Cellular titration of apoptosis with steady state concentrations of H(2)O(2): submicromolar levels of H(2)O(2) induce apoptosis through Fenton chemistry independent of the cellular thiol state.

Apoptosis was studied under conditions that mimic the steady state of H(2)O(2) in vivo. This is at variance with previous studies involving a bolus addition of H(2)O(2), a procedure that disrupts the cellular homeostasis. The results allowed us to define three phases for H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis in Jurkat T-cells with reference to cytosolic steady state concentrations of H(2)O(2) [(H(2)O(2))(ss)]: (H(2)O(2))(ss) values below 0.7 microM elicited no effects; (H(2)O(2))(ss) approximately 0.7-3 microM induced apoptosis; and (H(2)O(2))(ss) > 3 microM yielded no additional apoptosis and a gradual shift towards necrosis as the mode of cell death were observed. H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis was not affected by either BCNU, an inhibitor of glutathione reductase, or diamide, a compound that reacts both with low-molecular weight and protein thiols, or selenols. Glutathione depletion, accomplished by incubating cells either with buthionine sulfoximine or in cystine-free medium, rendered cells more sensitive to H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis, but did not change the threshold and saturating concentrations of H(2)O(2) that induced apoptosis. Two unrelated metal chelators, desferrioxamine and dipyridyl, strongly protected against H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis. It may be concluded that, under conditions of H(2)O(2) delivery that mimic in vivo situations, the oxidative event that triggers the induction of apoptosis by H(2)O(2) is a Fenton-type reaction and is independent of the thiol or selenium states of the cell.

Mitochondrial respiratory chain-dependent generation of superoxide anion and its release into the intermembrane space.

It has been generally accepted that superoxide anion generated by the mitochondrial respiratory transport chain are vectorially released into the mitochondrial matrix, where they are converted to hydrogen peroxide through the catalytic action of Mn-superoxide dismutase. Release of superoxide anion into the intermembrane space is a controversial topic, partly unresolved by the reaction of superoxide anion with cytochrome c, which faces the intermembrane space and is present in this compartment at a high concentration. This study was aimed at assessing the topological site(s) of release of superoxide anion during respiratory chain activity. To address this issue, mitoplasts were prepared from isolated mitochondria by digitonin treatment to remove portions of the outer membrane along with portions of cytochrome c. EPR analysis in conjunction with spin traps of antimycin-supplemented mitoplasts revealed the formation of a spin adduct of superoxide anion. The EPR signal was (i) abrogated by superoxide dismutase, (ii) decreased competitively by exogenous ferricytochrome c and (iii) broadened by the membrane-impermeable spin-broadening agent chromium trioxalate. These results confirm the production and release of superoxide anion towards the cytosolic side of the inner mitochondrial membrane. In addition, co-treatment of mitoplasts with myxothiazol and antimycin A, resulting in an inhibition of the oxidation of ubiquinol to ubisemiquinone, abolished the EPR signal, thus suggesting that ubisemiquinone autoxidation at the outer site of the complex-III ubiquinone pool is a pathway for superoxide anion formation and subsequent release into the intermembrane space. The generation of superoxide anion towards the intermembrane space requires consideration of the mitochondrial steady-state values for superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, the decay pathways of these oxidants in this compartment and the implications of these processes for cytosolic events.

The regulation of mitochondrial oxygen uptake by redox reactions involving nitric oxide and ubiquinol.

The reversible inhibitory effects of nitric oxide (.NO) on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase and O(2) uptake are dependent on intramitochondrial.NO utilization. This study was aimed at establishing the mitochondrial pathways for.NO utilization that regulate O-(2) generation via reductive and oxidative reactions involving ubiquinol oxidation and peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) formation. For this purpose, experimental models consisting of intact mitochondria, ubiquinone-depleted/reconstituted submitochondrial particles, and ONOO(-)-supplemented mitochondrial membranes were used. The results obtained from these experimental approaches strongly suggest the occurrence of independent pathways for.NO utilization in mitochondria, which effectively compete with the binding of.NO to cytochrome oxidase, thereby releasing this inhibition and restoring O(2) uptake. The pathways for.NO utilization are discussed in terms of the steady-state levels of.NO and O-(2) and estimated as a function of O(2) tension. These calculations indicate that mitochondrial.NO decays primarily by pathways involving ONOO(-) formation and ubiquinol oxidation and, secondarily, by reversible binding to cytochrome oxidase.

