Proteolytic loss of bcl-x(L) in FL5.12 Cells undergoing apoptosis induced by MK886

Apoptosis induced in the IL3-dependent murine pro-B lymphocytic (FL5.12) cell line by the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein inhibitor MK886 is accompanied by the rapid loss of the anti-apoptotic bcl-x(L) and bcl-2, but not the proapoptotic bax proteins (Datta et al., J. Biol. Chem. 273, 28163-28169, 1998). Since several reports indicate important roles for noncaspase proteases in apoptosis, the participation of lysosomes, as well as serine, cysteine, or aspartic acid proteases, in the effects of MK886 were investigated. Consistent with the involvement of various proteases, lysosomal degranulation was evident, as observed by a decrease in acridine orange fluorescence at 2 h and an increase in cytosolic beta-hexosaminidase activity at 4 h after treating FL5.12 cells with 10 microM MK886. The disappearance of bcl-x(L) from FL5.12 cells upon MK886 treatment was prevented in a dose-dependent manner by pretreatment with leupeptin, pepstatin, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, or the broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor Boc-D-FMK. Each of the noncaspase protease inhibitors partially inhibited MK886-induced apoptosis as measured by phosphatidylserine externalization and DNA fragmentation. The noncaspase inhibitors also blocked about half of the increase in caspase-3-like activity. Boc-D-FMK completely inhibited this enzyme and prevented apoptosis. None of the inhibitors were able to directly inhibit activated caspase-3 in cell lysates, suggesting their effects were upstream of caspase activation. These observations suggest the involvement of various proteases, possibly originating from lysosomes, upstream of active caspase-3, in the loss of bcl-x(L) protein and in the signaling pathway of MK886-induced apoptosis in FL5.12 cells. This pathway may be unique to MK886 since these same protease inhibitors had only minimal effects on etoposide-induced apoptosis and the accompanying moderate loss of bcl-x(L) in FL5.12 cells.     

Oxidative stress-driven mechanisms of nordihydroguaiaretic acid-induced apoptosis in FL5.12 cells

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a general lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme inhibitor, induces apoptosis independently of its activity as a LOX inhibitor in murine pro-B lymphocytes (FL.12 cells) by a mechanism that is still not fully understood. Glutathione depletion, oxidative processes and mitochondrial depolarization appear to contribute to the apoptosis induced by NDGA. The current data demonstrate that NDGA (20 microM)-induced apoptosis in FL5.12 cells is partially protected by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (10 mM) and dithiothreitol (DTT) (500 microM) pretreatment, confirming a role for oxidative processes. In addition, the treatment of FL5.12 cells with NDGA led to an increase in phosphorylation and activation of the MAP kinases ERK, JNK and p38. Although pretreatment with ERK inhibitors (PD98059 or U0126) abolished ERK phosphorylation in response to NDGA, neither inhibitor had any effect on NDGA-induced apoptosis. SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, did not have any effect on NDGA-induced phosphorylation of JNK nor apoptosis. Pretreatment with the p38 inhibitor SB202190 attenuated NDGA-induced apoptosis by 30% and also abolished p38 phosphorylation, compared to NDGA treatment alone. NAC, but not DTT, also decreased the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK supporting a role for oxidative processes in activating these kinases. Neither NAC nor DTT blocked the phosphorylation of ERK suggesting that this activation is not related to oxidative stress. The release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3 induced by NDGA were inhibited by NAC. SB202190 slightly attenuated caspase-3 activation and had no effect on the release of cytochrome c. These data suggest that several independent mechanisms, including oxidative reactions, activation of p38 kinase and cytochrome c release contribute to NDGA-induced apoptosis.     

