Nitration Of Bovine Serum Albumin Research Articles

Protein nitration induced by Hemin/NO: A complementary mechanism through the catalytic functions of hemin and NO-scavenging

Hemin and heme-peroxidases have been considered essential catalysts for the nitrite/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated protein nitration in vitro, understood as one of the main pathways for protein modification in biological systems. However, the role of nitric oxide (●NO) in the heme/hemin-induced protein nitration has not been studied in-depth. This is despite its reductive nitrosylating effects following binding to hemin and the possible involvement of the reactive nitrogen species in the nitration of various functional proteins. Here, the ●NO-binding affinity of hemin has been studied along with the influence of ●NO on the internalization of hemin into MDA-MB-231 cells and the accompanying changes in the profile of intracellular nitrated proteins. Moreover, to further understand the mechanism involved, bovine serum albumin (BSA) nitration was studied after treatment with hemin and ●NO, with an investigation of the effects of pH of the reaction medium, generation of H2O2, and the oxidation of the tyrosine residues as the primary sites for the nitration. We demonstrated that hemin nitrosylation enhanced its cellular uptake and induced the one-electron oxidation and nitration of different intracellular proteins along with its ●NO-scavenging efficiency. Moreover, the hemin/NO-mediated BSA nitration was proved to be dependent on the concentration of ●NO and the pH of the reaction medium, with a vital role being played by the scavenging effects of protein for the free hemin molecules. Collectively, our results reaffirm the involvement of hemin and ●NO in the nitration mechanism, where the nitrosylation products can induce protein nitration while promoting the effects of the components of the nitrite/H2O2-mediated pathway.

Discovery of Flazin, an Alkaloid Isolated from Cherry Tomato Juice, As a Novel Non-Enzymatic Protein Glycation Inhibitor via in Vitro and in Silico Studies.

Both overproduced reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species and hyperglycemic conditions accompany a significant increase in protein glycation and nitration that contribute to the initiation and progression of diabetic complications and neuronal disorders. In this study, 19 compounds, including steroidal saponins, alkaloids, cerebroside, phenolic compounds, sterols, and nucleosides, were isolated from cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) juice, of which flazin showed good inhibition on monosaccharide-induced non-enzymatic bovine pancreas insulin and bovine serum albumin (BSA) glycation. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that flazin continuously interacts with Phe1, Val2, Tyr26, and Lys29 insulin residues, which play a key role in insulin glycation/dimerization. In addition, depending upon the flazin dose, this blocked the tyrosine nitration of BSA via scavenging peroxynitrite anions. Taken together, our novel findings suggest that flazin could be a lead compound for the treatment of diabetes and neuronal disorders via the inhibition of non-enzymatic protein glycation and the elimination of peroxynitrite.

The oxidative reactivity of three manganese(III) porphyrin complexes with hydrogen peroxide and nitrite toward catalytic nitration of protein tyrosine.

Understanding the toxicological properties of MnIII-porphyrins (MnTPPS, MnTMPyP, or MnTBAP) can provide important biochemical rationales in developing them as the therapeutic drugs against protein tyrosine nitration-induced inflammation diseases. Here, we present a comprehensive understanding of the pH-dependent redox behaviors of these MnIII-porphyrins and their structural effects on catalyzing bovine serum albumin (BSA) nitration in the presence of H2O2 and NO2-. It was found that both MnTPPS and MnTBAP stand out in catalyzing BSA nitration at physiologically close condition (pH 8), yet they are less effective at pH 6 and 10. MnTMPyP was shown to have no ability to catalyze BSA nitration under all tested pHs (pH 6, 8, and 10). The kinetics and active intermediate determination through electrochemistry method revealed that both the pH-dependent redox behavior of the central metal cation and the antioxidant capability of porphin derivative contribute to the catalytic activities of three MnIII-porphyrins in BSA nitration in the presence of H2O2/NO2-. These comprehensive studies on the oxidative reactivity of MnIII-porphyrins toward BSA nitration may provide new clues for searching the manganese-based therapeutic drugs against the inflammation-related diseases.

