Endoperoxide formation by an α-ketoglutarate-dependent mononuclear non-haem iron enzyme.

Many peroxy-containing secondary metabolites have been isolated and shown to provide beneficial effects to human health. Yet, the mechanisms of most endoperoxide biosyntheses are not well understood. Although endoperoxides have been suggested as key reaction intermediates in several cases, the only well-characterized endoperoxide biosynthetic enzyme is prostaglandin H synthase, a haem-containing enzyme. Fumitremorgin B endoperoxidase (FtmOx1) from Aspergillus fumigatus is the first reported α-ketoglutarate-dependent mononuclear non-haem iron enzyme that can catalyse an endoperoxide formation reaction. To elucidate the mechanistic details for this unique chemical transformation, we report the X-ray crystal structures of FtmOx1 and the binary complexes it forms with either the co-substrate (α-ketoglutarate) or the substrate (fumitremorgin B). Uniquely, after α-ketoglutarate has bound to the mononuclear iron centre in a bidentate fashion, the remaining open site for oxygen binding and activation is shielded from the substrate or the solvent by a tyrosine residue (Y224). Upon replacing Y224 with alanine or phenylalanine, the FtmOx1 catalysis diverts from endoperoxide formation to the more commonly observed hydroxylation. Subsequent characterizations by a combination of stopped-flow optical absorption spectroscopy and freeze-quench electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy support the presence of transient radical species in FtmOx1 catalysis. Our results help to unravel the novel mechanism for this endoperoxide formation reaction.

Prostaglandin and thromboxane biosynthesis.

We describe the enzymological regulation of the formation of prostaglandin (PG) D2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2, PGI2 (prostacyclin), and thromboxane (Tx) A2 from arachidonic acid. We discuss the three major steps in prostanoid formation: (a) arachidonate mobilization from monophosphatidylinositol involving phospholipase C, diglyceride lipase, and monoglyceride lipase and from phosphatidylcholine involving phospholipase A2; (b) formation of prostaglandin endoperoxides (PGG2 and PGH2) catalyzed by the cyclooxygenase and peroxidase activities of PGH synthase; and (c) synthesis of PGD2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2, PGI2, and TxA2 from PGH2. We also include information on the roles of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, dexamethasone and other anti-inflammatory steroids, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and interleukin-1 in prostaglandin metabolism.

Prostaglandin endoperoxide--thromboxane synthesis and dense granule secretion as positive feedback loops in the propagation of platelet responses during "the basic platelet reaction".

Platelets respond to a great variety of stimuli by a sequential display of shape change, aggregation, prostaglandin/thromboxane synthesis--dense granule secretion and alpha-granule secretion. It is suggested that these responses are independent of each other, and caused by an increase in the concentration of a second messenger, liberated to the cytoplasm through the interaction between an extracellular agonist and the platelet membrane. The extent of the propagation of responses is determined by the strength of the stimulus. Stimuli can be subdivided into 1) original, applied stimuli and 2) platelet-produced stimuli (substances secreted from dense granules, prostaglandins and thromboxanes); these stimuli may act synergistically. In this way the platelet has two apparently independent means of potentiating their response to external stimuli which act as two separate positive feedback loops.

Preparative HPLC purification of prostaglandin endoperoxides and isolation of novel cyclooxygenase-derived arachidonic acid metabolites.

A preparative HPLC purification scheme for the isolation of prostaglandin endoperoxides prepared by short-time incubation of [1-14C]-labelled arachidonic acid (AA) with sheep seminal vesicle microsomes was developed. Milligram quantities of prostaglandin G2 (PGG2) and prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) were obtained in greater than or equal to 95% purity within shortest time. Furthermore, careful application of this HPLC technique led to the isolation of two minor [1-14C]-labelled fractions which according to their spectral and chromatographic characteristics, were identical with 15(S)-hydroperoxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE) and 15(S)-hydroxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE). Another HETE substituted at either C11 or C12 was also present. The formation of these products was mediated by cyclooxygenase as evidenced by aspirin (100 microM) and indomethacin (10 microM) inhibition. Sulfhydryl-blocking agents such as p-hydroxymercuribenzoate (1 mM) and/or the 12-lipoxygenase inhibitor esculetin (100 microM) were without effect. In addition to these AA metabolites four other fractions contained arachidonate-derived endoperoxides with antiaggregatory properties, all of which released malondialdehyde upon incubation with thromboxane A2 synthase. No thromboxane formation was observed although turnover numbers were comparable to those of PGG2 and PGH2. The formation of these endoperoxides did not occur via enzymatic or non-enzymatic degradation of PGG2 or PGH2. The exact chemical nature of these endoperoxides remains to be established.

