Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates from atopic or healthy skin have opposite effect on skin cells: potential implication of the AHR pathway modulation.

Introduction: Staphylococcus epidermidis is a commensal bacterium ubiquitously present on human skin. This species is considered as a key member of the healthy skin microbiota, involved in the defense against pathogens, modulating the immune system, and involved in wound repair. Simultaneously, S. epidermidis is the second cause of nosocomial infections and an overgrowth of S. epidermidis has been described in skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis. Diverse isolates of S. epidermidis co-exist on the skin. Elucidating the genetic and phenotypic specificities of these species in skin health and disease is key to better understand their role in various skin conditions. Additionally, the exact mechanisms by which commensals interact with host cells is partially understood. We hypothesized that S. epidermidis isolates identified from different skin origins could play distinct roles on skin differentiation and that these effects could be mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway. Methods: For this purpose, a library of 12 strains originated from healthy skin (non-hyperseborrheic (NH) and hyperseborrheic (H) skin types) and disease skin (atopic (AD) skin type) was characterized at the genomic and phenotypic levels. Results and discussion: Here we showed that strains from atopic lesional skin alter the epidermis structure of a 3D reconstructed skin model whereas strains from NH healthy skin do not. All strains from NH healthy skin induced AhR/OVOL1 path and produced high quantities of indole metabolites in co-culture with NHEK; especially indole-3-aldehyde (IAld) and indole-3-lactic acid (ILA); while AD strains did not induce AhR/OVOL1 path but its inhibitor STAT6 and produced the lowest levels of indoles as compared to the other strains. As a consequence, strains from AD skin altered the differentiation markers FLG and DSG1. The results presented here, on a library of 12 strains, showed that S. epidermidis originated from NH healthy skin and atopic skin have opposite effects on the epidermal cohesion and structure and that these differences could be linked to their capacity to produce metabolites, which in turn could activate AHR pathway. Our results on a specific library of strains provide new insights into how S. epidermidis may interact with the skin to promote health or disease.

Complete Genome Sequence of Sphingobium xenophagum PH3-15, Isolated from La Roche-Posay Thermal Water Sources.

We report here the complete genome sequence of Sphingobium xenophagum strain PH3-15, which was isolated from La Roche-Posay thermal water sources. The assembled 4.6-Mbp genome consisted of two chromosomes and three plasmids. These data will provide valuable information and important insights into the physiology and metabolism of this Sphingobium organism.

Complete Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus epidermidis PH1-28, Isolated from the Forehead of a Hyperseborrheic Donor.

We report the complete genome sequence of Staphylococcus epidermidis commensal strain PH1-28, isolated from the forehead of a healthy donor. The assembled 2.6-Mbp genome consisted of one chromosome and five plasmids. These data will provide valuable information and important insights into the physiology and metabolism of this skin flora microorganism.

Functional Characterization of DUOX Enzymes in Reconstituted Cell Models.

Biosynthesis of active human dual oxidases (DUOX1 and DUOX2) requires maturation factors, a.k.a. DUOX activator proteins (DUOXA1 and DUOXA2), that form covalent complexes with DUOX; both chains together represent the mature catalytic unit that functions as a dedicated hydrogen peroxide-generating enzyme. Genetic defects in DUOX2 or DUOXA2 can result in congenital hypothyroidism, whereas partial defects in DUOX2 activity also have been associated with very early-onset inflammatory bowel disease. Our understanding of the links between DUOX dysfunction and these diseases remains incomplete. An important challenge in developing a better understanding of the pathogenic roles of DUOX defects requires robust and reliable DUOX reconstitution cell models to examine the functional consequences of candidate DUOX missense mutations and polymorphisms. Here, we describe methods for efficient heterologous DUOX/DUOXA co-expression and functional characterization, including detailed assessments of posttranslational processing and subcellular translocation of DUOX that accompanies the maturation of these enzymes into catalytically active NADPH oxidases.

Complete Genome Sequence of Malassezia restricta CBS 7877, an Opportunist Pathogen Involved in Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Malassezia restricta, one of the predominant basidiomycetous yeasts present on human skin, is involved in scalp disorders. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the lipophilic Malassezia restricta CBS 7877 strain, which will facilitate the study of the mechanisms underlying its commensal and pathogenic roles within the skin microbiome.

