Showing papers on "Aldehyde dehydrogenase published in 2016"

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 in stem cells and cancer

Abstract: The human genome contains 19 putatively functional aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) genes, which encode enzymes critical for detoxification of endogenous and exogenous aldehyde substrates through NAD(P)+-dependent oxidation. ALDH1 has three main isotypes, ALDH1A1, ALDH1A2, and ALDH1A3, and is a marker of normal tissue stem cells (SC) and cancer stem cells (CSC), where it is involved in self-renewal, differentiation and self-protection. Experiments with murine and human cells indicate that ALDH1 activity, predominantly attributed to isotype ALDH1A1, is tissue- and cancer-specific. High ALDH1 activity and ALDH1A1 overexpression are associated with poor cancer prognosis, though high ALDH1 and ALDH1A1 levels do not always correlate with highly malignant phenotypes and poor clinical outcome. In cancer therapy, ALDH1A1 provides a useful therapeutic CSC target in tissue types that normally do not express high levels of ALDH1A1, including breast, lung, esophagus, colon and stomach. Here we review the functions and mechanisms of ALDH1A1, the key ALDH isozyme linked to SC populations and an important contributor to CSC function in cancers, and we outline its potential in future anticancer strategies.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1a3 defines a subset of failing pancreatic β cells in diabetic mice

Abstract: Insulin-producing β cells become dedifferentiated during diabetes progression. An impaired ability to select substrates for oxidative phosphorylation, or metabolic inflexibility, initiates progression from β-cell dysfunction to β-cell dedifferentiation. The identification of pathways involved in dedifferentiation may provide clues to its reversal. Here we isolate and functionally characterize failing β cells from various experimental models of diabetes and report a striking enrichment in the expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 isoform A3 (ALDH(+)) as β cells become dedifferentiated. Flow-sorted ALDH(+) islet cells demonstrate impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion, are depleted of Foxo1 and MafA, and include a Neurogenin3-positive subset. RNA sequencing analysis demonstrates that ALDH(+) cells are characterized by: (i) impaired oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial complex I, IV and V; (ii) activated RICTOR; and (iii) progenitor cell markers. We propose that impaired mitochondrial function marks the progression from metabolic inflexibility to dedifferentiation in the natural history of β-cell failure.

BET Inhibitors Suppress ALDH Activity by Targeting ALDH1A1 Super-Enhancer in Ovarian Cancer.

Abstract: The emergence of tumor cells with certain stem-like characteristics, such as high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity due to ALDH1A1 expression, contributes to chemotherapy resistance and tumor relapse. However, clinically applicable inhibitors of ALDH activity have not been reported. There is evidence to suggest that epigenetic regulation of stem-related genes contributes to chemotherapy efficacy. Here, we show that bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) inhibitors suppress ALDH activity by abrogating BRD4-mediated ALDH1A1 expression through a super-enhancer element and its associated enhancer RNA. The clinically applicable small-molecule BET inhibitor JQ1 suppressed the outgrowth of cisplatin-treated ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo Combination of JQ1 and cisplatin improved the survival of ovarian cancer-bearing mice in an orthotopic model. These phenotypes correlate with inhibition of ALDH1A1 expression through a super-enhancer element and other stem-related genes in promoter regions bound by BRD4. Thus, targeting the BET protein BRD4 using clinically applicable small-molecule inhibitors, such as JQ1, is a promising strategy for targeting ALDH activity in epithelial ovarian cancer. Cancer Res; 76(21); 6320-30. ©2016 AACR.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase as a marker and functional mediator of metastasis in solid tumors

Abstract: There is accumulating evidence indicating that aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity selects for cancer cells with increased aggressiveness, capacity for sustained proliferation, and plasticity in primary tumors. However, emerging data also suggests an important mechanistic role for the ALDH family of isoenzymes in the metastatic activity of tumor cells. Recent studies indicate that ALDH correlates with either increased or decreased metastatic capacity in a cellular context-dependent manner. Importantly, it appears that different ALDH isoforms support increased metastatic capacity in different tumor types. This review assesses the potential of ALDH as biological marker and mechanistic mediator of metastasis in solid tumors. In many malignancies, most notably in breast cancer, ALDH activity and expression appears to be a promising marker and potential therapeutic target for treating metastasis in the clinical setting.

