One-electron Oxidation Pathway Research Articles

Cross-talk Between (Hydrogen)Sulfite and Metalloproteins: Impact on Human Health.

Sulfite is a potent toxic substance causing harm to multi-organ in human. Despite toxicity, it is widely used as preservative, anti-browning and anti-oxidant in foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals, which cause easy admission of sulfite in human. Sulfite is also produced endogenously during the catabolism of cysteine and methionine. In vivo, the serum sulfite level at physiological range is strictly maintained by a molybdenum dependent sulfite oxidase (SO), which catalyzes sulfite to sulfate oxidation via a two-electron oxidation pathway. The loss of SO activity causes high serum sulfite level that fosters several diseases, including asthma, neurological dysfunction, birth defects, and heart diseases. The cytotoxicity of (bi)sulfite is implicated as sulfite radicals, which are generated by mainly heme-peroxidases via a one-electron oxidation pathway. On the other hand, the toxic sulfite radicals are neutralized to sulfite by heme-globins. The enzymatic reduction of sulfite to sulfide is catalyzed by sulfite reductase, which contains an unusual metal cofactor, siroheme-[4Fe4S]-cluster. Overall, the interaction of sulfite with various metalloproteins in vivo is a close relation with human health. Therefore, this review describes the metabolic conversion of (bi)sulfite to sulfate, sulfite radical or sulfide via oxidation or reduction pathways by various metalloproteins (specially SOs, peroxidases, heme-globins, and sulfite reductases), and the potential applications of sulfite in biosensors/biofuel cells, anti-browning, and advance oxidation process.

Radiation-Induced Oxidation Reactions of 2-Selenouracil in Aqueous Solutions: Comparison with Sulfur Analog of Uracil.

One-electron oxidation of 2-selenouracil (2-SeU) by hydroxyl (●OH) and azide (●N3) radicals leads to various primary reactive intermediates. Their optical absorption spectra and kinetic characteristics were studied by pulse radiolysis with UV-vis spectrophotometric and conductivity detection and by the density functional theory (DFT) method. The transient absorption spectra recorded in the reactions of ●OH with 2-SeU are dominated by an absorption band with an λmax = 440 nm, the intensity of which depends on the concentration of 2-SeU and pH. Based on the combination of conductometric and DFT studies, the transient absorption band observed both at low and high concentrations of 2-SeU was assigned to the dimeric 2c-3e Se-Se-bonded radical in neutral form (2●). The dimeric radical (2●) is formed in the reaction of a selenyl-type radical (6●) with 2-SeU, and both radicals are in equilibrium with Keq = 1.3 × 104 M−1 at pH 4 (below the pKa of 2-SeU). Similar equilibrium with Keq = 4.4 × 103 M−1 was determined for pH 10 (above the pKa of 2-SeU), which admittedly involves the same radical (6●) but with a dimeric 2c-3e Se-Se bonded radical in anionic form (2●−). In turn, at the lowest concentration of 2-SeU (0.05 mM) and pH 10, the transient absorption spectrum is dominated by an absorption band with an λmax = 390 nm, which was assigned to the ●OH adduct to the double bond at C5 carbon atom (3●) based on DFT calculations. Similar spectral and kinetic features were also observed during the ●N3-induced oxidation of 2-SeU. In principle, our results mostly revealed similarities in one-electron oxidation pathways of 2-SeU and 2-thiouracil (2-TU). The major difference concerns the stability of dimeric radicals with a 2c-3e chalcogen-chalcogen bond in favor of 2-SeU.

Copper oxide/peroxydisulfate system for urban wastewater disinfection: Performances, reactive species, and antibiotic resistance genes removal

In this study, copper oxide (CuO) catalyzed peroxydisulfate (PDS) system was investigated for the inactivation of a broad range of pathogenic microorganisms from urban wastewater. Complete inactivation of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, F-specific RNA bacteriophages from secondary treated wastewater was achieved after a short time (15–30 min) treatment with CuO (10 g/L)/PDS (1 mM) system, but spores of sulfite-reducing bacteria took 120 min. No bacterial regrowth occurred during storage after treatment. Significant reduction of the pathogens was explained by the generation of the highly selective Cu(III) oxidant, as the predominant reactive species, which could quickly oxidize guanine through a one-electron oxidation pathway. Additionally, the potential of the CuO (10 g/L)/PDS (1 mM) system to inactivate antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARB&Gs) was explored. Sulfamethoxazole-resistant E. coli was used as the model ARB and a 3.2 log of reduction was observed after 10 min of treatment. A considerable reduction (0.7–2.3 log) of selected ARGs including blaTEM, qnrS, emrB, sul1, and genes related to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance, including the Class 1 integron-integrase (intI1), and the insertion sequence (IS613) was achieved after 60 min treatment. All these findings indicated the promising applicability of the CuO/PDS system as a disinfection technology for wastewater reuse in agriculture.

