Metabolic Regulation of Aldo-Keto Reductases

A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2021) | Viewed by 28576

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Guest Editor
Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno, 51, 56123 Pisa, Italy
Interests: allosteric and covalent regulation of enzymes; kinetic and regulatory properties of enzymes; oxidative stress; protein S-thiolation; purine salvage enzymes; chaperon-like activity of α-crystallin; polyol pathway enzymes; cytotoxic aldehyde metabolism; aldose reductase inhibition
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily includes 14 different families (AKR1 to AKR14), which have more than one hundred members. AKRs are NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductases sharing several structural and functional features. With some exceptions, such as the AKR2, AKR6, and AKR7 families, AKRs are monomeric enzymes composed of approximately 320 amino acids. These enzymes are characterized by an (α/β)8-barrel folding motif and exhibit a peculiar cofactor binding site able to promote, upon binding, significant structural rearrangements preceding the substrate binding. The different families exhibit a wide array of substrate specificities that may partially overlap, creating a very intriguing scenario of functions. AKRs catalyze the reduction of aldehydic and ketonic groups belonging to many different molecules, including monosaccharides, ketosteroids, prostaglandins, and aflatoxins. AKRs are also able to catalyze the oxidation of hydroxysteroids, which are trans-dihydro-diols of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and have been found to be components of potassium channels. AKRs are quite diffuse in nature in terms of protein type, relative abundance, and functions, and are present in prokaryotes and eukaryotes in a species-specific manner. The large amount of attention paid to many mammalian AKRs as potential therapeutic targets for different pathological states with the aim of drug development is indicative of the relevance of this enzyme superfamily. Modulation of AKR activity through both allosteric interactions and protein expression remains an open field of investigation. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for furthering the topic with the hope of the disclosure of new relationships in the metabolic control of these enzymes.

Prof. Dr. Umberto Mura
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • aldo-keto reductase superfamily
  • AKRs
  • NAD(P)(H)-dependent oxidoreductases
  • atherogenic aldehydes
  • 4-hydroxy-trans -2- nonenal
  • steroid metabolism
  • aldose reductases
  • aldehyde reductases
  • oxidative stress
  • apoptosis
  • inflammation
  • cancer
  • atherosclerosis
  • diabetic complications

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 4923 KiB  
Article
Aldose Reductase (AR) Mediates and Perivascular Adipose Tissue (PVAT) Modulates Endothelial Dysfunction of Short-Term High-Fat Diet Feeding in Mice
by Daniel J. Conklin, Petra Haberzettl, Kenneth G. MacKinlay, Daniel Murphy, Lexiao Jin, Fangping Yuan, Sanjay Srivastava and Aruni Bhatnagar
Metabolites 2023, 13(12), 1172; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/metabo13121172 - 24 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1177
Abstract
Increased adiposity of both visceral and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) depots is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Under healthy conditions, PVAT modulates vascular tone via the release of PVAT-derived relaxing factors, including adiponectin and leptin. However, when [...] Read more.
Increased adiposity of both visceral and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) depots is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Under healthy conditions, PVAT modulates vascular tone via the release of PVAT-derived relaxing factors, including adiponectin and leptin. However, when PVAT expands with high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, it appears to contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction (ED). Yet, the mechanisms by which PVAT alters vascular health are unclear. Aldose reductase (AR) catalyzes glucose reduction in the first step of the polyol pathway and has been long implicated in diabetic complications including neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, and vascular diseases. To better understand the roles of both PVAT and AR in HFD-induced ED, we studied structural and functional changes in aortic PVAT induced by short-term HFD (60% kcal fat) feeding in wild type (WT) and aldose reductase-null (AR-null) mice. Although 4 weeks of HFD feeding significantly increased body fat and PVAT mass in both WT and AR-null mice, HFD feeding induced ED in the aortas of WT mice but not of AR-null mice. Moreover, HFD feeding augmented endothelial-dependent relaxation in aortas with intact PVAT only in WT and not in AR-null mice. These data indicate that AR mediates ED associated with short-term HFD feeding and that ED appears to provoke ‘compensatory changes’ in PVAT induced by HFD. As these data support that the ED of HFD feeding is AR-dependent, vascular-localized AR remains a potential target of temporally selective intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Regulation of Aldo-Keto Reductases)
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18 pages, 4647 KiB  
Article
Analogues of Natural Chalcones as Efficient Inhibitors of AKR1C3
by Gabriele Möller, Veronika Temml, Antonio Cala Peralta, Océane Gruet, Pascal Richomme, Denis Séraphin, Guillaume Viault, Luisa Kraus, Petra Huber-Cantonati, Elisabeth Schopfhauser, Johanna Pachmayr, Janina Tokarz, Daniela Schuster, Jean-Jacques Helesbeux and Kenneth Allen Dyar
Metabolites 2022, 12(2), 99; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/metabo12020099 - 21 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2856
Abstract
Naturally occurring substances are valuable resources for drug development. In this respect, chalcones are known to be antiproliferative agents against prostate cancer cell lines through various mechanisms or targets. Based on the literature and preliminary results, we aimed to study and optimise the [...] Read more.
