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Relationship of nervous tissue transketolase to the neuropathy in chronic uremia.

Patients with chronic uremia develop neurologic defects which are similar to the demyelinating lesions seen in thiamine deficiency. The present study describes inhibitory effects of uremic material on nervous tissue transketolase, a thiamine-dependent enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway which has been reported to have functional importance in the metabolism of myelinated nervous structures. Transketolase activity (TKA) of normal human brain and spinal cord was measured by the conversion of ribose-5-phosphate (R5P) to sedoheptulose-7-phosphate (S7P). TKA was significantly inhibited by plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and low molecular weight dialysate fractions obtained from patients with uremic neuropathy, but not by samples from normal subjects. The specific effect on transketolase by uremic material was established by showing suppressed formation of S7P from R5P also in the presence of excess cofactor thiamine pyrophosphate and of the other substrate xylulose-5-phosphate. Uremic plasma likewise inhibited a partially purified transketolase preparation from bakers' yeast.31 of 35 chronic uremic patients with inhibition values between 10 and 84% before or during the early phase of intermittent hemodialysis had evidence of neuropathy. Data of clinical grading of the neurologic deficits and values of motor nerve conduction velocity revealed a correlation between the extent of uremic neuropathy and the degree of nervous tissue transketolase inhibition. Hemodialysis markedly reduced the inhibitory effects of the patients' plasma and the data indicate that uremic patients who received effective long-term dialysis treatment show a parallel decline of transketolase inhibition and uremic neuropathy.The findings demonstrate that in patients with chronic renal failure, low molecular weight factors accumulate and inhibit nervous tissue transketolase. This biochemical defect-uncorrectable by thiamine but reversible by dialysis-may interfere with the metabolism of myelin-supporting cells, and/or of the axonal metabolism of medullated structures, and may thus contribute to the degeneration of myelinated nerves seen with uremic neuropathy.

Adolescent↗

The transketolase gene family of the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum: differential expression during the rehydration phase.

Transketolases, key enzymes of the reductive and oxidative pentose phosphate pathways, are responsible for the synthesis of sugar phosphate intermediates. Here we report the first molecular analysis of transketolase genes from plants. Three distinct classes of transketolase-encoding cDNA clones were isolated from the desiccation-tolerant resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum. One class represented by the transcript tkt3 is constitutively expressed in leaves and roots under all physiological conditions tested. By biochemical analysis and protein sequencing of purified transketolase, it was shown that tkt3 is expressed in three enzymatically active isoforms. An intriguing discovery was that accumulation of the two other transketolase transcripts, tkt7 and tkt10, is preferentially associated with the rehydration process of the desiccated plant; whereas tkt10 is only expressed in leaves, tkt7 was detected in leaves and roots. This observation suggests a possible role for these transketolases in the conversion of sugars, which are a major phenomenon in the rehydration process. Despite an abundant level of tkt7 and tkt10 transcripts in rehydrating leaves, proteins could not be isolated. This is due in part to a translational control mechanism acting on the loading of mRNAs to polysomes.

Adaptation, Biological↗

Effect of transketolase modifications on carbon flow to the purine-nucleotide pathway in Corynebacterium ammoniagenes.

Transketolase, one of the enzymes in the nonoxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway, operates to shuttle ribose 5-phosphate and glycolytic intermediates together with transaldolase, and might be involved in the availability of ribose 5-phosphate, a precursor of nucleotide biosynthesis. The tkt and tal genes encoding transketolase and transaldolase, respectively, were cloned from the typical nucleotide- and nucleoside-producing organism Corynebacterium ammoniagenes by a PCR approach using oligonucleotide primers derived from conserved regions of each amino acid sequence from other organisms. Enzymatic and molecular analyses revealed that the two genes were clustered on the genome together with the glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (zwf). The effect of transketolase modifications on the production of inosine and 5'-xanthylic acid was investigated in industrial strains of C. ammoniagenes. Multiple copies of plasmid-borne tkt caused about tenfold increases in transketolase activity and resulted in 10-20% decreased yields of products relative to the parents. In contrast, site-specific disruption of tkt enabled both producers to accumulate 10-30% more products concurrently with a complete loss of transketolase activity and the expected phenotype of shikimate auxotrophy. These results indicate that transketolase normally shunts ribose 5-phosphate back into glycolysis in these biosynthetic processes and interception of this shunt allows cells to redirect carbon flux through the oxidative pentose pathway from the intermediate towards the purine-nucleotide pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of transketolase substrates on holoenzyme reconstitution and stability.

