx) and peroxiredoxins (Prx). The mitochondrial Trx/Prx system is somewhat more sensitive to Cr(VI) than the cytosolic Trx/Prx system, and other redox-sensitive mitochondrial functions are subsequently affected including electron transport complexes I and II. Studies reported here show that Cr(VI) does not cause indiscriminant thiol oxidation, and that the Trx/Prx system is among the most sensitive of cellular protein thiols. Trx/Prx oxidation is not unique to BEAS-2B cells, as it was also observed in primary human bronchial epithelial cells. Increasing the intracellular levels of ascorbate, an endogenous Cr(VI) reductant, did not alter the effects on TrxR, Trx, or Prx. The peroxynitrite scavenger MnTBAP did not protect TrxR, Trx, Prx, or the electron transport chain from the effects of Cr(VI), implying that peroxynitrite is not required for these effects. Nitration of tyrosine residues of TrxR was not observed following Cr(VI) treatment, further ruling out peroxynitrite as a significant contributor to the irreversible inhibition of TrxR. Cr(VI) treatments that disrupt the TrxR/Trx/Prx system did not cause detectable mitochondrial DNA damage. Overall, the redox stress that results from Cr(VI) exposure shows selectivity for key proteins which are known to be important for redox signaling, antioxidant defense, and cell survival.

The pro-oxidant chromium(VI) inhibits mitochondrial complex I, complex II, and aconitase in the bronchial epithelium: EPR markers for Fe-S proteins

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) compounds (e.g., chromates) are strong oxidants that readily enter cells, where they are reduced to reactive Cr species that also facilitate reactive oxygen species generation. Recent studies demonstrated inhibition and oxidation of the thioredoxin system, with greater effects on mitochondrial thioredoxin (Trx2). This implies that Cr(VI)-induced oxidant stress may be especially directed at the mitochondria. Examination of other redox-sensitive mitochondrial functions showed that Cr(VI) treatments that cause Trx2 oxidation in human bronchial epithelial cells also result in pronounced and irreversible inhibition of aconitase, a TCA cycle enzyme that has an iron-sulfur (Fe-S) center that is labile with respect to certain oxidants. The activities of electron transport complexes I and II were also inhibited, whereas complex III was not. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies of samples at liquid helium temperature (10K) showed a strong signal at g=1.94 that is consistent with the inhibition of electron flow through complex I and/or II. A signal at g=2.02 was also observed, which is consistent with oxidation of the Fe-S center of aconitase. The g=1.94 signal was particularly intense and remained after extracellular Cr(VI) was removed, whereas the g=2.02 signal declined in intensity after Cr(VI) was removed. A similar inhibition of these activities and analogous EPR findings were noted in bovine airways treated ex vivo with Cr(VI). Overall, the data support the hypothesis that Cr(VI) exposure has deleterious effects on a number of redox-sensitive core mitochondrial proteins. The g=1.94 signal could prove to be an important biomarker for oxidative damage resulting from Cr(VI) exposure. The EPR spectra simultaneously showed signals for Cr(V) and Cr(III), which verify Cr(VI) exposure and its intracellular reductive activation.

The effects of acrolein on the thioredoxin system: Implications for redox-sensitive signaling

The reactive aldehyde acrolein is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and is also generated endogenously. It is a strong electrophile and reacts rapidly with nucleophiles including thiolates. This review focuses on the effects of acrolein on thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and thioredoxin (Trx), which are major regulators of intracellular protein thiol redox balance. Acrolein causes irreversible effects on TrxR and Trx, which are consistent with the formation of covalent adducts to selenocysteine and cysteine residues that are key to their activity. TrxR and Trx are more sensitive than some other redox-sensitive proteins, and their prolonged inhibition could disrupt a number of redox-sensitive functions in cells. Among these effects are the oxidation of peroxiredoxins and the activation of apoptosis signal regulating kinase (ASK1). ASK1 promotes MAP kinase activation, and p38 activation contributes to apoptosis and a number of other acrolein-induced stress responses. Overall, the disruption of the TrxR/Trx system by acrolein could be significant early and prolonged events that affect many aspects of redox-sensitive signaling and oxidant stress.