Genome search for susceptibility loci of common idiopathic generalised epilepsies.

Genetic factors play a major role in the aetiology of idiopathic generalised epilepsies (IGEs). The present genome scan was designed to identify susceptibility loci that predispose to a spectrum of common IGE syndromes. Our collaborative study included 130 IGE-multiplex families ascertained through a proband with either an idiopathic absence epilepsy or juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and one or more siblings affected by an IGE trait. In total, 413 microsatellite polymorphisms were genotyped in 617 family members. Non-parametric multipoint linkage analysis, using the GeneHunter program, provided significant evidence for a novel IGE susceptibility locus on chromosome 3q26 (Z(NPL) = 4.19 at D3S3725; P = 0.000017) and suggestive evidence for two IGE loci on chromosome 14q23 (Z(NPL) = 3.28 at D14S63; P = 0.000566), and chromosome 2q36 (Z(NPL) = 2.98 at D2S1371; P = 0.000535). The present linkage findings provide suggestive evidence that at least three genetic factors confer susceptibility to generalised seizures in a broad spectrum of IGE syndromes. The chromosomal segments identified harbour several genes involved in the regulation of neuronal ion influx which are plausible candidates for mutation screening.

Kinetics of nitrosation of thiols by nitric oxide in the presence of oxygen.

Nitrosothiols are powerful vasodilators. They act by releasing nitric oxide, which activates the heme protein guanylate cyclase. We have studied the kinetics of nitrosothiol formation of glutathione, cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, human serum albumin, and bovine serum albumin upon reaction with nitric oxide (NO) in the presence of oxygen. These studies have been made at low pH as well as at physiological pH. At pH 7.0, contrary to published reports, nitric oxide by itself does not react with thiols to yield nitrosothiol. However, formation of nitrosothiols is observed in the presence of oxygen. For all thiols studied, the rates of nitrosothiol formation were first order in O2 concentration and second order in NO concentration and at lower concentrations (< 5 mM thiol) also depended on thiol concentrations. Analysis of the kinetic data indicated that the rate-limiting step was the reaction of NO with oxygen. Analysis of the reaction products suggest that the main nitrosating species is N2O3: RSH+N2O3-->RSNO+NO2- + H+. Rate constants for this reaction for glutathione and several other low molecular weight thiols are in the range of 3-1.5 x 10(5) M-1 s-1, and for human and bovine serum albumins 0.3 x 10(5) M-1 s-1 and 0.06 x 10(5) M-1 s-1, respectively. The data further indicate that the reaction rate of the nitrosating species N2O3 with thiols is competitive with its rate of hydrolysis. At physiological concentrations nitrosoglutathione formation represents a significant metabolic fate of N2O3, and at glutathione concentrations of 5 mM or higher almost all of N2O3 formed is consumed in nitrosation of glutathione. Implications of these results for in vivo nitrosation of thiols are discussed.

Kinetics of nitric oxide autoxidation in aqueous solution.

A kinetic study of the reaction of NO with O2 in aqueous solution has been carried out using a colorimetric method based on a pH indicator and a stopped-flow spectrophotometer. The reaction is second order in NO concentration and first order in O2 concentration; the overall third order rate constant is 6.3 (+/- 0.4) x 10(6) (M-1)2 s-1. Model calculations for the reaction at estimated physiological concentrations of NO and O2 indicate that the simple autoxidation of NO will not limit its diffusion from the site of production in endothelial cells to a spatially removed target molecule such as guanylate cyclase in myocytes and platelets.

Separation of beta-carotene and lycopene geometrical isomers in biological samples.

The analysis of beta-carotene and lycopene, the two predominant carotenoids in human serum and tissues, was extended to the level of geometrical (cis-trans) isomers by using an improved reversed-phase HPLC methodology. We separated five geometrical isomers of beta-carotene and seven of lycopene in human serum and tissues. 13-cis-beta-Carotene was identified as the predominant cisisomer in human serum, contributing about 5% to total beta-carotene. In tissue, however, considerable amounts of 9-cis- and traces of 15-cis-beta-carotene were also detected. In contrast to beta-carotene, the lycopene isomer patterns in human serum and tissues are quite similar.