The SCFA butyrate stimulates the epithelial production of retinoic acid via inhibition of epithelial HDAC.

Abstract: In the intestinal mucosa, retinoic acid (RA) is a critical signaling molecule. RA is derived from dietary vitamin A (retinol) through conversion by aldehyde dehydrogenases (aldh). Reduced levels of...

ALDH1A3, a metabolic target for cancer diagnosis and therapy

Abstract: Metabolism reprogramming has been linked with the initiation, metastasis, and recurrence of cancer. The aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) family is the most important enzyme system for aldehyde metabolism. The human ALDH family is composed of 19 members. ALDH1A3 participates in various physiological processes in human cells by oxidizing all-trans-retinal to retinoic acid. ALDH1A3 expression is regulated by many factors, and it is associated with the development, progression, and prognosis of cancers. In addition, ALDH1A3 influences a diverse range of biological characteristics within cancer stem cells and can act as a marker for these cells. Thus, growing evidence indicates that ALDH1A3 has the potential to be used as a target for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase is used by cancer cells for energy metabolism.

Abstract: We found that non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells express high levels of multiple aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isoforms via an informatics analysis of metabolic enzymes in NSCLC and immunohistochemical staining of NSCLC clinical tumor samples. Using a multiple reaction-monitoring mass spectrometry analysis, we found that multiple ALDH isozymes were generally abundant in NSCLC cells compared with their levels in normal IMR-90 human lung cells. As a result of the catalytic reaction mediated by ALDH, NADH is produced as a by-product from the conversion of aldehyde to carboxylic acid. We hypothesized that the NADH produced by ALDH may be a reliable energy source for ATP production in NSCLC. This study revealed that NADH production by ALDH contributes significantly to ATP production in NSCLC. Furthermore, gossypol, a pan-ALDH inhibitor, markedly reduced the level of ATP. Gossypol combined with phenformin synergistically reduced the ATP levels, which efficiently induced cell death following cell cycle arrest. The role of aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes (ALDH) in the most common type of lung cancer cells offers new opportunities for treatment. ‘Non-small-cell lung cancer’ cells are found in around 80-90 per cent of lung cancers and are relatively insensitive to chemotherapy. The cancer cells are sustained by high levels of the energy-supplying molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Researchers in South Korea led by Soo-Youl Kim at the National Cancer Center, Goyang, detected high levels of several forms of ALDH in the cancer cells. They uncovered a mechanism whereby the ALDH significantly contributed to the high ATP levels. A known inhibitor of ALDH enzymes called gossypol, combined with the drug phenformin, stopped cultured cancer cells from multiplying by ATP depletion and induced cell death through cell cycle arrest. The therapeutic potential of this new insight into the cancer cells' metabolism warrants further investigation.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

Abstract: Evidence suggests that aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH; E.C. 1.2.1.3) gene, protein expression and activity are substantially decreased in the substantia nigra of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This holds especially true for cytosolic ALDH1A1, while mitochondrial ALDH2 is increased in the putamen of PD. Similarly, in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) several studies in genetic, transcriptomic, protein and animal models suggest ALDH involvement in the neurodegeneration processes. Such data are in line with findings of increased toxic aldehydes, like for example malondialdehyde, nonenal, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde and others. Genetic, transcriptomic and protein alterations may contribute to such data. Also in vitro and in vivo experimental work points to an important role of ALDH in the pathology of neurodegenerative disorders. Aims at investigating dysfunctions of aldehyde detoxification are suitable to define genetic/molecular targets for new therapeutic strategies balancing amine metabolism in devastating disorders like PD and probably also AD.