Naturally occurring substances are valuable resources for drug development. In this respect, chalcones are known to be antiproliferative agents against prostate cancer cell lines through various mechanisms or targets. Based on the literature and preliminary results, we aimed to study and optimise the efficiency of a series of chalcones to inhibit androgen-converting AKR1C3, known to promote prostate cancer. A total of 12 chalcones with different substitution patterns were synthesised. Structure–activity relationships associated with these modifications on AKR1C3 inhibition were analysed by performing enzymatic assays and docking simulations. In addition, the selectivity and cytotoxicity of the compounds were assessed. In enzymatic assays, C-6′ hydroxylated derivatives were more active than C-6′ methoxylated derivatives. In contrast, C-4 methylation increased activity over C-4 hydroxylation. Docking results supported these findings with the most active compounds fitting nicely in the binding site and exhibiting strong interactions with key amino acid residues. The most effective inhibitors were not cytotoxic for HEK293T cells and selective for 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases not primarily involved in steroid hormone metabolism. Nevertheless, they inhibited several enzymes of the steroid metabolism pathways. Favourable substitutions that enhanced AKR1C3 inhibition of chalcones were identified. This study paves the way to further develop compounds from this series or related flavonoids with improved inhibitory activity against AKR1C3. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Regulation of Aldo-Keto Reductases)
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11 pages, 2838 KiB  
Article
Diabetes-Independent Retinal Phenotypes in an Aldose Reductase Transgenic Mouse Model
by Jonathan Mark Petrash, Biehuoy Shieh, David A. Ammar, Michelle G. Pedler and David J. Orlicky
Metabolites 2021, 11(7), 450; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/metabo11070450 - 10 Jul 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2288
Abstract
Aldose reductase (AR), the first and rate-limiting enzyme of the polyol pathway, has been implicated in the onset and development of the ocular complications of diabetes, including cataracts and retinopathy. Despite decades of research conducted to address possible mechanisms, questions still persist in [...] Read more.
Aldose reductase (AR), the first and rate-limiting enzyme of the polyol pathway, has been implicated in the onset and development of the ocular complications of diabetes, including cataracts and retinopathy. Despite decades of research conducted to address possible mechanisms, questions still persist in understanding if or how AR contributes to imbalances leading to diabetic eye disease. To address these questions, we created a strain of transgenic mice engineered for the overexpression of human AR (AR-Tg). In the course of monitoring these animals for age-related retinal phenotypes, we observed signs of Müller cell gliosis characterized by strong immunostaining for glial fibrillary acidic protein. In addition, we observed increased staining for Iba1, consistent with an increase in the number of retinal microglia, a marker of retinal inflammation. Compared to age-matched nontransgenic controls, AR-Tg mice showed an age-dependent loss of Brn3a-positive retinal ganglion cells and an associated decrease in PERG amplitude. Both RGC-related phenotypes were rescued in animals treated with Sorbinil in drinking water. These results support the hypothesis that increased levels of AR may be a risk factor for structural and functional changes known to accompany retinopathy in humans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Regulation of Aldo-Keto Reductases)
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14 pages, 3324 KiB  
Article
Deletion of Kvβ2 (AKR6) Attenuates Isoproterenol Induced Cardiac Injury with Links to Solute Carrier Transporter SLC41a3 and Circadian Clock Genes
by Jared Tur, Kalyan C. Chapalamadagu, Ravikumar Manickam, Feng Cheng and Srinivas M. Tipparaju
Metabolites 2021, 11(4), 201; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/metabo11040201 - 29 Mar 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2084
Abstract
Kvβ subunits belong to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily, which plays a significant role in ion channel regulation and modulates the physiological responses. However, the role of Kvβ2 in cardiac pathophysiology was not studied, and therefore, in the present study, we hypothesized that Kvβ2 [...] Read more.