Interaction of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase with Rac2 Regulates Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species Generation in the Human Neutrophil Phagosomes: Implication in Microbial Killing

Present study explores importance of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and its interaction with Rac2 in reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS) generation, protein-nitration and in microbial killing by neutrophils. The iNOS transcript and protein were constitutively present in human as well as in mice neutrophils. iNOS protein was found in cytosol, granules containing elastase and gelatinase, and in other subcellular organelles in resting human neutrophils. After phagocytosis of bovine serum albumin (BSA) coated beads, both human and mice neutrophils showed significant elevation in superoxide radicals, nitric oxide (NO), ROS/RNS and consequent BSA nitration. These responses were significantly reduced in presence of iNOS, NADPH oxidase (NOX), myeloperoxidase or Rac inhibitors, as well as in iNOS, Nox2 and Rac2 silenced human or iNOS-knockout mice neutrophils. Complex formed on interaction of iNOS with Rac2 coprecipitated with anti-Rac2, predominantly in cytosol in resting human neutrophils, while iNOS-Rac2 complex translocated to phagosomes after phagocytosis. This was accompanied by generation of superoxide radicals, NO, ROS/RNS and consequent BSA-nitration. Importance of Rac2 in iNOS mediated NO formation and microbial killing was confirmed by pretreatment of mice with Rac inhibitor, NSC23766 that significantly abrogated NO release and microbial killing in vivo. Present study highlights previously undefined role of Rac2-iNOS interaction, in translocation of iNOS to phagosomal compartment and consequent NO, superoxide radicals, ROS/RNS generation, BSA nitration and microbial killing. Altogether results obtained demonstrate the role of iNOS in NO and ROS/RNS generation, after phagocytosis of coated latex beads by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils. These studies imply functional importance of iNOS and its interaction with Rac2 in pathogen killing by the neutrophils.

Carnosic acid protects against ROS/RNS-induced protein damage and upregulates HO-1 expression in RAW264.7 macrophages

The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) is a deleterious process that can be an important mediator of damage to cell structures including protein, lipid and DNA, and consequently leads to various disease states and senescence. In the present study, the protective effects of carnosic acid (CA) on ROS/RNS-induced protein damages were examined. CA dose-dependently decreased the fragmentation, carbonylation, and nitration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in AAPH and Hemin/nitrite/H2O2 incubation systems, respectively. Moreover, CA effectively attenuated protein carbonylations in the radical-treated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, after pretreatments of RAW264.7 macrophages with CA, the generation of ROS and NO induced by AAPH and H2O2 or LPS were significantly suppressed, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression was time- and dose-dependently upregulated. Hence, our results indicated that CA might be beneficial for cellular proteins in oxidative stress or inflammation conditions by alleviating ROS/RNS generation and inducing the expression of antioxidant enzyme HO-1.

Spirodiazaselenuranes: synthesis, structure and antioxidant activity

In this paper, the synthesis, characterization and glutathione peroxidase and peroxynitrite scavenging activities of a series of stable spirodiazaselenuranes are described. The spiro compounds were synthesized in good yields by oxidative cyclization of diaryl selenides bearing amide moieties. All the selenides and spiro derivatives were characterized by (1)H, (13)C and (77)Se NMR spectroscopy, mass spectral techniques and the structures of some of the spirodiazaselenuranes were confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structures reveal that the selenium atom occupies the center of a distorted trigonal bipyramid core with two nitrogen atoms occupying the apical positions and two carbon atoms and the selenium lone pair occupying the equatorial positions. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the spirocyclization occurs via the formation of selenoxide intermediates. The new compounds were evaluated for their glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mimetic activity by using H(2)O(2) as a substrate and glutathione (GSH) as a co-substrate. It was found that the substituents attached to the nitrogen atom of the selenazole ring have a significant effect on the GPx activity. While the introduction of electron withdrawing groups such as -Cl, -Br etc. to the phenyl ring decreases the activity, the introduction of electron donating groups such as -OH, -OMe significantly enhances the GPx activity of both diaryl selenides and spirodiazaselenuranes. In addition to GPx activity, the selenides and spiro derivatives were studied for their ability to inhibit peroxynitrite (PN)-mediated nitration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123. These studies indicate that the diarylselenides effectively inhibit the PN-mediated nitration and oxidation reactions by reacting with PN to produce the corresponding spirodiazaselenuranes.

