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Effects of diadenosine polyphosphates on tear secretion in New Zealand white rabbits.

Extracellular diadenosine polyphosphates play important signaling functions in a number of physiological responses. Here we show that diadenosine polyphosphates are normal constituents of tear fluid and are potent stimulators of tear secretion through their interaction with P2Y receptors. Diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap(4)A) and Ap(5)A were found in rabbit tears under basal conditions at concentrations of 2.92 and 0.58 microM, respectively. Single applications of UTP, ATP, and Ap(4)A increased tear secretion to 160 +/- 8% (n = 16) (P < 0.001), 131 +/- 6% (P < 0.05), and 162 +/- 11% (P < 0.05) of placebo values, respectively. Ap(4)A, Ap(5)A, and Ap(6)A, but not Ap(2)A and Ap(3)A, were able to stimulate tear secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Concentration-response studies produced pD(2) values of 5.56 +/- 0.03, 5.75 +/- 0.12, and 5.50 +/- 0.09 for Ap(4)A, Ap(5)A, and Ap(6)A, respectively, with Ap(4)A showing the greatest efficacy. Diadenosine polyphosphates also stimulated P2Y(1) and P2Y(2) receptors expressed in 1321N1 cells with no apparent effect on the other P2Y receptors tested. Nonselective P2 antagonists did not modify the tear secretion induced by UTP or Ap(4)A in rabbit eyes in vivo or in cloned receptors, except for a weak but significant reduction in stimulated tear secretion by reactive blue 2. These results suggest that diadenosine polyphosphates stimulate tear secretion via a P2Y receptor-mediated mechanism. Comparing the effects of diadenosine polyphosphates applied to the rabbit eye and to cloned P2Y receptors, it appears that the P2Y(2) receptor subtype is responsible for the prosecretory effects of these compounds.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Purification and characterization of polyphosphate kinase from Neisseria meningitidis.

The important human pathogens Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae accumulate phosphate in the form of polyphosphate (A. Noegel and E. C. Gotschlich, J. Exp. Med. 157:2049-2060, 1983), and the localization of more than half of this long-chain polymer on the exterior of the cells suggests a function as a protective, capsule-like coating. To enable further genetic investigation of the role of polyphosphate in Neisseria spp., the enzyme polyphosphate kinase (PPK), which catalyzes the synthesis of polyphosphate from ATP, was purified from N. meningitidis BNCV. The activity is dependent on Mg2+ and phosphate or polyphosphate and is inhibited by ADP. The Km for ATP is 1.5 mM, and the turnover number is 47 phosphate residues per polypeptide per s. Analysis of PPK labelled with [gamma-32P]ATP indicates that the enzyme is phosphorylated during the reaction, probably at an arginine residue. N-terminal and two internal amino acid sequences were derived from the purified protein and will allow the design of synthetic oligonucleotides for cloning and genetic manipulation of the ppk gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Targeted deletion of Minpp1 provides new insight into the activity of multiple inositol polyphosphate phosphatase in vivo.

Multiple inositol polyphosphate phosphatase (Minpp1) metabolizes inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate (InsP(5)) and inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP(6)) with high affinity in vitro. However, Minpp1 is compartmentalized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen, where access of enzyme to these predominantly cytosolic substrates in vivo has not previously been demonstrated. To gain insight into the physiological activity of Minpp1, Minpp1-deficient mice were generated by homologous recombination. Tissue extracts from Minpp1-deficient mice lacked detectable Minpp1 mRNA expression and Minpp1 enzyme activity. Unexpectedly, Minpp1-deficient mice were viable, fertile, and without obvious defects. Although Minpp1 expression is upregulated during chondrocyte hypertrophy, normal chondrocyte differentiation and bone development were observed in Minpp1-deficient mice. Biochemical analyses demonstrate that InsP(5) and InsP(6) are in vivo substrates for ER-based Minpp1, as levels of these polyphosphates in Minpp1-deficient embryonic fibroblasts were 30 to 45% higher than in wild-type cells. This increase was reversed by reintroducing exogenous Minpp1 into the ER. Thus, ER-based Minpp1 plays a significant role in the maintenance of steady-state levels of InsP(5) and InsP(6). These polyphosphates could be reduced below their natural levels by aberrant expression in the cytosol of a truncated Minpp1 lacking its ER-targeting N terminus. This was accompanied by slowed cellular proliferation, indicating that maintenance of cellular InsP(5) and InsP(6) is essential to normal cell growth. Yet, depletion of cellular inositol polyphosphates during erythropoiesis emerges as an additional physiological activity of Minpp1; loss of this enzyme activity in erythrocytes from Minpp1-deficient mice was accompanied by upregulation of a novel, substitutive inositol polyphosphate phosphatase.

