Many oxidoreductases need nicotinamide cofactors for their reactions. The big obstacle of using these syntheses in industry is the high cost of these nicotinamide cofactors. The work here is about finding novel NADH oxidases from Lactococcus lactis and applying in a cofactor regeneration system with carbonyl reductase or alcohol dehydrogenase. NADH oxidases are useful biocatalysts for regenerating nicotinamide cofactors of biological redox reactions. The annotated alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpR) and the H2O-forming enzyme (nox-2) genes from Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis, L.lac-Nox2) were cloned and proteins were expressed and characterized. They were compared with the H2O-former from Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis (L. sanfranciscensis, L.san-Nox2). AhpR is composed of H2O2-forming NADH oxidase (nox-1) and peroxidase and the net reaction of AhpR is the same as nox-2 when oxygen is the substrate. Both nox-1 and nox-2 are flavoproteins and turnover-limited. In the absence of exogenously added thiols, both nox-1 and nox-1/peroxidase are considerably more stable against overoxidation than nox-2. L.san-Nox2 was crystallized and was found to have ADP ligand, but according to the HPLC results, no ADP ligand was found in the L. lac-Nox-2. Enzyme membrane reactor was used for the application of oxidative reaction of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone, with isolated enzymes horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase and L.lac-Nox2.

As flavoproteinas AhpF (Alquil Hidroperoxido Redutase subunidade F) e TrxR (Tiorredoxina Redutase) sao membros da familia piridina dissulfeto redutase e possuem atividade dissulfeto redutase as custas de NAD(P)H. A proteina TrxR e responsavel pela reducao de Tiorredoxina (Trx) que participa do ciclo catalitico de grande parte das enzimas da familia peroxirredoxina, alem de outras enzimas. AhpF e dedicada a reducao de AhpC, (Alquil Hidroperoxido Redutase subunidade C) uma peroxirredoxina exclusiva de bacterias, AhpC e AhpF juntas formam sistema AhpR (Alquil Hidroperoxido Redutase). AhpF possui dois dominios, Trx-like (N-terminal) e TrxR-like (C-terminal); sendo que a ultima possui alta similaridade de estrutura e sequencia a TrxR. De forma interessante AhpF possui atividade NADH-oxidase formadora de H2O2, enquanto TrxR nao possui. Provavelmente pequenas mudancas na sua estrutura contribuem para essa diferenca. A atividade NADH-oxidase esta presente em algumas flavoproteinas e esta geralmente centrada no anel de isoaloxazina do cofator FAD. Este anel quando no estado radicalar e chamado de semiquinona. A semiquinona pode estar protonada ou desprotonada, sendo que a ultima forma e relacionada com atividades oxidase e oxigenase de maneira geral, mas ainda nao existem regras claras a respeito da reatividade de flavoproteinas com o oxigenio. Para elucidar quais poderiam ser essas diferencas, nos clonamos os genes para as proteinas TrxR, AhpC e AhpF da bacteria fitopatogenica Xylella fastidiosa e os expressamos em Escherichia coli. Reconstituimos com sucesso o sistema AhpR in vitro, medindo o consumo de H2O2 na presenca de AhpC, AhpF e NADH atraves de eletrodos especificos para peroxido. Da mesma forma caracterizamos a atividade NADH-oxidase de AhpF medindo o consumo de oxigenio e a producao de peroxido de hidrogenio. Alem disso, demonstramos que a atividade NAD(P)H-oxidase e ausente em TrxR atraves de ensaios de consumo de NADH. A expressao de somente o dominio C-terminal de AhpF manteve a atividade NADH-oxidase como na proteina selvagem, levando a crer que sao diferencas no motivo TrxR-like que disparam a atividade NADH-oxidase. Analisando a sobreposicao de estruturas tridimensionais de AhpF e TrxR disponiveis no PDB em conjunto com o alinhamento de sequencia de aminoacidos destas proteinas em diferentes organismos, identificamos tres possiveis candidatos que poderiam estar envolvidos na atividade NADH-oxidase. Atraves de mutacao sitio dirigida, identificamos que a retirada do residuo de histidina entre o motivo CXXC de AhpF fez o mutante AhpF H347T apresentar metade da atividade especifica