The role of mitochondrial glutathione in DNA base oxidation.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the role of mitochondrial GSH in the reactions leading to mitochondrial DNA oxidative damage in terms of 8-hydroxy-desoxyguanosine (8-HOdG) accumulation. With this purpose, tightly coupled mitochondria depleted of matrix GSH were used and the effects of H2O2 (generated during the oxidation of substrates) on 8-HOdG levels were investigated. Mitochondrial integrity, assessed by O2 uptake, respiratory control and P/O ratios, was conserved upon depletion of GSH up to 95%. The rates of H2O2 production linked to the oxidation of endogenous substrates by control and GSH-depleted mitochondria were similar. Succinate (in the absence or presence of antimycin A) enhanced the rate H2O2 production to a similar extent in both control and GSH-depleted mitochondria. These rates of H2O2 production accounted for 1.5-2.5% of the rate of O2 uptake. The levels of 8-HOdG in GSH-depleted mitochondria were 35-50% lower than those in control mitochondria, when measured at different H2O2 production rates. Conversely, in experiments carried out with calf thymus DNA with different Cu/Fe content, GSH increased 1.4-2.4-fold the accumulation of 8-HOdG. These values were further enhanced (44-50%) by superoxide dismutase and decreased by catalase. The lower levels of 8-HOdG in GSH-depleted mitochondria and the higher levels in GSH-supplemented calf thymus DNA suggest a role for the non-protein thiol in the reactions leading to mtDNA oxidative damage. These findings are interpreted in terms of the redox transitions involving O2, GSH, and metal catalysts bound to DNA. A mechanism is proposed by which GSH plays a critical role in the reduction of DNA-Cu complexes and decays by free radical pathways kinetically regulated by superoxide dismutase.

Extracellular activation of fluorinated aziridinylbenzoquinone in HT29 cells EPR studies.

The plasma membrane of HT29 human colon carcinoma cells was characterized by EPR spectroscopy as the site for redox activation of 3,6-difluoro-2,5-bis(aziridinyl)-1,4-benzoquinone (F-DZQ). Supplementation of HT29 cells with F-DZQ yielded an EPR signal ascribed to the semiquinone species; the hyperfine splitting constants of the 11-line spectrum were 1.4 and 1.35 G for aN and aF, respectively. The intensity of the EPR signal was inhibited competitively by potassium ferricyanide, a compound which has no access to the intracellular milieu and used to evaluate transmembrane NADH-ferricyanide reductase activity. The extracellular localization of the signal was confirmed by using chromium trioxalate, a membrane-impermeant spin-broadening agent, which abolished in a concentration-dependent manner the semiquinone signal originating from the metabolism of F-DZQ by HT29 cells. The intensity of the semiquinone signal was decreased by agents which block sulfhydryl groups upon alkylation, fluorodinitrobenzene and p-chloromercuribenzoate, presumably acting on plasma membrane dehydrogenases. Other flavin dehydrogenase inhibitors, such as allopurinol, deprenyl or clorgyline, and D-arginine or NG-methyl-L-arginine did not affect the EPR signal. Conversely, the intensity of the semiquinone signal was increased upon supplementation of HT29 cells with glucose and insulin, which may enhance the intracellular levels of electron donors for the transplasma membrane dehydrogenase activity. The extracellular semiquinone signal was abolished by superoxide dismutase by a mechanism implying displacement of the equilibrium of the autoxidation reaction. Formation of oxygen-centered radicals during this redox activity was evaluated by EPR in conjunction with the spin trap 4-POBN. A composite signal consisting of the spin adducts of methyl, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals was observed (the former arising from hydroxyl radical attack on the quinone solvent, dimethylsulfoxide). The formation of these spin adducts was abolished by superoxide dismutase and their detection became impossible in the presence of the line broadening agent chromiun trioxalate, thus indicating their extracellular formation and localization, respectively. The occurrence of a redox site at the plasma membrane of HT29 cells for the activation of this halogenated aziridinylbenzoquinone is discussed in terms of its significance for intracellular processes and a build-up of oxyradicals in the extracellular milieu.