A novel route for ethanol oxidation in the acetogenic bacterium Acetobacterium woodii: the acetaldehyde/ethanol dehydrogenase pathway

Abstract: Ethanol is a common substrate for anaerobic microorganisms despite its high redox potential (E0' etha- nol/acetaldehyde = -190mV), which does not allow for NAD(+) reduction. How this thermodynamic barrier is overcome is largely unknown. The acetogenic bacterium Acetobacterium woodii can also grow on ethanol. The genome harbours 11 genes encoding putative alcohol dehydrogenases, but only one, adhE, was upregulated during growth on ethanol. The bifunctional acetaldehyde/ethanol dehydrogenase (AdhE) was purified from ethanol-grown cells. It catalysed the NAD(+) - and CoA-dependent oxidation of ethanol via acetaldehyde to acetyl-CoA. The enzyme was regulated by free coenzyme A: in the absence of coenzyme A, the Km value for ethanol was shifted from 3.4 to 40 mM. The alcohol dehydrogenase domain could also oxidize 1-propanol and 1-butanol; however, the aldehyde dehydrogenase domain was highly specific for acetaldehyde as substrate. Apparently, the bifunctional AdhE allows for NAD(+) reduction by lowering the concentration of acetaldehyde, which makes the first oxidation reaction thermodynamically feasible.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition combined with phenformin treatment reversed NSCLC through ATP depletion

Abstract: Among ALDH isoforms, ALDH1L1 in the folate pathway showed highly increased expression in non-small-cell lung cancer cells (NSCLC). Based on the basic mechanism of ALDH converting aldehyde to carboxylic acid with by-product NADH, we suggested that ALDH1L1 may contribute to ATP production using NADH through oxidative phosphorylation. ALDH1L1 knockdown reduced ATP production by up to 60% concomitantly with decrease of NADH in NSCLC. ALDH inhibitor, gossypol, also reduced ATP production in a dose dependent manner together with decrease of NADH level in NSCLC. A combination treatment of gossypol with phenformin, mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, synergized ATP depletion, which efficiently induced cell death. Pre-clinical xenograft model using human NSCLC demonstrated a remarkable therapeutic response to the combined treatment of gossypol and phenformin.

STAT3 as a potential therapeutic target in ALDH+ and CD44+/CD24+ stem cell-like pancreatic cancer cells.

Abstract: Persistent activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) is commonly detected in many types of cancer including pancreatic cancer. Whether STAT3 is activated in stem cell-like pancreatic cancer cells and the effect of STAT3 inhibition, is still unknown. Flow cytometry was used to isolate pancreatic cancer stem-like cells which are identified by both aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-positive (ALDH+) as well as cluster of differentiation (CD) 44-positive/CD24-positive subpopulations (CD44+/CD24+). STAT3 activation and the effects of STAT3 inhibition by STAT3 inhibitors, LLL12, FLLL32, and Stattic in ALDH+ and CD44+/CD24+ cells were examined. Our results showed that ALDH+ and CD44+/CD24+ pancreatic cancer stem-like cells expressed higher levels of phosphorylated STAT3, an active form of STAT3, compared to ALDH-negative (ALDH-) and CD44-negative/CD24-negative (CD44-/CD24-) pancreatic cancer cells, suggesting that STAT3 is activated in pancreatic cancer stem-like cells. Small molecular STAT3 inhibitors inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation, STAT3 downstream target gene expression, cell viability, and tumorsphere formation in ALDH+ and CD44+/CD24+ cells. Our results indicate that STAT3 is a novel therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer stem-like cells and inhibition of activated STAT3 in these cells by STAT3 inhibitors may offer an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Corrigendum: Arabidopsis aldehyde dehydrogenase 10 family members confer salt tolerance through putrescine-derived 4-aminobutyrate (GABA) production

