5-Methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (MICA) suppresses Aß-mediated pathology in C. elegans.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related disease characterized by loss of memory and disrupted thinking that is associated with altered energy metabolism. Variants of an important enzyme of energy metabolism, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (dld), have been genetically linked to late-onset AD. Moreover, reduced activity of DLD-containing enzyme complexes is associated with AD progression. To understand how energy metabolism influences AD progression, we exposed C. elegans expressing human Aß peptide to the chemical inhibitor of DLD, 2-methoxyindole-5-carboxylic acid (MICA). Expression of human Aß in C. elegans causes a variety of pathologies that can be used to monitor the efficacy of treatments against proteotixicity. We found that MICA alleviated the Aß-induced paralysis and improved cholinergic neurotransmission in C. elegans that express Aß in muscle cells. MICA also reduced both hypersensitivity to serotonin and perturbation of chemotaxis associated with neuronal expression of human Aß. Furthermore, low doses of MICA helped to alleviate an Aß-mediated decrease in fecundity. Protection against AD pathogenesis by MICA in the C. elegans model was associated with a decrease in Aß oligomerization that could be reversed by the calcium ionophore, A23187. MICA also caused a decrease in oxidative stress, which could also contribute to the protective effect of MICA against Aß toxicity.

Administration of 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid that potentially targets mitochondrial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase confers cerebral preconditioning against ischemic stroke injury.

The objective of this study was to investigate a possible role of mitochondrial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH) as a chemical preconditioning target for neuroprotection against ischemic injury. We used 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (MICA), a reportedly reversible DLDH inhibitor, as the preconditioning agent and administered MICA to rats mainly via dietary intake. Upon completion of 4 week's MICA treatment, rats underwent 1h transient ischemia and 24h reperfusion followed by tissue collection. Our results show that MICA protected the brain against ischemic stroke injury as the infarction volume of the brain from the MICA-treated group was significantly smaller than that from the control group. Data were then collected without or with stroke surgery following MICA feeding. It was found that in the absence of stroke following MICA feeding, DLDH activity was lower in the MICA treated group than in the control group, and this decreased activity could be partly due to DLDH protein sulfenation. Moreover, DLDH inhibition by MICA was also found to upregulate the expression of NAD(P)H-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1) via the Nrf2 signaling pathway. In the presence of stroke following MICA feeding, decreased DLDH activity and increased Nrf2 signaling were also observed along with increased NQO1 activity, decreased oxidative stress, decreased cell death, and increased mitochondrial ATP output. We also found that MICA had a delayed preconditioning effect four weeks post MICA treatment. Our study indicates that administration of MICA confers chemical preconditioning and neuroprotection against ischemic stroke injury.

NADH→NAD⁺ Transhydrogenation in Adult Ascaris suum Mitochondria.

Although lacking an NADPH→NAD(+) transhydrogenase system, the essentially energetically anaerobic mitochondria of the adult intestinal nematode Ascaris suum display an inner membrane-associated NADH→NAD(+) transhydrogenation reaction. This reaction is considered to be reflective of a mechanism(s) that acts in catalyzing a transmembrane translocation of reducing equivalents from NADH in the intermembrane space to matrix NAD(+), thereby forming matrix NADH that would serve in electron transport. Ascarid mitochondrial lipoamide dehydrogenase rather than an NADH→NAD(+) transhydrogenase system has been viewed as the predominant source of inner membrane-associated NADH→NAD(+) transhydrogenation activity. However, the present study made apparent yet another source of mitochondrial, inner membrane-associated NADH→NAD(+) activity in A. suum , viz., NADH dehydrogenase. This was made evident via comparisons of the A. suum mitochondrial NADH→NAD(+) transhydrogenation, NADH dehydrogenase, and lipoamide dehydrogenase activities in terms of pH effects, thermal labilities, the involvement of NADH dehydrogenase in the activities of mitochondrial, membrane-associated rotenone-insensitive and rotenone-sensitive NADH-dependent cytochrome c reductases, and mitochondrial membrane versus mitochondrial soluble localizations. Studies of the responses of the NADH→NAD(+) transhydrogenation, rotenone-insensitive and rotenone-sensitive cytochrome c reductases, and lipoamide dehydrogenase activities to inhibition by copper and cadmium lent additional support to the catalysis of an NADH→NAD(+) transhydrogenation activity by NADH dehydrogenase. Collectively, the data presented are consistent with an additional physiological catalysis of an NADH→NAD(+) transhydrogenation in A. suum mitochondria by an inner membrane NADH dehydrogenase component of the rotenone-sensitive cytochrome c reductase system, i.e., the NADH dehydrogenase component of the electron transport system. Comparisons of the A. suum data with those from other essentially anaerobic helminth parasites as well as free-living eukaryotic mitochondrial systems are noted.

