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Reactive sulfur species (RSS) play a role in redox homeostasis; however, adaptive cell responses to excessive intracellular RSS are not well understood. Therefore, in this study, we generated transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) to produce excessive RSS. Contrary to expectations, tissue concentrations of RSS, such as cysteine persulfide (CysSSH), were comparable in both wild-type and CSE Tg mice, but the plasma concentrations of CysSSH were significantly higher in CSE Tg mice than in wild-type mice. This export of surplus intracellular RSS was also observed in primary hepatocytes of CSE Tg mice. Exposure of primary hepatocytes to the RSS generator sodium tetrasulfide (Na

Humans are exposed to various xenobiotic electrophiles on a daily basis. Electrophiles form covalent adducts with nucleophilic residues of proteins. Redox signaling, which consists of effector molecules (e.g., kinases and transcription factors) and redox sensor proteins with low pKa cysteine residues, is involved in cell survival, cell proliferation, quality control of cellular proteins and oxidative stress response. Herein, we showed that at a low dose, xenobiotic electrophiles selectively modified redox sensor proteins through covalent modification of their reactive thiols, resulting in activation of a variety of redox signaling pathways. However, increasing the dose of xenobiotic electrophiles caused non-selective and extensive modification of cellular proteins involved in toxicity. Of interest, reactive sulfur species (RSS), such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), cysteine persulfide (CysSSH), glutathione persulfide (GSSH) and even synthetic polysulfide (e.g., Na2S4), readily captured xenobiotic electrophiles, forming their sulfur adducts, which was associated with inactivation of the electrophiles. Our findings suggest that an adaptive response through redox signaling activation and RSS-mediated electrophile capturing is involved in the regulation of electrophilic stress.

Hydropersulfide and polysulfide species have recently been shown to elicit a wide variety of biological and physiological responses. In this study, we examine the effects of cysteine trisulfide (Cy...

Cysteine modification of the purinergic receptor P2Y 6 R promotes internalization and degradation and limits colitis progression.

We are exposed to numerous xenobiotic electrophiles on a daily basis through the environment, lifestyle, and dietary habits. Although such reactive species have been associated with detrimental effects, recent accumulated evidence indicates that xenobiotic electrophiles appear to act as signaling molecules. In this review, we introduce our findings on 1) activation of various redox signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, detoxification/excretion of electrophiles, quality control of cellular proteins, and cell survival during exposure to xenobiotic electrophiles at low concentrations through covalent modification of thiol groups in sensor proteins, and 2) negative regulation of reactive sulfur species (RSS) in the modulation of redox signaling and toxicity caused by xenobiotic electrophiles.

Reactive sulfur species (RSS), such as hydropersulfides and hydropolysulfides with high nucleophilicity, contain mobilized sulfur that readily captures xenobiotic electrophiles, leading to their sulfur adducts. We have previously reported that RSS produced by cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) captures the electrophilic metal methylmercury (MeHg) to form inert sulfur adducts, which in turn play a critical role in the protection against MeHg-induced motor impairment in mice. However, the mechanism underlying this neuroprotective effect is not fully understood. Here, we addressed this using CSE-knockout mice. The cerebellum of CSE-knockout mice was more susceptible to MeHg than that of wild type mice. Moreover, these CSE-deficient mice exhibited a higher level of mercury accumulation in the brain. However, co-treatment with sodium tetrasulfide, an RSS able to capture MeHg, leading to the formation of its sulfur adducts, blocked the increased accumulation of mercury, motor dysfunction and mortality caused by CSE deficiency. Our findings suggest that capturing MeHg by RSS in association with its sulfur adduct formation is involved in the repression of the brain distribution and deleterious effects of MeHg.

Thioredoxin system–mediated persulfidation of Cys residues controls protein function and protects them from oxidative stress., Irreversible oxidation of Cys residues to sulfinic/sulfonic forms typically impairs protein function. We found that persulfidation (CysSSH) protects Cys from irreversible oxidative loss of function by the formation of CysSSO1-3H derivatives that can subsequently be reduced back to native thiols. Reductive reactivation of oxidized persulfides by the thioredoxin system was demonstrated in albumin, Prx2, and PTP1B. In cells, this mechanism protects and regulates key proteins of signaling pathways, including Prx2, PTEN, PTP1B, HSP90, and KEAP1. Using quantitative mass spectrometry, we show that (i) CysSSH and CysSSO3H species are abundant in mouse liver and enzymatically regulated by the glutathione and thioredoxin systems and (ii) deletion of the thioredoxin-related protein TRP14 in mice altered CysSSH levels on a subset of proteins, predicting a role for TRP14 in persulfide signaling. Furthermore, selenium supplementation, polysulfide treatment, or knockdown of TRP14 mediated cellular responses to EGF, suggesting a role for TrxR1/TRP14-regulated oxidative persulfidation in growth factor responsiveness.

Cysteine hydropersulfide (CysSSH) occurs in abundant quantities in various organisms, yet little is known about its biosynthesis and physiological functions. Extensive persulfide formation is apparent in cysteine-containing proteins in Escherichia coli and mammalian cells and is believed to result from post-translational processes involving hydrogen sulfide-related chemistry. Here we demonstrate effective CysSSH synthesis from the substrate l-cysteine, a reaction catalyzed by prokaryotic and mammalian cysteinyl-tRNA synthetases (CARSs). Targeted disruption of the genes encoding mitochondrial CARSs in mice and human cells shows that CARSs have a crucial role in endogenous CysSSH production and suggests that these enzymes serve as the principal cysteine persulfide synthases in vivo. CARSs also catalyze co-translational cysteine polysulfidation and are involved in the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis and bioenergetics. Investigating CARS-dependent persulfide production may thus clarify aberrant redox signaling in physiological and pathophysiological conditions, and suggest therapeutic targets based on oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction., Cysteine hydropersulfides (CysSSH) are believed to have a cellular redox protective role. Here the authors show that these species can be produced from L-cysteine by cysteinyl-tRNA synthetases and that these enzymes are also involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and bioenergetics regulation.

