Molecular Basis for the Interaction of Catalase with d-Penicillamine: Rationalization of Some of Its Deleterious Effects.

d-Penicillamine (d-Pen) is a sulfur compound used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, Wilson's disease (WD), and alcohol dependence. Many side effects are associated with its use, particularly after long-term treatment. However, the molecular basis for such side effects is poorly understood. Based on the well-known oxidase activity of hemoproteins and the participation of catalase in cellular H2O2 redox signaling, we posit that d-Pen could inactivate catalase, thus disturbing H2O2 levels. Herein, we report on the molecular basis that could partly explain the side effects associated with this drug compound, and we demonstrate that it induces the formation of compound II, a temporarily inactive state of the enzyme, through two distinct mechanisms. Initially, d-Pen reacts with native catalase and/or iron metal ions, used to mimic non-heme iron overload observed in long-term treated WD patients, to generate thiyl radicals. These radicals partake in a futile redox cycle, thus producing superoxide radical anions O2•- and hydrogen peroxide H2O2. Then, either H2O2 unexpectedly reacts with reduced CAT-Fe(II) to produce compound II or both aforementioned reactive oxygen species intervene in compound II generation through compound I formation and then reduction. These findings support the evidence that d-Pen could perturb H2O2 redox homeostasis through transient but recurring catalase inactivation, which may in part rationalize some deleterious effects observed with this therapeutic agent, as discussed.

Polysulfides derived from the hydrogen sulfide and persulfide donor P* inhibit IL-1ß-mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase signaling in ATDC5 cells: are CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins ß and δ involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of hydrogen sulfide and polysulfides?

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emerged as an essential signaling molecule exerting beneficial effects in various cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, or musculoskeletal diseases with an inflammatory component, such as osteoarthritis. These protective effects were initially attributed to protein S-sulfhydration, a posttranslational modification of reactive cysteine residues. However, recent studies suggest that polysulfides and not H2S are responsible for S-sulfhydration. To distinguish between H2S and polysulfide-mediated effects in this study, we used the slow-releasing H2S and persulfide donor P*, which can be decomposed into polysulfides. The effects of P* on IL-1ß-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a pro-inflammatory mediator in osteoarthritis, were determined by nitrite measurement, qPCR, and Western blotting in the murine chondrocyte-like cell line ATDC5. Decomposed P* significantly reduced IL-1ß-induced iNOS signaling via polysulfides, independently of H2S. In line with this, the fast-releasing H2S donor NaHS was ineffective. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, similar results were obtained. P*-derived polysulfides further diminished IL-1ß-induced CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) ß and δ expression in ATDC5 cells, which might play a critical role in P*-mediated iNOS decline. In conclusion, our data support the view that polysulfides are essential signaling molecules as well as potential mediators of H2S signaling. Moreover, we propose that C/EBPß/δ might be a novel target involved in H2S and polysulfide-mediated anti-inflammatory signaling.

Opposing effects of polysulfides and thioredoxin on apoptosis through caspase persulfidation.

Hydrogen sulfide has been implicated in a large number of physiological processes including cell survival and death, encouraging research into its mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential. Results from recent studies suggest that the cellular effects of hydrogen sulfide are mediated in part by sulfane sulfur species, including persulfides and polysulfides. In the present study, we investigated the apoptosis-modulating effects of polysulfides, especially on the caspase cascade, which mediates the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Biochemical analyses revealed that organic or synthetic polysulfides strongly and rapidly inhibit the enzymatic activity of caspase-3, a major effector protease in apoptosis. We attributed the caspase-3 inhibition to persulfidation of its catalytic cysteine. In apoptotically stimulated HeLa cells, short-term exposure to polysulfides triggered the persulfidation and deactivation of cleaved caspase-3. These effects were antagonized by the thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase system (Trx/TrxR). Trx/TrxR restored the activity of polysulfide-inactivated caspase-3 in vitro, and TrxR inhibition potentiated polysulfide-mediated suppression of caspase-3 activity in situ We further found that under conditions of low TrxR activity, early cell exposure to polysulfides leads to enhanced persulfidation of initiator caspase-9 and decreases apoptosis. Notably, we show that the proenzymes procaspase-3 and -9 are basally persulfidated in resting (unstimulated) cells and become depersulfidated during their processing and activation. Inhibition of TrxR attenuated the depersulfidation and activation of caspase-9. Taken together, our results reveal that polysulfides target the caspase-9/3 cascade and thereby suppress cancer cell apoptosis, and highlight the role of Trx/TrxR-mediated depersulfidation in enabling caspase activation.

