Overexpression of catalase in cytosolic or mitochondrial compartment protects HepG2 cells against oxidative injury

HepG2 cells were transfected with vectors containing human catalase cDNA and catalase cDNA with a mitochondrial leader sequence to allow comparison of the effectiveness of catalase overexpressed in the cytosolic or mitochondrial compartments to protect against oxidant-induced injury. Overexpression of catalase in cytosol and in mitochondria was confirmed by Western blot, and activity measurement and stable cell lines were established. The intracellular level of H2O, induced by exogenously added H2O2 or antimycin A was lower in C33 cell lines overexpressing catalase in the cytosol and mC5 cell lines overexpressing catalase in the mitochondria as compared with Hp cell lines transfected with empty vector. Cell death caused by H2O2, antimycin A, and menadione was considerably suppressed in both the mC5 and C33 cell lines. C33 and mC5 cells were also more resistant to apoptosis induced by H2O2 and to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential induced by H2O2 and antimycin A. In view of the comparable protection by catalase overexpressed in the cytosol versus the mitochondria, catalase produced in both cellular compartments might act as a sink to decompose H2O2 and move diffusable H2O2 down its concentration gradient. The present study suggests that catalase in cytosol and catalase in mitochondria are capable of protecting HepG2 cells against cytotoxicity or apoptosis induced by oxidative stress.