During physiological processes molecules undergo chemical changes involving reducing and oxidizing reactions. A molecule with an unpaired electron can combine with a molecule capable of donating an electron. The donation of an electron is termed as oxidation whereas the gaining of an electron is called reduction. Reduction and oxidation can render the reduced molecule unstable and make it free to react with other molecules to cause damage to cellular and sub-cellular components such as membranes, proteins and DNA. In this paper, we have discussed the formation of reactive oxidant species originating from a variety of sources such as nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS), xanthine oxidases (XO), the cyclooxygenases, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H) oxidase isoforms and metal-catalysed reactions. In addition, we present a treatise on the physiological defences such as specialized enzymes and antioxidants that maintain reduction-oxidation (redox) balance. We have also given an account of how enzymes and antioxidants can be exhausted by the excessive production of reactive oxidant species (ROS) resulting in oxidative stress/nitrosative stress, a process that is an important mediator of cell damage. Important aspects of redox imbalance that triggers the activity of a number of signalling pathways including transcription factors activity, a process that is ubiquitous in cardiovascular disease related to ischemia/reperfusion injury have also been presented.

CONCLUSIONS

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in vascular disease. While there are many possible sources of ROS, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases play a central role. They are a source of "kindling radicals," which affect other enzymes, such as nitric oxide synthase endothelial nitric oxide synthase or xanthine oxidase. This is important, as risk factors for atherosclerosis (hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking) regulate the expression and activity of NADPH oxidases in the vessel wall.

BACKGROUND

There are seven isoforms in mammals: Nox1, Nox2, Nox3, Nox4, Nox5, Duox1 and Duox2. Nox1, Nox2, Nox4, and Nox5 are expressed in endothelium, vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, or perivascular adipocytes. Other homologues have not been found or are expressed at very low levels; their roles have not been established. Nox1/Nox2 promote the development of endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, and inflammation. Nox4 may have a role in protecting the vasculature during stress; however, when its activity is increased, it may be detrimental. Calcium-dependent Nox5 has been implicated in oxidative damage in human atherosclerosis.

RESULTS

NADPH oxidase-derived ROS play a role in vascular pathology as well as in the maintenance of normal physiological vascular function. We also discuss recently elucidated mechanisms such as the role of NADPH oxidases in vascular protection, vascular inflammation, pulmonary hypertension, tumor angiogenesis, and central nervous system regulation of vascular function and hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the role of individual oxidases and interactions between homologues in vascular disease is critical for efficient pharmacological regulation of vascular NADPH oxidases in both the laboratory and clinical practice.

Calorie restriction (CR) extends the life span of numerous species, from yeast to rodents. Yeast Sir2 is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase that has been proposed to mediate the effects of CR. However, this hypothesis has been challenged by the observation that CR can extend yeast life span in the absence of Sir2. Here, we show that Sir2-independent life-span extension is mediated by Hst2, a Sir2 homolog that promotes the stability of repetitive ribosomal DNA, the same mechanism by which Sir2 extends life span. These findings demonstrate that the maintenance of DNA stability is critical for yeast life-span extension by CR and suggest that, in higher organisms, multiple members of the Sir2 family may regulate life span in response to diet.

DNA is the accepted target for cisplatin, but recent evidence has shed doubt on DNA synthesis as the critical process. L1210/0 cells incubated for 2 hours with cisplatin progress to the G2 phase of the cell cycle and are arrested there for several days. They then either progress in the cell cycle or die. In cells that eventually die, total transcription, polyadenylated [poly(A)+] RNA synthesis, and protein synthesis were markedly inhibited only after 48 hours. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels decreased after 3 days. Cell membrane integrity was lost after 4 days. These results demonstrate that cells can be lethally damaged, yet continue to undergo apparently normal metabolic activities for several days. In a previous study, DNA double-strand breaks were detected after 1 day. We now show that by 2 days, breaks are visible as fragmentation in the nucleosome spacer regions of chromatin. This type of damage is consistent with cell death occurring by the process of apoptosis. Cell shrinkage and morphology were also consistent with this type of cell death. The slow cell death reported here appears to occur at the G2/M transition and may involve events that normally occur at this stage of the cell cycle. These results demonstrate the importance of DNA degradation as an early and possibly essential step in cell death.

