Potent Thiol Research Articles

The Role of Potent Thiols in “Empyreumatic” Flint/Struck-Match/Mineral Odours in Chardonnay Wine

Background and Aims. A wide range of Chardonnay styles exist on the market, from fruit-forward examples to wines displaying “empyreumatic” aromas such as flint, smoky, mineral, and struck-match. The thiols 2-furylmethanethiol and phenylmethanethiol have been linked to these aromas, and this study aimed to determine the contribution of these compounds to specific sensory properties in Chardonnay wines, as well as the consumer acceptance of wine displaying “empyreumatic” aromas. Methods and Results. Twenty-four Australian and New Zealand Chardonnay wines were selected for volatile analysis and quantitative sensory descriptive analysis. Consumer liking of a subset of six wines was also determined, and a further sensory study involving additions of the thiols to a base wine was conducted. Partial least squares regression showed that flint/struck-match/mineral aromas were related to 2-furylmethanethiol concentration with phenylmethanethiol less well associated. The odorant addition study confirmed that 2-furylmethanethiol directed flint/struck-match/mineral aromas and exerted strong suppression of other aromas while phenylmethanethiol played a lesser role. Consumer acceptance (n = 92) was overall lower for wines displaying high flint/struck-match/mineral aromas, although cluster analysis of the liking scores identified a sizeable consumer group (33%) who preferred wines with this attribute. Conclusions. The potent thiol 2-furylmethanethiol was indicated to be the primary contributor to flint/struck-match/mineral aromas in Chardonnay wines, with phenylmethanethiol playing a subordinate role. Significance of the Study. Increased concentration of 2-furylmethanethiol and the conferred “empyreumatic” odours should be carefully considered when producing wine styles to appeal to consumers.

Development of Dietary Thiol Antioxidant via Reductive Modification of Whey Protein and Its Application in the Treatment of Ischemic Kidney Injury.

Thiol antioxidants play important roles in cell and body defense against oxidative stress. In body fluid, albumin is the richest source of thiol antioxidants. One recent study showed that the reductive modification of thiol residues in albumin potentiated its antioxidative activity. Given that whey protein (WP) contains albumin and other thiol-active proteins, this property of WP could be exploited to develop novel thiol antioxidants. The aim of this study was to address this possibility. WP was reductively modified with dithiothreitol (DTT). The modified protein exhibited significantly elevated free sulfhydryl groups (-SH) and thiol antioxidative activity. It detoxified H2O2 and prevented H2O2-initiated protein oxidation and cell death in a -SH group-dependent way in vitro. In addition, it reacted with GSH/GSSG and altered the GSH/GSSG ratio via thiol-disulfide exchange. In vivo, oral administration of the reductively modified WP prevented oxidative stress and renal damage in a mouse model of renal injury caused by ischemia reperfusion. It significantly improved renal function, oxidation, inflammation, and cell injury. These protective effects were not observed in the WP control and were lost after blocking the -SH groups with maleimide. Furthermore, albumin, one of the ingredients of WP, also exhibited similar protective effects when reductively modified. In conclusion, the reductive modification of thiol residues in WP transformed it into a potent thiol antioxidant that protected kidneys from ischemia reperfusion injury. Given that oxidative stress underlies many life-threatening diseases, the reductively modified dietary protein could be used for the prevention and treatment of many oxidative-stress-related conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and aging.

Phosphonate as a Stable Zinc-Binding Group for "Pathoblocker" Inhibitors of Clostridial Collagenase H (ColH).

Microbial infections are a significant threat to public health, and resistance is on the rise, so new antibiotics with novel modes of action are urgently needed. The extracellular zinc metalloprotease collagenase H (ColH) from Clostridium histolyticum is a virulence factor that catalyses tissue damage, leading to improved host invasion and colonisation. Besides the major role of ColH in pathogenicity, its extracellular localisation makes it a highly attractive target for the development of new antivirulence agents. Previously, we had found that a highly selective and potent thiol prodrug (with a hydrolytically cleavable thiocarbamate unit) provided efficient ColH inhibition. We now report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a range of zinc‐binding group (ZBG) variants of this thiol‐derived inhibitor, with the mercapto unit being replaced by other zinc ligands. Among these, an analogue with a phosphonate motif as ZBG showed promising activity against ColH, an improved selectivity profile, and significantly higher stability than the thiol reference compound, thus making it an attractive candidate for future drug development.