Glutathione oxidation and mitochondrial depolarization as mechanisms of nordihydroguaiaretic acid-induced apoptosis in lipoxygenase-deficient FL5.12 cells.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) induces apoptosis in a variety of cell lines. The mechanism(s) of this effect is not known, although the focus has been on the ability of NDGA to inhibit lipoxygenase (LOX) activities. In the present study, NDGA-induced apoptosis was studied in a murine hematopoietic cell line, FL5.12. Although this cell line lacks detectable LOX protein or activities, NDGA (10 microM) was able to induce apoptosis. There was a massive loss of mitochondrial membrane potential by 4 h after the addition of NDGA, suggesting that this organelle might be targeted by NDGA. A pro-oxidant NDGA effect has been suggested as playing a role in apoptosis. This was supported by the findings that glutathione disulfide levels were increased by 4 h following treatment with 10 microM NDGA, that pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine completely blocked the NDGA-induced loss of membrane potential and apoptosis, and that lipid peroxidation was enhanced in cells treated with NDGA. However, no evidence of increased levels of reactive oxygen could be seen in NDGA-treated cells loaded with dichlorofluorescin diacetate or dihydrorhodamine and analyzed by flow cytometry. Bcl-X(L) protein levels were unaffected by NDGA treatment. Caspase-3 was rapidly activated with a peak at 8 h after FL5.12 cells were treated with NDGA. Ac-DEVD-CHO (25 microM) and boc-asp-FMK (20 microM) both inhibited caspase-3 enzyme activity by 97% 8 h after NDGA treatment. Boc-asp-FMK, a more general caspase inhibitor, delayed NDGA-induced apoptosis while Ac-DEVD-CHO, a more specific inhibitor of caspase-3, had no effect. These results suggest that NDGA-induced apoptosis happens through reactions that depolarize mitochondria, oxidize glutathione and lipids, but do not generate significant amounts of free reactive oxygen species.     

Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase enhances the anti-inflammatory effects of aspirin and 5-lipoxygenase activation protein inhibitor in a murine model

Inflammation is a multi-staged process whose expansive phase is thought to be driven by acutely released arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), or soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is known to be anti-inflammatory. Inhibition of sEH stabilizes the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) products epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). Here we used a non-selective COX inhibitor aspirin, a 5-lipoxygenase activation protein (FLAP) inhibitor MK886, and a sEH inhibitor t-AUCB to selectively modulate the branches of AA metabolism in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged murine model. We used metabolomic profiling to simultaneously monitor representative AA metabolites of each branch. In addition to the significant crosstalk among branches of the AA cascade during selective modulation of COX, LOX, or sEH, we demonstrated that co-administration of t-AUCB enhanced the anti-inflammatory effects of aspirin or MK886, which was evidenced by the observations that co-administration resulted in favorable eicosanoid profiles and better control of LPS-mediated hypotension as well as hepatic protein expression of COX-2 and 5-LOX. Targeted disruption of the sEH gene displayed a parallel profile to that produced by t-AUCB. These observations demonstrate a significant level of crosstalk among the three major branches of the AA cascade and that they are not simply parallel pathways. These data illustrate that inhibition of sEH by both pharmacological intervention and gene knockout enhances the anti-inflammatory effects of aspirin and MK886, suggesting the possibility of modulating multiple branches to achieve better therapeutic effects.     

Cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways in mast cell dependent-neurogenic inflammation induced by electrical stimulation of the rat saphenous nerve

1. We investigated the role of arachidonic acid metabolism and assessed the participation of mast cells and leukocytes in neurogenic inflammation in rat paw skin. We compared the effect of lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibitors on oedema induced by saphenous nerve stimulation, substance P (SP), and compound 48/80. 2. Intravenous (i.v.) pre-treatment with a dual COX/LOX inhibitor (RWJ 63556), a dual LOX inhibitor/cysteinyl-leukotriene (CysLt) receptor antagonist (Rev 5901), a LOX inhibitor (AA 861), a five-lipoxygenase activating factor (FLAP) inhibitor (MK 886), or a glutathione S-transferase inhibitor (ethacrynic acid) significantly inhibited (40 to 60%) the development of neurogenic oedema, but did not affect cutaneous blood flow. Intradermal (i.d.) injection of LOX inhibitors reduced SP-induced oedema (up to 50% for RWJ 63556 and MK 886), whereas ethacrynic acid had a potentiating effect. 3. Indomethacin and rofecoxib, a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor, did not affect neurogenic and SP-induced oedema. Surprisingly, the structurally related COX-2 inhibitors, NS 398 and nimesulide, significantly reduced both neurogenic and SP-induced oedema (70% and 42% for neurogenic oedema, respectively; 49% and 46% for SP-induced oedema, respectively). 4. COX-2 mRNA was undetectable in saphenous nerves and paw skin biopsy samples, before and after saphenous nerve stimulation. 5. A mast cell stabilizer, cromolyn, and a H(1) receptor antagonist, mepyramine, significantly inhibited neurogenic (51% and 43%, respectively) and SP-induced oedema (67% and 63%, respectively). 6. The co-injection of LOX inhibitors and compound 48/80 did not alter the effects of compound 48/80. Conversely, ethacrynic acid had a significant potentiating effect. The pharmacological profile of the effect of COX inhibitors on compound 48/80-induced oedema was similar to that of neurogenic and SP-induced oedema. 7. The polysaccharide, fucoidan (an inhibitor of leukocyte rolling) did not affect neurogenic or SP-induced oedema. 8. Thus, (i) SP-induced leukotriene synthesis is involved in the development of neurogenic oedema in rat paw skin; (ii) this leukotriene-mediated plasma extravasation might be independent of mast cell activation and/or of the adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium; (iii) COX did not appear to play a significant role in this process.     

