Asbestos redirects nitric oxide signaling through rapid catalytic conversion to nitrite.

Abstract

Asbestos exposure is strongly associated with the development of malignant mesothelioma, yet the mechanistic basis of this observation has not been resolved. Carcinogenic transformation or tumor progression mediated by asbestos may be related to the generation of free radical species and perturbation of cell signaling and transcription factors. We report here that exposure of human mesothelioma or lung carcinoma cells to nitric oxide (NO) in the presence of crocidolite asbestos resulted in a marked decrease in intracellular nitrosation and diminished NO-induced posttranslational modifications of tumor-associated proteins (hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and p53). Crocidolite rapidly scavenged NO with concomitant conversion to nitrite (NO(2)(-)). Crocidolite also catalyzed the nitration of cellular proteins in the presence of NO(2)(-) and hydrogen peroxide. Nitrated protein adducts are a prominent feature of asbestos-induced lung injury. These data highlight the ability of asbestos to induce phenotypic cellular changes through two processes: (a) by directly reducing bioactive NO levels and preventing its subsequent interaction with target molecules and (b) by increasing oxidative damage and protein modifications through NO(2) production and 3-nitrotyrosine formation.

• Authors: Douglas D Thomas, Michael G Espey, Derek A Pociask, Lisa A Ridnour, Sonia Donzelli, David A Wink
• Journal: Cancer research (Cancer Res) Vol. 66 Issue 24 Pg. 11600-4 (Dec 15 2006) ISSN: 0008-5472 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17178853 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• HIF1A protein, human
• Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
• Nitrites
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
• Asbestos
• Phosphoserine
• Serum Albumin, Bovine
• Nitric Oxide

Topics

• Animals
• Asbestos (pharmacology)
• Cattle
• Humans
• Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit (drug effects)
• Nitric Oxide (physiology)
• Nitrites (metabolism)
• Phosphoserine
• Serum Albumin, Bovine (drug effects)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 (drug effects)