Inhibition of reactive nitrogen species invitro and exvivo by thioredoxin h2 from sweet potato ‘Tainong 57’ storage roots

In this study, the ability of thioredoxin h2 (TRX h2) expressed in Escherichia coli to scavenge ON and ONOO− were investigated. The data obtained show that TRX h2 generated a dose-dependent inhibition on production of nitrite and superoxide radicals. TRX h2 also caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) by peroxynitrite. Spectrophotometric analyses revealed that TRX h2 suppressed the formation of ONOO−-mediated tyrosine nitration through an electron donation mechanism. In further studies, TRX h2 also showed a significant ability of inhibiting the nitration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo TRX h2 inhibited LPS-induced nitrite production in macrophage in a concentration-dependent manner. The present study suggested that TRX h2 had an efficient reactive nitrogen species scavenging ability. TRX h2 might be a potential effective NO and ONOO− scavenger useful for the prevention of the NO and ONOO− involved diseases.

Synthesis and Antioxidant Activity of Peptide‐Based Ebselen Analogues

A series of di- and tripeptide-based ebselen analogues has been synthesized. The compounds were characterized by (1)H, (13)C, and (77)Se NMR spectroscopy and mass spectral techniques. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like antioxidant activity has been studied by using H(2)O(2) , tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH), and cumene hydroperoxide (Cum-OOH) as substrates, and glutathione (GSH) as a cosubstrate. Although all the peptide-based compounds have a selenazole ring similar to that of ebselen, the GPx activity of these compounds highly depends on the nature of the peptide moiety attached to the nitrogen atom of the selenazole ring. It was observed that the introduction of a phenylalanine (Phe) amino acid residue in the N-terminal reduces the activity in all three peroxide systems. On the other hand, the introduction of aliphatic amino acid residues such as valine (Val) significantly enhances the GPx activity of the ebselen analogues. The difference in the catalytic activity of dipeptide-based ebselen derivatives can be ascribed mainly to the change in the reactivity of these compounds toward GSH and peroxide. Although the presence of the Val-Ala-CO(2) Me moiety facilitates the formation of a catalytically active selenol species, the reaction of ebselen analogues that has a Phe-Ile-CO(2) Me residue with GSH does not generate the corresponding selenol. To understand the antioxidant activity of the peptide-based ebselen analogues in the absence of GSH, these compounds were studied for their ability to inhibit peroxynitrite (PN)-mediated nitration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123. In contrast to the GPx activity, the PN-scavenging activity of the Phe-based peptide analogues was found to be comparable to that of the Val-based compounds. However, the introduction of an additional Phe residue to the ebselen analogue that had a Val-Ala dipeptide significantly reduced the potency of the parent compound in PN-mediated nitration.

Resveratrol, a dietary polyphenolic phytoalexin, is a functional scavenger of peroxynitrite

Oxidant damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) is a major contributor to the cellular damage seen in numerous types of renal injury. Resveratrol ( trans-3,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene) is a phytoalexin found naturally in many common food sources. The anti-oxidant properties of resveratrol are of particular interest because of the fundamental role that oxidant damage plays in numerous forms of kidney injury. To examine whether resveratrol could block damage to the renal epithelial cell line, mIMCD-3, cells were exposed to the peroxynitrite donor 5-amino-3-(4-morpholinyl)-1,2,3-oxadiazolium chloride (SIN-1). Resveratrol produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of cytotoxicity induced by SIN-1. To examine the mechanism of protection, resveratrol was incubated with authentic peroxynitrite and found to block nitration of bovine serum albumin with an EC 50 value of 22.7 μM, in contrast to the known RNS scavenger, N-acetyl- l-cysteine, which inhibited nitration with an EC 50 value of 439 μM. These data suggested that resveratrol could provide functional protection by directly scavenging peroxynitrite. To examine whether resveratrol was a substrate for peroxynitrite oxidation, resveratrol was reacted with authentic peroxynitrite. Resveratrol nitration products and dimers were detected using liquid chromatograph with tandem electrospray mass spectrometry. Similar products were detected in the media of cells treated with SIN-1 and resveratrol. Taken collectively, the data suggest that resveratrol is able to provide functional protection of renal tubular cells, at least in part, by directly scavenging the RNS peroxynitrite. This property of resveratrol may contribute to the understanding of its anti-oxidant activities.

