Prosthetic heme modification during halide ion oxidation. Demonstration of chloride oxidation by horseradish peroxidase

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), and chloroperoxidase can oxidize iodide, bromide, and chloride, but most peroxidases, including the prototypical horseradish peroxidase (HRP), reportedly only oxidize iodide and, in some cases, bromide. We report here that incubation of HRP with Br(-) and H(2)O(2) at acidic pH results in both bromination of monochlorodimedone and modification of the heme group. Mass spectrometry indicates that the heme 2- and 4-vinyl groups are modified by either replacement of a vinyl hydrogen by a bromide or addition of HOBr to give a bromohydrin. These reactions do not occur if protein-free heme and Br(-) are co-incubated with H(2)O(2) or if the HRP reaction is carried out at pH 7. Surprisingly, similar prosthetic heme modifications occur in incubations of HRP with H(2)O(2) and Cl(-). A mechanism is proposed involving oxidation of Br(-) or Cl(-) to give HOBr or HOCl, respectively, followed by addition to a vinyl group. In the reaction with Cl(-), a meso-chloro heme adduct is also formed. This first demonstration of Cl(-) oxidation by HRP, and the finding that prosthetic heme modification occurs when Br(-) or Cl(-) is oxidized in the absence of a cosubstrate, show that only modest tuning is required to achieve the unique chloride oxidation activity of MPO and EPO. The results raise the question of how the prosthetic hemes of MPO and EPO, whose function is to produce oxidized halide species, escape modification.     

Radical energies and the regiochemistry of addition to heme groups. Methylperoxy and nitrite radical additions to the heme of horseradish peroxidase

The heme of hemoproteins, as exemplified by horseradish peroxidase (HRP), can undergo additions at the meso carbons and/or vinyl groups of the electrophilic or radical species generated in the catalytic oxidation of halides, pseudohalides, carboxylic acids, aryl and alkyl hydrazines, and other substrates. The determinants of the regiospecificity of these reactions, however, are unclear. We report here modification of the heme of HRP by autocatalytically generated, low-energy NO2* and CH3OO* radicals. The NO2* radical adds regioselectively to the 4- over the 2-vinyl group but does not add to the meso positions. Reaction of HRP with tert-BuOOH does not lead to heme modification; however, reaction with the F152M mutant, in which the heme vinyls are more sterically accessible, results in conversion of the heme 2-vinyl into a 1-hydroxy-2-(methylperoxy)ethyl group [-CH(OH)CH2OOCH3]. [18O]-labeling studies indicate that the hydroxyl group in this adduct derives from water and the methylperoxide oxygens from O2. Under anaerobic conditions, methyl radicals formed by fragmentation of the autocatalytically generated tert-BuO* radical add to both the delta-meso carbon and the 2-vinyl group. The regiochemistry of these and the other known additions to the heme indicate that only high-energy radicals (e.g., CH3*) add to the meso carbon. Less energetic radicals, including NO2* and CH3OO*, add to heme vinyl groups if they are small enough but do not add to the meso carbons. Electrophilic species such as HOBr, HOCl, and HOSCN add to vinyl groups but do not react with the meso carbons. This meso- versus vinyl-reactivity paradigm, which appears to be general for autocatalytic additions to heme prosthetic groups, suggests that meso hydroxylation of the heme by heme oxygenase occurs by a controlled radical reaction rather than by electrophilic addition.     

Oxidation of carboxylic acids by horseradish peroxidase results in prosthetic heme modification and inactivation