Several properties of pancreatic beta-cells in type 2 diabetes (T2D) were studied by using islets isolated from T2D subjects. Moreover, because metformin has protective effects on nondiabetic beta-cells exposed to high glucose or free fatty acid levels, we investigated its direct action on T2D islet cells. Diabetic islets were characterized by reduced insulin content, decreased amount of mature insulin granules, impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion, reduced insulin mRNA expression, and increased apoptosis with enhanced caspase-3 and -8 activity. These alterations were associated with increased oxidative stress, as shown by higher nitrotyrosine concentrations, increased expression of protein kinase C-beta2 and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduced-oxidase, and changes in mRNA expression of manganese- superoxide dismutase, Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Twenty-four-hour incubation of T2D islets with metformin was associated with increased insulin content, increased number and density of mature insulin granules, improved glucose-induced insulin release, and increased insulin mRNA expression. Moreover, apoptosis was reduced, with concomitant decrease of caspase-3 and -8 activity. These changes were accompanied by reduction or normalization of several markers of oxidative stress. Thus, T2D islets have several functional and survival defects, which can be ameliorated by metformin; the beneficial effects of the drug are mediated, at least in part, by a reduction of oxidative stress.

Carboxyl-terminal binding protein (CtBP) is a transcriptional corepressor originally identified through its ability to interact with adenovirus E1A. The finding that CtBP-E1A interactions were regulated by the nicotinamide adeninine dinucleotides NAD+ and NADH raised the possibility that CtBP could serve as a nuclear redox sensor. This model requires differential binding affinities of NAD+ and NADH, which has been controversial. The structure of CtBP determined by x-ray diffraction revealed a tryptophan residue adjacent to the proposed nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide binding site. We find that this tryptophan residue shows strong fluorescence resonance energy transfer to bound NADH. In this report, we take advantage of these findings to measure the dissociation constants for CtBP with NADH and NAD+. The affinity of NADH was determined by using fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The binding of NADH to protein is associated with an enhanced intensity of NADH fluorescence and a blue shift in its maximum. NAD+ affinity was estimated by measuring the loss of the fluorescence blue shift as NADH dissociates on addition of NAD+. Our studies show a >100-fold higher affinity of NADH than NAD+, consistent with the proposed function of CtBP as a nuclear redox sensor. Moreover, the concentrations of NADH and NAD+ required for half-maximal binding are approximately the same as their concentrations in the nuclear compartment. These findings support the possibility that changes in nuclear nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides could regulate the functions of CtBP in cell differentiation, development, or transformation.

Neural activity has been suggested to initially trigger ATP production by glycolysis, rather than oxidative phosphorylation, for three reasons: glycolytic enzymes are associated with ion pumps; neurons may increase their energy supply by activating glycolysis in astrocytes to generate lactate; and activity increases glucose uptake more than O₂ uptake. In rat hippocampal slices, neuronal activity rapidly decreased the levels of extracellular O₂ and intracellular NADH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), even with lactate dehydrogenase blocked to prevent lactate generation, or with only 20% superfused O₂ to mimic physiological O₂ levels. Pharmacological analysis revealed an energy budget in which 11% of O₂ use was on presynaptic action potentials, 17% was on presynaptic Ca²⁺ entry and transmitter release, 46% was on postsynaptic glutamate receptors, and 26% was on postsynaptic action potentials, in approximate accord with theoretical brain energy budgets. Thus, the major mechanisms mediating brain information processing are all initially powered by oxidative phosphorylation, and an astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle is not needed for this to occur.

BACKGROUND

The cortical subplate is a transitory structure involved in the formation of connections in developing cerebral cortex. Interstitial neurons, normally present in subcortical white matter (WM) of the adult brain, have escaped the programmed cell death that eliminates most subplate neurons. Previous investigations indicated a maldistribution of one population of interstitial neurons in the WM of brains of schizophrenic patients, suggesting a defect of the subplate during brain development.