The role of platelet prostanoids and dense granule compounds in initial attachment, spreading and aggregation of platelets on collagen substrates.

The role of platelet prostanoids, ADP and 5HT in initial attachment, spreading and aggregation of platelets on collagen substrates (CI, CIII, CIV, CV, CC) was studied. A positive linear correlation was found between thrombi-like aggregate formation on collagen substrates and production of platelet prostanoids. No correlation was established between platelet aggregation and 14C-5HT release. Thrombi-like aggregate formation was completely inhibited by indomethacin and TXA2/PGH2 antagonists (13-APA and BM 13.177). Both 13-APA and BM 13.177 had no effect on platelet spreading, while indomethacin inhibited this process by 25%. The ADP-scavenger system (CP/CPK) inhibited platelet aggregation and spreading by 25-30%. Initial attachment was not influenced by aspirin, indomethacin and CP/CPK. The data obtained indicate that platelet aggregation on collagen substrates is mediated by PGH2 and TXA2 production. These compounds slightly affect the platelet spreading. Both platelet spreading and aggregation on collagen substrates are only partially mediated by ADP and 5HT release. Initial attachment of platelets does not depend on the release reaction and PGH2/TXA2 synthesis.

Bleeding in renal failure: a possible role of vascular prostacyclin (PGI2).

Specimens of venous tissues from a group of 25 patients with chronic uremia and 7 patients with acute renal failure generated significantly higher PGI2-like (platelet aggregation inhibiting) activity than venous tissues from 30 normal subjects. After repeated washings, when this activity could barely be detected in the controls, pronounced inhibitory activity was still evident in samples containing venous tissues from uremic patients. Both prolonged bleeding times and increased PGI2-like activity returned to normal in 4 acute uremic patients on restoration of their renal function. These findings may be relevant to the pathogenesis of bleeding in renal failure.

The effect of E. coli infection on the prostaglandin synthesizing capacity of postobstructive rat kidney.

The PGE2, PGI2, PGF2 alpha and TxA2 synthesizing activities were studied in an isolated microsomal fraction of rat kidney after temporary, unilateral ureter obstruction and E. coli infection. In the early phase of regeneration the synthesis of vasodilatory PGI2 was increased, whereas that of vasoconstrictory PGF2 alpha was decreased. An increased PGE2 synthesizing activity was observed when renal obstruction was associated with infection. The role of these changes in regenerating the haemodynamics and function of postobstructive kidney is discussed.

Soluble plasma fibrin and platelet prostaglandin endoperoxides following myocardial infarction.

Following myocardial infarction, soluble fibrin in plasma is often elevated as a sign of an activated plasmatic coagulation system. Soluble fibrin in plasma is most pronounced in shock patients under catecholamine administration. With the improvement of the clinical situation the fibrin concentration declines to normal. Following incubation with N-ethylmaleimide an increased production of prostaglandin endoperoxides is observed in the platelets of patients after myocardial infarction compared to normal platelets. Plasma of patients exhibits an endoperoxide-producing effect on normal platelets. The stimulating effect of patient plasma diminishes together with the fall of soluble plasma fibrin. These phenomena may be considered as signs of a relation between the plasmatic and thrombocytic coagulation system.

[The platelet membrane: some aspects of the pathophysiology of haemostasis].

Platelet membranes play a key role in all stages of the haemostatic mechanism. Four of these in particular are considered here: adhesion to subendothelium, which involves an interaction between the glycoprotein I complex in the platelet membrane (deficient in the Bernard-Soulier syndrome) and plasma factor VIII; aggregation, involving the membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex (deficient in thrombasthenia), plasma fibrinogen and divalent cations; platelet factor 3 availability, a function of surface membrane phospholipids; and thromboxane synthesis, a function of the phospholipids of the membrane of the dense tubular system. The glycoprotein I complex also carries binding sites for thrombin and for drug-dependent antibodies, and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa is the site of the P1A1 antigen and of alpha-actinin.

Prostaglandin G2 levels during reaction of prostaglandin H synthase with arachidonic acid.