Interaction between p22phox and Nox4 in the endoplasmic reticulum suggests a unique mechanism of NADPH oxidase complex formation.

The p22phox protein is an essential component of the phagocytic- and inner ear NADPH oxidases but its relationship to other Nox proteins is less clear. We have studied the role of p22phox in the TGF-ß1-stimulated H2O2 production of primary human and murine fibroblasts. TGF-ß1 induced H2O2 release of the examined cells, and the response was dependent on the expression of both Nox4 and p22phox. Interestingly, the p22phox protein was present in the absence of any detectable Nox/Duox expression, and the p22phox level was unaffected by TGF-ß1. On the other hand, Nox4 expression was dependent on the presence of p22phox, establishing an asymmetrical relationship between the two proteins. Nox4 and p22phox proteins localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and their distribution was unaffected by TGF-ß1. We used a chemically induced protein dimerization method to study the orientation of p22phox and Nox4 in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. This technique is based on the rapamycin-mediated heterodimerization of the mammalian FRB domain with the FK506 binding protein. The results of these experiments suggest that the enzyme complex produces H2O2 into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, indicating that Nox4 contributes to the development of the oxidative milieu within this organelle.

Complete Genome Sequence of Vitreoscilla filiformis (ATCC 15551), Used as a Cosmetic Ingredient.

We report the first complete genome sequence of a Vitreoscilla filiformis strain (ATCC 15551) that is used in the cosmetic industry as Vitreoscilla ferment. The assembled genome consisted of one chromosome and two plasmids. These data will provide valuable information and important insights into the physiology of this filamentous organism.

When an Intramolecular Disulfide Bridge Governs the Interaction of DUOX2 with Its Partner DUOXA2.

AIMS: The dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2) protein belongs to the NADPH oxidase (NOX) family. As H2O2 generator, it plays a key role in both thyroid hormone biosynthesis and innate immunity. DUOX2 forms with its maturation factor, DUOX activator 2 (DUOXA2), a stable complex at the cell surface that is crucial for the H2O2-generating activity, but the nature of their interaction is unknown. The contribution of some cysteine residues located in the N-terminal ectodomain of DUOX2 in a surface protein-protein interaction is suggested. We have investigated the involvement of different cysteine residues in the formation of covalent bonds that could be of critical importance for the function of the complex. RESULTS: We report the identification and the characterization of an intramolecular disulfide bond between cys-124 of the N-terminal ectodomain and cys-1162 of an extracellular loop of DUOX2, which has important functional implications in both export and activity of DUOX2. This intramolecular bridge provides structural support for the formation of interdisulfide bridges between the N-terminal domain of DUOX2 and the two extracellular loops of its partner, DUOXA2. INNOVATION: Both stability and function of the maturation factor, DUOXA2, are dependent on the oxidative folding of DUOX2, indicating that DUOX2 displays a chaperone-like function with respect to its partner. CONCLUSIONS: The oxidative folding of DUOX2 that takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) appears to be a key event in the trafficking of the DUOX2/DUOXA2 complex as it promotes an appropriate conformation of the N-terminal region, which is propitious to subsequent covalent interactions with the maturation factor, DUOXA2.

Hypothyroidism-associated missense mutation impairs NADPH oxidase activity and intracellular trafficking of Duox2.

In the thyroid gland Duox2-derived H2O2 is essential for thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Several patients were identified with partial or severe iodide organification defects caused by mutation in the gene for Duox2 or its maturation factor, DuoxA2. A Duox2-deficient (Duox2(thyd)) mouse model enabled in vivo investigation of its critical function in thyroid tissues, but its roles proposed in host defense or other innate responses in nonthyroid tissues remain less certain. These mice carry a spontaneous DUOX2 missense mutation, a T→G transversion, in exon 16 that changes the highly conserved valine 674 to glycine and results in severe congenital hypothyroidism. The exact mechanism underlying the effects of the V674G mutation has not been elucidated at the molecular or cellular level. To determine how the V674G mutation leads to congenital hypothyroidism, we introduced the same mutation into human Duox2 or Duox1 cDNAs and expressed them in HEK-293 cells stably expressing the corresponding DuoxA proteins. We found that the valine→glycine mutant Duox proteins fail to produce H2O2, lose their plasma membrane localization pattern, and are retained within the endoplasmic reticulum. The Duox2 mutant binds to DuoxA2, but appears to be unstable owing to this retention. Immunohistochemical staining of Duox2 in murine salivary gland ducts showed that Duox2 in mutant mice loses its condensed apical plasma membrane localization pattern characteristic of wild-type Duox2 and accumulates in punctate vesicular structures within cells. Our findings demonstrate that changing the highly conserved valine 674 in Duox2 leads to impaired subcellular targeting and reactive oxygen species release required for hormonogenesis, resulting in congenital hypothyroidism.

