Volume 385, Issue 3-4

The ductus arteriosus (DA) is a fetal artery that allows blood ejected from the right ventricle to bypass the pulmonary circulation in utero . At birth, functional closure of the DA is initiated by an O2-induced, vasoconstrictor mechanism which, though modulated by endothelialderived endothelin and prostaglandins, is intrinsic to the smooth muscle cell (DASMC) [Michelakis et al., Circ. Res. 91 (2002); pp. 478-486]. As pO2 increases, a mitochondrial O2-sensor (electron transport chain complexes I or III) is activated, which generates a diffusible redox mediator (H2O2). H2O2 inhibits voltagegated K+ channels (Kv) in DASMC. The resulting membrane depolarization activates Ltype Ca2+ channels, thereby promoting vasoconstriction. Conversely, inhibiting mitochondrial ETC complexes I or III mimics hypoxia, depolarizing mitochondria, and decreasing H2O2 levels. The resulting increase in K+ current hyperpolarizes the DASMC and relaxes the DA. We have developed two models for study of the DAs O2-sensor pathway, both characterized by decreased O2-constriction and Kv expression: (i) preterm rabbit DA, (ii) ionicallyremodeled, human term DA. The O2-sensitive channels Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 are important to DA O2-constriction and overexpression of either channel enhances DA constriction in these models. Understanding this O2-sensing pathway offers therapeutic targets to modulate the tone and patency of human DA in vivo, thereby addressing a common form of congenital heart disease in preterm infants.

Patients with chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH) caused by recurrent apneas have a greatly increased risk for developing hypertension, myocardial infarctions, and stroke. The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the recent studies focusing on the mechanisms associated with systemic and cellular effects of IH in experimental animals and cell culture models. Rats exposed to chronic IH exhibited elevated blood pressures and increased sympathetic nerve activity, partly due to enhanced reflexes arising from carotid bodies. Direct recordings of the carotid body sensory activity showed that chronic IH selectively augmented hypoxic sensitivity, and induced a novel form of functional plasticity manifested as sensory longterm facilitation. In cell culture models, prior exposure to IH resulted in facilitation of hypoxiainduced transmitter release and activation of several protein kinases. IH caused activation of cFos and activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor and tyrosine hydroxylase, an APregulated downstream gene. For a given duration and intensity of hypoxia, IH was more potent and caused longerlasting activation than continuous hypoxia. Scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) prevented IHinduced systemic and cellular responses. Inhibition of complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain appears to be one of the sources for IHinduced generation of ROS. The persistent oxidative stress may contribute to the progression of morbidity associated with chronic IH caused by recurrent apneas, and antioxidants might be of considerable therapeutic value in preventing the progression of disease associated with chronic IH.

Hypoxiainducible factor (HIF) is a transcriptional complex that mediates a broad range of cellular and systemic responses to hypoxia. Analysis of HIF-α subunits has demonstrated that its activity is regulated by a series of oxygen-dependent enzymatic hydroxylations at specific prolyl and asparaginyl residues. Combined structural/genetic approaches have identified the relevant enzymes as members of the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase superfamily, possessing a β-barrel 'jelly-roll' conformation that aligns a 2-histidine/1-carboxylate iron coordination motif at the catalytic centre. HIF prolyl hydroxylation is performed by a closely related set of isoenzymes (PHD1-3) that differ in abundance and subcellular localisation. Hydroxylation of either human HIF-1α Pro402 or Pro564 promotes interaction with the von HippelLindau tumour suppressor protein (pVHL). In oxygenated cells this process targets HIFα for rapid proteasomal destruction. HIF asparaginyl hydroxylation is performed by a protein termed factor inhibiting HIF (FIH). In oxygenated cells hydroxylation of human HIF-1α Asn803 prevents interaction with the p300 transcriptional coactivator, providing a second mechanism by which HIFmediated transcription is inactivated. Genetic studies demonstrate a critical function for both types of enzyme in regulating the HIF transcriptional cascade. Limitation of activity in hypoxia supports a central role of these hydroxylases in cellular oxygen sensing. Regulation of the amount of hydroxylase protein, and the supply of other cosubstrates and cofactors, particularly the cellular availability of iron, also contribute to tuning the physiological response to hypoxia.