Prostaglandin H synthase catalyzes the formation of prostaglandin (PG) G2 from arachidonic acid (cyclooxygenase activity), and also the reduction of PGG2 to PGH2 (peroxidase activity). The ability of the pure synthase to accumulate the hydroperoxide, PGG2, under conditions allowing the concurrent function of both catalytic activities was investigated. The peroxidase velocity was continuously determined from the absorbance increases at 611 nm that accompanied oxidation of a peroxidase cosubstrate, N,N,N',N'-tetramethylphenylenediamine, and PGG2 concentrations were calculated from the peroxidase velocities and the peroxidase Vmax and Km values. Cyclooxygenase velocities were then calculated from the changes in PGG2. Parallel reactions monitored by the use of radiolabelled arachidonate or with a polarographic oxygen electrode were used to confirm the calculated PGG2 levels and the cyclooxygenase velocities. The concentration of PGG2 was found to follow a transient course as the reaction of the synthase progressed, rapidly rising to a maximum of 0.7 microM in the first 10 s, and then declining slowly, reaching 0.1 microM after 60 s. The maximal level of PGG2 achieved during the reaction was constant at about 0.7 microM with higher amounts of added cyclooxygenase capacity (0.3-0.6 microM PGG2/s) but was only about 0.4 microM when the added cyclooxygenase capacity was 0.1 microM PGG2/s. The peroxidase was found to lose only 30% of its activity after 90 s, a point where the cyclooxygenase was almost completely inactive. These results support the concept of a burst of catalytic action from the cyclooxygenase and a reactive, more sustained, catalytic action from the peroxidase during the reaction of the synthase with arachidonic acid.

Preparation and biochemical properties of PGH3.

PGH3 was biosynthesised from all-cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 omega 3) by an acetone-pentane powder of ram seminal vesicles and its structure was confirmed by GLC-MS after its reduction to PGF 3 alpha. PGH3 was transformed by horse platelet microsomes to TXB3, and by aortic microsomes to delta 17-6-keto-PGF 1 alpha. The structures of these compounds were confirmed by GLC-MS.

Aggregation and inhibition of rat platelets, and the formation of endoperoxide metabolites.

In citrated rat platelets, arachidonic acid (AA) at 1 mM could not induce aggregation unlike human or rabbit platelets. However, preincubation of platelet rich plasma (PRP) prepared in sodium citrate with AA (1 mM) enhanced the aggregation induced by collagen suspension or adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and this enhancement was abolished by the preincubation of PRP with indomethacin. Arachidonic acid at a higher concentration (6 mM) induced aggregation; but it was not attenuated by preincubation of indomethacin indicating that this aggregation may not be augmented by prostaglandins (PGs) or their intermediates. The major product of endoperoxide metabolites formed during collagen-induced aggregation was thromboxane A2 (TXA2) as measured in terms of TXB2, the stable metabolite. Preincubation of citrated PRP with imidazole neither abolished the enhancement of ADP-induced or collagen-induced aggregation by AA (1mM), nor attenuated the aggregation induced by ADP or collagen alone; but imidazole inhibited the synthesis of TXB2 by more than 90%. In heparinized platelets, arachidonic acid at 0.25 mM induced the aggregation, and this was inhibited by preincubation of the PRP with indomethacin. Heparinized PRP was much more sensitive to aggregating agents than citrated PRP. This implied that aggregation of rat platelets is more dependent on calcium than human o rabbit platelets. Preincubation of heparinized PRP with imidazole inhibited AA-induced aggregation, and the inhibition was abolished by the preincubation of vitamin E. This result implied that inhibition of AA-induced aggregation by imidazole is due to products of platelet lipoxygenase rather than due to the inhibition of TXA2 synthesis.

Inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by eicosapentaenoic acid.

Eicosapentaenoic acid [20 : 5 (n-3)] is not oxidized by the purified cyclooxygenase from sheep vesicular glands in the conditions of low peroxide tone in which arachidonate [20 : 4 (n-6)] is rapidly oxygenated. When the level of peroxide in incubation mixtures is allowed to rise, there is a dramatic change in reactivity of the cyclooxygenase to react with 20 : 5 (n-3) at one-halt the rate and one-third the extent observed with 20 : 4 (n-6). Overall, the low peroxide levels expected in vivo would most probably cause the (n-3) type of fatty acid to be a general inhibitor of prostaglandin formation, through both reversible and irreversible actions at the enzyme site.

Steroidal antiinflammatory drugs as inhibitors of phospholipase A2.

It would seem that steroidal antiinflammatory drugs can block the prostaglandin endoperoxide releasing activity of a wide variety of stimuli. This seems to be due to an inhibition of the release of the fatty acid substrate since the effect is easily reversed by the addition of substrate. The effect of steroids on phospholipase A2 activity in lungs was investigated and it was found that these drugs inhibited the enzyme activity in a time-dependent reversible fashion and that they will block the effect of stimuli such as RCS-RF (bradykinin being an exception). The steroids do not appear to inhibit the phospholipase directly since they do not work in cell-free homogenates. It is too early to say whether or not the antiinflammatory activity of steroids depends on the actions. Many important experiments remain to be done, for example: what exactly is the nature of the phospholipase activation process? Which particular step are the steroids inhibiting? Why do they not work against bradykinin induced stimulation? We hope that in the not too distant future we shall be able to supply the answers to some of these questions.