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Identification of a nifDK-like gene (ORF467) involved in the biosynthesis of chlorophyll in the cyanobacterium Plectonema boryanum.

The frxC gene, which is found in chloroplast DNA (ctDNA) and in cyanobacteria, encodes a protein that is required for the light-independent reduction of protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) to chlorophyllide a (Chlide). A DNA fragment downstream of frxC in the filamentous cyanobacterium Plectonema boryanum was cloned and analyzed. Sequencing of the DNA fragment revealed an open reading frame (ORF) that encoded a protein of 467 amino acid residues (designated ORF467), which showed extensive homology to the proteins encoded by genes on ctDNAs (ORF465 in liverwort, gidA in pine and chlN in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) and to ORF469 protein of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803. We isolated a targeted mutant YFM6D-3 in which ORF467 was inactivated by the insertion of a kanamycin-resistance gene into the coding region. YFM6D-3 exhibited a phenotype similar to that of YFC1004, an frxC-disrupted mutant, which did not synthesize chlorophyll (Chl) and accumulated Pchlide, a precursor to Chl, in the dark. These phenotypic characteristics of YFM6D-3 indicate that the light-independent reduction of Pchlide requires not only the FrxC protein but also the ORF467 protein. The amino acid sequences of the homologues of ORF467 exhibit low but significant similarity to those of the alpha and beta subunits of nitrogenase MoFe-protein, suggesting a phylogenetic relationship between the light-independent Pchlide reductase and nitrogenase, as is observed between the FrxC protein and the Fe-protein of nitrogenase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In vivo effects of chlorophyllin on the antitumour agent cyclophosphamide.

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a potent antitumour agent used against many forms of cancer and against certain other diseases. Chlorophyllin (CHL), which is obtained by hydrolysis of chlorophyll to remove phytyl alcohol, is an efficient antimutagenic agent and has been used as a dietary supplement or to diminish the intensity of the discomforting side effects of CP therapy. We undertook to determine the antimutagenic effectiveness of CHL against CP in a mouse model and to determine whether the antitumour efficacy of CP was compromised in vivo by CHL treatment. Experiments utilised CHL administered either in drinking water (1%) for 2 days before treatment, or by gavage (200 mg/kg) 2 hr before treatment with CP (220 mg/kg). Urinary mutagenicity following CP treatment, as determined by the Salmonella/microsome assay, was decreased by both regimes of CHL co-treatment. Similarly, the increase in micronuclei in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes in response to CP was reduced by concomitant CHL treatment. In contrast, antitumour efficacy, as determined by growth delay of Colon 38 adenocarcinomas, was not diminished by CHL treatment. We conclude that CHL may have beneficial effects when used in combination with CP therapy.

Animals↗

Adenoviruses synergize with nuclear localization signals to enhance nuclear delivery and photodynamic action of internalizable conjugates containing chlorin e6.

Photosensitizers, molecules that produce active oxygen species upon activation by visible light, are currently being used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat cancer and other conditions, where limitations include normal cells and tissue damage and associated side effects, and the fact that cytotoxic effects are largely restricted to the plasma and other peripheral membranes. In this study, we used insulin-containing conjugates to which variants of the simian-virus-SV40 large-tumor antigen (T-ag) nuclear localization signal (NLS) were linked in order to target the photosensitizer chlorin e6 to the nucleus. NLSs were included either as peptides coupled co-valently to the carrier bovine serum albumin, or within the coding sequence of beta-galactosidase fusion proteins. The most potent photosensitizing conjugate was the NLS-containing T-ag beta-galactosidase fusion protein (P10)-(chlorin e6)-insulin, exhibiting an EC50 more than 2400-fold lower than the value for free chlorin e6, and more than 15-fold lower than that of an NLS-deficient beta-galactosidase-(chlorin e6)-insulin construct, thus demonstrating that NLSs can increase the photosensitizing activity of chlorin e6. Attenuated adenoviruses were used to increase the nuclear delivery of conjugates through its endosomal-membrane-disrupting activity. In the case of the NLS-containing P10-conjugate, co-incubation with adenovirus increased the proportion of cells whose nuclear photosensitizing activity was higher than that in the cytoplasm by 2.5-fold. This use of adenoviruses in conjunction with photosensitizers has clear implications for achieving efficient cell-type-specific PDT.

