Cellular effects of photogenerated oxidants and long-lived, reactive, hydroperoxide photoproducts

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Reaction of radicals and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) with proteins results in both direct damage and the formation of long-lived reactive hydroperoxides. Elevated levels of protein hydroperoxide-derived products have been detected in multiple human pathologies, suggesting that these secondary oxidants contribute to tissue damage. Previous studies have provided evidence for protein hydroperoxide-mediated inhibition of thiol-dependent enzymes and modulation of signaling processes in isolated systems. In this study (1)O(2) and hydroperoxides have been generated in J774A.1 macrophage-like cells using visible light and the photosensitizer rose bengal, with the consequences of oxidant formation examined both immediately and after subsequent (dark-phase) incubation. Significant losses of GSH (≤50%), total thiols (≤20%), and activity of thiol-dependent proteins (GAPDH, thioredoxin, protein tyrosine phosphatases, creatine kinase, and cathepsins B and L; 10-50% inhibition) were detected after 1 or 2 min photo-oxidation. Non-thiol-dependent enzymes were not affected. In contrast, NADPH levels increased, together with the activity of glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and thioredoxin reductase; these increases may be components of a rapid global cytoprotective cellular response to stress. Neither oxidized thioredoxin nor radical-mediated protein oxidation products were detected at significant levels. Further decreases in thiol levels and enzyme activity occurred during dark-phase incubation, with this accompanied by decreased cell viability. These secondary events are ascribed to the reactions of long-lived hydroperoxides, generated by (1)O(2)-mediated reactions. Overall, this study provides novel insights into early cellular responses to photo-oxidative damage and indicates that long-lived hydroperoxides can play a significant role in cellular damage.

Original languageEnglish
JournalFree Radical Biology & Medicine
Volume49
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)1505-15
Number of pages11
ISSN0891-5849
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Nov 2010
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Animals, Antioxidants, Cell Survival, Cells, Cultured, Glutathione, Glutathione Peroxidase, Glutathione Reductase, Humans, Hydrogen Peroxide, Macrophages, Mice, Oxidants, Photochemical Processes, Proteins, Rose Bengal, Singlet Oxygen, Sulfhydryl Compounds, Thioredoxins

ID: 129669952