Proteoglycans are macromolecules that consist of a core protein and one or more glycosaminoglycan side chains. A small leucine-rich dermatan sulfate proteoglycan, biglycan, is one of the predominant types of proteoglycans synthesized by vascular endothelial cells; however, the physiological functions of biglycan are not completely understood. In the present study, bovine aortic endothelial cells in culture were transfected with small interfering RNAs for biglycan, and the expression of other proteoglycans was examined. Transforming growth factor-β1 signaling was also investigated, because the interaction of biglycan with cytokines has been reported. Biglycan was found to form a complex with either transforming growth factor-β1 or the transforming growth factor-β1 type I receptor, ALK5, and to intensify the phosphorylation of Smad2/3, resulting in a lower expression of the transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan, syndecan-4. This is the first report to clarify the function of biglycan as a regulatory molecule of the ALK5-Smad2/3 TGF-β1 signaling pathway that mediates the suppression of syndecan-4 expression in vascular endothelial cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1087-1096, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that plays a crucial role in protection of cells from electrophile-induced toxicity through up-regulating phase II detoxifying enzymes and phase III transporters. We previously reported that oxidative stress induces up-regulation of interleukin-11 (IL-11), a member of the IL-6 family that ameliorates acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity. However, a role for IL-11 in protection of cells from electrophile-induced toxicity remains unclear. Here we show that an environmental electrophile, 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ), but not 15d-prostaglandin J2 (PGJ2) or tert-butylhydroxyquinone (tBHQ), induced IL-11 production. Consistent with a crucial role for prolonged ERK activation in H2O2-induced IL-11 production, 1,2-NQ, but not 15d-PGJ2 or tBHQ, elicited prolonged ERK activation. Conversely, inhibition of the ERK pathway by a MEK inhibitor completely blocked 1,2-NQ-induced IL-11 production at both protein and mRNA levels, further substantiating an intimate cross-talk between ERK activation and 1,2-NQ-induced IL-11 production. Promoter analysis of the Il11 gene revealed that two AP-1 sites were essential for 1,2-NQ-induced promoter activities. Among various members of the AP-1 family, Fra-1 was up-regulated by 1,2-NQ, and its up-regulation was blocked by a MEK inhibitor. Although NRF2 was not required for H2O2-induced IL11 up-regulation, NRF2 was essential for 1,2-NQ-induced IL11 up-regulation by increasing Fra-1 proteins possibly through promoting mRNA translation of FOSL1. Finally, intraperitoneal administration of 1,2-NQ induced body weight loss in wild-type mice, which was further exacerbated in Il11ra1−/− mice compared with Il11ra1+/− mice. Together, both Fra-1 and NRF2 play crucial roles in IL-11 production that protects cells from 1,2-NQ intestinal toxicity.

Chronic exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), an environmental electrophilic pollutant, reportedly increases the risk of human cardiac events. We report that exposure to a low, non-neurotoxic dose of MeHg precipitated heart failure induced by pressure overload in mice. Exposure to MeHg at 10 ppm did not induce weight loss typical of higher doses but caused mitochondrial hyperfission in myocardium through the activation of Drp1 by its guanine nucleotide exchange factor filamin-A. Treatment of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with cilnidipine, an inhibitor of the interaction between Drp1 and filamin-A, suppressed mitochondrial hyperfission caused by low-dose MeHg exposure. Modification of cysteine residues in proteins with polysulfides is important for redox signaling and mitochondrial homeostasis in mammalian cells. We found that MeHg targeted rat Drp1 at Cys624, a redox-sensitive residue whose SH side chain forms a bulky and nucleophilic polysulfide (Cys624-S(n)H). MeHg exposure induced the depolysulfidation of Cys624-S(n)H in Drp1, which led to filamin-dependent activation of Drp1 and mitochondrial hyperfission. Treatment with NaHS, which acts as a donor for reactive polysulfides, reversed MeHg-evoked Drp1 depolysulfidation and vulnerability to mechanical load in rodent and human cardiomyocytes and mouse hearts. These results suggest that depolysulfidation of Drp1 at Cys624-S(n)H by low-dose MeHg increases cardiac fragility to mechanical load through filamin-dependent mitochondrial hyperfission.

Hydropersulfides and related polysulfides have recently become topics of significant interest due to their physiological prevalence and proposed biological functions. Currently, examination of the effects of hydropersulfide treatment on cells is difficult due to their lack of inherent stability with respect to disproportionation. Herein, it is reported that the treatment of a variety of cell types with cysteine trisulfide (also known as thiocystine; Cys-SSS-Cys), results in an increase in intracellular hydropersulfide levels (e.g., cysteine hydropersulfide; Cys-SSH, and glutathione hydropersulfide; GSSH). Thus, Cys-SSS-Cys represents a possible pharmacological agent for examining the effects of hydropersulfides on cell function/viability. It has also been found that cells with increased intracellular hydropersulfide levels can export Cys-SSH into the extracellular media. Interestingly, the Cys-SSH is the major hydropersulfide exported by cells, although GSSH is the predominant intracellular species. The possible implications of cellular export are discussed.

Included among the many environmental electrophiles are aromatic hydrocarbon quinones formed during combustion of gasoline, crotonaldehyde in tobacco smoke, methylmercury accumulated in fish, cadmium contaminated in rice, and acrylamide in baked foods. These electrophiles can modify nucleophilic functions such as cysteine residues in proteins forming adducts and in the process activate cellular redox signal transduction pathways such as kinases and transcription factors. However, higher concentrations of electrophiles disrupt such signaling by nonselective covalent modification of cellular proteins. Persulfide/polysulfides produced by various enzymes appear to capture environmental electrophiles because of the formation of their sulfur adducts without electrophilicity. We therefore speculate that persulfide/polysulfides are candidates for the regulation of redox signal transduction pathways (e.g., cell survival, cell proliferation, and adaptive response) and toxicity during exposure to environmental electrophiles.

The interest in organic–inorganic hybrid molecules as molecular probes for biological systems has been growing rapidly. Such hybrid molecules exhibit unique biological activities. Herein, copper(II) bis(diethyldithiocarbamate) (Cu10) was found to activate the transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which is responsible for regulating antioxidant and phase II xenobiotic enzymes, in vascular endothelial cells. The copper complex rapidly accumulated within cells and induced nuclear translocation of Nrf2, leading to upregulation of the expression of downstream proteins without cytotoxic effects. However, while copper bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dithiocarbamate activated Nrf2, copper ion, diethyldithiocarbamate ligand with or without zinc or iron failed to exhibit this activity. Intracellular accumulation of Cu10 was higher than that of Cu(II) and Cu(I). While the accumulation of copper(II) bis(dimethyldithiocarbamate) was reduced by small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of the copper transporter CTR1, the knockdown did not affect Cu10 accumulation, indicating that Cu10 rapidly enters vascular endothelial cells via CTR1-independent mechanisms. In addition, copper and iron complexes with other ligands tested could not activate Nrf2, suggesting that the intramolecular interaction between copper and dithiocarbamate ligand is important for the activation of the transcription factor. Cu10 induced the expression of heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1, and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, downstream proteins of Nrf2. It was suggested that Cu10-induced activation of Nrf2 was due to proteasome inhibition as well as binding to Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1. Since the effects of Cu10 on vascular endothelial cells are unique and diverse, the copper complex may be a good molecular probe to analyze the functions of the cells. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00775-016-1337-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Redox signaling is a key modulator of oxidative stress induced by nonspecific insults of biological molecules generated by reactive oxygen species. Current redox biology is revisiting the traditional concept of oxidative stress, such that toxic effects of reactive oxygen species are protected by diverse antioxidant systems upregulated by oxidative stress responses that are physiologically mediated by redox-dependent cell signaling pathways. Redox signaling is thus precisely regulated by endogenous electrophilic substances that are generated from reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide and its derivative reactive species during stress responses. Among electrophiles formed endogenously, 8-nitroguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-nitro-cGMP) has unique cell signaling functions, and pathways for its biosynthesis, signaling mechanism, and metabolism in cells have been clarified. Reactive sulfur species such as cysteine hydropersulfides that are abundant in cells are likely involved in 8-nitro-cGMP metabolism. These new aspects of redox biology may stimulate innovative and multidisciplinary research in cell and stem cell biology; infectious diseases, cancer, metabolic syndrome, ageing, and neurodegenerative diseases; and other oxidative stress-related disorders. This review focuses on the most recent progress in the biosynthesis, cell signaling, and metabolism of 8-nitro-cGMP, which is a likely target for drug development and lead to discovery of novel therapeutics for many diseases.