Abstract: Polyamines represent a potential source of 4-aminobutyrate (GABA) in plants exposed to abiotic stress. Terminal catabolism of putrescine in Arabidopsis thaliana involves amine oxidase and the production of 4-aminobutanal, which is a substrate for NAD+-dependent aminoaldehyde dehydrogenase (AMADH). Here, two AMADH homologs were chosen (AtALDH10A8 and AtALDH10A9) as candidates for encoding 4-aminobutanal dehydrogenase activity for GABA synthesis. The two genes were cloned and soluble recombinant proteins were produced in Escherichia coli. The pH optima for activity and catalytic efficiency of recombinant AtALDH10A8 with 3-aminopropanal as substrate was 10.5 and 8.5, respectively, whereas the optima for AtALDH10A9 were approximately 9.5. Maximal activity and catalytic efficiency were obtained with NAD+ and 3-aminopropanal, followed by 4-aminobutanal; negligible activity was obtained with betaine aldehyde. NAD+ reduction was accompanied by the production of GABA and β-alanine, respectively, with 4-aminobutanal and 3-aminopropanal as substrates. Transient co-expression systems using Arabidopsis cell suspension protoplasts or onion epidermal cells and several organelle markers revealed that AtALDH10A9 was peroxisomal, but AtALDH10A8 was cytosolic, although the N-terminal 140 amino acid sequence of AtALDH10A8 localized to the plastid. Root growth of single loss-of-function mutants was more sensitive to salinity than wild-type plants, and this was accompanied by reduced GABA accumulation.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity plays a Key role in the aggressive phenotype of neuroblastoma.

Abstract: Background The successful targeting of neuroblastoma (NB) by associating tumor-initiating cells (TICs) is a major challenge in the development of new therapeutic strategies. The subfamily of aldehyde dehydrogenases 1 (ALDH1) isoenzymes, which comprises ALDH1A1, ALDH1A2, and ALDH1A3, is involved in the synthesis of retinoic acid, and has been identified as functional stem cell markers in diverse cancers. By combining serial neurosphere passages with gene expression profiling, we have previously identified ALDH1A2 and ALDH1A3 as potential NB TICs markers in patient-derived xenograft tumors. In this study, we explored the involvement of ALDH1 isoenzymes and the related ALDH activity in NB aggressive properties.

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived From a Reproductive Tissue Niche Under Oxidative Stress Have High Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Activity.

Abstract: The use of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) in regenerative medicine often requires MSC to function in environments of high oxidative stress. Human pregnancy is a condition where the mother's tissues, and in particular her circulatory system, are exposed to increased levels of oxidative stress. MSC in the maternal decidua basalis (DMSC) are in a vascular niche, and thus would be exposed to oxidative stress products in the maternal circulation. Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) are a large family of enzymes which detoxify aldehydes and thereby protect stem cells against oxidative damage. A subpopulation of MSC express high levels of ALDH (ALDH(br)) and these are more potent in repairing and regenerating tissues. DMSC was compared with chorionic villous MSC (CMSC) derived from the human placenta. CMSC reside in vascular niche and are exposed to the fetal circulation, which is in lower oxidative state. We screened an ALDH isozyme cDNA array and determined that relative to CMSC, DMSC expressed high levels of ALDH1 family members, predominantly ALDH1A1. Immunocytochemistry gave qualitative confirmation at the protein level. Immunofluorescence detected ALDH1 immunoreactivity in the DMSC and CMSC vascular niche. The percentage of ALDH(br) cells was calculated by Aldefluor assay and DMSC showed a significantly higher percentage of ALDH(br) cells than CMSC. Finally, flow sorted ALDH(br) cells were functionally potent in colony forming unit assays. DMSC, which are derived from pregnancy tissues that are naturally exposed to high levels of oxidative stress, may be better candidates for regenerative therapies where MSC must function in high oxidative stress environments.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Plays a Pivotal Role in the Maintenance of Stallion Sperm Motility

