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W W Chan

Publications and source records attributed to W W Chan.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Ligand interactions at the active site of aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli.

The active site of aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli was probed by studying the inhibitory effects of substrate analogues on the catalytic subunit of the enzyme. The inhibitors were chosen to satisfy the structural requirements for binding to either the phosphate or the dicarboxylate region. In addition, they also contained a side chain that would extend into the normal position occupied by the carbamoyl group. All the compounds tested showed competitive inhibition against carbamoyl phosphate. The ionic character of the side chain was found to be highly important in determining the affinity of the inhibitor. On the other hand, very little effect on binding was produced by changing the geometry of the functional group from trigonal to tetrahedral. Our findings suggest that the electrostatic stabilization of the negative charge that develops in the transition state may be a major factor in promoting catalysis. From the available X-ray diffraction data, we propose His-134 as the residue most likely to participate in this interaction. These results have significant implications on the design of reversible and irreversible inhibitors to this enzyme.

Aspartate Carbamoyltransferase↗
PubMed1985

Conformations of bound nucleoside triphosphate effectors in aspartate transcarbamylase. Evidence for the London-Schmidt model by transferred nuclear Overhauser effects.

Transferred nuclear Overhauser effects were used to determine the conformations of ATP, CTP, and ITP bound to the regulatory site of aspartate transcarbamylase. The results are in accord with the predictions of the London-Schmidt model [London, R. E., & Schmidt, P. G. (1972) Biochemistry 11, 3136] and show that ATP and CTP bind in the anti conformation while ITP binds in the syn conformation.

Allosteric Site↗
PubMed1985

An assay for ribonucleotide reductase based on ion-exchange chromatography of the reaction product.

A rapid and convenient assay for ribonucleotide reductase has been developed in which the reaction product, deoxycytidine diphosphate (dCDP), is isolated without further conversion. The enzymatic reaction is terminated by the addition of ethanol and the sample is chromatographed on a single, small, and disposable column of polyethylenimine cellulose. A two-step elution is conducted with buffers containing 25% ethanol. First, contaminants and byproducts such as cytidine and its monophosphate are removed at low ionic strength while the diphosphates are retained. Then dCDP is selectively eluted as a sharp peak with a strong borate buffer. Under these conditions, the excess substrate, cytidine diphosphate, remains on the column, presumably as the borate complex. The assay is linear with time for 15 min at 25 degrees C and linear with the amount of enzyme even at very low concentrations. With slight modifications, the assay seems applicable to the use of UDP or ADP as substrates. The method is not suitable for samples which contain nucleotide kinase or other interfering enzymes which convert a significant amount of dCDP into byproducts. However, another chromatographic system based on similar principles has been found which could be used to measure any dCTP produced in this way.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Structural requirements for specific inhibition of microsomal aminopeptidase by mercaptoamines.

L-Leucinthiol, a synthetic derivative of mercaptoethylamine with a hydrophobic side chain, was recently reported to be a potent inhibitor of microsomal aminopeptidase. The structural features necessary for interaction of mercaptoamines with this enzyme have now been explored more systematically. Optimal binding requires a primary amine linked to the mercapto group via two carbon atoms. Only a substituent with L-configuration at the 1 position increased the affinity toward the enzyme. The high degree of specificity and other evidence suggest that the mode of binding of these inhibitors is similar to that of substrates. Comparison of leucinthiol with other amino compounds suggest that the mercapto group makes a much greater contribution to the binding than the hydrophobic side chain. L-Leucinthiol is fairly specific for aminopeptidase although some inhibition of thermolysin and carboxypeptidase A is observed.

Aminopeptidases↗
PubMed1984

Activation of brain calcineurin towards proteins containing Thr(P) and Ser(P) by Ca2+, calmodulin, Mg2+ and transition metal ions.