METHODS

Three histochemically or immunocytochemically defined neuronal populations were studied in WM beneath the middle frontal gyrus of 20 schizophrenic patients and 20 matched control subjects.

RESULTS

Brains of schizophrenic patients showed significant changes in the distribution of the three neuronal populations: microtubule-associated protein 2 and nonphosphorylated neurofilament-immunoreactive neurons showed a decreased density in superficial WM and an increased density in deeper WM. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase neurons were reduced in superficial WM and showed variable densities in deeper WM. Thirty-five percent of the brains of schizophrenic patients but no brains of the control subjects showed a maldistribution of neurons toward deeper WM with at least two of the three markers. Changes in neuronal distribution were not linked to age, gender, autolysis time, or subtype of schizophrenia.

CONCLUSIONS

Selective displacement of interstitial WM neurons in the frontal lobe of brains of schizophrenic patients may indicate alteration in the migration of subplate neurons or in the pattern of programmed cell death. Both could lead to defective cortical circuitry in the brains of schizophrenic patients.

BACKGROUND

Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is a sensitive technique for quantifying gene expression levels. One or more appropriate reference genes must be selected to accurately compare mRNA transcripts across different samples and tissues. Thus far, only actin-2 has been used as a reference gene for qRT-PCR in chicory, and a full comparison of several candidate reference genes in chicory has not yet been reported.

RESULTS

Seven candidate reference genes, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase (NADHD), actin (ACT), beta-tubulin (TUB), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GADPH), histone H3 (H3), elongation factor 1-alpha (EF) and 18S rRNA (rRNA) were selected to study the expression stability for normalisation of gene expression in chicory. Primer specificity and amplification efficiency were verified for each gene. The expression stability of these genes was analysed across chicory root and leaf tissues using geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper software. ACT, EF, and rRNA were the most stable genes as identified by the three different analysis methods. In addition, the use of ACT, EF and GAPDH as reference genes was illustrated by analysing 1-FEHII (FEHII) expression in chicory root and leaf tissues. These analyses revealed the biological variation in FEHII transcript expression among the tissues studied, and between individual plants.

CONCLUSIONS

geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper analyses indicated that ACT, EF and rRNA had the highest expression stability across leaf and root tissues, while GAPDH and NADHD showed relatively low expression stability. The results of this study emphasise the importance of validating reference genes for qRT-PCR analysis in chicory. The use of the most stable reference genes such as ACT and EF allows accurate normalisation of gene expression in chicory leaf and root tissues.

BACKGROUND

Aspergillus spp infection is a potentially lethal disease in patients with neutropenia or impaired neutrophil function. We showed previously that Aspergillus hyphae, too large for neutrophil phagocytosis, are inhibited by reactive oxygen species-dependent neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. This process is defective in chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) because of impaired phagocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase function.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the antifungal agent and mechanism responsible for reconstitution of Aspergillus growth inhibition within NETs after complementation of NADPH oxidase function by gene therapy (GT) for CGD.

METHODS

Antifungal activity of free and NET-released calprotectin was assessed by incubation of Aspergillus nidulans with purified calprotectin, induced NETs from human controls, and CGD neutrophils after GT in the presence or absence of Zn(2+) or α-S100A9 antibody, and with induced NETs from wild-type or S100A9(-/-) mouse neutrophils.

RESULTS

We identified the host Zn(2+) chelator calprotectin as a neutrophil-associated antifungal agent expressed within NETs, reversibly preventing A nidulans growth at low concentrations, and leading to irreversible fungal starvation at higher concentrations. Specific antibody-blocking and Zn(2+) addition abolished calprotectin-mediated inhibition of A nidulans proliferation in vitro. The role of calprotectin in anti-Aspergillus defense was confirmed in calprotectin knockout mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Reconstituted NET formation by GT for human CGD was associated with rapid cure of pre-existing therapy-refractory invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in vivo, underlining the role of functional NADPH oxidase in NET formation and calprotectin release for antifungal activity. These results demonstrate the critical role of calprotectin in human innate immune defense against Aspergillus infection.

