Robert E. Cashon

Hemoglobin and free radicals: implications for the development of a safe blood substitute

The two major concerns in the development of cell-free hemoglobin as a blood substitute (i.e. circulatory retention and oxygen delivery) have been resolved successfully by strategic chemical or genetic modification of the protein. However, the redox reactivity of hemoglobin and its impact on the physiological processes has not been fully understood, nor has it been subject to control by design. This article reviews current research into heme-mediated toxicities that potentially constitute serious impediments to the development of a usable blood substitute.

Kinetic Characterization of Myoglobins from Vertebrates with Vastly Different Body Temperatures

Fish myoglobins are structurally distinct from the previously characterized mammalian myoglobins. Teleost fishes express generally lower levels of myoglobin than those found in mammals. Although the oxygen binding affinity is essentially the same as mammalian myoglobins, oxygen dissociation rates and carbon monoxide combination rates of the teleost myoglobins studied are significantly faster. Thus, the kinetic parameters of myoglobin from two Antarctic teleost species, measured close to their body temperature of -1 degree C, are comparable to those of mammalian myoglobins with higher body temperatures. These data suggest myoglobins from Antarctic teleosts may function at extreme environmental temperatures.

Effects of polymerization on the oxygen carrying and redox properties of diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin

Human hemoglobin site specifically cross-linked with bis(3,5-dibromosalicyl)fumarate results in a low oxygen affinity hemoglobin-based red cell substitute (alpha-DBBF). Polymerization of alpha-DBBF by bis(maleoylglycylamide) polyethylene glycol (BMAA-PEG) yields poly alpha-DBBF which offers the added benefits of reduced renal clearance and increased retention in the vascular circulation. Oxygen equilibrium curves for poly alpha-DBBF are slightly left-shifted (higher O2 affinity) compared to those of alpha-DBBF; with a diminished cooperativity and a reduced Bohr effect. In rapid mixing experiments (oxygen dissociation and carbon monoxide binding), poly alpha-DBBF exhibits a several fold increase in the overall rate of deoxygenation and carbon monoxide binding kinetics over its cross-linked counterpart. The rate of nitric oxide binding to the oxidized form of poly alpha-DBBF shows little or no change compared to the intramolecularly cross-linked derivative. The reduction of cyanomet poly alpha-DBBF by dithionite is several fold faster than that of HbA0 and alpha-DBBF whereas the slow subsequent cyanide dissociation from the ferrous iron remained unchanged among all proteins. The propensity of poly alpha-DBBF for auto-oxidation is slightly enhanced over alpha-DBBF whereas the extent of oxidative modification by hydrogen peroxide is very similar. Polymerization appears to selectively modify ligand interactions and redox kinetics of the tetrameric cross-linked form which reflects a possibly more open heme pocket. The data suggests that changes in oxygenation properties of hemoglobin brought about by a given modification are not necessarily predictive of other functional changes.

Soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria) p53: a structural and functional comparison to human p53.

The tumor suppressor p53 regulates genes involved in progression through the cell cycle, DNA repair, senescence or apoptosis in response to cell stress. Dysregulation of p53 can result in uncontrolled cellular proliferation. Invertebrate homologues to human p53 (Hsp53) have been identified, including a putative p53 gene (Map53) from the soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria). Predicted sequences for human and clam p53 proteins exhibit conservation in key domains. In light of this similarity, and the apparent dysregulation of Map53 under morphologically aberrant/pathologic conditions, we tested the hypothesis that the two proteins function in a similar manner. Plasmids expressing either Hsp53 or Map53 were introduced by transient transfection into the p53-null H1299 cell line. Functionality was assessed by monitoring the p53/mdm2 feedback loop and expression of p53-mediated downstream markers of growth arrest and apoptosis under non-stressed conditions. Hsp53 spontaneously induced markers of growth arrest, while Map53 expression induced neither cell arrest nor apoptosis. The difference in downstream activation is not likely the result of cytosolic sequestration since Map53, like Hsp53, localized almost exclusively to the nucleus. Functional similarity was observed in regulation by human MDM2, suggesting that the clam may have an mdm2 homologue. Protein modeling identified an apparent MDM2 binding site in Map53, supporting the observation of a potential Map53/MDM2 interaction. Significant amino acid differences present in the Map53 tetramerization domain may potentially affect p53 protein/protein interactions. Taken together, these data suggest that the Map53 shares some functional similarity with human p53 as well as with other invertebrates, positioning the mollusk at a critical juncture in evolution of this gene family.

Isolation, characterization and nucleotide sequence of the muscle isoforms of creatine kinase from the Antarctic teleost Chaenocephalus aceratus.

Creatine kinase (CK) was isolated from the white muscle of the Antarctic icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus, which is deficient in glycolytic capacity. C. aceratus white myotomal creatine kinase (MMCK) displayed an apparent K(m) at 0.5 degrees C of 0.06 mM for ADP and 17 mM for Phosphocreatine. These K(m) values are similar to those reported for other vertebrate MMCKs at their physiologically relevant body temperatures. C. aceratus MMCK exhibited optimal activity at pH of 7.6-7.7 at 0.5 degrees C, in contrast to rabbit MMCK which had optimum activity at pH 6.2 at 30 degrees C. The apparent V(max) of C. aceratus MMCK at 0.5 degrees C is 94+/-4 S.D. (n=9) micromol ATP/min/mg (i.e. U/mg), which is comparable to rabbit MMCK assayed at 20 degrees C and 8-fold greater than rabbit MMCK measured at 0.5 degrees C. DEAE chromatography of C. aceratus white muscle CK resolved two distinct activity peaks. Cloning and sequencing of C. aceratus CK cDNAs confirmed that two muscle-specific isoforms of CK were expressed that were distinct from the mitochondrial and brain isoforms. Icefish MMCK was sensitive to transient temperature elevation, and the DEAE-fractionated forms were highly unstable. These results indicate that C. aceratus MMCK displays significant activity at physiological temperature and intracellular pH of icefish muscle that could contribute to sustaining energy charge during burst-swimming.

Detecting the active conformation of calpain with calpastatin-based reagents.

The specific, calcium-dependent, high affinity interaction between calpain and its endogenous inhibitor calpastatin was exploited to selectively detect the calcium-bound, catalytically competent, conformation of calpain in vitro. Modification of calpastatin domain-1 (Val(114)-Ser(270)) or its N-terminal fragment (Val(114)-Pro(202)), at selected unique cysteine residues with maleimide-AlexaFluor546 did not compromise calpastatin function (inhibition of calpain) or its binding with calpain. Ca(2+)-dependent binding between catalytically dead calpain-2 (Cys(105)Ala) fused with eGFP and these fluorigenic calpastatin peptides generates fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET). The FRET signal documents proximity of calpain-2, C-terminally linked fluorophore to specific sites within calpastatin when the proteins form a complex. These results provide important insights into the calcium-dependent interaction between calpain and calpastatin and for holo-calpain-2 in solution experimentally validate some key features of their predicted interactions. These data also provide proof of concept that the calpastatin-based reagents may be useful to selectively detect the active conformation of calpain.