Inhibiting sperm pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and its E3 subunit, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase affects fertilization in Syrian hamsters.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The importance of sperm capacitation for mammalian fertilization has been confirmed in the present study via sperm metabolism. Involvement of the metabolic enzymes pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) and its E3 subunit, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD) in hamster in vitro fertilization (IVF) via in vitro sperm capacitation is being proposed through regulation of sperm intracellular lactate, pH and calcium. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Capacitated hamster spermatozoa were allowed to fertilize hamster oocytes in vitro which were then assessed for fertilization, microscopically. PDHc/DLD was inhibited by the use of the specific DLD-inhibitor, MICA (5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid). Oocytes fertilized with MICA-treated (MT) [and thus PDHc/DLD-inhibited] spermatozoa showed defective fertilization where 2nd polar body release and pronuclei formation were not observed. Defective fertilization was attributable to capacitation failure owing to high lactate and low intracellular pH and calcium in MT-spermatozoa during capacitation. Moreover, this defect could be overcome by alkalinizing spermatozoa, before fertilization. Increasing intracellular calcium in spermatozoa pre-IVF and in defectively-fertilized oocytes, post-fertilization rescued the arrest seen, suggesting the role of intracellular calcium from either of the gametes in fertilization. Parallel experiments carried out with control spermatozoa capacitated in medium with low extracellular pH or high lactate substantiated the necessity of optimal sperm intracellular lactate levels, intracellular pH and calcium during sperm capacitation, for proper fertilization. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the importance of pyruvate/lactate metabolism in capacitating spermatozoa for successful fertilization, besides revealing for the first time the importance of sperm PDHc/ DLD in fertilization, via the modulation of sperm intracellular lactate, pH and calcium during capacitation. In addition, the observations made in the IVF studies in hamsters suggest that capacitation failures could be a plausible cause of unsuccessful fertilization encountered during human assisted reproductive technologies, like IVF and ICSI. Our studies indicate a role of sperm capacitation in the post-penetration events during fertilization.

Mitochondrial diaphorases as NAD⁺ donors to segments of the citric acid cycle that support substrate-level phosphorylation yielding ATP during respiratory inhibition.

Substrate-level phosphorylation mediated by succinyl-CoA ligase in the mitochondrial matrix produces high-energy phosphates in the absence of oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, when the electron transport chain is dysfunctional, provision of succinyl-CoA by the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC) is crucial for maintaining the function of succinyl-CoA ligase yielding ATP, preventing the adenine nucleotide translocase from reversing. We addressed the source of the NAD(+) supply for KGDHC under anoxic conditions and inhibition of complex I. Using pharmacologic tools and specific substrates and by examining tissues from pigeon liver exhibiting no diaphorase activity, we showed that mitochondrial diaphorases in the mouse liver contribute up to 81% to the NAD(+) pool during respiratory inhibition. Under these conditions, KGDHC's function, essential for the provision of succinyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA ligase, is supported by NAD(+) derived from diaphorases. Through this process, diaphorases contribute to the maintenance of substrate-level phosphorylation during respiratory inhibition, which is manifested in the forward operation of adenine nucleotide translocase. Finally, we show that reoxidation of the reducible substrates for the diaphorases is mediated by complex III of the respiratory chain.

