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The effect of amino acids and amino acid derivatives on cell proliferation.

The effect of certain amino acids and amino acid derivatives on cell proliferation have been studied in the author's Institute for more than 25 years. The optically active forms of arginine, lysine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid influence the growth of transplantable rat tumors. L-arginine, D-lysine, L-aspartic acid and D-glutamic acid promoted; D-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, D-arginine and L-lysine inhibited tumour growth. E-amino trimethyl-lysine (TML) stimulated cell proliferation in various cell systems (bone marrow, small intestine, cultured lymphocytes). When administered simultaneously with high doses of Cyclophosphamide, Vincristin or Doxorubicin to tumour-bearing mice, TML decreased the toxicity of the antitumour drugs, resulting in a higher rate of survivors. L-leucine methyl ester caused cell death of mouse peritoneal macrophages by inducing disruption of macrophages.

Amino Acids↗

Bioactivation of chemopreventive selenocysteine Se-conjugates and related amino acids by amino acid oxidases novel route of metabolism of selenoamino acids.

Several selenocysteine Se-conjugates have been shown to possess potent chemopreventive activity in animal models for chemical carcinogenesis. As a mechanism of action, beta-elimination reactions to form chemopreventive selenols, ammonia, and pyruvate has been proposed. The enzymes involved in these beta-elimination reactions, however, have been partially elucidated. Next to cysteine conjugate beta-lyases, as yet unidentified non-pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes also appear to be involved in cytosolic beta-elimination reactions. In the present study, it was investigated whether amino acid oxidases contribute to the bioactivation of selenocysteine Se-conjugates. Using purified L-amino acid oxidase from Crotalus adamanteus as a model enzyme, significant beta-elimination activities were indeed observed upon incubation with Se-methylselenocysteine (K(m), 195 microM; k(cat), 48 min(-1)), Se-allylselenocysteine (K(m), 608 microM; k(cat), 34 min(-1)), Se-phenylselenocysteine (K(m), 107 microM; k(cat), 57 min(-1)) and Se-benzylselenocysteine (K(m), 59 microM; k(cat), 13 min(-1)). For all selenocysteine Se-conjugates tested, the rate of pyruvate formation was comparable to that of hydrogen peroxide, one of the products of oxidative deamination. The fact that addition of catalase did not alter pyruvate formation indicated that the beta-elimination reaction observed was not mediated by selenoxidation/syn-elimination due to the hydrogen peroxide formed via the oxidative deamination pathway. Using D-amino acid oxidase from porcine kidney and D-SeCys conjugates similar results were obtained. To delineate whether mammalian L-amino acid oxidases are also able to catalyze beta-elimination of selenocysteine Se-conjugates, rat renal cytosol was fractionated and screened for beta-elimination and oxidative deamination activities. One of the fractions isolated displayed oxidative deamination activity with several amino acids and cysteine S-conjugates. With selenocysteine Se-conjugates as substrates, however, this fraction displayed both oxidative deamination and beta-elimination activities, when incubated in the presence of aminoxyacetic acid to block contribution of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes. The potential significance of this novel bioactivation route for the chemopreventive activity of selenocysteine Se-conjugates is discussed.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Novel class of amino acid antagonists at non-N-methyl-D-aspartic acid excitatory amino acid receptors. Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, and neuroprotection.