Kvβ subunits belong to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily, which plays a significant role in ion channel regulation and modulates the physiological responses. However, the role of Kvβ2 in cardiac pathophysiology was not studied, and therefore, in the present study, we hypothesized that Kvβ2 plays a significant role in cardiovascular pathophysiology by modulating the cardiac excitability and gene responses. We utilized an isoproterenol-infused mouse model to investigate the role of Kvβ2 and the cardiac function, biochemical changes, and molecular responses. The deletion of Kvβ2 attenuated the QTc (corrected QT interval) prolongation at the electrocardiographic (ECG) level after a 14-day isoproterenol infusion, whereas the QTc was significantly prolonged in the littermate wildtype group. Monophasic action potentials verified the ECG changes, suggesting that cardiac changes and responses due to isoproterenol infusion are mediated similarly at both the in vivo and ex vivo levels. Moreover, the echocardiographic function showed no further decrease in the ejection fraction in the isoproterenol-stimulated Kvβ2 knockout (KO) group, whereas the wildtype mice showed significantly decreased function. These experiments revealed that Kvβ2 plays a significant role in cardiovascular pathophysiology. Furthermore, the present study revealed SLC41a3, a major solute carrier transporter affected with a significantly decreased expression in KO vs. wildtype hearts. The electrical function showed that the decreased expression of SLC41a3 in Kvβ2 KO hearts led to decreased Mg2+ responses, whereas, in the wildtype hearts, Mg2+ caused action potential duration (APD) shortening. Based on the in vivo, ex vivo, and molecular evaluations, we identified that the deletion of Kvβ2 altered the cardiac pathophysiology mediated by SLC41a3 and altered the NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)-dependent gene responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Regulation of Aldo-Keto Reductases)
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Review

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17 pages, 4494 KiB  
Review
Perspective on the Structural Basis for Human Aldo-Keto Reductase 1B10 Inhibition
by Francesc Xavier Ruiz, Xavier Parés and Jaume Farrés
Metabolites 2021, 11(12), 865; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/metabo11120865 - 13 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2340
Abstract
Human aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) is overexpressed in many cancer types and is involved in chemoresistance. This makes AKR1B10 to be an interesting drug target and thus many enzyme inhibitors have been investigated. High-resolution crystallographic structures of AKR1B10 with various reversible inhibitors were [...] Read more.
Human aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) is overexpressed in many cancer types and is involved in chemoresistance. This makes AKR1B10 to be an interesting drug target and thus many enzyme inhibitors have been investigated. High-resolution crystallographic structures of AKR1B10 with various reversible inhibitors were deeply analyzed and compared to those of analogous complexes with aldose reductase (AR). In both enzymes, the active site included an anion-binding pocket and, in some cases, inhibitor binding caused the opening of a transient specificity pocket. Different structural conformers were revealed upon inhibitor binding, emphasizing the importance of the highly variable loops, which participate in the transient opening of additional binding subpockets. Two key differences between AKR1B10 and AR were observed regarding the role of external loops in inhibitor binding. The first corresponded to the alternative conformation of Trp112 (Trp111 in AR). The second difference dealt with loop A mobility, which defined a larger and more loosely packed subpocket in AKR1B10. From this analysis, the general features that a selective AKR1B10 inhibitor should comply with are the following: an anchoring moiety to the anion-binding pocket, keeping Trp112 in its native conformation (AKR1B10-like), and not opening the specificity pocket in AR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Regulation of Aldo-Keto Reductases)
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29 pages, 2390 KiB  
Review
Physiological and Pathological Roles of Aldose Reductase
by Mahavir Singh, Aniruddh Kapoor and Aruni Bhatnagar
Metabolites 2021, 11(10), 655; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/metabo11100655 - 27 Sep 2021
Cited by 45 | Viewed by 8414
Abstract
Aldose reductase (AR) is an aldo-keto reductase that catalyzes the first step in the polyol pathway which converts glucose to sorbitol. Under normal glucose homeostasis the pathway represents a minor route of glucose metabolism that operates in parallel with glycolysis. However, during hyperglycemia [...] Read more.
