Inhibition of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase activity by alkenal products of lipid peroxidation

Abstract

Lipid peroxidation causes the generation of the neurotoxic aldehydes acrolein and 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE). These products are elevated in neurodegenerative diseases and acute CNS trauma. Previous studies demonstrate that mitochondrial class 2 aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) is susceptible to inactivation by these alkenals. In the liver and brain another mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH/ALDH5A1), is present. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that aldehyde products of lipid peroxidation inhibit SSADH activity using the endogenous substrate, succinic semialdehyde (SSA, 50 μM). Acrolein potently inhibited SSADH activity (IC50=15 μM) in rat brain mitochondrial preparations. This inhibition was of an irreversible and noncompetitive nature. HNE inhibited activity with an IC50 of 110 μM. Trans-2-hexenal (HEX) and crotonaldehyde (100 μM each) did not inhibit activity. These data suggest that acrolein and HNE disrupt SSA metabolism and may have subsequent effects on CNS neurochemistry. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.