3T3 Cells↗

Diadenosine polyphosphates in cultured vascular smooth-muscle cells and endothelium cells--their interaction with specific receptors and their degradation.

The role of diadenosine polyphosphates (ApnA, where "A" denotes "adenosine" and "n" denotes the number of phosphate groups "p") as vasoconstrictors of smooth-muscle cells and as blood-pressure regulating and insulin-releasing compounds has been described. It was the aim of this study to investigate whether specific receptors for these compounds, mediating the above mentioned effects, occur in cultured vascular smooth-muscle cells (VSMC) and in endothelium cells, and whether these compounds are degraded during incubation. Saturable binding sites for diadenosine polyphosphate [3H]Ap4A with an extremely quick saturation equilibrium, even at low temperature (4 degrees C), are present in vascular smooth-muscle cells. Diadenosine polyphosphates at micromolar concentrations displaced [3H]Ap4A from binding sites; the ranking order was Ap4A > Ap3A > Ap5A approximately Ap6A. Compounds interacting with purinergic P2X receptors such as suramin, alpha,beta-methylene ATP and pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS), albeit at high concentrations, displaced [3H]Ap4A from its binding sites. Surprisingly, at low concentrations the compounds tested increased the binding of [3H]Ap4A, which might imply the occurrence of positive receptor cooperativity or inhibition of [3H]Ap4A degradation. By use of thin-layer chromatography it was observed that [3H]Ap4A was quickly degraded (half-life approx. 12 min) in the extracellular medium to (mainly) adenosine and inosine. [3H]Ap4A and its degradation products were quickly taken up by the cells. Degradation can be inhibited by Ap6A, alpha,beta-methylene ATP or PPADS. Rather similar degradation and uptake results were also obtained when endothelium cells were used. These data indicate that specific binding sites for [3H]Ap4A are present in vascular smooth-muscle cells and that diadenosine polyphosphates at physiological concentrations displace binding. The receptors involved might be distinct diadenosine polyphosphate receptors, although the involvement of others, such as P2X receptors, is also possible. Ap4A is quickly degraded in the extracellular space and compounds that inhibit degradation result in an increase in [3H]Ap4A binding. It should be remembered that when diadenosine polyphos-phates are being investigated in physiological and pathophysiological studies of their impact on smooth-muscle cell proliferation and on vasoconstriction (blood-pressure regulation), results obtained from long-term incubations might be critical.

Animals↗

Role for ionotropic and metabotropic receptors in quisqualate-stimulated inositol polyphosphate accumulation in rat cerebral cortex.

The actions of the excitatory amino acid quisqualate (QA) on inositol polyphosphate accumulation in cerebral cortex slices have been assessed using both [3H]inositol prelabeling and mass measurements over relatively short incubation periods. QA stimulated accumulation of all the inositol polyphosphates, with similar EC50 values (2.8 +/- 0.7 microM). High performance liquid chromatography analysis of isomeric forms of inositol polyphosphates and specific mass assays revealed that both phosphorylation and dephosphorylation products of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate accumulate. A large component of the QA-stimulated inositol polyphosphate accumulation was inhibited by the ionotropic antagonist 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione in a competitive manner. This implied that the QA response may be due to entry of Ca2+ via voltage-sensitive calcium channels as a consequence of an ionotropic receptor-induced depolarization. In support of this mechanism, the QA-induced response was dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium, whereas the well characterized muscarinic receptor agonist response to carbachol showed only a slight reduction under the same conditions. The concentration-dependent (EC50 8.8 +/- 3 microM) response to the selective ionotropic agonist amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoazolepropionic acid (AMPA) differed from that to QA or carbachol, in that accumulation of only [3H]inositol mono- and bisphosphates was stimulated, with no increase in the [3H]inositol tris- or tetrakisphosphates. Use of the metabotropic agonist (trans)-(+/-)-1-aminocyclopentyl-1,3-dicarboxylate (ACPD), however, produced concentration-dependent increases in all [3H]inositol polyphosphates. Although both AMPA and ACPD responses alone were smaller in magnitude than that to QA, when present together AMPA and ACPD produced additive responses on [3H]inositol mono- and bisphosphate and a marked synergistic increase in [3H]inositol tetrakisphosphate accumulation, resulting in a response similar to that seen for QA. These data suggest that QA-evoked responses in rat cortex slices are the result of a complex interaction mediated through both ionotropic and metabotropic receptors, in which Ca2+ entry may stimulate accumulation of inositol mono- and bisphosphate directly and divert the metabolism of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate to inositol-1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate.