Aldose reductase (AR) is an aldo-keto reductase that catalyzes the first step in the polyol pathway which converts glucose to sorbitol. Under normal glucose homeostasis the pathway represents a minor route of glucose metabolism that operates in parallel with glycolysis. However, during hyperglycemia the flux of glucose via the polyol pathway increases significantly, leading to excessive formation of sorbitol. The polyol pathway-driven accumulation of osmotically active sorbitol has been implicated in the development of secondary diabetic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. Based on the notion that inhibition of AR could prevent these complications a range of AR inhibitors have been developed and tested; however, their clinical efficacy has been found to be marginal at best. Moreover, recent work has shown that AR participates in the detoxification of aldehydes that are derived from lipid peroxidation and their glutathione conjugates. Although in some contexts this antioxidant function of AR helps protect against tissue injury and dysfunction, the metabolic transformation of the glutathione conjugates of lipid peroxidation-derived aldehydes could also lead to the generation of reactive metabolites that can stimulate mitogenic or inflammatory signaling events. Thus, inhibition of AR could have both salutary and injurious outcomes. Nevertheless, accumulating evidence suggests that inhibition of AR could modify the effects of cardiovascular disease, asthma, neuropathy, sepsis, and cancer; therefore, additional work is required to selectively target AR inhibitors to specific disease states. Despite past challenges, we opine that a more gainful consideration of therapeutic modulation of AR activity awaits clearer identification of the specific role(s) of the AR enzyme in health and disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Regulation of Aldo-Keto Reductases)
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22 pages, 25578 KiB  
Review
Pleiotropic Actions of Aldehyde Reductase (AKR1A)
by Junichi Fujii, Takujiro Homma, Satoshi Miyata and Motoko Takahashi
Metabolites 2021, 11(6), 343; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/metabo11060343 - 26 May 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3412
Abstract
We provide an overview of the physiological roles of aldehyde reductase (AKR1A) and also discuss the functions of aldose reductase (AKR1B) and other family members when necessary. Many types of aldehyde compounds are cytotoxic and some are even carcinogenic. Such toxic aldehydes are [...] Read more.
We provide an overview of the physiological roles of aldehyde reductase (AKR1A) and also discuss the functions of aldose reductase (AKR1B) and other family members when necessary. Many types of aldehyde compounds are cytotoxic and some are even carcinogenic. Such toxic aldehydes are detoxified via the action of AKR in an NADPH-dependent manner and the resulting products may exert anti-diabetic and anti-tumorigenic activity. AKR1A is capable of reducing 3-deoxyglucosone and methylglyoxal, which are reactive intermediates that are involved in glycation, a non-enzymatic glycosylation reaction. Accordingly, AKR1A is thought to suppress the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and prevent diabetic complications. AKR1A and, in part, AKR1B are responsible for the conversion of d-glucuronate to l-gulonate which constitutes a process for ascorbate (vitamin C) synthesis in competent animals. AKR1A is also involved in the reduction of S-nitrosylated glutathione and coenzyme A and thereby suppresses the protein S-nitrosylation that occurs under conditions in which the production of nitric oxide is stimulated. As the physiological functions of AKR1A are currently not completely understood, the genetic modification of Akr1a could reveal the latent functions of AKR1A and differentiate it from other family members. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Regulation of Aldo-Keto Reductases)
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23 pages, 1911 KiB  
Review
The Role of AKR1B10 in Physiology and Pathophysiology
by Satoshi Endo, Toshiyuki Matsunaga and Toru Nishinaka
Metabolites 2021, 11(6), 332; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/metabo11060332 - 21 May 2021
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4645
Abstract
AKR1B10 is a human nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent reductase belonging to the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1B subfamily. It catalyzes the reduction of aldehydes, some ketones and quinones, and interacts with acetyl-CoA carboxylase and heat shock protein 90α. The enzyme is highly expressed [...] Read more.
AKR1B10 is a human nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent reductase belonging to the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1B subfamily. It catalyzes the reduction of aldehydes, some ketones and quinones, and interacts with acetyl-CoA carboxylase and heat shock protein 90α. The enzyme is highly expressed in epithelial cells of the stomach and intestine, but down-regulated in gastrointestinal cancers and inflammatory bowel diseases. In contrast, AKR1B10 expression is low in other tissues, where the enzyme is upregulated in cancers, as well as in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and several skin diseases. In addition, the enzyme’s expression is elevated in cancer cells resistant to clinical anti-cancer drugs. Thus, growing evidence supports AKR1B10 as a potential target for diagnosing and treating these diseases. Herein, we reviewed the literature on the roles of AKR1B10 in a healthy gastrointestinal tract, the development and progression of cancers and acquired chemoresistance, in addition to its gene regulation, functions, and inhibitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Regulation of Aldo-Keto Reductases)
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