Adenoviridae↗

Clastogenic activity of pure chlorophyll and anticlastogenic effects of equivalent amounts of crude extract of Indian spinach leaf and chlorophyllin following dietary supplementation to mice.

Dietary consumption of green vegetables has been associated with protection against mutagenic and clastogenic activity of genotoxicants. Chlorophyll, being present in all green plants, had earlier been suggested to be the principal factor involved. Mice were administered (i) crude aqueous extract of leaf of Indian spinach, Beta vulgaris L. var.benghalensis Hort., and equivalent amounts of (ii) chlorophyll extracted from the leaf; (iii) purified chlorophyll, (iv) chlorophyllin, a sodium-copper derivative of chlorophyll; daily for 7 days. On day 7, one set of mice from each treatment was administered potassium dichromate-a known metallic clastogen. The mice were sacrificed after 24 hours. Chromosome preparations were made from bone marrow following the usual colchicine-air dry-Giemsa schedule. The cytogenetic endpoints scored were chromosomal aberrations and damaged cells. Crude leaf extract and chlorophyllin were nonclastogenic and reduced the clastogenic effects of potassium dichromate to the control distilled water level. Chlorophyll alone, whether extracted from the leaf or obtained in commercially purified form, was clastogenic and could reduce the effects of the chromium salt only to its own level. The protective action of the crude leaf extract may be attributed to the total effect of the interaction between the different components within the leaf extract, in which the clastogenicity of chlorophyll had been neutralized.

Animals↗

Effects of tea and chlorophyllin on the mutagenicity of N-hydroxy-IQ: studies of enzyme inhibition, molecular complex formation, and degradation/scavenging of the active metabolites.

Green tea and black tea inhibit the formation of carcinogen-DNA adducts and colonic aberrant crypts in rats given 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4, 5-f]quinoline (IQ), a mutagen from cooked meat. The Salmonella mutagenicity assay was used in the present study to test individual constituents of tea as inhibitors of 2-hydroxyamino-3-methylimidazo[4, 5-f]quinoline (N-hydroxy-IQ), a direct-acting metabolite of IQ. Testing of pure compounds at doses relevant to their levels in tea identified epigallocatechin (EGC) and epigalocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as the primary antimutagens. Studies of the inhibitory mechanisms established that the rate of degradation of N-hydroxy-IQ under aqueous conditions was not increased significantly in the presence of tea, in contrast to the results obtained with the complexing agent chlorophyllin (CHL), which rapidly degraded the mutagen. Interaction between N-hydroxy-IQ and several tea constituents was detected in spectrophotometric studies, but the binding constants were only on the order of 1 x 10(3) M-1, suggesting that mechanisms other than complex formation might prevail under the conditions of the Salmonella assay. Comparison of the results in two different strains of Salmonella typhimurium, TA98 and TA98/1,8-DNP6, indicated that the antimutagenic activity of EGCG was dependent, at least in part, on a functional O-acetyltransferase activity in the bacteria. These studies suggest that tea constituents inhibit the enzyme(s) which generate the aryl nitrenium ion and directly scavenge the reactive electrophile, whereas CHL complexes with heterocyclic amines and facilitates the degradation of active metabolites.

Antimutagenic Agents↗

Sensitization of cells to ionizing radiation by chlorin e6Na.

We have investigated whether a hydrophilic photosensitizer, chlorin e6Na (Ce6Na), can sensitize cells to ionizing radiation. When V79-1 cells were pretreated with Ce6Na for 2 hr before receiving a dose of 2-14 Gy of irradiation, the cells became sensitive to X-irradiation. The sensitizing effect of Ce6Na depended on the dose of Ce6Na. The sensitizing effect also depended on the length of the treatment period before X-irradiation up to 4 hr, but not on the length of a treatment period after X-irradiation. Intracellular concentrations of Ce6Na were increased linearly after incubation with Ce6Na for periods of up to 4 h. The dose-modifying factor calculated from the survival curve was 1.25.

Animals↗

Postnatal effect of arecoline on chlorophyllin-modulated hepatic biotransformation system enzymes in suckling neonate and lactating mice.

