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At least 91 records · Page 5

Cryotrapping peroxide in the active site of human mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase crystals for neutron diffraction

Structurally identifying the enzymatic intermediates of redox proteins has been elusive due to difficulty in resolving the H atoms involved in catalysis and the susceptibility of ligand complexes to photoreduction from X-rays. Cryotrapping ligands for neutron protein crystallography combines two powerful tools that offer the advantage of directly identifying hydrogen positions in redox-enzyme intermediates without radiolytic perturbation of metal-containing active sites. However, translating cryogenic techniques from X-ray to neutron crystallography is not straightforward due to the large crystal volumes and long data-collection times. Here, methods have been developed to visualize the evasive peroxo complex of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) so that all atoms, including H atoms, could be visualized. The subsequent cryocooling and ligand-trapping methods resulted in neutron data collection to 2.30 Å resolution. The P 6 1 22 crystal form of MnSOD is challenging because it has some of the largest unit-cell dimensions ( a = b = 77.8, c = 236.8 Å) ever studied using high-resolution cryo-neutron crystallography. The resulting neutron diffraction data permitted the visualization of a dioxygen species bound to the MnSOD active-site metal that was indicative of successful cryotrapping.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

The Populus Superoxide Dismutase Gene Family and Its Responses to Drought Stress in Transgenic Poplar Overexpressing a Pine Cytosolic Glutamine Synthetase (GS1a)

Glutamine synthetase (GS) plays a central role in plant nitrogen assimilation, a process intimately linked to soil water availability. We previously showed that hybrid poplar (Populus tremula X alba, INRA 717-1B4) expressing ectopically a pine cytosolic glutamine synthetase gene (GS1a) display enhanced tolerance to drought. Preliminary transcriptome profiling revealed that during drought, members of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) family were reciprocally regulated in GS poplar when compared with the wild-type control, in all tissues examined. SOD was the only gene family found to exhibit such patterns. In silico analysis of the Populus genome identified 12 SOD genes and two genes encoding copper chaperones for SOD (CCSs). The poplar SODs form three phylogenetic clusters in accordance with their distinct metal co-factor requirements and gene structure. Nearly all poplar SODs and CCSs are present in duplicate derived from whole genome duplication, in sharp contrast to their predominantly single-copy Arabidopsis orthologs. Drought stress triggered plant-wide down-regulation of the plastidic copper SODs (CSDs), with concomitant up-regulation of plastidic iron SODs (FSDs) in GS poplar relative to the wild type; this was confirmed at the activity level. We also found evidence for coordinated downregulation of other copper proteins, including plastidic CCSs and polyphenol oxidases, in GS poplar under drought conditions. Both gene duplication and expression divergence have contributed to the expansion and transcriptional diversity of the Populus SOD/CCS families. Coordinated down-regulation of major copper proteins in drought-tolerant GS poplars supports the copper cofactor economy model where copper supply is preferentially allocated for plastocyanins to sustain photosynthesis during drought. Our results also extend previous findings on the compensatory regulation between chloroplastic CSDs and FSDs, and suggest that this copper-mediated mechanism represents a common response to oxidative stress and other genetic manipulations, as in GS poplars, that affect photosynthesis.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Superoxide Dismutase Protects Osteoprogenitors from Irradiation with Low-LET but Not High-LET Species