Hemin-Catalyzed Oxidative Phenol-Hydrazone [3+3] Cycloaddition Enables Rapid Construction of 1,3,4-Oxadiazines.

Herein, we present a hemin-catalyzed oxidative phenol-hydrazone [3+3] cycloaddition that accommodates a broad spectrum of N-arylhydrazones, a class of less exploited 1,3-dipoles due to their significant Lewis basicity and weak tendency to undergo 1,2-prototropy to form azomethine imines. It renders expedient assembly of diversely functionalized 1,3,4-oxadiazines with excellent atom and step economy. Preliminary mechanistic studies point to the involvement of a one-electron oxidation pathway, which likely differs from the base-promoted aerobic oxidative scenario.

Detection of mitochondria-generated reactive oxygen species in cells using multiple probes and methods: Potentials, pitfalls, and the future

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) such as superoxide (O2̇̄), hydrogen peroxide, lipid hydroperoxides, peroxynitrite, and hypochlorous and hypobromous acids play a key role in many pathophysiological processes. Recent studies have focused on mitochondrial ROS as redox signaling species responsible for promoting cell division, modulating and regulating kinases and phosphatases, and activating transcription factors. Many ROS also stimulate cell death and senescence. The extent to which these processes occur is attributed to ROS levels (low or high) in cells. However, the exact nature of ROS remains unknown. Investigators have used redox-active probes that, upon oxidation by ROS, yield products exhibiting fluorescence, chemiluminescence, or bioluminescence. Mitochondria-targeted probes can be used to detect ROS generated in mitochondria. However, because most of these redox-active probes (untargeted and mitochondria-targeted) are oxidized by several ROS species, attributing redox probe oxidation to specific ROS species is difficult. It is conceivable that redox-active probes are oxidized in common one-electron oxidation pathways, resulting in a radical intermediate that either reacts with another oxidant (including oxygen to produce O2̇̄) and forms a stable fluorescent product or reacts with O2̇̄ to form a fluorescent marker product. Here, we propose the use of multiple probes and complementary techniques (HPLC, LC-MS, redox blotting, and EPR) and the measurement of intracellular probe uptake and specific marker products to identify specific ROS generated in cells. The low-temperature EPR technique developed to investigate cellular/mitochondrial oxidants can easily be extended to animal and human tissues.

Thiol redox biochemistry: insights from computer simulations.

Thiol redox chemical reactions play a key role in a variety of physiological processes, mainly due to the presence of low-molecular-weight thiols and cysteine residues in proteins involved in catalysis and regulation. Specifically, the subtle sensitivity of thiol reactivity to the environment makes the use of simulation techniques extremely valuable for obtaining microscopic insights. In this work we review the application of classical and quantum-mechanical atomistic simulation tools to the investigation of selected relevant issues in thiol redox biochemistry, such as investigations on (1) the protonation state of cysteine in protein, (2) two-electron oxidation of thiols by hydroperoxides, chloramines, and hypochlorous acid, (3) mechanistic and kinetics aspects of the de novo formation of disulfide bonds and thiol-disulfide exchange, (4) formation of sulfenamides, (5) formation of nitrosothiols and transnitrosation reactions, and (6) one-electron oxidation pathways.

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of alkyl substituted phenols and naphthols with tBuOOH in the presence of supported iron phthalocyanine

2,3,5-Trimethylbenzoquinone (precursor of vitamin E) and 2-methylnaphthoquinone (vitamin K3) were obtained in good yields by oxidation of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol and 2-methyl-1-naphthol, respectively, with tBuOOH catalyzed by supported iron tetrasulfophthalocyanine. The mechanism of this heterogeneous oxidation was studied using 18O2labeling experiments, EPR spectroscopy with spin traps, kinetic studies, and complete analysis of reaction products including minor ones. 18O2labeling experiments did not indicate the involvement of O2 in the oxidative process. EPR study of reaction mixtures of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol and 2-methyl-1-naphthol oxidations in the presence of 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzenesulfonic acid spin trap showed no formation of any radical intermediates. Besides the target quinones, epoxyquinones and formyldimethyl-1,4-benzoquinones, as over-oxidation minor products have been found. C–C and C–O coupling products relevant to one-electron oxidation pathways were detected in trace amounts. Based on the experimental results, a mechanism of oxidation of alkyl-substituted phenols and naphthols mediated by the supported iron phthalocyanine catalyst has been proposed which involves two successive electron transfers without escape of radical species in solution.

