Sharda P. Singh

Cloning, expression and biochemical characterization of one Epsilon-class (GST-3) and ten Delta-class (GST-1) glutathione S-transferases from Drosophila melanogaster, and identification of additional nine members of the Epsilon class.

From the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster, ten members of the cluster of Delta-class glutathione S-transferases (GSTs; formerly denoted as Class I GSTs) and one member of the Epsilon-class cluster (formerly GST-3) have been cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, and their catalytic properties have been determined. In addition, nine more members of the Epsilon cluster have been identified through bioinformatic analysis but not further characterized. Of the 11 expressed enzymes, seven accepted the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal as substrate, and nine were active in glutathione conjugation of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. Since the enzymically active proteins included the gene products of DmGSTD3 and DmGSTD7 which were previously deemed to be pseudogenes, we investigated them further and determined that both genes are transcribed in Drosophila. Thus our present results indicate that DmGSTD3 and DmGSTD7 are probably functional genes. The existence and multiplicity of insect GSTs capable of conjugating 4-hydroxynonenal, in some cases with catalytic efficiencies approaching those of mammalian GSTs highly specialized for this function, indicates that metabolism of products of lipid peroxidation is a highly conserved biochemical pathway with probable detoxification as well as regulatory functions.

Lifespan and stress resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans are increased by expression of glutathione transferases capable of metabolizing the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal

Caenorhabditis elegans expresses a glutathione transferase (GST) belonging to the Pi class, for which we propose the name CeGSTP2‐2. CeGSTP2‐2 (the product of the gst‐10 gene) has the ability to conjugate the lipid peroxidation product 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE). Transgenic C. elegans strains were generated in which the 5′‐flanking region and promoter of gst‐10 were placed upstream of gst‐10 and mGsta4 cDNAs, respectively. mGsta4 encodes the murine mGSTA4‐4, an enzyme with particularly high catalytic efficiency for 4‐HNE. The localization of both transgenes was similar to that of native CeGSTP2‐2. The 4‐HNE‐conjugating activity in worm lysates increased in the order: control < mGsta4 transgenic < gst‐10 transgenic; and the amount of 4‐HNE‐protein adducts decreased in the same order, indicating that the transgenic enzymes were active and effective in limiting electrophilic damage by 4‐HNE. Stress resistance and lifespan were measured in transgenic animals (five independent lines each) and were compared with two independent control lines. Resistance to paraquat, heat shock, ultraviolet irradiation and hydrogen peroxide was greater in transgenic strains. Median lifespan of mGsta4 and gst‐10 transgenic strains vs. control strains was increased by 13% and 22%, respectively. In addition to the cause–effect relationship between GST expression and lifespan observed in the transgenic lines, correlative evidence was also obtained in a series of congenic lines of C. elegans in which lifespan paralleled the 4‐HNE‐conjugating activity in whole‐animal lysates. We conclude that electrophilic damage by 4‐HNE may contribute to organismal aging.

Role of the Electrophilic Lipid Peroxidation Product 4-Hydroxynonenal in the Development and Maintenance of Obesity in Mice

The lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) is a signaling mediator with wide-ranging biological effects. In this paper, we report that disruption of mGsta4, a gene encoding the 4-HNE-conjugating enzyme mGSTA4-4, causes increased 4-HNE tissue levels and is accompanied by age-dependent development of obesity which precedes the onset of insulin resistance in 129/sv mice. In contrast, mGsta4 null animals in the C57BL/6 genetic background have normal 4-HNE levels and remain lean, indicating a role of 4-HNE in triggering or maintaining obesity. In mGsta4 null 129/sv mice, the expression of the acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) transcript is enhanced several-fold with a concomitant increase in the tissue level of malonyl-CoA. Also, mitochondrial aconitase is partially inhibited, and tissue citrate levels are increased. Accumulation of citrate could lead to allosteric activation of ACC, further augmenting malonyl-CoA levels. Aconitase may be inhibited by 4-HNE or by peroxynitrite generated by macrophages which are enriched in white adipose tissue of middle-aged mGsta4 null 129/sv mice and, upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation, produce more reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide than macrophages from wild-type mice. Excessive malonyl-CoA synthesized by the more abundant and/or allosterically activated ACC in mGsta4 null mice leads to fat accumulation by the well-known mechanisms of promoting fatty acid synthesis and inhibiting fatty acid beta-oxidation. Our findings complement the recent report that obesity causes both a loss of mGSTA4-4 and an increase in the level of 4-HNE [Grimsrud, P. A., et al. (2007) Mol. Cell. Proteomics 6, 624-637]. The two reciprocal processes are likely to establish a positive feedback loop that would promote and perpetuate the obese state.