Cells need oxygen (O2) to meet their metabolic demands. Highly efficient systems of O2-sensing have evolved to initiate responses enabling cells to adapt their metabolism to reduced O2 availability. Of central importance is the activation of hypoxiainducible factor-1 (HIF-1), a transcription factor complex that controls the expression of genes the products of which regulate glucose uptake and metabolism, vasotonus and angiogenesis, oxygen capacity of the blood as well as cell growth and death. Activation of HIF-1 requires the accumulation and nuclear translocation of the HIF-1α subunit, its dimerization with HIF-1β and the binding of coactivator proteins such as p300. In this study we investigated the threedimensional (3D) distribution of HIF-1α within the nucleus and assigned its localization to known nuclear compartments. Using twophoton microscopy we determined the colocalization of HIF-1α and -β subunits within nuclear domains as well as overlaps between HIF-1α and p300. Our data provide information on the nuclear distribution of HIF-1α with respect to subnuclear domains that could serve as specific locations for hypoxiainduced gene expression.

Glucokinase (GK) is the key enzyme of glucose utilization in liver and is localized in the less aerobic perivenous area. Until now, the O2-responsive elements in the liverspecific GK promoter are unknown, and therefore the aim of this study was to identify the O2-responsive element in this promoter. We found that the GK promoter sequence -87/-80 matched the binding site for hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and upstream stimulatory factor (USF). In primary rat hepatocytes we could show that venous pO2 enhanced HIF-1α and USF-2a levels, both of which activated GK expression. Furthermore, transfection experiments revealed that the GK sequence -87/-80 mediated the HIF-1α or USF-2-dependent activation of the GK promoter. The binding of HIF-1 and USF to the GKHRE was corroborated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). However, the maximal response to HIF-1α or USF was only achieved when constructs with the -87/ -80 sequence in context with a 39-36 bp native GK promoter sequence containing a hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF-4) binding site were used. HIF-1α and HNF-4 additively activated the GK promoter, while USF-2 and HNF-4 together did not show this additive activation. Thus, HIF-1 and USF may play differential roles in the modulation of GK expression in response to O2.

Pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling processes are associated with oxidative stress, hypoxia and enhanced levels of thrombin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The hypoxia-inducible transcription factor HIF regulates the expression of VEGF under hypoxia. The HIF pathway is also activated by thrombin or CoCl2, likely via reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study we investigated whether the redox-modifying enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase affect HIF levels and the expression of VEGF mRNA in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC). Stimulation of PASMC with thrombin or CoCl2 increased ROS production and enhanced HIFα protein and VEGF mRNA levels as well as HIFdependent reporter gene activity. These responses were inhibited by vitamin C and by overexpression of GPX and catalase, whereas the opposite effects were observed in SOD-expressing cells. These findings suggest that an antioxidant state with reduced levels of H2O2 limits the activation of the HIF pathway, whereas a prooxidant state allowing elevated H2O2 levels promotes it. Thus, shifting the redox balance to a more reduced environment, thereby limiting VEGF expression, may be beneficial for treating remodeling processes during pulmonary hypertension.