The role of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase in quinone-mediated p21 induction in human colon carcinoma cells.

This study examines the role of NAD(P)H:quinone acceptor oxidoreductase (NQOR) (EC 1.6.99.2) in the metabolism of aziridinylbenzoquinones and the ensuing formation of reactive oxygen species in the induction of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 (WAF1, Cip1, or sdi1) in human colon carcinoma cells. The aziridinylbenzoquinones used were 2,5-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DZQ) and 2,5-bis(carboethoxyamino)-3,6-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinone (AZQ). The cell lines used in this study, BE and HT29 human colon carcinoma cell lines, are devoid of and overexpress NQOR activity, respectively. The rate of reduction of the above quinones in BE cells proceeded at similar rates (approximately 170 nmol/min/ mg protein) and, expectedly, it was not affected by the NQOR inhibitor, dicumarol. The metabolism of DZQ in HT29 cells was largely accomplished by NQOR (approximately 94%), whereas that of AZQ was accomplished by dicumarol-insensitive reductases. The metabolism of DZQ in HT29 cells was accompanied by H2O2 formation, which was approximately 10-fold higher than that ensuing from the activation of AZQ. In agreement with these data, the production of H2O2 during the activation of DZQ by purified NQOR was approximately 10-fold higher than that of AZQ. The formation of H2O2 during the metabolism of aziridinylbenzoquinones in BE cells was 24- to 57-fold lower than that in HT29 cells. At variance with HT29 cells, H2O2 formation by BE cells was insensitive to the catalase inhibitor sodium azide. The bioactivation of AZQ and DZQ in BE cells yielded O2.- and HO. as detected by spin trapping/EPR, the intensity of the former adduct being approximately 2-fold higher than that of the latter. These signals were insensitive to dicumarol. The metabolism of DZQ in HT29 cells yielded mainly HO. and a modest contribution of O2.- (ratio HO./O2.- approximately 10), whereas that of AZQ yielded a HO./O2.- approximately 2. The effect of dicumarol on the free radical pattern obtained during DZQ metabolism resulted in a strong inhibition (80%) of HO. production and a substantial increase of O2.- generation. The metabolism of DZQ and AZQ in BE cells was associated with a significant increase of p21 mRNA levels; the former quinone was approximately 2-fold more efficient than the latter. DZQ metabolism in HT29 cells led to an increase of p21 mRNA levels 15-fold higher than that observed with AZQ activation. Dicumarol did not inhibit p21 induction associated with the metabolism of DZQ in the NQOR-deficient BE cells, whereas the inhibitor decreased p21 induction in HT29 cells by approximately 30%. This modest inhibition is likely due to the low concentration of dicumarol used, which did not affect p21 constitutive levels in control experiments carried out in the absence of the quinone. p21 induction in HT29 cells was also inhibited by DTPA, a metal chelator, and N-acetylcysteine, a potent cellular anti-oxidant, suggesting that HO. may serve as an ultimate mediator for the induction. It may be surmised that the higher efficiency of DZQ in p21 induction may be related to its efficient metabolism by NQOR in HT29 cells and the associated high level of reactive oxygen species. The role of reactive oxygen species in p21 induction was further assessed upon supplementation of cells with H2O2:p21 induction in BE cells was 4-fold higher than that in HT29 cells. These findings suggest that assessment of the role of NQOR and reactive oxygen species in p21 induction requires careful consideration of the cell genotype.

Oxidative stress: excited oxygen species and enzyme activity.

