Soluble epoxide hydrolases (sEH) are enzymes present in all living organisms, metabolize epoxy fatty acids to 1,2-diols. sEH in the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids plays a key role in inflammation. In addition, the endogenous lipid mediators in cardiovascular disease are also broken down to diols by the action of sEH that enhanced cardiovascular protection. In this study, sEH inhibitory guided fractionation led to the isolation of five phenolic compounds trans-resveratrol (1), trans-piceatannol (2), sulfuretin (3), (+)-balanophonin (4), and cassigarol E (5) from the ethanol extract of the seeds of Passiflora edulis Sims cultivated in Vietnam. The chemical structures of isolated compounds were determined by the interpretation of NMR spectral data, mass spectra, and comparison with data from the literature. The soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitory activity of isolated compounds was evaluated. Among them, trans-piceatannol (2) showed the most potent inhibitory activity on sEH with an IC₅₀ value of 3.4 µM. This study marks the first time that sulfuretin (3) was isolated from Passiflora edulis as well as (+)-balanophonin (4), and cassigarol E (5) were isolated from Passiflora genus.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; Ethanol ; Fatty Acids ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Inflammation ; Metabolism ; Passiflora ; Passifloraceae ; Phenol ; Vietnam

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clone and characterize the oxiranedicarboxylate hydrolase (ORCH) from Labrys sp. WH-1. METHODS: Purification by column chromatography, characterization of enzymatic properties, gene cloning by protein terminal sequencing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequence analysis by secondary structure prediction and multiple sequence alignment were performed. RESULTS: The ORCH from Labrys sp. WH-1 was purified 26-fold with a yield of 12.7%. It is a monomer with an isoelectric point (pI) of 8.57 and molecular mass of 30.2 kDa. It was stable up to 55 °C with temperature at which the activity of the enzyme decreased by 50% in 15 min (T₅₀¹⁵) of 61 °C and the half-life at 50 °C (t_{1/2, 50 °C}) of 51 min and was also stable from pH 4 to 10, with maximum activity at 55 °C and pH 8.5. It is a metal-independent enzyme and strongly inhibited by Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, and anionic surfactants. Its kinetic parameters (K_m, k_cat, and k_cat/K_m) were 18.7 mmol/L, 222.3 s^-1, and 11.9 mmol/(L·s), respectively. The ORCH gene, which contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 825 bp encoding 274 amino acid residues, was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and the enzyme activity was 33 times higher than that of the wild strain. CONCLUSIONS The catalytic efficiency and thermal stability of the ORCH from Labrys sp. WH-1 were the best among the reported ORCHs, and it provides an alternative catalyst for preparation of L(+)-2,3-dihydrobutanedioic acid.
Alphaproteobacteria/enzymology* ; Cloning, Molecular ; Dicarboxylic Acids/metabolism* ; Enzyme Stability ; Epoxide Hydrolases/metabolism*

Wild-type biocatalysts usually show high activity and selectivity towards their native substrates. Since non-native substrates are often used in synthetically useful biocatalytic transformations, it is necessary to engineer enzymes for improved activity, stability and selectivity (chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity). Herein we give an overview of the recent advances in engineering the enantioselectivity of biocatalysts, with an aim to stimulate further development of this important field in China.
Animals ; Biocatalysis ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Esterases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Engineering ; methods ; Stereoisomerism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between polymorphism of leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) gene among ischemic stroke patients and the related subtypes in the discordant sib pairs.

METHODSFamilies including ischemic stroke patients and their siblings were recruited. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of LTA4H as rs2072512, rs2540489, rs2540500 and rs6538697 were selected. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to adjust for in-family correlation in the analysis of discordant sib pairs. Conditional logistic regression model and family based association test (FBAT) were both used to test the associations of LTA4H gene with ischemic stroke and its subtypes.

RESULTSIn total, data from 356 discordant sib pairs from 234 ischemic stroke patient pedigrees were analyzed. Results of GEE showed that hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipoidemia were associated with ischemic stroke. According to the association test results, rs2540489 G allele was found to be associated with ischemic stroke, both in the additive model (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.41-0.94) and in the recessive model (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.23-1.02). For two main ischemic stroke subtypes, rs2540489 G allele was found to be associated with large-artery atherosclerosis stroke in the additive model (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.24-0.95) and in the recessive model (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.07-0.93). After adjusting age, sex and other factors, the associations mentioned above, still existed.

