Oxidative Modification of Cytochrome c by Tetrahydropapaveroline, an Isoquinoline-Derived Neurotoxin

Tetrahyropapaveroline (THP) is compound derived from dopamine metabolism and is capable of causing dopaminergic neurodegenerative disorder, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of THP to cause oxidative damage on the structure of cytochrome c (cyt c). Our data showed that THP led to protein aggregation and the formation of carbonyl compound in protein aggregates. THP also induced the release of iron from cyt c. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers and iron specific chelator inhibited the THP-mediated cyt c modification and carbonyl compound formation. The results of this study show that ROS may play a critical role in THP-induced cyt c modification and iron releasing of cyt c. When cyt c that has been exposed to THP was subsequently analyzed by amino acid analysis, lysine, histidine and methionine residues were particularly sensitive. It is suggested that oxidative damage of cyt c by THP might induce the increase of iron content in cells and subsequently led to the deleterious condition. This mechanism is associated with the deterioration of organs under neurodegenerative disorder such as PD