TGL-mediated lipolysis in Manduca sexta fat body: possible roles for lipoamide-dehydrogenase (LipDH) and high-density lipophorin (HDLp).

Triglyceride-lipase (TGL) is a major fat body lipase in Manduca sexta. The knowledge of how TGL activity is regulated is very limited. A WWE domain, presumably involved in protein-protein interactions, has been previously identified in the N-terminal region of TGL. In this study, we searched for proteins partners that interact with the N-terminal region of TGL. Thirteen proteins were identified by mass spectrometry, and the interaction with four of these proteins was confirmed by immunoblot. The oxidoreductase lipoamide-dehydrogenase (LipDH) and the apolipoprotein components of the lipid transporter, HDLp, were among these proteins. LipDH is the common component of the mitochondrial α-keto acid dehydrogenase complexes whereas HDLp occurs in the hemolymph. However, subcellular fractionation demonstrated that these two proteins are relatively abundant in the soluble fraction of fat body adipocytes. The cofactor lipoate found in typical LipDH substrates was not detected in TGL. However, TGL proved to have critical thiol groups. Additional studies with inhibitors are consistent with the notion that LipDH acting as a diaphorase could preserve the activity of TGL by controlling the redox state of thiol groups. On the other hand, when TG hydrolase activity of TGL was assayed in the presence of HDLp, the production of diacylglycerol (DG) increased. TGL-HDLp interaction could drive the intracellular transport of DG. TGL may be directly involved in the lipoprotein assembly and loading with DG, a process that occurs in the fat body and is essential for insects to mobilize fatty acids. Overall the study suggests that TGL occurs as a multi-protein complex supported by interactions through the WWE domain.

Lipoamide channel-binding sulfonamides selectively inhibit mycobacterial lipoamide dehydrogenase.

Tuberculosis remains a global health emergency that calls for treatment regimens directed at new targets. Here we explored lipoamide dehydrogenase (Lpd), a metabolic and detoxifying enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) whose deletion drastically impairs Mtb's ability to establish infection in the mouse. Upon screening more than 1.6 million compounds, we identified N-methylpyridine 3-sulfonamides as potent and species-selective inhibitors of Mtb Lpd affording >1000-fold selectivity versus the human homologue. The sulfonamides demonstrated low nanomolar affinity and bound at the lipoamide channel in an Lpd-inhibitor cocrystal. Their selectivity could be attributed, at least partially, to hydrogen bonding of the sulfonamide amide oxygen with the species variant Arg93 in the lipoamide channel. Although potent and selective, the sulfonamides did not enter mycobacteria, as determined by their inability to accumulate in Mtb to effective levels or to produce changes in intracellular metabolites. This work demonstrates that high potency and selectivity can be achieved at the lipoamide-binding site of Mtb Lpd, a site different from the NAD⁺/NADH pocket targeted by previously reported species-selective triazaspirodimethoxybenzoyl inhibitors.

Reversible inactivation of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase by mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide.

Under oxidative stress conditions, mitochondria are the major site for cellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion and H2O2 that can attack numerous mitochondrial proteins including dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH). While DLDH is known to be vulnerable to oxidative inactivation, the mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. The present study was therefore designed to investigate the mechanisms of DLDH oxidative inactivation by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondria, isolated from rat brain, were incubated with mitochondrial respiratory substrates such as pyruvate/malate or succinate in the presence of electron transport chain inhibitors such as rotenone or antimycin A. This is followed by enzyme activity assay and gel-based proteomic analysis. The present study also examined whether ROS-induced DLDH oxidative inactivation could be reversed by reducing reagents such as DTT, cysteine, and glutathione. Results show that DLDH could only be inactivated by complex III- but not complex I-derived ROS; and the accompanying loss of activity due to the inactivation could be restored by cysteine and glutathione, indicating that DLDH oxidative inactivation by complex III-derived ROS was a reversible process. Further studies using catalase indicate that it was H2O2 instead of superoxide anion that was responsible for DLDH inactivation. Moreover, using sulfenic acid-specific labeling techniques in conjunction with two-dimensional Western blot analysis, we show that protein sulfenic acid formation (also known as sulfenation) was associated with the loss of DLDH enzymatic activity observed under our experimental conditions. Additionally, such oxidative modification was shown to be associated with preventing DLDH from further inactivation by the thiol-reactive reagent N-ethylmaleimide. Taken together, the present study provides insights into the mechanisms of DLDH oxidative inactivation by mitochondrial H2O2.