The nonphagocytic NADPH oxidase Duox1 mediates a positive feedback loop during T cell receptor signaling.

Production of reactive oxygen species, often by NADPH (reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) oxidases, plays a role in the signaling responses of cells to many receptor stimuli. Here, we describe the function of the calcium-dependent, nonphagocytic NADPH oxidase Duox1 in primary human CD4(+) T cells and cultured T cell lines. Duox1 bound to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 and was required for early T cell receptor (TCR)-stimulated production of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) through a pathway that was dependent on TCR-proximal kinases. Transient or stable knockdown of Duox1 inhibited TCR signaling, especially phosphorylation of tyrosine-319 of zeta chain-associated protein kinase of 70 kilodaltons (ZAP-70), store-operated entry of calcium ions (Ca(2+)), and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. The production of cytokines was also inhibited by knockdown of Duox1. Duox1-mediated inactivation of Src homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 promoted the phosphorylation of ZAP-70 and its association with the Src family tyrosine kinase Lck and the CD3zeta chain of the TCR complex. Thus, we suggest that activation of Duox1, downstream of proximal TCR signals, generates H(2)O(2) that acts in a positive feedback loop to enhance and sustain further TCR signaling.

Targeting and regulation of reactive oxygen species generation by Nox family NADPH oxidases.

Nox family NADPH oxidases serve a variety of functions requiring reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, including antimicrobial defense, biosynthetic processes, oxygen sensing, and redox-based cellular signaling. We explored targeting, assembly, and activation of several Nox family oxidases, since ROS production appears to be regulated both spatially and temporally. Nox1 and Nox3 are similar to the phagocytic (Nox2-based) oxidase, functioning as multicomponent superoxide-generating enzymes. Factors regulating their activities include cytosolic activator and organizer proteins and GTP-Rac. Their regulation varies, with the following rank order: Nox2 > Nox1 > Nox3. Determinants of subcellular targeting include: (a) formation of Nox-p22(phox) heterodimeric complexes allowing plasma membrane translocation, (b) phospholipids-binding specificities of PX domain-containing organizer proteins (p47(phox) or Nox organizer 1 (Noxo1 and p40(phox)), and (c) variably splicing of Noxo1 PX domains directing them to nuclear or plasma membranes. Dual oxidases (Duox1 and Duox2) are targeted by different mechanisms. Plasma membrane targeting results in H(2)O(2) release, not superoxide, to support extracellular peroxidases. Human Duox1 and Duox2 have no demonstrable peroxidase activity, despite their extensive homology with heme peroxidases. The dual oxidases were reconstituted by Duox activator 2 (Duoxa2) or two Duoxa1 variants, which dictate maturation, subcellular localization, and the type of ROS generated by forming stable complexes with Duox.

Duox maturation factors form cell surface complexes with Duox affecting the specificity of reactive oxygen species generation.

Dual oxidases (Duox1 and Duox2) are plasma membrane-targeted hydrogen peroxide generators that support extracellular hemoperoxidases. Duox activator 2 (Duoxa2), initially described as an endoplasmic reticulum resident protein, functions as a maturation factor needed to deliver active Duox2 to the cell surface. However, less is known about the Duox1/Duoxa1 homologues. We identified four alternatively spliced Duoxa1 variants and explored their roles in Duox subcellular targeting and reconstitution. Duox1 and Duox2 are functionally rescued by Duoxa2 or the Duoxa1 variants that contain the third coding exon. All active maturation factors are cotransported to the cell surface when coexpressed with either Duox1 or Duox2, consistent with detection of endogenous Duoxa1 on apical plasma membranes of the airway epithelium. In contrast, the Duoxa proteins are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum when expressed without Duox. Duox1/Duoxa1alpha and Duox2/Duoxa2 pairs produce the highest levels of hydrogen peroxide, as they undergo Golgi-based carbohydrate modifications and form stable cell surface complexes. Cross-functioning pairs that do not form stable complexes produce less hydrogen peroxide and leak superoxide. These findings suggest Duox activators not only promote Duox maturation, but they function as part of the hydrogen peroxide-generating enzyme.