The influence of transketolase substrates on the interaction of apotransketolase with its coenzyme thiamine diphosphate (TDP) and on the stability of the reconstituted holoenzyme was studied. Donor substrates increased the affinity of the coenzyme for transketolase, whereas acceptor substrate did not. In the presence of magnesium ions, the active centers of transketolase initially identical in TDP binding lose their equivalence in the presence of donor substrates. The stability of transketolase depended on the cation type used during its reconstitution--the holoenzyme reconstituted in the presence of calcium ions was more stable than the holoenzyme produced in the presence of magnesium ions. In the presence of donor substrate, the holoenzyme stability increased without depending on the cation used during the reconstitution. Donor substrate did not influence the interaction of apotransketolase with the inactive analog of the coenzyme N3'-pyridyl thiamine diphosphate and did not stabilize the transketolase complex with this analog. The findings suggest that the effect of the substrate on the interaction of the coenzyme with apotransketolase and on stability of the reconstituted holoenzyme is caused by generation of 2-(alpha,beta-dihydroxyethyl)thiamine diphosphate (an intermediate product of the transketolase reaction), which has higher affinity for apotransketolase than TDP.

Calcium↗

Variants of transketolase from human erythrocytes.

Analytical isoelectric focusing and a stain for transketolase have been applied to partially purified samples of human erythrocyte hemolysates and have detected individual species of transketolase having pI values of 6.6, 7.3, 7.5, 7.8, 8.1, 8.2, 8.4 and 9.2. Six different patterns of these species were detected in 25 healthy subjects. The species of pI 7.5, 7.8 and 8.1 were common to all six patterns. Species isolated by electrofocusing could be rerun in the same system with identical pI value. The addition of thiamin diphosphate to the staining mixture darkened some but not all bands of transketolase activity. Thus human erythrocyte transketolase is heterogeneous and appears to share with human fibroblast transketolase heterogeneity for affinity of the cofactor. This heterogeneity might need recognition when thiamin nutritional sufficiency is assessed by the 'thiamin diphosphate effect' on erythrocyte transketolase.

Erythrocytes↗

Interactions with hemoglobin: a source of error in measurements of transketolase activity in hemolysates.

Measurements of the activity of transketolase in human erythrocyte lysates by an assay coupled to NADH oxidation indicate that interactions of assay substrates with hemoglobin can give rise to overestimations of transketolase activity. Three potential sources of error are identified. Thus, in lysates containing methemoglobin, NADH oxidation can be due firstly to methemoglobin reductase activity or secondly to the monooxygenase activity of methemoglobin, for which the substrate can be ribose 5-phosphate, a substrate also of transketolase. Thirdly, the addition of high concentrations of the transketolase cofactor, TDP, to an insufficiently buffered reaction mixture can cause the aggregation and precipitation of hemoglobin: a phenomenon that may be misconstrued as an enhanced increase in absorbance at 340 nm and hence as additional transketolase activity. Although the present study concentrates on these potential artefacts in assays of transketolase activity, the findings may well be relevant to the measurement of other enzyme activities in hemolysates by procedures based ultimately on the rate of consumption or production of NAD(P)H.

