Ovine Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Research Articles

Crystal Structure of Arachidonic Acid Bound to a Mutant of Prostaglandin Endoperoxide H Synthase-1 That Forms Predominantly 11-Hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic Acid

Kinetic studies and analysis of the products formed by native and mutant forms of ovine prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-1 (oPGHS-1) have suggested that arachidonic acid (AA) can exist in the cyclooxygenase active site of the enzyme in three different, catalytically competent conformations that lead to prostaglandin G2 (PGG2), 11R-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HPETE), and 15R,S-HPETE, respectively. We have identified an oPGHS-1 mutant (V349A/W387F) that forms predominantly 11R-HPETE. Thus, the preferred catalytically competent arrangement of AA in the cyclooxygenase site of this double mutant must be one that leads to 11-HPETE. The crystal structure of Co3+-protoporphyrin IX V349A/W387F oPGHS-1 in a complex with AA was determined to 3.1 A. Significant differences are observed in the positions of atoms C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6, C-10, C-11, and C-12 of bound AA between native and V349A/W387F oPGHS-1; in comparison, the positions of the side chains of cyclooxygenase active site residues are unchanged. The structure of the double mutant presented here provides structural insight as to how Val349 and Trp387 help position C-9 and C-11 of AA so that the incipient 11-peroxyl radical intermediate is able to add to C-9 to form the 9,11 endoperoxide group of PGG2. In the V349A/W387F oPGHS-1.AA complex the locations of C-9 and C-11 of AA with respect to one another make it difficult to form the endoperoxide group from the 11-hydroperoxyl radical. Therefore, the reaction apparently aborts yielding 11R-HPETE instead of PGG2. In addition, the observed differences in the positions of carbon atoms of AA bound to this mutant provides indirect support for the concept that the conformer of AA shown previously to be bound within the cyclooxygenase active site of native oPGHS-1 is the one that leads to PGG2.

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor isoforms and inhibition of prostaglandin H 2 synthases by ibuprofen, naproxen, and indomethacin

A series of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) [ S(+)-naproxen, ibuprofen isomers, and indomethacin] were evaluated for their activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and γ isoforms in CV-1 cells co-transfected with rat PPAR α and γ, and peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE)-luciferase reporter gene plasmids, for stimulation of peroxisomal fatty acyl CoA β-oxidase activity in H4IIEC3 cells, and for comparative inhibition of ovine prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase (PGHS)-1 and PGHS-2 and arachidonic acid-induced human platelet activation. Each drug produced a concentration-dependent activation of the PPAR isoforms and fatty acid β-oxidase activity, inhibition of human arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation and serotonin secretion, and inhibition of PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 activities. For PPARα activation in CV-1 and H4IIEC3 cells, and the stimulation of fatty acyl oxidase activity in H4IIEC3 cells, the rank order of stereoselectivity was S(+)- ibuprofen > R(−)-ibuprofen; S(+)-ibuprofen was more potent than indomethacin and naproxen on these parameters. On PPARγ, the rank order was S(+)-naproxen > indomethacin > S(+)-ibuprofen > R(−)-ibuprofen. Each drug inhibited PGHS-1 activity and platelet aggregation with the same rank order of indomethacin > S(+)-ibuprofen > S(+)-naproxen > R(−)-ibuprofen. Notably, the S(+)-isomer of ibuprofen was 32-, 41-, and 96-fold more potent than the R(−)-isomer for the inhibition of PGHS-1 activity, human platelet aggregation, and serotonin secretion, respectively. On PGHS-2, the ibuprofen isomers showed no selectivity, and indomethacin, S(+)-ibuprofen, and S(+)-naproxen were 6-, 27-, and 5-fold more potent as inhibitors of PGHS-1 than PGHS-2 activity. These results demonstrate that the mechanisms of action of NSAIDs on these cell systems are different, and we propose that the pharmacological effects of NSAIDs may be related to both their profile of inhibition of PGHS enzymes and the activation of PPARα and/or PPARγ isoforms.

