Sergio Porté

Comparative functional analysis of human medium-chain dehydrogenases, short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases and aldo-keto reductases with retinoids

Retinoic acid biosynthesis in vertebrates occurs in two consecutive steps: the oxidation of retinol to retinaldehyde followed by the oxidation of retinaldehyde to retinoic acid. Enzymes of the MDR (medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductase), SDR (short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase) and AKR (aldo-keto reductase) superfamilies have been reported to catalyse the conversion between retinol and retinaldehyde. Estimation of the relative contribution of enzymes of each type was difficult since kinetics were performed with different methodologies, but SDRs would supposedly play a major role because of their low K(m) values, and because they were found to be active with retinol bound to CRBPI (cellular retinol binding protein type I). In the present study we employed detergent-free assays and HPLC-based methodology to characterize side-by-side the retinoid-converting activities of human MDR [ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase) 1B2 and ADH4), SDR (RoDH (retinol dehydrogenase)-4 and RDH11] and AKR (AKR1B1 and AKR1B10) enzymes. Our results demonstrate that none of the enzymes, including the SDR members, are active with CRBPI-bound retinoids, which questions the previously suggested role of CRBPI as a retinol supplier in the retinoic acid synthesis pathway. The members of all three superfamilies exhibit similar and low K(m) values for retinoids (0.12-1.1 microM), whilst they strongly differ in their kcat values, which range from 0.35 min(-1) for AKR1B1 to 302 min(-1) for ADH4. ADHs appear to be more effective retinol dehydrogenases than SDRs because of their higher kcat values, whereas RDH11 and AKR1B10 are efficient retinaldehyde reductases. Cell culture studies support a role for RoDH-4 as a retinol dehydrogenase and for AKR1B1 as a retinaldehyde reductase in vivo.

Three-dimensional structure and enzymatic function of proapoptotic human p53-inducible quinone oxidoreductase PIG3.

Tumor suppressor p53 regulates the expression of p53-induced genes (PIG) that trigger apoptosis. PIG3 or TP53I3 is the only known member of the medium chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily induced by p53 and is used as a proapoptotic marker. Although the participation of PIG3 in the apoptotic pathway is proven, the protein and its mechanism of action were never characterized. We analyzed human PIG3 enzymatic function and found NADPH-dependent reductase activity with ortho-quinones, which is consistent with the classification of PIG3 in the quinone oxidoreductase family. However, the activity is much lower than that of ζ-crystallin, a better known quinone oxidoreductase. In addition, we report the crystallographic structure of PIG3, which allowed the identification of substrate- and cofactor-binding sites, with residues fully conserved from bacteria to human. Tyr-59 in ζ-crystallin (Tyr-51 in PIG3) was suggested to participate in the catalysis of quinone reduction. However, kinetics of Tyr/Phe and Tyr/Ala mutants of both enzymes demonstrated that the active site Tyr is not catalytic but may participate in substrate binding, consistent with a mechanism based on propinquity effects. It has been proposed that PIG3 contribution to apoptosis would be through oxidative stress generation. We found that in vitro activity and in vivo overexpression of PIG3 accumulate reactive oxygen species. Accordingly, an inactive PIG3 mutant (S151V) did not produce reactive oxygen species in cells, indicating that enzymatically active protein is necessary for this function. This supports that PIG3 action is through oxidative stress produced by its enzymatic activity and provides essential knowledge for eventual control of apoptosis.

Human and yeast ζ-crystallins bind AU-rich elements in RNA

Abstract.ζ-crystallins constitute a family of proteins with NADPH:quinone reductase activity found initially in mammalian lenses but now known to be present in many other organisms and tissues. Few proteins from this family have been characterized, and their function remains unclear. In the present work, ζ-crystallins from human and yeast (Zta1p) were expressed, purified and characterized. Both enzymes are able to reduce ortho-quinones in the presence of NADPH but are not active with 2-alkenals. Deletion of the ZTA1 gene makes yeast more sensitive to menadione and hydrogen peroxide, suggesting a role in the oxidative stress response. The human and yeast enzymes specifically bind to adenine-uracil rich elements (ARE) in RNA, indicating that both enzymes are ARE-binding proteins and that this property has been conserved in ζ-crystallins throughout evolution. This supports a role for ζ-crystallins as trans-acting factors that could regulate the turnover of certain mRNAs.

Retinaldehyde is a substrate for human aldo-keto reductases of the 1C subfamily.

