The role of hydroxyl radical as a messenger in Cr(VI)-induced p53 activation

The present study investigates whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in p53 activation, and if they are, which species is responsible for the activation. Our hypothesis is that hydroxyl radical (·OH) functions as a messenger for the activation of this tumor suppressor protein. Human lung epithelial cells (A549) were used to test this hypothesis. Cr(VI) was employed as the source of ROS due to its ability to generate a whole spectrum of ROS inside the cell. Cr(VI) is able to activate p53 by increasing the protein levels and enhancing both the DNA binding activity and transactivation ability of the protein. Increased cellular levels ofsuperoxide radicals (O₂/^-·), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and ·OH radicals were detected on the addition of Cr(VI) to the cells. Superoxide dismutase, by enhancing the production of H₂O₂ from O₂/^-· radicals, increased p53 activity. Catalase, an H₂O₂ scavenger, eliminated ·OH radical generation and inhibited p53 activation. Sodium formate and aspirin, ·OH radical scavengers, also suppressed p53 activation. Deferoxamine, a metal chelator, inhibited p53 activation by chelating Cr(V) to make it incapable of generating radicals from H₂O₂. NADPH, which accelerated the one-electron reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(V) and increased ·OH radical generation, dramatically enhanced p53 activation. Thus ·OH radical generated from Cr(VI) reduction in A549 cells is responsible for Cr(VI)-induced p53 activation.