NADHoxidase. Da mesma forma a mutacao reversa em TrxR, adicionando o residuo de histidina no motivo CXXC levou a TrxR T142H apresentar uma atividade especifica significativamente maior que a TrxR selvagem. Os dados em conjunto sugerem que o residuo de histidina por sua natureza polar e relevante para a desprotonacao do anel de izoaloxazina do FAD, e a sua consequente reatividade com o oxigenio, sendo um fator importante para a atividade NADH-oxidase presente em AhpF / The flavoproteins AhpF (Alkylhydroperoxide reductase subunit F) and TrxR (Thioredoxin Reductase) are members of the nucleotide pyridine disulfide oxidoreductase family and possess disulfide reductase activity at the expense of NAD(P)H. The TrxR protein is responsible for the reduction of thioredoxin (Trx), which is used in the catalytic cycle of most peroxiredoxins, among other enzymes. AhpF is dedicated to reducing the bacterial peroxiredoxin AhpC, and together they form the AhpR system (Alkylhydroperoxide reductase system). AhpF has two domains, Trx-like (N-terminal) and TrxR-like (C-terminal); the latter has high of similarity to TrxR. Intriguingly, AhpF has an H2O2-forming NAD(P)H-dependent oxidase activity, while TrxR does not. Slight changes in the structures of these two enzymes probably account for this phenomenon. The NADH-oxidase activity is present in some flavoproteins and is generally centered in the isoalloxazine ring of the FAD cofactor. This ring in its radical state is called a semiquinone, which can be protonated or deprotonated. The deprotonated form is related to oxidase and oxygenase activities, but there are no clear rules as to the reactivity of flavoproteins and molecular oxygen. In order to elucidate these differences, we have cloned genes which code the proteins TrxR, AhpC and AhpF of the phytopathogenic bacteria Xylella fastidiosa and have expressed them in Escherichia coli. We have successfully reconstituted the AhpR system in vitro, measuring the H2O2 decrease in the presence of AhpC, AhpF and NADH, by using specific electrodes. We have similarly characterized the NADH-oxidase activity of AhpF by measuring the decrease in the levels of oxygen and the production of hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, through assays measuring the consumption of NADH, we have demonstrated that the NAD(P)H-oxidase activity is non-existent in TrxR. The expression of only the C-terminal domain of AhpF showed NADH-oxidase activity similar to the wild-type protein, which indicated that the NADH-oxidase activity occurs due to differences in the TrxR-like motif. By analyzing the superposition of the threedimensional structures of AhpF and TrxR, as well as the alignment of their amino acid sequence in different organisms, we identified three possible candidates which could be involved in NADH-oxidase activity. Through site-directed mutation, we found that the removal of the histidine residue within the CXXC motif of AhpF caused the mutant AhpF H347T to present half of the NADH-oxidase specific activity, when compared to the wild-type protein. Likewise, the reverse mutation in TrxR, adding the histidine residue to the CXXC motif, caused TrxR T142H to have a significantly higher specific activity when compared to the wild-type TrxR. The data suggests that, because of its polar nature, the histidine residue is relevant to the deprotonation of the isoalloxazine ring of FAD and its reactivity to oxygen, and, therefore, is an important factor to the NADHoxidase activity of AhpF

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a high molecular weight polysaccharide that is mainly produced by animals and certain bacteria. This polymer is biocompatible and possesses desirable rheological properties that are accentuated by high molecular weight. Diverse therapeutic applications have developed which harness these features. Pharmaceutical grade HA is mostly extracted from animal tissue. The HA derived from this source is suitable for most pharmaceutical preparations but there is growing pressure to avoid animal tissue products. This has provided the incentive to expand microbial-based HA manufacturing. However, the inherent low molecular weight