The role of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminases in sulfite biosynthesis and H

Molybdenum cofactor deficiency and isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency are two rare genetic disorders that are caused by impairment of the mitochondrial enzyme sulfite oxidase. Sulfite oxidase is catalyzing the terminal reaction of cellular cysteine catabolism, the oxidation of sulfite to sulfate. Absence of sulfite oxidase leads to the accumulation of sulfite, which has been identified as a cellular toxin. However, the molecular pathways leading to the production of sulfite are still not completely understood. In order to identify novel treatment options for both disorders, the understanding of cellular cysteine catabolism – and its alterations upon loss of sulfite oxidase – is of utmost importance. Here we applied a new detection method of sulfite in cellular extracts to dissect the contribution of cytosolic and mitochondrial glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) in the transformation of cysteine sulfinic acid to sulfite and pyruvate. We found that the cytosolic isoform GOT1 is primarily responsible for the production of sulfite. Moreover, loss of sulfite oxidase activity results in the accumulation of sulfite, H2S and persulfidated cysteine and glutathione, which is consistent with an increase of SQR protein levels. Surprisingly, none of the known H2S-producing pathways were found to be upregulated under conditions of sulfite toxicity suggesting an alternative route of sulfite-induced shift from oxidative to H2S dependent cysteine catabolism.
Graphical abstract Alterations in cysteine catabolism following sulfite oxidase (SO) deficiency. Cysteine catabolism in wildtype and SO-deficient cells. Steps and enzymes that localize to mitochondria are depicted by the light blue background. The area outside refers to the cytosol. Cytosolic glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase 1 (GOT1) is responsible for cellular sulfite production, whereas mitochondrial GOT (GOT2), plays an important role in H2S production in SO deficiency. In absence of SO, sulfite (SO32−) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) accumulate. SO deficiency furthermore further impacts cellular cysteine catabolism resulting in lower intracellular cysteine levels and downregulation of many involved enzymes (depicted in gray letters). Moderate increase in GOT2 and strong induction of sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) suggest an increased flux of sulfur via the GOT2-MPST-SQR axis. Abbreviations: CBS, cystathionine β-synthase; CSE, cystathionine γ-lyase; CDO, cysteine dioxygenase; GOT, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase; MPST, mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase; SQR, sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase; ETHE1, persulfide dioxygenase; TST, thiosulfate sulfurtransferase.Image 1
Highlights • Cellular sulfite detection enables investigation of cysteine catabolism in cell extracts. • Cytosolic glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase 1 is the primary source for cellular sulfite. • Deficiency of sulfite oxidase leads to accumulation of H2S and persulfidated small molecules. • Sulfite oxidase deficiency results in a downregulation of H2S synthesis and increased SQR expression.