Synthesis, Characterisation and Reactivity of 3-Mercaptopyruvic Acid.

The synthesis, isolation and spectroscopic characterisation of the sulfur metabolic compound 3-mercaptopyruvic acid (3-MPH) is reported, for the first time. The compound is isolated without tedious workup, with a purity of 97 %, as indicated by chemical and biochemical analyses. Detailed kinetic and thermodynamic studies of its complex behaviour in solution are discussed. 3-MPH is stable in the enol form in non-polar solvent. In polar solvent, a fast equilibrium between the α-ketoacid and a cyclic dimer dithiane is observed. The formation of the dimer confers increased stability to 3-MPH towards hydrogen peroxide, in comparison with cysteine.

Positive feedback during sulfide oxidation fine-tunes cellular affinity for oxygen.

UNLABELLED: Sulfide (H2S in the gas form) is the third gaseous transmitter found in mammals. However, in contrast to nitric oxide (NO) or carbon monoxide (CO), sulfide is oxidized by a sulfide quinone reductase and generates electrons that enter the mitochondrial respiratory chain arriving ultimately at cytochrome oxidase, where they combine with oxygen to generate water. In addition, sulfide is also a strong inhibitor of cytochrome oxidase, similar to NO, CO and cyanide. The balance between the electron donor and the inhibitory role of sulfide is likely controlled by sulfide and oxygen availability. The present study aimed to evaluate if and how sulfide release and oxidation impacts on the cellular affinity for oxygen. RESULTS: i) when sulfide delivery approaches the maximal sulfide oxidation rate cells become exquisitely dependent on oxygen; ii) a positive feedback makes the balance between sulfide-releasing and -oxidizing rates the relevant parameter rather than the absolute values of these rates, and; iii) this altered dependence on oxygen is detected with sulfide concentrations that remain in the low micromolar range. CONCLUSIONS: i) within the context of continuous release of sulfide stemming from cellular metabolism, alterations in the activity of the sulfide oxidation pathway fine-tunes the cell's affinity for oxygen, and; ii) a decrease in the expression of the sulfide oxidation pathway greatly enhances the cell's dependence on oxygen concentration.

Reactivity of persulfides toward strained bicyclo[6.1.0]nonyne derivatives: relevance to chemical tagging of proteins.

Persulfides are an emerging class of cysteine oxidative post-translational modification. They react with the bioconjugation reagents bicyclo[6.1.0]nonynes (BCNs) to engender thioethers and/or disulfides. This new reactivity of BCNs with a biologically important redox-signaling species efficiently interferes with the recent usage of strained cycloalkynes to specifically trap protein sulfenic acids.

A persulfide analogue of the nitrosothiol SNAP: formation, characterization and reactivity.

The proposal of the post-translational modification "S-sulfhydration" as a major pathway for H2 S-induced signaling has recently shed light on persulfides. However, the study of these species is hampered by their instability under biologically relevant conditions; this requires generating them in situ immediately prior to use. The current methods to prepare persulfides in aqueous solution suffer from several drawbacks. In particular, their formation requires (or generates) hydrogen sulfide, thus resulting in difficulties in distinguishing polysulfide reactivity from that of H2 S. Here we report the H2 S-free formation, characterization, and some biologically relevant reactions of a water-soluble persulfide analogue of the nitrosothiol SNAP, a widely used nitric oxide donor.

New peptides with metal binding abilities and their use as drug carriers.