Exhaled H2O2 is considered an indicator of lung inflammatory and oxidative stress. Moreover, H2O2 may be involved in signal transduction processes. It is not fully elucidated to what extent (i) H2O2 escapes from the intravascular compartment, and (ii) pulmonary H2O2 generation and nasopharyngeal H2O2 generation contribute to exhaled H2O2. We investigated H2O2 concentrations in breath condensate from isolated bufferperfused and ventilated rabbit lungs, and from both intubated and spontaneously breathing rabbits with a horseradish peroxidase/ 2,7dichlorofluorescin assay. For the perfused lungs, a H2O2 concentration of 58±19 nM was found. Addition of H2O2 to the buffer fluid resulted in only minute appearance in the exhaled air (<0.001%). Levels of exhaled H2O2 in intubated rabbits and perfused lungs were virtually identical. Nearly tenfold higher levels were detected in spontaneously breathing rabbits. Decreasing the inspired oxygen concentration from 21% to 1% resulted in a tendency toward decreased H2O2 exhalation in perfused lungs. In contrast, phorbol-12-myristate-13- acetate (PMA) prompted a ~4-fold increase in H2O2 exhalation. We conclude that the horseradish peroxidase/ 2',7'dichlorofluorescin assay is a feasible technique to measure H2O2 in exhaled breath condensate in rabbits. When collecting exhaled air via the tracheal tube, the signal represents pulmonary H2O2 generation with the contribution of the remaining body being negligible.

Two current hypotheses of O2 sensing in the carotid body (CB) chemoreceptors suggest participation of oxygen reactive (ROS) species, but they are mechanistically opposed. One postulates that hypoxia decreases ROS levels; the other that hypoxia increases them. Yet, both propose that the ensuing alteration in the cellular redox environment is the key signal triggering hypoxic chemoreception. Since the glutathione redox pair is the main cellular buffer for ROS and the main determinant of the general redox environment of the cells, a way to test whether ROS participate in chemoreception is to determine glutathione levels and to correlate them with the activity of CB chemoreceptor cells. We found that hypoxia does not alter the glutathione reduction potential but that it activates chemoreceptor cell neurosecretion. Incubation of tissues with reduced glutathione increases the glutathione-reducing potential but does not activate chemoreceptor cells in normoxia nor does it modify hypoxic activation. Like reduced glutathione, N-acetylcysteine promoted a general reducing environment in the cells without alteration of chemoreceptor cell activity. N-(mercaptopropionyl)-glycine, like the two previous agents, increases the reduction potential of glutathione. In contrast, the compound activated chemoreceptor cells in normoxia, promoting a dose- and Ca2+-dependent neurosecretion and a potentiation of the hypoxic responses. The existence of multiple relationships between glutathione reduction potential in the cells and their activity indicates that the general cellular redox environment is not a factor determining chemoreceptor cell activation. It cannot be excluded that the local redox environments of restricted microdomain(s) in the cells with specific regulating mechanisms are important signals for chemoreceptor cell activity.

Adenine nucleotides act through specific cell surface receptors to invoke a variety of biological responses. Here we show that cells of neuroepithelial bodies (NEB), presumed O2 airway sensors in neonatal hamster lung, express functional P2X receptors (P2XR). Positive immunostaining was detected in NEB cells using doublelabel immunohistochemistry with antibodies against P2X2 and P2X3 receptor subunits, which colocalized with serotonin (5-HT), a marker of NEB cells. For electrophysiological characterization of P2X2-R in NEB cells, fresh neonatal hamster lung slice preparation was used. Under wholecell patch clamp, perfusion with ATP induced a concentrationdependent, nondesensitizing inward current (EC50=12 uM). Perfusion with α, β-methylene ATP also induced a slowdesensitizing inward current (EC50=8.2 uM). Suramin (IC50 ca. 43 M) and TNPATP (IC50 ca. 8 uM) blocked the currents evoked by both ATP and α, βmethylene ATP. Using carbon fiber amperometry we observed that hypoxia and ATP induced 5-HT release from NEB cells and that this release was blocked by suramin. These data suggest that functional P2X2/3 heteromeric receptors are expressed in NEB cells. The possible function of these purinoreceptors in NEB cells could include modulation of hypoxia chemotransmission.