Hemoproteins are powerful oxidative catalysts. However, despite the diversity of functions known to be susceptible to oxidation by these catalysts, it is not known whether they can oxidize carboxylic acids to carboxylic radicals. We report here that incubation of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) at acidic pH with H(2)O(2) in acetate buffer results in rapid modification of the heme group and loss of catalytic activity. Mass spectrometry and NMR indicate that an acetoxy group is covalently bound to the delta-meso-carbon in the modified heme. A heme with a hydroxyl group on the 8-methyl is also formed as a minor product. These reactions do not occur if protein-free heme and H(2)O(2) are co-incubated in acetate buffer, if the HRP reaction is carried out at pH 7, in the absence of H(2)O(2), or if citrate rather than acetate buffer is used. A similar heme modification is observed in incubations with n-caproic and phenylacetic acids. A mechanism involving oxidation of the carboxyl group to a carboxylic radical followed by addition to the delta-meso-position is proposed. This demonstration of the oxidation of a carboxylic acid solidifies the proposal that a carboxylic radical mediates the normal covalent attachment of the heme to the protein in the mammalian peroxidases and CYP4 family of P450 enzymes. The hemoprotein-mediated oxidation of carboxylic acids, ubiquitous natural constituents, may play other roles in biology.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the comproportionation of hypothiocyanous acid and thiocyanate to give thiocyanogen in acidic aqueous solution

The kinetics of comproportionation of hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN) and thiocyanate (SCN-) to give thiocyanogen ((SCN)2) in acidic aqueous solutions have been determined by double-mixing stopped-flow UV spectroscopy. Hypothiocyanite (OSCN-) was generated at pH 13 by oxidation of excess SCN- with hypobromite (OBr-), followed by a pH jump to acidic conditions ([H+] = 0.20-0.46 M). The observed pseudo-first-order rate constants exhibit first-order dependencies on [H+] and [SCN-] with overall third-order kinetics. The corresponding kinetics of hydrolysis of (SCN)2 have also been examined. Under conditions of high (and constant) [H+] and [SCN-], the kinetics exhibit second-order behavior with respect to [(SCN)2] and complex inverse dependences on [H+] and [SCN-]. Under conditions of low [H+] and [SCN-], the kinetics exhibit first-order behavior with respect to [(SCN)2] and independence with respect to [H+] and [SCN-]. We attribute this behavior to a shift in the rate-limiting step from disproportionation of HOSCN (second-order dependency on [(SCN)2]) to rate-limiting hydrolysis (first-order dependency on [(SCN)2]). Thus, we have determined the following equilibrium constant by the kinetic method: (SCN)2 + H2O HOSCN + SCN- + H+; Khyd = [HOSCN][SCN-][H+]/[(SCN)2] = khyd/kcomp = 19.8(+/-0.7) s-1/ 5.14(+/-0.07) x 103 M-2 s-1 = 3.9 x 10-3 M2.     

Autocatalytic formation of green heme: evidence for H2O2-dependent formation of a covalent methionine-heme linkage in ascorbate peroxidase

The mammalian heme peroxidases are distinguished from their plant and fungal counterparts by the fact that the heme group is covalently bound to the protein through ester links from glutamate and aspartate residues to the heme 1- and 5-methyl groups and, in the case of myeloperoxidase, through an additional sulfonium link from the Cbeta of the 2-vinyl group to a methionine residue. To duplicate the sulfonium link in myeloperoxidase and to obtain information on its mechanism of formation, we have engineered a methionine residue close to the 2-vinyl group in recombinant pea cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase (rpAPX) by replacement of Ser160 by Met (S160M variant). The S160M variant is isolated from Escherichia coli as apo-protein. Reconstitution of apo-S160M with exogenous heme gives a red protein (S160M(R)) which has UV-visible (lambda(max)/nm = 407, 511, 633) and steady-state kinetic (kcat = 156 +/- 7 s(-1), KM = 102 +/- 15 microM) properties that are analogous to those of rpAPX. The reaction of S160M(R) with H2O2 gives a green protein (S160M(G)). Electronic spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and HPLC analyses are consistent with the formation of a covalent linkage between the methionine residue and the heme vinyl group in S160M(G). Single-wavelength and photodiode array stopped-flow kinetic analyses identify a transient Compound I species as a reaction intermediate. The results provide the first direct evidence that covalent heme linkage formation occurs as an H2O2-dependent process that involves Compound I formation. A mechanism that is consistent with the data is presented.     

