Redox activation of DUSP4 by N-acetylcysteine protects endothelial cells from Cd2+-induced apoptosis

• NAC upregulates DUSP4 and eNOS expression in endothelial cells.
• NAC prevents eNOS and BH4 oxidation, thus enhancing eNOS coupling.
• DUSP4 redox-modulates p38 and ERK1/2 pathways against Cd2+-induced toxicity.
• Intracellular GSH levels elevated by NAC prevent Cd2+-induced protein degradation.
• DUSP4 is an antioxidant gene and is critical in the modulation of eNOS expression.

Redox imbalance is a primary cause of endothelial dysfunction (ED). Under oxidant stress, many critical proteins regulating endothelial function undergo oxidative modifications that lead to ED. Cellular levels of glutathione (GSH), the primary reducing source in cells, can significantly regulate cell function via reversible protein thiol modification. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precursor for GSH biosynthesis, is beneficial for many vascular diseases; however, the detailed mechanism of these benefits is still not clear. From HPLC analysis, NAC significantly increases both cellular GSH and tetrahydrobiopterin levels. Immunoblotting of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and DUSP4, a dual-specificity phosphatase with a cysteine as its active residue, revealed that both enzymes are upregulated by NAC. EPR spin trapping further demonstrated that NAC enhances NO generation from cells. Long-term exposure to Cd2+ contributes to DUSP4 degradation and the uncontrolled activation of p38 and ERK1/2, leading to apoptosis. Treatment with NAC prevents DUSP4 degradation and protects cells against Cd2+-induced apoptosis. Moreover, the increased DUSP4 expression can redox-regulate the p38 and ERK1/2 pathways from hyperactivation, providing a survival mechanism against the toxicity of Cd2+. DUSP4 gene knockdown further supports the hypothesis that DUSP4 is an antioxidant gene, critical in the modulation of eNOS expression, and thus protects against Cd2+-induced stress. Depletion of intracellular GSH by buthionine sulfoximine makes cells more susceptible to Cd2+-induced apoptosis. Pretreatment with NAC prevents p38 overactivation and thus protects the endothelium from this oxidative stress. Therefore, the identification of DUSP4 activation by NAC provides a novel target for future drug design.

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