While it has long been believed that benzenes and naphthalenes are unable to activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) because they are poor ligands, we recently reported that these quinoid metabolites upregulated cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) in Hepa1c1c7 cells (Abiko et al., 2015). In the current study, AhR activation, measured with a bioluminescence-based cell free assay, was induced by 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ), a metabolite of naphthalene. Consistent with this, 1,4-benzoquinone (1,4-BQ), tert-butyl-1,4-BQ, and 1,4-NQ, as well as 1,2-NQ, all electrophilic mono- and bi-cyclic quinones, upregulated CYP1A1 mRNA and protein in HepG2 cells, whereas their parent aromatic hydrocarbons had little effect. Furthermore, immunofluorescence analysis confirmed that these quinones enhanced translocation of AhR to the nucleus.

Living organisms are surrounded with heavy metals such as methylmercury, manganese, cobalt, cadmium, arsenic, as well as pesticides such as deltamethrin and paraquat, or atmospheric pollutants such as quinone. Extensive studies have demonstrated a strong link between environmental pollutants and human health. Redox toxicity is proposed as one of the main mechanisms of chemical-induced pathology in humans. Acting as both a sensor of oxidative stress and a positive regulator of antioxidants, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) has attracted recent attention. However, the role NRF2 plays in environmental pollutant-induced toxicity has not been systematically addressed. Here, we characterize NRF2 function in response to various pollutants, such as metals, pesticides and atmospheric quinones. NRF2 related signaling pathways and epigenetic regulations are also reviewed., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Environmental chemicals cause redox toxicity via oxidative stress. • NRF2 acts as a sensor of oxidative stress and a positive regulator of antioxidants. • NRF2 responds to metals, pesticides and atmospheric pollutants. • NRF2 and related pathways can be epigenetically regulated.

Defective mitochondrial dynamics through aberrant interactions between mitochondria and actin cytoskeleton is increasingly recognized as a key determinant of cardiac fragility after myocardial infarction (MI). Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a mitochondrial fission–accelerating factor, is activated locally at the fission site through interactions with actin. Here, we report that the actin-binding protein filamin A acted as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Drp1 and mediated mitochondrial fission–associated myocardial senescence in mice after MI. In peri-infarct regions characterized by mitochondrial hyperfission and associated with myocardial senescence, filamin A colocalized with Drp1 around mitochondria. Hypoxic stress induced the interaction of filamin A with the GTPase domain of Drp1 and increased Drp1 activity in an actin-binding–dependent manner in rat cardiomyocytes. Expression of the A1545T filamin mutant, which potentiates actin aggregation, promoted mitochondrial hyperfission under normoxia. Furthermore, pharmacological perturbation of the Drp1–filamin A interaction by cilnidipine suppressed mitochondrial hyperfission–associated myocardial senescence and heart failure after MI. Together, these data demonstrate that Drp1 association with filamin and the actin cytoskeleton contributes to cardiac fragility after MI and suggests a potential repurposing of cilnidipine, as well as provides a starting point for innovative Drp1 inhibitor development.

The chemical biology of thiols (RSH, e.g., cysteine and cysteine-containing proteins/peptides) has been a topic of extreme interest for many decades due to their reported roles in protein structure/folding, redox signaling, metal ligation, cellular protection, and enzymology. While many of the studies on thiol/sulfur biochemistry have focused on thiols, relatively ignored have been hydropersulfides (RSSH) and higher order polysulfur species (RSSn H, RSSn R, n > 1). Recent and provocative work has alluded to the prevalence and likely physiological importance of RSSH and related RSSn H. RSSH of cysteine (Cys-SSH) has been found to be prevalent in mammalian systems along with Cys-SSH-containing proteins. The RSSH functionality has not been examined to the extent of other biologically relevant sulfur derivatives (e.g., sulfenic acids, disulfides, etc.), whose roles in cell signaling are strongly indicated. The recent finding of Cys-SSH biosynthesis and translational incorporation into proteins is an unequivocal indication of its fundamental importance and necessitates a more profound look into the physiology of RSSH. In this Review, we discuss the currently reported chemical biology of RSSH (and related species) as a prelude to discussing their possible physiological roles.

While N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine (NAPQI), an electrophilic metabolite of acetaminophen (APAP), has been found to undergo GSH conjugation associated with its detoxification, interaction of NAPQI with nucleophilic per- and polysulfides produced by cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine β-synthase, and/or other enzymes is not known. In the present study, we found that sulfur adducts such as the NAPQIH2-SSSCys adduct and the NAPQIH2-SSG adduct are produced in biological samples of mice upon APAP exposure. Our in vitro experiments indicated that the formation of these novel APAP metabolites is, at least in part, attributable to the interaction of CysSSnSH produced by CSE and GSH persulfide with APAP-derived NAPQI.

Bismethylmercury sulfide (MeHg)2S has been found to be a detoxified metabolite of methylmercury (MeHg) that is produced by SH-SY5Y cells and in livers of rats exposed to MeHg. (MeHg)2S could be formed through the interactions between MeHg and sulfur species such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S or HS(-)), but the origin of its sulfur has not been fully identified. We herein examined the formation of (MeHg)2S through interactions between MeHg and persulfides, polysulfides, and protein preparations. Investigations using HPLC/atomic absorption spectrophotometry and EI-MS revealed that NaHS and Na2S4 react readily with MeHg to give (MeHg)2S, and similar results were found using GSH persulfide (GSSH) formed endogenously or generated enzymatically in vitro. (MeHg)2S was also formed by incubation of MeHg with liver and heart cytosolic fractions prepared from wild-type mice but not with those from mice lacking cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) that catalyzes the formation of cysteine persulfide. Consistent with this, (MeHg)2S was detected in a variety of tissues taken from wild-type mice intraperitoneally injected with MeHg in vivo but not in those from MeHg-injected CSE knockout mice. By separating liver fractions by column chromatography, we found numerous proteins that contain persulfides: one of the proteins was identified as being glutathione S-transferase pi 1. These results indicate that the formation of (MeHg)2S can be attributed to interactions between MeHg and endogenous free persulfide species, as well as protein-bound cysteine persulfide.

