Lipid sulfates and sulfonates are allosteric competitive inhibitors of the N-terminal phosphatase activity of the mammalian soluble epoxide hydrolase

Biochemistry. 2005 Sep 13;44(36):12179-87. doi: 10.1021/bi050842g.

Abstract

The EPXH2 gene encodes for the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), a homodimeric enzyme with each monomer containing two domains with distinct activities. The C-terminal domain, containing the epoxide hydrolase activity (Cterm-EH), is involved in the metabolism of arachidonic acid epoxides, endogenous chemical mediators that play important roles in blood pressure regulation, cell growth, and inflammation. We recently demonstrated that the N-terminal domain contains a Mg2+-dependent lipid phosphate phosphatase activity (Nterm-phos). However, the biological role of this activity is unknown. The inability of known phosphatase inhibitors to inhibit the Nterm-phos constitutes a significant barrier to the elucidation of its function. We describe herein sulfate, sulfonate, and phosphonate lipids as novel potent inhibitors of Nterm-phos. These compounds are allosteric competitive inhibitors with K(I) in the hundred nanomolar range. These inhibitors may provide a valuable tool to investigate the biological role of the Nterm-phos. We found that polyisoprenyl phosphates are substrates of Nterm-phos, suggesting a possible role in sterol synthesis or inflammation. Furthermore, some of these compounds inhibit the C-terminal sEH activity through a noncompetitive inhibition mechanism involving a new binding site on the C-terminal domain. This novel site may play a role in the natural in vivo regulation of epoxide hydrolysis by sEH.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Allosteric Regulation / drug effects
  • Allosteric Site
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Epoxide Hydrolases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Epoxide Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Esters / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydroxylation
  • Kinetics
  • Lipids / chemistry
  • Lipids / pharmacology*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Phosphates / metabolism
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Solubility
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Sulfates / chemistry*
  • Sulfates / pharmacology*
  • Sulfonic Acids / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Esters
  • Lipids
  • Phosphates
  • Sulfates
  • Sulfonic Acids
  • Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
  • Epoxide Hydrolases