Photochemistry of (Z)-Isovinylneoxanthobilirubic Acid Methyl Ester, a Bilirubin Dipyrrinone Subunit: Femtosecond Transient Absorption and Stimulated Raman Emission Spectroscopy.

Bilirubin (BR) is an essential metabolite formed by the catabolism of heme. Phototherapy with blue-green light can be applied to reduce high concentrations of BR in blood and is used especially in the neonatal period. In this work, we studied the photochemistry of (Z)-isovinylneoxanthobilirubic acid methyl ester, a dipyrrinone subunit of BR, by steady-state absorption, femtosecond transient absorption, and stimulated Raman spectroscopies. Both the (Z)- and (E)-configurational isomers of isovinylneoxanthobilirubic acid undergo wavelength-dependent and reversible photoisomerization. The isomerization from the excited singlet state is ultrafast (the lifetimes of (Z)- and (E)-isomers were found to be ∼0.9 and 0.1 ps, respectively), and its efficiencies increase with increased photon energy. In addition, we studied sensitized photooxidation of the dipyrrinone subunit by singlet oxygen that leads to the formation of propentdyopents. Biological activities of these compounds, namely, effects on the superoxide production, lipoperoxidation, and tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolism, were also studied. Finally, different photochemical and biological properties of this BR subunit and its structural analogue, (Z)-vinylneoxanthobilirubic acid methyl ester, studied before, are discussed.

The Effects of Bilirubin and Lumirubin on the Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Cell-Derived Neural Stem Cells.

The 'gold standard' treatment of severe neonatal jaundice is phototherapy with blue-green light, which produces more polar photo-oxidation products that are easily excreted via the bile or urine. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of bilirubin (BR) and its major photo-oxidation product lumirubin (LR) on the proliferation, differentiation, morphology, and specific gene and protein expressions of self-renewing human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cells (NSC). Neither BR nor LR in biologically relevant concentrations (12.5 and 25 µmol/L) affected cell proliferation or the cell cycle phases of NSC. Although none of these pigments affected terminal differentiation to neurons and astrocytes, when compared to LR, BR exerted a dose-dependent cytotoxicity on self-renewing NSC. In contrast, LR had a substantial effect on the morphology of the NSC, inducing them to form highly polar rosette-like structures associated with the redistribution of specific cellular proteins (ß-catenin/N-cadherin) responsible for membrane polarity. This observation was accompanied by lower expressions of NSC-specific proteins (such as SOX1, NR2F2, or PAX6) together with the upregulation of phospho-ERK. Collectively, the data indicated that both BR and LR affect early human neurodevelopment in vitro, which may have clinical relevance in phototherapy-treated hyperbilirubinemic neonates.

Biochemical Background in Mitochondria Affects 2HG Production by IDH2 and ADHFE1 in Breast Carcinoma.

Mitochondrial production of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) can be catalyzed by wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) and alcohol dehydrogenase, iron-containing 1 (ADHFE1). We investigated whether biochemical background and substrate concentration in breast cancer cells promote 2HG production. To estimate its role in 2HG production, we quantified 2HG levels and its enantiomers in breast cancer cells using analytical approaches for metabolomics. By manipulation of mitochondrial substrate fluxes using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we demonstrated the existence of active competition between 2HG producing enzymes, i.e., IDH2 and ADHFE1. Moreover, we showed that distinct fractions of IDH2 enzyme molecules operate in distinct oxido-reductive modes, providing NADPH and producing 2HG simultaneously. We have also detected 2HG release in the urine of breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant therapy and detected a correlation with stages of breast carcinoma development. In summary, we provide a background for vital mitochondrial production of 2HG in breast cancer cells with outcomes towards cancer biology and possible future diagnosis of breast carcinoma.

The Effects of Bilirubin and Lumirubin on Metabolic and Oxidative Stress Markers.

For severe unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia the gold standard treatment is phototherapy with blue-green light, producing more polar photo-oxidation products, believed to be non-toxic. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of bilirubin (BR) and lumirubin (LR), the major BR photo-oxidation product, on metabolic and oxidative stress markers. The biological activities of these pigments were investigated on several human and murine cell lines, with the focus on mitochondrial respiration, substrate metabolism, reactive oxygen species production, and the overall effects on cell viability. Compared to BR, LR was found to be much less toxic, while still maintaining a similar antioxidant capacity in the serum as well as suppressing activity leading to mitochondrial superoxide production. Nevertheless, due to its lower lipophilicity, LR was less efficient in preventing lipoperoxidation. The cytotoxicity of BR was affected by the cellular glycolytic reserve, most compromised in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells. The observed effects were correlated with changes in the production of tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites. Both BR and LR modulated expression of PPARα downstream effectors involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. Proinflammatory effects of BR, evidenced by increased expression of TNFα upon exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharide, were observed in murine macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells. Collectively, these data point to the biological effects of BR and its photo-oxidation products, which might have clinical relevance in phototherapy-treated hyperbilirubinemic neonates and adult patients.