of the polymer derived via this route has hampered widespread acceptance of microbial HA. This thesis examined the ramifications of improving the cellular economy of the HA-producing, gram-positive bacterium, Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Improved cellular economy is believed to be a prerequisite for achieving superior HA yields and molecular weights in this microorganism. This work examined the metabolic variation that accompanied the shift to more efficient modes of carbon utilization. In particular the effect of different sugar sources, uncoupling growth and polymer formation, and changes to the cellular oxidoreduction capacity were studied in more detail. This study utilized different sugar sources to enhance the recovery of energy. Fermenting glucose, fructose and maltose produced contrasting patterns of growth and HA formation. Culturing the organism in maltose caused a shift towards energy-efficient heterofermentative metabolism. Maltose-cultured cells displayed a biphasic pattern of metabolism. The first stage corresponded to a growth phase in which biomass synthesis profited from the increased energy yield. The second stage corresponded to an arginine-deficient stationary phase where the majority of the HA was formed. The fermentation rate was slower during stationary phase but continued to support HA biosynthesis. This bisphasic metabolism proved to be beneficial. A protracted stationary phase led to higher molecular weight HA. Fructose was unable to sustain a comparable polymer yield or molecular weight as glucose or maltose. There was evidence that the arginine deiminase pathway was responsible for the premature depletion of arginine in maltose-fermenting cultures. The accumulation of biomass exhibited a concentration-dependent response to the amount of glutamine in the medium. A second arginine transporter possessing a low affinity for glutamine could explain this phenomenon. Arginine consumption was slower when the glutamine level was elevated. This may indicate competition for a common transmembrane carrier. An elevated energetic yield and ATP formation rate were features of aerobic maltose metabolism. The relative improvement in biomass and HA yields were substantially greater for cultures fermenting maltose compared to glucose. However, no improvement in molecular weight compared to glucose was observed. A major factor contributing to the success of aerobic maltose fermentation was the particularly high NADH oxidase flux. This enzyme reoxidizes reduction equivalents in a reaction that is physically decoupled from the production of reduced metabolic products. Less lactate and ethanol accumulated in the presence of high NADH oxidase levels but acetate production was stimulated leading to an improved energetic yield. This result prompted an investigation into the effect of elevating the NADH oxidase level. The native NADH oxidase gene was sequenced and cloned into an inducible expression plasmid and introduced into S. zooepidemicus. Overproduction of this enzyme led to the desired improvement in ATP yield. A significant improvement in biomass yield was demonstrated. HA yield and molecular weight were not affected. Lactate and acetate were the main fermentation products. At high induction levels the quantity of lactate and acetate approached limiting levels and pyruvate overflow was more pronounced. This was attributed to insufficient flux capacity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme complex. The application of metabolic engineering to S. zooepidemicus has provided some insight into the regulation of energy metabolism in this microorganism and its relationship to HA synthesis. This study has observed that the specific rate of HA synthesis is correlated to the sugar uptake rate but is unaffected by the ATP yield. Under present conditions the formation of HA is not limited by the availability of energy. Nonetheless, microbial HA production will benefit from maximizing energetic yield. It was demonstrated that less catabolic carbon was expended to support biomass formation if the energetic yield was high. Therefore more residual carbon was available for HA synthesis.