Many new designed molecules that target efficiently in vitro bacterial metalloproteases were completely inactive in cellulo against Gram negative bacteria. Their activities were limited by the severe restriction of the penetration/diffusion rate through the outer membrane barrier. To bypass this limitation, we have assayed the strategy of metallodrugs, to improve the delivery of hydroxamic acid inhibitors to peptide deformylase. In this metal-chaperone, to facilitate bacterial uptake, the ancillary ligand tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA) or di(picolyl)amine (DPA) was functionalized by a tetrapeptide analogue of antimicrobial peptide, RWRW(OBn) (AA08 with TPA) and/or an efflux pump modulator PAßN (AA09 with TPA and AA27 with DPA). We prepared Co(III), Zn(II), and Cu(II) metallodrugs. Using a fluorescent hydroxamic acid, we showed that, in contrast to Cu(II) metallodrugs, Co(III) metallodrugs were stable in the Mueller Hinton (MH) broth during the time required for bacterial assays. The antibacterial activities were determined against E. coli strain wild-type (AG100) and E. coli strain deleted from acrAB efflux pump (AG100A). While none of the PDFinhs used in this study (SMP289 with an indole scaffold, AT015 and AT019 built on a 1,2,4-oxadiazole scaffold) displayed activity higher than 128 µM, all the metallodrugs were active with MICs around 8 µM both against AG100 and AG100A. However, compared to the activities of equimolar combinations of PDFinhs and the free chelating peptides (AA08, AA09, or AA27), they showed similar activities. A synergistic association between AT019 and AA08 or AA09 was determined using the fractional inhibitory concentration with AG100 and AG100A. Combinations of peptides lacking the chelating group with PDFinhs were inefficient. LC-MS analyses showed that the chelating peptides bind Zn(II) cation when incubated in MH broth. These results support the in situ formation of a zinc metallodrug, but we failed to detect it by LC-MS in MH. Nevertheless, this chelating peptides metalated with zinc act as permeabilizers which are more efficient than PAßN to facilitate the uptake of PDFinhs by Gram(-) bacteria.

New biologically active hydrogen sulfide donors.

Generous donors: The dithioperoxyanhydrides (CH3 COS)2 , (PhCOS)2 , CH3 COSSCO2 Me and PhCOSSCO2 Me act as thiol-activated hydrogen sulfide donors in aqueous buffer solution. The most efficient donor (CH3 COS)2 can induce a biological response in cells, and advantageously replace hydrogen sulfide in ex vivo vascular studies.

Inhibition by pesticides of the DJ-1/Park7 protein related to Parkinson disease.

Parkinson's disease is a severe neurodegenerative disease. Several environmental contaminants such as pesticides have been suspected to favor the appearance of this pathology. The protein DJ-1 (or Park7) protects against the development of Parkinson's disease. Thus, the possible inhibitory effects of about a hundred pesticides on human DJ-1 have been studied. We identified fifteen of them as strong inhibitors of DJ-1 with IC50 values between 0.02 and 30 µM. Thiocarbamates are particularly good inhibitors, as shown by thiram that acts as an irreversible inhibitor of an esterase activity of DJ-1 with an IC50 value of 0.02 µM. Thiram was also found as a good inhibitor of the protective activity of DJ-1 against glycation. Such inhibitory effects could be one of the various biological effects of these pesticides that may explain their involvement in the development of Parkinson's disease.

Synthesis of a Fe(II)SH complex stabilized by an intramolecular N-H···S hydrogen bond, which acts as a H2S donor.

Through use of the reversible protonation of an iron(II) complex containing a deprotonated carboxamido moiety, we prepared and fully characterized the first hydrogen(sulfido)iron(II) complex stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond, which acts as a H(2)S donor in solution.

Characterization of cobalt(III) hydroxamic acid complexes based on a tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine scaffold: reactivity toward cysteine methyl ester.

Six Co(III) complexes based on unsubstituted or substituted TPA ligands (where TPA is tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) and acetohydroxamic acid (A), N-methyl-acetohydroxamic acid (B), or N-hydroxy-pyridinone (C) were prepared and characterized by mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and electrochemistry: [Co(III)(TPA)(A-2H)](Cl) (1a), [Co(III)((4-Cl(2))TPA)(A-2H)](Cl) (2a), [Co(III)((6-Piva)TPA)(A-2H)](Cl) (3a), [Co(III)((4-Piva)TPA)(A-2H)](Cl) (4a) and [Co(III)(TPA)(B-H)](Cl)(2) (1b), and [Co(III)(TPA)(C-H)](Cl)(2) (1c). Complexes 1a-c and 3a were analyzed by (1)H NMR, using 2D ((1)H, (1)H) COSY and 2D ((1)H, (13)C) HMBC and HSQC, and shown to exist as a mixture of two geometric isomers based on whether the hydroxamic oxygen was trans to a pyridine nitrogen or to the tertiary amine nitrogen. Complex 3a exists as a single isomer that was crystallized. Its crystal structure revealed the presence of an H-bond between the pivaloylamide and the hydroximate oxygen. Complexes 1a, 2a, and 4a are irreversibly reduced beyond -900 mV versus SCE, while complexes 1b and 1c are reduced at less negative values of -330 and -190 mV, respectively. The H-bond in 3a increased the redox potential up to -720 mV. Reaction of complex 1a with L-cysteine methyl ester CysOMe was monitored by (1)H NMR and UV-vis at 2 mM and 0.2 mM in an aqueous buffered solution at pH 7.5. Complex 1a was successively converted into an intermediate [Co(III)(TPA)(CysOMe-H)](2+), 1d, by exchange of the hydroximate with the cysteinate ligand, and further into Co(III)(CysOMe-H)(3), 5. An authentic sample of 1d was prepared and thoroughly characterized. A detailed (1)H NMR analysis showed there was only one isomer, in which the thiolate was trans to the tertiary amine nitrogen.