Ionizing radiation-induced bone loss appears to be a two-stage process: first an early increase in pro-resorption cytokines and increased bone resorption by osteoclasts, followed by a decrease in bone formation by osteoblasts. This results in a net loss of mass in mineralized bone tissue. The molecular mechanisms underlying the imbalance in bone remodeling caused by exposure to radiation are not fully understood. We hypothesized that the radiation-induced rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS) damages osteoblast progenitors, leading to a decrease in number and activity of differentiated progeny. We have shown that a diet high in antioxidant capacity prevents radiation-induced bone loss in adult mice (Schreurs et al. 2016) by reducing the early increase in pro-resotption cytokines. Here, we investigated the damaging effects of radiation exposure on cells in the osteoblast lineage, testing if addition of the exogenous antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD) can mitigate radiation damage. Osteoprogenitors were grown in vitro from the marrow of 16wk old, male C57Bl/6 mice. Cells were irradiated 3 days after plating (day 0) with either gamma (Cs-137, 0.1-5Gy) or iron (Fe-56, 600 MeV/n, 0.5-2Gy), and then grown until day 10. SOD or vehicle was added 2 hours before irradiation (SOD at 200U/ml), twice a day and up to day 5, for a total of 2 days treatment. Cell behavior was assessed by: (a) colony number (counted on day 7), (b) DNA content (surrogate for cell number) to assess cell growth (percent change between day 3 and day 10) and (c) alkaline phosphatase activity (osteoblast differentiation marker). Results show that SOD protected cells from the adverse effects of low-LET ionizing radiation, but not high-LET radiation. These novel results provide an interesting platform to explore further diverse effects and damages caused by low-LET and high-LET, pointing toward different mechanisms and possible intervention strategies for radiation-induced bone loss.

superoxide dismutase↗

Superoxide Dismutase Protects Osteoprogenitors from Irradiation with Low-LET but Not High-LET Species

Ionizing radiation-induced bone loss appears to be a two-stage process: first an early increase in pro-resorption cytokines and increased bone resorption by osteoclasts, followed by a decrease in bone formation by osteoblasts. This results in a net loss of mass in mineralized bone tissue. The molecular mechanisms underlying the imbalance in bone remodeling caused by exposure to radiation are not fully understood. We hypothesized that the radiation-induced rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS) damages osteoblast progenitors, leading to a decrease in number and activity of differentiated progeny. We have shown that a diet high in antioxidant capacity prevents radiation-induced bone loss in adult mice (Schreurs et al. 2016) by reducing the early increase in pro-resotption cytokines. Here, we investigated the damaging effects of radiation exposure on cells in the osteoblast lineage, testing if addition of the exogenous antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD) can mitigate radiation damage. Osteoprogenitors were grown in vitro from the marrow of 16-week-old, male C57Bl6 mice. Cells were irradiated 3 days after plating (day 0) with either gamma (137Cs, 0.1-5Gy) or iron (56Fe, 600 MeVn, 0.5-2Gy), and then grown until day 10. SOD or vehicle was added 2 hours before irradiation (SOD at 200Uml), twice a day and up to day 5, for a total of 2 days treatment. Cell behavior was assessed by: (a) colony number (counted on day 7), (b) DNA content (surrogate for cell number) to assess cell growth (percent change between day 3 and day 10) and (c) alkaline phosphatase activity (osteoblast differentiation marker). Results show that SOD protected cells from the adverse effects of low-LET(Linear Energy Transfer) ionizing radiation, but not high-LET radiation. These novel results provide an interesting platform to explore further diverse effects and damages caused by low-LET and high-LET, pointing toward different mechanisms and possible intervention strategies for radiation-induced bone loss.

osteoblasts↗

Enhancing Cycle Life in Superoxide‐Based Na–O 2 Batteries by Reducing Interface Reactivity

Abstract Sodium–oxygen (Na–O 2 ) batteries are considered a promising energy storage alternative to current state‐of‐the‐art technologies owing to their high theoretical energy density, along with the natural abundance and low price of Na metal. The chemistry of these batteries depends on sodium superoxide (NaO 2 ) or peroxide (Na 2 O 2 ) being formed/decomposed. Most Na–O 2 batteries form NaO 2 , but reversibility is usually quite limited due to side reactions at interfaces. By using new materials, including a highly active catalyst based on vanadium phosphide (VP) nanoparticles, an ether/ionic liquid‐based electrolyte, and an effective sodium bromide (NaBr) anode protection layer, the sources of interface reactivity can be reduced to achieve a Na–O 2 battery cell that is rechargeable for 1070 cycles with a high energy efficiency of more than 83%. Density functional theory calculations, along with experimental characterization confirm the three factors leading to the long cycle life, including the effectiveness of the NaBr protective layer on the anode, a tetraglyme/EMIM‐BF 4 based electrolyte that prevents oxidation of the VP cathode catalyst surface, and the EMIM‐BF 4 ionic liquid aiding in avoiding electrolyte decomposition on NaO 2 .