The isoxazole amino acid 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl) propionic acid (AMPA) (1), which is a highly selective agonist at the AMPA subtype of excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors, has been used as a lead for the development of two novel EAA receptor antagonists. One of the compounds, 2-amino-3-[3-(carboxymethoxy)-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl]propionic acid (AMOA, 7), was synthesized via O-alkylation by ethyl chloroacetate of the amino acid protected AMPA derivative 4. The other compound, 2-amino-3-[2-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)-methyl-5-methyl-3-+ ++oxoisoxazolin -4-yl]propionic acid (AMNH, 14) was synthesized with use of 4-(chloromethyl)-3-methoxy-5-methylisoxazole (8) as the starting material. The intermediate 4-(chloromethyl)-2-(3-methoxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)methyl-5-me thylisoxazolin- 3-one (11) was converted into the acetamidomalonate (12), which was stepwise deprotected to give 14. Compounds 7 and 14 were stable in aqueous solution at pH values close to physiological pH. Neither 7 nor 14 showed detectable affinities for the receptor, ion channel, or modulatory sites of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor complex. Quantitative receptor autoradiographic and conventional binding techniques were used to study the affinities of 7 and 14 for non-NMDA receptor sites. Both compounds were inhibitors of the binding of [3H]AMPA (IC50 = 90 and 29 microM, respectively). Compounds 14 and 7 were both very weak inhibitors of the high-affinity binding of radioactive kainic acid [( 3H]KAIN). Compound 14, but not 7, was, however, shown to be an inhibitor of low-affinity [3H]KAIN binding (IC50 = 40 microM) as determined in the presence of 100 mM calcium chloride. In the rat cortical slice preparation, 7 was shown to antagonize excitation induced by 1 with some selectivity, whereas 14 proved to be a rather selective antagonist of KAIN-induced excitation. Both antagonists showed very weak effects on the excitatory effects of NMDA. Compound 7 was a poor antagonist of excitation by quisqualic acid (2), whereas 14 did not affect excitation by this nonselective AMPA receptor agonist. On cat spinal neurones, both 7 and 14 reduced excitations by 1 and KAIN, but, again, the excitatory effects of 2 were much less sensitive. Compound 14 and, in particular, 7 effectively protected rat striatal neurones against the neurotoxic effects of KAIN, whereas the toxic effects of 1 were reduced only by 7. Neither antagonist showed protection against the cell damage caused by intrastriatal injection of the NMDA agonist quinolinic acid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Enantioseparation of aromatic amino acids and amino acid esters by capillary electrophoresis with crown ether and prediction of enantiomer migration orders by a three-dimensional quantitative structure-property relationship/comparative field analysis model.

The complete enantioseparations of eight aromatic amino acids and four alkyl esters of 2-phenylglycine were achieved by chiral capillary electrophoresis employing 20 mM Tris-citric acid background electrolyte (pH 2.50) containing 5.0 mM of (+)-18-crown-6-tetracarboxylic acid. The relative migration times (RMTs) to that of 6-aminonicotinic acid were characteristic of each enantiomer with good within-day precisions (% relative standard deviation (RSD) < or = 2.0). Quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) modeling based on comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) was performed to investigate the correlation between the molecular field descriptor values of each enantiomer studied as analyte and its RMT. The resulting CoMFA model allowed reliable prediction for the RMT values (q2= 0.406, r2 = 0.996), thus being expected to become a valuable tool to predict enantiomer migration orders (EMOs) of amino acids and amines whose pure enantiomers are unavailable. The CoMFA steric fields supported the well-established chiral recognition mechanism based on molecular interaction between chiral selector (+)-18-crown-6-tetracarboxylic acid and amino acid enantiomers.

Amino Acids, Aromatic↗

N-Benzoyl derivatives of amino acids and amino acid analogs as growth inhibitors in microbial antitumor screen.

Twenty-seven N-benzoyl derivatives of amino acids and amino acid analogs were prepared and tested for growth-inhibitory activity in a microbial antitumor screen. Of these, 19 showed some inhibitory capacity, from a modest 13% to a potent 96% at 1 mg/ml. The activities of the "modest" inhibitors were comparable to those of most inhibitory chloracetyl and trifluoroacetyl derivatives reported earlier. The intermediate inhibitors were as active as N-chloroacetyl-beta-hydroxy-D-norleucine isomer B, the most active acyl derivative noted previously. The most active compounds in this study were N-benzoyl-p-chloro-DL-phenylalanine and N-benzoyl-m-fluoro-DL-phenylalanine, which inhibited the test organism almost completely under the assay conditions.

Amino Acids↗

Chemical modification of D-amino acid oxidase. Amino acid sequence of the tryptic peptides containing tyrosine and lysine residues modified by fluorodinitrobenzene.