Abstract: Although stallion spermatozoa produce significant quantities of reactive oxygen species, a lag between 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE) adduction and the loss of motility in stallion spermatozoa suggests the presence of a robust aldehyde detoxification mechanism. Because there is a paucity of studies characterizing the role of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in sperm functionality, the aim of this study was to ascertain the relationship between 4HNE production and motility and ALDH expression by stallion spermatozoa. PCR analysis revealed the presence of the ALDH1A3, ALDH1B1, and ALDH2 isoforms in these cells. Strong correlations (P < 0.001) were found between ALDH expression and various motility parameters of stallion spermatozoa including the percentage of progressive (r = 0.79) and rapidly motile (r = 0.79) spermatozoa, whereas repeated measurements over 24 h revealed highly significant correlations among progressive motility loss, 4HNE accumulation, and ALDH expression (P ≤ 0.001). ALDH inhibition resulted in a spontaneous increase in 4HNE levels in viable cells (21.1 ± 5.8% vs. 42.6 ± 5.2%; P ≤ 0.05) and a corresponding decrease in total motility (41.7 ± 6.2% vs. 6.4 ± 2.6%; P ≤ 0.001) and progressive motility (17.0 ± 4.1% vs. 0.7 ± 0.4%; P ≤ 0.001) of stallion spermatozoa over 24 h. Similarly, inhibition of ALDH in 4HNE-challenged spermatozoa significantly reduced total motility over 4 h (35.4 ± 9.7% vs. 15.3 ± 5.1%, respectively; P ≤ 0.05). This study contributes valuable information about the role of the ALDH enzymes in the maintenance of stallion sperm functionality, with potential diagnostic and in vitro applications for assisted reproductive technologies.

The Role of Mitochondrial Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in Neuropathology and Neurodegeneration.

Abstract: Aldehydes-induced toxicity has been implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases. Exposure to reactive aldehydes from (1) alcohol and food metabolism; (2) environmental pollutants, including car, factory exhausts, smog, pesticides, herbicides; (3) metabolism of neurotransmitters, amino acids and (4) lipid peroxidation of biological membrane from excessive ROS, all contribute to 'aldehydic load' that has been linked to the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, the α, β-unsaturated aldehydes derived from lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), DOPAL (MAO product of dopamine), malondialdehyde, acrolein and acetaldehyde, all readily form chemical adductions with proteins, DNA and lipids, thus causing neurotoxicity. Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH 2) is a major aldehyde metabolizing enzyme that protects against deleterious aldehyde buildup in brain, a tissue that has a particularly high mitochondrial content. In this review, we highlight the deleterious effects of increased aldehydic load in the neuropathology of ischemic stroke, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. We also discuss evidence for the association between ALDH2 deficiency, a common East Asianspecific mutation, and these neuropathologies. A novel class of small molecule aldehyde dehydrogenase activators (Aldas), represented by Alda-1, reduces neuronal cell death in models of ischemic stroke, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Together, these data suggest that reducing aldeydic load by enhancing the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenases, such as ALDH2, represents as a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition blocks mucosal fibrosis in human and mouse ocular scarring

Abstract: Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a systemic mucosal scarring disease, commonly causing blindness, for which there is no antifibrotic therapy. Aldehyde dehydrogenase family 1 (ALDH1) is upregulated in both ocular MMP (OMMP) conjunctiva and cultured fibroblasts. Application of the ALDH metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), to normal human conjunctival fibroblasts in vitro induced a diseased phenotype. Conversely, application of ALDH inhibitors, including disulfiram, to OMMP fibroblasts in vitro restored their functionality to that of normal controls. ALDH1 is also upregulated in the mucosa of the mouse model of scarring allergic eye disease (AED), used here as a surrogate for OMMP, in which topical application of disulfiram decreased fibrosis in vivo. These data suggest that progressive scarring in OMMP results from ALDH/RA fibroblast autoregulation, that the ALDH1 subfamily has a central role in immune-mediated ocular mucosal scarring, and that ALDH inhibition with disulfiram is a potential and readily translatable antifibrotic therapy.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 3A1 is robustly upregulated in gastric cancer stem-like cells and associated with tumorigenesis.