Lifespan extension in hypomorphic daf‐2 mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans is partially mediated by glutathione transferase CeGSTP2‐2

Electrophilic stress caused by lipid peroxidation products such as 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE) and/or related compounds may contribute to aging. The major mode of 4‐HNE metabolism involves glutathione conjugation catalyzed by specialized glutathione transferases. We have previously shown that glutathione transferase CeGSTP2‐2, the product of the Caenorhabditis elegans gst‐10 gene, has the ability to conjugate 4‐HNE, and that its overexpression extends lifespan of C. elegans. We now demonstrate that the expression level of CeGSTP2‐2 correlates highly with lifespan in a series of hypomorphic daf‐2 mutants of C. elegans. The overexpression of CeGSTP2‐2 in daf‐2 is abrogated in daf‐16; daf‐2 mutants, indicating that expression of the gst‐10 gene is modulated by insulin‐like growth factor signaling. To determine whether the relationship between CeGSTP2‐2 and lifespan is causal, we used RNAi to knock down CeGSTP2‐2. Treatment with gst‐10‐specific dsRNA decreased CeGSTP2‐2 protein in wild‐type N2 and in daf‐2 strains to an approximately equal level. The ability to conjugate 4‐HNE was similarly decreased by RNAi, suggesting that the increment of that activity in daf‐2 over N2 is due largely to the overexpression of CeGSTP2‐2. RNAi‐mediated knock‐down of CeGSTP2‐2 led to an increased susceptibility to 4‐HNE, paraquat, and heat shock, and to a shortening of lifespan by 13% in both N2 and daf‐2 strains. These results indicate that CeGSTP2‐2 significantly contributes to the maintenance of the soma, and that this function is augmented in daf‐2 mutants concordantly with other longevity assurance genes, probably via insulin‐like growth factor signaling.

Antioxidant role of glutathione S-transferases: 4-Hydroxynonenal, a key molecule in stress-mediated signaling.

4-Hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (4HNE), one of the major end products of lipid peroxidation (LPO), has been shown to induce apoptosis in a variety of cell lines. It appears to modulate signaling processes in more than one way because it has been suggested to have a role in signaling for differentiation and proliferation. It has been known that glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) can reduce lipid hydroperoxides through their Se-independent glutathione-peroxidase activity and that these enzymes can also detoxify LPO end-products such as 4HNE. Available evidence from earlier studies together with results of recent studies in our laboratories strongly suggests that LPO products, particularly hydroperoxides and 4HNE, are involved in the mechanisms of stress-mediated signaling and that it can be modulated by the alpha-class GSTs through the regulation of the intracellular concentrations of 4HNE. We demonstrate that 4HNE induced apoptosis in various cell lines is accompanied with c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and caspase-3 activation. Cells exposed to mild, transient heat or oxidative stress acquire the capacity to exclude intracellular 4HNE at a faster rate by inducing GSTA4-4 which conjugates 4HNE to glutathione (GSH), and RLIP76 which mediates the ATP-dependent transport of the GSH-conjugate of 4HNE (GS-HNE). The balance between formation and exclusion promotes different cellular processes - higher concentrations of 4HNE promote apoptosis; whereas, lower concentrations promote proliferation. In this article, we provide a brief summary of the cellular effects of 4HNE, followed by a review of its GST-catalyzed detoxification, with an emphasis on the structural attributes that play an important role in the interactions with alpha-class GSTA4-4. Taken together, 4HNE is a key signaling molecule and that GSTs being determinants of its intracellular concentrations, can regulate stress-mediated signaling, are reviewed in this article.

