A Rac GTPase-regulated multiprotein NADPH oxidase is critical for the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in phagocytic leukocytes and other nonphagocytic cells. NADPH oxidase reduces molecular oxygen to form superoxide anion in a two-step process. Electrons are initially transferred from NADPH to cytochrome b-associated FAD, then to cytochrome b heme and finally to molecular oxygen. We show here that Rac is required for both electron-transfer reactions. Mutational and biophysical analysis shows that Rac and p67phox independently regulate cytochrome b to catalyze the transfer of electrons from NADPH to FAD. However, they must interact with each other to induce the subsequent transfer of electrons from FAD to cytochrome b heme and molecular oxygen. This two-step model of regulation by Rac GTPase may provide a means of more effectively controlling the inflammatory responses of phagocytic leukocytes.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been increasingly recognized as important components of cell signaling in addition to their well-established roles in host defense. The formation of ROS in phagocytic and nonphagocytic cells involves membrane-localized and Rac guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase)-regulated reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase(s). We discuss here the current molecular models for Rac GTPase action in the control of the phagocytic leukocyte NADPH oxidase. As a mechanistically detailed example of Rac GTPase signaling, the NADPH oxidase provides a potential paradigm for signaling by Rho family GTPases in general. (Blood.

Nox4 is an oddity among members of the Nox family of NADPH oxidases [seven isoenzymes that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) from molecular oxygen] in that it is constitutively active. All other Nox enzymes except for Nox4 require upstream activators, either calcium or organizer/activator subunits (p47phox, NOXO1/p67phox, and NOXA1). Nox4 may also be unusual as it reportedly releases hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in contrast to Nox1–Nox3 and Nox5, which release superoxide, although this result is controversial in part because of possible membrane compartmentalization of superoxide, which may prevent detection. Our studies were undertaken (1) to identify the Nox4 ROS product using a membrane-free, partially purified preparation of Nox4 and (2) to test the hypothesis that Nox4 activity is acutely regulated not by activator proteins or calcium, but by cellular pO2, allowing it to function as an O2 sensor, the output of which is signaling H2O2. We find that approximately 90% of the electron flux through isolated Nox4 produces H2O2 and 10% forms superoxide. The kinetic mechanism of H2O2 formation is consistent with a mechanism involving binding of one oxygen molecule, which is then sequentially reduced by the heme in two one-electron reduction steps first to form a bound superoxide intermediate and then H2O2; kinetics are not consistent with a previously proposed internal superoxide dismutation mechanism involving two oxygen binding/reduction steps for each H2O2 formed. Critically, Nox4 has an unusually high Km for oxygen (∼18%), similar to the values of known oxygen-sensing enzymes, compared with a Km of 2–3% for Nox2, the phagocyte NADPH oxidase. This allows Nox4 to generate H2O2 as a function of oxygen concentration throughout a physiological range of pO2 values and to respond rapidly to changes in pO2.

Rac1 has been implicated in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in several cell types, but the enzymatic origin of the ROS has not been proven. The present studies demonstrate that Nox1, a homolog of the phagocyte NADPH-oxidase component gp91 phox , is activated by Rac1. When Nox1 is co-expressed along with its regulatory subunits NOXO1 and NOXA1, significant ROS generation is seen. Herein, co-expression of constitutively active Rac1(G12V), but not wild-type Rac1, resulted in marked further stimulation of activity. Decreased Rac1 expression using small interfering RNA reduced Nox1-dependent ROS. CDC42(G12V) failed to increase activity, and small interfering RNA directed against CDC42 failed to decrease activity, pointing to specificity for Rac. TPR domain mutants of NOXA1 that interfere with Rac1 binding were ineffective in supporting Nox1-dependent ROS generation. Immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated a complex containing Rac1(G12V), NOXO1, NOXA1, and Nox1. CDC42(G12V) could not substitute for Rac1(G12V) in such a complex. Nox1 formed a complex with Rac1(G12V) that was independent of NOXA1 and NOXO1, consistent with direct binding of Rac1(G12V) to Nox1. Rac1(G12V) interaction with NOXA1 was enhanced by Nox1 and NOXO1, suggesting cooperative binding. A model is presented comparing activation by regulatory subunits of Nox1 versus gp91 phox (Nox2) in which Rac1 activation provides a major trigger that acutely activates Nox1-dependent ROS generation.Rho family GTPases are implicated in innate immunity, regulation of cell shape and migration, and mitogenic regulation (1-3). Rac1 and Rac2 participate in the regulation of ROS generation in several cell types (4, 5), especially in the neutrophil, where Rac2 provides one of several "triggers" for activation of the phagocyte respiratory burst oxidase, a superoxide-generating NADPH-oxidase that participates in host defense against invading microbes. In addition to regulation of ROS 3 production in phagocytes, there is growing evidence for Rac1 regulation of ROS generation in other cell types. For example, Ras-transformed fibroblasts overproduce superoxide, and ROS generation is inhibited by a dominant negative mutant form of Rac1 (6); also, stimuli that increase Rac1-GTP in gastric epithelial cells increase ROS production (7). Mutationally activated Rac1 induces ROS formation (5,7,8), and second site mutations showed that Rac1 activation of ROS production correlates with mitogenic stimulation, but not with actin polymerization or JNK activation by Rac1 (5). Rac1-regulated ROS production is also linked to neuronal differentiation (9), to growth and induction of cyclin D1 in airway smooth muscle (9), to shear stress-induced protein phosphorylations in vascular endothelium (10), and to platelet-derived growth factor-induced proliferation in vascular smooth muscle (11). Despite a clear association between Rac1 and ROS production in a variety of cells, the ROS-generating target(s) of Rac1 have not been convincingly elucidated, and the source has been specula...

Summary NADPH-oxidases are a primary source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which function in normal physiology and, when overproduced, in pathophysiology. Recent studies using mice deficient in Nox2 identify this isoform as a novel target against Nox2-implicated inflammatory diseases. Nox2 activation depends on the binding of the proline rich domain of its heterodimeric partner p22phox to p47phox. A high-throughput screen that monitored this interaction via fluorescence polarization identified ebselen and several of its analogs as inhibitors. Medicinal chemistry was performed to explore structure-activity relationships and to optimize potency. Ebselen and analogs potently inhibited Nox1 and Nox2 activity but were less effective against other isoforms. Ebselen also blocked translocation of p47phox to neutrophil membranes. Thus, ebselen and its analogs represent a class of compounds that inhibit ROS generation by interrupting the assembly of Nox2-activating regulatory subunits.