As flavoproteinas AhpF (Alquil Hidroperoxido Redutase subunidade F) e TrxR (Tiorredoxina Redutase) sao membros da familia piridina dissulfeto redutase e possuem atividade dissulfeto redutase as custas de NAD(P)H. A proteina TrxR e responsavel pela reducao de Tiorredoxina (Trx) que participa do ciclo catalitico de grande parte das enzimas da familia peroxirredoxina, alem de outras enzimas. AhpF e dedicada a reducao de AhpC, (Alquil Hidroperoxido Redutase subunidade C) uma peroxirredoxina exclusiva de bacterias, AhpC e AhpF juntas formam sistema AhpR (Alquil Hidroperoxido Redutase). AhpF possui dois dominios, Trx-like (N-terminal) e TrxR-like (C-terminal); sendo que a ultima possui alta similaridade de estrutura e sequencia a TrxR. De forma interessante AhpF possui atividade NADH-oxidase formadora de H2O2, enquanto TrxR nao possui. Provavelmente pequenas mudancas na sua estrutura contribuem para essa diferenca. A atividade NADH-oxidase esta presente em algumas flavoproteinas e esta geralmente centrada no anel de isoaloxazina do cofator FAD. Este anel quando no estado radicalar e chamado de semiquinona. A semiquinona pode estar protonada ou desprotonada, sendo que a ultima forma e relacionada com atividades oxidase e oxigenase de maneira geral, mas ainda nao existem regras claras a respeito da reatividade de flavoproteinas com o oxigenio. Para elucidar quais poderiam ser essas diferencas, nos clonamos os genes para as proteinas TrxR, AhpC e AhpF da bacteria fitopatogenica Xylella fastidiosa e os expressamos em Escherichia coli. Reconstituimos com sucesso o sistema AhpR in vitro, medindo o consumo de H2O2 na presenca de AhpC, AhpF e NADH atraves de eletrodos especificos para peroxido. Da mesma forma caracterizamos a atividade NADH-oxidase de AhpF medindo o consumo de oxigenio e a producao de peroxido de hidrogenio. Alem disso, demonstramos que a atividade NAD(P)H-oxidase e ausente em TrxR atraves de ensaios de consumo de NADH. A expressao de somente o dominio C-terminal de AhpF manteve a atividade NADH-oxidase como na proteina selvagem, levando a crer que sao diferencas no motivo TrxR-like que disparam a atividade NADH-oxidase. Analisando a sobreposicao de estruturas tridimensionais de AhpF e TrxR disponiveis no PDB em conjunto com o alinhamento de sequencia de aminoacidos destas proteinas em diferentes organismos, identificamos tres possiveis candidatos que poderiam estar envolvidos na atividade NADH-oxidase. Atraves de mutacao sitio dirigida, identificamos que a retirada do residuo de histidina entre o motivo CXXC de AhpF fez o mutante AhpF H347T apresentar metade da atividade especifica NADHoxidase. Da mesma forma a mutacao reversa em TrxR, adicionando o residuo de histidina no motivo CXXC levou a TrxR T142H apresentar uma atividade especifica significativamente maior que a TrxR selvagem. Os dados em conjunto sugerem que o residuo de histidina por sua natureza polar e relevante para a desprotonacao do anel de izoaloxazina do FAD, e a sua consequente reatividade com o oxigenio, sendo um fator importante para a atividade NADH-oxidase presente em AhpF / The flavoproteins AhpF (Alkylhydroperoxide reductase subunit F) and TrxR (Thioredoxin Reductase) are members of the nucleotide pyridine disulfide oxidoreductase family and possess disulfide reductase activity at the expense of NAD(P)H. The TrxR protein is responsible for the reduction of thioredoxin (Trx), which is used in the catalytic cycle of most peroxiredoxins, among other enzymes. AhpF is dedicated to reducing the bacterial peroxiredoxin AhpC, and together they form the AhpR system (Alkylhydroperoxide reductase system). AhpF has two domains, Trx-like (N-terminal) and TrxR-like (C-terminal); the latter has high of similarity to TrxR. Intriguingly, AhpF has an H2O2-forming NAD(P)H-dependent oxidase activity, while TrxR does not. Slight changes in the structures of these two enzymes probably account for this phenomenon. The NADH-oxidase activity is present in some flavoproteins and is generally centered in the isoalloxazine ring of the FAD cofactor. This ring in its radical