Disruption of the mGsta4 Gene Increases Life Span of C57BL Mice

The lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) forms as a consequence of oxidative stress. By electrophilic attack on biological macromolecules, 4-HNE mediates signaling or may cause toxicity. A major route of 4-HNE disposal is via glutathione conjugation, in the mouse catalyzed primarily by glutathione transferase mGSTA4-4. Unexpectedly, mGsta4-null mice, in which 4-HNE detoxification is impaired, have an extended life span. This finding could be explained by the observed activation of the transcription factor Nrf2 in the knockout mice, which in turn leads to an induction of antioxidant and antielectrophilic defenses. Especially, the latter could provide a detoxification mechanism that contributes to enhanced longevity. We propose that disruption of 4-HNE conjugation elicits a hormetic response in which an initially increased supply of 4-HNE is translated into activation of Nrf2, leading to a new steady state in which the rise of 4-HNE concentrations is dampened, but life-extending detoxification mechanisms are concomitantly induced.

Sulforaphane protects the heart from doxorubicin-induced toxicity

Cardiotoxicity is one of the major side effects encountered during cancer chemotherapy with doxorubicin (DOX) and other anthracyclines. Previous studies have shown that oxidative stress caused by DOX is one of the primary mechanisms for its toxic effects on the heart. Since the redox-sensitive transcription factor, Nrf2, plays a major role in protecting cells from the toxic metabolites generated during oxidative stress, we examined the effects of the phytochemical sulforaphane (SFN), a potent Nrf2-activating agent, on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. These studies were carried out both in vitro and in vivo using rat H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells and wild type 129/sv mice, and involved SFN pretreatment followed by SFN administration during DOX exposure. SFN treatment protected H9c2 cells from DOX cytotoxicity and also resulted in restored cardiac function and a significant reduction in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy and mortality in mice. Specificity of SFN induction of Nrf2 and protection of H9c2 cells was demonstrated in Nrf2 knockdown experiments. Cardiac accumulation of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) protein adducts, due to lipid peroxidation following DOX-induced oxidative stress, was significantly attenuated by SFN treatment. The respiratory function of cardiac mitochondria isolated from mice exposed to DOX alone was repressed, while SFN treatment with DOX significantly elevated mitochondrial respiratory complex activities. Co-administration of SFN reversed the DOX-associated reduction in nuclear Nrf2 binding activity and restored cardiac expression of Nrf2-regulated genes at both the RNA and protein levels. Together, our results demonstrate for the first time that the Nrf2 inducer, SFN, has the potential to provide protection against DOX-mediated cardiotoxicity.

Mutagenic Effects of 4-Hydroxynonenal Triacetate, a Chemically Protected Form of the Lipid Peroxidation Product 4-Hydroxynonenal, as Assayed in L5178Y/Tk+/– Mouse Lymphoma Cells

The lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynon-2-enal (4-HNE) is cytotoxic and genotoxic at superphysiological concentrations. To characterize the mechanism of action of 4-HNE, we assessed genotoxic damage by 4-HNE and by 4-HNE triacetate [4-HNE(Ac)3] using the mouse lymphoma assay that measures the mutant frequency in the Tk gene. As a strong electrophile, 4-HNE reacts readily with nucleophilic centers on cellular components. When added extracellularly, it may react preferentially with proteins in culture medium or on the cell surface and not reach deeper cellular targets such as nuclear DNA. Therefore, 4-HNE(Ac)3, a protected form of 4-HNE that is metabolically converted to 4-HNE in cells (Neely MD, Amarnath V, Weitlauf C, and Montine TJ, Chem Res Toxicol 15:40–47, 2002), was assayed in addition to 4-HNE. When added in serum-containing medium, 4-HNE was not mutagenic in the mouse lymphoma assay up to 38 μM (cytotoxicity = 13%). In contrast, exposure to 4-HNE(Ac)3, which mimics intracellular formation of 4-HNE, resulted in dose-dependent induction of mutations. At 17 μM 4-HNE(Ac)3 (cytotoxicity = 33%), the mutant frequency was 719 × 10–6 (>7-fold higher than the spontaneous mutant frequency). Loss of heterozygosity analysis in the Tk mutants revealed that the majority of mutations induced by 4-HNE(Ac)3 resulted from clastogenic events affecting a large segment of the chromosome. The results indicate that, in the presence of serum that approximates physiological conditions, 4-HNE generated intracellularly but not extracellularly is a strong mutagen via a clastogenic action at concentrations that may occur during oxidative stress.

Effects of ionizing radiation on the heart

This article provides an overview of studies addressing effects of ionizing radiation on the heart. Clinical studies have identified early and late manifestations of radiation-induced heart disease, a side effect of radiation therapy to tumors in the chest when all or part of the heart is situated in the radiation field. Studies in preclinical animal models have contributed to our understanding of the mechanisms by which radiation may injure the heart. More recent observations in human subjects suggest that ionizing radiation may have cardiovascular effects at lower doses than was previously thought. This has led to examinations of low-dose photons and low-dose charged particle irradiation in animal models. Lastly, studies have started to identify non-invasive methods for detection of cardiac radiation injury and interventions that may prevent or mitigate these adverse effects. Altogether, this ongoing research should increase our knowledge of biological mechanisms of cardiovascular radiation injury, identify non-invasive biomarkers for early detection, and potential interventions that may prevent or mitigate these adverse effects.

Gsta4 Null Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts Exhibit Enhanced Sensitivity to Oxidants: Role of 4-Hydroxynonenal in Oxidant Toxicity *

The alpha class glutathione s-transferase (GST) isozyme GSTA4-4 (EC2.5.1.18) exhibits high catalytic efficiency to-wards 4-hydroxynon-2-enal (4-HNE), a major end product of oxidative stress induced lipid peroxidation. Exposure of cells and tissues to heat, radiation, and chemicals has been shown to induce oxidative stress resulting in elevated concentrations of 4-HNE that can be detrimental to cell survival. Alternatively, at physiological levels 4-HNE acts as a signaling molecule conveying the occurrence of oxidative events initiating the activation of adaptive pathways. To examine the impact of oxidative/electrophilic stress in a model with impaired 4-HNE metabolizing capability, we disrupted the Gsta4 gene that encodes GSTA4-4 in mice. The effect of electrophile and oxidants on embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) isolated from wild type (WT) and Gsta4 null mice were examined. Results indicate that in the absence of GSTA4-4, oxidant-induced toxicity is potentiated and correlates with elevated accumulation of 4-HNE adducts and DNA damage. Treatment of Gsta4 null MEF with 1,1,4-tris(acetyloxy)-2(E)-nonene [4-HNE(Ac)3], a pro-drug form of 4-HNE, resulted in the activation and phosphorylation of the c-jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK 1/2) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38 MAPK) accompanied by enhanced cleavage of caspase-3. Interestingly, when recombinant mammalian or invertebrate GSTs were delivered to Gsta4 null MEF, activation of stress-related kinases in 4-HNE(Ac)3 treated Gsta4 null MEF were inversely correlated with the catalytic efficiency of delivered GSTs towards 4-HNE. Our data suggest that GSTA4-4 plays a major role in protecting cells from the toxic effects of oxidant chemicals by attenuating the accumulation of 4-HNE.