Interaction of Nitric Oxide with Prostaglandin Endoperoxide H Synthase-1: Implications for Fe−His Bond Cleavage in Heme Proteins

We have investigated the cleavage of the bond between the heme iron and the proximal heme ligand, His388, in ferrous ovine prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-1 (oPGHS-1) on nitric oxide (NO) binding by using resonance Raman spectroscopy. The Fe−NO and N−O vibrations are observed at 526 and 1667 cm-1, respectively, which is indicative of a five-coordinated, heme−NO complex. We also observed NO photolysis under low-power, continuous wave conditions, which reflects nongeminate rebinding of NO to the heme cofactor on the millisecond time scale. Furthermore, we attempted to make a six-coordinated heme−NO complex by adding imidazole (Im) to ferrous oPGHS-1-NO. However, ferrous oPGHS-1-NO remained five-coordinated even in the presence of 500 mM Im. The heme−NO complex remains bound in the heme pocket after Fe−His bond cleavage, and subsequent protein backbone movement is relatively small. Finally, we compared the structures of several heme proteins that form either five- or six-coordinated complexes with NO. Inspection of the heme-proximal His geometry did not reveal any common structural parameter that may be critical for Fe−His bond cleavage. However, the Fe−His stretching frequency [ν(Fe−His)] shows a good correlation with Fe−His bond cleavage and is modulated by hydrogen bonding to the Nδ proton of the His. We propose that the strength of this hydrogen bond is the primary factor determining Fe−His bond cleavage: a strong hydrogen bond gives the His imidazolate character, which allows it to compensate for the NO trans ligand effect and to avoid Fe−His bond cleavage.

Photolabeling of Prostaglandin Endoperoxide H Synthase-1 with 3-Trifluoro-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine as a Probe of Membrane Association and the Cyclooxygenase Active Site

Previous studies of the crystal structure of the ovine prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-1 (PGHS-1)/S-flurbiprofen complex (Picot, D., Loll, P. J., and Garavito, R. M. (1994) Nature 367, 243-249) suggest that the enzyme is associated with membranes through a series of four amphipathic helices located between residues 70 and 117. We have used the photoactivatable, hydrophobic reagent 3-trifluoro-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine ([125I]TID) which partitions into membranes and other hydrophobic domains to determine which domains of microsomal PGHS-1 are subject to photolabeling. After incubation of ovine vesicular gland microsomes with [125I]TID, ovine PGHS-1 was one of the major photolabeled proteins. Proteolytic cleavage of labeled PGHS-1 at Arg277 with trypsin established that [125I]TID was incorporated into both the 33-kDa tryptic peptide containing the amino terminus and the 38-kDa tryptic peptide containing the carboxyl terminus. This pattern of photolabeling was not affected by the presence of 20 mM glutathione, indicating that the photolabeling observed for PGHS-1 was not due to the presence of [125I]TID in the aqueous phase. However, nonradioactive TID as well as two inhibitors, ibuprofen and sulindac sulfide, which bind the cyclooxygenase active site of PGHS-1, prevented the labeling of the 38-kDa carboxyl-terminal tryptic peptide. These results suggest that [125I]TID can label both the cyclooxygenase active site in the tryptic 38-kDa fragment and a membrane binding domain located in the 33-kDa fragment. Cleavage of photolabeled PGHS-1 with endoproteinase Lys-C yielded a peptide containing residues 25-166 which was labeled with [125I]TID. This peptide contains the putative membrane binding domain of ovine PGHS-1. Our results provide biochemical support for the concept developed from the crystal structure that PGHS-1 binds to membranes via four amphipathic helices located near the NH2 terminus of the protein.

Involvement of Arginine 120, Glutamate 524, and Tyrosine 355 in the Binding of Arachidonate and 2-Phenylpropionic Acid Inhibitors to the Cyclooxygenase Active Site of Ovine Prostaglandin Endoperoxide H Synthase-1

