Oxidation and nitration of proteins by peroxynitrite and peroxidases. Mechanisms, tempol inhibition and patophysiological implications

Author(s)

Sandra Muntz Vaz

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2008-01-29

Examining board members

Ohara Augusto; Paolo Di Mascio; Ana Maria da Costa Ferreira; Iseli Lourenço Nantes; Luis Eduardo Soares Netto

• Advisor: Ohara Augusto

Abstract

The oxidants derived from peroxynitrite and peroxidase enzymes, such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), and the lesions they promote in proteins are being extensively investigated because of their relevance in inflammatory processes. Here, the proteins RNase and lysozyme were employed as targets of oxidations/nitrations mediated by peroxynitrite and MPO/H<SUB.2O2/NO2-. EPR experiments showed that the oxidations produced protein radicals of which the prominent ones were characterized as RNase-tyrosyl and lysozyme-tyrosil solvent-exposed and non-exposed, respectively. Estimates of protein radical and nitrated product yields at pH 5.4, 6.4 and 7.4 indicated that peroxynitrite and MPO/H<SUB.2O2/NO2- were more effective oxidants at pH 7.4 and 5.4, respectively. At the best condition for each oxidant, the oxidation/nitration products of Tyr and Trp residues were identified by HPLC-UV/ESI-MS analysis. The site of oxidation in the protein structures were identified by HPLC/MALDI-ToF-MS analysis of tryptic digests after oxidative treatment. From these results, it was concluded that RNase was nitrated mainly in Tyr115 > Tyr92/97 > Tyr62/63 by peroxynitrite and in all Tyr by MPO/H<SUB.2O2/NO2-. In the case of lysozyme, peroxynitrite modified mainly Trp62/63 that resulted nitrated and oxidized to a dimer and kynurenine. The MPO/H<SUB.2O2/NO2- system promoted the nitration of Tyr23/Trp28 and nitration and oxidation to dimer and kynurenine of Trp62/63. The relationships between residue accessibility in the structure of the proteins and their oxidation/nitration are discussed. The possible importance of Trp oxidation in protein aggregation is emphasized. In parallel, the effects of the nitroxide tempol upon RNase nitration mediated by MPO or HRP/H<SUB.2O2/NO2- was examined. Indeed, the interactions of tempol with peroxidases have been little investigated although the nitroxide is very efficient in reducing injury and 3-nitrotyrosine protein levels in tissues of animals submitted to inflammatory conditions. The second order rate constants of tempol reactions with the ferryl oxidants of MPO and HRP were determined. The consumption of reactants and formation of products were also determined. Computer simulation of the results indicated that tempol inhibits RNAse nitration mediated by peroxidases mainly because of its capability to rapidly react with &#8226;NO2 with formation of nitrite and the oxammonium cation, which, in turn, recycles back to tempol, by reacting with H2O2 to produce O2. (AU)