Preliminary investigation of potent thiols in Cypriot wines made from indigenous grape varieties Xynisteri, Maratheftiko and Giannoudhi

Polyfunctional thiols have previously been shown to be key aroma compounds in Sauvignon blanc and more recently in Chardonnay wines. Their role in other wine varieties such as those made from three popular indigenous Cypriot grape varieties has remained unexplored. As an extension of a previous project that profiled the sensory and chemical characteristics of Cypriot wines and their comparison to Australian wines, this study aimed to investigate five potent thiols in Xynisteri, Maratheftiko, Giannoudhi, Pinot gris, Chardonnay and Shiraz wines. Wines were analysed utilising Stable Isotope Dilution Assay (SIDA) with derivatisation and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The varietal thiols measured were 4-methyl-4-sulfanylpentan-2-one (4MSP) that has an aroma of “boxwood” and “cat urine” at high concentration, 3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol (3SH) which has been described as having a “grapefruit/tropical fruit” aroma, and 3-sulfanylhexyl acetate (3SHA) that has also been described as having an aroma of “passionfruit”. Additionally, two other potent thiols were measured including benzyl mercaptan (BM) that has an aroma of “smoke and meat” and furfuryl thiol (FFT) that has been described as having a “roasted coffee” like aroma. The reason these thiols are known as potent thiols are due to their very low aroma detection thresholds in the low ng/L (ppt) range. Of the thiols that were measured, 3SH was the only varietal thiol detected in the red wine samples. All of the white wine samples contained 3SH, BM and 3SHA, whereas 4MSP was only detected in Pinot gris and three Xynisteri wines. The potent thiol, FFT, was detected only in the Chardonnay and four of the Xynisteri wines. Interestingly the thiols that were present in the samples were found at concentrations above their aroma detection thresholds (determined in hydroalcoholic solutions), especially 3SH which was found in an order of magnitude above its aroma detection threshold. These findings provide early knowledge of the presence of these thiols in Cypriot wines, compared with Australian wines and establish any relationships between this chemical data with previous wine sensory profile data.

Diallyl trisulfide, a H2 S donor, inhibits cell growth of human papillary thyroid carcinoma KTC-1 cells through a positive feedback loop between H2 S and cystathionine-gamma-lyase.

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), derived from garlic, is a well-known hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) donor. H2 S has recently emerged as a novel gasotransmitter involved in the regulation of cancer progression. The present study demonstrated that DATS along with other two H2 S donors, NaHS and GYY4137, significantly inhibited papillary thyroid carcinoma KTC-1 cells growth. DATS treatment triggered a rapid H2 S generation within 5 min in KTC-1 cells. Iodoacetamide, a potent thiol blocker reagent, partially rescued the cell membrane damage and ultimate cell death induced by DATS, indicating H2 S contributed to the apoptosis-inducing efficacy of DATS on thyroid cancer cells. Specifically, DATS treatment significantly upregulated the expression and enzymatic activity of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CTH), one of H2 S-producing enzymes, which was responsible for endogenous H2 S generation. After DATS treatment, H2 S quickly permeated cell membranes and activated NF-κΒ/p65 signaling pathway in KTC-1 cells. Nuclear translocated NF-κB bound to the promoter of CTH to enhance its transcription. These evidences proved that exogenous H2 S elevated CTH expression. CTH, in turn, catalytically generated a much higher level of endogenous H2 S. This positive feedback sustained excess H2 S production, which resulted in PTC cells growth inhibition. These findings may shed light on the development of novel H2 S-based antitumor agents.

S-allylmercaptoglutathione Is a Substrate for Glutathione Reductase (E.C. 1.8.1.7) from Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

Allicin (diallylthiosulfinate) is a potent thiol reagent and natural defense substance produced by garlic (Allium sativum) tissues when damaged. Allicin acts as a redox toxin and oxidizes the cellular glutathione (GSH) pool producing S-allylmercaptoglutathione (GSSA). The cellular enzyme glutathione reductase (GR) uses NADPH to reduce glutathione disulfide (GSSG) back to GSH and replenishes the GSH pool. It was not known whether GR could accept GSSA as a substrate. Here, we report that GR from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) shows Michaelis–Menten kinetics with GSSA as substrate in vitro (Km = 0.50 mM), but that GSSA is not as good a substrate as GSSG (Km = 0.07 mM). Furthermore, cells unable to synthesize GSH because the γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GSH1) gene is deleted, cannot grow without GSH supplementation and we show that the auxotrophic requirement for GSH in Δgsh1 mutants can be met by GSSA in the growth medium, suggesting that GSSA can be reduced to GSH in vivo.