Animals↗

The isolation and characterization of inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase.

We previously identified an alternative pathway for the metabolism of inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4)P3) in calf brain. The enzyme responsible for the degradation of Ins(1,3,4)P3 was designated as inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase (Bansal, V. S., Inhorn, R. C., and Majerus, P. W. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 9644-9647). We have now purified this enzyme 3390-fold from calf brain-soluble fraction. The isolated enzyme has an apparent molecular mass of 110 kDa as determined by gel filtration. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the enzyme migrates as a protein of 105 kDa, suggesting that it is monomeric. Among various 4-phosphate-containing inositol polyphosphates, the enzyme hydrolyzes only Ins(1,3,4)P3 and inositol 3,4-bisphosphate (Ins(3,4)P2), yielding inositol 1,3-bisphosphate and inositol 3-phosphate as products. The inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase has apparent Km values of 40 and 25 microM for Ins(1,3,4)P3 and Ins(3,4)P2, respectively. The maximum velocities for these two substrates are 15-20 mumol of product/min/mg protein. Ins(1,3,4)P3 is a competitive inhibitor of Ins(3,4)P2 hydrolysis with an apparent Ki of 27 microM implying that the same active site is involved in hydrolysis of both substrates. The final enzyme preparation retained a small inositol polyphosphate 3-phosphatase activity (less than 2% of rate of inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase activity) which most likely reflects a contaminant. The enzyme displays maximum activity between pH 6.5 and 7.5. It is not inhibited by Li+, Ca2+, or Mg2+ except at 10 mM divalent ions. Mn2+ inhibits enzyme at high concentrations IC50 = 1.5 mM.

Animals↗

Development and characterization of a biodegradable polyphosphate.

A biodegradable polyphosphate polymer (Mn = 18,000, Mw/Mn = 3.2) matrix system was developed as a potential delivery vehicle for growth factors. As a model system, release of recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) from this polymer was evaluated. The polyphosphate was synthesized using a triethylamine catalyst in an argon environment, and characterized using elemental analysis, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Degradation kinetics of the polyphosphate polymer in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were represented by a second-order polynomial while degradation in bovine serum was linear with time. The polymer degraded faster in PBS than in bovine serum. In vitro release of OP-1 was also faster in PBS than in serum. Release kinetics of OP-1 in PBS and serum were represented by second-order polynomials. The OP-1 release from this physically dispersed polymeric matrix may be described by several possible mechanisms: diffusion, bulk polymer degradation, ion complexation, and interactions among the protein (OP-1), polymer, proteins, and enzymes in the media. This polyphosphate may be an effective carrier for morphogens, growth factors, or other classes of bioactive molecules.

Animals↗

Influence of environmental parameters on polyphosphate accumulation in Acinetobacter sp.