Cis/trans isomerization of carotenoids by the triplet carbonyl source 3-hydroxymethyl-3,4,4-trimethyl-1,2-dioxetane.

The interaction of biological carotenoids with 3-hydroxymethyl-3,4,4-trimethyl-1,2-dioxetane (HTMD), a thermodissociable source of electronically excited ketones, was investigated using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Incubation of the all-trans isomers of beta-carotene, lycopene and canthaxanthin with HTMD led to significant trans-to-cis isomerization, with cis isomers accounting for 20-50% of products formed (the balance assigned as oxidation products). The isomers forming from all-trans-beta-carotene were identified as 9-cis-, 13-cis- and 15-cis-beta-carotene by cochromatography of cis isomer standards and by on-line diode array absorbance spectroscopy. An HTMD-dependent cis-to-trans isomerization was observed in incubations started with 15-cis-beta-carotene, and it occurred more rapidly and to a greater extent than the isomerization of all-trans-beta-carotene. The isomer patterns generated from lycopene and beta-carotene are generally similar to those reported recently for various human tissues (Stahl et al., 1992, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 294, 173-177).

Antioxidant functions of vitamins. Vitamins E and C, beta-carotene, and other carotenoids.

Tocopherols and tocotrienols (vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as well as the carotenoids react with free radicals, notably peroxyl radicals, and with singlet molecular oxygen (1O2), this being the basis of their function as antioxidants. RRR-alpha-tocopherol is the major peroxyl radical scavenger in biological lipid phases such as membranes or low-density lipoproteins (LDL). L-Ascorbate is present in aqueous compartments (e.g. cytosol, plasma, and other body fluids) and can reduce the tocopheroxyl radical; it also has a number of metabolically important cofactor functions in enzyme reactions, notably hydroxylations. Upon oxidation, these micronutrients need to be regenerated in the biological setting, hence the need for further coupling to nonradical reducing systems such as glutathione/glutathione disulfide, dihydrolipoate/lipoate, or NADPH/NADP+ and NADH/NAD+. Carotenoids, notably beta-carotene and lycopene as well as oxycarotenoids (e.g. zeaxanthin and lutein), exert antioxidant functions in lipid phases by free-radical or 1O2 quenching. There are pronounced differences in tissue carotenoid patterns, extending also to the distribution between the all-trans and various cis isomers of the respective carotenoids. Antioxidant functions are associated with lowering DNA damage, malignant transformation, and other parameters of cell damage in vitro as well as epidemiologically with lowered incidence of certain types of cancer and degenerative diseases, such as ischemic heart disease and cataract. They are of importance in the process of aging. Reactive oxygen species occur in tissues and cells and can damage DNA, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. These potentially deleterious reactions are controlled in part by antioxidants that eliminate prooxidants and scavenge free radicals. Their ability as antioxidants to quench radicals and 1O2 may explain some anticancer properties of the carotenoids independent of their provitamin A activity, but other functions may play a role as well. Tocopherols are the most abundant and efficient scavengers of peroxyl radicals in biological membranes. The water-soluble antioxidant vitamin C can reduce tocopheroxyl radicals directly or indirectly and thus support the antioxidant activity of vitamin E; such functions can be performed also by other appropriate reducing compounds such as glutathione (GSH) or dihydrolipoate. The biological efficacy of the antioxidants is also determined by their biokinetics.

Antioxidant activity of the pyridoindole stobadine. Pulse radiolytic characterization of one-electron-oxidized stobadine and quenching of singlet molecular oxygen.