Reduction of mitochondrial protein mitoNEET [2Fe–2S] clusters by human glutathione reductase

The human mitochondrial outer membrane protein mitoNEET is a newly discovered target of the type 2 diabetes drug pioglitazone. Structurally, mitoNEET is a homodimer with each monomer containing an N-terminal transmembrane α helix tethered to the mitochondrial outer membrane and a C-terminal cytosolic domain hosting a redox-active [2Fe–2S] cluster. Genetic studies have shown that mitoNEET has a central role in regulating energy metabolism in mitochondria. However, the specific function of mitoNEET remains largely elusive. Here we find that the mitoNEET [2Fe–2S] clusters can be efficiently reduced by Escherichia coli thioredoxin reductase and glutathione reductase in an NADPH-dependent reaction. Purified human glutathione reductase has the same activity as E. coli thioredoxin reductase and glutathione reductase to reduce the mitoNEET [2Fe–2S] clusters. However, rat thioredoxin reductase, a human thioredoxin reductase homolog that contains selenocysteine in the catalytic center, has very little or no activity to reduce the mitoNEET [2Fe–2S] clusters. N-ethylmaleimide, a potent thiol modifier, completely inhibits human glutathione reductase from reducing the mitoNEET [2Fe–2S] clusters, indicating that the redox-active disulfide in the catalytic center of human glutathione reductase may be directly involved in reducing the mitoNEET [2Fe–2S] clusters. Additional studies reveal that the reduced mitoNEET [2Fe–2S] clusters in mouse heart cell extracts can be reversibly oxidized by hydrogen peroxide without disruption of the clusters, suggesting that the mitoNEET [2Fe–2S] clusters may undergo redox transition to regulate energy metabolism in mitochondria in response to oxidative signals.

Spacer length shapes drug release and therapeutic efficacy of traceless disulfide-linked ADCs targeting the tumor neovasculature

We systematically investigated how the therapeutic efficacy of a traceless, vascular targeting antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) is affected by the length of a spacer introduced between the antibody's globular fold and the site of drug attachment. Homogeneous ADCs were prepared from the direct conjugation of engineered C-terminal cysteines with a potent thiol containing drug which was separated from the antibody surface by unstructured spacers of increasing length. We found that a smaller spacer length is reflected in enhanced stability and therapeutic efficacy of the conjugates in a syngeneic model of murine cancer.

Identification of Ethyl 2-Sulfanylacetate as an Important Off-Odor Compound in White Wines

A number of Sauvignon blanc wines made from hard pressed juices in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen) or in contact with oxygen were identified as having heavy off-flavors to varying degrees. Samples were extracted and subjected to time-based HPLC fractionation. The fractions were assessed by a sensory panel and those with unpleasant, irritating, off-odors were re-extracted. The extracts evaluated by gas chromatography coupled with olfactometry revealed a number of odoriferous zones, including one with an off-odor similar to the one perceived in two HPLC fractions. The odor was less intense in fractions previously supplemented with copper sulfate, suggesting that the compound(s) responsible were possibly thiol-related. A selective thiols extraction protocol and the analysis of the extract by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry identified a new potent thiol in these wines. The compound responsible for the odoriferous zone, ethyl 2-sulfanylacetate (1), had an odor reminiscent of baked beans and Fritillaria meleagris bulbs. Its perception threshold was determined and sensory studies using graduated supplementation in dry white wines demonstrated its contribution to the off-odor observed in dry white wines.