The metabolic role of aldehydes, hydroperoxides, and quinones was investigated with emphasis on oxidative transitions involving oxygen free radicals and associated with enzymatic activities. The oxidative metabolism of aldehydes (originating either from ethanol oxidation, or monoamine oxidase activity, or oxidative breakdown of lipid hydroperoxides during lipid peroxidation) is a source of alkane production and low-level chemiluminescence. Since both parameters reflect cellular oxidative conditions, it can be inferred that side-products of aldehyde oxidase activity might participate in the link between the initial enzymatic oxidation of aldehyde and the occurrence of oxidizing species leading to chemiluminescence and alkane production. The metabolism of hydroperoxides was considered under two different aspects: first, the hydroperoxide reduction, within the frame of a detoxication mechanism, as mediated by a selenoorganic compound PZ-51 that displays glutathione peroxidase-like activity and an antioxidant activity; second, the enzyme-catalyzed disproportionation of hydroperoxides as a source of a potent oxidizing equivalent, singlet molecular oxygen. The cytotoxicity of quinones, utilized in therapeutic agents such as anticancer drugs, is believed to be related to oxidative stress due to the formation of the superoxide radical and subsequent more reactive oxygen species. The enzyme-catalyzed one-electron reduction of menadione seems to play a substantial role in the development of cytotoxic effects, at variance with the 2-electron reduction of the quinone. The observation of low-level chemiluminescence under conditions which favor the one-electron reduction process or which diminished the two-electron reduction process indicates the practicability of low-level chemiluminescence measurements in monitoring changes in quinone metabolism and related cytotoxic effects.

Evaluation of alpha-tocopherol antioxidant activity in microsomal lipid peroxidation as detected by low-level chemiluminescence.

The significance of microsomal vitamin E in protecting against the free-radical process of lipid peroxidation was evaluated with the low-level-chemiluminescence technique in microsomal fractions from vitamin E-deficient and control rats. The induction period that normally precedes the ascorbate/ADP/Fe3+-induced lipid peroxidation was taken as reflecting the microsomal vitamin E content and was found to be 5-6-fold decreased in microsomal fractions from vitamin E-deficient rats. Supplementation of microsomal fractions from vitamin E-deficient rats with exogenous vitamin E partially restores the induction period observed in that from control rats. The decrease in chemiluminescence intensity and the increase in the induction period both correlate linearly with the amount of vitamin E added. However, the efficiency of exogenous vitamin E is about 50-fold lower than that exerted by the naturally occurring vitamin E in microsomal membranes. These observations are discussed in terms of the process of re-incorporation of vitamin E into membranes, the experimental model for lipid peroxidation selected, and the method to evaluate lipid peroxidation, namely low-level chemiluminescence.

A novel biologically active seleno-organic compound--I. Glutathione peroxidase-like activity in vitro and antioxidant capacity of PZ 51 (Ebselen).

a synthetic seleno-organic compound, 2-phenyl-1,2-benzoisoselenazol-3(2H)-one (PZ 51), exhibits GSH peroxidase-like activity in vitro, in contrast to its sulfur analog, PZ 25. In addition, PZ 51 behaves as an antioxidant shown by a temporary protection of rat liver microsomes against ascorbate/ADP-Fe-induced lipid peroxidation, an effect also elicited by PZ 25 but to a smaller extent. This protection against lipid peroxidation is independent of GSH and of P-450 monooxygenase activity.

Effects of 4-hydroxynonenal on isolated hepatocytes. Studies on chemiluminescence response, alkane production and glutathione status.

The effect of 4-hydroxy-2,3-trans-nonenal, a diffusible product of lipid peroxidation, on isolated hepatocytes was evaluated with two non-invasive techniques measuring low-level chemiluminescence and alkane evolution. Oxygen-induced low-level chemiluminescence and ethane and n-pentane formation by hepatocytes is enhanced over 7-fold in the presence of 4-hydroxynonenal (2 mM). Glutathione-depleted hepatocytes show a higher increase than controls in both low-level chemiluminescence and alkane formation upon supplementation with 4-hydroxynonenal. The effects on both parameters are diminished by vitamin E pretreatment of rats and are absent under anaerobiosis. At variance with chemiluminescence and alkane formation, 4-hydroxynonenal does not elicit a concomitant increase in malonaldehyde or diene-conjugate formation. Addition of 4-hydroxynonenal to a suspension of hepatocytes causes a rapid loss of cellular glutathione in the form of a glutathione conjugate with the alkenal as observed with high-pressure liquid-chromatographic analysis. The reaction between glutathione and 4-hydroxynonenal proceeds also spontaneously in vitro at 1:1 stoichiometry. The cellular effects of 4-hydroxynonenal evaluated by low-level chemiluminescence and alkane formation are independent of the formation of a glutathione conjugate and seem to rely on the remaining not-bound 4-hydroxynonenal. The sensitivity of 4-hydroxynonenal-enhanced chemiluminescence and alkane formation to free-radical quenchers suggests the participation of a free-radical propagation process.

