Enzyme catalysis in microgravity: an intricate problem to be solved.
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Catalysis↗
Biomedical subjects
E Giachetti
Publications and source records attributed to E Giachetti.
Multisite inhibition of Pinus pinea isocitrate lyase by phosphate.
Our results show that the phosphate ion is a nonlinear competitive inhibitor of Pinus pinea isocitrate lyase. In addition, this compound induces a sigmoidal response of the enzyme, which usually exhibits standard Michaelis-Menten kinetics. This peculiar behavior of P. pinea isocitrate lyase could be explained by a dimer (two-site) model, in which phosphate binds cooperatively, but the affinity of the vacant site for substrate (the magnesium-isocitrate complex) remains the same. As a result, the interaction of phosphate with free enzyme produces an inhibitor-enzyme-inhibitor species that is of significant importance in determining reaction rate; a possible regulatory role of the glyoxylate cycle by inorganic phosphate is suggested. The mode of phosphate inhibition is consistent with both the mechanism for magnesium ion activation of P. pinea isocitrate lyase and its site heterogeneity. Our results explain the cooperative effects observed by some authors in kinetic studies of isocitrate lyase carried out in phosphate buffers and also account for the higher K(m) values determined by using such assay systems. Phosphate buffer should be avoided in performing isocitrate lyase kinetics.
Buffers↗
Enzyme kinetic parameters are not altered by microgravity.
This paper deals with a microgravity experiment concerning the EMEC project (Effect of Microgravity on Enzymatic Catalysis), performed during the parabolic flight of the sounding rocket MASER 7, launched from the base of Esrange (Kiruna, Sweden) on May 3, 1996. The experiment consisted of performing, in a microgravity environment, a number of velocity measurements of an enzyme (isocitrate lyase) catalyzed reaction at different substrate concentrations, to calculate the kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax), which were compared with those obtained at standard gravity, with identical instrumentation. The experimental hardware, the EMEC module, expressly set up by Officine Galileo (Firenze, Italy) with the financial support of the European Space Agency, was a multichannel fibre-optics radiometer, equipped with an automatic injection system, that allowed to measure simultaneously the transmittance changes in 16 reaction cells. The results indicated that under the experimental conditions applied, microgravity has no appreciable effect on the enzyme kinetic constants.
Catalysis↗
[Activity of glyoxylate cycle during the culture of Rhodotorula gracilis in the presence of fatty acids and detergents].
In this work on Rhodotorula gracilis, we studied the level of the representative enzymes of foundamental metabolic ways (HK, PK, G6PDH and IDH) and those of ICL and MS key enzymes of glyoxylate cycle with different carbone sources. The glucose appears the best source of carbone for all the tested enzymes except ICL and MS which are practically absent in the cells developed with this carbone source. In presence of acetate and ethanol we have obtained the expression of the glyoxylate cycle enzymes (ICL and MS). Moreover we obtained the operativity of the glyoxylate cycle in the lipid-rich cells or cells developped on neutral detergents or anionics similar to the fatty acids.
Detergents↗
Study of second messenger levels and of sugar catabolism enzyme activities in transformed cells resistant to ionizing radiations.
We measured the level of second messengers, the activity of carbohydrate metabolism enzymes, and the resistance to ionizing radiations in normal 32D hematopoietic cells, in v-erbB transformants and in spontaneous transformants. v-erbB and spontaneous transformants were resistant to radiations as compared with their normal counterpart. The second messenger diacylglycerol was elevated in radioresistant clones. Only v-erbB transformants showed increase of the activities of enolase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. v-erbB-transformed NIH/3T3 cells, selected as control, showed identical correlation between radioresistance, increase of diacylglycerol, and of enolase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. These results indicate that increase of diacylglycerol is correlated with resistance to the killing effect of ionizing radiations and could be proposed as a marker of radioresponse.
3T3 Cells↗
A continuous spectrophotometric assay for alkaline phosphatase with glycerophosphate as substrate.
We describe a continuous coupled spectrophotometric assay for alkaline phosphatase which uses alpha- or beta-glycerophosphate as substrate, and glycerol dehydrogenase as ancillary enzyme. The glycerol liberated by alkaline phosphatase is determined by measuring the increase in absorbance at 340 nm caused by NADH formation that is combined with glycerol oxidation by the ancillary enzyme. The assay procedure was optimized using a bovine bone extract as alkaline phosphatase source.