Using Thr(P)-inhibitor-1 and Ser(P)-casein as substrates, studies on the activation of calcineurin purified from bovine brain have been carried out. The phosphatase requires the synergistic action of Ca2+, calmodulin and another divalent cation (Mg2+, Mn2+, Co2+ or Ni2+, but not Zn2+) for full expression of its activity. Ca2+ and Ca2+ X calmodulin act as allosteric activators to transform the phosphatase to a relaxed conformation, while Mg2+ acts solely as a cofactor for the catalytic action of the enzyme. In addition to their function as cofactors for catalysis, transition metal ions can also substitute for Ca2+ as allosteric activators. Ca2+ and calmodulin exert their activating effects mainly by increasing the Vm of the phosphatase reaction with little effect on the Km values for the substrates or on the KA values for the divalent cation cofactors. The predominant factor in dictating the catalytic properties of calcineurin is the divalent cation cofactor. For example, with Mg2+ as a cofactor, the phosphatase exhibits an optimum around pH 8.0-8.5; while with a transition metal ion as a cofactor, the optimum is around pH 7.0-7.5, regardless of whether Thr(P)-inhibitor-1 or Ser(P)-casein serves as a substrate, in the absence or the presence of Ca2+ X calmodulin.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

L-leucinthiol - a potent inhibitor of leucine aminopeptidase.

L-leucinthiol (2-amino-4-methyl-1-pentanethiol) was designed as an inhibitor of leucine aminopeptidase by analogy with sulfhydryl inhibitors of other zinc-containing peptidases. It was synthesized from L-leucinol and shown to be a potent competitive inhibitor of the microsomal aminopeptidase from porcine kidney (Ki = 2.2 X 10(-8) M). The results suggest that the mechanism of aminopeptidase may be similar to that of other metalloproteases.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Some properties of aminopeptidase associated with rat brain cortical synaptosomes.

To understand the breakdown of peptides in the brain, we studied the aminopeptidase associated with synaptosome particles. A continuous spectrophotometric assay in stirred cuvettes was used to follow the kinetics of inactivation by EDTA and by diethyl pyrocarbonate. The sensitivity of the enzyme towards puromycin and leucine hydroxamate was also determined. The results are consistent with the presence of a single species of aminopeptidase in freshly prepared synaptosome. This enzyme is capable of degrading Met-enkephalin in vitro and is distinct from microsomal leucine aminopeptidase. Storage of synaptosomes by freezing and subsequent thawing changed some properties of the enzyme and partially solubilized the enzyme. These studies suggest that there are advantages in studying the enzyme in its native particle-bound state.

Aminopeptidases↗
PubMed1983

Topography of preemptying ventricular segments in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome using scintigraphic phase mapping and esophageal pacing.

We analyzed the sequence of ventricular emptying using the phase image in 10 patients with accessory pathways and in 15 normal subjects. In normal subjects, the earliest emptying occurred in ventricular septal, apical and left basal segments. Eight patients had manifest preexcitation; the earliest emptying occurred ectopically in the right ventricle in one of these patients and in the left ventricle in five. The remaining two patients had normal phase maps. Two patients had concealed left-sided pathways. Their phase maps showed earliest emptying in left basal segments. Six of the 10 patients underwent electrophysiologic mapping. There was complete agreement between phase and electrophysiologic maps. Transesophageal atrial pacing increased preexcitation in one patient, normalized the ECG in another and precipitated narrow QRS tachycardia in four patients. Phase maps then showed enlargement, reduction and loss of the ectopic earliest emptying segments, respectively. We conclude that this technique in conjunction with pacing is successful in lateralizing accessory pathways.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Inhibition of leucine aminopeptidase by amino acid hydroxamates.

Amino acid hydroxamates are strong competitive inhibitors of leucine aminopeptidase from porcine kidney. The side chain specificity for inhibition correlates well with substrate specificity. L-Leucine hydroxamate (Ki = 14 microM) protects the enzyme from inactivation by EDTA and is presumed to be a bidentate ligand of the zinc at the active site. A substituted beta-mercaptoketone which may bind in a similar way is also a potent inhibitor (Ki = approximately 1 microM). The binding of these inhibitors suggests a mechanism for this enzyme in which a zinc-bound hydroxide ion participates in concerted proton-transfer processes, while the coordination and charge field at the zinc atom remain unchanged.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1981

Conformation of cross-linked aspartate transcarbamoylase.