Voltage-gated proton (H+) channels are found in many human and animal tissues and play an important role in cellular defense against acidic stress. However, a molecular identification of these unique ion conductances has so far not been achieved. A 191-amino acid protein is described that, upon heterologous expression, has properties indistinguishable from those of native H+ channels. This protein is generated through alternative splicing of messenger RNA derived from the gene NOH-1 (NADPH oxidase homolog 1, where NADPH is the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate).

The structure of inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) in complex with IMP and mycophenolic acid (MPA) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. IMPDH plays a central role in B and T lymphocyte replication. MPA is a potent IMPDH inhibitor and the active metabolite of an immunosuppressive drug recently approved for the treatment of allograft rejection. IMPDH comprises two domains: a core domain, which is an alpha/beta barrel and contains the active site, and a flanking domain. The complex, in combination with mutagenesis and kinetic data, provides a structural basis for understanding the mechanism of IMPDH activity and indicates that MPA inhibits IMPDH by acting as a replacement for the nicotinamide portion of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cofactor and a catalytic water molecule.

Invadopodia are actin-rich membrane protrusions of cancer cells that facilitate pericellular proteolysis and invasive behavior. We show here that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the NADPH (reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) oxidase (Nox) system are necessary for invadopodia formation and function. Knockdown of the invadopodia protein Tks5 [tyrosine kinase substrate with five Src homology 3 (SH3) domains], which is structurally related to the Nox component p47(phox), reduces total ROS abundance in cancer cells. Furthermore, Tks5 and p22(phox) can associate with each other, suggesting that Tks5 is part of the Nox complex. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Tks5 and Tks4, but not other Src substrates, is reduced by Nox inhibition. We propose that Tks5 facilitates the production of ROS necessary for invadopodia formation, and that in turn ROS modulate Tks5 tyrosine phosphorylation in a positive feedback loop.

Despite the damaging effect on tissues at a high concentration, it has been gradually established that oxidative stress plays a positive role during angiogenesis. In adults, physiological or pathological angiogenesis is initiated by tissue demands for oxygen and nutrients, resulting in a hypoxia/reoxygenation cycle, which, in turn promotes the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS can be generated either endogenously, through mitochondrial electron transport chain reactions and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, or exogenously, resulting from exposure to environmental agents, such as ultraviolet or ionizing radiation. In many conditions, ROS promotes angiogenesis, either directly or via the generation of active oxidation products, including peroxidized lipids. The latter lipid metabolites are generated in excess during atherosclerosis, thereby linking atherogenic processes and pathological angiogenesis. Although the main mechanism of oxidative stress-induced angiogenesis involves hypoxia-inducible factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, recent studies have identified several pathways that are VEGF-independent. This review aims to provide a summary of the past and present views on the role of oxidative stress as a mediator and modulator of angiogenesis, and to highlight newly identified mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of early-life exposure to airborne fine particulate matter (diameter, <2.5 μm [PM(2.5)]) pollution on metabolic parameters, inflammation, and adiposity; and to investigate the involvement of oxidative stress pathways in the development of metabolic abnormalities.

RESULTS

PM(2.5) inhalation exposure (6 h/d, 5 d/wk) was performed in C57BL/6 mice (wild type) and mice deficient in the cytosolic subunit of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase p47(phox) (p47(phox-/-)) beginning at the age of 3 weeks for a duration of 10 weeks. Both groups were simultaneously fed a normal diet or a high-fat diet for 10 weeks. PM(2.5)-exposed C57BL/6 mice fed a normal diet exhibited metabolic abnormalities after exposure to PM(2.5) or FA for 10 weeks. Consistent with insulin resistance, these abnormalities included enlarged subcutaneous and visceral fat contents, increased macrophage infiltration in visceral adipose tissue, and vascular dysfunction. Ex vivo-labeled and infused monocytes demonstrated increased adherence in the microcirculation of normal diet- or high-fat diet-fed PM(2.5)-exposed mice. p47(phox-/-) mice exhibited an improvement in parameters of insulin resistance, vascular function, and visceral inflammation in response to PM(2.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Early-life exposure to high levels of PM(2.5) is a risk factor for subsequent development of insulin resistance, adiposity, and inflammation. Reactive oxygen species generation by NADPH oxidase appears to mediate this risk.