Reversible Post-translational Modification of Proteins by Nitrated Fatty Acids in Vivo

Nitric oxide ((*)NO)-derived reactive species nitrate unsaturated fatty acids, yielding nitroalkene derivatives, including the clinically abundant nitrated oleic and linoleic acids. The olefinic nitro group renders these derivatives electrophilic at the carbon beta to the nitro group, thus competent for Michael addition reactions with cysteine and histidine. By using chromatographic and mass spectrometric approaches, we characterized this reactivity by using in vitro reaction systems, and we demonstrated that nitroalkene-protein and GSH adducts are present in vivo under basal conditions in healthy human red cells. Nitro-linoleic acid (9-, 10-, 12-, and 13-nitro-9,12-octadecadienoic acids) (m/z 324.2) and nitro-oleic acid (9- and 10-nitro-9-octadecaenoic acids) (m/z 326.2) reacted with GSH (m/z 306.1), yielding adducts with m/z of 631.3 and 633.3, respectively. At physiological concentrations, nitroalkenes inhibited glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), which contains a critical catalytic Cys (Cys-149). GAPDH inhibition displayed an IC(50) of approximately 3 microM for both nitroalkenes, an IC(50) equivalent to the potent thiol oxidant peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) and an IC(50) 30-fold less than H(2)O(2), indicating that nitroalkenes are potent thiol-reactive species. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed covalent adducts between fatty acid nitroalkene derivatives and GAPDH, including at the catalytic Cys-149. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of human red cells confirmed that nitroalkenes readily undergo covalent, thiol-reversible post-translational modification of nucleophilic amino acids in GSH and GAPDH in vivo. The adduction of GAPDH and GSH by nitroalkenes significantly increased the hydrophobicity of these molecules, both inducing translocation to membranes and suggesting why these abundant derivatives had not been detected previously via traditional high pressure liquid chromatography analysis. The occurrence of these electrophilic nitroalkylation reactions in vivo indicates that this reversible post-translational protein modification represents a new pathway for redox regulation of enzyme function, cell signaling, and protein trafficking.

Human Herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8/KSHV) Induces Reactive Oxygen Species in Endothelial Cells That Facilitate Virus Infection.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can activate replication of certain viruses, induce the production of various inflammatory mediators and play a critical role in carcinogenesis and tumor development. Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most prevalent HIV-associated cancer and is caused by infection with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8/KSHV). KS tissue has been reported to possess increased levels of ROS. We studied if ROS generation is related to HHV-8 infection and its role in virus entry into endothelial cells. Incubation of dermal microvascular endothelial cells (DMECs) with highly purified HHV-8 induced rapid increases in the production of intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), one of the major forms of ROS. Intracellular H2O2 was also induced by the treatment of DMECs with the HHV-8 envelope glycoprotein B (gB). The gB protein possesses an RGD motif, binds to the integrin molecules, alpha3 and beta1, and is a major mediator of virus entry into target cells. To test if it was integrin ligation that induces the production of ROS, we treated DMECs with fibronectin or laminin, the respective natural ligands for alpha3 and beta1 integrins. We observed a similar induction of intracellular ROS in DMECs by either matrix protein. These results indicated that the HHV-8-induced production of ROS was, at least in part, mediated by stimulation of integrins through the RGD-containing viral gB protein. ROS have recently been shown to function as second messengers in cellular signaling. To assess at which steps of cell signaling ROS may be functioning, we studied the signaling cascade in DMECs activated by the HHV-8 gB protein. Previous studies have shown that HHV-8, through gB/integrin interaction, induces cytoskeletal rearrangement and activates focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Src kinase and Akt, which are critical for virus entry into the target cells. We found that the activation of FAK, c-Src or Akt by this viral protein was inhibited by pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a potent thiol antioxidant. These results suggested that generation of ROS was involved in HHV-8-triggered signaling. We next examined if a change in ROS production modulated HHV-8 virus entry. We used green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled HHV-8 at a multiplicity of infection of 5–6, and quantitated the infection by fluorescence analysis of the DMECs. Short term exposure to low concentrations of H2O2 enhanced HHV-8 infection in DMECs, while treatment with NAC significantly decreased infection. These data indicated that ROS generation participated in HHV-8-mediated signaling and entry into target cells. Our study demonstrates a novel role of ROS in virus pathogenesis and provides a framework for the development of novel antioxidant strategies in AIDS-KS treatment.

Bucillamine: a potent thiol donor with multiple clinical applications.