Alkaline Phosphatase↗
Effect of Mg2+ and Mn2+ on isocitrate lyase, a non-essentially metal-ion-activated enzyme. A graphical approach for the discrimination of the model for activation.
We describe a simple method for the analysis of activation systems in which a metal ion modifier may combine with either the enzyme or the substrate (or both) and the metal ion-substrate complex is the true substrate of the enzyme reaction. The suggested approach is essentially a 'graphical' method that both provides unbiased criteria for the choice of the activation mechanism and yields good rough estimates of the kinetic parameters. The procedure, tested on a variety of simulated models, produces appropriate and reliable results. Applying this treatment to isocitrate lyase, we confirmed the data previously reported for Mg2+ [Giachetti, Pinzauti, Bonaccorsi & Vanni (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 172, 85-92], and we found that Mn2+ functions with the same mechanism as does Mg2+, but with quite different kinetic constants. In particular, its ratio of the Vmax, values of the activated and the non-activated enzyme is less than 1, and thus Mn2+ is to be considered an inhibitor rather than an activator.
Enzyme Activation↗
Comparative structure, function and regulation of isocitrate lyase, an important assimilatory enzyme.
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Amino Acid Sequence↗
Isocitrate lyase from Pinus pinea. Characterization of its true substrate and the action of magnesium ions.
We found that the Mg-isocitrate complex is the true substrate for pine isocitrate lyase and that magnesium acts as a non-essential activator. Both the non-activated and the activated enzyme forms are catalytically active. Our model is consistent with the presence of two Mg-binding sites with different affinities: an activator site with high affinity in addition to the catalytic site with lower affinity. This may result in a complex, fine regulation of isocitrate lyase activity by magnesium. The affinity of the free enzyme for isocitrate is very low. Moreover, free isocitrate does not bind to the activated enzyme, nor it can yield a catalytically active form by binding to an enzyme species whose catalytic site has already been bound by magnesium.
Binding Sites↗
Neutral maltase of human granulocytes: localization on the extracytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane and some properties.
Neutral maltase is an alpha-glucosidase (alpha-D-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.20) which is present in human granulocytes and B-lymphocytes but not in T-lymphocytes. These cells have been reported to contain a renal-type neutral maltase which cross-reacts with an antiserum raised against kidney brush-border enzyme. No study has been performed to assess the subcellular localization of the enzyme. Molecular properties of leukocyte neutral maltase from any species are unknown. We report in this paper that neutral maltase is present on the extracytoplasmic side of human granulocyte plasma membrane. These results are supported by subcellular fractionation on Percoll gradient and by papain digestion of intact granulocytes. The enzyme is probably an integral membrane protein. The anchorage to the lipid bilayer may be similar to that of the stalked brush-border hydrolases. Some properties of granulocyte neutral maltase were also determined on a plasma membrane-enriched fraction. The enzyme cleaves maltose and nigerose but not other glucosides disaccharides and oligosaccharides. The Km for maltose is (+/- SD) 0.78 (+/- 0.06) mM, that for nigerose 21.05 (+/- 1.43) mM. The Vmax for nigerose is 0.83-fold that for maltose. Tris, maltotriose, maltotetraose, and maltopentaose were inhibitors of granulocyte neutral maltase.
Blood Sedimentation↗
[Substrate specificity and kinetic properties of neutral maltase of human granulocytes].
A neutral maltase immunologically similar to this of kidney exist in human granulocytes. We have studied some kinetic properties of this enzyme on a microsomal fraction of granulocytes. Its optimal pH is very closed of 6.8 and this enzyme, highly specific for maltose, hydrolysis very weakly the nigeriosis. Maltotriose, maltotetraose and maltopentanose are inhibitors of this enzyme, which is not inhibited by all disaccharides studied.
Granulocytes↗
An isocitrate lyase of higher plants: analysis and comparison of some molecular properties.