Cloning and characterization of a novel isoform of iodotyrosine dehalogenase 1 (DEHAL1) DEHAL1C from human thyroid: comparisons with DEHAL1 and DEHAL1B.

The human iodotyrosine dehalogenase 1 (DEHAL1) gene is composed of six exons. Two isoforms (DEHAL1 and DEHAL1B) have been published in GenBank, both of which have a nitroreductase domain and arise from differential splicing in exon 5. We recently showed that the DEHAL1 isoform is a transmembrane protein that efficiently catalyzes the NADPH-dependent deiodination of mono (L-MIT) and diiodotyrosine (L-DIT) in human embryonic kidney-293 (HEK293) cells. In the present study, we establish the existence of a new transcript, DEHAL1C, in the human thyroid with a terminal exon that lacks in the DEHAL1 transcript. This exon is the complete exon 5, which is spliced in the DEHAL1B mRNA variant. These two variants encode proteins with differing C-terminal domains. Using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, we found that the expression of the mRNA of DEHAL1C and DEHAL1B was lower than that of DEHAL1 mRNA in the thyroid. We also observed that human DEHAL1B and DEHAL1C proteins are rapidly degraded in stably transfected HEK293 cells, unlike the DEHAL1 protein, and that exposure to the proteasome inhibitor MG132 resulted in accumulation of these proteins that was markedly time- and concentration-dependent. These findings show that the cytoplasmic tail could play a role in the stability of the protein.

Dual oxidase-2 has an intrinsic Ca2+-dependent H2O2-generating activity.

Duox2 (and probably Duox1) is a glycoflavoprotein involved in thyroid hormone biosynthesis, as the thyroid H2O2 generator functionally associated with Tpo (thyroperoxidase). So far, because of the impairment of maturation and of the targeting process, transfecting DUOX into nonthyroid cell lines has not led to the expression of a functional H2O2-generating system at the plasma membrane. For the first time, we investigated the H2O2-generating activity in the particulate fractions from DUOX2- and DUOX1-transfected HEK293 and Chinese hamster ovary cells. The particulate fractions of these cells stably or transiently transfected with human or porcine DUOX cDNA demonstrate a functional NADPH/Ca2+-dependent H2O2-generating activity. The immature Duox proteins had less activity than pig thyrocyte particulate fractions, and their activity depended on their primary structures. Human Duox2 seemed to be more active than human Duox1 but only half as active as its porcine counterpart. TPO co-transfection produced a slight increase in the enzymatic activity, whereas p22(phox), the 22-kDa subunit of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase, had no effect. In previous studies on the mechanism of H2O2 formation, it was shown that mature thyroid NADPH oxidase does not release O2*- but H2O2. Using a spin-trapping technique combined with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we confirmed this result but also demonstrated that the partially glycosylated form of Duox2, located in the endoplasmic reticulum, generates superoxide in a calcium-dependent manner. These results suggest that post-translational modifications during the maturation process of Duox2 could be implicated in the mechanism of H2O2 formation by favoring intramolecular superoxide dismutation.

Dual oxidase2 is expressed all along the digestive tract.

The dual oxidase (Duox)2 flavoprotein is strongly expressed in the thyroid gland, where it plays a critical role in the synthesis of thyroid hormones by providing thyroperoxidase with H2O2. DUOX2 mRNA was recently detected by RT-PCR and in-situ hybridization experiments in other tissues, such as rat colon and rat and human epithelial cells from the salivary excretory ducts and rectal glands. We examined Duox2 expression at the protein level throughout the porcine digestive tract and in human colon. Western blot analysis identified Duox2 as the same two molecular species (M(r) 165 and 175 kDa) as detected in the thyroid. It was expressed in all the tissues tested, but the highest levels were found in the cecum and sigmoidal colon. Immunohistochemical studies showed that Duox2 protein is mainly present in these parts of the gut and located at the apical membrane of the enterocytes in the brush border, indicating that it is expressed only in highly differentiated cells. A Ca2+/NADPH-dependent H2O2-generating system was associated with Duox2 protein expression, which had the same biochemical characteristics as the NADPH oxidase in the thyroid. Indeed, treatment of the thyroid and cecum particulate fractions with phenylarsine oxide resulted in complete calcium desensitization of both enzymes. A marked increase in DUOX2 expression was also found during spontaneous differentiation of postconfluent Caco-2 cells. The discovery of Duox2 as a novel source of H2O2 in the digestive tract, particularly in the cecum and colon, makes it a new candidate mediator of physiopathological processes.