FORMATION OF BENZYLIC ALCOHOLS AND MESO-ALDEHYDES BY ONE-ELECTRON OXIDATION OF DMBA, A MODEL FOR THE FIRST METABOLIC STEP IN METHYLATED CARCINOGENIC HYDROCARBON ACTIVATION

The hypothesis that hydroxylation of the 7-methyl group is the first step in metabolic activation of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) was advanced over three decades ago (1, 2). A considerable body of evidence supports the hypothesis (3). A chemical model for the oxidative metabolism of DMBA may be useful in understanding the mechanism of metabolic activation of DMBA and other methylated carcinogenic hydrocarbons, particularly the first step. Here we show that a nonenzymatic one-electron oxidation pathway transforms DMBA to carcinogenic alcohol and meso-aldehyde metabolites. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that hydroxylation of the 7-methyl and/or 12-methyl groups is the first metabolic step in DMBA activation. The hypothesis predicts that hydroxylation of other meso-methyl-substituted hydrocarbons is the first essential step in the metabolic activation of methylated carcinogenic hydrocarbons.

Water-soluble 2-amino-1,8-naphthyridine as a novel DNA binding photosensitizer for one-electron oxidation of DNA

DNA binding and photoinduced DNA cleaving properties of water-soluble naphthyridine derivative 1 were investigated. The photoinduced cleavage of DNA was studied by both PAGE and product analysis, indicating that the DNA cleavage proceeds via one-electron oxidation pathway.

One-electron oxidation pathway of thiols by peroxynitrite in biological fluids: bicarbonate and ascorbate promote the formation of albumin disulphide dimers in human blood plasma.

Recent studies have shown that peroxynitrite oxidizes thiol groups through competing one- and two-electron pathways. The two-electron pathway is mediated by the peroxynitrite anion and prevails quantitatively over the one-electron pathway, which is mediated by peroxynitrous acid or a reactive species derived from it. In CO2-containing fluids the oxidation of thiols might follow a different mechanism owing to the rapid formation of a different oxidant, the nitrosoperoxycarbonate anion (ONOOCO2(-)). Here we present evidence that in blood plasma peroxynitrite induces the formation of a disulphide cross-linked protein identified by immunological (anti-albumin antibodies) and biochemical criteria (peptide mapping) as a dimer of serum albumin. The albumin dimer did not form in plasma devoid of CO2 and its formation was enhanced by ascorbate. However, analysis of thiol groups showed that reconstituting dialysed plasma with NaHCO3 protected protein thiols against the oxidation mediated by peroxynitrite and that the simultaneouspresence of ascorbate provided further protection. Ascorbate alone did not protect thiol groups from peroxynitrite-mediated oxidation. ESR spin-trapping studies with N-t-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone (PBN) revealed that peroxynitrite induced the formation of protein thiyl radicals and their intensity was markedly decreased by plasma dialysis and restored by reconstitution with NaHCO3. PBN completely inhibited the formation of albumin dimer. Moreover, the addition of iron-diethyldithiocarbamate to plasma demonstrated that peroxynitrite induced the formation of protein S-nitrosothiols and/or S-nitrothiols. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that NaHCO3 favours the one-electron oxidation of thiols by peroxynitrite with formation of thiyl radicals, ;NO2, and RSNOx. Thiyl radicals, in turn, are involved in chain reactions by which thiols are oxidized to disulphides.

One-electron oxidation pathway of peroxynitrite decomposition in human blood plasma: evidence for the formation of protein tryptophan-centred radicals.

Exposure of human blood plasma to peroxynitrite in the presence of 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzenesulphonic acid (DBNBS) resulted in the trapping of a strongly immobilized nitroxide radical adduct. The adduct was due to protein-centred radicals derived not only from serum albumin but also from other major plasma proteins (fibrinogen, IgG, alpha1-antitrypsin and transferrin). Urate significantly protected plasma from the peroxynitrite-induced DBNBS-plasma protein adduct, whereas ascorbate and glutathione were protective at concentrations exceeding those usually found in plasma. Alkylation of plasma -SH groups did not affect the intensity of DBNBS-plasma protein adduct, whereas bicarbonate increased its formation, thus showing a pro-oxidant effect. The DBNBS-plasma protein adduct provided little structural information, but subsequent non-specific-protease treatment resulted in the detection of an isotropic three-line spectrum, indicating the trapping of radicals centred on a tertiary carbon. The nitrogen hyperfine coupling constant of this adduct and its superhyperfine structure were similar to those of DBNBS-tryptophan peptides with the alpha-amino group of tryptophan linked in the amide bond, consistent with a radical adduct formed at C-3 of the indole ring of tryptophan-containing peptides. DBNBS was unable to trap radicals derived from peroxynitrite-treated tyrosine or tyrosine-containing peptides. Methionine treated with peroxynitrite resulted in the trapping of at least two DBNBS-methionine adducts with hyperfine structures different from that of protease-treated DBNBS-plasma proteins. These results demonstrate that peroxynitrite induced in blood plasma the formation of protein radicals centred on tryptophan residues and underline the relevance of the one-electron oxidation pathway of peroxynitrite decomposition in biological fluids.