Association of lactate, intracellular pH, and intracellular calcium during capacitation and acrosome reaction: contribution of hamster sperm dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, the E3 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

The role of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), the E3 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) in hamster sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction has been implicated previously. In this study, attempt has been made to understand DLD/PDHc involvement from the perspective of pyruvate/lactate metabolism. Inhibition of DLD was achieved by the use of a specific inhibitor, 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid. It was seen that 5-methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid-treated spermatozoa with inhibited DLD (and PDHc) activity had lactate accumulation, which caused an initial lowering of the intracellular pH and calcium and an eventual block in capacitation and acrosome reaction. Collectively, the data reveal a significant contribution of the metabolic enzymes DLD and PDHc to lactate regulation in hamster spermatozoa during capacitation and acrosome reaction. Additionally, the importance of lactate regulation in the maintenance of sperm intracellular pH and calcium, two important physiologic factors essential for sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction, has also been established.

Contrasting effects of selenite and tellurite on lipoamide dehydrogenase activity suggest a different biological behaviour of the two chalcogens.

The effects of selenite and tellurite on the mammalian enzyme lipoamide dehydrogenase were compared. Selenite acts as a substrate of lipoamide dehydrogenase in a process requiring the presence of lipoamide. In contrast, tellurite is a potent inhibitor, effective in the low micromolar range. The inhibitory effect of tellurite on lipoamide dehydrogenase is partially reverted by dithiothreitol indicating the participation of the thiol groups of the enzyme. Tellurite, but not selenite, stimulates the diaphorase activity of lipoamide dehydrogenase. In a mitochondrial matrix protein preparation, which contains lipoamide dehydrogenase, an inhibitory action similar to that observed on the purified enzyme was also elicited by tellurite. Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293 T) treated with tellurite show a partial inhibition of lipoamide dehydrogenase. In addition to the toxicological implications of tellurium compounds, the reported results suggest that tellurite and its derivatives can be used as potential tools for studying biochemical reactions.

Disruption of ptLPD1 or ptLPD2, genes that encode isoforms of the plastidial lipoamide dehydrogenase, confers arsenate hypersensitivity in Arabidopsis.

Arsenic is a ubiquitous environmental poison that inhibits root elongation and seed germination to a variable extent depending on the plant species. To understand the molecular mechanisms of arsenic resistance, a genetic screen was developed to isolate arsenate overly sensitive (aos) mutants from an activation-tagged Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) population. Three aos mutants were isolated, and the phenotype of each was demonstrated to be due to an identical disruption of plastidial LIPOAMIDE DEHYDROGENASE1 (ptLPD1), a gene that encodes one of the two E3 isoforms found in the plastidial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. In the presence of arsenate, ptlpd1-1 plants exhibited reduced root and shoot growth and enhanced anthocyanin accumulation compared with wild-type plants. The ptlpd1-1 plants accumulated the same amount of arsenic as wild-type plants, indicating that the aos phenotype was not due to increased arsenate in the tissues but to an increase in the innate sensitivity to the poison. Interestingly, a ptlpd1-4 knockdown allele produced a partial aos phenotype. Two loss-of-function alleles of ptLPD2 in Arabidopsis also caused elevated arsenate sensitivity, but the sensitivity was less pronounced than for the ptlpd1 mutants. Moreover, both the ptlpd1 and ptlpd2 mutants were more sensitive to arsenite than wild-type plants, and the LPD activity in isolated chloroplasts from wild-type plants was sensitive to arsenite but not arsenate. These findings show that the ptLPD isoforms are critical in vivo determinants of arsenite-mediated arsenic sensitivity in Arabidopsis and possible strategic targets for increasing arsenic tolerance.