Sustained central hypoxia predisposes individuals to dementias such as Alzheimer's disease, in which cells are destroyed in part by disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis. Here, we show that exposure of astrocytes to hypoxia in vitro causes inhibition of plasmalemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchange and excessive mitochondrial Ca2q loading. Both factors disrupt normal agonist-evoked Ca2+ signalling. Moreover, hypoxia increases the levels of presenilin-1, a major component of a key enzyme involved in Alzheimers disease. Inhibition of this enzyme partially reverses the effects of hypoxia on Ca2+ signalling. These findings provide an initial cellular basis for understanding the clinical association of hypoxia with Alzheimers disease.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and hypoxiainducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) are conditionally regulated transcription factor subunits that form heterodimeric complexes with their common partner, AhR nuclear translocator (ARNT/HIF-1β). Whereas the environmentally toxic compound 2,3,7,8-tetra-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) initiates the trans-activation activity of AhR:ARNT/HIF-1β, hypoxic exposure stabilizes HIF-1α and functionally activates the HIF-1α:ARNT/HIF-1β complex. To analyze a possible crosstalk between these two pathways in vivo , rats were given dioxin orally and/or were exposed to carbon monoxide (CO), causing functional anemia. We found that exposure to CO inhibited the xenobiotic response while dioxin application had no significant negative impact on hypoxia-mediated gene transcription.

Kininogens serve dual functions by forming a scaffold for the assembly of the protein complex initiating the surface-activated blood coagulation cascade and as precursors for the kinin hormones. While rats have three kininogen genes, for mice, cattle, and humans only one gene has been described. Here, we present sequence and expression data of a second mouse kininogen gene. The two genes, kininogen-I and kininogen-II, are located in close proximity on chromosome 16 in a headtohead arrangement. In liver and kidney, both genes are expressed and for each gene three alternative splice variants are synthesized. Two of them are the expected high and low molecular weight isoforms known from all mammalian kininogens. However, for both genes also a third, hitherto unknown splice variant was detected which lacks part of the high molecular weight mRNA due to splicing from the low molecular weight donor site to alternative splice acceptor sites in exon 10. The physiological functions of the six kininogen isoforms predicted by these findings need to be determined.

The central region of the matrix protein p17 of HIV-1 is known to be essential during virus assembly. We substituted alanines for amino acid triplets in this region of p17 (amino acid residues 47 to 55: NPG LLE TSE). Introduction of the respective mutations into the gag-coding sequence of HIproviruses and subsequent transfection into Cos-7 cells led to particle production and release. Exchange of LLE resulted in the production of noninfectious particles. These residues may be important for correct folding and assembly of the processed matrix protein and the production of infectious HIV. In vitro studies of wildtype and mutated matrix proteins using spectroscopic methods (NMR, fluorescence, CD) yielded detailed data about structure and stability. Two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy showed that wildtype and mutant proteins (p17-NPG and p17-TSE) are well folded. Besides structural changes at the mutated site, chemical shift changes indicate small but significant long range structural rearrangements. The stability against chemically and thermally induced unfolding of the mutants p17-NPG and p17-TSE was slightly decreased, while that of p17-LLE was drastically diminished. The alterations have only a local effect on protein folding for the mutants p17-NPG and p17-TSE, and the globular tertiary structure remains nearly unchanged. For p17-LLE, however, the substitutions seem to trigger significant changes in structural elements.

Skin secretions of the toad Bombina variegata were evaluated for the isolation and characterisation of insulinotropic peptides. Crude secretions obtained from young adult toads by mild electrical stimulation of the dorsal skin surface were purified by reverse phase HPLC yielding 44 peaks. In acute incubations with glucose-responsive BRIN-BD11 cells, peaks 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 showed a 1.5-3.5-fold increase in insulin release compared with 5.6 mM glucose alone (p<0.001; n=3). Structural analyses of the purified insulinreleasing peaks were performed by automated Edman degradation and mass spectrometry. Peptides represented by peaks 21, 22 and 23 had molecular masses of 1641.7 Da, 1662.6 Da and 1619.8 Da respectively. These peptides were unblocked by removal of pyroglutamic acid from the Nterminus prior to Edman degradation, revealing lengths of 14 amino acids. Peak 21 yielded a primary structure of PyrQRLGHQWAVGHLM, which a data base search revealed as an analogue of bombesin (His6 bombesin), while peak 23 was an exact match of bombesin (PyrQRLGNQWAVGHLM) originally isolated from Bombina bombina. Peak 22 indicated a primary structure of PyrDSFGNQWARGHFM (72% homology with bombesin). Peaks 24 and 25 revealed entirely novel insulinotropic peptides with molecular masses and primary structures of 1650.5 Da and 2300.0 Da and GKPFYPPPIYPEDM (GM-14) and IYNAICPCKHCNKCKPGLLAN (IN-21) respectively. Preliminary studies on the mechanisms underlying the insulinotropic actions of peaks 21, 22, 23 and 24 suggest possible involvement of a cAMPdependent, G protein-insensitive pathway. These data indicate that Bombina variegata skin secretions contain peptides with insulinreleasing activity, which may have mammalian counterparts and prove useful for possible exploitation as antidiabetic agents from natural resources.