state is called a semiquinone, which can be protonated or deprotonated. The deprotonated form is related to oxidase and oxygenase activities, but there are no clear rules as to the reactivity of flavoproteins and molecular oxygen. In order to elucidate these differences, we have cloned genes which code the proteins TrxR, AhpC and AhpF of the phytopathogenic bacteria Xylella fastidiosa and have expressed them in Escherichia coli. We have successfully reconstituted the AhpR system in vitro, measuring the H2O2 decrease in the presence of AhpC, AhpF and NADH, by using specific electrodes. We have similarly characterized the NADH-oxidase activity of AhpF by measuring the decrease in the levels of oxygen and the production of hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, through assays measuring the consumption of NADH, we have demonstrated that the NAD(P)H-oxidase activity is non-existent in TrxR. The expression of only the C-terminal domain of AhpF showed NADH-oxidase activity similar to the wild-type protein, which indicated that the NADH-oxidase activity occurs due to differences in the TrxR-like motif. By analyzing the superposition of the threedimensional structures of AhpF and TrxR, as well as the alignment of their amino acid sequence in different organisms, we identified three possible candidates which could be involved in NADH-oxidase activity. Through site-directed mutation, we found that the removal of the histidine residue within the CXXC motif of AhpF caused the mutant AhpF H347T to present half of the NADH-oxidase specific activity, when compared to the wild-type protein. Likewise, the reverse mutation in TrxR, adding the histidine residue to the CXXC motif, caused TrxR T142H to have a significantly higher specific activity when compared to the wild-type TrxR. The data suggests that, because of its polar nature, the histidine residue is relevant to the deprotonation of the isoalloxazine ring of FAD and its reactivity to oxygen, and, therefore, is an important factor to the NADHoxidase activity of AhpF

Erkrankungen des Herz-Kreislaufsystems sind trotz erheblicher Fortschritte in Diagnostik und Therapie noch immer die häufigste Todesursache in Deutschland. Neben bekannte Risikofaktoren wie Hypercholesterinämie, Hyperlipoproteinämie, Diabetes mellitus, Adipositas, Bewegungsmangel, Stress und hohem Alter wird eine pathophysiologisch erhöhte Bildung reaktiver Sauerstoffspezies (ROS) als Ursache für deren Entstehung diskutiert. NAD(P)H-Oxidasen, von denen 7 Isoformen der katalytischen Nox-Untereinheiten bekannt sind, stellen dabei die Hauptquelle für vaskuläre Superoxidanionen und oxidativen Stress dar. In dieser Arbeit konnte die vorrangige Bedeutung eines intrazellulär lokalisierten Nox4-haltigen NAD(P)H-Oxidase-Komplexes für die konstitutive Radikalbildung in primären humanen Endothelzellen nachgewiesen werden. Weiterhin konnte gezeigt werden, dass durch chronische Applikation der biomechanischen Kräfte Schubspannung und Dehnung oxidativer Stress in humanen Endothelzellen in vitro vermindert werden kann. Die Herabregulation der Superoxidanionen-Bildung sowie die vermehrte Freisetzung von NO durch chronische Applikation biomechanischer Kräfte trägt zur positiven Balance von NO/Superoxidanionen und zum vasoprotektiven Potential physiologischer Schubspannung bzw. Dehnung bei. Durch Nox4-Promotordeletionsanalysen und Mutationsstudien konnte der Transkriptionsfaktor AP-1 als entscheidend für die schubspannungsabhängige Herabregulation von Nox4 identifiziert werden. Durch Stimulation von Endothelzellen bzw. murinen Gefäßringen mit oxidiertem LDL konnte dagegen die vaskuläre ROS-Bildung in vitro und ex vivo induziert werden. Zur weiteren Aufklärung des Mechanismus der LDL-induzierten ROS-Bildung in vivo und des Einflusses von NAD(P)H-Oxidasen wurden C57BL/6 (Wildtyp)- und Nox2-/--Mäuse 10 Wochen lang mit einer fettreichen Diät (Western diet) gefüttert und anschließend der Einfluss dieser Fütterung auf die NAD(P)H-Oxidase-Expression und ROS-Bildung analysiert. In der Aorta thoracalis beider Mausstämme zeigte