Chromatography, Gel↗

An enzymatic and immunochemical analysis of transketolase in fibroblasts from Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Transketolase in cultured skin fibroblasts from three patients with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (GM7504, 7505 and 7506) and matched controls was analyzed enzymatically and immunochemically with specific antisera generated against transketolase purified from human liver or red blood cells. The transketolase activity decreased by 45% in fibroblasts from the three Wernicke-Korsakoff patients, when compared to the activity in control cells. On immunoblots after SDS-PAGE, fibroblasts from the Wernicke-Korsakoff patients exhibited a 69-kDa species, a size similar to that of normal transketolase. The level of immunoreactivity was similar in the patient and control cells. The immunoblots of isoelectric focusing gels showed a major species of pI 8.6 with additional minor bands. However, the isoelectric focusing pattern of transketolase from the Wernicke-Korsakoff patients was also found in the majority of the control fibroblasts. Thus transketolase in fibroblasts from these Wernicke-Korsakoff patients is catalytically defective, but appears to be immunochemically normal.

Adult↗

Purification, properties and in situ localization of the amphibolic enzymes D-ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase and transketolase from spinach chloroplasts.

The amphibolic enzymes D-ribulose 5-phosphate 3-epimerase and transketolase have been purified from stroma extracts of spinach chloroplasts using ammonium sulfate fractionation and FPLC. For the native enzymes, a molecular mass of 180 kDa for epimerase and 160 kDa for transketolase was found and the molecular masses of the subunits was determined to be 23 kDa for epimerase and 74 kDa for transketolase. Protein sequencing of the purified chloroplast enzymes revealed the NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of mature epimerase (NH2-TSRVDKFSKSDIIVSP) and transketolase (NH2-AAVEALESTDTDQLVEG). The enzymic properties of both enzymes such as Km values or pH optima, were found to be very similar to those for epimerases and transketolases from other sources, including yeast and animal cells. In contrast to the light-activated enzymes of the Calvin cycle, the activity of these amphibolic enzymes was not redox-dependent. Immunogold electron microscopy on spinach leaf thin sections revealed that about 90% of the total epimerase and transketolase, and 96% of the total chloroplast H+-ATP synthase portion CF1 are associated with thylakoid membranes in situ. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, in contrast, was evenly distributed throughout chloroplasts. These and other results indicate that minor chloroplast enzymes are arranged in a thin layer on thylakoid membrane surfaces in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The interrelation transketolase and dihydroxyacetone synthase activities in the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii.

Crude extracts of Candida boidinii grown on glucose, xylose or ethanol gave single peaks of classical transketolase activity following chromatography, on columns of hydroxylapatite; the enzyme was heat-stable and showed no appreciable activity with formaldehyde as acceptor in place of ribose 5-phosphate. Extracts of methanol-grown cells showed two peaks of transketolase activity following chromatography on both hydroxylapatite and DEAE-cellulose. One peak was identified with that found for the cells grown on substrates other than methanol; the other peak showed dihydroxyacetone synthase activity in addition to transketolase activity. Both activities in the latter peak were very unstable and have been ascribed to one enzyme on the basis of identical rates of denaturation at all temperatures tested between 0 and 40 degrees C. It is suggested that this enzyme is a special transketolase synthesized only during methylotrophic growth of the yeast and in contrast to classical transketolase, is capable of using equally well either formaldehyde or ribose 5-phosphate as glycolaldehyde acceptor. A method based on heat treatment has been suggested for the simultaneous assay of both transketolases present in crude extracts of a methylotrophically grown yeast.

Aldehyde-Ketone Transferases↗

Transketolase A of Escherichia coli K12. Purification and properties of the enzyme from recombinant strains.