Triazaspirodimethoxybenzoyls as selective inhibitors of mycobacterial lipoamide dehydrogenase .

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) remains the leading single cause of death from bacterial infection. Here we explored the possibility of species-selective inhibition of lipoamide dehydrogenase (Lpd), an enzyme central to Mtb's intermediary metabolism and antioxidant defense. High-throughput screening of combinatorial chemical libraries identified triazaspirodimethoxybenzoyls as high-nanomolar inhibitors of Mtb's Lpd that were noncompetitive versus NADH, NAD(+), and lipoamide and >100-fold selective compared to human Lpd. Efficacy required the dimethoxy and dichlorophenyl groups. The structure of an Lpd-inhibitor complex was resolved to 2.42 A by X-ray crystallography, revealing that the inhibitor occupied a pocket adjacent to the Lpd NADH/NAD(+) binding site. The inhibitor did not overlap with the adenosine moiety of NADH/NAD(+) but did overlap with positions predicted to bind the nicotinamide rings in NADH and NAD(+) complexes. The dimethoxy ring occupied a deep pocket adjacent to the FAD flavin ring where it would block coordination of the NADH nicotinamide ring, while the dichlorophenyl group occupied a more exposed pocket predicted to coordinate the NAD(+) nicotinamide. Several residues that are not conserved between the bacterial enzyme and its human homologue were predicted to contribute both to inhibitor binding and to species selectivity, as confirmed for three residues by analysis of the corresponding mutant Mtb Lpd proteins. Thus, nonconservation of residues lining the electron-transfer tunnel in Mtb Lpd can be exploited for development of species-selective Lpd inhibitors.

2,3-diphenyl-1,4-naphthoquinone: a potential chemotherapeutic agent against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is a widespread infection in Latin America. Currently, only 2 partially effective and highly toxic drugs, i.e., benznidazole and nifurtimox, are available for the treatment of this disease, and several efforts are underway in the search for better chemotherapeutic agents. Here, we have determined the trypanocidal activity of 2,3-diphenyl-1 ,4-naphthoquinone (DPNQ), a novel quinone derivative. In vitro, DPNQ was highly cytotoxic at a low, micromolar concentration (LD50 = 2.5 microM) against epimastigote, cell-derived trypomastigote, and intracellular amastigote forms of T. cruzi, but not against mammalian cells (LD50 = 130 microM). In vivo studies on the murine model of Chagas disease revealed that DPNQ-treated animals (3 doses of 10 mg/kg/day) showed a significant delay in parasitemia peak and higher (up to 60%) survival rate 70 days post-infection, when compared with the control group (infected, untreated). We also observed a 2-fold decrease in parasitemia between the control group (infected, untreated) and the treated group (infected, treated). No apparent drug toxicity effects were noticed in the control group (uninfected, treated). In addition, we determined that DPNQ is the first competitive inhibitor of T. cruzi lipoamide dehydrogenase (TcLipDH) thus far described. Our results indicate that DPNQ is a promising chemotherapeutic agent against T. cruzi.

Lipoamide dehydrogenase and diaphorase catalyzed conversion of some NO donors to NO and reduction of NO scavenger 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO).

One of the key functions of nitric oxide (NO) in human is to dilate blood vessels. We tested glycerol trinitrate (GTN) and other well-known NO donors together with those bearing a >C=N-OH group for possible conversion to NO (or nitrites, respectively) by diaphorase (DP) and lipoamide dehydrogenase (LAD). Both, DP and LAD were unable to convert formamidoxime (FAM), acetone oxime (AC), acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) and Nomega-hydroxy-L-arginine (L-NOHA). On the other hand, we observed good conversion of GTN without the requirement of superoxide anion. However, superoxide anion participated to a varying extent in the conversion of other donors (formaldoxime (FAL), acetaldoxime (AO), nitroprusside (NP), S-nitrosoglutathione (SNOG), S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and hydroxylamine (HA)). All DP- and LAD-mediated reactions were inhibited by diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI), (an inhibitor of flavine enzymes), in a concentration-dependent manner. For these inhibition reactions we determined Ki and IC50 values. In addition, we found that conversion of SNOG was significantly accelerated by glutathione reductase (GTR). Like with DP, 2-phenyl- 4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO) was reduced also by LAD and thioredoxin reductase (TRR). In summary, we found that LAD significantly accelerates the conversion of a defined subset of NO donors to NO, especially GTN, and eliminates the NO scavenging effect of PTIO.