The present study evaluates the potential of arecoline alkaloid on chlorophyllin (CHL) modulated levels of hepatic biotransformation system enzymes in suckling neonate and lactating mice. CHL [50, 100, or 200 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)/day] induced significant increases in the hepatic levels of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and sulfhydryl (-SH) in lactating dams and suckling pups of 14 or 21 days. The depleted level of hepatic Cytochrome (Cyt.) P-450 was observed only in lactating dams given 200 mg/kg b.w. CHL. Arecoline (20 mg/kg b.w.) could depress the CHL-induced levels of hepatic GST and -SH, while Cyt. P-450 and Cyt. b5 levels remained unaltered by arecoline alone or arecoline plus CHL treatment. In lactating dams the modulated levels of hepatic biotransformation system enzymes potentially could affect the detoxication efficacy of administered chemicals besides influencing the rate and extent of passage of metabolites to suckling neonate.

Animals↗

Chemiluminescence of iron-chlorophyllin.

The iron-chlorophyllin complex was found to be chemiluminescent (CL) in an acetonitrile (22%)/water mixed solvent. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide, when iron-chlorophyllin was added to the mixed solvent, a sharp CL signal immediately appeared. Also, analysis of the absorption spectra revealed decomposition of iron-chlorophyllin (based on decrease in absorbance at 396 nm), hence iron-chlorophyllin is the CL substance. Moreover, the CL intensity decreased in the presence of potassium thiocyanate (KSCN), indicating that the axial coordinative position of iron-chlorophyllin acts as a point of catalytic activation. In addition, when fluorophores were present with iron-chlorophyllin CL, their CL intensity values were similar to or greater than that of the well-known trichlorophenylperoxalate ester (TCPO) CL. Thus, during the decomposition reaction of iron-chlorophyllin, the latter transfers its energy to the coexisting fluorophores. Moreover, since the decomposed compound in this CL reaction had a fluorescence, it was found that the iron-chlorophyllin also functions as an energy donor. Therefore, the iron-chlorophyllin complex acts not only as a CL substance, but also as a catalyst and energy donor in the reaction.

Catalysis↗

Human serum albumin complexes with chlorophyll and chlorophyllin.

Porphyrins and their metal derivatives are strong protein binders. Some of these compounds have been used for radiation sensitization therapy of cancer and are targeted to interact with cellular DNA and protein. The presence of several high-affinity binding sites on human serum albumin (HSA) makes it possible target for many organic and inorganic molecules. Chlorophyll a and chlorophyllin (a food-grade derivative of chlorophyll), the ubiquitous green plant pigment widely consumed by humans, are potent inhibitors of experimental carcinogenesis and interact with protein and DNA in many ways. This study was designed to examine the interaction of HSA with chlorophyll (Chl) and chlorophyllin (Chln) in aqueous solution at physiological conditions. Fourier transform infrared, UV-visible, and CD spectroscopic methods were used to determine the pigment binding mode, the binding constant, and the effects of porphyrin complexation on protein secondary structure. Spectroscopic results showed that chlorophyll and chlorophyllin are located along the polypeptide chains with no specific interaction. Stronger protein association was observed for Chl than for Chln, with overall binding constants of K(Chl) = 2.9 x 10(4)M(-1) and K(Chln) = 7.0 x 10(3)M(-1). The protein conformation was altered (infrared data) with reduction of alpha-helix from 55% (free HSA) to 41-40% and increase of beta-structure from 22% (free HSA) to 29-35% in the pigment-protein complexes. Using the CDSSTR program (CD data) also showed major reduction of alpha-helix from 66% (free HSA) to 58 and 55% upon complexation with Chl and Chln, respectively.

Chlorophyll↗

DNA-binding properties and photocleavage activity of cationic water-soluble chlorophyll derivatives.

Three cationic water-soluble chlorin e(6) derivatives, that is, 6a-,gammab-,7c-tris(2-trimethylammonioethyl)chlorin e(6) (1), 6a-,gammab-,7c-tris(3-methylpyridiniummethyl)chlorin e(6) (2), and 6a-,gammab-, 7c-tris(2-trimethylammonioethyl)-2-(3-trimethylammonioprop-1-enyl)chlorin e(6) (3), have been designed and synthesized to allow the study of their DNA-binding and -photocleavage activities. The DNA-unwinding assay, measurements of melting temperatures of double-stranded DNA, and the induced CD and visible absorption spectra have revealed that 1 and 3 are intercalated into the base pairs of the double-helical DNA, while 2 is bound to outside the minor groove of the double-helical DNA. The cationic water-soluble chlorin e(6) derivatives effectively cleave the double-helical DNA under photoirradiation and the DNA-photocleavage activity increases in the order 3>1>2. The DNA-binding and -photocleavage characteristics of the three cationic water-soluble chlorin e(6) derivatives are influenced by aspects of their molecular structure, such as the kind, number, and position of the cationic substituents.