Abstract: Enhanced aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity has been shown to serve as a hallmark for cancer stem cells (CSCs). Recent evidence suggests that its role as a stem cell-related marker has come down to the specific isoform. However, little is known about the specific ALDH isoform contributing to aldefluor activity in gastric cancer. In this study, we isolated ALDHbright cells from 2 human gastric cancer cell lines MKN-45 and SGC‑7901 by using an Aldefluor assay and found elevated self-renewal, differentiation and tumorigenicity, as demonstration of stemness characteristics. We also found that ALDHbright cells expressed decreased levels of E-cadherin but increased levels of Snail and Vimentin, indication of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype which may be responsible for the enhanced metastatic potential. Since further research and prognostic application based on ALDH prevalence require the quantification of the specific ALDH isoform, we characterized the expression of all 19 ALDH isoforms in the sorted gastric cancer cell lines by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Compared with the non-stem counterparts, robust upregulation of ALDH-3A1 was observed in these gastric cancer stem-like cells. Furthermore, we performed immunohistological analysis on 93 fixed patient gastric tumor samples and found that ALDH-3A1 expression correlated well with gastric cancer dysplasia and grades, differentiation, lymph node metastasis and cancer stage. Our data, therefore, provide strong evidence that ALDH-3A1 is a novel gastric cancer stem cell related marker with potential prognostic values and demonstrate a clear association between ALDH-3A1 prevalence and gastric cancer progression.

Hydrogen Sulfide Ameliorates Homocysteine-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction by Inhibition of Reactive Aldehydes Involving Upregulation of ALDH2.

Abstract: Background Homocysteine, a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, induces cognitive dysfunction. Reactive aldehydes play an important role in cognitive dysfunction. Aldehyde-dehydrogenase 2 detoxifies reactive aldehydes. Hydrogen sulfide, a novel neuromodulator, has neuroprotective effects and regulates learning and memory. Our previous work confirmed that the disturbance of hydrogen sulfide synthesis is invovled in homocysteine-induced defects in learning and memory. Therefore, the present work was to explore whether hydrogen sulfide ameliorates homocysteine-generated cognitive dysfunction and to investigate whether its underlying mechanism is related to attenuating accumulation of reactive aldehydes by upregulation of aldehyde-dehydrogenase 2. Methods The cognitive function of rats was assessed by the Morris water maze test and the novel object recognition test. The levels of malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, and glutathione as well as the activity of aldehyde-dehydrogenase 2 were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; the expression of aldehyde-dehydrogenase 2 was detected by western blot. Results The behavior experiments, Morris water maze test and novel objects recognition test, showed that homocysteine induced deficiency in learning and memory in rats, and this deficiency was reversed by treatment of NaHS (a donor of hydrogen sulfide). We demonstrated that NaHS inhibited homocysteine-induced increases in generations of MDA and 4-HNE in the hippocampus of rats and that hydrogen sulfide reversed homocysteine-induced decreases in the level of glutathione as well as the activity and expression of aldehyde-dehydrogenase 2 in the hippocampus of rats. Conclusion Hydrogen sulfide ameliorates homocysteine-induced impairment in cognitive function by decreasing accumulation of reactive aldehydes as a result of upregulations of glutathione and aldehyde-dehydrogenase 2.

Activation of Human Salivary Aldehyde Dehydrogenase by Sulforaphane: Mechanism and Significance.

Abstract: Cruciferous vegetables contain the bio-active compound sulforaphane (SF) which has been reported to protect individuals against various diseases by a number of mechanisms, including activation of the phase II detoxification enzymes. In this study, we show that the extracts of five cruciferous vegetables that we commonly consume and SF activate human salivary aldehyde dehydrogenase (hsALDH), which is a very important detoxifying enzyme in the mouth. Maximum activation was observed at 1 μg/ml of cabbage extract with 2.6 fold increase in the activity. There was a ~1.9 fold increase in the activity of hsALDH at SF concentration of ≥ 100 nM. The concentration of SF at half the maximum response (EC50 value) was determined to be 52 ± 2 nM. There was an increase in the Vmax and a decrease in the Km of the enzyme in the presence of SF. Hence, SF interacts with the enzyme and increases its affinity for the substrate. UV absorbance, fluorescence and CD studies revealed that SF binds to hsALDH and does not disrupt its native structure. SF binds with the enzyme with a binding constant of 1.23 x 107 M-1. There is one binding site on hsALDH for SF, and the thermodynamic parameters indicate the formation of a spontaneous strong complex between the two. Molecular docking analysis depicted that SF fits into the active site of ALDH3A1, and facilitates the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme. SF being an antioxidant, is very likely to protect the catalytic Cys 243 residue from oxidation, which leads to the increase in the catalytic efficiency and hence the activation of the enzyme. Further, hsALDH which is virtually inactive towards acetaldehyde exhibited significant activity towards it in the presence of SF. It is therefore very likely that consumption of large quantities of cruciferous vegetables or SF supplements, through their activating effect on hsALDH can protect individuals who are alcohol intolerant against acetaldehyde toxicity and also lower the risk of oral cancer development.