We have previously shown that aspartate transcarbamylase loses its substrate cooperativity after modification with a cross-linking reagent. Depending on the presence or absence of substrate analogues during cross-linking, the derivatives resemble the relaxed (R) or taut (T) state, respectively. In the present study, we attempt to characterize the conformation of these derivatives and the effects of ligands. The putative T-state derivative was similar to the native enzyme in its reactivity towards p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and in the increase of reactivity upon addition of succinate. However, unlike the native enzyme it was not activated by succinate at low substrate concentrations. On the other hand, the putative R-state derivative showed greatly enhanced reactivity which was not substantially increased by succinate. In the presence of urea, the native enzyme and the two cross-linked derivatives all resembled the R state. Thus at low substrate concentrations urea activated both the native enzyme and the t-state derivative. In contrast, the effect of urea on the R state derivative is mainly inhibitory. The above results show that the R state has been definitely stabilized whereas the T-state derivative retains some conformational flexibility. Our observations also indicate that the conformational change induced by succinate has two distinct components of which only one is allowed in the T-state derivative.

Aspartate Carbamoyltransferase↗
PubMed1981

Hybrid aspartate transcarbamoylase containing cross-linked subunits.

The role of conformational changes and subunit interactions in the allosteric mechanism of aspartate transcarbamoylase was evaluated by studying hybrid enzyme molecules containing cross-linked subunits. Native enzyme was cross-linked with tartryl diazide in the presence and absence of substrate analogues. The two types of modified enzyme derivatives were each dissociated into catalytic (c3) and regulatory (r2) subunits. Hybrids were constructed with modified catalytic subunits and unmodified regulatory subunits of vice versa. Subunits from different derivatives also formed hybrids. All hybrids containing cross-linked catalytic subunits showed hyperbolic substrate saturation curves while cross-linked in the regulatory subunit alone did not abolish cooperativity. The type of cross-linked in the catalytic subunit had a decisive influence on the substrate affinity of the hybrid as well as its response to the allosteric effectors ATP and CTP. However many effects were also dependent on the presence of regulatory subunits. The results implicate a substantial conformational change in the catalytic subunit upon substrate binding and suggest an important role for the c-r interaction in the allosteric mechanism.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1979

Aspartate transcarbamoylase: loss of homotropic but not heterotropic interactions upon modification of the catalytic subunit with a bifunctional reagent.

The role of conformational changes in the allosteric mechanism of aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli was studied by reacting the isolated catalytic subunit with the bifunctional reagent tartryl diazide. Two derivatives differing moderately in substrate affinity were obtained depending on whether the reaction was conducted in the presence or absence of the substrate analogue succinate and carbamoyl phosphate. The modification was not accompanied by aggregation or dissociation. The modified catalytic subunits retained the ability to reassociate with unmodified regulatory subunits and produced hybrids similar in size to the native enzyme. These hybrids were appreciably sensitive to the allosteric effectors ATP and CTP but unlike native enzyme showed no cooperativity in substrate binding. The Michaelis constants of these hybrids for aspartate were intermediate between that of the isolated catalytic subunit and that of the relaxed state. Activation by ATP was caused by a reduction in Km to the value characteristic of the relaxed state whereas CTP inhibited by lowering the Vmax. The properties of the hybrids are strikingly similar to the modified enzyme obtained by Kerbiriou and Hervé from cells grown in the presence of 2-thiouracil. However, the crucial modifications are found in the regulatory subunits of the enzyme studied by these authors whereas they are located in the catalytic subunits of the hybrids reported here. Our results suggest that interactions between the catalytic and regulatory subunits have considerable effects on the state of the substrate binding sites in the native enzyme.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1978

Stabilization of the relaxed state of aspartate transcarbamoylase by modification with a bifunctional reagent.