D-Amino acid oxidase can be inactivated by covalent modification of predominantly tyrosine residue(s) at pH 7.4 by a low molar excess of fluorodinitrobenzene, which appears to act as an active site-directed reagent (Nishino, T., Massey, V., and Williams, C. H., Jr. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 3610-3616). Peptide mapping by high performance liquid chromatography of tryptic digests of protein modified with radiolabeled reagent revealed two major radioactive fractions with substantially different retention times which were not observed in protein modified in the presence of benzoate, a potent competitive inhibitor. Isolation and sequence analysis of the major radiolabeled peptides, as well as other direct chemical analyses, are presented which unambiguously demonstrate that these fractions represent modification of two different regions of the protein. The majority of the radiolabel was found within a 61-amino acid residue peptide containing an O-DNP-tyrosine residue exclusively at position 17. The substantial sequence surrounding this tyrosine residue indicates that it is different from that shown to react with N-chloro-D-leucine (Ronchi, S., Galliano, M., Minchiotti, L., Curti, B., Rudie, N. G., Porter, D. J. T., and Bright, H. J. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 6044-6046). The second fraction consisted of a 12-residue peptide containing an epsilon-DNP-lysine residue at position 5. Together, these two modified amino acids represented 0.89 mol of DNP incorporated/protein monomer. Both modifications must contribute to inactivation to account for the 90% decrease in enzymatic activity. Evidence is presented which suggests that both groups are within the active center of the enzyme and are modified in a mutually exclusive manner.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of mating on oogenesis induced by amino acid infusion, amino acid feeding, or blood feeding in the mosquito Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae).

Hemocoel infusion of an amino acid mixture at a concentration of 7.5% and 10% (wt:vol) for 24 h rarely activated ovarian development in either mated or unmated females of Anopheles stephensi Liston. Infusion of either concentration mixture for 48 h into unmated females was also scarcely stimulatory, but the same 48 h infusion into mated females resulted in ovarian maturation in 25% (7.5% mixture) or in 78% (10% mixture) of the infused specimens. Similarly, feeding on an amino acid mixture (7.5%) containing sugar induced 44% ovarian maturation among mated females, while only 3% of unmated females showed matured oocytes. The increase of hemolymph amino acid concentration levels may be one of the essential factors for oogenesis of An. stephensi, and mating enhances ovarian development, especially in females ingesting poor meals. However, some additional factor(s) may be included for full development comparable to that induced by blood meals.

Amino Acids↗

Efficient acylation of the N-terminus of highly hindered C(alpha)(alpha)-disubstituted amino acids via amino acid symmetrical anhydrides.

[reaction: see text] Fmoc amino acid symmetrical anhydrides are efficient and readily available reagents for acylation of the N-terminus of highly hindered C(alpha)(alpha)-dialkylated alpha-amino acids. Comparison of a variety of coupling protocols showed that the symmetrical anhydride method always provided the superior results. This method was successfully applied to the solid-phase synthesis of a peptide containing three alpha(alpha)AAs at alternating positions.

Acylation↗

Capillary electrophoretic separation of enantiomers of amino acids and amino acid derivatives using crown ether and cyclodextrin.

The capillary zone electrophoresis using (+)-18-crown-6-tetracarbonic acid as a chiral selector was a suitable method for the enantiomeric separation of racemates of amino acids and of some amino acid derivatives (esters, dipeptides). The influence of the chemical structure of the compounds on the separation was investigated. After optimization of the separation conditions, baseline separations were obtained for most racemates. The addition of acetonitrile and TBAB yielded an improvement of the separation. Improved selectivity was further observed by the application of a cyclodextrin, HP-beta-CD, in combination with the crown ether.

Amino Acids↗

Comparison of benzyl alcohol dehydrogenases and benzaldehyde dehydrogenases from the benzyl alcohol and mandelate pathways in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and from the TOL-plasmid-encoded toluene pathway in Pseudomonas putida. N-terminal amino acid sequences, amino acid compositions and immunological cross-reactions.

1. N-Terminal sequences were determined for benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase, benzaldehyde dehydrogenase I and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase II from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus N.C.I.B. 8250, benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase encoded by the TOL plasmid pWW53 in Pseudomonas putida MT53 and yeast K(+)-activated aldehyde dehydrogenase. Comprehensive details of the sequence determinations have been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50161 (5 pages) at the British Library Document Supply Centre, Boston Spa. Wetherby. West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1991) 273. 5. The extent of sequence similarity suggests that the benzyl alcohol dehydrogenases are related to each other and also to established members of the family of long-chain Zn2(+)-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases. Benzaldehyde dehydrogenase II from Acinetobacter appears to be related to the Pseudomonas TOL-plasmid-encoded benzaldehyde dehydrogenase. The yeast K(+)-activated aldehyde dehydrogenase has similarity of sequence with the mammalian liver cytoplasmic class of aldehyde dehydrogenases but not with any of the Acinetobacter or Pseudomonas enzymes. 2. Antisera were raised in rabbits against the three Acinetobacter enzymes and both of the Pseudomonas enzymes, and the extents of the cross-reactions were determined by immunoprecipitation assays with native antigens and by immunoblotting with SDS-denatured antigens. Cross-reactions were detected between the alcohol dehydrogenases and also among the aldehyde dehydrogenases. This confirms the interpretation of the N-terminal sequence comparisons and also indicates that benzaldehyde dehydrogenase I from Acinetobacter may be related to the other two benzaldehyde dehydrogenases. 3. The amino acid compositions of the Acinetobacter and the Pseudomonas enzymes were determined and the numbers of amino acid residues per subunit were calculated to be: benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase and TOL-plasmid-encoded benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase, 381; benzaldehyde dehydrogenase I and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase II, 525; TOL-plasmid-encoded benzaldehyde dehydrogenase, 538.