Transketolase A was purified to apparent homogeneity from recombinant Escherichia coli K12 cells carrying the homologous cloned tktA gene on a pUC19-derived plasmid. These recombinant cells exhibited a transketolase activity in crude extracts of up to 9.7 U/mg compared to < or = 0.1 U/mg in wild-type cells. Transketolase A was purified from crude extracts of a recombinant strain by successive ammonium sulfate precipitations and two anion-exchange chromatography steps (Q-Sepharose FF, Fractogel EMD-DEAE column) and afforded an apparently homogeneous protein band on SDS/PAGE. The enzyme, both in its active and apoform, had a molecular mass of 145,000 Da (+/- 10,000 Da), judged by gel-filtration chromatography. Subunits of 73,000 Da (+/- 2000 Da) were determined on SDS/PAGE, thus, transketolase A most likely forms a homodimer. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the protein verified the identity with the cloned gene tktA. The specific activity of the purified enzyme, determined at 30 degrees C with the substrates xylulose 5-phosphate (donor of C2 compound) and ribose 5-phosphate (acceptor) at an optimal pH (50 mM glycylglycine, pH 8.5), was 50.4 U/mg. Km values for the substrates xylulose 5-phosphate and ribose 5-phosphate were 160 microM and 1.4 mM, respectively. Km values for the other physiological substrates of transketolase A were 90 microM for erythrose 4-phosphate (best acceptor substrate), 2.1 mM for D,L-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, 1.1 mM for fructose 6-phosphate, and 4 mM for sedoheptulose 7-phosphate. Hydroxypyruvate served as alternative donor (Km = 18 mM). Unphosphorylated acceptor compounds were formaldehyde (Km = 31 mM), glycolaldehyde (14 mM), D,L-glyceraldehyde (10 mM) and D-erythrose (150 mM). The enzyme was competitively inhibited by D-arabinose 5-phosphate (K = 6 mM at a concentration of 2.5 mM D-arabinose 5-phosphate) or by the chelating agent EDTA. The inactive apoform of transketolase A was yielded by dialysis against buffer containing 10 mM EDTA, thus removing the cofactors thiamine diphosphate and divalent cations. The reconstitution of the apoenzyme proceded faster in the presence of manganese ions (Kd = 7 microM at 10 microM thiamine diphosphate) than with other divalent cations.

Escherichia coli↗

Identification and characterization of the tktB gene encoding a second transketolase in Escherichia coli K-12.

We isolated a transposon Tn10 insertion mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 which could not grow on MacConkey plates containing D-ribose. Characterization of the mutant revealed that the level of the transketolase activity was reduced to one-third of that of the wild type. The mutation was mapped at 63.5 min on the E. coli genetic map, in which the transketolase gene (tkt) had been mapped. A multicopy suppressor gene which complemented the tkt mutation was cloned on a 7.8-kb PstI fragment. The cloned gene was located at 53 min on the chromosome. Subcloning and sequencing of a 2.7-kb fragment containing the suppressor gene identified an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 667 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 72,973. Overexpression of the protein and determination of its N-terminal amino acid sequence defined unambiguously the translational start site of the gene. The deduced amino acid sequence showed similarity to sequences of transketolases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhodobacter sphaeroides. In addition, the level of the transketolase activity increased in strains carrying the gene in multicopy. Therefore, the gene encoding this transketolase was designated tktB and the gene formerly called tkt was renamed tktA. Analysis of the phenotypes of the strains containing tktA, tktB, or tktA tktB mutations indicated that tktA and tktB were responsible for major and minor activities, respectively, of transketolase in E. coli.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sialic acid, transketolase and Na+, K+, ATPase in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

We studied transketolase activity of red blood cell hemolysates, and Na+, K+, ATPase activity and sialic acid concentration in red blood cell membranes from 52 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 24 control subjects. Decreased red blood cell membrane Na+, K+, ATPase activity and sialic acid concentration and decreased transketolase in red blood cell hemolysates were observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with control subjects (p < 0.001). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values were increased in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with control subjects (p < 0.0001). Significant correlations between sialic acid and Na+, K+, ATPase (r = 0.65, p < 0.001) and between sialic acid and transketolase (r = 0.58, p < 0.001) were observed. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels did not correlate with Na+, K+, ATPase activity or with sialic acid or transketolase in rheumatoid arthritis patients. These data show that decreases in Na+, K+, ATPase, and transketolase activities and sialic acid concentration are present in rheumatoid arthritis patients, and that the decrease in Na+, K+, ATPase and transketolase activities in rheumatoid arthritis might be due to decreased sialic acid.