Persulfidation of DJ-1: Mechanism and Consequences.

DJ-1 (also called PARK7) is a ubiquitously expressed protein involved in the etiology of Parkinson disease and cancers. At least one of its three cysteine residues is functionally essential, and its oxidation state determines the specific function of the enzyme. DJ-1 was recently reported to be persulfidated in mammalian cell lines, but the implications of this post-translational modification have not yet been analyzed. Here, we report that recombinant DJ-1 is reversibly persulfidated at cysteine 106 by reaction with various sulfane donors and subsequently inhibited. Strikingly, this reaction is orders of magnitude faster than C106 oxidation by H2O2, and persulfidated DJ-1 behaves differently than sulfinylated DJ-1. Both these PTMs most likely play a dedicated role in DJ-1 signaling or protective pathways.

Characterization of the Inducible and Slow-Releasing Hydrogen Sulfide and Persulfide Donor P*: Insights into Hydrogen Sulfide Signaling.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important mediator of inflammatory processes. However, controversial findings also exist, and its underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Recently, the byproducts of H2S, per-/polysulfides, emerged as biological mediators themselves, highlighting the complex chemistry of H2S. In this study, we characterized the biological effects of P*, a slow-releasing H2S and persulfide donor. To differentiate between H2S and polysulfide-derived effects, we decomposed P* into polysulfides. P* was further compared to the commonly used fast-releasing H2S donor sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS). The effects on oxidative stress and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression were assessed in ATDC5 cells using superoxide measurement, qPCR, ELISA, and Western blotting. The findings on IL-6 expression were corroborated in primary chondrocytes from osteoarthritis patients. In ATDC5 cells, P* not only induced the expression of the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 via per-/polysulfides, but also induced activation of Akt and p38 MAPK. NaHS and P* significantly impaired menadione-induced superoxide production. P* reduced IL-6 levels in both ATDC5 cells and primary chondrocytes dependent on H2S release. Taken together, P* provides a valuable research tool for the investigation of H2S and per-/polysulfide signaling. These data demonstrate the importance of not only H2S, but also per-/polysulfides as bioactive signaling molecules with potent anti-inflammatory and, in particular, antioxidant properties.

Reductive metalation of cyclic and acyclic pseudopeptidic bis-disulfides and back conversion of the resulting diamidato/dithiolato complexes to bis-disulfides.

Cyclic and acyclic pseudopeptidic bis-disulfides built on an o-phenylene diamine scaffold were prepared: (N(2)H(2)S(2))(2), 1a, N(2)H(2)(S-SCH(3))(2), 1b, and N(2)H(2)(S-StBu)(2), 1c. Reductive metalation of these disulfides with (PF(6))[Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)] in the presence of Et(4)NOH as a base, or with (Et(4)N)[Fe(SEt)(4)] and Et(4)NCl, yields the corresponding diamidato/dithiolato copper(III) or iron(III) complex, (Et(4)N)[Cu(N(2)S(2))], 2, or (Et(4)N)(2)[Fe(N(2)S(2))Cl], 5. These complexes display characteristics similar to those previously described in the literature. The mechanism of the metalation with copper has been investigated by X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy at 10 K. After metalation of the bis-disulfide 1c and deprotonation of the amide nitrogens, the reductive cleavage of the S-S bonds occurs by two one-electron transfers leading to the intermediate formation of a copper(II) complex and a thyil radical. Complexes 2 and 5 can be converted back to the cyclic bis-disulfide 1a with iodine in an 80% yield. Reaction of 5 with iodine in the presence of CH(3)S-SCH(3) affords a 1/1 mixture of the acyclic N(2)H(2)(S-SCH(3))(2) disulfide 1b and cyclic bis-disulfide 1a. From 2, the reaction was monitored by (1)H NMR and gives 1b as major product. While there is no reaction of 2 or 5 with tBuS-StBu and iodine, reaction with an excess of tBuSI affords quantitatively the di-tert-butyl disulfide 1c. To assess the role of the Cu(III) oxidation state, control experiments were carried out under strictly anaerobic conditions with the copper(II) complex, (Et(4)N)(2)[Cu(N(2)S(2))], 6. Complex 6 is oxidized to 2 by iodine, and it reacts with an excess of tBuSI, yielding 1c as final product, through the intermediate formation of complex 2.