Genetics and prospective therapeutic targets for Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome.

Abstract: Introduction: Sjogren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is a rare neurocutaneous disease characterized by ichthyosis, spasticity, intellectual disability and a distinctive retinopathy. It is caused by inactivating mutations in ALDH3A2, which codes for fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase (FALDH) and results in abnormal metabolism of long-chain aliphatic aldehydes and alcohols. The potential disease mechanisms leading to symptoms include 1) accumulation of toxic fatty aldehydes that form covalent adducts with lipids and membrane proteins; 2) physical disruption of multi-lamellar membranes in skin and brain; 3) abnormal activation of the JNK cell signaling pathway; and 4) defective farnesol metabolism resulting in abnormal PPAR-α dependent gene expression. Currently, no effective pathogenesis-based therapy is available.Areas Covered: The clinical, pathologic and genetic features of SLS are summarized. The biochemical abnormalities caused by deficient activity of FALDH are reviewed in the context of proposed pathogenic...

Alternative Biotransformation of Retinal to Retinoic Acid or Retinol by an Aldehyde Dehydrogenase from Bacillus cereus

Abstract: A novel bacterial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) that converts retinal to retinoic acid was first identified in Bacillus cereus. The amino acid sequence of ALDH from B. cereus (BcALDH) was more closely related to mammalian ALDHs than to bacterial ALDHs. This enzyme converted not only small aldehydes to carboxylic acids but also the large aldehyde all-trans-retinal to all-trans-retinoic acid with NAD(P)+. We newly found that BcALDH and human ALDH (ALDH1A1) could reduce all-trans-retinal to all-trans-retinol with NADPH. The catalytic residues in BcALDH were Glu266 and Cys300, and the cofactor-binding residues were Glu194 and Glu457. The E266A and C300A variants showed no oxidation activity. The E194S and E457V variants showed 15- and 7.5-fold higher catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) for the reduction of all-trans-retinal than the wild-type enzyme, respectively. The wild-type, E194S variant, and E457V variant enzymes with NAD+ converted 400 μM all-trans-retinal to 210 μM all-trans-retinoic acid at the same amount for 240 min, while with NADPH, they converted 400 μM all-trans-retinal to 20, 90, and 40 μM all-trans-retinol, respectively. These results indicate that BcALDH and its variants are efficient biocatalysts not only in the conversion of retinal to retinoic acid but also in its conversion to retinol with a cofactor switch and that retinol production can be increased by the variant enzymes. Therefore, BcALDH is a novel bacterial enzyme for the alternative production of retinoic acid and retinol. IMPORTANCE Although mammalian ALDHs have catalyzed the conversion of retinal to retinoic acid with NAD(P)+ as a cofactor, a bacterial ALDH involved in the conversion is first characterized. The biotransformation of all-trans-retinal to all-trans-retinoic acid by BcALDH and human ALDH was altered to the biotransformation to all-trans-retinol by a cofactor switch using NADPH. Moreover, the production of all-trans-retinal to all-trans-retinol was changed by mutations at positions 194 and 457 in BcALDH. The alternative biotransformation of retinoids was first performed in the present study. These results will contribute to the biotechnological production of retinoids, including retinoic acid and retinol.