Iodotyrosine dehalogenase 1 (DEHAL1) is a transmembrane protein involved in the recycling of iodide close to the thyroglobulin iodination site.

In the thyroid, iodotyrosine dehalogenase acts on the mono and diiodotyrosines released during the hydrolysis of thyroglobulin to liberate iodide, which can then reenter the hormone-producing pathways. It has been reported that the deiodination of iodotyrosines occurs predominantly in the microsomes and is mediated by NADPH. Recently, two cDNAs, 7401- and 7513-base pairs long that encode proteins with a conserved nitroreductase domain were published in GenBank as iodotyrosine dehalogenase 1 (DEHAL1) and iodotyrosine dehalogenase 1B (DEHAL1B), respectively. We report here our investigation of the localization and activity of one of these isoforms, DEHAL1. DEHAL1 mRNA is highly expressed in the thyroid, is up-regulated by cAMP, and encodes a transmembrane protein that efficiently catalyzes the NADPH-dependent deiodination of mono (L-MIT) and diiodotyrosine (L-DIT), with greater activity vs. L-MIT. Iodotyrosine deiodinase was active in HEK293 cells transfected by DEHAL1 cDNA, but not in CHO cells. A fraction of DEHAL1 protein is exposed to the cell surface, as indicated by biotinylation experiments. Immunohistochemistry studies showed that DEHAL1 proteins accumulate at the apical pole of thyrocytes. Taken together, these findings indicate that the deiodination reaction occurs at the apical pole of the thyrocyte and is involved in a rapid iodide recycling process at and/or close to the organification site.

Cloning of S-adenosyl-L-methionine:C-24-Delta-sterol-methyltransferase (ERG6) from Leishmania donovani and characterization of mRNAs in wild-type and amphotericin B-Resistant promastigotes.

The 24-alkylated sterols have been shown previously to be absent in membranes of amphotericin B (AmB)-resistant Leishmania donovani promastigotes, suggesting that the S- adenosyl-l-methionine:C-24-Delta-sterol-methyltransferase (SCMT or ERG6) was not functional or not expressed in AmB-resistant (AmB-R) parasites. From an L. donovani wild-type clone, we cloned two cDNAs with an identical open reading frame encoding a putative SCMT, the enzyme responsible for a first sterol methylation at the C-24 position. The two cDNAs differed by their 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) and 5'-UTR sequences. One transcript (A) had a normal structure with a spliced leader and was highly expressed in normal cells but absent in AmB-R cells. The other (B), which did not possess the spliced leader sequence, was weakly expressed in normal cells but strongly expressed in AmB-R cells. As a functional test, ERG6 null mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts were transformed using the pYES2.1 TOPO TA expression vector containing the candidate SCMT1/ERG6 coding sequence cloned from L. donovani. The transformed yeasts exhibited C-24 alkylated sterol expression, mainly ergosterol, within their membranes, proving that the isolated cDNA encodes on a SCMT responsible for sterol methylation. In AmB-R L. donovani promastigotes, the absence of the normal transcript (A) and the expression of an abnormal species (B) devoid of a spliced leader could explain the absence of sterol methylation in these cells. Further studies using a homologous system will allow us to draw conclusions about the relationship between SCMT expression and AmB resistance in Leishmania.

Targeting of the dual oxidase 2 N-terminal region to the plasma membrane.