Bucillamine has potential to attenuate or prevent damage during myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery and organ transplantation. Bucillamine, a cysteine derivative that contains two donatable thiol groups, is capable of replenishing the thiol group in glutathione, thereby reactivating this endogenous defense against oxidant injury. Bucillamine rapidly enters cells by the same mechanism that normally transports the amino acid cysteine. Bucillamine is a more potent thiol donor than other cysteine derivatives: approximately 16-fold more potent than N-acetylcysteine (Mucomyst(R)) in vivo. In addition bucillamine appears to have additional anti-inflammatory effects unrelated to its antioxidant effect. Oral bucillamine is used clinically in Asia for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. There is a strong preclinical evidence that parenteral infusion of this agent is efficacious in acute settings characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress. In an investigator-blinded, rigorous intact dog model, consisting of 90 min of coronary artery occlusion and 48 h of reperfusion, bucillamine, given i.v. during the first 3 h of reperfusion, substantially reduced myocardial infarct size. Livers exposed to 24 h of cold ischemia were markedly protected by bucillamine in several transplantation models. In Phase I human studies in normal volunteers, bucillamine at doses up to 25 mg/kg/h i.v. for 3 h elicited no serious toxicity. On the basis of pharmacokinetic analyses of blood levels during these studies it was concluded that bucillamine, infused at i.v. doses > or =10 mg/kg/h for 3 h to humans could be expected to be therapeutically effective in myocardial infarction, organ transplantation and other acute inflammatory syndromes.

Characterization of the hypotensive effect of S-nitroso- N-acetylcysteine in normotensive and hypertensive conscious rats

S-Nitrosothiols (RSNOs) are potent vasodilators found naturally in vivo. A variety of synthetic RSNOs have been considered as potential nitric oxide (NO) donors for biomedical applications. We have characterized the hypotensive effect of the RSNO S-nitroso- N-acetylcysteine (SNAC) in normotensive and hypertensive conscious rats. SNAC reduced the medium arterial pressure in a dose–response manner in both normotensive and hypertensive animals. At the same doses (EC 50 of SNAC), SNAC showed a vasodilator effect in normotensive rats more potent and more prolonged than that of sodium nitroprusside (SNP). The hypotensive effect of SNAC was also more potent in methylene blue-treated rats, where the cGMP-dependent pathway had been blockaded. These data indicate that SNAC acts by both cGMP-dependent and cGMP-independent pathways. It was also shown that the thiol N-acetylcysteine (NAC) potentiates the action of SNP in hypertensive rats, pointing to the mediation of thiols in the vasodilator action of SNP in this condition. Such mediation may involve the formation of a more potent thiol complex with the nitroprusside anion or the transfer of NO to NAC, generating SNAC as a primary vasoactive species. The kinetic monitoring of the decomposition reactions of SNAC and SNP showed that both compounds are quite stable under the infusion conditions used. Therefore, their vasodilator action cannot be assigned to their breakdown with release of free NO in solution. As the two compounds are unlikely to cross the plasmalemma of smooth muscle cells, their actions are probably associated with the mediation of endogenous thiols in transnitrosation reactions.

Mitochondrial decay in the aging rat heart: evidence for improvement by dietary supplementation with acetyl-L-carnitine and/or lipoic acid.

Mitochondrial decay has been postulated to be a significant underlying part of the aging process. Decline in mitochondrial function may lead to cellular energy deficits, especially in times of greater energy demand, and compromise vital ATP-dependent cellular operations, including detoxification, repair systems, DNA replication, and osmotic balance. Mitochondrial decay may also lead to enhanced oxidant production and thus render the cell more prone to oxidative insult. In particular, the heart may be especially susceptible to mitochondrial dysfunction due to myocardial dependency on beta-oxidation of fatty acids for energy and the postmitotic nature of cardiac myocytes, which would allow for greater accumulation of mitochondrial mutations and deletions. Thus, maintenance of mitochondrial function may be important to maintain overall myocardial function. Herein, we review the major age-related changes that occur to mitochondria in the aging heart and the evidence that two such supplements, acetyl-l-carnitine (ALCAR) and (R)-alpha-lipoic acid, may improve myocardial bioenergetics and lower the increased oxidative stress associated with aging. We and others have shown that feeding old rats ALCAR reverses the age-related decline in carnitine levels and improves mitochondrial beta-oxidation in a number of tissues studied. However, ALCAR supplementation does not appear to reverse the age-related decline in cardiac antioxidant status and thus may not substantially alter indices of oxidative stress. Lipoic acid, a potent thiol antioxidant and mitochondrial metabolite, appears to increase low molecular weight antioxidant status and thereby decreases age-associated oxidative insult. Thus, ALCAR along with lipoic acid may be effective supplemental regimens to maintain myocardial function.