The regulation of and the optimum conditions for polyphosphate accumulation in Acinetobacter sp. were determined. Acinetobacter strain 210A accumulated polyphosphate in the presence of an intra- or extracellular energy source. The accumulation of polyphosphate during endogenous respiration was stimulated by streptomycin and inhibited by KCN. The highest amount of polyphosphate was found in cells in which energy supply was not limited, namely at low growth rates under sulphur limitation, and in the stationary phase of growth when either the nitrogen or the sulphur source was depleted. The phosphorus accumulation was not affected by the pH between 6.5 and 9. There was a pronounced effect of the temperature on phosphorus accumulation but is varied from strain to strain. Acinetobacter strain 210A accumulated more phosphate at low temperatures, strain B8 showed an optimum accumulation at 27.5 degrees C, while strain P accumulated phosphorus independently of the temperature. The optimum temperature for growth of Acinetobacter strains tested ranged from 25 to 33 degrees C, and the optimum pH was between 6 and 9.

Acinetobacter↗

Partial purification of inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphomonoesterase with characterization of its substrates and products by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

A study of the enzyme activities that degrade Ins(1,3,4)P3 in rat brain showed that it was dephosphorylated primarily by a Mg2+-dependent inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphomonoesterase to Ins(3,4)P2 and then to Ins(3)P by a 4-phosphomonoesterase. A less active enzyme activity with the properties of a 4-phosphomonoesterase that converted Ins(1,3,4)P3 to Ins(1,3)P2 was also detected. The inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphomonoesterase was separated from the 4-phosphomonoesterase and the inositol monophosphate phosphomonoesterase by chromatography on phosphocellulose, DE-52 anion exchange and hydroxylapatite columns. Kinetic characterization of the partially purified inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphomonoesterase indicated that both Ins(1,3,4)P3 and Ins(1,4)P2 were substrates with apparent Km values of 0.9 microM and 0.7 microM, respectively. Either substrate was a competitive inhibitor of the other substrate and dephosphorylation of both substrates was directly inhibited by Li+ in an uncompetitive manner. These data strongly suggest that a single enzyme dephosphorylates both Ins(1,3,4)P3 and Ins(1,4)P2. The 4-phosphomonoesterase that dephosphorylated Ins(3,4)P2 to Ins(3)P was insensitive to Mg2+ and Li+ and was probably the same enzyme that degraded Ins(1,3,4)P3 to Ins(1,3)P2. The isomeric configurations of the major inositol polyphosphates formed from the degradation of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 were determined using 1H- and 31P-NMR spectroscopy, and confirmation of the structures assigned to Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, Ins(1,3,4)P3 and Ins(3,4)P2 was obtained.

Animals↗

Involvement of protease in L-glutamine control of nucleic acid and polyphosphate metabolism in cells transformed by 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene, SV40 and H-ras oncogene.

Mammalian cells transformed with either 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene, SV40 or H-ras oncogene dramatically changed their ability to synthesize DNA and RNA and metabolize polyphosphate when L-glutamine was withdrawn from the growth medium or when heat shocked (growth at 42 degrees C). Untransformed, DNA and RNA synthesis decreased by 50-80% when glutamine was withdrawn, but polyphosphate accumulated whether or not glutamine was supplied. Heat shock did not alter this response. Transformed isogenic cells responded differently; at 37 degrees C, they decreased their synthesis of DNA and RNA if starved for glutamine, whereas at 42 degrees C, synthesis was optimal without glutamine. Transformed cells accumulated polyphosphate at 37 degrees C when starved for glutamine, but at 42 degrees C, no polyphosphate accumulated. This apparent non-dependence on glutamine by transformed cells when heat shocked was found to be due to the production of glutamine from serum proteins through induction of a protease(s).

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Polyphosphate production by strains of Acinetobacter.

Of four strains of Acinetobacter isolated from a pilot plant exhibiting enhanced biological phosphate removal from sewage, two strains (RA3116 and RA3117) accumulated more than 10 times the amount of polyphosphate accumulated by the other two strains (RA3114 and RA3123). Variants isolated from RA3116 and RA3117 showed polyphosphate levels similar to RA3114 and RA3123. No correlation was found between the polyphosphate content of the strains and levels of several enzymes that have been implicated in polyphosphate formation.