Inhibition of peroxidase-catalyzed protein tyrosine nitration by antithyroid drugs and their analogues

In this paper, we describe the effect of some commonly used thiourea-based antithyroid drugs and their analogues on the peroxidase-catalyzed nitration reactions. The nitration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and cytochrome c was studied using the antibody against 3-nitro- l-tyrosine. This study reveals that the thione-based antithyroid drugs effectively inhibit lactoperoxidase (LPO)-catalyzed nitration of BSA. These compounds show very weak inhibition towards the nitration of cytochrome c. Some of these compounds also inhibit myeloperoxidase (MPO)-catalyzed nitration of l-tyrosine. A structure–activity correlation study on the peroxidase-catalyzed nitration of l-tyrosine reveals that the presence of thione/selone moiety is important for the inhibition. Although the presence of a free N–H group adjacent to C S moiety is necessary for most of the thiones to inhibit the LPO-catalyzed nitration, the corresponding selones do not require the presence of any free N–H group for their activity. Furthermore, experiments with different concentrations of H 2O 2 suggest that the antithyroid drugs and related thiones inhibit the nitration reaction mainly by coordinating to the Fe(III)-center of the enzyme active site as previously proposed for the inhibition of peroxidase-catalyzed iodination. On the other hand, the selenium compounds inhibit the nitration by scavenging H 2O 2 without interacting with the enzyme active site. This assumption is based on the observations that catalase effectively inhibits tyrosine nitration by scavenging H 2O 2, which is one of the substrates for the nitration. In contrast, superoxide dismutase (SOD) does not alter the nitration reactions, indicating the absence of superoxide radical anion (O 2 - ) during the peroxidase-catalyzed nitration reactions.

Peroxynitrite Elevation in Exhaled Breath Condensate of COPD and Its Inhibition by Fudosteine

Peroxynitrite (PN) formed by the reaction of nitric oxide and superoxide is a powerful oxidant/nitrosant. Nitrative stress is implicated in COPD pathogenesis, but PN has not been detected due to a short half-life (< 1 s) at physiologic condition. Instead, 3-nitrotyrosine has been measured as a footprint of PN release. PN was measured using oxidation of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (DCDHF) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) collected in high pH and sputum cells. The PN scavenging effect was also evaluated by the same system as PN-induced bovine serum albumin (BSA) nitration. The mean (+/- SD) PN levels in EBC of COPD patients (7.9 +/- 3.0 nmol/L; n = 10) were significantly higher than those of healthy volunteers (2.0 +/- 1.1 nmol/L; p < 0.0001; n = 8) and smokers (2.8 +/- 0.9 nmol/L; p = 0.0017; n = 6). There was a good correlation between PN level and disease severity (FEV(1)) in COPD (p = 0.0016). Fudosteine (FDS), a unique mucolytic antioxidant, showed a stronger scavenging effect of PN than N-acetyl-cysteine on DCDHF oxidation in vitro and in sputum macrophages, and also on PN-induced BSA nitration. FDS (0.1 mmol/L) reduced PN-enhanced interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced IL-8 release and restored corticosteroid sensitivity defected by PN more potently than those induced by H(2)O(2) in A549 airway epithelial cells. This noninvasive PN measurement in EBC may be useful for monitoring airway nitrative stress in COPD. Furthermore, FDS has the potential to inhibit PN-induced events in lung by its scavenging effect.