Human AKR (aldo-keto reductase) 1C proteins (AKR1C1-AKR1C4) exhibit relevant activity with steroids, regulating hormone signalling at the pre-receptor level. In the present study, investigate the activity of the four human AKR1C enzymes with retinol and retinaldehyde. All of the enzymes except AKR1C2 showed retinaldehyde reductase activity with low Km values (~1 μM). The kcat values were also low (0.18-0.6 min-1), except for AKR1C3 reduction of 9-cis-retinaldehyde whose kcat was remarkably higher (13 min-1). Structural modelling of the AKR1C complexes with 9-cis-retinaldehyde indicated a distinct conformation of Trp227, caused by changes in residue 226 that may contribute to the activity differences observed. This was partially supported by the kinetics of the AKR1C3 R226P mutant. Retinol/retinaldehyde conversion, combined with the use of the inhibitor flufenamic acid, indicated a relevant role for endogenous AKR1Cs in retinaldehyde reduction in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Overexpression of AKR1C proteins depleted RA (retinoic acid) transactivation in HeLa cells treated with retinol. Thus AKR1Cs may decrease RA levels in vivo. Finally, by using lithocholic acid as an AKR1C3 inhibitor and UVI2024 as an RA receptor antagonist, we provide evidence that the pro-proliferative action of AKR1C3 in HL-60 cells involves the RA signalling pathway and that this is in part due to the retinaldehyde reductase activity of AKR1C3.

Aldo-keto reductases in retinoid metabolism: Search for substrate specificity and inhibitor selectivity

Biological activity of natural retinoids requires the oxidation of retinol to retinoic acid (RA) and its binding to specific nuclear receptors in target tissues. The first step of this pathway, the reversible oxidoreduction of retinol to retinaldehyde, is essential to control RA levels. The enzymes of retinol oxidation are NAD-dependent dehydrogenases of the cytosolic medium-chain (MDR) and the membrane-bound short-chain (SDR) dehydrogenases/reductases. Retinaldehyde reduction can be performed by SDR and aldo-keto reductases (AKR), while its oxidation to RA is carried out by aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH). In contrast to SDR, AKR and ALDH are cytosolic. A common property of these enzymes is that they only use free retinoid, but not retinoid bound to cellular retinol binding protein (CRBP). The relative contribution of each enzyme type in retinoid metabolism is discussed in terms of the different subcellular localization, topology of membrane-bound enzymes, kinetic constants, binding affinity of CRBP for retinol and retinaldehyde, and partition of retinoid pools between membranes and cytoplasm. The development of selective inhibitors for AKR enzymes 1B1 and 1B10, of clinical relevance in diabetes and cancer, granted the investigation of some structure-activity relationships. Kinetics with the 4-methyl derivatives of retinaldehyde isomers was performed to identify structural features for substrate specificity. Hydrophilic derivatives were better substrates than the more hydrophobic compounds. We also explored the inhibitory properties of some synthetic retinoids, known for binding to retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and retinoid X receptors (RXR). Consistent with its substrate specificity towards retinaldehyde, AKR1B10 was more effectively inhibited by synthetic retinoids than AKR1B1. A RARβ/γ agonist (UVI2008) inhibited AKR1B10 with the highest potency and selectivity, and docking simulations predicted that its carboxyl group binds to the anion-binding pocket.

Structural analysis of sulindac as an inhibitor of aldose reductase and AKR1B10.

Aldose reductase (AR, AKR1B1) and AKR1B10 are enzymes implicated in important pathologies (diabetes and cancer) and therefore they have been proposed as suitable targets for drug development. Sulindac is the metabolic precursor of the potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) sulindac sulfide, which suppresses prostaglandin production by inhibition of cyclooxygenases (COX). In addition, sulindac has been found to be one of the NSAIDs with higher antitumoral activity, presumably through COX inhibition. However, sulindac anticancer activity could be partially mediated through COX-independent mechanisms, including the participation of AR and AKR1B10. Previously, it had been shown that sulindac and sulindac sulfone were good AR inhibitors and the structure of the ternary complex with NADP(+) and sulindac was described (PDB ID 3U2C). In this work, we determined the three-dimensional structure of AKR1B10 with sulindac and established structure-activity relationships (SAR) of sulindac and their derivatives with AR and AKR1B10. The difference in the IC50 values for sulindac between AR (0.36 μM) and AKR1B10 (2.7 μM) might be explained by the different positioning and stacking interaction given by Phe122/Phe123, and by the presence of two buried and ordered water molecules in AKR1B10 but not in AR. Moreover, SAR analysis shows that the substitution of the sulfinyl group is structurally allowed in sulindac derivatives. Hence, sulindac and its derivatives emerge as lead compounds for the design of more potent and selective AR and AKR1B10 inhibitors.