Copper amine oxidase from lentil ( Lens esculenta ) seedlings was shown to catalyze the oxidative deamination of tyramine and three similar aromatic monoamines, benzylamine, phenylethylamine and 4-methoxyphenylethylamine. Tyramine, an important plant intermediate, was found to be both a substrate and an irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme whereas the other amines were not inhibitory. In the course of tyramine oxidation the enzyme gradually became inactivated with the concomitant appearance of a new absorption at 560 nm due to the formation of a stable adduct. Inactivation took place only in the presence of oxygen and was probably due to the reaction of the enzyme with the oxidation product of tyramine, phydroxyphenylacetaldehyde. The kinetic data obtained in this study indicate that tyramine represents a new interesting type of physiological mechanismbased inhibitor for plant copper amine oxidases.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces hepatocellular downregulation and endocytic retrieval of multidrug resistance protein 2 (Mrp2, Abcc2). Basolateral Mrp isoforms may compensate for the intracellular metabolic changes in cholestasis. Therefore, the effect of LPS on the zonal localization of Mrp2 and Mrp3 and the expression of Mrp3, Mrp4, Mrp5, and Mrp6 mRNA were investigated in rat liver. In normal rat liver Mrp3 was found in pericentral hepatocytes also expressing glutamine synthetase. In LPS-treated rat liver the decrease in Mrp2 protein was most pronounced in pericentral hepatocytes, with only minor down-regulation in periportal hepatocytes. Conversely, induction of Mrp3 was found in pericentral hepatocytes with a low expression of Mrp2. Furthermore, we found a strong induction of Mrp5 mRNA. Likewise, Mrp6 mRNA was upregulated, however Mrp6 protein expression was not significantly altered. It is concluded that Mrp3 is inversely regulated to Mrp2 in a zonal pattern and may compensate for the LPSinduced loss of Mrp2 in the perivenous area. Induction of pericentral Mrp3 and upregulation of Mrp5 mRNA may play an important role in the hepatocellular clearance of cholephilic substances and cyclic nucleotides accumulating after LPS treatment.

Nitric oxide (NO) plus oxygen (O2) are known to cause cell damage via formation of reactive nitrogen species. NO itself directly inhibits cytochrome oxidase of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in competition with O2, thus inducing a hypoxic-like injury. To assess the critical NO and O2 concentrations for both mechanisms of NO-induced cell injury, cells of a rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cell line were incubated in the presence of the NO donor spermineNONOate at different O2 concentrations, and their loss of viability was determined by the release of lactate dehydrogenase. Protection by ascorbic acid was used as indication for the involvement of reactive nitrogen species, whereas a hypoxiclike injury was indicated by the protective effects of glycine and glucose and the increase in NAD(P)H fluorescence. High concentrations of NO (approx. 10 uM NO) and O2 (21% O2) were required to induce endothelial cell death mediated by formation of reactive nitrogen species. On the other hand, pathophysiologically relevant NO concentrations at low but physiological O2 concentrations (ca. 2 uM NO at 5% O2 and about 1 uM NO at 2% O2) induced hypoxiclike cell death in the endothelial cells that was prevented by the presence of glucose.