A new purification procedure for isocitrate lyase from Pinus pinea is reported. The final preparation shows charge homogeneity and a purity degree higher than 95%. It is possible to remove catalase completely by exploiting the high hydrophobicity of isocitrate lyase. The enzyme has a Mr of 264,000 and is likely composed of four subunits, each with a Mr of 66,000. The binding of radioactively labeled oxalate revealed four catalytic sites per oligomer. These data suggest that isocitrate lyase subunits are similar, if not identical. The Michaelis constant for isocitrate is equal to 33 microM; molecular activity is about 2670 mol X min-1 X mol of enzyme-1. The amino acid composition of the enzyme was also determined. Isocitrate lyase appears resistant to proteolysis by carboxypeptidase A. Hydrazinolysis, Edman degradation, and dansyl chloride treatment indicate that both carboxy and amino terminals are probably inaccessible or blocked.
Amino Acids↗
Steady-state kinetic analysis of isocitrate lyase from Lupinus seeds: considerations on a possible catalytic mechanism of isocitrate lyase from plants.
Isocitrate lyase catalyzes the reversible cleavage of isocitrate into glyoxylate and succinate. The kinetic mechanism of bacterial isocitrate lyase has been reported to be ordered uni-bi. Moreover, it has been proposed that isocitrate lyase in higher plants may be switched on and off by a succinylation/desuccinylation mechanism. Similarly to bacterial citrate lyase, in which an acetylation/deacetylation mechanism is operative, succinylation might also play a role in the catalytic mechanism of plant isocitrate lyase. We have investigated the kinetic mechanism of isocitrate lyase from Lupinus seeds. The results reported in this paper show that the system follows a preferentially ordered uni-bi pathway in which the succinate is released first. On the basis of our results and some other recently reported data, we conclude that it is unlikely that bacterial and plant isocitrate lyases have different catalytic mechanisms.
Isocitrate Lyase↗
Isocitrate lyase: artifacts and multiple enzyme forms.
Multiple enzyme forms of isocitrate lyase from various sources have been frequently reported. Protease action after cell rupture was sporadically claimed to explain the observed multiple enzyme forms. In this communication studies which are consistent with a protease action in vitro on isocitrate lyase of Pinus pinea germinating seeds are reported. Moreover, changes in DEAE-Sephacel patterns, mainly related to the age of germination, were observed. Differences regarding the heat stability of the detected enzyme forms were also found. The results indicate that isocitrate lyase from P. pinea may be detected in at least three different forms, one of which is heat stable and may be obtained only at the early stages of germination.
Chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose↗
Isocitrate lyase of conifers (Pinus pinea).
1. Isocitrate lyase has been purified about 60 times from the conifer Pinus pinea. A first characterization was made. 2. The high instability is an important feature of this enzyme from higher plants, this causes serious problems in the purification and characterization. 3. A substantial agreement with the data from the literature was found for what concerns pH dependence of Vmax and pKm, the effect of bivalent cations and the requirement of Mg2+. 4. Kinetic studies gave evidence for a mechanism ordered uni-bi with glyoxylate being the last product released, kinetic constants were calculated, no evidence for cooperative effects was found. 5. Equilibrium constant by Haldane method calculation agrees with value calculated with isocitrate lyase from the bacterium Pseudomonas indigofera.
Cations, Divalent↗
Human cervical mucus: its enzymes.
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Cervix Mucus↗
A review of human cervical mucus enzymes.
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Animals↗
On the stability of isocitrate lyase from Pinus pinea.
Isocitrate lyase is a key catalyst of the glyoxylate cycle. A feature of the enzyme from higher plants is the high instability, that causes innumerable problems in working for characterization of the enzyme. The present communication demonstrates that the optimal conditions for the storage of isocitrate lyase from Pinus pinea are: the use of a low temperature (possibly below -20 degrees C), the realization of a high endogenous protein concentration of the enzyme preparations, or, above all when long storage conservation is necessary, the preservation of the enzyme in dried form (acetone precipitation), under vacuum at 4 degrees C. The data reported in this paper seem to exclude, in the above studied conditions, a role for serine proteases in the destabilization of the enzyme. The thiol compounds are not determinant and no effect is obtained by adding exogenous proteins (serum albumin, beta-fructosidase).
Ammonium Sulfate↗