Examination of the crystal structure of the ovine prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-1 (PGHS-1)/S- flurbiprofen complex (Picot, D., Loll, P.J., and Garavito, R.M. (1994) Nature 367, 243-2491) suggests (a) that the carboxyl group of arachidonic acid interacts with the arginino group of Arg120; (b) that Arg120 forms an important salt bridge with Glu524; and (c) that Tyr355, which is in close proximity to Arg120, could determine the stereochemical specificity of PGHS-1 toward 2-phenylpropionic acid inhibitors. To test these concepts, we used site-directed mutagenesis to prepare ovine PGHS-1 mutants having modifications of Arg120 (R120K, R120Q, R120E), Glu524 (E524D, E524Q, E524K), and Tyr355 (Y355F) and examined the properties of the mutant enzymes expressed in COS-1 cells. All of the mutants retained at least part of their cyclooxygenase and peroxidase activities except the R120E mutant, which had no detectable activity. The Km values of the R120K and R120Q mutants with arachidonic acid were 87 and 3300 microM, respectively, versus 4 microM for native PGHS-1. The R120Q mutant failed to undergo suicide inactivation during catalysis or time-dependent inhibition by flurbiprofen. These results are consistent with Arg120 binding the carboxylate group of arachidonate and suggest that interaction of the carboxylate group of substrates and inhibitors with Arg120 is necessary for suicide inactivation and time-dependent inhibition, respectively. The Km values for the E524D, E524Q, and E524K mutants were not significantly different from values obtained for the native PGHS-1, suggesting that this residue is not importantly involved in catalysis or substrate binding. The effect of modifications of Arg120 and Tyr355 on the stereospecificity of inhibitor binding was determined. Ratios of IC50 values for cyclooxygenase inhibition by D- and L-ibuprofen, a competitive cyclooxygenase inhibitor, were 32, 67, and 7.1 for native PGHS-1, R120Q PGHS-1, and Y355F PGHS-1, respectively. The decreased stereochemical specificity observed with the Y355F PGHS-1 mutant suggests that Tyr355 is a determinant of the stereospecificity of PGHS-1 toward inhibitors of the 2-phenylpropionic acid class.

An Examination of the Source of the Tyrosyl Radical in Ovine Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase-1

A tyrosyl radical, which may initiate the cyclooxygenase reaction, has been detected in prostaglandin H synthase by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the crystal structure of ovine prostaglandin H synthase-1, Tyr348 and Tyr385 are in close proximity to the heme. We mutated these residues to phenylalanine to test for their involvement in tyrosyl radical formation. Native enzyme formed a tyrosyl radical centered at g=2.0036 with a width of 28 gauss. The Y348F mutant formed a singlet signal similar to that of native enzyme with a width of 28 gauss (g=2.0039). In contrast, the radical signals seen with the Y385F and Y348F/Y385F mutants were 23 gauss (g=2.004) and 22 gauss (g=2.0037). In short, tyrosyl radicals are formed even in the absence of both Tyr348 and Tyr385. In Y345F containing mutants, a cluster of aromatic amino acids which surrounds the heme group may provide an alternate pathway for electron abstraction from a more distant tyrosine, yielding a narrow tyrosyl radical signal.

Characterization of a Tyrosyl Radical in Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase-2

Two different isoforms of prostaglandin H synthase, prostaglandin H synthase-1 and prostaglandin H synthase-2, have been identified. Both isozymes catalyze both cyclooxygenase and peroxidase reactions. Residues identified as being essential for catalysis by ovine prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-1 are all conserved in prostaglandin H synthase-2. This suggests that the enzymic reaction mechanisms are fundamentally the same for both isozymes. A tyrosyl radical, which may initiate the cyclooxygenase reaction, is detected by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy after addition of arachidonic acid or hydroperoxides to ovine prostaglandin H synthase-1. We report here that human prostaglandin H synthase-2 also generates a tyrosyl radical centered at g = 2.0040 with a width of 29 gauss, similar to prostaglandin H synthase-1. This is the first spectral evidence that the two isoforms are similar mechanistically.

N-glycosylation of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthases-1 and -2 and their orientations in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Using site-directed mutagenesis, we have determined that Asn68, Asn144, and Asn410 of ovine prostaglandin endoperoxide (PGH) synthase-1 are N-glycosylated. A fourth consensus N-glycosylation sequence at Asn104 is not glycosylated. Glycosylation of PGH synthase-1 at Asn410 and at either Asn68 or Asn144 was required for expression of both the cyclooxygenase and the peroxidase activities of the enzyme. Inactive PGH synthase-1 glycosylation site mutant proteins do not appear to achieve their native conformations. However, the native enzyme, once in an active conformation, does not appear to require attached carbohydrate for cyclooxygenase or peroxidase activities. N-Glycosylation consensus sequences corresponding to the three glycosylation sites of ovine PGH synthase-1 are conserved in the deduced amino acid sequences of PGH synthases-2. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we determined that there is an additional site of N-glycosylation in murine PGH synthase-2 located at Asn580. This site is N-glycosylated in about 50% of PGH synthase-2 molecules, resulting in two peptide bands on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (72 and 74 kDa). Glycosylation of PGH synthase-2 is necessary for expression of enzyme activity, but glycosylation of PGH synthase-2 at Asn580 per se does not affect activity. Assuming that the N-glycosylation sites of PGH synthase-1 are on the luminal side of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and that the site of tryptic cleavage of ovine PGH synthase-1 (Arg277) is on the cytoplasmic side of the ER, we propose that both the NH2 and COOH termini of PGH synthase-1 are located in the lumen of the ER and that there are two transmembrane domains located between Asn144 and Arg277 and between Arg277 and Asn410, respectively. A similar orientation is predicted for PGH synthase-2.