Reactive sulfur species: aqueous chemistry of sulfenyl thiocyanates

Sulfenyl thiocyanate (RSSCN) derivatives of penicillamine (PENSCN) and glutathione (GSSCN) have been synthesized in situ at pH = 0 from equilibrium mixtures that consists of hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN), thiocyanogen ((SCN)2), and trithiocyanate ((SCN)3-). The electrophilic thiocyanating agent N-thiocyanatosuccinimide (NTS) also reacts with PEN and GSH to yield the corresponding RSSCN derivatives. PENSCN and GSSCN were characterized by NMR, ES-MS, and IR spectroscopy. While stable at pH = 0, at higher pH the RSSCN derivatives decompose to give products that are consistent with hydrolysis and formation of reactive sulfenic acids.     

酶的光谱电化学研究（Ⅰ）：辣根过氧化物酶的电化学性质

利用薄层光谱电化学技术研究了辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)及其化合物的氧化还原过程。指出HRP可在固体电极上进行直接电子传递,该电极反应不是酶中二硫键的还原,而是血红素辅基中心金属离子的氧化态转变。测定了HRP(Fe~(3+)/Fe~(2+))电对的标准氧化还原电位和电化学动力学参数,讨论了HRP氧化性中间物的电化学性质。     

Mechanism of decomposition of the human defense factor hypothiocyanite near physiological pH

Relatively little is known about the reaction chemistry of the human defense factor hypothiocyanite (OSCN(-)) and its conjugate acid hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN), in part because of their instability in aqueous solutions. Herein we report that HOSCN/OSCN(-) can engage in a cascade of pH- and concentration-dependent comproportionation, disproportionation, and hydrolysis reactions that control its stability in water. On the basis of reaction kinetic, spectroscopic, and chromatographic methods, a detailed mechanism is proposed for the decomposition of HOSCN/OSCN(-) in the range of pH 4-7 to eventually give simple inorganic anions including CN(-), OCN(-), SCN(-), SO(3)(2-), and SO(4)(2-). Thiocyanogen ((SCN)(2)) is proposed to be a key intermediate in the hydrolysis; and the facile reaction of (SCN)(2) with OSCN(-) to give NCS(═O)SCN, a previously unknown reactive sulfur species, has been independently investigated. The mechanism of the aqueous decomposition of (SCN)(2) around pH 4 is also reported. The resulting mechanistic models for the decomposition of HOSCN and (SCN)(2) address previous empirical observations, including the facts that the presence of SCN(-) and/or (SCN)(2) decreases the stability of HOSCN/OSCN(-), that radioisotopic labeling provided evidence that under physiological conditions decomposing OSCN(-) is not in equilibrium with (SCN)(2) and SCN(-), and that the hydrolysis of (SCN)(2) near neutral pH does not produce OSCN(-). Accordingly, we demonstrate that, during the human peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of SCN(-), (SCN)(2) cannot be the precursor of the OSCN(-) that is produced.     

Hydroperoxynaphthalimide Derivative-mediated Oxidation of Heme Proteins on Photoirradiation: Horseradish Peroxidase

Abstract— Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was photoirradiated in the presence of organic peroxide (1, hydroperoxynaphthalimide derivative) at around 353 nm and 0°C. This compound bound to a heme pocket of HRP as shown by its inhibitory effect on catalysis by HRP ( K _i= 5.5 times 10⁻⁵ M) and subsequently it formed an intermediate in the same way as H202. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) suggested cleavage of the peptide chain of HRP on photoirradiation with 1. From CD spectra and SDS-PAGE, it was presumed that the destruction of both secondary structure and heme of the enzyme occurred to some extent upon photoirradiation, which resulted in a decrease in the catalytic activity. The absorption spectra also suggested that the heme group of the enzyme was destroyed, and the fluorescence spectra showed that the Trp residue in the photoirradiated HRP was oxidized to N -formylkynurenine by a hydroxyl radical generated from 1. Energy transfer from the excited naphthalimide moiety or hydrogen abstraction also seemed to make some contribution to the alteration of the heme group.     