Highly reactive quinone species produced by photooxidation and/or metabolic activation of mono- or bi-aromatic hydrocarbons modulate cellular homeostasis and electrophilic signal transduction pathways through the covalent modification of proteins. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, but not mono- or bi-aromatic hydrocarbons, are well recognized as ligands for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). However, quinone species produced from mono- and bi-aromatic hydrocarbons could potentially cause AhR activation. To clarify the AhR response to mono- and bi-aromatic hydrocarbon quinones, we studied Cyp1a1 (cytochrome P450 1A1) induction and AhR activation by these quinones. We detected Cyp1a1 induction during treatment with quinones in Hepa1c1c7 cells, but not their parent compounds. Nine of the twelve quinones with covalent binding capability for proteins induced Cyp1a1. Cyp1a1 induction mediated by 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ), 1,4-NQ, 1,4-benzoquinone (1,4-BQ) and tert-butyl-1,4-BQ was suppressed by a specific AhR inhibitor and was not observed in c35 cells, which do not have a functional AhR. These quinones stimulated AhR nuclear translocation and interaction with the AhR nuclear translocator. Interestingly, 1,2-NQ covalently modified AhR, which was detected by an immunoprecipitation assay using a specific antibody against 1,2-NQ, resulting in enhancement of xenobiotic responsive element (XRE)-derived luciferase activity and binding of AhR to the Cyp1a1 promoter region. While mono- and bi-aromatic hydrocarbons are generally believed to be poor ligands for AhR and hence unable to induce Cyp1a1, our study suggests that the quinones of these molecules are able to modify AhR and activate the AhR/XRE pathway, thereby inducing Cyp1a1. Since we previously reported that 1,2-NQ and tert-butyl-1,4-BQ also activate NF-E2-related factor 2, it seems likely that some of quinones are bi-functional inducers for phase-I and phase-II reaction of xenobiotics.

Recently, we established a biotin-PEAC5-maleimide (BPM)-labeling assay, which can be used to determine the modification of electrophilic metals to proteins (Toyama et al., J. Toxicol. Sci., 38, 477-484, 2013). In the present study, we applied a BPM-labeling assay to detect protein S-modification by environmental organic electrophiles. After exposing A431 cells to 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) and 1,4-naphthoquinone (1,4-NQ), there was an inverse correlation between Western blot analysis with specific antibody against these electrophiles and that with BPM on the blot intensity to detect protein modification. Similar results were also observed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with BPM. Modification of proteins in mouse liver cytosol by 5-hydroxy-1,4-NQ, 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-NQ, 1,4-benzoquinone (1,4-BQ), tert-butyl-1,4-BQ, and N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine, an electrophilic metabolite of acetaminophen, was detected using ELISA, but not non-electrophilic quinones or hydroquinone. We also tested whether ELISA could be used to detect electrophiles contained in the vapor phase of ambient air samples collected in the midtown area of Los Angeles. Taken together, the results suggested that the ELISA, developed in this study, can detect the existence of electrophilic quinones that covalently modify cellular proteins, resulting in modulation of redox-signal transduction pathways or cell damage.

Exposure to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) causes methemoglobin (metHb) formation, hemolysis and negative heme balance in vivo, but the mechanistic details are poorly understood. In the present study, we examined the participation of metabolic activation in TNT-mediated hematotoxicity. Exposure of rats with TNT (300 mg/kg, i.p.) for 4 days resulted in a decrease of hematocrit value coupled to an increase in metHb formation. The red blood cells treated with 4-hydroxylamino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (HADNT), a metabolite of TNT, underwent readily hemolysis in vitro, whereas such a phenomenon was not seen with TNT. Consistent with this, HADNT is active toward metHb formation and the decrease in thiol content of the globin moiety compared with TNT and its metabolites 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (ADNT) and 4-acetylamino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (AADNT). Furthermore, interaction of purified rat oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) with HADNT, but not TNT, ADNT, and AADNT, caused a concentration-dependent production of H2O2 and ferrylhemoglobin (ferrylHb) which is a highly oxidizing state formed by reaction of oxyHb with H2O2. Notably, hemin was released during interaction of oxyHb with HADNT. Taken together, these findings suggest that HADNT is an active metabolite that mediates TNT-induced hematotoxicity via formation of prooxidants such as H2O2 and ferrylHb.

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental electrophile that modifies protein nucleophiles, thereby modulating cellular signaling and toxicity. While reactive persulfides/polysulfides exhibit relatively high nucleophilic properties, their roles in the altered gene expression and toxicity caused by Cd remain unclear. Exposing primary mouse hepatocytes to Cd caused heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and metallothionein (MT)-I/II to be upregulated and cytotoxicity to occur. These effects were blocked in the presence of polysulfide sodium tetrasulfide (Na2S4). Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis indicated that cadmium sulfide (CdS) and cadmium thiosulfate (CdS2O3) were produced when Cd reacted with Na2S4. Authentic CdS did not cause cellular signaling responses to be activated or hepatotoxic effects, while CdS2O3 had effects similar to those of Cd. HSP70 and MT-I/II upregulation and hepatotoxicity caused by exposure to Cd were significantly enhanced by the deletion of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), which cataly...

Electrophiles such as methylmercury (MeHg) affect cellular functions by covalent modification with endogenous thiols. Reactive persulfide species were recently reported to mediate antioxidant responses and redox signaling because of their strong nucleophilicity. In this study, we used MeHg as an environmental electrophile and found that exposure of cells to the exogenous electrophile elevated intracellular concentrations of the endogenous electrophilic molecule 8-nitroguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-nitro-cGMP), accompanied by depletion of reactive persulfide species and 8-SH-cGMP which is a metabolite of 8-nitro-cGMP. Exposure to MeHg also induced S-guanylation and activation of H-Ras followed by injury to cerebellar granule neurons. The electrophile-induced activation of redox signaling and the consequent cell damage were attenuated by pretreatment with a reactive persulfide species donor. In conclusion, exogenous electrophiles such as MeHg with strong electrophilicity impair the redox signaling regulatory mechanism, particularly of intracellular reactive persulfide species and therefore lead to cellular pathogenesis. Our results suggest that reactive persulfide species may be potential therapeutic targets for attenuating cell injury by electrophiles.

Nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) cooperatively participate in the regulation of cellular signaling, at least in part, via posttranslational modifications of protein thiols. 8-Nitroguanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-nitro-cGMP) is a nitrated derivative of guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) formed endogenously under conditions associated with production of both NO and ROS. It acts as an electrophilic second messenger in regulation of cellular signaling by inducing posttranslational modification of redox-sensitive protein thiols via covalent adduction of cGMP moieties to protein thiols (protein S-guanylation). Site-specific S-guanylation of redox sensor proteins, such as Keap1 (the negative regulator of transcription factor Nrf2), H-Ras (small GTPase), HSP60 (mitochondrial heat shock protein), and cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1 has been implicated in the regulation of diverse cellular functions including antioxidant adaptation, cellular senescence, mitochondrial permeability pore opening, and vascular relaxation. We recently demonstrated that reactive cysteine persulfides are formed abundantly in cells and critically involved in regulation of redox signaling possibly via multiple mechanisms; that is, sulfhydration of electrophiles, reduction of cellular ROS levels, and formation of protein persulfides/polysulfides. In this chapter, we discuss the regulatory mechanisms of redox signaling with particular emphasis on the roles of 8-nitro-cGMP and reactive cysteine persulfides. Environmental electrophiles are an alternative important species involved in redox signaling, and we will discuss their metabolic regulation by reactive cysteine persulfides.

Methylmercury (MeHg) reacts readily with GSH, leading to the formation of a MeHg-SG adduct that is excreted into extracellular space through multidrug-resistance-associated protein (MRP), which is regulated by the transcription factor Nrf2. We previously reported that MeHg covalently modifies Keap1 and activates Nrf2 in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. In the study presented here, we examined whether the MeHg-SG adduct could also modulate the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway because the formation of the Hg-S bond is believed to be reversible in the presence of a nucleophile. SH-SY5Y cells exposed to the synthetic ethyl monoester of the MeHg-SG adduct (which is hydrolyzed by cellular esterase(s) to give the MeHg-SG adduct) exhibited a concentration-dependent cellular toxicity that was enhanced by pretreatment with a specific MRP inhibitor. As expected, the MeHg-SG adduct was able to modify cellular proteins in the SH-SY5Y cells and purified Keap1. We also found that this prodrug, as well as MeHg, causes the cellular Keap1 in the cells to be modified, resulting in Nrf2 activation and, thereby, the upregulation of the downstream genes. These results suggest that the MeHg-SG adduct is not electrophilic but that it modifies protein thiols (including Keap1) through S-transmercuration and that rapid Nrf2-dependent excretion of the MeHg-SG adduct is essential in decreasing the cytotoxicity of MeHg.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, but its pathogenesis remains elusive. A mutation in ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) is responsible for a form of genetic PD which strongly resembles the idiopathic PD. We previously showed that 1-(3',4'-dihydroxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (3',4'DHBnTIQ) is an endogenous parkinsonism-inducing dopamine derivative. Here, we investigated the interaction between 3',4'DHBnTIQ and UCH-L1 and its possible role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic PD. Our results indicate that 3',4'DHBnTIQ binds to UCH-L1 specifically at Cys152 in vitro. In addition, 3',4'DHBnTIQ treatment increased the amount of UCH-L1 in the insoluble fraction of SH-SY5Y cells and inhibited its hydrolase activity to 60%, reducing the level of ubiquitin in the soluble fraction of SH-SY5Y cells. Catechol-modified UCH-L1 as well as insoluble UCH-L1 were detected in the midbrain of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-treated PD model mice. Structurally as well as functionally altered UCH-L1 have been detected in the brains of patients with idiopathic PD. We suggest that conjugation of UCH-L1 by neurotoxic endogenous compounds such as 3',4'DHBnTIQ might play a key role in onset and progression of idiopathic PD. We investigated the interaction between ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) and the brain endogenous parkinsonism inducer 1-(3',4'-dihydroxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (3',4'DHBnTIQ). Our results indicate that 3',4'DHBnTIQ binds to UCH-L1 specifically at cysteine 152 and induces its aggregation. 3',4'DHBnTIQ also inhibits the hydrolase activity of UCH-L1. Catechol-modified as well as insoluble UCH-L1 were detected in the midbrains of MPTP-treated Parkinson's disease (PD) model mice. Conjugation of UCH-L1 by neurotoxic endogenous compounds like 3',4'DHBnTIQ might play a key role in onset and progression of PD.

The accumulation of methylmercury (MeHg) through the daily consumption of large predatory fish poses potential health risks. MeHg has been found to cause Minamata disease, but the full nature of MeHg toxicity remains unclear. Because of its chemical properties, MeHg covalently binds to cellular proteins through their reactive thiols, referred to as S-mercuration, resulting in the formation of protein adducts. In this review, we summarize how the S-mercuration of cellular proteins could be involved in the major mechanisms that have been suggested to underlie MeHg toxicity. Additionally, we introduce our attempts to identify cases of S-mercuration for the research to reveal the true nature of MeHg toxicity.

While apoptosis has been considered to be identical to programmed cell death, necroptosis, which is morphologically related to necrosis, has emerged as a novel type of programmed cell death. Necroptosis depends on two structurally related kinases, receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase (RIPK)1 and RIPK3. RIPK1 is activated through oligomerization of upstream adaptor molecules such as Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) and TNF receptor-associated death domain (TRADD) that are triggered by TNFα or Fas ligand. Activated RIPK1 subsequently interacts with and activates RIPK3, resulting in necroptosis. However, contribution of oxidative stress to execution of necroptosis is still controversial. We found that a selective inhibitor for RIPK1, necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) significantly blocked TNFα-induced cell death and ROS accumulation in NF-κB activation-deficient cells. This suggests that these cells mostly died by necroptosis upon TNFα stimulation. Intriguingly, an antioxidant, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) blocked TNFα-induced necroptosis and ROS accumulation in NF-κB activation-deficient cells. However, Nec-1, but not BHA, inhibited TNFα-induced phosphorylation of RIPK1 in these cells, suggesting that ROS play a crucial role in execution of necroptosis downstream of RIPK1 activation. Structural and functional analyses using BHA related compounds revealed that both tert-butyl and hydroxy groups of BHA are crucial for its anti-necroptotic function. Together, these results suggest that TNFα-induced necroptosis is tightly associated with oxidative stress, and oxidative stress is induced downstream of RIPK1 activation.

Garcinia vilersiana is a traditional medicinal plant in Vietnam. The petroleum ether extract of stem bark of Garcinia vilersiana (GVE) was prepared to evaluate its potential to activate Nrf2, a transcription factor of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes. Exposure of mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells to GVE (0.625-2.5 µg/ml) resulted in a significant activation of Nrf2, as evaluated by nuclear accumulation of this transcription factor, and increased antioxidant response element (ARE) binding activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. As a result, GVE caused ARE-dependent up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the cells. These results suggest that GVE contains components that have the ability to activate the Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 signaling pathway, leading to cellular protection.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental electrophile that covalently modifies cellular proteins with reactive thiols, resulting in the formation of protein adducts. While such protein modifications, referred to asS-mercuration, are thought to be associated with the enzyme dysfunction and cellular damage caused by MeHg exposure, the current consensus is that (1) there is a cellular response to MeHg through the activation of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) coupled toS-mercuration of its negative regulator, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and (2) the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway protects against MeHg toxicity. In this review, we introduce our findings and discuss the observations of other workers concerning theS-mercuration of cellular proteins by MeHg and the importance of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in protection against MeHg toxicity in cultured cells and mice.