Evaluation of the antioxidative properties of lipoxygenase inhibitors

BackgroundOxidative stress is a component of many pathological conditions including neurodegenerative diseases and inflammation. An important source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are lipoxygenases (LOX) – enzymes responsible for the metabolism of arachidonic acid and other polyunsaturated fatty acids. LOX inhibitors have a protective effect in inflammatory diseases and in neurodegenerative disorders because of their anti-inflammatory activity. However, the molecular mechanism of the protective action of LOX inhibitors has not yet been fully elucidated.MethodsThe aim of this study was to compare the antioxidative potential of widely used LOX inhibitors: BWB70C, AA-861, zileuton, baicalein and NDGA. The antioxidative properties were evaluated in cell-free systems. We measured the effect of the tested compounds on iron/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation and on carbonyl group formation in the rat brain homogenate. Direct free radical scavenging was analyzed by using DPPH assay.ResultsOur data showed that the inhibitor of all LOXs, i.e., NDGA, 5-LOX inhibitor BWB70C and the inhibitor of 12/15-LOX, baicalein, significantly decreased the level of lipid and protein oxidation. The free radical scavenging activity of these inhibitors was comparable to known ROS scavengers, i.e., resveratrol and trolox. Zileuton (the inhibitor of 5-LOX) slightly prevented lipid and protein oxidation, it also scavenged the DPPH radical. AA-861 (the inhibitor of 5 and 12/15-LOX) slightly protected lipids against Fe/asc-evoked lipid peroxidation at high concentrations, but had no effect on carbonyl group formation and DPPH scavenging.ConclusionsOur results indicate that some LOX inhibitors demonstrate potent anti-oxidative, free radical scavenging properties. AA-861, whose antioxidative potential is very weak, may be a specific tool to be used in experimental and perhaps even clinical applications.     

Intracellular Ca2+ mediates lipoxygenase-induced proliferation of U-373 MG human astrocytoma cells

The role of intracellular Ca²⁺ in the regulation of tumor cell proliferation by products of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism was investigated using U-373 MG human astrocytoma cells. Treatment with nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitor, or caffeic acid (CA), a specific 5-LOX inhibitor, suppressed proliferation of the tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, indomethacin (Indo), a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, did not significantly alter proliferation of the tumor cells. At anti-proliferative concentrations, NDGA and CA significantly inhibited intracellular Ca²⁺ release induced by carbachol, a known intracellular Ca²⁺ agonist in the tumor cells. Exogenous administration of leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄), an AA metabolite of LOX pathway, enhanced proliferation of the tumor cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. In addition, LTB₄ induced intracellular Ca²⁺ release. Intracellular Ca²⁺ inhibitors, such as an intracellular Ca²⁺ chelator (BAPTA) and intracellular Ca²⁺-release inhibitors (dantrolene and TMB-8), significantly blocked the LTB₄-induced enhancement of cell proliferation and intracellular Ca²⁺ release. These results suggest that LOX activity may be critical for cell proliferation of the human astrocytoma cells and that intracellular Ca²⁺ may play a major role in the mechanism of action of LOX.     