Expression of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-1 in a baculovirus system

A cDNA coding for ovine prostaglandin endoperoxide (PGH) synthase-1 was used to construct a recombinant baculovirus which was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells. Two proteins reactive with anti-PGH synthase antibody were produced. A larger protein (Mr = 72,000) coelectrophoresed with native enzyme; a smaller, more abundant protein (Mr = 66,000) was unglycosylated enzyme. About 90% of both the immunoreactivity and the cyclooxygenase activity were present in a low speed (10(5) g x min) pellet; variable but low peroxidase activities were observed in this fraction. The specific cyclooxygenase activity of solubilized PGH synthase-1 from Sf9 cells was 56 units/mg versus 112 units/mg for the same cDNA expressed in cos-1 cells. The baculovirus-insect cell system is not ideal for generating large amounts of active PGH synthase-1 apparently because of inefficient N-glycosylation.

In situ hybridization analysis of ovarian prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase mRNA throughout the periovulatory period of the ewe

Cellular alterations in level of expression of mRNA encoding for prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase were quantified within ovarian tissues of sheep obtained before, during and after induction of the preovulatory surge of LH and ovulation with LHRH. This was accomplished by isotopic in situ hybridization using a selective cRNA probe to ovine prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase mRNA. A significant elevation in mRNA was detected within the theca interna of the preovulatory follicle at 8, 16 and 24 hr following administration of LHRH. Very close to the time of ovulation (ie., at 24 hr post-LHRH) a marked rise in mRNA was observed in association with epithelial cells covering the apical surface of the follicle. Ovarian cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid produced during the ovulatory process in the ewe originate within the thecal layer and germinal epithelium of the follicle destined to ovulate.

Inhibition of lipoxygenase and prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase by anacardic acids

C22:1 omega 5-anacardic acid was found to be a good inhibitor of both potato lipoxygenase and ovine prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase with approximate IC50's of 6 and 27 microM, respectively. Very similar inhibition was seen with the crude exudate, rich in omega 5-anacardic acids, from glandular trichomes of an arthropod-resistant strain of geranium, Pelargonium xhortorum. The saturated anacardic acid (C22:0 sat), abundant in the trichome exudate of susceptible strains, was nearly as inhibitory toward both prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase and lipoxygenase as the omega 5-unsaturated compound. However, the dimethyl derivative of C22:1 omega 5-anacardic acid was a poor inhibitor of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase and caused only moderate (32%) inhibition of lipoxygenase even at 135 microM. The possible role of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase and lipoxygenase inhibition in the enhanced pest resistance of geraniums which produce the omega 5-AnAs is discussed.

Characterization of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase from a human cell line

Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase has been purified from the recently established human lung tumor cell line, Lu-65. By gel filtration, the purified enzyme migrated with a relative molecular weight of 115000, unlike the ovine enzyme, which migrated at 155000. Two protein bands of 45000 and 68000 were seen when the purified Lu-65 enzyme was fractionated under reducing conditions by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; in contrast, purified ovine prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase showed the M r 68000 band under the same conditions. The purified Lu-65 enzyme showed both cyclooxygenase and hydroperoxidse activities, and metabolized [ 3H]arachidonic acid to 3H-labeled products that, when separated by reverse-phase HPLC, co-eluted with authentic prostaglandin D 2 and prostaglandin E 2. An apparent K m for arachidonic acid of 3 mM was measured for the purified enzyme, and the crude membrane-bound enzyme showed an apparent K m of 1.6 mM. Under the same conditions, an apparent K m of 17 μ M was measured for the purified ovine enzyme.