Acinetobacter↗

[Dependence of metabolic fecal amino acids on the amino acid content of the feed. 1. Metabolic fecal amino acids of rats fed with maize].

The amount of metabolic fecal amino acids (MFAA) in dependence on the amino acid intake was determined for graded maize rations with 15N-labelled rats and the quota of labelled endogenous amino acids in faeces was calculated according to the isotope dilution method. The excretion of amino acids and MFAA in faeces are described as functions of the amino acid intake for 17 amino acids and regressively calculated. For all 17 amino acids investigated, there was a more or less steep increase of MFAA according to an increasing amino acid intake. In contrast to MFAA in N-free feeding, MFAA in feeding with pure maize (16.5% crude protein) increase to the 2- to 4.5-fold value. The thesis of the constancy of the excretion of MFAA can consequently be no longer maintained. The true digestibility according to the conventional method is, on an average of all amino acids, 7.3 units below the one ascertained according to the 15N-isotope method. For the limiting amino acids lysine and threonine the difference is biggest (23 resp. 17 units). Tryptophane as first limiting amino acid could not be determined. The true digestibility of nearly all amino acids ascertained for maize according to the isotope method is above 90%. For the limiting amino acids the expenditure resp. the loss of endogenous amino acids is biggest.

Amino Acids↗

D-Amino acids of the amino acid pool and occurrence of racemase and D-amino acid oxidase activities in Escherichia coli B.

Less than 20% of the amino acid content of the amino acid pool of Escherichia coli B exists in the D-form. Alanine, glutamic acid, and valine were shown by gas- chromatography to be partially in the D-form. Only D-alanine was formed by racemization in the crude extract of this organism. Alanine racemase was easily released from the membranes or vesicles but D-alanine oxidase activity remained firmly bound to the membrane. Most protein amino acids stimulated proline uptake into the vesicles, and the oxidative deamination activities were verified by the proline uptake stimulating amino acids. It is concluded that the obligatory pathway of L-amino acid--D-amino acid--oxo acid which exists in the oxidation of L-alanine does not exist with other L-amino acids. It is likely that other D-amino acids in the pool are formed in the presence of D-amino acid oxidase or D-amino acid aminotransferase.

Alanine Racemase↗

THE EXCITATION AND DEPRESSION OF MAMMALIAN CORTICAL NEURONES BY AMINO ACIDS.

Amino acids related to L-glutamic and gamma-amino-n-butyric acid have been administered electrophoretically, and by pressure ejection, into the extraneuronal environment of single neurones in the pericruciate cortex of cats anaesthetized with allobarbitone or allobarbitone-urethane. Acidic amino acids related to glutamic acid, particularly N-methyl-D-aspartic acid, excited cortical neurones. Neutral amino acids related to gamma-amino-n-butyric acid, particularly 3-amino-1-propanesulphonic acid, depressed cortical neurones. Some of the depressants blocked the antidromic invasion of Betz cells by pyramidal volleys. There are no essential differences between the sensitivities of cortical and spinal neurones towards locally administered amino acids. A transmitter function of such amino acids within the mammalian central nervous system is considered unlikely.

Acetates↗

Amino acid-amino acid contacts at the cooperativity interface of the bacteriophage lambda and P22 repressors.

The bacteriophage lambda repressor and its relatives bind cooperatively to adjacent as well as artificially separated operator sites. This cooperativity is mediated by a protein-protein interaction between the DNA-bound dimers. Here we use a genetic approach to identify two pairs of amino acids that interact at the dimer-dimer interface. One of these pairs is nonconserved in the aligned sequences of the lambda and P22 repressors; we show that a lambda repressor variant bearing the P22 residues at these two positions interacts specifically with the P22 repressor. The other pair consists of a conserved ion pair; we reverse the charges at these two positions and demonstrate that, whereas the individual substitutions abolish the interaction of the DNA-bound dimers, these changes in combination restore the interaction of both lambdacI and P22c2 dimers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Splanchnic exchange of amino acids after amino acid ingestion in patients with chronic renal insufficiency.