CONCLUSIONrs2540489 polymorphism in LTA4H gene seemed to be associated with large-artery atherosclerosis stroke.

Alleles ; Atherosclerosis ; Brain Ischemia ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; genetics ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Siblings ; Stroke ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between rs751141 gene polymorphisms in EPHX2 gene and essential hypertension in Kazak and Han in Xinjiang.

METHODSA total of 267 essential hypertensive patients in Kazaks, 368 essential hypertensive patients in Hans, 284 normotensive controls in Kazaks and 348 normotensive controls in Hans were enrolled in this study. TaqMan assay was used to detect the rs751141 G/A gene polymorphisms of EPHX2 gene.

RESULTSThe rs751141 G/A genotype frequencies for GA + AA genotypes was 40.2 percent in essential hypertensive subjects and 52.0 percent in control subjects in Hans, respectively. The genotype frequencies were significant difference between the two groups in Hans in Xinjiang (P < 0.01). The rs751141G/A gene polymorphism had no significant difference between essential hypertensive patients and normotensive controls in Kazaks in Xinjiang (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe essential hypertension in Kazaks in Xinjiang is not associated with rs751141G/A gene polymorphism of EPHX2 gene, but the essential hypertension in Hans in Xinjiang is associated with rs751141G/A allele gene polymorphism of EPHX2 gene. A type of rs751141 allele gene polymorphism may be the independent protective factor of essential hypertension in Hans in Xinjiang.

Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo investigate antigen-induced changes of leukotriene B(4)(LTB(4))content and LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression in lung tissue and cerebral cortex in sensitized rats.

METHODSThe contents of LTB(4) in lung tissue and cerebral cortex homogenates and LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression after antigen challenge by aerosol were respectively detected by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography(RP-HPLC) and semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTThe LTB(4) levels in lung tissue and cerebral cortex homogenates in asthmatic rats were significantly higher than those in control (P%0.05), and LTA4-hydrolase mRNA expression was also increased in asthmatic group. Dexamethason(DXM, 0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) decreased the LTB(4) content and inhibited the LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression significantly in asthmatic rats(P%0.05).

CONCLUSIONLTB(4) content and LTA(4)-hydrolase mRNA expression in cerebral cortex and lung tissue are increased in asthmatic rats, and there may exist neuroimmunological cross-talking between central nervous system and lung tissue in asthma.

Animals ; Asthma ; metabolism ; Cerebral Cortex ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; genetics ; Female ; Leukotriene B4 ; analysis ; Lung ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore whether the tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within EPHX1 gene were involved in the genetic susceptibility to coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) by case-control study.

METHODSThis study consisted of 697 CWP patients and 694 controls. All the subjects were Han Chinese, underground coal miners and recruited from coal mines of Xuzhou Mining Business Group Co Ltd.. The venous blood samples were obtained from all subjects and extracted genome DNA from the isolated leucocytes. Three SNPs were selected from the HapMap and the genotyping was done by the TaqMan method with the ABI 7900HT Real Time PCR system.

RESULTSThe Single SNP analyses showed that the genotype frequencies of EPHX1 (rs2234922) was significantly associated with decreased risk of CWP under co-dominant model (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.06~0.79, P = 0.020), recessive model (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.06~0.82, P = 0.023), and addictive model (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.58~0.96, P = 0.022). The further stratification analysis showed that the risk of CWP will significantly decreased in non-smoking groups (OR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.01~0.83, P = 0.033).

CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that individuals with the EPHX1 (rs223492) GG genotype was associated with a dereased risk of CWP, and it has a protective effect on the developing CWP.