Acinetobacter↗

Effects of inactivation of the PPN1 gene on exopolyphosphatases, inorganic polyphosphates and function of mitochondria in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with inactivated endopolyphosphatase gene PPN1 did not grow on lactate and ethanol, and stopped growth on glucose earlier than the parent strain. Their mitochondria were defective in respiration functions and in metabolism of inorganic polyphosphates. The PPN1 mutants lacked exopolyphosphatase activity and possessed a double level of inorganic polyphosphates in mitochondria. The average chain length of mitochondrial polyphosphates at the stationary growth stage on glucose was about 15-20 and about 130-180 phosphate residues in the parent strain and PPN1 mutants, respectively. Inactivation of the PPX1 gene encoding exopolyphosphatase had no effect on respiration functions and on polyphosphate level and chain length in mitochondria.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

Polyphosphate buffering by biomass with different phosphorus contents.

Polyphosphate buffering is a novel application of enhanced biological phosphorus (P) removal (EBPR) for P-deficient wastewaters with influent organic load variability. This study investigated the effect of biomass P content on polyphosphate buffering using a membrane bioreactor (MBR) and conventional bioreactor (CBR). Increasing the biomass P content increased polyphosphate buffering and the COD removal capacity, but at high P content (i.e. 20% P/TSS) the effluent P levels increased and a smaller fraction of available P was used for buffering. The MBR produced lower total effluent TSS levels and lower P levels than the CBR at both medium biomass P content (i.e. 12% P/TSS) and at low P content (i.e. 5% P/TSS) when the COD removal capacity was not exceeded. At high biomass P content, the MBR and CBR produced elevated effluent P levels. This study showed that the MBR does not make polyphosphate buffering feasible at high P content.

Biomass↗

The diversity and possible functions of the inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatases.

Distinct forms of inositol and phosphatidylinositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatases selectively remove the phosphate from the 5-position of the inositol ring from both soluble and lipid substrates, i.e., inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3), inositol 1,3,4, 5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P4), phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) or phosphatidylinositol 3,4, 5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3). In mammalian cells, this family contains a series of distinct genes and splice variants. All inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatases share a 5-phosphatase domain and various protein modules probably responsible for specific cell localisation or recruitment (SH2 domain, proline-rich sequences, prenylation sites, etc.). Type I Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase also uses Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 but not the phosphoinositides as substrates. This enzyme is targeted to specific membranes by means of a prenylation site. Type II 5-phosphatases can use both PtdIns(4,5)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 as substrates. Five mammalian enzymes and multiple splice variants are known: INPP5P or inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase II, OCRL (a Golgi protein implicated in the Lowe oculocerebrorenal syndrome), synaptojanin (a protein involved in the recycling of synaptic vesicles), SHIP 1 and SHIP 2 (or SH2-containing inositol 5-phosphatases). As discussed in this review, the substrate specificity, regulatory mechanisms, subcellular localisation and tissue specificity indicate that the different 5-phosphatase isoforms may play specific roles. As known in the dephosphorylation of tyrosine containing substrates by the tyrosine protein phosphatases or in the metabolism of cyclic nucleotides by the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatases directly participate in the control of second messengers in response to both activation or inhibitory cell signalling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Multiple forms of an inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase form signaling complexes with Shc and Grb2.

BACKGROUND: Shc and Grb2 form a complex in cells in response to growth factor stimulation and link tyrosine kinases to Ras during the resulting signaling process. Shc and Grb2 each contain domains that mediate interactions with other unidentified intracellular proteins. For example, the Shc PTB domain binds to 130 kDa and 145 kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in response to stimulation of cells by growth factors, cytokines and crosslinking of antigen receptors. The Grb2 SH3 domains bind to an unidentified 116 kDa protein in T cells. We have identified three proteins, of 110 kDa, 130 kDa and 145 kDa, as a new family of molecules encoded by the same gene. In vivo studies show that these proteins form signal transduction complexes with Shc and with Grb2. RESULTS: The 130 kDa and 145 kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins that associate with the Shc PTB domain were purified by conventional chromatographic methods. Partial peptide and cDNA sequences corresponding to these proteins, termed SIP-145 and SIP-130 (SIP for signaling inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase), identified them as SH2 domain-containing products of a single gene and as members of the inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase family. The SIP-130 and SIP-145 proteins and inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase activity associated with Shc in vivo in response to B-cell activation. By using an independent approach, expression cloning, we found that the Grb2 SH3 domains bind specifically to SIP-110, a 110 kDa splice variant of SIP-145 and SIP-130, which lacks the SH2 domain. The SIP proteins hydrolyzed phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PtdIns (3,4,5)-P3) and Ins (1,3,4,5)-P4, but not PtdIns (4,5)-P2 or Ins (1,4,5)-P3. CONCLUSIONS: These findings strongly implicate the inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatases in Shc- and Grb2-mediated signal transduction. Furthermore, SIP-110, SIP-130 and SIP-145 prefer 3-phosphorylated substrates, suggesting a link to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Purification and properties of pyrophosphatase of Acinetobacter johnsonii 210A and its involvement in the degradation of polyphosphate.