Completely Different Effects of Desferrioxamine on Hemin/Nitrite/H2O2-Induced Bovine Serum Albumin Nitration and Oxidation

Protein tyrosine nitration is becoming increasingly recognized as a prevalent post-translational modification that could serve as a biomarker of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated oxidative stress. One received protein nitration model is the heme- or hemoprotein-dependent pathway that involves the contribution of iron and the formation of free radicals. Therefore, the iron chelating agent desferrioxamine (DFO) can affect the development of oxidative and nitrative stress. In the hemin/nitrite/H2O2 system-induced bovine serum albumin (BSA) nitration and oxidation model, BSA was analyzed for 3-nitrotyosine and carbonyl groups measured by spectrophotometry, SDS-PAGE, and Western blotting upon exposure to DFO. The results showed a significant dose-dependent inhibitory effect of DFO on BSA nitration, while an enhancement on oxidation was surprisingly observed. The promotion on protein oxidation could not be the result of the formation of ferrioxamine since the antinitration and prooxidant effect of DFO was abolished when it combined with Fe3+ to form ferrioxamine. Our studies also indicated that the abnormal effect of DFO on promoting protein oxidation probably originated from the hemin-DFO complex, which needs further study. The completely different effects of DFO on hemin-induced protein tyrosine nitration and protein oxidation should be taken into account when DFO is used in experimental and clinical applications.

Nano titanium dioxide photocatalytic protein tyrosine nitration: A potential hazard of TiO 2 on skin

Protein tyrosine nitration is a prevalent post-translational modification which occurs as a result of oxidative and nitrative stress, it may be directly involved in the onset and/or progression of diseases. Considering the existence of nano titanium dioxide (TiO 2) in environment and sunscreen products along with the high content of nitrite in sweat, the UV-exposed skin may be a significant target for the photosensitized damage. In this paper, tyrosine nitration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was initiated in the UV-irradiated reaction mixture containing 0.2–3.0 mg/ml of three commercially nano TiO 2 products and 0.25–1.0 mM NO 2 - . It was found that anatase TiO 2 and Degussa P25 TiO 2 showed prominent photocatalytic activity on promoting the formation of protein tyrosine nitration, and the optimum condition for the reaction was around physiological pH. Meanwhile, the photocatalytic effect of rutile on protein tyrosine nitration was subtle. The potential physiological significance of nano TiO 2-photocatalytic protein nitration was also demonstrated in mouse skin homogenate. Although the relationship between photocatalytic protein tyrosine nitration and chronic cutaneous diseases needs further study, the toxicity of nano TiO 2 to the skin disease should be paid more attention in the production and utilization process.

Antioxidant Potential of Dimethyl Lithospermate Isolated fromSalvia miltiorrhiza(Red Sage) Against Peroxynitrite

Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) is a reactive oxidant formed from superoxide and nitric oxide that can readily oxidize cellular components, including essential protein, non-protein thiols, and DNA. ONOO(-) has contributed to the pathogenesis of diseases such as stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and atherosclerosis. In this study, the ability of dimethyl lithospermate (DML), isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza, to scavenge ONOO(-) and to protect cells against reactive species and ONOO(-) was investigated. The data obtained show that DML can efficiently scavenge native ONOO(-) as well as ONOO(-) derived from the ONOO(-) donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed that DML led to decreased ONOO(-)-mediated nitration of tyrosine through electron donation. DML significantly inhibited nitration of bovine serum albumin by ONOO(-) in a dose-dependent manner. DML also manifested cytoprotection from cell damage induced by ONOO(-). The present study suggests that DML is an effective ONOO(-) scavenger and promotes cellular defense activity in the protection against ONOO(-)-involved diseases.

Inhibition of Reactive Nitrogen Species in Vitro and ex Vivo by Trypsin Inhibitor from Sweet Potato ‘Tainong 57' Storage Roots

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-), formed from a reaction of superoxide and nitric oxide, is one of the most potent cytotoxic species known to oxidize cellular constituents including essential proteins, lipids, and DNA. ONOO- induces cellular and tissue injury, resulting in several human diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and stroke. Due to the lack of endogenous enzymes responsible for ONOO- scavenging activity, finding a specific ONOO- scavenger is of considerable importance. In this study, the ability of trypsin inhibitor (TI), isolated from sweet potato storage roots (SPTI), to scavenge *ON and ONOO- was investigated. The data obtained show that TI generated a dose-dependent inhibition on production of nitrite and superoxide radicals. The IC50 value of TI on superoxide radical was 143.2 +/- 4.29 microg/mL. SOD activity staining was used to confirm SOD activity of SPTI. SPTI also caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) by peroxynitrite. A calculated IC50 value of 809.1 +/- 32.36 microg/mL was obtained on the inhibition of peroxynitrite radical. Spectrophotometric analyses revealed that TI suppressed the formation of ONOO--mediated tyrosine nitration through an electron donation mechanism. In further studies, TI also showed a significant ability to inhibit nitration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo TI inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitrite production in macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 932.8 +/- 29.85 microg/mL. The present study suggested that TI had an efficient reactive nitrogen species scavenging ability. TI might be a potential effective NO and ONOO- scavenger useful for the prevention of NO- and ONOO--involved diseases.