Chronic arsenic exposure is a worldwide health problem. Although arsenic-induced cancer has been widely studied, comparatively little attention has been paid to arsenic-induced vascular disease. Epidemiological studies have shown that chronic arsenic exposure is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. In addition, studies suggest that susceptibility to arsenic-induced vascular disease may be modified by nutritional factors in addition to genetic factors. Recently, animal models for arsenic-induced atherosclerosis and liver sinusoidal endothelial cell dysfunction have been developed. Initial studies in these models show that arsenic exposure accelerates and exacerbates atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice. Microarray studies of liver mRNA and micro-RNA abundance in mice exposed in utero suggest that a permanent state of stress is induced by the arsenic exposure. Furthermore, the livers of the arsenic-exposed mice have activated pathways involved in immune responses suggesting a pro-hyperinflammatory state. Arsenic exposure of mice after weaning shows a clear dose-response in the extent of disease exacerbation. In addition, increased inflammation in arterial wall is evident. In response to arsenic-stimulated oxidative signaling, liver sinusoidal endothelium differentiates into a continuous endothelium that limits nutrient exchange and waste elimination. Data suggest that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-derived superoxide or its derivatives are essential second messengers in the signaling pathway for arsenic-stimulated vessel remodeling. The recent findings provide future directions for research into the cardiovascular effects of arsenic exposure.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1, EC ), a nuclear enzyme activated by DNA strand breaks, physiologically participates in DNA repair. Excessive activation of PARP-1 by cellular insults depletes its substrate beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and ATP, leading to cell death. PARP-1-deficient (PARP-1-/-) mice are protected from several forms of inflammation. In the present study, we demonstrate in PARP-1-/- glial cells a loss of several stress-activated transcription factors as well as decreased expression of genes for cytokines and cellular adhesion molecules. We also show that augmented expression of some of these genes is independent of PARP-1 catalytic activity. These findings indicate that PARP-1 plays a pivotal role in the initial inflammatory response by modulating transcription of inflammation-linked genes.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha increases mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in tumor cells and hepatocytes. However, whether TNF-alpha stimulates mitochondrial ROS production in endothelial cells (EC) has not yet been reported. We studied the effect of TNF-alpha on mitochondrial ROS generation in EC and the signaling pathways involved. Cultured human umbilical vein EC (HUVEC) were studied by fluorescence microscopy, using dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) as a marker of ROS production and propidium iodide uptake for cell viability. TNF-alpha increased DCFH oxidation in HUVEC dose-dependently. To determine the source of ROS, the mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitors rotenone + thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA), which inhibit electron entry to ubiquinone, and antimycin A (AA), a blocker of ubisemiquinone, were used. Rotenone and TTFA inhibited (n = 7, P < 0.05), whereas AA increased (118% in 3 min; n = 4, P < 0.01) ROS generation in HUVEC. In contrast, ROS production was not abolished by the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium, by the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol, nor by the nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase pathway inhibitors N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine and mefenamic acid. In addition, TNF-alpha-induced ROS production was inhibited by the acidic sphingomyelinase inhibitor desipramine (5 microM; -80%, n = 4, P < 0.01) and totally blocked by the ceramide-activated protein kinase (CAPK) inhibitor dimethylaminopurine (1 mM; n = 6, P < 0.05). Thus, TNF-alpha induces mitochondrial ROS production in HUVEC that primarily occurs at the ubisemiquinone site and is mediated by ceramide-dependent signaling pathways involving CAPK.

Using conditions that produced chronic inflammation in rat liver, we were able to find a correlation between induction of nitric oxide production and inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH; EC 1.2.1.12). This enzyme is a tetramer composed of identical M(r) 37,000 subunits. The tetramer contains 16 thiol groups, four of which are essential for enzymatic activity. Our information indicates that four thiol groups are S-nitrosylated by exposure to authentic nitric oxide (NO) gas. Furthermore, NO decreased GAPDH activity while increasing its auto-ADP-ribosylation. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and dithiothreitol are required for the S-nitrosylation of GAPDH caused by the NO-generating compound sodium nitroprusside. Our results suggests that a new and important action of nitric oxide on cells is the S-nitrosylation and inactivation of GAPDH. S-Nitrosylation of GAPDH may be a key covalent modification of multiple regulatory consequences in chronic liver inflammation.

