Murine fibroblasts cultured in the presence of fibroblast growth facto
r-1 express relatively high levels of FR-1, a similar to 36 kDa protei
n related to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily [Donohue, P. J., Albe
rts, G. F., Hampton, B. S., Winkles, J.A. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 8
604-8609]. While the crystal structure of FR-1 shows striking homology
with:human aldose reductase [Wilson, D. K., Nakano, T., Petrash, J. M
., Quiocho, F. A. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 14323-14330], an enzyme link
ed to the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, the physiological ro
le of FR-1 is not known. We show that FR-1 is capable of reducing a br
oad range of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes, :including the abundant
and highly reactive lipid-derived aldehyde 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE;
K-m approximate to 9 mu M). However, in the absence of coenzyme, HNE c
aused a time-dependent inactivation of FR-1. Results from electrospray
ionization-mass spectrometry and Edman-degradation of peptides derive
d from HNE-modified FR-1 were consistent with formation of a Michael a
dduct at Cys298. This was confirmed with a C298S mutant, which was res
istant to HNE-induced inactivation. Since steady-state K-m values dete
rmined with alkanals, alpha,beta-unsaturated alkenals, alkadienals, an
d 4-hydroxyalkenals fall within their physiological concentrations, li
pid-derived aldehydes appear to be potential in vivo substrates for FR
-1.