Splanchnic exchange (net uptake or release) of amino acids (AAs) was evaluated by measuring arterial-hepatic venous differences for AAs and hepatic blood flow in patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) and control subjects before and for 70 min after the ingestion of an AA mixture simulating an animal protein meal. In CRI after AA ingestion, splanchnic exchange area for total nonessential AAs (NEAAs) is increased 135% over control subjects because of an augmented escape of proline, glutamate, serine, glycine, alanine, and cyst(e)ine; contrarily, glutamine shows an increased splanchnic uptake. Splanchnic exchange area for total essential AAs (EAAs) is increased only by 67% over controls because of a higher escape of threonine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and histidine. Abnormalities in arterial areas for AAs parallel those in splanchnic areas except for glutamine and isoleucine. Data indicate that in CRI, at least for 70 min after an AA meal, splanchnic organs metabolize abnormally ingested AAs and export an increased and unbalanced bulk of AAs, severely affecting postprandial arterial profile of AAs.

Adult↗

Glucagon-induced autophagy and proteolysis in rat liver: mediation by selective deprivation of intracellular amino acids.

Amino acid deprivation and glucagon are both potent inducers of autography and proteolysis in liver. Because glucagon enhanced the metabolic utilization of some amino acids, the catabolic response to both of these stimuli could be achieved by a lowering of intracellular amino acid pools. Alternatively, glucagon could act independently of amino acids. To clarify the mode of hormonal action and also the relationship between the two cellular responses, livers from fed rats were perfused, with and without glucagon, with plasma amino acids over a concentration range of 0 to 10 times normal. Individual amino acids constancy at each level was ensured by perfusion in the single-pass mode. Amino acids alone strongly regulated autophagy and proteolysis in a coordinated fashion; maximal suppression was achieved at twice normal concentration; both effects increased rapidly to maximum at less than normal concentration. Corresponding effects of glucagon, however, could be elicited only at intermediate amino acid levels. None was noted at 4 and 10 times normal; at 0, hormonal stimulation was minimal. The amino acid inhibition was selective because it did not block cyclic AMP production or glycogenolysis. Intracellular pool measurements and systematic alteration of perfusate amino acid composition indicated that the autophagic and proteolytic effects of glucagon are mediated by a hormonally induced depletion of glycine, alanine, glutamate, and glutamine; of these, glutamine alone is the most effective. We conclude that the stimulation of intracellular protein degradation in liver is a manifestation of deprivation-induced autophagy which results from a decrease in certain intracellular glucogenic amino acids, notably glutamine.

Amino Acids↗

Wasting and the substrate-to-energy controlled pathway: a role for insulin resistance and amino acids.

Amino acids contained in proteins can be transformed either in glucose precursors or in acetate, the end product of free fatty acid (FFA) oxidation. The dynamics of glucose, FFA, and amino acid competition for entry into the citric acid cycle (tricarboxylic acid [TCA] cycle) are very complex and not fully understood. Conditions where glucose is insufficiently driven to full oxidation are characterized by lowest efficiency in energy production per mole of oxygen consumed. Moreover, acetate provided by oxidation of FFA increases consumption of amino acids as precursors of the oxaloacetate required for condensation with acetate and for maintenance of citrate synthesis. Increased consumption of amino acids in the TCA cycle, if not matched by adequate intake, leads to muscular wasting and cachexia. Therefore, amino acid needs are very complex, and their intake must provide a balanced ratio of glucogenic and ketogenic precursors suitable to trigger entry of glucose to full oxidation and blunt the level of FFA utilization. Optimization of substrate entry into energy production must also be coupled with sufficient availability of amino acids in ratios suitable for maintaining protein synthesis, inhibiting the catabolic drive, and promoting integrity of cellular proteic structures. Alimentary proteins have a content of amino acids that is far from the stoichiometric ratios of essential amino acids required by humans. An amino acid formulation suitable to match energy needs, control carbohydrate and lipid flow into the TCA cycle, and promote protein synthesis in contracting cells is detailed in this article.

Amino Acids, Essential↗