Adult↗

Erythrocyte transketolase activity in alcoholic liver disease.

Erythrocyte transketolase activity and its stimulation in vitro by the addition of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP effect) was measured in 64 normally nourished alcoholics with well-compensated liver disease and in 20 control subjects. Biochemical evidence of thiamine deficiency as judged by low transketolase activity was found in 19 alcoholics (29.7%). In 5 of these 19 patients the TPP effect was abnormally high, indicating depleted thiamine stores. IN the other 13 patients the TPP effect was either normal or low, suggesting a deficiency or an inability to use the transketolase apoenzyme, probably as a result o long-standing thiamine deficiency or the presence of liver disease. a further eight patients (12.5%) had normal transketolase activity but a low TPP effect, perhaps reflecting failure of hte coenzyme TPP to recombine with the transketolase apoenzyme in the presence of normal thiamine stores. There was no relationship between transketolase activity and the daily alcohol consumption, the duration of alcoholism, or the histological severity of the liver disease. Thiamine should be given routinely to alcoholics even if their diet appears adequate and their liver disease is minimal or well compensated.

Aged↗

Behavior of transaldolase (EC 2.2.1.2) and transketolase (EC 2.2.1.1) Activities in normal, neoplastic, differentiating, and regenerating liver.

The objective of this investigation was to throw light on the biological behavior and metabolic regulation of hepatic enzymes of the nonoxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway. The activities of transaldolase (EC 2.2.1.2) and trasketolase (EC 2.2.1.1) Were compared in biological conditions that involve modulation of gene expression such as in starvation, in differentiation, after partial hepatectomy, and in a spectrum of hepatomas of different growth rates. The enzyme activities were determined under optimal kinetic conditions by spectrophotometric methods in the 100,000 X g supernatant fluids prepared from tissue homogenates. The kinetic properties of transaldolase and transketolase were similar in normal liver and in rapidly growing hepatoma 3924A. For transaldolase, apparent Km values of 0.13 mM (normal liver) and 0.17 mM (hepatoma) were observed for erythrose 4-phosphate and of 0.30 to 0.35 mM for fructose 6-phosphate. The pH optima in liver and hepatoma were at approximately 6.9 to 7.2. For the transketolase substrates, ribose 5-phosphate and xylulose 5-phosphate, the apparent Km values were 0.3 and 0.5 mM, respectively, in both liver and hepatoma. A broad pH optimum around 7.6 was observed in both tissues. In organ distribution studies, enzyme activities were measured in liver, intestinal mucosa, thymus, kidney, spleen, brain, adipose tissue, lung, heart, and skeletal muscle. Taking the specific activity of liver as 100%, transaldolase activity was the highest in intestinal mucosa (316%) and in thymus (219%); it was the lowest in heart (53%) and in skeletal muscle (21%). Transketolase activity was highest in kidney (155%) and lowest in heart (26%) and skeletal muscle (23%). Starvation decreased transaldolase and transketolase activities in 6 days to 69 and 74%, respectively, of those of the liver of the normal, fed rat. This was in the same range as the decrease in the protein concentration (66%y. In the liver tumors, transaldolase activity was increased 1.5- to 3.4-fold over the activities observed in normal control rat liver. Transketolase activity showed no relationship to tumor proliferation rate. In the regenerating liver at 24 hr after partial hepatectomy, the activity of both pentose phosphate pathway enzymes was in the same range as that of the sham-operated controls. In differentiation at the postnatal age of 5, 12, 23, and 32 days, hepatic transaldolase activities were 33, 44, 55, and 72%, respectively, of the activities observed in the 60-day-old, adult male rat. During the same period, transketolase activ-ties were 18, 21, 26, and 55% of the activities observed in liver of adult rat. The demonstration of increased transaldolase activity in hepatomas, irrespective of the degree of tumor malignancy, differentiation, or growth rate, suggests that the reprogramming of gene expression in malignant transformation is linked with an increase in the expression of this pentose phosphate pathway enzyme...