Azaribeni, Adel [Department of Chemical and Biolog↗

Resveratrol strongly enhances the retinoic acid-induced superoxide generating activity via up-regulation of gp91-phox gene expression in U937 cells

Highlights: • Resveratrol effectively enhanced the RA-induced O{sub 2}{sup −}-generating activity. • Resveratrol strongly enhanced gene expression of gp91-phox. • Resveratrol caused remarkable accumulation of cytochrome b{sub 558} and p47-phox proteins. • Resveratrol promoted histone acetylation around the promoter of gp91-phox gene. • Resveratrol enhances the O{sub 2}{sup −}-generating activity via transactivation of gp91-phox. The membrane bound cytochrome b{sub 558} composed of gp91-phox and p22-phox proteins, and cytosolic proteins p40-, p47-and p67-phox are important components of superoxide (O{sub 2}{sup −})-generating system in phagocytes. Here, we describe that resveratrol, a pleiotropic phytochemical belonging to the stilbenoids, dramatically activates the O{sub 2}{sup −}-generating system during retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation of human monoblastic leukemia U937 cells to macrophage-like cells. When U937 cells were cultured in the presence of RA and resveratrol, the O{sub 2}{sup −}-generating activity increased more than 5-fold compared with that in the absence of the latter. Semiquantitative RT-PCR showed that co-treatment with RA and resveratrol strongly enhanced transcription of the gp91-phox compared with those of the RA-treatment only. On the other hand, immunoblot analysis revealed that co-treatment with RA and resveratrol caused remarkable accumulation of protein levels of gp91-phox (to 4-fold), p22-phox (to 5-fold) and p47-phox (to 4-fold) compared with those of the RA-treatment alone. In addition, ChIP assay suggested that resveratrol participates in enhancing the gene expression of gp91-phox via promoting acetylation of Lys-9 residues and Lys-14 residues of histone H3 within chromatin around the promoter regions of the gene. These results suggested that resveratrol strongly enhances the RA-induced O{sub 2}{sup −}-generating activity via up-regulation of gp91-phox gene expression in U937 cells.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Pro5 is not essential for the formation of ‘Ni-hook’ in nickel superoxide dismutase

The N-terminus of nickel-dependent superoxide dismutase (NiSOD) forms a structural motif known as the "Ni-hook," where the peptide wraps around the metal to bring cysteine-2 and cysteine-6 into spatial proximity, allowing these residues to coordinate in a cis-geometry. A highly conserved proline-5 residue in the Ni-hook adopts a cis-conformation that is widely considered important for its formation. Herein, we investigate this role by point mutation of Pro5 to alanine. The results obtained show that the variant exhibits wild-type-like redox catalysis and features a Ni(III) center very similar to that found in enzyme. Structural analysis using x-ray absorption spectroscopy of the nickel sites in as-isolated P5A-NiSOD reveals changes in the variant and are consistent with a six-coordinate Ni site with (N/O) 4 S 2 coordination. These changes are attributed to changes in the Ni(II) site structure. Nickel-binding studies using isothermal titration calorimetry reveal two binding events with K d = 25(20) nM, and 250(60) nM. These events are attributed to i) Ni(II) binding to a preformed Ni-hook containing cis-Pro5 and ii) the combination of trans- to cis- isomerization upon Ni(II) binding, respectively. Finally, the higher-affinity binding event is absent in P5A-NiSOD, an observation attributed to the low abundance of the cis-Ala5 isomer in the apo-protein.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Preparation, characterization and CO{sub 2} gas sensitivity of Polyaniline doped with Sodium Superoxide (NaO{sub 2})