Oxidative stress has emerged as a constant feature of chronic renal failure (CRF). The presence of oxidative stress in CRF is evidenced by an overabundance of lipid, carbohydrate, and protein oxidation products in the plasma and tissues of uremic patients and animals. We recently have shown that oxidative stress in CRF animals is associated with and, in part, owing to up-regulation of superoxide-producing enzyme, nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H) oxidase, and down-regulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The functional significance of these findings was confirmed by favorable response to administration of the cell-permeable SOD-mimetic agent, tempol, in CRF rats. Oxidative stress in CRF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the associated hypertension (oxidation of NO and arachidonic acid and vascular remodeling), cardiovascular disease (oxidation of lipoproteins, atherogenesis), neurologic disorders (nitration of brain proteins, oxidation of myelin), anemia (reduction of erythrocyte lifespan), inflammation (nuclear factor kappa B activation), fibrosis, apoptosis, and accelerated aging. The CRF-induced oxidative stress is aggravated by diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, and autoimmune diseases, which independently increase production of reactive oxygen intermediates, and frequently are associated with CRF. In addition, dialysis treatment (blood interaction with dialyzer membrane and dialysate impurities), acute and chronic infections (blood access infection, hepatitis, and so forth), and excessive parenteral iron administration intensify CRF-associated oxidative stress and its adverse consequences in patients with end-stage renal disease. The problem is compounded by limited intake of fresh fruits and vegetables (K(+) restriction), which contain numerous natural phytochemicals and antioxidant vitamins.

The sirtuins (SIRT1-7) are a family of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent deacylases with remarkable abilities to prevent diseases and even reverse aspects of ageing. Mice engineered to express additional copies of SIRT1 or SIRT6, or treated with sirtuin-activating compounds (STACs) such as resveratrol and SRT2104 or with NAD+ precursors, have improved organ function, physical endurance, disease resistance and longevity. Trials in non-human primates and in humans have indicated that STACs may be safe and effective in treating inflammatory and metabolic disorders, among others. These advances have demonstrated that it is possible to rationally design molecules that can alleviate multiple diseases and possibly extend lifespan in humans.

Regulatory and functional aspects of the kynurenine (K) pathway (KP) of tryptophan (Trp) degradation are reviewed. The KP accounts for ~95% of dietary Trp degradation, of which 90% is attributed to the hepatic KP. During immune activation, the minor extrahepatic KP plays a more active role. The KP is rate-limited by its first enzyme, Trp 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), in liver and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) elsewhere. TDO is regulated by glucocorticoid induction, substrate activation and stabilization by Trp, cofactor activation by heme, and end-product inhibition by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate). IDO is regulated by IFN-γ and other cytokines and by nitric oxide. The KP disposes of excess Trp, controls hepatic heme synthesis and Trp availability for cerebral serotonin synthesis, and produces immunoregulatory and neuroactive metabolites, the B3 "vitamin" nicotinic acid, and oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Various KP enzymes are undermined in disease and are targeted for therapy of conditions ranging from immunological, neurological, and neurodegenerative conditions to cancer.

Aldose reductase, which catalyzes the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent reduction of a wide variety of aromatic and aliphatic carbonyl compounds, is implicated in the development of diabetic and galactosemic complications involving the lens, retina, nerves, and kidney. A 1.65 angstrom refined structure of a recombinant human placenta aldose reductase reveals that the enzyme contains a parallel beta 8/alpha 8-barrel motif and establishes a new motif for NADP-binding oxidoreductases. The substrate-binding site is located in a large, deep elliptical pocket at the COOH-terminal end of the beta barrel with a bound NADPH in an extended conformation. The highly hydrophobic nature of the active site pocket greatly favors aromatic and apolar substrates over highly polar monosaccharides. The structure should allow for the rational design of specific inhibitors that might provide molecular understanding of the catalytic mechanism, as well as possible therapeutic agents.