Diphenyleneiodonium Inhibits Apoptotic Cell Death of Gastric Epithelial Cells Infected with Helicobacter pylori in a Korean Isolate.

NADPH oxidase produces a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced gastric epithelial cells. Even though ROS mediate apoptotic cell death, direct involvement of NADPH oxidase on H. pylori-induced apoptosis remains unclear. Besides, H. pylori isolates show a high degree of genetic variability. The predominant genotype of H. pylori in Korea has been reported as cagA⁺, vacA s1b, m2, iceA genotype. Present study aims to investigate whether NADPH oxidase-generated ROS mediate apoptosis in human gastric epithelial AGS cells infected with H. pylori in a Korean isolate. AGS cells were pretreated with or without an NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and cultured in the presence of H. pylori at a bacterium/cell ratio of 300:1. Cell viability, hydrogen peroxide level, DNA fragmentation, and protein levels of p53, Bcl-2, and Bax were determined. Results showed that H. pylori inhibited cell viability with the density of H. pylori added to the cells. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase by DPI suppressed H. pylori-induced cell death, increased hydrogen peroxide, DNA fragmentation, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and p53 induction in AGS cells dose-dependently. The results suggest that targeting NADPH oxidase may prevent the development of gastric inflammation associated with H. pylori infection by suppressing abnormal apoptotic cell death of gastric epithelial cells.

Diphenyleneiodonium Inhibits Apoptotic Cell Death of Gastric Epithelial Cells Infected with Helicobacter pylori in a Korean Isolate

NADPH oxidase produces a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced gastric epithelial cells. Even though ROS mediate apoptotic cell death, direct involvement of NADPH oxidase on H. pylori-induced apoptosis remains unclear. Besides, H. pylori isolates show a high degree of genetic variability. The predominant genotype of H. pylori in Korea has been reported as cagA+, vacA s1b, m2, iceA genotype. Present study aims to investigate whether NADPH oxidase-generated ROS mediate apoptosis in human gastric epithelial AGS cells infected with H. pylori in a Korean isolate. AGS cells were pretreated with or without an NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and cultured in the presence of H. pylori at a bacterium/cell ratio of 300:1. Cell viability, hydrogen peroxide level, DNA fragmentation, and protein levels of p53, Bcl-2, and Bax were determined. Results showed that H. pylori inhibited cell viability with the density of H. pylori added to the cells. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase by DPI suppressed H. pylori-induced cell death, increased hydrogen peroxide, DNA fragmentation, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, and p53 induction in AGS cells dose-dependently. The results suggest that targeting NADPH oxidase may prevent the development of gastric inflammation associated with H. pylori infection by suppressing abnormal apoptotic cell death of gastric epithelial cells.

Dissection of mechanistic principles of a secondary multidrug efflux protein.

Multidrug transporters are ubiquitous efflux pumps that provide cells with defense against various toxic compounds. In bacteria, which typically harbor numerous multidrug transporter genes, the majority function as secondary multidrug/proton antiporters. Proton-coupled secondary transport is a fundamental process that is not fully understood, largely owing to the obscure nature of proton-transporter interactions. Here we analyzed the substrate/proton coupling mechanism in MdfA, a model multidrug/proton antiporter. By measuring the effect of protons on substrate binding and by directly measuring proton binding and release, we show that substrates and protons compete for binding to MdfA. Our studies strongly suggest that competition is an integral feature of secondary multidrug transport. We identified the proton-binding acidic residue and show that, surprisingly, the substrate binds at a different site. Together, the results suggest an interesting mode of indirect competition as a mechanism of multidrug/proton antiport.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced alterations in oxygen consumption and radical generation in endothelial cells.

Oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and generation of superoxide and nitric oxide (NO) in mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were studied. The OCR was determined in cell suspensions at 37 degrees C by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. LPS significantly altered the OCR in a dose and time-dependent fashion. The OCR was significantly elevated immediately following the treatment of MAECs with LPS (5 and 10 microg/ml) and NADPH (100 microM) whereas the same was depressed 1 h after exposure to similar conditions of incubation. Under similar experimental conditions, superoxide generation was also determined by EPR spectroscopy and cytochrome c reduction assays. A marginal increase in the superoxide production was observed when the cells were treated with LPS and NADPH alone whereas the same was further enhanced significantly when the cells were treated with LPS and NADPH together. The increase in oxygen consumption and superoxide production caused by LPS was inhibited by diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), suggesting the involvement of NAD(P)H oxidase. A significant increase in the NO production by MAECs was noticed 1 h after treatment with LPS and was inhibited by L-NAME, further suggesting the involvement of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Thus, on a temporal scale, LPS-induced alterations in oxygen consumption by MAECs may be under the control of dual regulation by NAD(P)H oxidase and NOS.

Evidence for simultaneous binding of dissimilar substrates by the Escherichia coli multidrug transporter MdfA.

The mechanism by which multidrug transporters interact with structurally unrelated substrates remains enigmatic. Based on transport competition experiments, photoaffinity labeling, and effects on enzymatic activities, it was proposed in the past that multidrug transporters can interact simultaneously with a number of dissimilar substrate molecules. To study this phenomenon, we applied a direct binding approach and transport assays using the Escherichia coli multidrug transporter MdfA, which exports both positively charged (e.g., tetraphenylphosphonium, TPP(+)), zwitterionic (e.g., ciprofloxacin), and neutral (e.g., chloramphenicol) drugs. The interaction of MdfA with various substrates was examined by direct binding assays with the purified transporter. The immobilized MdfA binds TPP(+) in a specific manner, and all the tested positively charged substrates inhibit TPP(+) binding. Surprisingly, although TPP(+) binding is not affected by zwitterionic substrates, the neutral substrate chloramphenicol stimulates TPP(+) binding by enhancing its affinity to MdfA. In contrast, transport competition assays show inhibition of TPP(+) transport by chloramphenicol. We suggest that MdfA binds TPP(+) and chloramphenicol simultaneously to distinct but interacting binding sites, and the interaction between these two substrates during transport is discussed.