A Method for Selective Enrichment and Analysis of Nitrotyrosine-Containing Peptides in Complex Proteome Samples

Elevated levels of protein tyrosine nitration have been found in various neurodegenerative diseases and age-related pathologies. Until recently, however, the lack of an efficient enrichment method has prevented the analysis of this important low-level protein modification. We have developed a method that specifically enriches nitrotyrosine-containing peptides so that both nitrotyrosine peptides and specific nitration sites can be unambiguously identified with LC-MS/MS. The procedure consists of the derivatization of nitrotyrosine into free sulfhydryl groups followed by high efficiency enrichment of sulfhydryl-containing peptides with thiopropyl sepharose beads. The derivatization process includes: (1) acetylation with acetic anhydride to block all primary amines, (2) reduction of nitrotyrosine to aminotyrosine, (3) derivatization of aminotyrosine with N-Succinimidyl S-Acetylthioacetate (SATA), and (4) deprotection of S-acetyl on SATA to form free sulfhydryl groups. The high specificity of this method is demonstrated by the contrasting percentage of nitrotyrosine-derivatized peptides in the identified tandem mass spectra between enriched and unenriched samples. Global analysis of unenriched in vitro nitrated human histone H1.2, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and mouse brain homogenate samples had 9%, 9%, and 5.9% of identified nitrotyrosine-containing peptides, while the enriched samples had 91% , 62%, and 35%, respectively. Duplicate LC-MS/MS analyses of the enriched mouse brain homogenate identified 150 unique nitrated peptides covering 102 proteins with an estimated 3.3% false discovery rate.

Copper, zinc‐superoxide dismutase catalyzes peroxynitrite‐mediated protein nitration in mouse tissue homogenates

We have previously demonstrated that knockout of copper,zinc-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) blocked acetaminophen-induced hepatic protein nitration in mice. The objective of the present study was to determine whether SOD1 was directly involved in catalyzing peroxynitrite (PN)-mediated protein nitration. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and liver, kidney and brain homogenates from the wild-type (WT) and SOD knockout (SOD1-/-) mice (2-month old, Cu and Zn adequate) were prepared in 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.8, 0.1% Triton X-100, and 1.34 mM diethylenetriaminopenta-acetic acid. For each reaction, 150 μg of sample proteins was incubated with 0.8 mM PN for 5 min at 37°C in the presence or absence of purified SOD1 protein (2.5 U/μl) twice. Protein nitration was analyzed by Western blot using monoclonal anti-nitrotyrosine antibody. The PN treatment caused less (P < 0.05) protein nitration in the liver and kidney homogenates of the SOD1-/- mice than those of the WT. In contrast, more protein nitration was formed in the PN-treated brain homogenate of the SOD1-/- mice than that of the WT. The addition of SOD1 protein enhanced the PN-mediated nitrotyrosine formation in all tissue homogenates. Nitration of BSA was catalyzed by PN and the reaction was enhanced by the addition of SOD1 protein (P < 0.05). The SOD1 protein added in the BSA mixture was also nitrated by the PN treatment with a reduced activity (P < 0.05). In conclusion, knockout of SOD1 attenuated PN-mediated protein nitration in liver and kidney homogenates, while the reaction was promoted by the addition of SOD1 protein in the mixture. [NIH DK53108 to XGL]