Animals↗

The relationship between the thiamin pyrophosphate effect and the saturation status of the transketolase with its coenzyme in human erythrocytes.

The thiamin pyrophosphate effect has been used as a reliable index to evaluate the nutritional status of thiamin. But there has not been any report concerning whether or not the thiamin pyrophosphate effect really reflects the saturation status of transketolase with thiamin pyrophosphate. In this report we studied the relationship between the thiamin pyrophosphate effect and the saturation status of transketolase. First, we determined the thiamin pyrophosphate concentrations, transketolase activities, thiamin pyrophosphate effects, and transketolase concentrations in human hemolysates from 16 apparently healthy subjects. The molar ratio of thiamin pyrophosphate to transketolase was in inverse proportion to the thiamin pyrophosphate effect. Second, we prepared apotransketolase preparations and reconstituted it with various concentrations of thiamin pyrophosphate. The thiamin pyrophosphate effects in these preparations were in good correspondence with the ratios of apotransketolase. These results indicate that the thiamin pyrophosphate effect really reflects the saturation status of transketolase with coenzyme.

Adult↗

Yeast TKL1 gene encodes a transketolase that is required for efficient glycolysis and biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids.

A gene encoding transketolase, TKL1, was cloned from the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae using oligonucleotide primers derived from protein sequence data. The TKL1 sequence predicts a 74-kDa polypeptide which is related to other transketolases. A sequence comparison revealed that the transketolases can be subdivided into three evolutionary branches. We also found that the transketolases are related to another vitamin B1-dependent enzyme: the E1 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli. Gene disruption and overexpression experiments were used to investigate the function of transketolase in yeast. We found that growth on fermentable carbon sources, but not on gluconeogenic carbon sources, is reduced in cells disrupted for TKL1. This suggests that the glycolytic efficiency is impaired. Growth on fermentable carbon sources is also reduced in cells that overexpress TKL1. Finally, we found that cells disrupted for TKL1 are unable to grow in the absence of aromatic amino acids. This is most likely due to the fact that transketolase is required for the synthesis of erythrose-4-P, a precursor of the aromatic amino acids.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Studies of transketolase abnormality in Alzheimer's disease.

The partially purified transketolase from each of eight well-nourished patients with Alzheimer's disease contained significantly less heat-stable component with a significantly longer half-life of heat inactivation than that from eight controls. Immunochemical studies utilizing antibodies to the purified human liver transketolase did not distinguish between red blood cell transketolases of patients with Alzheimer's disease and those of controls. However, three brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease that were deficient in transketolase activity lacked a 69-kilodalton form on immunoblots. Subtle structural abnormalities of transketolase appear to occur in a high proportion of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Pentose-phosphate pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: analysis of deletion mutants for transketolase, transaldolase, and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Deletion mutants for the yeast transketolase gene TKL1 were constructed by gene replacement. Transketolase activity was below the level of detection in mutant crude extracts. Transketolase protein could be detected as a single protein band of the expected size by Western-blot analysis in wild-type strains but not in the deletion mutant. Deletion of TKL1 led to a reduced but distinct growth in synthetic medium without an aromatic amino-acid supplement. We also isolated double and triple mutants for transketolase (tkl1), transaldolase (tal1), and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (zwf1) by crossing the different mutants. A tal1 tkl1 double mutant grew nearly like wild-type in rich medium. Only the tkl1 zwf1 double and the tal1 tkl1 zwf1 triple mutant grew more slowly than the wild-type in rich medium. This growth defect could be partly alleviated by the addition of xylulose but not ribose. The triple mutant still grew slowly on a synthetic mineral salts medium without a supplement of aromatic amino acids. This suggests the existence of an alternative but limited source of pentose phosphates and erythrose 4-phosphate in the tkl1 zwf1 double mutants. Hybridization with low stringency showed the existence of a sequence with homology to transketolase, possibly a second gene.

Base Sequence↗