Inorganic pyrophosphatase (E.C. 3.6.1.1) of Acinetobacter johnsonii 210A was purified 200-fold to apparent homogeneity. The enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of inorganic pyrophosphate and triphosphate to orthophosphate. No activity was observed with other polyphosphates and a wide variety of organic phosphate esters. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 141 kDa by gelfiltration. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated a subunit composition of six identical polypeptides with a molecular mass of 23 kDa. The cation Mg2+ was required for activity, the activity with Mn2+, Co2+ and Zn2+ was 48, 48 and 182% of the activity observed with Mg2+, respectively. The enzyme was heat-stable and inhibited by fluoride and iodoacetamide. The analysis of the kinetic properties of the enzyme revealed an apparent Km for pyrophosphate of 0.26 mM. In A. johnsonii 210A, pyrophosphatase may be involved in the degradation of high-molecular polyphosphates under anaerobic conditions: (i) it catalyses the further hydrolysis of pyrophosphate and triphosphate formed from high-molecular weight polyphosphates by the action of exopolyphosphatase, and (ii) it abolishes the inhibition of polyphosphate: AMP phosphotransferase-mediated degradation by pyrophosphate and triphosphate.

Acinetobacter↗

Effect of inhibitors on polyphosphate metabolism in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae under hypercompensation conditions.

After re-inoculation of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae from phosphate-deficient to complete medium, the total content of polyphosphates increased tenfold during 2 h (hypercompensation), but the content of certain fractions increased differently. The content of acid-soluble polyphosphate increased to the maximal extent. The ratio of the activities of two exopolyphosphatases also changed in the cytosol. Activity of a low molecular weight exopolyphosphatase (40 kD) decreased almost twice, whereas activity of a high molecular weight exopolyphosphatase (830 kD) increased tenfold. Cycloheximide blocks the increase in activity of high molecular weight exopolyphosphatase and hence, under these conditions the latter is synthesized de novo. Inhibitors of energy metabolism and cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, differently influence accumulation of certain polyphosphate fractions under hypercompensation conditions. The effect of iodoacetamide, an inhibitor of glycolysis, on any fraction is negligible, while cycloheximide suppresses accumulation of only polyP4 fraction associated with the cell envelope and bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor of vacuolar H+-ATPase, suppresses accumulation of polyP3 fraction. The protonophore carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP) to variable extent inhibits accumulation of all the fractions. Analysis of the effect of inhibitors on accumulation of polyphosphates under hypercompensation conditions confirms various localization, heterogeneity, and multiplicity of the routes of biosynthesis of certain fractions of these macroergic phosphorus compounds and also suggests interrelation between their biosynthesis and the gradient of H+ electrochemical potential.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

Volcanic production of polyphosphates and its relevance to prebiotic evolution.

Phosphates would probably have been essential compounds for prebiotic evolution on the primitive Earth. In this context, there have been several studies of condensation of water-soluble phosphates to polyphosphates and phosphorylation and condensation or polymerization of biomolecules with polyphosphates. But most of the phosphorus on the early Earth would have been in the form of water-insoluble apatite, and the origin of the water-soluble polyphosphates required for prebiotic evolution has therefore been a mystery. Here we show, both from experiments that simulate magmatic conditions and from analysis of volatile condensates in volcanic gas, that volcanic activity can produce water-soluble polyphosphates through partial hydrolysis of P4O10. This mechanism seems to be the only viable route identified so far for the production of these species on the primitive Earth.

Calcium Phosphates↗