Active oxygen metabolites and their action in the hepatocyte. Studies on chemiluminescence responses and alkane production.

"Oxidative stress" takes place in animal tissues when the balance between the cellular defense mechanisms (glutathione cycle, superoxide dismutase, catalase, vitamin E, etc.) and conditions capable of triggering oxidative reactions is altered. The oxidative reactions which occur under a variety of conditions were assessed by two non-invasive methods, low-level chemiluminescence and volatile hydrocarbon production. Oxidative stress induced by hyperoxia or organic hydroperoxides in isolated hepatocytes or the perfused liver, respectively, is accompanied by low-level chemiluminescence, the intensity of which is enhanced upon perturbation of the glutathione cycle system, i.e., glutathione depletion and/or selenium deficiency. Oxidative stress during redox cycling of paraquat, when infused into the perfused liver, is not accompanied by light emission, whereas menadione, a substance also capable of redox cycling, was found to elicit photoemission under similar conditions. The basal rates of ethane release by the perfused liver are enhanced during oxidative conditions such as metabolism of hydroperoxides, paraquat redox cycling, and ethanol oxidation. Alkane release during the latter involves the participation of alcohol dehydrogenase and further products of ethanol oxidation, i.e., acetaldehyde, as well as free radicals in some stage of the process. In vivo ethane release by animals with adjuvant arthritis was found higher than in controls, presumably due to a systemic response of liver to inflammation.

Low-level chemiluminescence of hydroperoxide-supplemented cytochrome c.

Ferricytochrome c showed low-level chemiluminescence, with a light-emission measured of about 1x10(3)-3x10(3) counts/s, when supplemented with organic hydroperoxides. Tertiary hydroperoxides (cumene hydroperoxide and t-butyl hydroperoxide) showed a saturation behaviour at about 5mm-hydroperoxide, whereas primary hydroperoxides showed a quadratic dependence on the hydroperoxide concentration. Chemiluminescence depended linearly on cytochrome c concentration, and optimal light-emission was observed at [t-butyl hydroperoxide]/[ferricytochrome c] ratios of 160-500. Hydroperoxide-supplemented ferricytochrome c consumed O(2) at a rate of 1.0mumol/min per mumol of cytochrome c; the rate of O(2) uptake was linearly related to the concentration of cytochrome c. The Soret absorption band of ferricytochrome c decreased about 64% after incubation with t-butyl hydroperoxide, whereas the 530nm band was almost totally abolished. Light-emission was (a) inhibited competitively by cyanide. (b) inhibited by singlet-oxygen quenchers (e.g. beta-carotene), scavengers (e.g. dimethylfuran) and traps (e.g. histidine and tryptophan) and (c) increased by singlet-oxygen-chemiluminescence enhancer 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]-octane. Superoxide dismutase had no effect on the present system. The participation of free radicals is suggested by the effect of the radical trap 2,5-di-t-butylquinol. Singlet-oxygen dimol emission seems to be mainly responsible for the observed light-emission; a mechanism that can account for the major part of the present experimental observations is proposed.

Enhancement of hydrogen peroxide formation by protophores and ionophores in antimycin-supplemented mitochondria.