Dual oxidase 2 (Duox2) is a cell surface glycoprotein that probably provides thyroperoxidase with the H2O2 required to catalyze thyroid hormone synthesis. No functional H2O2-generating system has yet been obtained after transfecting Duox2 into non-thyroid cell lines, because it is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We investigated the level of maturation of various Duox2 truncated proteins in an attempt to identify the region of Duox2 responsible for its remaining in the ER. Duox2-Q686X mutant, corresponding to the N-terminal ectodomain including the first putative transmembrane domain, was expressed in different cell lines. Carbohydrate content analysis revealed that complex type-specific Golgi apparatus (GA) oligosaccharides were present on pig Duox2-Q686X, whereas human truncated Duox2 carried only high mannose-type sugar chains characteristic of the ER. Further characterization using surface biotinylation and flow cytometry assays indicated that pig Duox2-Q686X was present at the plasma membrane, whereas human Duox2-Q686X remained inside the cell. The replacement of the last 90 residues of the human Duox2-Q686X with the pig equivalent region allowed the chimerical peptide to reach the Golgi apparatus. Pig mutants containing the complete first intracellular loop with or without the second transmembrane domain accumulated in the ER. These findings show that 1) the human Duox2-Q686X region encompassing residues 596-685 prevents mutant exportation from the ER and 2) there is a pig Duox2 retention domain in the first intracellular loop. In addition, missense mutations of four cysteines (Cys-351, -370, -568, or -582) completely inhibited the emergence of pig Duox2-Q686X from the ER compartment, indicating their importance in Duox2 maturation.

Effects of prednisone and genetic polymorphisms on etoposide disposition in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Etoposide is a substrate for P-glycoprotein, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and UGT1A1. Glucocorticoids modulate CYP3A and P-glycoprotein in preclinical models, but their effect on clinical etoposide disposition is unknown. We studied the pharmacokinetics of etoposide and its catechol metabolite in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, along with polymorphisms in CYP3A4, CYP3A5, MDR1, GSTP1, UGT1A1, and VDR. Plasma pharmacokinetics were assessed at day 29, after 1 month of prednisone (n = 102), and at week 54, without prednisone (n = 44). On day 29, etoposide clearance was higher (47.4 versus 29.2 mL/min/m2, P <.0001) than at week 54. The day 29 etoposide or catechol area under the curve (AUC) was correlated with neutropenia (P =.027 and P =.0008, respectively). The relationship between genotype and etoposide disposition differed by race and by prednisone use. The MDR1 exon 26 CC genotype predicted higher day 29 etoposide clearance (P =.002) for all patients, and the CYP3A5 AA and GSTP1 AA genotypes predicted lower clearance in blacks (P =.02 and.03, respectively). The UGT1A1 6/6, VDR intron 8 GG, and VDR Fok 1 CC genotypes predicted higher week 54 clearance in blacks (P =.039,.036, and.052, respectively). The UGT1A1 6/6 genotype predicted lower catechol AUC. Prednisone strongly induces etoposide clearance, genetic polymorphisms may predict the constitutive and induced clearance of etoposide, and the relationship between genotype and phenotype differs by race.

Effect of iodide on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity and Duox2 protein expression in isolated porcine thyroid follicles.

Thyroperoxidase requires H(2)O(2) to catalyze the biosynthesis of thyroxine residues on thyroglobulin. Iodide inhibits the generation of H(2)O(2), and consequently the synthesis of thyroid hormones (Wolff-Chaikoff effect). The H(2)O(2) generator is a calcium-dependent nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase involving the flavoprotein Duox2. NADPH oxidase activity and Duox2 require cAMP to be expressed in pig thyrocytes. We studied the effect of iodide on NADPH oxidase activity, the DUOX2 gene, and Duox2 protein expression in pig thyroid follicles cultured for 48 h with forskolin or a cAMP analog. Iodide inhibited the cellular release of H(2)O(2) and NADPH oxidase activity, effects prevented by methimazole. Northern blot studies showed that iodide did not reduce DUOX2 mRNA levels but did reduce those of TPO and NIS. Western blot analyses using a Duox2-specific antipeptide showed that Duox2 has two N-glycosylation states, which have oligosaccharide motifs accounting for about 15 kDa and 25 kDa, respectively, of the apparent molecular mass. Cyclic AMP increased the amount of the highly glycosylated form of Duox2, an effect antagonized by iodide in a methimazole-dependent manner. These data suggest that an oxidized form of iodide inhibits the H(2)O(2) generator at a posttranscriptional level by reducing the availability of the mature Duox2 protein.