Cations↗

Chlorophyllin-enhanced excretion of urinary and fecal mutagens in rats given 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline.

Sodium/copper chlorophyllin (CHL) is a water-soluble derivative of chlorophyll that exhibits antimutagenic activity in several short-term genotoxicity assays and inhibits carcinogen-DNA binding in vivo. The effect of CHL pretreatment on the excretion of mutagens in the urine and feces of male Sprague-Dawley rats has been studied using the Salmonella mutagenicity assay. Animals were given 1 percent CHL in the drinking water for 2 days before administering a single dose of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo-[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) by oral gavage. Rats pretreated with CHL had higher levels of mutagens in the urine and feces compared with animals given IQ alone; 48 hr after IQ administration, the total mutagenic dose excreted was < 4% in controls vs. 18% in rats given CHL. Mutagenicity required the presence of an activation system, was unaffected by treatment with beta-glucuronidase or arylsulfatase, and in both the urine and feces was accounted for by increased elimination of unmetabolized parent compound. The results support the view that CHL may operate in vivo as a "desmutagen" or interceptor molecule, interacting with IQ in the gut and tissues, and reducing carcinogen bioavailability.

Animals↗

Antimutagenic potency of chlorophyllin in the Salmonella assay and its correlation with binding constants of mutagen-inhibitor complexes.

Chlorophyllin (CHL) is a water-soluble salt of chlorophyll that exhibits antimutagenic activity in short-term genotoxicity assays and inhibits carcinogen-DNA binding in vivo. The antimutagenic potency of CHL was studied against several structurally related heterocyclic amines using the Salmonella assay. The mutagens included 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5,-f]-quinoline (IQ) and seven related IQ-type compounds, and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-2) and three additional non-IQ-type compounds. No relationship was observed between mutagenic potency (revertants/ng mutagen) and antimutagenic potency when expressed in terms of the CHL dose/plate-inhibiting mutagenicity by 50 percent (I50). However, a correlation was observed between mutagenic potency and the mole ratio of CHL to mutagen giving 50% inhibition (MR50), with most mutagens requiring several hundredfold to several thousandfold molar excess of CHL for inhibition. In spectrophotometric studies, CHL formed noncovalent molecular complexes with the heterocyclic amines, with binding constants in the range 3-13 x 10(3) M-1. Binding constants were inversely correlated with I50 and MR50 values, i.e., with increasing strength of complex formation less CHL/plate and a lower mole ratio of CHL to mutagen was required to inhibit mutagenicity. The results support an inhibitory mechanism in which chlorophylls operate as "interceptor molecules," interacting with carcinogens and mutagens directly and limiting their bioavailability.

Amines↗

Tetrapyrroles as inhibitors of normal cartilage metabolism: relative potency of different compounds.

The present study was designed to explore the role of different tetrapyrroles as inhibitors of cartilage metabolism. We studied the effects of tetrapyrroles on the incorporation of [35S]sulfate into proteoglycans, [14C]-leucine into protein, and [3H]uridine into the RNA of normal cartilage from two different vertebrate classes using the embryonic chicken pelvic rudiment bioassay and the hypophysectomized rat costal cartilage bioassay, both very sensitive to cartilage growth factors and growth inhibitors. We compared the relative potencies of the following compounds: both metalloporphyrins (heme and chlorophyllin), linear tetrapyrroles (bilirubin), and heme proteins (hemoglobin, myoglobin, and cytochrome c). Hemoglobin and heme were the most potent inhibitors of rat cartilage metabolism, and bilirubin was a far more potent inhibitor of embryonic chick cartilage metabolism. Chlorophyllin had moderate inhibitory activity, especially on chick cartilage, whereas cytochrome c was inactive in these bioassays. Surprisingly, myoglobin was relatively ineffective despite its close similarity to heme and hemoglobin. The bilirubin-induced inhibition of sulfate incorporation into chick cartilage was partially prevented when glutathione was included in the incubation medium, suggesting that a free-radical mechanism may be involved. There were significant differences in the sensitivity of the two cartilages studied, indicating there may be species-dependent sensitivity to different tetrapyrroles.

Animals↗