Antioxidant properties of stobadine, a pyridoindole derivative described to exhibit cardioprotective properties, were characterized. The radical scavenging potential of stobadine was evaluated using pulse radiolysis with optical detection, by which it is shown that one-electron oxidation of stobadine with radicals such as C6H5O., CCl3O2., Br2.-, and HO. (reaction rate constants approximately 5 x 10(8)-10(10) M-1 s-1) leads to the radical cation (absorbance maxima at 280 and 445 nm) which deprotonates from the indolic nitrogen (pKa = 5.0) to give a nitrogen-centered radical (absorbance maxima at 275, 335, and 410 nm), probably bearing a positive charge at the pyrido nitrogen. The radical of stobadine reacts with Trolox (i.e., 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chromane-2-carboxylic acid) with a rate constant of 1.2 x 10(7) M-1 s-1 at pH 7.0 by one-electron oxidation to yield the phenoxyl-type radical of Trolox. This reaction is reversible (k = 2 x 10(5) M-1 s-1). The redox potential of stobadine at pH 7 is 0.58 V/NHE. Stobadine is also a quencher of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) with an overall quenching rate constant of 1.3 x 10(8) M-1 s-1, determined with the endoperoxide of 3,3'-(1,4-naphthylene)dipropionate (NDPO2) as 1O2 source and by monitoring 1O2 photoemission with a germanium diode.

cis-trans isomers of lycopene and beta-carotene in human serum and tissues.

Since cis or trans isomers of carotenoids may have different biological reactivities, the isomeric composition of lycopene and beta-carotene was measured in serum and seven human tissues. In addition to all-trans lycopene, at least three cis-isomers (9-, 13-, and 15-cis) were present, accounting for more than 50% of total lycopene. 13- and 15-cis-beta-carotene, however, were present at only 5% of the all-trans isomer. In addition, 9-cis-beta-carotene was present in tissue samples but not in serum. There were interindividual differences in carotenoid levels of the different tissue types, but liver, adrenal gland, and testes always contained significantly higher amounts of the carotenoids than kidney, ovary, and fat; carotenoids in brain stem tissue were below the detection limit. beta-Carotene was the major carotenoid in liver, adrenal gland, kidney, ovary, and fat, whereas lycopene was the predominant carotenoid in testes.

Activity of thiols as singlet molecular oxygen quenchers.

Singlet molecular oxygen O2(1 delta g) arising from the thermodissociation of the endoperoxide of 3,3'-(1,4-naphthylidene) dipropionate (NDPO2) was used to assess the quenching ability of various thiols and related compounds in sodium phosphate buffer in D2O at 37 degrees C. The overall quenching ability decreases in the sequence ergothioneine, methionine, cysteine, beta,beta-dimethyl cysteine (penicillamine), mercaptopropionylglycine, mesna, glutathione (GSH), dithiothreitol, N-acetyl cysteine and captopril. Cystine, glutathione disulphide, dimesna, methionine sulphone and methionine sulphoxide have no quenching effect. Comparison of the rate constants for physical (kq) with chemical (kr) quenching by thiols indicates that chemical reactivity accounts fully for their ability to quench O2(1 delta g), and pD dependence indicates that the thiolate anion reacts with O2(1 delta g). Loss of thiol groups, as exemplified by GSH, is not affected by the free radical scavengers superoxide dismutase and mannitol. However, sodium azide, a scavenger of O2(1 delta g), completely prevents NDPO2-induced thiol depletion. Depletion of GSH by NDPO2 is accompanied by the formation of its disulphide, sulphinate, sulphonate, sulphoxide and other products.

Evolution of antioxidant mechanisms: thiol-dependent peroxidases and thioltransferase among procaryotes.

Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase both utilize glutathione (GSH) to destroy organic hydroperoxides, and these enzymes are thought to serve an antioxidant function in mammalian cells by catalyzing the destruction of lipid hydroperoxides. Only two groups of procaryotes, the purple bacteria and the cyanobacteria, produce GSH, and we show in the present work that representatives from these two groups (Escherichia coli, Beneckea alginolytica, Rhodospirillum rubrum, Chromatium vinosum, and Anabaena sp. strain 7119) lack significant glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase activities. This finding, coupled with the general absence of polyunsaturated fatty acids in procaryotes, suggests that GSH-dependent peroxidases evolved in eucaryotes in response to the need to protect against polyunsaturated fatty acid oxidation. A second antioxidant function of GSH is mediated by glutathione thioltransferase, which catalyzes the reduction of various cellular disulfides by GSH. Two of the five GSH-producing bacteria studied (E. coli and B. alginolytica) produced higher levels of glutathione thioltransferase than found in rat liver, whereas the activity was absent in the other three species studied. The halobacteria produce gamma-glutamylcysteine rather than GSH, and assays for gamma-glutamylcysteine-dependent enzymes demonstrated an absence of peroxidase and S-transferase activities but the presence of significant thioltransferase activity. Based upon these results it appears that GSH and gamma-glutamylcysteine do not function in bacteria as antioxidants directed against organic hydroperoxides but do play a significant, although not universal, role in maintaining disulfides in a reduced state.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The function of gamma-glutamylcysteine and bis-gamma-glutamylcystine reductase in Halobacterium halobium.

gamma-Glutamylcysteine and bis-gamma-glutamylcystine reductase appear to function in the halobacteria in a fashion analogous to GSH and glutathione reductase in other cells. Bis-gamma-glutamylcystine reductase (GCR), a NADPH-dependent dimer of Mr 122,000 recently purified to homogeneity from Halobacterium halobium (Sundquist, A.R., and Fahey, R.C. (1988) J. Bacteriol., 170, 3459-3467), was found to be highly specific for bis-gamma-glutamylcystine and to be present in cell extract at a level sufficient to maintain gamma-glutamylcysteine predominantly in its thiol form [( thiol]/[disulfide] approximately 50). Bis-gamma-glutamylcystine reductase is similar to glutathione reductase in many respects; GCR demonstrated a FAD:subunit stoichiometry of 1, inhibition by heavy metal ions, and a pH optimum near neutrality. However, GCR exhibited no activity with GSSG and was most active at salt levels exceeding 2 M. A turnover number of 1,700 mumol min-1 mumol-1 FAD and apparent Km values of 0.8 mM for bis-gamma-glutamylcystine and 0.29 mM for NADPH were determined for GCR. The effect of salt on the autoxidation rates of gamma-glutamylcysteine, GSH, and Cys was also studied. In the absence of added salt, Cys oxidized more rapidly than gamma-glutamylcysteine, which in turn oxidized more rapidly than GSH. The presence of 4.3 M chloride (K+ and Na+) significantly slowed the autoxidation of all three thiols. The rate of autoxidation of gamma-glutamylcysteine in 4.3 M chloride proved slower than that of GSH in the absence of added chloride. Thus, gamma-glutamylcysteine is at least as stable under halophilic conditions as GSH is under nonhalophilic conditions, explaining why halobacteria utilize gamma-glutamylcysteine rather than GSH.

The novel disulfide reductase bis-gamma-glutamylcystine reductase and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase from Halobacterium halobium: purification by immobilized-metal-ion affinity chromatography and properties of the enzymes.

An NADPH-specific disulfide reductase that is active with bis-gamma-glutamylcystine has been purified 1,900-fold from Halobacterium halobium to yield a homogeneous preparation of the enzyme. Purification of this novel reductase, designated bis-gamma-glutamylcystine reductase (GCR), and purification of halobacterial dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD) were accomplished with the aid of immobilized-metal-ion affinity chromatography in high-salt buffers. Chromatography of GCR on immobilized Cu2+ resin in buffer containing 1.23 M (NH4)2SO4 and on immobilized Ni2+ resin in buffer containing 4.0 M NaCl together effected a 120-fold increase in purity. Native GCR was found to be a dimeric flavoprotein of Mr 122,000 and to be more stable to heat when in buffer of very high ionic strength. DLD was chromatographed on columns of immobilized Cu2+ resin in buffer containing NaCl and in buffer containing (NH4)2SO4, the elution of DLD differing markedly in the two buffers. Purified DLD was found to be a heat-stable, dimeric flavoprotein of Mr 120,000 and to be very specific for NAD. The utility of immobilized-metal-ion affinity chromatography for the purification of halobacterial enzymes and the likely cellular function of GCR are discussed.