Experimental study of decomposition of aqueous nitrosyl thiocyanate

This study has examined the kinetics of the decomposition of nitrosyl thiocyanate (ONSCN) by stopped flow UV-vis spectrophotometry, with the reaction products identified and quantified by infrared spectroscopy, membrane inlet mass spectrometry, ion chromatography, and CN(-) ion selective electrode. The reaction results in the formation of nitric oxide and thiocyanogen, the latter decomposing to sulfate and hydrogen cyanide in aqueous solution. The rate of consumption of ONSCN depends strongly on the concentration of SCN(-) ions and is inhibited by nitric oxide. We have developed a reaction mechanism that comprises three parallel pathways for the decomposition of ONSCN. At high thiocyanate concentrations, two reaction pathways operate including a second order reaction to generate NO and (SCN)(2) and a reversible reaction between ONSCN and SCN(-) producing NO and (SCN)(2)(-), with the rate limiting step corresponding to the consumption of (SCN)(2)(-) by reaction with ONSCN. The third reaction pathway, which becomes significant at low thiocyanate concentrations, involves formation of a previously unreported species, ONOSCN, via a reaction between ONSCN and HOSCN, the latter constituting an intermediate in the hydrolysis of (SCN)(2). ONOSCN contributes to the formation of NO via homolysis of the O-NO bond and subsequent dimerization and hydrolysis of OSCN. Fitting the chemical reactions of the model to the experimental measurements, which covered a wide range of reactant concentrations, afforded estimation of all relevant kinetic parameters and provided an excellent match. The reaction mechanism developed in this contribution may be applied to predict the rates of NO formation from ONSCN during the synthesis of azo dyes, the gassing of explosive emulsions, or nitrosation reactions occurring in the human body.     

Evidence for Peroxidase Activity in Caralluma umbellata

Vast applications of peroxidases create an increasing demand to characterize peroxidases from new sources with more applicability potential. The aim of the present study was to check the presence of peroxidase activity from Caralluma umbellata. This is the first report on the C. umbellata peroxidase (CUP). The presence of peroxidase was revealed by the histochemical analysis of the stem sections, zymographic studies, and in vitro peroxidase activity assay using various reducing substrates viz., 2, 2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), guaiacol, o-dianisidine, and ferulic acid. The band pattern in zymogram confirms that CUP has a molecular weight less than that of horseradish peroxidase (44?kDa). Comparative evaluation of peroxidase activity of CUP with respect to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) indicates that CUP catalyzes ABTS and ferulic acid in a similar pattern as HRP but with guaiacol, the extent of catalysis shown by CUP over HRP is high. The standard inhibitors sodium azide and sodium meta bisulphite inhibited CUP activity in a dose dependent manner.     

Inactivation of horseradish peroxidase by phenoxyl radical attack

To test the hypothesis that horseradish peroxidase (HRP) can be inactivated by phenoxyl radicals upon reaction with H(2)O(2)/phenol, we probed HRP-catalyzed phenol oxidation at various phenol/H(2)O(2) concentrations. To this end the total protein, phenolic product, active protein, and iron concentrations in the aqueous phase were determined by protein assay, phenol-(14)C isotopic labeling, resonance Raman and atomic absorption spectroscopy, respectively. Additionally, resonance Raman and FTIR measurements were carried out to probe possible structural changes of the enzyme during the reaction. The data obtained provide the first experimental support for the hypothesis that HRP can be inactivated by a phenoxyl radical attack. The heme macrocycle destruction involving deprivation of the heme iron occurs as a result of the reaction. An intermediate type of the active protein was observed by Raman difference spectra at low concentrations which features a stabilization of the quantum mixed state of the heme iron and a significant amount of phenoxylphenol-type oligomers in solution and probably also in the heme pocket. This work provides a basis for evaluating the relative contributions of different HRP inactivation mechanisms and is thus critical for optimizing engineering applications involving HRP reactions.     