ATP-induced histamine release is in part related to Phospholipase A2- mediated arachidonic acid metabolism in rat peritoneal mast cells

Histamine and arachidonic acid (AA) release was measured using the P2-purinoceptor antagonists, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and cyclooxygenase (COX)/lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors to determine whether or not ATP-induced histamine release is associated with arachidonic acid (AA) release in rat peritoneal mast cells. ATP increased histamine release in a dose dependent manner, whereas adenosine did not. PPADS (a selective P2X-purinoceptor antagonist) and suramin (a nonselective P2X,2Y-purinoceptor antagonist) inhibited ATP-induced histamine release in a dose dependent manner. However, RB-2 (a P2Y-purinoceptor antagonist) did not block ATP-induced histamine release. Manoalide and oleyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (OPC), secretory PLA2 inhibitors, also inhibited ATP-induced histamine release dose-dependently. Both COX inhibitors (ibuprofen and indomethacin) and LOX inhibitors (baicalein and caffeic acid) inhibited ATP-induced histamine in a dose dependent manner. ATP significantly increased [3H]AA release by 54%. PPADS and suramin significantly inhibited ATP-induced [3H]AA release by 81% and 39%, respectively. ATP-induced histamine release was significantly inhibited by a variety of protein kinase inhibitors, such as bisindolmaleimide, genistein, methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate, W-7 and trifluoperazine. Overall, the results suggest that ATP-induced histamine release is in part related to the PLA2-mediated AA metabolism and P2X-purinoceptors.     

Arachidonic acid metabolism of cultured peritoneal rat macrophages and its manipulation by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents

[3H]Arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism by cultured rat peritoneal macrophages (M phi) was examined. Ninety percent of incorporated [3H]AA localized in phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, 30%; phosphatidylinositol, 23.9%; phosphatidylethanolamine, 23.7%) whereas 8.3% and 1.5% was found in the free fatty acid and neutral lipid fractions. 12-O-tetradecanoate phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced the reduction of label from phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine (42%, 46% and 47%, respectively) and an accumulation of label into free fatty acids (34%) or neutral lipid (61%) fractions. Simultaneously, 12% of the incorporated label was released into the medium as [3H]6-keto prostaglandin (PG)F1 alpha, [3H]thromboxane B2 (TxB2), [3H]PGE2, [3H]hydroxyheptadecanoic acid (HHT), [3H]15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE), [3H]12-HETE and [3H]AA. Exposure to 0.3-3 microM indomethacin reduced TPA-induced label release into the medium which was distinguished by dose-dependent reductions in all [3H]prostanoids as well as [3H]15- and [3H]12-HETE and a reciprocal increase in [3H]AA. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) altered AA metabolism at concentrations which approached its toxic dose (greater than 20 microM). Cells exposed to 10 microM NDGA reduced TPA-induced label release into the medium which was characterized by reductions in [3H]-TxB2, [3H]PGE2 and [3H]HHT, no change in [3H]15-HETE, [3H]12-HETE or [3H]AA and the appearance of [3H]PGF2 alpha. Cellular label redistributions of lipid fractions in cells exposed to NDGA or indomethacin were significantly less than that of control cultures indicating inhibition of acylhydrolase activity. Indomethacin or NDGA, therefore modify AA metabolism of cultured rat M phi by influencing more than one target enzyme.     

咖啡酸对氧化应激诱导的PC12细胞5-脂氧酶激活的抑制作用

目的探讨咖啡酸是否通过抑制氧化应激诱导的5-脂氧酶(5-LOX)激活而减轻细胞损伤。方法稳定转染绿荧光蛋白(GFP)-5-LOX的PC12细胞,预先给予咖啡酸0.001~10μmol.L-1和对照药MK886,30min后观察缺氧缺糖/恢复(OGD/R)及过氧化氢(H2O2)160μmol.L-1处理后的变化。MTT法和碘化丙啶染色法分析细胞存活率和死亡率;荧光显微镜观察OGD 2 h/R2 h和H2O2处理40 min时5-LOX的核膜移位;ELISA法测定OGD 2 h/R 3 h时5-LOX代谢产物的生成;DCF法检测OGD 2 h/R 0.5 h细胞内活性氧(ROS)的产生。结果 OGD 2 h/R 24 h GFP-5-LOX转染和GFP-转染PC12细胞的存活率分别为(63.1±6.6)%和(70.7±6.9)%;H2O2处理24 h细胞存活率分别为(62.5±7.7)%和(75.7±9.5)%。在GFP-5-LOX转染的PC12细胞中,咖啡酸和对照药MK886可使OGD/R细胞存活率从(63.1±6.6)%分别增加到(87.3±2.0)%和(89.9±6.3)%,细胞坏死率从(31.4±1.5)%降低到(10.1±2.0)%和(11.7±1.3)%(P<0.01);使H2O2处理细胞存活率从(62.51±7.65)%增加到(92.59±4.02)%和(75.31±6.60)%;使OGD/R细胞CysLTs的生成从261.1±33.7降低到108.5±16.7和(90.6±19.5)ng.g-1蛋白(P<0.01)。此外,咖啡酸抑制OGD/R诱导PC12细胞的ROS产生,IC50值为8.021μmol.L-1;抑制OGD/R诱导的GFP-5-LOX转染的PC12细胞5-LOX核膜移位,IC50值为0.974μmol.L-1;抑制H2O2诱导的GFP-5-LOX转染的PC12细胞5-LOX核膜移位,IC50值为0.501μmol.L-1;MK886无上述作用。结论咖啡酸可抑制氧化应激诱导的PC12细胞5-LOX激活,对缺血损伤的PC12细胞具有保护作用。     