Heterogenization of a ruthenium catalyst on silica and its application in alcohol oxidation and stilbene epoxidation

The heterogenization of an active homogeneous ruthenium oxidation catalyst on silica has been studied. The ligand 2-(phenylazo)pyridine has been covalently linked onto silica and a ruthenium complex with this anchored ligand has been characterized by elemental analysis, CP MAS 13C NMR and DRIFT infrared. The obtained catalysts appeared to be active for the epoxidation of trans-stilbene, and the catalytic activity and the selectivity were found to be dependent on the cooxidant. The best results were obtained with a catalyst having a ruthenium to ligand ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 and when dioxygen/isobutyraldehyde was used as cooxidant; in that case, after 24 hours at 40°C, 96% conversion of trans-stilbene was found, with 95% selectivity for the epoxide. The catalysts were also found to be active for alcohol oxidation. Cyclobutanol was oxidized to cyclobutanone and acyclic products, indicating both a two- and a one-electron oxidation pathway. 1,2-Cyclohexanediol could almost quantitatively be converted to adipic acid. The immobilized catalysts have also been used for the oxidation of octyl α- d-glucopyranoside to octyl α- d-glucuronic acid. However, for this reaction the corresponding homogeneous ruthenium catalyst was found to be more selective than the heterogenized catalyst. Recycling of the immobilized catalyst for the oxidation of n-butanol showed that a catalyst in which the amine function is methylated is more stable than a catalyst with a secondary amine; in that case a coordinated ruthenium is lost easier. The catalyst with the methylated amine function retains its high oxidation reactivity over at least 4 oxidation cycles.

Inactivation of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase by a metabolite of hypoglycin: characterization of the major turnover product and evidence suggesting an alternative flavin modification pathway

Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) is a FAD-dependent enzyme af catalyzes the first step of the fatty acid oxidation cycle. When MCAD is exposed to (methylenecyclopropyl)acetyl-CoA (MCPA-CoA), a metabolite of hypoglycin A and the causative agent of Jamaican vomiting sickness, time-dependent inactivation follows with concomitant bleaching of the active-site FAD. Earlier studies have led to the postulation that the inactivation may involve a spontaneous ring fragmentation induced by a transient α-cyclopropyl radical, and thus suggest a one-electron oxidation pathway

Electrochemistry and Spectroelectrochemistry of Polynuclear Zinc Phthalocyanines: Formation of Mixed Valence Cation Radical Species

The electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry of mononuclear, binuclear and tetranuclear zinc neopentoxy-substituted phthalocyanines are presented. The binuclear and tetranuclear species show two oxidation waves to the radical cation indicating the existence of stable mixed-valence, half-oxidized species. The electronic spectra of the half− and fully-oxidized species are presented and discussed. Nernstian analysis shows that pairs of phthalocyanine rings are oxidized simultaneously in the tetranuclear species, via a one-electron oxidation pathway.

Carcinogenicity of aromatic hydrocarbons directly applied to rat mammary gland.

To obtain some initial evidence on the mechanism(s) of activation of PAH in rat mammary gland, we studied the carcinogenicity of a series of PAH directly applied to this tissue. A series of PAH which are or are not expected to be activated by one-electron oxidation because of their low or high ionization potential (IP), respectively, were tested. The compounds were dispersed as fine powders on an exposed mammary gland of female Sprague-Dawley rats. 5-Methylchrysene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene and benz[a]anthracene, which have relatively high IP, were inactive. In contrast, three PAH with relatively low IP, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene (BP), and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC), were potent carcinogens, 6-MethylBP, with low IP, and 7-methyl-benz[a]anthracene, with borderline IP, elicited only mesenchymal tumors, whereas BP 7,8-dihydrodiol and cyclopenta[cd]pyrene were inactive. A series of MC derivatives substituted at C-1 or C-2 was tested. Substituents at C-1, the position of activation in the one-electron oxidation pathway, generally suppressed carcinogenic activity. Substitution at C-2 did not eliminate carcinogenic activity, with the exception of MC2-one. These results provide initial information suggesting that one-electron oxidation may be a mechanism of activation for PAH in the mammary gland.