The current consensus is that environmental electrophiles activate redox signal transduction pathways through covalent modification of sensor proteins with reactive thiol groups at low concentrations, while they cause cell damage at higher concentrations. We previously exposed human carcinoma A431 cells to the atmospheric electrophile 1,4-naphthoquinone (1,4-NQ) and found that heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), a negative regulator of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), was a target of 1,4-NQ. In the study presented here, we determined whether 1,4-NQ activates HSF1. We also examined whether such redox signaling could be regulated by nucleophilic sulfur species. Exposure of A431 cells to 1,4-NQ covalently modified cellular HSP90, resulting in repression of the association between HSF1 with HSP90, thereby enhancing HSF1 translocation into the nuclei. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis with recombinant HSP90 revealed that the modifications site were Cys412 and Cys564. We found that HSF1 activation mediated by 1,4-NQ upregulated downstream genes, such as HSPA6. HSF1 knockdown accelerated 1,4-NQ-mediated cytotoxicity in the cells. While simultaneous treatment with reactive persulfide and polysulfide, Na 2 S 2 and Na 2 S 4 , blocked 1,4-NQ-dependent protein modification and HSF1 activation in A431 cells, the knockdown of Cys persulfide producing enzymes cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and/or cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) enhanced these phenomena. 1,4-NQ-thiol adduct and 1,4-NQ-S-1,4-NQ adduct were produced during the enzymatic reaction of recombinant CSE in the presence of 1,4-NQ. The results suggest that activation of the HSP90–HSF1 signal transduction pathway mediated by 1,4-NQ protects cells against 1,4-NQ and that per/polysulfides can diminish the reactivity of 1,4-NQ by forming sulfur adducts.

Methylmercury (MeHg) modifies cellular proteins via their thiol groups in a process referred to as “S-mercuration”, potentially resulting in modulation of the cellular signal transduction pathway. We examined whether low-dose MeHg could affect Akt signaling involved in cell survival. Exposure of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells of up to 2 μM MeHg phosphorylated Akt and its downstream signal molecule CREB, presumably due to inactivation of PTEN through S-mercuration. As a result, the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was up-regulated by MeHg. The activation of Akt/CREB/Bcl-2 signaling mediated by MeHg was, at least in part, linked to cellular defence because either pretreatment with wortmannin to block PI3K/Akt signaling or knockdown of Bcl-2 enhanced MeHg-mediated cytotoxicity. In contrast, increasing concentrations of MeHg disrupted Akt/CREB/Bcl-2 signaling. This phenomenon was attributed to S-mercuration of CREB through Cys286 rather than Akt. These results suggest that although MeHg is an apoptosis-inducing toxicant, this environmental electrophile is able to activate the cell survival signal transduction pathway at lower concentrations prior to apoptotic cell death.

The recent discovery of significant hydropersulfide (RSSH) levels in mammalian tissues, fluids and cells has led to numerous questions regarding their possible physiological function. Cysteine hydropersulfides have been found in free cysteine, small molecule peptides as well as in proteins. Based on their chemical properties and likely cellular conditions associated with their biosynthesis, it has been proposed that they can serve a protective function. That is, hydropersulfide formation on critical thiols may protect them from irreversible oxidative or electrophilic inactivation. As a prelude to understanding the possible roles and functions of hydropersulfides in biological systems, this study utilizes primarily chemical experiments to delineate the possible mechanistic chemistry associated with cellular protection. Thus, the ability of hydropersulfides to protect against irreversible electrophilic and oxidative modification was examined. The results herein indicate that hydropersulfides are very reactive towards oxidants and electrophiles and are modified readily. However, reduction of these oxidized/modified species is facile generating the corresponding thiol, consistent with the idea that hydropersulfides can serve a protective function for thiol proteins.

Physiological roles of the transsulfuration pathway have been recognized by its contribution to the synthesis of cytoprotective cysteine metabolites, such as glutathione, taurine/hypotaurine, and hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), whereas its roles in protecting against methionine toxicity remained to be clarified. This study aimed at revealing these roles by analyzing high-methionine diet-fed transsulfuration-defective cystathionine γ-lyase-deficient (Cth(-/-)) mice. Wild-type and Cth(-/-) mice were fed a standard diet (1 × Met: 0.44%) or a high-methionine diet (3 × Met or 6 × Met), and hepatic conditions were monitored by serum biochemistry and histology. Metabolome analysis was performed for methionine derivatives using capillary electrophoresis- or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and sulfur-detecting gas chromatography. The 6 × Met-fed Cth(-/-) (not 1 × Met-fed Cth(-/-) or 6 × Met-fed wild type) mice displayed acute hepatitis, which was characterized by markedly elevated levels of serum alanine/aspartate aminotransferases and serum/hepatic lipid peroxidation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and hepatocyte ballooning; thereafter, they died of gastrointestinal bleeding due to coagulation factor deficiency. After 1 week on 6 × Met, blood levels of ammonia/homocysteine and hepatic levels of methanethiol/3-methylthiopropionate (a methionine transamination product/methanethiol precursor) became significantly higher in Cth(-/-) mice than in wild-type mice. Although hepatic levels of methionine sulfoxide became higher in 6 × Met-fed wild-type mice and Cth(-/-) mice, those of glutathione, taurine/hypotaurine, and H(2)S became lower and serum levels of homocysteine became much higher in 6 × Met-fed Cth(-/-) mice than in wild-type mice. Thus, transsulfuration plays a critical role in the detoxification of excessive methionine by circumventing aberrant accumulation of its toxic transamination metabolites, including ammonia, methanethiol, and 3-methylthiopropionate, in addition to synthesizing cysteine-derived antioxidants to counteract accumulated pro-oxidants such as methionine sulfoxide and homocysteine.

Quinones are a group of highly reactive organic chemical species that interact with biological systems to promote inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer actions and to induce toxicities. This review describes the chemistry, biochemistry, and cellular effects of 1,2- and 1,4-naphthoquinones and their derivatives. The naphthoquinones are of particular interest because of their prevalence as natural products and as environmental chemicals, present in the atmosphere as products of fuel and tobacco combustion. 1,2- and 1,4-naphthoquinones are also toxic metabolites of naphthalene, the major polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon present in ambient air. Quinones exert their actions through two reactions: as prooxidants, reducing oxygen to reactive oxygen species; and as electrophiles, forming covalent bonds with tissue nucleophiles. The targets for these reactions include regulatory proteins such as protein tyrosine phosphatases; Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, the regulatory protein for NF-E2-related factor 2; and the glycolysis enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Through their actions on regulatory proteins, quinones affect various cell signaling pathways that promote and protect against inflammatory responses and cell damage. These actions vary with the specific quinone and its concentration. Effects of exposure to naphthoquinones as environmental chemicals can vary with the physical state, i.e., whether the quinone is particle bound or is in the vapor state. The exacerbation of pulmonary diseases by air pollutants can, in part, be attributed to quinone action.