Highlights: • NaO{sub 2} prepared in single step method from NaNO{sub 3} in oxygen rich environment. • The sensors show better performance towards the CO{sub 2}. • A significant sensitivity and fast response toward of CO{sub 2} is observed. • Sensing response assign to transition from n-type to p-type behavior of samples. - Abstract: The sodium superoxide was prepared in single step method by heating sodium nitrate (NaNO{sub 3}) in oxygen rich environment. The PANi/NaO{sub 2} composites were prepared using Ex-situ technique range from 5–20 wt.%. The crystallinity and structure morphology of the PANi/ NaO{sub 2} composite films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy respectively. The sensor response was estimated by the change in electrical resistance of sensor in presence of CO{sub 2} gas. The sensor response and selectivity for pure PANi and doped PANi/NaO{sub 2} sensors as a function of concentration of CO{sub 2} at room temperature has been systematically studied. The sensors show better performance towards the CO{sub 2}. A significant sensitivity and fast response toward CO{sub 2} observed for the 20 wt.% PANi/NaO{sub 2} composite film. The sensing response curve assign to transition from n-type to p-type behavior of samples.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Acute ethanol intake induces superoxide anion generation and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in rat aorta: A role for angiotensin type 1 receptor

Ethanol intake is associated with increase in blood pressure, through unknown mechanisms. We hypothesized that acute ethanol intake enhances vascular oxidative stress and induces vascular dysfunction through renin–angiotensin system (RAS) activation. Ethanol (1 g/kg; p.o. gavage) effects were assessed within 30 min in male Wistar rats. The transient decrease in blood pressure induced by ethanol was not affected by the previous administration of losartan (10 mg/kg; p.o. gavage), a selective AT{sub 1} receptor antagonist. Acute ethanol intake increased plasma renin activity (PRA), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity, plasma angiotensin I (ANG I) and angiotensin II (ANG II) levels. Ethanol induced systemic and vascular oxidative stress, evidenced by increased plasma thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) levels, NAD(P)H oxidase‐mediated vascular generation of superoxide anion and p47phox translocation (cytosol to membrane). These effects were prevented by losartan. Isolated aortas from ethanol-treated rats displayed increased p38MAPK and SAPK/JNK phosphorylation. Losartan inhibited ethanol-induced increase in the phosphorylation of these kinases. Ethanol intake decreased acetylcholine-induced relaxation and increased phenylephrine-induced contraction in endothelium-intact aortas. Ethanol significantly decreased plasma and aortic nitrate levels. These changes in vascular reactivity and in the end product of endogenous nitric oxide metabolism were not affected by losartan. Our study provides novel evidence that acute ethanol intake stimulates RAS activity and induces vascular oxidative stress and redox-signaling activation through AT{sub 1}-dependent mechanisms. These findings highlight the importance of RAS in acute ethanol-induced oxidative damage. -- Highlights: ► Acute ethanol intake stimulates RAS activity and vascular oxidative stress. ► RAS plays a role in acute ethanol-induced oxidative damage via AT{sub 1} receptor activation. ► Translocation of p47phox and MAPKs phosphorylation are downstream effectors. ► Acute ethanol consumption increases the risk for acute vascular injury.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Structural Basis for Superoxide Activation of Flavobacterium johnsoniae Class I Ribonucleotide Reductase and for Radical Initiation by Its Dimanganese Cofactor

A ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) from Flavobacterium johnsoniae ( Fj ) differs fundamentally from known (subclass a–c) class I RNRs, warranting its assignment to a new subclass, Id. Its β subunit shares with Ib counterparts the requirements for manganese(II) and superoxide (O 2 – ) for activation, but it does not require the O 2 – -supplying flavoprotein (NrdI) needed in Ib systems, instead scavenging the oxidant from solution. Although Fj β has tyrosine at the appropriate sequence position (Tyr 104), this residue is not oxidized to a radical upon activation, as occurs in the Ia/b proteins. Rather, Fj β directly deploys an oxidized dimanganese cofactor for radical initiation. In treatment with one-electron reductants, we note the cofactor can undergo cooperative three-electron reduction to the II/II state, in contrast to the quantitative univalent reduction to inactive “met” (III/III) forms seen with I(a–c) βs. This tendency makes Fj β unusually robust, as the II/II form can readily be reactivated. The structure of the protein rationalizes its distinctive traits. A distortion in a core helix of the ferritin-like architecture renders the active site unusually open, introduces a cavity near the cofactor, and positions a subclass-d-specific Lys residue to shepherd O 2 – to the Mn 2 II/II cluster. Relative to the positions of the radical tyrosines in the Ia/b proteins, the unreactive Tyr 104 of Fj β is held away from the cofactor by a hydrogen bond with a subclass-d-specific Thr residue. Structural comparisons, considered with its uniquely simple mode of activation, suggest that the Id protein might most closely resemble the primordial RNR-β.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) Binder Degradation in Li–O 2 Batteries: A Consideration for the Characterization of Lithium Superoxide

We show that a common Li–O 2 battery cathode binder, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), degrades in the presence of reduced oxygen species during Li–O 2 discharge when adventitious impurities are present. This degradation process forms products that exhibit Raman shifts (~1133 and 1525 cm –1 ) nearly identical to those reported to belong to lithium superoxide (LiO 2 ), complicating the identification of LiO 2 in Li–O 2 batteries. We show that these peaks are not observed when characterizing extracted discharged cathodes that employ poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) as a binder, even when used to bind iridium-decorated reduced graphene oxide (Ir-rGO)-based cathodes similar to those that reportedly stabilize bulk LiO 2 formation. We confirm that for all extracted discharged cathodes on which the 1133 and 1525 cm –1 Raman shifts are observed, only a 2.0 e – /O 2 process is identified during the discharge, and lithium peroxide (Li 2 O 2 ) is predominantly formed (along with typical parasitic side product formation). In conclusion, our results strongly suggest that bulk, stable LiO 2 formation via the 1 e – /O 2 process is not an active discharge reaction in Li–O 2 batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

A Six-Coordinate Peroxynitrite Low-Spin Iron(III) Porphyrinate Complex—The Product of the Reaction of Nitrogen Monoxide (·NO (g) ) with a Ferric-Superoxide Species

Peroxynitrite ( – OON=O, PN) is a reactive nitrogen species (RNS) which can effect deleterious nitrative or oxidative (bio)chemistry. It may derive from reaction of superoxide anion (O 2 •– ) with nitric oxide (·NO) and has been suggested to form an as-yet unobserved bound heme-iron-PN intermediate in the catalytic cycle of nitric oxide dioxygenase (NOD) enzymes, which facilitate a ·NO homeostatic process, i.e., its oxidation to the nitrate anion. Here, a discrete six-coordinate low-spin porphyrinate-Fe III complex [(P Im )Fe III ( – OON=O)] (P Im ; a porphyrin moiety with a covalently tethered imidazole axial “base” donor ligand) has been identified and characterized by various spectroscopies (UV–vis, NMR, EPR, XAS, resonance Raman) and DFT calculations, following its formation at –80 °C by addition of ·NO (g) to the heme-superoxo species, [(P Im )Fe III (O 2 •– )]. DFT calculations confirm that is a six-coordinate low-spin species with the PN ligand coordinated to iron via its terminal peroxidic anionic O atom with the overall geometry being in a cis-configuration. Complex thermally transforms to its isomeric low-spin nitrato form [(P Im )Fe III (NO 3 – )]. While previous (bio)chemical studies show that phenolic substrates undergo nitration in the presence of PN or PN-metal complexes, in the present system, addition of 2,4-di- tert -butylphenol ( 2,4 DTBP) to complex does not lead to nitrated phenol; the nitrate complex still forms. Furthermore, DFT calculations reveal that the phenolic H atom approaches the terminal PN O atom (farthest from the metal center and ring core), effecting O–O cleavage, giving nitrogen dioxide (·NO 2 ) plus a ferryl compound [(P Im )Fe IV =O] (7); this rebounds to give [(P Im )Fe III (NO 3 – )].The generation and characterization of the long sought after ferriheme peroxynitrite complex has been accomplished.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structure and Stability of Lithium Superoxide Clusters and Relevance to LiO2 Batteries