NADPH-dependent coenzyme Q reductase is the main enzyme responsible for the reduction of non-mitochondrial CoQ in cells.

We purified an NADPH-dependent coenzyme Q reductase (NADPH-CoQ reductase) in rat liver cytosol and compared its enzymatic properties with those of the other CoQ10 reductases such as NADPH: quinone acceptor oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), lipoamide dehydrogenase, thioredoxine reductase and glutathione reductase. NADPH-CoQ reductase was the only enzyme that preferred NADPH to NADH as an electron donor and was also different from the other CoQ10 reductases in the sensitivities to its inhibitors and stimulators. Especially, Zn2+ was the most powerful inhibitor for NADPH-CoQ reductase, but CoQ10 reduction by the other CoQ10 reductases could not be inhibited by Zn2+. Furthermore, the reduction of the CoQ9 incorporated into HeLa cells was also inhibited by Zn2+ in the presence of pyrithione, a zinc ionophore. Moreover, NQO1 gene silencing in HeLa cells by transfection of a small interfering RNA resulted in lowering of both the NQO1 protein level and the NQO1 activity by about 75%. However, this transfection did not affect the NADPH-CoQ reductase activity and the reduction of CoQ9 incorporated into the cells. These results suggest that the NADPH-CoQ reductase located in cytosol may be the main enzyme responsible for the reduction of non-mitochondrial CoQ in cells.

Cytotoxic interactions of methylene blue with trypanosomatid-specific disulfide reductases and their dithiol products.

Methylene blue (MB) is known to have trypanocidal activity. We tested the interactions of MB with a number of trypanosomatid-specific molecules of the antioxidant metabolism. At pH 7, trypanothione and other (di)thiols were oxidized to disulfides by the phenothiazine drug. MB inhibited Trypanosoma cruzi trypanothione reductase (TR) (K(i)=1.9 microM), and served as a significant subversive substrate of this enzyme (K(M)=30 microM, k(cat)=4.9s(-1)). With lipoamide dehydrogenase, the second thiol-generating flavoenzyme of T. cruzi, the catalytic efficiency for MB reduction was found to be almost 10(6)M(-1)s(-1). When the system MB-enzyme-molecular oxygen acts as a NAD(P)H-driven redox cycler, a reactive oxygen species, H(2)O(2) or superoxide, is produced in each cycle. Since MB is an affordable, available, and accessible drug it might be tested--alone or in drug combinations--against trypanosomatid-caused diseases of animal and man.

Valproic acid metabolites inhibit dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase activity leading to impaired 2-oxoglutarate-driven oxidative phosphorylation.

The effect of the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) was investigated in vitro. Two experimental approaches were used, in the presence of selected respiratory-chain substrates: (1) formation of ATP in digitonin permeabilized rat hepatocytes and (2) measurement of the rate of oxygen consumption by polarography in rat liver mitochondria. VPA (0.1-1.0 mM) was found to inhibit oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis under state 3 conditions with glutamate and 2-oxoglutarate as respiratory substrates. No inhibitory effect on OXPHOS was observed when succinate (plus rotenone) was used as substrate. We tested the hypothesis that dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (DLDH) might be a direct target of VPA, especially its acyl-CoA intermediates. Valproyl-CoA (0.5-1.0 mM) and valproyl-dephosphoCoA (0.5-1.0 mM) both inhibited the DLDH activity, acting apparently by different mechanisms. The decreased activity of DLDH induced by VPA metabolites may, at least in part, account for the impaired rate of oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis in mitochondria if 2-oxoglutarate or glutamate were used as respiratory substrates, thus limiting the flux of these substrates through the citric acid cycle.

Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase as target for phenothiazine cationic radicals. Effect of antioxidants.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), myoglobin (Mb) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), catalyzed the generation of radical-cations by one-electron oxidation of phenothiazines (PTZ). The transient formation of these radicals (PTZ+.) was confirmed by ESR and optical spectroscopy. These species are reactive towards Trypanosoma cruzi LADH (T. cruzi LADH), T. cruzi trypanothione reductase (T. cruzi TR) and possibly other macromolecule targets. Both T. cruzi enzymes were irreversibly inactivated. T. cruzi LADH inactivation depended on: a) PTZ structure, peroxidase nature and the rate production of PTZ+. radical cations; b) incubation time; c) the presence of an antioxidant that intercepts free radicals. The production of PTZ+. radical cations, which is essential for T. cruzi LADH inactivation, is correlated with the electron donor ability of the substrates, as qualified by the Hammett sigmapara constant for the subtituent in the 2-position of the PTZ. Promazine (PZ), trimeprazine (TMPZ) and thioridazine (TRDZ) were the most effective inactivating agents, whereas trifluophenothiazines with CF3 group at 2-position (Trifluoperazine (TFP), fluphenazine (FFZ) and trifluopromazine (TFPZ)), and propericyazine (PCYZ) with CN group at 2-position, were much less active or inactive, all in close agreement with their higher or lowest electron donor ability, respectively. Comparison of inactivation values for T. cruzi LADH and mammalian heart LADH demonstrated a greater sensitivity of T. cruzi LADH to various PTZ studied. Thiol compounds, tyrosine, dopa, tryptophan, NADH, ascorbate and trolox prevented T. cruzi LADH inactivation by the peroxidase/H2O2 systems in agreement with their ability to suppress PTZ+. radical cations. The role of these radicals as enzyme inhibitors, or as generators of secondary free radicals and metabolite depletors may contribute to explain the trypanocidal effect as well as other chemotherapeutic actions of PTZ.

Inactivación de la dihidrolipoamida deshidrogenasa de Trypanosoma cruzi por fenotiazinas en presencia de citocromo c y peróxido de hidrógeno: efectos de los antioxidantes / Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase is inactivated by phenothiazines in the presence of cytochrome c and hydrogen peroxide: effects of antioxidants

El citocromo c catalizó la oxidación de las fenotiazinas (FTZ) en presencia de peróxido de hidrógeno. La formación del radical catiónico de promazina (PZ+.) se demostró por espectrofo-tometría y por su conversión a promazina sulfóxido La dihidrolipoamida deshidrogenasa (LADH) del Trypanosoma cruzi es inhibida irreversiblemente por el sistema citocromo c/H2O2 complementado con fenotiazinas. La inactivación de la LADH del parásito varía según la estructura de las FTZ, el tiempo de incubación del sistema pro-oxidante con la LADH, y la presencia de un antioxidante supresor de radicales FTZ+. Entre las 12 FTZ ensayadas, la promazina (PZ), tioridazina (TRDZ) y trimeprazina (TMPZ) fueron las más efectivas produciendo inactivaciones de 82 por ciento,76 por ciento y 72 por ciento, respectivamente, a los 90 min de incubación. El efecto de PZ (con grupo alquilamino en la posición N 10) disminuyó por modificación de su estructura en la posición 2 (efecto inactivante de PZ > cloropromazina (CPZ) > propionilpromazina (PPZ) > trifluopromazina (TFPZ) o en la posición 10 ( efecto inactivante de PZ > TMPZ > prometazina (PMTZ).El efecto de las FTZ con sustituyente piperidinil en N 10 dependió del grupo de la posición 2 ( SCH3, en TRDZ de mayor efecto; CN, en propericiazina (PCYZ), la de menor efecto entre las FTZ estudiadas). Parece que la presencia del sustituyente piperazinil en posición N 10 no tiene función importante en el efecto inactivante de las FTZ, el cual dependió de la estructura del grupo en la posición 2. El efecto de los compuestos con Cl en posición 2 (CPZ, procloroperazina (PCP), perfenazina (PFZ)) fue mayor que el obtenido con los compuestos CF3 (TFPZ, trifluoroperazina (TFP), flufenazina (FFZ), e independiente de la estructura del sustituyente N 10.El efecto de las FTZ sobre la LADH de T. cruzi depende, por lo menos en parte, de la estabilidad de los radicales FTZ+. generados por la actividad peroxidasa. La LADH T c, en comparación con la LADH de mamífero...