Cysteinyl leukotrienes mediate the enhancing effects of indomethacin and aspirin on eosinophil production in murine bone marrow cultures

BACKGROUND: Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) suppresses, while indomethacin and aspirin enhance, eosinophil production in murine liquid bone-marrow cultures. Because cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) enhance human eosinophil colony formation, we investigated whether the effects of indomethacin and aspirin on murine bone-marrow were due to blockade of PGE(2) production alone, or involved further promotion of cys-LTs production/signalling. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: BALB/c liquid bone-marrow cultures were established with IL-5, alone or associated with indomethacin, aspirin, or cys-LTs. The effects of preventing cys-LT production or signalling were assessed. KEY RESULTS: Indomethacin and aspirin counteracted the suppression of eosinophil production by exogenous PGE(2). LTD(4), LTC(4) and LTE(4) enhanced IL-5-dependent eosinophil production and further counteracted the effect of exogenous PGE(2). The 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) inhibitor, MK886, a leukotriene synthesis inhibitor, zileuton, the CysLT(1) receptor antagonists, MK571 and montelukast, or inactivation of the LTC(4) synthase gene, abolished effects of indomethacin and aspirin. MK886 and zileuton were ineffective but MK571 and montelukast were effective, against LTD(4). Indomethacin, aspirin and LTD(4) failed to enhance eosinophil production in bone-marrow from CysLT1 receptor-deficient mice. Indomethacin, aspirin and LTD(4) no longer counteracted the effects of exogenous PGE(2) in the presence of MK571 and montelukast. MK886, MK571 and montelukast had no effect by themselves, or in association with PGE(2). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Dependence on the FLAP/5-lipoxygenase/LTC(4) synthase pathway and receptor signalling shows that cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors act here through endogenous cys-LTs. While PGE(2) does not act by suppressing cys-LT production, cys-LTs override PGE(2) signalling. Eosinophil production is therefore coordinately regulated by both pathways.     

What's all the FLAP about?: 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein inhibitors for inflammatory diseases

Leukotrienes have physiological roles in innate immune responses and pathological roles in inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and atherosclerosis. Anti-leukotriene therapy has proven benefits in the treatment of respiratory disease, either through the inhibition of leukotriene synthesis or the selective antagonism of leukotriene receptors. The first committed step in the synthesis of leukotrienes is the oxidation of arachidonic acid (AA) by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), and the integral membrane protein 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) is an essential partner of 5-LO for this process. FLAP was molecularly identified via a photoaffinity probe and an affinity gel based on MK-886, a selective leukotriene inhibitor that has no activity against broken-cell preparations of 5-LO. Several FLAP inhibitors showed efficacy in early clinical trials in asthma but were not developed commercially for unpublished reasons. Recently, the FLAP (ALOX5AP) gene has been linked to risk for myocardial infarction, stroke and restenosis, reigniting pharmaceutical interest in this target. In addition, the recent determination of the crystal structure of inhibitor-bound FLAP offers exciting potential for novel FLAP inhibitor design.     

Inhibition by fatty acids of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity in brush border membranes isolated from human placental vesicles.