Anthracosis ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Coal ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

BACKGROUNDCigarette smoking is the major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, only 10% - 20% of chronic heavy cigarette smokers develop symptomatic disease. COPD is most likely the result of complex interactions between environmental and genetic factors. Genetic susceptibility to COPD might depend on the variations in enzyme activities that detoxify cigarette smoke products, such as microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). In this study, we investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in the genes encoding mEH and glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) and COPD in a Chinese population.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to find mEH polymorphism in exon 3 (Tyr113-->His), exon 4 (His139-->Arg) and GSTP1 polymorphism in exon 5 (Ile105-->Val) in 100 COPD patients and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

RESULTSThe proportion of mEH exon 3 heterozygotes was significantly higher in patients with COPD than that in the control subjects (42% vs 32%). The odds ratio (OR) adjusted by age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and cigarette years was 2.96 (95% CI 1.24 - 7.09). There was no marked difference in very slow activity genotype versus other genotypes between COPD patients and the controls. When COPD patients were non-smokers, the OR of very slow activity genotype versus other genotypes was more than 1.00; and when COPD patients were smokers (current smokers and ex-smokers), the OR was less than 1.00. There was no significant difference in GSTP1 polymorphism adjusted by age, sex, BMI and smoking between COPD patients and the controls.

CONCLUSIONSmEH exon 3 heterozygotes might be associated with susceptibility to COPD in China. The interaction might exist between mEH genotype and smoke. The gene polymorphism for GSTP1 might not be associated with susceptibility to COPD in the Chinese population.

Aged ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; etiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of genetic polymorphisms of epoxide hydrolase 1 (EPHX1) in the metabolism of styrene in vivo.

METHODSFifty-six styrene-exposed workers, who worked in the painting workshop of an enterprise for manufacturing glass fiber-reinforced plastic yachts in Shandong Province, China for over one year and were protected in approximately the same way, were selected as study subjects. The 8-hour time-weighted average concentration (8 h-TWA) of styrene and the concentrations of mandelic acid (MA) and phenyl glyoxylic acid (PGA) as urinary metabolites were measured. The genetic polymorphisms of EPHX1 were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

RESULTSThe urinary concentrations of MA and PGA were 177.25±82.36 mg/g Cr and 145.91±69.73 mg/g Cr, respectively, and the 8 h-TWA of styrene was 133.28±95.81 mg/m3. Urinary concentrations of MA and PGA were positively correlated with 8 h-TWA of styrene (R=0.861, P < 0.05; R=0.868, P < 0.05). The subjects were divided into high-exposure group (8 h-TWA >50 mg/m(3)) and low-exposure group (8 h-TWA ≤ 50 mg/m(3), and in the two groups, the urinary concentrations of MA and PGA were significantly higher in the individuals carrying high-activity genotypes of EPHX1 than in those carrying low-activity genotypes of EPHX1 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGenetic polymorphisms of EPHX1 play an important role in the metabolic process of styrene in vivo.

Adult ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; pharmacokinetics ; China ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; genetics ; Glyoxylates ; urine ; Humans ; Male ; Mandelic Acids ; urine ; Occupational Exposure ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Styrene ; pharmacokinetics

PURPOSE: Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure may increase the risk of asthma. Genetic polymorphisms of oxidative stress-related genes, glutathione S-transferases (GSTM1, GSTP1), manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase, myeloperoxidase, and microsomal epoxide hydrolase may be related to BPA exposure. The aim is to evaluate whether oxidative stress genes modulates associations of BPA exposure with asthma. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study comprised of 126 asthmatic children and 327 controls. Urine Bisphenol A glucuronide (BPAG) levels were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, and genetic variants were analyzed by a TaqMan assay. Information on asthma and environmental exposure was collected. Analyses of variance and logistic regressions were performed to determine the association of genotypes and urine BPAG levels with asthma. RESULTS: BPAG levels were significantly associated with asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.29 per log unit increase in concentration; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.081.55). Compared to the GG genotype, children with a GSTP1 AA genotype had higher urine BPAG concentrations (geometric mean [standard error], 12.72 [4.16] vs 11.42 [2.82]; P=0.036). In children with high BPAG, the GSTP1 AA genotype was related to a higher odds of asthma than the GG genotype (aOR, 4.84; 95% CI, 1.0223.06). CONCLUSIONS: GSTP1 variants are associated with urine BPA metabolite levels. Oxidative stress genes may modulate the effect of BPA exposure on asthma.
Asthma* ; Case-Control Studies ; Catalase ; Child ; Environmental Exposure ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; Genotype ; Glutathione ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mass Spectrometry ; Odds Ratio ; Oxidative Stress ; Peroxidase ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Superoxide Dismutase