Zingerone as an Antioxidant against Peroxynitrite

Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), formed from the reaction of superoxide ((*)O(2)(-)) and nitric oxide ((*)NO), induces cellular and tissue injury, resulting in several human diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and atherosclerosis. Due to the lack of endogenous enzymes responsible for ONOO(-) scavenging activity, finding a specific ONOO(-) scavenger is of considerable importance. In this study we examined the scavenging effects of zingerone from ginger against ONOO(-), intracellular RS (reactive species), and ONOO(-). The data show that zingerone can efficiently scavenge native ONOO(-) as well as ONOO(-) derived from the peroxynitrite donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1). Zingerone inhibited the formation of ONOO(-)-mediated tyrosine nitration through electron donation, nitration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) by ONOO(-), and intracellular RS and ONOO(-). The present study suggests that zingerone has an efficient ONOO(-) scavenging ability, which may be a potent ONOO(-) scavenger for the protection of the cellular defense activity against ONOO(-)- involved diseases.

Hesperetin: A Potent Antioxidant Against Peroxynitrite

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is a reactive oxidant formed from superoxide (•O2-) and nitric oxide (•NO), that can oxidize several cellular components, including essential protein, non-protein thiols, DNA, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and membrane phospholipids. ONOO- has contributed to the pathogenesis of diseases such as stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and atherosclerosis. Because of the lack of endogenous enzymes to thwart ONOO- activation, developing a specific ONOO- scavenger is remarkably important. In this study, the ability of hesperetin (3′,5,7-trihydroxy-4-methoxyflavanone) to scavenge ONOO- and to protect cells against ONOO- and ROS was investigated. The data gained show that hesperetin can efficiently scavenge authentic ONOO-. In spectrophotometric analysis, the data revealed that hesperetin led to declined ONOO--mediated nitration of tyrosine through electron donation. Hesperetin exhibited significant inhibition on the nitration of bovine serum albumin (BSA) by ONOO- in a dose-dependent manner. Hesperetin also manifested cytoprotection from cell damage induced by ONOO- and ROS. The present study suggests that hesperetin is a powerful ONOO- scavenger and promotes cellular defense activity in the protection against ONOO- involved diseases.

Peroxynitrite scavenging activity of indole derivatives: interaction of indoles with peroxynitrite.

One of the products of nitrogen-derived free radicals, peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), is formed by the reaction of superoxide anion (O(2)(*-)) with nitric oxide (NO). ONOO(-) can cause damage to proteins and DNA through nitration. In particular, proteins and their constituent amino acids have been proven to be extremely sensitive to ONOO(-). However, the lack of specific endogenous defense enzymes to protect against ONOO(-) has prompted many researchers to search for endogenous scavengers. We previously found 5-hydroxytryptamine (HT), which is an indole derivative (ID), to be an efficient ONOO(-) scavenger. In the present study, the interaction of several other indoles was further investigated: tryptophan (TRP), 5-hydroxyL-tryptophan (HLT), HT, N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (AHT), 5-methoxyindole-3-acetate (MIA), 5-methoxytryptamine (MT), and melatonin. The ONOO(-) scavenging activity of ID was assayed by measuring the formation of oxidized dihydrorhodamine-123 (DHR-123). The scavenging efficacy was expressed as the IC(50), denoting the concentration of each indole required to cause 50% inhibition of DHR-123 formation. In a separate in vitro study, the protective effect of IDs against ONOO(-)-induced nitration of bovine serum albumin was investigated. Nitration was quantified using an immunoassay with a monoclonal anti-nitrotyrosine antibody, and a horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-mouse secondary antibody from sheep. The results revealed that the inhibitory activities of indoles were as follows: HLT, IC(50) = 0.73 microM; HT, IC(50) = 1.03 microM; and AHT, IC(50) = 0.98 microM), showing relatively strong activities against ONOO(-). Interestingly, TRP, MIA, MT, and melatonin were less effective. Regarding the protection of albumin by IDs, the data showed that the formation of ONOO(-) was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Further probing of the mode of the interaction of indoles revealed that the hydroxyl groups in IDs are required for the enhanced scavenging action. It was concluded that several indole derivatives with hydroxyl groups are effective scavengers against ONOO(-), and that the scavenging efficacy depends on the presence of hydroxyl groups located within the indole ring structure.