1. The inhibitory effects of arachidonic acid (AA) and a number of structurally related fatty acids on cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity have been investigated in brush border membranes (BBM) prepared from human placental vesicles. 2. BBM vesicles were characterized by electron microscopy and displayed enrichment of the appropriate marker enzymes, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase; BBM were prepared by vesicles lysis in hypotonic medium. 3. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity was measured in BBM. At 1 microM, cyclic AMP stimulated a 4.2 +/- 0.06 fold increase over basal levels of [32P]-phosphate incorporation into the synthetic substrate kemptide and this effect was abolished by a selective PKA inhibitor. By use of synergistic pairs of site-selective cyclic AMP analogues, the kinase was identified as the type II enzyme. 4. Cyclic AMP-stimulated PKA activity was inhibited by 10 microM AA and this effect was significantly enhanced by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) + indomethacin (Indo), inhibitors of the lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase pathways of AA metabolism respectively. 5. Oleic acid, elaidic acid, but not caprylic or palmitic acids, also significantly inhibited PKA activity and this effect was again enhanced by NDGA + Indo. While arachidonyl alcohol alone was not inhibitory, in the presence of the metabolic inhibitors a significant reduction in stimulated activity was observed. 6. The commercially available PKA type II holoenzyme (activated by cyclic AMP), but not the free catalytic subunit, was inhibitable by AA, oleic or elaidic acids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

5-Lipoxygenase-activating protein is the target of a quinoline class of leukotriene synthesis inhibitors

An indole class of leukotriene synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by MK-886, which does not directly inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, has been shown to bind to an 18-kDa leukocyte membrane protein and to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase membrane translocation. It was demonstrated that the 18-kDa protein is necessary for the cellular activation of leukotriene synthesis and was named 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP). We describe here a class of leukotriene synthesis inhibitors based on a quinoline structure, which is structurally distinct from MK-886. However, similar to MK-886, several quinolines are potent inhibitors of cellular leukotriene synthesis but are poor inhibitors of soluble 5-lipoxygenase. To determine whether FLAP is the protein target of leukotriene synthesis inhibitors of the quinoline class, we investigated the ability of these compounds to inhibit photoaffinity labeling of FLAP and to elute FLAP from indole affinity gels. The abilities of the quinoline inhibitors to interact with FLAP correlated well with their abilities to inhibit leukotriene synthesis in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. L-674,573, a potent quinoline leukotriene synthesis inhibitor, inhibited indole photoaffinity labeling of FLAP in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, L-674,573 selectively eluted FLAP from indole affinity gels, in contrast to L-671,480, a quinoline that was inactive as an inhibitor of leukotriene synthesis. When human leukocyte membranes were labeled with the indole photoaffinity probe [125I]L-669,083 and immunoprecipitated with a FLAP antibody, the labeling of FLAP was inhibited by L-674,573 but not by L-671,480. These results suggest a direct binding site for the quinoline leukotriene synthesis inhibitors on FLAP and provide further evidence for the essential role of FLAP in cellular leukotriene synthesis.     

Inhibition of arachidonic acid release by nordihydroguaiaretic acid and its antioxidant action in rat alveolar macrophages and Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts

The ability of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) to inhibit arachidonic acid (AA) release from rat alveolar macrophages treated with t-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH) or from Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79 cells) treated with linoleic acid hydroperoxide (LOOH) was examined. Treatment of alveolar macrophages with 100 microM tBOOH significantly increased arachidonic acid release and its conversion to metabolites. Pretreatment of macrophages with NDGA (greater than or equal to 2.5 microM) inhibited the release of AA and its subsequent metabolism following addition of tBOOH. Treatment of V79 cells with 1 microM LOOH stimulated the release of AA. Pretreatment with either 1 or 10 microM NDGA prior to the addition of LOOH inhibited the release of AA. A23187 (2 microM)-stimulated release of AA from V79 cells was less sensitive to NDGA inhibition. Pretreatment with 10 microM NDGA, but not with 1 microM NDGA, inhibited A23187-stimulated release of AA. PLA2-dependent hydrolysis of micelle preparations of disaturated phosphatidylcholine was not inhibited by NDGA. Previous studies have suggested that the addition of peroxides alters cells by inducing lipid peroxidation so that the action of phospholipases upon their membranes is enhanced. The results suggest that NDGA, a lipid-soluble antioxidant which traps free radicals, indirectly blocked the action of phospholipases upon cell membranes by inhibiting lipid peroxidation.     

5-Lipoxygenase-activating protein is the target of a novel hybrid of two classes of leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors.