sich durch das fettreiche Futter ein signifikanter Anstieg der NAD(P)H-Oxidase-Aktivität im Vergleich zum Standardfutter. Durch Western diet-Fütterung wurde die Nox4-mRNA-Expression in der A. thoracalis von Nox2-/--Mäuse und die p22phox-mRNA-Expression in beiden Mausstämmen induziert. Die Analyse weiterer Organe (Herz, Niere) zeigte keine Induktion von NAD(P)H-Oxidase-Untereinheiten durch Western diet-Fütterung. Zusammenfassend sprechen die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit für eine entscheidende Rolle der Nox4-haltigen NAD(P)H-Oxidase bei der vaskulären Radikalbildung in vitro und in vivo. / Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death in Germany. Beside the known risk factors hypercholesteremia, hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, stress and high age, a pathophysiologically increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are discussed as cause of development of cardiovascular diseases. Nicotine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase complexes have been identified as main source of oxidative stress and vascular superoxide anions. There are 7 known isoforms of the catalytic Nox subunit of the NADPH oxidase. In this dissertation it was shown that NADPH oxidase subunit Nox4 is the major Nox isoform in human endothelial cells. Nox4 could be localized in the perinuclear space. Overexpression of Nox4 enhanced endothelial superoxide anion formation. Furthermore, a reduction of oxidative stress could be demonstrated by chronic application of the biomechanical forces laminar shear stress and cyclic strain in endothelial cells in vitro. The observed downregulation of superoxide anion formation and upregulation of NO formation by application of biomechanical forces contribute to the positive balance between NO and superoxide anion and the vasoprotective potential of physiological shear stress and cyclic strain. Molecular cloning and functional analysis of the human Nox4 promoter revealed that an AP-1 binding site is essential for downregulation of Nox4 by laminar shear stress. On the other hand stimulation of endothelial cells and murine vessels with oxidized lipids caused an upregulation of vascular ROS production in vitro and ex vivo. In order to examine the mechanism of LDL induced ROS formation and the influence of NADPH oxidase, C57BL/6 (wild-type) and Nox2-/- mice were feed with a diet high in fat and sugar (Western-type diet) for 10 weeks. After feeding, the influence of diet on the expression of NADPH oxidase and ROS production was analyzed in the A. thoracalis. Both mice strains showed a significant upregulation of aortic ROS production in comparison to normal chow. The mRNA expression of aortic Nox4 was induced in Nox2-/- mice. Furthermore, the aortic p22phox mRNA expression was upregulated in both mice strains. The analysis of other organs (heart, kidney) showed no influence of the Western-type diet. In conclusion, the results demonstrate a major role of a Nox4 containing NADPH oxidase in the vascular radical formation in vitro and in vivo.

Erkrankungen des Herz-Kreislaufsystems sind trotz erheblicher Fortschritte in Diagnostik und Therapie noch immer die häufigste Todesursache in Deutschland. Neben bekannte Risikofaktoren wie Hypercholesterinämie, Hyperlipoproteinämie, Diabetes mellitus, Adipositas, Bewegungsmangel, Stress und hohem Alter wird eine pathophysiologisch erhöhte Bildung reaktiver Sauerstoffspezies (ROS) als Ursache für deren Entstehung diskutiert. NAD(P)H-Oxidasen, von denen 7 Isoformen der katalytischen Nox-Untereinheiten bekannt sind, stellen dabei die Hauptquelle für vaskuläre Superoxidanionen und oxidativen Stress dar. In dieser Arbeit konnte die vorrangige Bedeutung eines intrazellulär lokalisierten Nox4-haltigen NAD(P)H-Oxidase-Komplexes für die konstitutive Radikalbildung in primären humanen Endothelzellen nachgewiesen werden. Weiterhin konnte gezeigt werden, dass durch chronische Applikation der biomechanischen Kräfte Schubspannung und Dehnung oxidativer Stress in humanen Endothelzellen in vitro vermindert werden