An alternate route to disulfanido complexes by nucleophilic attack of thiolates on ruthenium-bound thiosulfonato ligands.

The reaction of the thiosulfonato complexes [(p-cym)Ru(bipy)(S-SO(2)R)](+) (R = Ph, p-Tol) with the thiolates R'S(-) (R' = alkyl or aryl) leads to S-S bond cleavage and to the quantitative formation of the corresponding disulfanido derivatives [(p-cym)Ru(bipy)(S-SR')](+). The aryldisulfanido complexes also react with benzyl thiolate by S-S bond cleavage to give [(p-cym)Ru(bipy)(SSCH(2)Ph)](+).

Self-assembled molecular wires from organoiron metalloligands and ruthenium tetramesitylporphyrin.

A trinuclear assembly of two (η(2)-dppe)(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))FeC≡C(4-Py) (Py = pyridyl) metalloligands apically coordinated to a ruthenium(II) tetramesitylporphyrin is demonstrated to behave as a molecular wire in the monooxidized state.

Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of alkyldisulfanido zinc complexes.

The alkyldisulfanido zinc complexes Tp(iPr,iPr)Zn(SSR) and Tp(Ph,Me)Zn(SSR) where Tp(iPr,iPr) is hydridotris-((3,5-isopropyl)pyrazolyl)borate, Tp(Ph,Me) is hydridotris-((3-phenyl,5-methyl)pyrazolyl)borate, and (SSR) is tert-butyldisulfanido or triphenylmethanedisulfanido were synthesized by reaction between the corresponding hydroxo complexes TpZn(OH) and the synthetic persulfide RSSH. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and representative members of the class were also structurally characterized. The reactivity of the alkyldisulfanido TpZn(SSR) complexes with thiols was studied. In the absence of base, a simple exchange reaction between the alkyldisulfanido ligand and the thiol was observed in dichloromethane; when in the presence of base, the corresponding hydrogen(sulfido) complexes TpZn(SH) were obtained. The mechanism of the latter reaction has been studied and does not involve the coordinated alkyldisulfanido group. Reaction of the hydrogen(sulfido) complexes Tp(iPr,iPr)Zn(SH) with the thiosulfonate PhCH(2)S-SO(2)CF(3) did not yield the expected alkyldisulfanido complex but benzyltrisulfide and a new complex tentatively assigned as Tp(iPr,iPr)Zn(O(2)SCF(3)).

Reversible Detection and Quantification of Hydrogen Sulfide by Fluorescence Using the Hemoglobin I from Lucina pectinata.

A new detection system for the endogenous gaseous transmitter and environmental pollutant hydrogen sulfide is presented. It is based on the modulation of the fluorescence spectrum of a coumarin dye by the absorption spectrum of the recombinant hemoglobin I from clam Lucina pectinata upon coordination of the analyte. While we establish that the reported affinity of rHbI for H2S has been overestimated, the association of the protein with an appropriate fluorophore allows fast, easy, and reversible detection and quantification of hydrogen sulfide in buffer as well as biological fluids such as human plasma, with a quantification limit around 200 nM at pH 7.4.

Reactions of persulfides with the heme cofactor of oxidized myoglobin and microperoxidase 11: reduction or coordination.

Persulfides of cysteine (CysSSH), glutathione (GSSH) or N-methoxycarbonyl-penicillamine (NAcPenSSH) react with the ferric form of myoglobin (metMb(iii)) to yield the oxy-ferrous (oxyMb(ii)) or deoxy-ferrous (deoxyMb(ii)) forms of myoglobin under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, respectively. Under aerobic conditions, CysSSH and NAcPenSSH react with the hypervalent form of myoglobin (ferrylMb(iv)) to yield oxyMb(ii) as the final product with the formation of metMb(iii) as an intermediate. CysSSH and NAcPenSSH coordinate the ferric form of N-acetylated microperoxidase (NAcMP11(iii)) to yield the disulfanido complex NAcMP11(iii)(NAcPenSS), as shown by UV-vis and EPR spectroscopy. Experiments carried out with various NAcMP11 derivatives demonstrate a redox equilibrium between the ferric/ferrous forms of the heme and the polysulfides/persulfides couple. Our results suggest that persulfides possess uncommon redox properties, analogous to that of dihydrolipoic acid.