An 18-kDa leukocyte membrane protein, termed 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP), has recently been shown to be the target of two structurally distinct classes of leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors. These classes of inhibitors are based on indole and quinoline structures and are represented by MK-886 and L-674,573, respectively. A novel class of hybrid structure based on the indole and quinoline classes of inhibitors, termed quindoles, has recently been developed. These compounds, exemplified by L-689,037, are potent inhibitors of leukotriene biosynthesis, both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we have developed and characterized a potent radioiodinated photoaffinity analogue of L-689,037, termed [125I]L-691,678. This compound was used in immunoprecipitation studies with FLAP antisera to show that the quindole series of leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors interact directly with FLAP. In addition, we show that MK-886, L-674,573, and L-689,037 specifically compete, in a concentration-dependent manner, with both [125I]L-691,678 and [125I]L-669,083, a photoaffinity analogue of MK-886, for binding to FLAP. These results suggest that these three classes of leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors share a common binding site on FLAP, providing further evidence that FLAP represents a suitable target for structurally diverse classes of leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors.     

Role of 5-lipoxygenase pathway in the regulation of RAW 264.7 macrophage proliferation

Arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites control cell proliferation, among other physiologic functions. RAW 264.7 macrophages can metabolise AA through the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways. We aimed to study the role of AA-metabolites derived from 5-LOX in the control of RAW 264.7 macrophage growth. Our results show that zileuton, a specific 5-LOX inhibitor, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a non-specific LOX inhibitor, inhibit cell proliferation and [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation in a concentration-dependent fashion. Growth inhibition induced by NDGA can be explained by an apoptotic process, while zileuton does not seem to induce apoptosis. Moreover, these treatments delay the cell cycle, as analysed by flow cytometry. On the other hand, the leukotriene (LT) B(4) receptor antagonist U-75302, the LTD(4) receptor antagonists LY-171883 and MK-571, and the cysteinyl-LT receptor antagonist REV-5901 also inhibit cell proliferation and [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation in a concentration-dependent manner, and delay the RAW 264.7 cell cycle. However, these antagonists did not induce annexin V staining, caspase activation or DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that exogenous addition of LTB(4) or LTD(4) revert the cell growth inhibition induced by zileuton or the leukotriene receptor antagonists mentioned above. Finally, we observed that LTB(4) and LTD(4), in the absence of growth factors, have pro-proliferative effects on macrophages, and we obtained preliminary evidences that this effect could be through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. In conclusion, our results show that the interaction between LTB(4) and LTD(4) with its respective receptor is involved in the control of RAW 264.7 macrophage growth.     

Quinacrine induces cytochrome c-dependent apoptotic signaling in human cervical carcinoma cells

Quinacrine (QU), a phospholipase-A2 (PLA-2) inhibitor has been used clinically as a chemotherapeutic adjuvant. To understand the mechanisms leading to its chemotherapeutic effect, we have investigated QU-induced apoptotic signaling pathways in human cervical squamous carcinoma HeLa cells. In this study, we found that QU induced cytochrome c-dependent apoptotic signaling. The release of pro-apoptotic cytochrome c was QU concentration- and time-dependent, and preceded activation of caspase-9 and -3. Flow cytometric FACScan analysis using fluorescence intensities of DiOC6 demonstrated that QU-induced cytochrome c release was independent of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), since the concentrations of QU that induced cytochrome c release did not alter mitochondrial membrane potential (delta pai(m)). Moreover, kinetic analysis of caspase activities showed that cytochrome c release led to the activation of caspase-9 and downstream death effector, caspase-3. Caspase-3 inhibitor (Ac-DEVD-CHO) partially blocked QU-induced apoptosis, suggesting the importance of caspase-3 in this apoptotic signaling mechanism. Supplementation with arachidonic acid (AA) sustained caspase-3 activation induced by QU. Using inhibitors against cellular arachidonate metabolism of lipooxygenase (Nordihydroxyguaiaretic Acid, NDGA) and cyclooxygenase (5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid, ETYA) demonstrated that QU-induced apoptotic signaling may be dependent on its role as a PLA-2 inhibitor. Interestingly, NDGA attenuated QU-induced cytochrome c release, caspase activity as well as apoptotic cell death. The blockade of cytochrome c release by NDGA was much more effective than that attained with cyclosporin A (CsA), a MPT inhibitor. ETYA was not effective in blocking cytochrome c release, except under very high concentrations. Caspase inhibitor z-VAD blocked the release of cytochrome c suggesting that this signaling event is caspase dependent, and caspase-8 activation may be upstream of the mitochondrial events. In summary, we report that QU induced cytochrome c-dependent apoptotic signaling cascade, which may be dependent on its role as a PLA-2 inhibitor. This apoptotic mechanism induced by QU may contribute to its known chemotherapeutic effects.