Native aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli was modified with the bifunctional reagent tartaryl diazide in the presence of the substrate carbamoyl phosphate and the substrate analog succinate. The product had the same sedimentation coefficient as the native enzyme but showed a marked increase in affinity for the substrate aspartate with a hyperbolic saturation curve. The Michaelis constant for aspartate (7.4 mM) is similar to that estimated for the relaxed state of the enzyme. The high substrate affinity was not produced if modification was conducted in the absence of substrate analogs or with a monofunctional reagent. The modified enzyme was also desensitized towards the allosteric effectors ATP and CTP. It appears to represent a stabilized relaxed state whose conversion to the taut state is presumably prevented by cross-linking.

Aspartate Carbamoyltransferase↗
PubMed1978

On the mechanism of assembly of the aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli.

The mechanism of subunit assembly of aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli was studied by following the kinetics of reassociation. The isolated trimetric catalytic subunit (c3) and dimeric regulatory subunit (r2) were mixed together and formation of the dodecameric native enzyme (c6r6) was monitored by measuring changes in activity. Under appropriate conditions the reassociation was second order with respect to the c3 concentration and the effects of varying r2 concentration on the second-order rate constant were examined. An optimum R2 concentration of about 0.07 micrometer was observed. A scheme of the assembly pathways is proposed and is based on the reversible formation of c3r2n (n = 0, 1, 2 or 3) as intermediates. Various combinations of two such c3r2n species are considered as possible rate-limiting steps. This model yields an expression which relates the experimentally determined (overall) second-order rate constant to the equilibrium constant (Kd) governing the formation of c3r2n, the r2 concentration, and four coefficients which reflect the contribution of different types of assembly processes. Using previously determined values of Kd, the above expression for each r2 concentration reduces to a linear equation with four unknowns. The experimental data were subjected to multiple linear-regression analysis and values for the four coefficients were found which gave an excellent fit. Our results show that reassociation of the subunits is a fast bimolecular reaction with rate constants in excess of 10(6) M-1 s-1. Our analysis also suggests that interactions involving a total of more than three r2 subunits (e.g. the combination of c3r2 with c3r6) might contribute significantly to the overall assembly. The influence of various ligands on the reassociation rate profile was also studied. All ligands examined were partially inhibitory to the formation of native enzyme. The effects of substrates were similar to those of CTP whereas the effects of ATP were substantially different. These observations can be readily interpreted by postulating different conformational changes induced by the ligands. These changes should alter the relative orientation of the subunit contacts which must be formed in the reassociation process. The interpretation is consistent with our previous model of the allosteric mechanism.

Aspartate Carbamoyltransferase↗
PubMed1978

Structure and function of aspartate transcarbamoylase studied using chymotrypsin as a probe.

Aspartate transcarbamoylase from Escherichia coli is composed of six catalytic (c) and six regulatory (r) polypeptides. We have studied the structure and function of this enzyme using chymotrypsin as a probe. The protease inactivates the isolated catalytic subunit (c3) but has not effects on the native enzyme (c6r6). Under identical conditions, the c3r6 complex is inactivated at a much slower rate than c3. The presence of the substrate analogue succinate together with carbamoyl phosphate reduces substantially the rate of inactivation. Extended exposure to chymotrypsin converts the catalytic subunit into a partially active derivative with a fourfold higher Michaelis constant. This derivative is indistinguishable from the unmodified catalytic subnit in gell electrophoresis under nondenaturing conditions. However, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, the major fragment in the electropherogram is smaller than that of the intact catalytic polypeptide. The results could be explained by postulating the presence of a chymotrypsin-sensitive peptide bond at or near the active site. Since X-ray crystallographic studies have indicated that the active sites are located in a central cavity, the resistance of the native enzyme towards inactivation may be due to the inability of chymotrypsin to enter this cavity.

Allosteric Regulation↗