While metabolic activation of naphthalene, yielding 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) and 1,4-NQ that can covalently bind to cellular proteins, has been recognized to be associated with its toxicity, the current consensus is that such electrophile-mediated covalent modification of sensor proteins with thiolate ions is also involved in activation of cellular signal transduction pathways for cellular protection against reactive materials. In the present study, we developed an immunochemical assay to detect cellular proteins adducted by 1,4-NQ. Dot blot analysis indicated that the antibody prepared against 1,4-NQ recognized the naphthalene moiety with the para-dicarbonyl group, rather than with the ortho-dicarbonyl group. Furthermore, little cross-reactivity of para-quinones with either a different number of aromatic rings (n = 1) or substituent groups was observed. With this specific antibody against 1,4-NQ, we identified nine target proteins of 1,4-NQ following exposure of human epithelial carcinoma cell line A431 to 1,4-NQ. Among them, heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and HSP70 are of interest because covalent modification of these chaperones causes activation of heat shock factor-1, which plays a role in the cellular response against electrophiles such as 1,4-NQ. Thus, our method, which does not use radiolabeled compounds, would be applicable for exploring activation of electrophilic signal transduction pathways coupled to covalent modification of sensor proteins during exposure to naphthalene as well as 1,4-NQ.

1,2-Naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) is electrophilic, and forms covalent bonds with protein thiols, but its two-electron reduction product 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene (1,2-NQH(2)) is not, so enzymes catalyzing the reduction with reduced pyridine nucleotides as cofactors could protect cells from electrophile-based chemical insults. To assess this possibility, we examined proteins isolated from the 9000g supernatant from mouse liver for 1,2-NQ reductase activity using an HPLC assay procedure for the hydroquinone of 1,2-NQ and Cibacron Blue 3GA column chromatography and Western blot analysis with specific antibody to determine 1,2-NQ-bound proteins. Among the proteins with high affinities for pyridine nucleotides that also inhibited 1,2-NQ-protein adduct formation in the presence of NADH, a 37-kDa protein was found and identified as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Using recombinant human GAPDH, we found that this glycolytic enzyme indeed catalyzes the two-electron reduction of 1,2-NQ accompanied by extensive NADH consumption under 20% oxygen conditions. When either 1,2-NQH(2) or 1,2-NQ was incubated with GAPDH in the presence of NADH, minimal covalent bonding to the enzyme occurred compared to that in its absence. These results indicate that GAPDH can inhibit 1,2-NQ-based electrophilic protein modification by conversion to the nonelectrophilic 1,2-NQH(2) via an NADH-dependent process.

1,2-Naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) is an electrophile found in the atmosphere, which reacts readily with protein nucleophiles to form a stable protein adduct. Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is predominantly expressed in lung tissue and functions in antioxidant defense by facilitating the repair of damaged cell membranes via reduction of peroxidized phospholipids. In the present study, human A549 pulmonary epithelial cells were exposed to 1,2-NQ to explore whether 1,2-NQ can bind covalently to Prdx6, thereby disrupting its catalytic activity. Two-dimensional SDS/PAGE followed by western blot analysis with a specific antibody against 1,2-NQ showed that Prdx6 was covalently modified by 1,2-NQ. Using purified human Prdx6, it was found that 1,2-NQ bound covalently to Prdx6 through Cys47, Lys144 and Cys91, resulting in a significant reduction in phospholipase A(2) activity. These results suggest that arylation of Prdx6 by 1,2-NQ may, at least in part, be involved in the cellular toxicity induced by 1,2-NQ.

DNA cleavage by quinones contained in diesel exhaust particles (DEP) was examined in a cell-free system using supercoiled FX174 DNA as the target DNA. In the presence of Cu(II) and NADPH, 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (PQ) caused the transformation of the supercoiled FX174 DNA into open circular and then linear forms in a concentration-dependent manner. This DNA damage by PQ was decreased by catalase, a superoxide anion scavenger and a Cu(I)-specific chelator, but not by superoxide dismutase and a hydroxyl radical scavenger, suggesting that the ultimate reactive product responsible for the DNA scission may be Cu(I)-OOH generated from hydrogen peroxide and Cu(I) rather than hydroxyl radicals. In addition, 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) damaged DNA more severely than PQ, while 1,4-NQ and 9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) did not induce significant DNA damage. When a purified aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1C isozyme, which catalyzes the two-electron reduction of PQ, was included in the reaction mixture, the PQ-induced DNA damage became more extensive. Addition of the AKR1C isozyme also increased the 1,2-NQ-induced DNA damage and conferred the ability to cause DNA damage on 1,4-NQ, but had no effect on AQ. The severity of the DNA damage induced by DEP quinones was solely related to both NADPH consumption and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. These findings indicate that the generation of ROS via redox cycling of DEP quinones is a causative event in DNA scission and that the AKR1C isozyme accelerates the redox cycling of DEP quinones that are utilized as substrates, thereby resulting in the promotion of oxidative stress and DNA damage.

Nitro-fatty acids are electrophilic fatty acids produced in vivo from nitrogen peroxide that have many physiological activities. We recently demonstrated that nitro-fatty acids activate the Keap1-Nrf2 system, which protects cells from damage owing to electrophilic or oxidative stresses via transactivating an array of cytoprotective genes, although the molecular mechanism how they activate Nrf2 is unclear. A number of chemical compounds with different structures have been reported to activate the Keap1-Nrf2 system, which can be categorized into at least six classes based on their sensing pathways. In this study, we showed that nitro-oleic acid (OA-NO₂), one of major nitro-fatty acids, activates Nrf2 in the same manner that of a cyclopentenone prostaglandin 15-deoxy-Δ(12,14) -prostaglandin J₂ (15d-PGJ₂) using transgenic zebrafish that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) in response to Nrf2 activators. In transgenic embryos, GFP was induced in the whole body by treatment with OA-NO₂, 15d-PGJ₂ or diethylmaleate (DEM), but not with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), when exogenous Nrf2 and Keap1 were co-overexpressed. Induction by OA-NO₂ or 15d-PGJ₂ but not DEM was observed, even when a C151S mutation was introduced in Keap1. Our results support the contention that OA-NO₂ and 15d-PGJ₂ share an analogous cysteine code as electrophiles and also have similar anti-inflammatory roles.

Arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) is widely used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Several lines of evidence have indicated that As(2)O(3) affects signal transduction and transactivation of transcription factors, resulting in the stimulation of apoptosis in leukemia cells, because some transcription factors are reported to associate with the redox condition of the cells, and arsenicals cause oxidative stress. Thus, the disturbance and activation of the cellular signaling pathway and transcription factors due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation during arsenic exposure may explain the ability of As(2)O(3) to induce a complete remission in relapsed APL patients. In this report, we review recent findings on ROS generation and alterations in signal transduction and in transactivation of transcription factors during As(2)O(3) exposure in leukemia cells.

Ambient vapor-phase samples collected in Riverside, California had shown that both redox and electrophilic activity were present, with the vapor phase containing higher levels of electrophiles than the particle phase. In this study, the biochemical effects of the vapor-phase electrophiles were examined using the purified thiol proteins, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and KELCH-1 like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). The results demonstrated that the thiol proteins were inactivated by the vapor-phase samples through covalent modifications. Next, two cellular responses, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), to the ambient vapor-phase samples were assessed in A549 and RAW 264.7 cell lines, respectively. The vapor-phase samples, at non-oxidative concentrations, increased phosphorylation of EGFR, which is negatively regulated by PTP1B, and its downstream MAP kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. Activation of Nrf2, which requires Keap1 alkylation, and expression of its downstream proteins were also observed. The electrophilic compounds present in ambient vapor-phase were shown to modify cellular proteins through covalent modification and to activate diverse cellular responses that can lead to inflammatory and adaptive responses.

Particulate matter (PM) has been the primary focus of studies aiming to understand the relationship between the chemical properties of ambient aerosols and adverse health effects. Size and chemical composition of PM have been linked to their oxidative capacity which has been postulated to promote or exacerbate pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. But in the last few years, new studies have suggested that volatile and semi-volatile components may also contribute to many adverse health effects. The objectives of this study were: (i) assess for the first time the redox and electrophilic potential of vapor-phase components of ambient aerosols and (ii) evaluate the relative contributions of particle- and vapor-fractions to the hazard of a given aerosol. To achieve these objectives vapor- and particle-phase samples collected in Riverside (CA) were subjected to three chemical assays to determine their redox and electrophilic capacities. The results indicate that redox active components are mainly associated with the particle-phase, while electrophilic compounds are found primarily in the vapor-phase. Vapor-phase organic extracts were also capable of inducing the stress responding protein, heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), in RAW264.7 murine macrophages. These results demonstrate the importance of volatile components in the overall oxidative and electrophilic capacity of aerosols, and point out the need for inclusion of vapors in future health and risk assessment studies.

1,2-Naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) is an uncoupling agent for constitutive nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS), thereby inhibiting its catalytic activity. However, little information on whether this quinone can affect inducible NOS (iNOS) is available. To address this issue, we examined the effect of 1,2-NQ on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated induction of iNOS. Exposure of LPS-challenged RAW264.7 cells to 1,2-NQ resulted in decreased NO formation through a reduction in iNOS production. Under these conditions, LPS-induced activation of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) coupled to phosphorylation of inhibitory κBα (IκBα) declined. Similar effects of 1,2-NQ were observed in the lungs of mice exposed to LPS. Using IκB kinase β (IKKβ)-transfected RAW264.7 cells and recombinant IKKβ protein, we found that 1,2-NQ diminished the phosphorylation of IκB by IKKβ enzymatic activity. Taken together, these results suggest that 1,2-NQ reduces iNOS-catalyzed NO production through 1) an uncoupling reaction, as reported previously, and/or 2) disruption of IKKβ/NF-κB signaling.

9,10-Phenanthraquinone (PQ), a component of airborne particulate matter, causes marked cellular protein oxidation and cytotoxicity through a two-electron reduction to 9,10-dihydroxyphenanthrene (PQH2), which is associated with the propagation of reactive oxygen species (K. Taguchi et al., Free Radic. Biol. Med. 43:789-799, 2007). In the present study, we explored a biotransformation pathway for the detoxification of PQ. Exposure of human pulmonary epithelial A549 cells to PQ resulted in a time-dependent appearance of an unknown metabolite in the medium that was identified as the monoglucuronide of PQH2 (PQHG). Whereas a variety of isozymes of uridine 5'-diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGTs) are responsible for PQHG formation, UGT1A10 and UGT1A6 were particularly effective catalysts for glucuronide conjugation. In cell-free systems, PQ exhibited a rapid thiol oxidation and subsequent oxygen consumption in the presence of dithiothreitol, whereas PQHG did not. Unlike the parent compound, PQHG completely lost the ability to oxidize cellular proteins and cause cell death in A549 cells. In addition, deletion of the transcription factor Nrf2 decreased PQHG formation and increased PQ-mediated toxicity of mouse primary hepatocytes. Thus, we conclude that PQHG is a metabolite of PQ, generated through PQH2, that terminates its redox cycling and transports it to extracellular space.

Transcription factor Nrf2 regulates production of antioxidants and protects cells from oxidative/electrophilic stresses. Paradoxically, glutathione, one of the Nrf2-regulated antioxidants, has been assumed to promote genotoxicity of KBrO3. To address this glutathione hypothesis, we examined roles Nrf2 plays in the cellular defense against KBrO3-induced oxidative damage using Nrf2-/-, Ogg1-/- and Nrf2::Ogg1 double knockout mice. We found that upon KBrO3 treatment Nrf2::Ogg1 double knockout animals suffered from severe kidney damage, but unexpectedly the double knockout mice accumulated lower level of 8-hydroxyguanine than Ogg1-/- mice. Thus, KBrO3-induced nephrotoxicity appears not to depend on the formation of 8-hydroxyguanine. Our data also indicate that both the KBrO3-induced nephrotoxicity and formation of 8-hydroxyguanine are Nrf2-controlled processes, but the changes of the glutathione level are Nrf2-independent. Based on these results we conclude that glutathione is a minor part of the mechanism promoting genotoxicity of KBrO3 in Ogg1 knockout mice.

Human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) from contaminated fish is a potential health risk. Because of its chemical properties as a soft electrophile, we investigated the participation of Nrf2 in the cellular response to and protection against MeHg with SH-SY5Y cells and with primary mouse hepatocytes from Nrf2- and Keap1-deficient mice. Exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to MeHg activated Nrf2 through the binding of MeHg and Keap1. Nrf2 overexpression attenuated MeHg-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, primary mouse hepatocytes extracted from Nrf2-deficient mouse was susceptible, and hepatocyte-specific conditional Keap1-deficient mouse was resistant to MeHg-induced cytotoxicity. Consistent with this data, MeHg was accumulated by Nrf2 deficiency and reduced by Keap1 deficiency. Our findings indicate that MeHg activates Nrf2 and the activation of Nrf2 is essential for reduction of MeHg toxicity by facilitating its excretion into extracellular space.