Biocatalytic production of alpha-hydroxy ketones and vicinal diols by yeast and human aldo–keto reductases

The α-hydroxy ketones are used as building blocks for compounds of pharmaceutical interest (such as antidepressants, HIV-protease inhibitors and antitumorals). They can be obtained by the action of enzymes or whole cells on selected substrates, such as diketones. We have studied the enantiospecificities of several fungal (AKR3C1, AKR5F and AKR5G) and human (AKR1B1 and AKR1B10) aldo-keto reductases in the production of α-hydroxy ketones and diols from vicinal diketones. The reactions have been carried out with pure enzymes and with an NADPH-regenerating system consisting of glucose-6-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. To ascertain the regio and stereoselectivity of the reduction reactions catalyzed by the AKRs, we have separated and characterized the reaction products by means of a gas chromatograph equipped with a chiral column and coupled to a mass spectrometer as a detector. According to the regioselectivity and stereoselectivity, the AKRs studied can be divided in two groups: one of them showed preference for the reduction of the proximal keto group, resulting in the S-enantiomer of the corresponding α-hydroxy ketones. The other group favored the reduction of the distal keto group and yielded the corresponding R-enantiomer. Three of the AKRs used (AKR1B1, AKR1B10 and AKR3C1) could produce 2,3-butanediol from acetoin. We have explored the structure/function relationships in the reactivity between several yeast and human AKRs and various diketones and acetoin. In addition, we have demonstrated the utility of these AKRs in the synthesis of selected α-hydroxy ketones and diols.

Kinetic and structural evidence of the alkenal/one reductase specificity of human ζ-crystallin

Human ζ-crystallin is a Zn2+-lacking medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (MDR) included in the quinone oxidoreductase (QOR) family because of its activity with quinones. In the present work a novel enzymatic activity was characterized: the double bond α,β-hydrogenation of medium-chain 2-alkenals and 3-alkenones. The enzyme is especially active with lipid peroxidation products such as 4-hydroxyhexenal, and a role in their detoxification is discussed. This specificity is novel in the QOR family, and it is similar to that described in the distantly related alkenal/one reductase family. Moreover, we report the X-ray structure of ζ-crystallin, which represents the first structure solved for a tetrameric Zn2+-lacking MDR, and which allowed the identification of the active-site lining residues. Docking simulations suggest a role for Tyr53 and Tyr59 in catalysis. The kinetics of Tyr53Phe and Tyr59Phe mutants support the implication of Tyr53 in binding/catalysis of alkenal/one substrates, while Tyr59 is involved in the recognition of 4-OH-alkenals.

MDR quinone oxidoreductases: The human and yeast ζ-crystallins

The medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (MDR) superfamily can be divided into Zn-containing and Zn-lacking proteins. Zn-containing MDRs are generally well-known enzymes, mostly acting as dehydrogenases. The non-Zn MDR are much less studied, and classified in several families of NADP(H)-dependent reductases, including quinone oxidoreductases (QOR). zeta-Crystallins are the best studied group of QOR, have a structural function in the lens of several mammals, exhibit ortho-quinone reductase activity, and bind to specific adenine-uracil-rich elements (ARE) in RNA. In the present work, we have further characterized human zeta-crystallin and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Zta1p, the only QOR in yeast. Subcellular localization using a fluorescent protein tag indicates that zeta-crystallin is distributed in the cytoplasm but not in nucleus. The protein may also be present in mitochondria. Zta1p localizes in both cytoplasm and nucleus. NADPH, but not NADH, competitively prevents binding of zeta-crystallin to RNA, suggesting that the cofactor-binding site is involved in RNA binding. Interference of NADPH on Zta1p binding to RNA is much lower, consistent with a weaker binding of NADPH to the yeast enzyme. Disruption of the yeast ZTA1 gene does not affect cell growth under standard conditions but makes yeast more sensitive to oxidative stress agents. Sequence alignments, phylogenetic tree analysis and kinetic properties reveal a close relationship between zeta-crystallin and Zta1p. Amino acid conservation, between the substrate-binding sites of the two proteins and that of an E. coli QOR, indicates that zeta-crystallins maintained their kinetic function throughout evolution. Quinones are toxic compounds and a relevant step in their detoxification is reduction to their corresponding hydroquinones. Many enzymes of several superfamilies can reduce quinones, including NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1 or DT-diaphorase), aldo-keto reductases and short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases. In this context, the physiological role of zeta-crystallins is discussed.

Novel alkenal/one reductase activity of yeast NADPH:quinone reductase Zta1p. Prospect of the functional role for the ζ-crystallin family

ζ-Crystallins are a Zn(2+)-lacking enzyme group with quinone reductase activity, which belongs to the medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductase superfamily. It has been recently observed that human ζ-crystallin is capable of reducing the α,β-double bond of alkenals and alkenones. Here we report that this activity is also shared by the homologous Zta1p enzyme from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. While the two enzymes show similar substrate specificity, human ζ-crystallin exhibits higher activity with lipid peroxidation products and Zta1p is more active with cinnamaldehyde. The presence of Zta1p has an in vivo protective effect on yeast strains exposed to the toxic substrate 3-penten-2-one. Analysis of ZTA1 gene expression indicates an induction under different types of cellular stress, including ethanol and dimethylsulfoxide exposure and by reaching the stationary growth phase. The role of Zta1p in the yeast adaptation to some stress types and the general functional significance of ζ-crystallins are discussed.