kann. Die Herabregulation der Superoxidanionen-Bildung sowie die vermehrte Freisetzung von NO durch chronische Applikation biomechanischer Kräfte trägt zur positiven Balance von NO/Superoxidanionen und zum vasoprotektiven Potential physiologischer Schubspannung bzw. Dehnung bei. Durch Nox4-Promotordeletionsanalysen und Mutationsstudien konnte der Transkriptionsfaktor AP-1 als entscheidend für die schubspannungsabhängige Herabregulation von Nox4 identifiziert werden. Durch Stimulation von Endothelzellen bzw. murinen Gefäßringen mit oxidiertem LDL konnte dagegen die vaskuläre ROS-Bildung in vitro und ex vivo induziert werden. Zur weiteren Aufklärung des Mechanismus der LDL-induzierten ROS-Bildung in vivo und des Einflusses von NAD(P)H-Oxidasen wurden C57BL/6 (Wildtyp)- und Nox2-/--Mäuse 10 Wochen lang mit einer fettreichen Diät (Western diet) gefüttert und anschließend der Einfluss dieser Fütterung auf die NAD(P)H-Oxidase-Expression und ROS-Bildung analysiert. In der Aorta thoracalis beider Mausstämme zeigte sich durch das fettreiche Futter ein signifikanter Anstieg der NAD(P)H-Oxidase-Aktivität im Vergleich zum Standardfutter. Durch Western diet-Fütterung wurde die Nox4-mRNA-Expression in der A. thoracalis von Nox2-/--Mäuse und die p22phox-mRNA-Expression in beiden Mausstämmen induziert. Die Analyse weiterer Organe (Herz, Niere) zeigte keine Induktion von NAD(P)H-Oxidase-Untereinheiten durch Western diet-Fütterung. Zusammenfassend sprechen die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit für eine entscheidende Rolle der Nox4-haltigen NAD(P)H-Oxidase bei der vaskulären Radikalbildung in vitro und in vivo. / Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death in Germany. Beside the known risk factors hypercholesteremia, hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, stress and high age, a pathophysiologically increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are discussed as cause of development of cardiovascular diseases. Nicotine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase complexes have been identified as main source of oxidative stress and vascular superoxide anions. There are 7 known isoforms of the catalytic Nox subunit of the NADPH oxidase. In this dissertation it was shown that NADPH oxidase subunit Nox4 is the major Nox isoform in human endothelial cells. Nox4 could be localized in the perinuclear space. Overexpression of Nox4 enhanced endothelial superoxide anion formation. Furthermore, a reduction of oxidative stress could be demonstrated by chronic application of the biomechanical forces laminar shear stress and cyclic strain in endothelial cells in vitro. The observed downregulation of superoxide anion formation and upregulation of NO formation by application of biomechanical forces contribute to the positive balance between NO and superoxide anion and the vasoprotective potential of physiological shear stress and cyclic strain. Molecular cloning and functional analysis of the human Nox4 promoter revealed that an AP-1 binding site is essential for downregulation of Nox4 by laminar shear stress. On the other hand stimulation of endothelial cells and murine vessels with oxidized lipids caused an upregulation of vascular ROS production in vitro and ex vivo. In order to examine the mechanism of LDL induced ROS formation and the influence of NADPH oxidase, C57BL/6 (wild-type) and Nox2-/- mice were feed with a diet high in fat and sugar (Western-type diet) for 10 weeks. After feeding, the influence of diet on the expression of NADPH oxidase and ROS production was analyzed in the A. thoracalis. Both mice strains showed a significant upregulation of aortic ROS production in comparison to normal chow. The mRNA expression of aortic Nox4 was induced in Nox2-/- mice. Furthermore, the aortic p22phox mRNA expression was upregulated in both mice strains. The analysis of other organs (heart, kidney) showed no influence of the Western-type diet. In conclusion, the results demonstrate a major role of a Nox4 containing NADPH oxidase in the vascular radical formation in vitro and in vivo.