Nucleoredoxin, Glutaredoxin, and Thioredoxin Differentially Regulate NF-κB, AP-1, and CREB Activation in HEK293 Cells

Well-established mechanisms for regulation of protein activity include thiol-mediated oxidoreduction in addition to protein–protein interactions and phosphorylation. Nucleoredoxin (NRX), glutaredoxin (GRX), and thioredoxin (TRX) have been shown to act as a potent thiol reductase and reactive oxygen species regulator. They constitute a oxidoreductase superfamily and have been suggested as a candidate operating in the redox regulation of gene expression. We demonstrated here that intracellular localization of these redox molecules differ from each other and that the redox molecules differentially regulate NF-κB, AP-1, and CREB activation induced by TNFα, PMA, and forskolin and by expression of signaling intermediate kinases, NIK, MEKK, and PKA in HEK293 cells. This is a first report that describes involvement of NRX and GRX and differences from TRX in transcriptional regulation of NF-κB, AP-1, and CREB in living cells.

Inhibition of NF- κB–DNA binding by mercuric ion: utility of the non-thiol reductant, tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP), on detection of impaired NF- κB–DNA binding by thiol-directed agents

Mercuric ion (Hg 2+), a potent thiol inhibitor, prevents expression of nuclear factor κB (NF- κB) by mercaptide bond formation with a critical cysteine moiety (cys 62) on the p50 subunit required for DNA binding. NF- κB–DNA binding is typically measured in reaction mixtures in which dithiothreitol (DTT) or other thiol reductants are used to maintain cys 62 in the reduced state. However, the presence of thiol reductants prevents accurate assessment of the Hg 2+ concentration required to prevent NF- κB–DNA binding because of competitive mercaptide bond formation. In the present studies we evaluated the efficacy of tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine-HCl (TCEP), a non-thiol reducing agent which does not bind Hg 2+, on NF- κB–DNA binding in vitro, using recombinant p50 protein and a 32P-labelled κB oligonucleotide. We also measured the minimal Hg 2+ concentration required to prevent this interaction in the presence of either reagent. DTT promoted NF- κB–DNA binding in concentrations from 0.25 to 2.6 m m in binding reactions. However, in the presence of 0.25 m m DTT, inhibition of NF- κB binding was seen only at Hg 2+ concentrations greater than 100 μ m and results were highly variable. In contrast, TCEP promoted NF- κB–DNA binding in a dose-related manner in concentrations from 0.25 to 6 m m. In the presence of even 6 m m TCEP, Hg 2+ prevented NF- κB–DNA binding at concentrations as low as 20 μ m in binding reactions. Similar findings were observed with regard to the thiol alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). These findings demonstrate the utility of TCEP as reductant in nuclear binding reaction assays involving the interaction of thiol constituents. They also demonstrate inhibition of NF- κB–DNA binding at Hg 2+ concentrations comparable to those known to initiate toxicity and apoptotic cell death in vivo.

A thiol antioxidant regulates IgE isotype switching by inhibiting activation of nuclear factor-κB

The binding site for nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is present at the promoter region of the germline Cϵ gene, but there is little information on whether this factor is involved in regulating IgE synthesis by human B cells. Accordingly, we studied the role of NF-κB in germline Cϵ transcription by using two human Burkitt's lymphoma B cell lines, DND39 and DG75. In both cell lines, n-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a potent thiol antioxidant, inhibited the triggering of the nuclear expression of NF-κB by IL-4 and by anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody. Although IL-4 activated signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 6 in addition to NF-κB, NAC treatment or the transfection of decoy oligodeoxynucleotides for NF-κB or STAT6 only partly blocked IL-4–induced germline Cϵ transcription. However, these two decoy oligodeoxynucleotides together almost completely abrogated IL-4–induced germline Cϵ transcription. Of note, CD40-mediated enhancement of IL-4–driven germline Cϵ transcription was markedly decreased by NAC or by a decoy oligodeoxynucleotide for NF-κB. The effect of NAC was also examined on deletional switch recombination underlying the isotype switch to IgE. NAC inhibited the generation of Sμ/Sϵ switch fragments in normal human B cells costimulated with IL-4 and anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody. It also abolished IL-4–induced upregulation of CD40 but promoted upregulation of CD23. These results suggest that coordination of NF-κB and STAT6 may be required for induction of germline Cϵ transcription by IL-4, and that CD40-mediated NF-κB activation may be important in regulating both enhancement of germline Cϵ transcription and class switching to IgE. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997;100:S33-8.)