Halothane inhibits the pressor effect of diphenyleneiodonium.

1. We have recently found that diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), a novel inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, causes pressor and tachycardic responses in pentobarbitone- but not halothane-anaesthetized rats. The present study investigated the mechanism by which halothane suppresses the pressor response of DPI. The effects of halothane on the pressor response of DPI were also compared with those of other anaesthetic agents. 2. In conscious rats, i.v. bolus injections of DPI (0.025- 1.6 mg kg-1) caused dose-dependent increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP), with ED90 of 0.07 +/- 0.01 mg kg-1 and maximal rise of MAP (Emax) of 59 +/- 2 mmHg. While ketamine potentiated Emax without altering the ED50 and pentobarbitone increased the ED50 without changing Emax of the pressor response to DPI, chloralose, urethane and ethanol displaced the curve to the right and potentiated Emax. In contrast, halothane (0.5-1.25%) dose-dependently and non-competitively reduced the pressor responses to DPI. 3. Intravenous bolus injection of a single dose of DPI (1.6 mg kg-1) caused immediate and large increases in plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline, as well as MAP in conscious rats. Halothane (1.25%) almost completely inhibited these increases. 4. The results suggest that DPI causes a pressor response in conscious rats by activating the sympathetic nervous system and halothane abolishes this pressor response by inhibiting activities of the sympathetic nervous system. The results also show that influences of anaesthetics must be taken into consideration when evaluating pressor response of vasoactive agents.

Functional integrity of the central and sympathetic nervous systems is a prerequisite for pressor and tachycardic effects of diphenyleneiodonium, a novel inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase.

The pressor and tachycardic effects of diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), a novel inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase with chemical structure different from those of NG-substituted Arg analogs, were studied in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. Bolus injections of DPI (0.05-1.6 mg/kg i.v.) caused transient (1-2 min in duration) and dose-dependent increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) with ED50 of 0.22 +/- 0.02 mg/kg and maximum effect (Emax) of 58 +/- 3 mm Hg, and heart rate (HR) with ED50 of 0.26 +/- 0.03 mg/kg and Emax of 60 +/- 5 beats/min. Pretreatments with tetrodotoxin, reserpine, guanethidine, mecamylamine, but not atropine, rauwolscine, captopril nor L-Arg, attenuated the MAP and HR responses to DPI. Phentolamine and prazosin attenuated the MAP but not HR response whereas propranolol attenuated the HR but not MAP response of DPI. Pithing abolished, whereas spinal cord transection reduced, the MAP and HR responses to DPI. Pithing did not alter the pressor response but blocked the reflex bradycardic response to NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. Bolus injection of a single dose of DPI (1.6 mg/kg i.v.) or NG-nitro-L-arginine increased MAP, but only DPI caused immediate and large increases (> 1 ng/ml) in plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine and moderate increase in dopamine; pretreatment with reserpine attenuated, whereas pithing abolished these increases. The increases in plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine by DPI were positively correlated to increases in MAP and HR. The results demonstrate that DPI, unlike NG-substituted Arg analogs, produces pressor and tachycardic effects via indirect activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Fungal toxicity of phosfon D and its reversion by lipids.

The growth retardant Phosfon D inhibits the growth of some yeasts and human pathogenic filamentous fungi. The toxic effects of the compound on the dermatophyte Microsporum cookei were completely reversed by adding ergosterol and oleic acid to the medium. The significance of these findings is discussed.

The effects of diphenyleneiodonium and of 2,4-dichlorodiphenyleneiodonium on mitochondrial reactions. Mechanism of the inhibition of oxygen uptake as a consequence of the catalysis of the chloride/hydroxyl-ion exchange.

1. Increasing the substrate concentration only decreased the inhibition of mitochondrial oxidations by diphenyleneiodonium or by 2,4-dichlorophenyleneiodonium by a small amount. 2. Diphenyleneiodonium and 2,4-dichlorodiphenyleneiodonium lowered the amounts of succinate, citrate and glutamate accumulated in the matrix of mitochondria in the presence of Cl-, but not in its absences. 2,4-Dichlorodiphenyleneiodonium decreased the accumulation of substrates by mitochondria oxidizing glycerol 3-phosphate. 3. Diphenyleneiodonium caused an alkalinization of the medium with an anaerobic suspension of mitochondria, which was only partly reversed by Triton X-100. 4. The rate of proton extrusion by mitochondria oxidizing succinate was not altered by diphenyleneiodonium or by 2,4-dichlorodiphenyleneiodium, although the rate of decay of proton pulses was increased. 5. 2,4-Dichlorodiphenyleneiodonium shifted the pH optimum for succinate oxidation by intact mitochondria from pH 7.2 to 8.0, whereas there was no effect on that of freeze-thawed mitochondria, which was pH 8.0. 6. The concentration of 2,4-dichlorophenyleneiodonium required to inhibit respiration by 50% is less the higher the absolute rate of oxygen uptake. 7. EDTA, but not EGTA [ethanedioxybis(ethylamine)-tetra-acetic acid] increased the inhibition of respiration by diphenyleneiodonium, 2,4-dichlorodiphenyleneiodonium and by tri-n-propyltin. 8. It is concluded that diphenyleneiodonium and 2,4-dichlorodiphenyleneiodonium limit respiration in Cl--containing medium by causing an acidification of the matrix, and that there are pH-sensitive sites in the respiratory chain between NADH and succinate, and between succinate and cytochrome c.