Oxidation of catechols and catecholamines by horseradish peroxidase and lactoperoxidase: ESR spin stabilization approach combined with optical methods

Oxidation of catechols and catecholamines by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and lactoperoxidase (LPO) has been studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) and electronic spectroscopies. The ESR technique has been used as an ESR spin stabilization approach by complexation of o-semiquinone free radicals with Zn^II ions. ESR spectra and parameters of these free radical complexed forms are in good agreement with those obtained previously for complexed and uncomplexed species. The K_m values obtained with the two methods show stereoselective effects towards the chiral substrates l- and d-dopa from HRP and LPO. Furthermore, these enzymes display opposite stereochemical interactions, in agreement with the analogous effects observed on l- and d-tyrosine by electronic and NMR binding studies.     

Determination of Fluoride,Cyanide, and Thiocyanate Using Horseradish Peroxidase Immobilized on Modified Silica Gel

Abstract

Silica gels modified with different functional groups (amino, epoxy, cycloepoxy, isocyanate, and thiocyanate) were used for the covalent immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The catalytic activity and stability of the obtained enzyme preparations were studied using the reaction of o‐dianisidine oxidation with hydrogen peroxide as an indicator. The covalent immobilization of horseradish peroxidase using silica gel modified with thiocyanate groups provided not only the improvement of the enzyme stability, but also the development of the sensitive, rapid, and simple procedures for the determination of fluoride, cyanide, and thiocyanate. Enzymatic determination of inorganic anions is based on their inhibitory effect on the enzyme as the ligands capable to form stable complexes with Fe(III)‐HRP cofactor. The proposed procedures were applied for the determination of F^? in mineral and drinking waters; CN^? and SCN^?—in biological fluids (blood and saliva).     

Spectroscopic studies of interactions involving horseradish peroxidase and Tb3+

The spectroscopic properties of interactions involving horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and Tb(3+) in the simulated physiological solution was investigated with some electrochemical and spectroscopic methods, such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), circular dichroism (CD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and synchronous fluorescence (SF). It was found that Tb(3+) can coordinate with oxygen atoms in carbonyl groups in the peptide chain of HRP, form the complex of Tb(3+) and HRP (Tb-HRP), and then lead to the conformation change of HRP. The increase in the random coil content of HRP can disturb the microstructure of the heme active center of HRP, in which the planarity of the porphyrin cycle in the heme group is increased and then the exposure extent of the electrochemical active center is decreased. Thus Tb(3+) can inhibit the electrochemical reaction of HRP and its electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of H(2)O(2) at the Au/Cys/GC electrode. The changes in the microstructure of HRP obstructed the electron transfer of Fe(III) in the porphyrin cycle of the heme group, thus HRP catalytic activity is inhibited. The inhibition effect of Tb(3+) on HRP catalytic activity is increased with the increasing of Tb(3+) concentration. This study would provide some references for better understanding the rare earth elements and heavy metals on peroxidase toxicity in living organisms.     

Biocatalytic Modification of Naturally Occurring Iron Porphyrin

Hematin, a hydroxyferriprotoporphyrin, is the stable, oxidized form of heme. Heme has been reported to be the active catalytic center of naturally occurring peroxidases such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP). While there have been reports on the use of hematin as a catalyst for oxidative polymerization reactions, these reactions could be carried out only at high pH conditions due to limited aqueous solubility of hematin at lower pH conditions. We report here the biocatalytic modification of hematin using a lipase, Novozyme-435. Hematin has been modified by tethering monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) chains which provide aqueous solubility over a fairly wide range of pH conditions. This pegylated Hematin (PEG-Hematin) is synthesized via a one-step solventless reaction and the products formed can be isolated with minimal purification. The PEG-Hematin synthesized serves as a robust alternative to HRP for the polymerization of aniline and phenol.     