Cytochrome c catalyzed the oxidation of phenothiazines (PTZ) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The transient formation of the promazine radical cation (PZ+.) has been demonstrated by light absorption measurements as well as by its conversión to promazine sulfoxide. Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH T c) was irreversibly inhibited by treatment with cytochrome c (cyt c)/H2O2 system supplemented with PTZ. LADH T c inactivation depended on a) The PTZ structure b) Time of incubación with the complete oxidant system c) The presence of an antioxidant that intercept free radicals. PZ, thioridazine (TRDZ) and trimeprazine (TMPZ), were the most effective systems out of twelve PTZ studied, with inactivation values of 82, 76 and 72%, respectively, after 90 min of incubation. LADH T c inactivation by PZ (with alkylamine substituent at N 10 position) decreased by its structural modification at 2 position (inactivation PZ > chlorpromazine (CPZ) > propionylpromazine (PPZ)>trifluopromazine (TFPZ)) or at N 10 position (inactivation PZ > TMPZ > promethazine (PMTZ)) PTZ activity with piperidinyl substituent at N10 position depended on the group at 2 position (TRDZ, with thiomethyl group, has high inactivating effect on LADH T c; propericyazine (PCYZ), with cyano group, is much less active). Apparently, piperazinyl substituent at the N10 position on the phenothiazine have not an important function in the compound's inactivating effect on LADH T c. The effect of PTZ with Cl at 2 position (CPZ, prochlorperazine (PCP), perphenazine (PFZ)) was higher than the effect of compounds with CF3 in the same position (TFPZ,trifluoperazine (TFP),fluphenazine (FFZ) ) independent on the structure of substituents at N10 position. Production of PTZ+. radicals was essential for LADH T c inactivation and this effect depended on the stability of these free radicals. Comparision of inactivation values for LADH T c and mammalian LADH demonstrated...

Phenothiazine radicals inactivate Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase: enzyme protection by radical scavengers.

Phenothiazine cation radicals (PTZ+*) irreversibly inactivated Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH). These radicals were obtained by phenothiazine (PTZ) peroxidation with myeloperoxidase (MPO) or horseradish peroxidase (HRP/H2O2) systems. LADH inactivation depended on PTZ structure and incubation time. After 10 min incubation of LADH with the MPO-dependent systems, promazine, trimeprazine and thioridazine were the most effective; after 30 min incubation, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine and promethazine were similarly effective. HRP-dependent systems were equally or more effective than the corresponding MPO-dependent ones. Chloro, trifluoro, propionyl and nitrile groups at position 2 of the PTZ ring significantly decreased molecular activity, specially with the MPO/H2O2 systems. Comparison of inactivation values for LADH and T. cruzi trypanothione reductase demonstrated a greater sensitivity of LADH to chlorpromazine and perphenazine and a 10-fold lower sensitivity to promazine, thioridazine and trimeprazine. Alkylamino, alkyl-piperidinyl or alkyl-piperazinyl groups at position 10 modulated PTZ activity to a limited degree. Production of PTZ+* radicals was demonstrated by optical and ESR spectroscopy methods. PTZ+* radicals stability depended on their structure as demonstrated by promazine and thioridazine radicals. Thiol compounds such as GSH and N-acetylcysteine, L-tyrosine, L-tryptophan, the corresponding peptides, ascorbate and Trolox, prevented LADH inactivation by the MPO/H2O2/thioridazine system, in close agreement with their action as PTZ+* scavengers. NADH (not NAD+) produced transient protection of LADH against thioridazine and promazine radicals, the protection kinetics being affected by the relatively fast rate of NADH oxidation by these radicals. The role of the observed effects of PTZ radicals for PTZ cytotoxicity is discussed.