Rat and pigeon heart mitochondria supplemented with antimycin produce 0.3-1.0nmol of H(2)O(2)/min per mg of protein. These rates are stimulated up to 13-fold by addition of protophores (carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, carbonyl cyanide m-chloromethoxyphenylhydrazone and pentachlorophenol). Ionophores, such as valinomycin and gramicidin, and Ca(2+) also markedly stimulated H(2)O(2) production by rat heart mitochondria. The enhancement of H(2)O(2) generation in antimycin-supplemented mitochondria and the increased O(2) uptake of the State 4-to-State 3 transition showed similar protophore, ionophore and Ca(2+) concentration dependencies. Thenoyltrifluoroacetone and N-bromosuccinimide, which inhibit succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity, also decreased mitochondrial H(2)O(2) production. Addition of cyanide to antimycin-supplemented beef heart submitochondrial particles inhibited the generation of O(2) (-), the precursor of mitochondrial H(2)O(2). This effect was parallel to the increase in cytochrome c reduction and it is interpreted as indicating the necessity of cytochrome c(1) (3+) to oxidize ubiquinol to ubisemiquinone, whose autoxidation yields O(2) (-). The effect of protophores, ionophores and Ca(2+) is analysed in relation to the propositions of a cyclic mechanism for the interaction of ubiquinone with succinate dehydrogenase and cytochromes b and c(1) [Wikstrom & Berden (1972) Biochim. Biophys. Acta283, 403-420; Mitchell (1976) J. Theor. Biol.62, 337-367]. A collapse in membrane potential, increasing the rate of ubisemiquinone formation and O(2) (-) production, is proposed as the molecular mechanism for the enhancement of H(2)O(2) formation rates observed on addition of protophores, ionophores and Ca(2+).

Low-level chemiluminescence of bovine heart submitochondrial particles.

Submitochondrial particles from bovine heart mitochondria showed low-level chemiluminescence when supplemented with organic hydroperoxides. Chemiluminescence seems to measure integratively radical reactions involved in lipid peroxidation and related processes. Maximal light-emission was about 1500 counts/s and was reached 2-10min after addition of hydroperoxides. Ethyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide and t-butyl hydroperoxide were effective in that order. Antimycin and rotenone increased chemiluminescence by 50-60%; addition of substrates, NADH and succinate did not produce marked changes in the observed chemiluminescence. Cyanide inhibited chemiluminescence; half-maximal inhibitory effect was obtained with 0.03mm-cyanide and the inhibition was competitive with respect to t-butyl hydroperoxide. Externally added cytochrome c (10-20mum) had a marked stimulatory effect on chemiluminescence, namely a 12-fold increase in light-emission of antimycin-inhibited submitochondrial particles. Stimulation of hydroperoxide-induced chemiluminescence of submitochondrial particles by cytochrome c was matched by a burst of O(2) consumption. O(2) is believed to participate in the chain radical reactions that lead to lipid peroxidation. Superoxide anion seems to be involved in the chemiluminescence reactions as long as light-emission was 50-60% inhibitible by superoxide dismutase. Singlet-oxygen quenchers, e.g. beta-carotene and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]-octane, affected light-emission. beta-Carotene was effective either when incorporated into the membranes or added to the cuvette. The present paper suggests that singlet molecular oxygen is mainly responsible for the light-emission in the hydroperoxide-supplemented submitochondrial particles.

Role of ubiquinone in the mitochondrial generation of hydrogen peroxide.

Antimycin-inhibited bovine heart submitochondrial particles generate O2- and H2O2 with succinate as electron donor. H2O2 generation involves the action of the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase, in accordance with the McCord & Fridovich [(1969) j. biol. Chem. 244, 6049-6055] reaction mechanism. Removal of ubiquinone by acetone treatment decreases the ability of mitochondrial preparations to generate O2- and H2O2, whereas supplementation of the depleted membranes with ubiquinone enhances the peroxide-generating activity in the reconstituted membranes. Addition of superoxide dismutase to ubiquinone-reconstituted membranes is essential in order to obtain maximal rates of H2O2 generation since the acetone treatment of the membranes apparently inactivates (or removes) the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase. Parallel measurements of H2O2 production, succinate dehydrogenase and succinate-cytochrome c reductase activities show that peroxide generation by ubiquinone-supplemented membranes is a monotonous function of the reducible ubiquinone content, whereas the other two measured activities reach saturation at relatively low concentrations of reducible quinone. Alkaline treatment of submitochondrial particles causes a significant decrease in succinate dehydrogenase activity and succinate-dependent H2O2 production, which contrasts with the increase of peroxide production by the same particles with NADH as electron donor. Solubilized succinate dehydrogenase generates H2O2 at a much lower rate than the parent submitochondrial particles. It is postulated that ubisemiquinone (and ubiquinol) are chiefly responsible for the succinate-dependent peroxide production by the mitochondrial inner membrane.