Electrochemical studies on reconstituted horseradish peroxidase modified carbon paste electrodes

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is a heme protein that acts specifically on H(2)O(2) as the electron acceptor. Hemin (Ferriprotoporhyrin-IX) is the prosthetic group of the enzyme. A direct molecular wire to the redox center of the enzyme is expected to enhance the electrochemical response of the enzyme. Native HRP was immobilized onto the surface of glassy carbon (GC) matrix using a 16-atom spacer arm. We have also immobilized the redox center of the enzyme (hemin) through one of the propionate groups onto the surface of glassy carbon matrix using an 11-atom spacer arm with amino terminus. Apoperoxidase was isolated according to the Teale's method and was allowed to reconstitute with the hemin-bound matrix for enzyme reconstitution. The HRP paste and reconstituted-HRP (rec-HRP) paste electrodes were used to study the electrochemical response to substrate H(2)O(2) using electrochemical techniques like cyclic voltammetry (CV) and flow injection (FI) studies. Flow injection studies using HRP paste electrode showed a linearity from 25 to 200 microM H(2)O(2). The rec-HRP paste showed approximately 100 times increase in the electron transfer rates compared to native HRP paste, and substrate linearity from 25 to 100 microM was observed.     

Acidic aqueous decomposition of thiocyanogen

The aqueous reaction of acidic Cl2 with excess SCN- rapidly generates a UV-absorbing intermediate identified as an equilibrium mixture of thiocyanogen, (SCN)2, and trithiocyanate, (SCN)3(-). The decomposition of this mixture can be described as 3(SCN)2 + 4H2O --> 5HSCN + H2SO4 + HCN. Under our conditions the decomposition is sufficiently slow that its kinetics can be studied using standard stopped-flow methodology. Over the pH range 0-2 the decomposition rate law is -d[(SCN)2]/dt = (3/2)[k(disp)K(hyd)2[(SCN)2]2/([SCN-]2[H+]2 + K(SCN)3-[SCN-]3[H+]2 + K(hyd)[SCN-][H+])] with K(SCN)3(-) = 0.43 +/- 0.29 M(-1), K(hyd) = (5.66 +/- 0.77) x 10(-4) M2, and k(disp) = (6.86 +/- 0.95) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at 25 degrees C and micro = 1 M. The K(SCN)3(-) and K(hyd) terms are significant enhancements relative to one of the rate laws conventionally cited. In the proposed mechanism, K(SCN)3(-) refers to the formation of (SCN)3(-) by association of SCN- with (SCN)2, K(hyd) refers to the hydrolysis of (SCN)2 to form HOSCN, and k(disp) is the rate constant for the bimolecular irreversible disproportionation of HOSCN, which leads ultimately to SO4(2-) and HCN. Ab initio calculations support the values of K(SCN)3(-) and K(hyd) reported herein. The high value for k(disp) indicates that HOSCN is a short-lived transient, while the magnitude of K(hyd) provides information on its thermodynamic stability. These results bear on the physiological role of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of SCN- such as salivary peroxidase and myeloperoxidase.     

Investigation of blend biopolymer electrolytes based on Dextran-PVA with ammonium thiocyanate

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - A new polymer electrolytes based on Dextran, poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) with different concentrations of ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN) have been prepared by...     

DNA-directed immobilization of horseradish peroxidase-DNA conjugates on microelectrode arrays: towards electrochemical screening of enzyme libraries

This work is aimed towards the generation of enzyme arrays on electrochemically active surfaces by taking advantage of the DNA-directed immobilization (DDI) technique. To this end, two different types of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-DNA conjugates were prepared, either by covalent coupling with a bifunctional cross-linker or by the reconstitution of apo-HRP, that is, HRP lacking its prosthetic heme (protoporphyrin IX) group, with a covalently DNA-modified heme cofactor. Both conjugates were characterized in bulk and also subsequent to their immobilization on gold electrodes through specific DNA hybridization. Electrochemical measurements by using the phenolic mediator ortho-phenylendiamine indicated that, due to the high degree of conformational orientation, the apparent Michaelis-Menten constants of the reconstituted HRP conjugate were lower than those of the covalent conjugate. Due to the reversible nature of DDI, both conjugates could be readily removed from the electrode surface by simple washing and, subsequently, the electrodes could be reloaded with fresh enzymes, thereby restoring the initial amperometric-response activity. Moreover, the specific DNA hybridization allowed us to direct the two conjugates to distinct sites on a microelectrode array. Therefore, the self-assembly and regeneration capabilities of this approach should open the door to the generation of arrays of redox-enzyme devices for the screening of enzymes and their effectors.