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Sulfite is generated from PAPS by activated neutrophils.
Hideki Mitsuhashi1, Fumie Ota, Kazuhide Ikeuchi
1The Third Department of Internal Medicine, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan.
The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine
|January 7, 2003
Summary
Neutrophils generate sulfite from 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS), an activated sulfate donor. This study identifies PAPS as a key source of sulfite in activated mammalian immune cells.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neutrophils are known to produce sulfite, a process dependent on inorganic sulfate.
- Sulfite production is observed in microorganisms during sulfate assimilation, involving 3 -phosphoadenosine 5 -phosphosulfate (PAPS).
- The mechanisms of sulfite production in mammalian cells remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the source of sulfite production in activated mammalian neutrophils.
- To determine if 3 -phosphoadenosine 5 -phosphosulfate (PAPS) is involved in sulfite generation in neutrophils.
Main Methods:
- Utilized chlorate, a specific inhibitor of PAPS synthesis, to assess its effect on neutrophil sulfite production.
- Administered glycogen to rats to induce inflammation and collect activated neutrophils.
- Examined sulfite production in the cytosolic fraction of activated neutrophils.
- Investigated the impact of excess PAPS on chlorate-inhibited sulfite production.
Main Results:
- Chlorate significantly inhibited sulfite production in activated neutrophils.
- The inhibitory effect of chlorate was partially reversed by the addition of excess PAPS.
- Sulfite production directly from PAPS was confirmed in the cytosolic fraction of activated neutrophils.
Conclusions:
- Activated neutrophils generate sulfite, at least in part, from 3 -phosphoadenosine 5 -phosphosulfate (PAPS).
- This study elucidates a novel pathway for sulfite generation in mammalian immune cells.