The discharge mechanism of a Li-O-2 battery involves lithium superoxide (LiO2) radicals. In this Letter, we have performed high-level quantum chemical calculations (G4MP2) to investigate the structure and stability of LiO2 clusters. The clusters have planar ring-shaped structures, high spins, and are thermodynamically more stable than LiO2 dimer. The computed energy barrier for disproportionation of the larger clusters is also significantly higher than the corresponding barrier in the LiO2 dimer (1.0 eV vs 0.5 eV). This means that disproportionation rate should be much slower if the reaction involves LiO2 clusters other than the dimer. As a result, the clusters may survive long enough to be incorporated into the growing discharge product. These results are discussed in terms of recent experimental studies of the electronic structure and morphology of the discharge products in Li-air batteries.

Das, Ujjal↗

Perfect Crystals: microgravity capillary counterdiffusion crystallization of human manganese superoxide dismutase for neutron crystallography

The NASA mission Perfect Crystals used the microgravity environment on the International Space Station (ISS) to grow crystals of human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD)—an oxidoreductase critical for mitochondrial vitality and human health. The mission’s overarching aim is to perform neutron protein crystallography (NPC) on MnSOD to directly visualize proton positions and derive a chemical understanding of the concerted proton electron transfers performed by the enzyme. Large crystals that are perfect enough to diffract neutrons to sufficient resolution are essential for NPC. This combination, large and perfect, is hard to achieve on Earth due to gravity-induced convective mixing. Capillary counterdiffusion methods were developed that provided a gradient of conditions for crystal growth along with a built-in time delay that prevented premature crystallization before stowage on the ISS. Here, we report a highly successful and versatile crystallization system to grow a plethora of crystals for high-resolution NPC.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Redox activity goes organic [Superoxide dismutase mimics: Redox activity goes organic]

Superoxide dismutase mimics can help regulate the levels of O 2 •– in the body, but typically rely on redox-active metals that are toxic in their free form. Here, a complex featuring a redox-active quinol moiety complexed to a redox-inactive zinc centre has been shown to catalyse O 2 •– dismutation.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Experimental demonstration of necessary conditions for X-ray induced synthesis of cesium superoxide

Absorption of sufficiently energetic X-ray photons by a molecular system results in a cascade of ultrafast electronic relaxation processes which leads to a distortion and dissociation of its molecular structure. Here, in this work, we demonstrate that only decomposition of powdered cesium oxalate monohydrate induced by monochromatic X-ray irradiation under high pressure leads to the formation of cesium superoxide. Whereas, for an unhydrated form of cesium oxalate subjected to the same extreme conditions, only degradation of the electron density distribution is observed. Moreover, the corresponding model of X-ray induced electronic relaxation cascades with an emphasis on water molecules’ critical role is proposed. Our experimental results suggest that the presence of water molecules in initially solid-state systems (i.e. additional electronic relaxation channels) together with applied high pressure (reduced interatomic/intermolecular distance) could potentially be a universal criteria for chemical and structural synthesis of novel compounds via X-ray induced photochemistry.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