Kinetic study of cutaneous and subcutaneous distribution following topical application of [7,8- 14C]rac-α-lipoic acid onto hairless mice

To diminish oxidative injury, topically applied antioxidants must reach susceptible cells. α-Lipoic acid is a potent thiol antioxidant that might be useful for skin protection; therefore, its skin penetration kinetics were assessed. The cutaneous and subcutaneous distributions of [7,8- 14C]rac-α-lipoic acid were studied in anesthetized hairless mice after application of a 5% solution in propylene glycol for 0.5 to 4 hr. The mice were killed; then the skin was washed, and the stratum corneum was removed by 10 cellophane tape strippings. A punch biopsy of the frozen, stripped skin was sectioned, and amounts of [ 14C]-α-lipoic acid were determined in strippings and slices of epidermis (4 × 5 μm), dermis, and subcutaneous fat (10 × 10 μm, 20 × 20 μm). The rate of [ 14C]-α-lipoic acid absorption into skin was constant by 30 min (0.10 ± 0.01 nmol/cm 2/min); maximum skin concentrations were reached by 2 hr. The [ 14C]-α-lipoic acid penetration kinetics into the first layer of the stratum corneum predicted its penetration through the stratum corneum and subsequent percutaneous absorp- tion ( r 2 = 0.96, P < 0.02). Cutaneous absorption of unlabeled α-lipoic acid and its reduction to the more potent antioxidant form, dihydrolipoic acid, were also demonstrated, using HPLC analysis with electrochemical detection. In conclusion, α-lipoic acid topically applied to skin penetrated readily, and was reduced to dihydrolipoic acid. Thus, α-lipoic acid could potentiate skin antioxidant protection.

Amino Acids and Peptides. XXXIX. Synthesis of iNoc-Gln-Val-Val-Ala-Ala-pNA and Its Action on Thiol Proteinases.

Based on the results of X-ray analysis of the complex between Suc-Gln-Val-Val-Ala-Ala-pNA, a fairly potent thiol proteinase inhibitor, and papain, iNoc-Gln-Val-Val-Ala-Ala-pNA was designed and prepared and its inhibitory activity against thiol proteinases was examined. iNoc-Gln-Val-Val-Ala-Ala-pNA inhibited cathepsin L fairly specifically, although its potency is not high.

Liver Microsome and Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase Catalyzed Oxidation of Organic Selenium Compounds

Eight commercially available selenides, a selenol, and selenourea were examined for substrate activity with purified pig liver flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO). While none of the aromatic heterocyclic selenides tested showed detectable activity, all dialkyl- and alkylaryl-selenides free from ionic groups stimulated NADPH- and FMO-dependent oxygen uptake. With limiting substrate the molar ratio of oxygen reduced to selenide added was 1:1. Analysis of products from N-[2-(methylseleno)ethyl]benzamide demonstrated that the selenide was quantitatively oxidized to selenoxide. Further oxidation of either the FMO-generated or synthetic selenoxides was not detected. The dialkyl- and alkylaryl-selenoxides are potent thiol oxidants and reaction rates for the oxidation of thiols by methylphenylselenoxide and N-[2-(methylseleninyl)ethyl]benzamide followed second order kinetics with rate constants from 3-4 × 10 3 M −1 s −1 at pH 7.4, 37°C. The rapid oxidation of thiols by these selenoxides demonstrates that the oxidation of selenides to selenoxides catalyzed by crude tissue preparations can be measured by following selenide-dependent oxidation of thiocholine by the procedure described earlier for the oxidation of thiourea (WXA Guo and D. M. Ziegler, 1991, Anal. Biochem. 198, 143-148). Activity measurements by this procedure indicated that the oxidation of dialkyl selenides by rat, guinea pig, or pig liver microsomes was catalyzed primarily by a monooxygenase with the properties of FMO. However, from 20 to 40% of the microsome-catalyzed oxidation of selenides bearing aryl substituents was sensitive to N-benzylimidazole, suggesting that P450-dependent monooxygenases also contribute, at least in part, to the oxidation of these xenobiotics.