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Variable-temperature, variable-field magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopic study of the metal clusters in the DeltanifB and DeltanifH mofe proteins of nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii.

Deletion of nifB results in the formation of a variant nitrogenase MoFe protein (DeltanifB MoFe protein) that appears to contain two normal [8Fe-7S] P clusters. This protein can be reactivated to form the holo MoFe protein upon addition of isolated FeMo cofactor. In contrast, deletion of nifH results in a variant protein (DeltanifH MoFe protein) that appears to contain FeS clusters different from the normal P cluster, presumably representing precursors of the normal P cluster. The DeltanifH MoFe protein is not reconstituted to the holo MoFe protein with isolated FeMo cofactor. The EPR and EXAFS spectroscopic properties of FeS clusters in the DeltanifH MoFe protein clearly differ from those of the normal P cluster found in the DeltanifB MoFe protein and suggest the presence of [4Fe-4S]-like clusters. To further characterize the metal cluster structures in the DeltanifH MoFe protein, a variable-temperature, variable-field magnetic circular dichroism (VTVH-MCD) spectroscopic study has been undertaken on both the DeltanifB MoFe protein and the DeltanifH MoFe protein in both the dithionite-reduced and oxidized states. This study clearly shows that each half of the dithionite-reduced DeltanifH MoFe protein contains a [4Fe-4S]+ cluster paired with a diamagnetic [4Fe-4S]-like cluster. Upon oxidation, the VTVH-MCD spectrum of the DeltanifH MoFe protein reveals a paramagnetic, albeit EPR-silent system, suggesting an integer spin state. These results suggest that the DeltanifH MoFe protein contains a pair of neighboring, unusual [4Fe-4S]-like clusters, which are paramagnetic in their oxidized state.

Azotobacter vinelandii↗

Flavin-dependent alkyl hydroperoxide reductase from Salmonella typhimurium. 2. Cystine disulfides involved in catalysis of peroxide reduction.

The two-component alkyl hydroperoxide reductase enzyme system from Salmonella typhimurium catalyzes the pyridine nucleotide-dependent reduction of alkyl hydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide substrates. This system is composed of a flavoenzyme, AhpF, which is related to the disulfide-reducing enzyme thioredoxin reductase, and a smaller protein, AhpC, which lacks a chromophoric cofactor. We have demonstrated that NADH-linked reduction of AhpF under anaerobic conditions converts two cystine disulfide centers to their dithiol forms. The AhpC cystine disulfide center, shown to exist as an intersubunit disulfide bond, is stoichiometrically reducible by NADH in the presence of a catalytic amount of AhpF and can be reoxidized by ethyl hydroperoxide. Disulfide bridges within oxidized AhpF form between Cys129 and Cys132 and between Cys345 and Cys348; the two C-terminal half-cystine residues, Cys476 and Cys489, exist as free thiol groups in oxidized AhpF and play no role in catalysis. Removal of the N-terminal 202-amino acid segment containing the Cys129-Cys132 disulfide center obliterates the ability of AhpF to transfer electrons to 5,5'-dthiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) and AhpC. NADH added anaerobically to AhpF causes spectral changes consistent with preferential reduction of both disulfides relative to flavin reduction; the reduction potentials of the disulfide centers are thus appropriately poised for electron transfer from NADH and flavin to disulfide-containing substrates (AhpC or DTNB), and ultimately to peroxides from AhpC. Blue, neutral flavin semiquinone is also generated in high yields during reductive titrations (91% yield during dithionite titrations), although the relatively slow formation of this species indicates its catalytic incompetence. A long wavelength absorbance band beyond 900 nm attributable to an FADH2-->NAD+ charge transfer interaction is generated during NADH, but not dithionite, titrations and may be indicative of a species directly involved in the catalytic cycle. A catalytic mechanism including the transient formation of cysteine sulfenic acid within AhpC is proposed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Electron transfer from the aminosemiquinone reaction intermediate of methylamine dehydrogenase to amicyanin.

The tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) cofactor of methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH) is covalently modified by substrate-derived nitrogen during its two-electron reduction by methylamine to form an aminoquinol (N-quinol). An N-semiquinone, which retains the substrate-derived N, is the intermediate during the two sequential one-electron oxidations of N-quinol MADH by its physiologic electron acceptor, amicyanin. Electron transfer (ET) from N-quinol MADH to amicyanin is gated by the deprotonation of the substrate-derived amino group on TTQ in the enzyme active site, whereas ET reactions from dithionite-reduced quinol and semiquinone forms of MADH are rate-limited by the ET event. The ET reaction from the N-semiquinone intermediate is shown not to be gated, but rate-limited by the ET step. Marcus analysis of the reaction reveals that the ET reaction from the N-semiquinone MADH to amicyanin exhibits the same reorganizational energy and electronic coupling as do the ET reactions of the dithionite-reduced O-quinol and O-semiquinone forms. The rates of the ET reactions of these three different redox forms of MADH exhibit a DeltaG degrees dependence which is predicted by Marcus theory. The ET reaction of the N-semiquinone is relatively insensitive to pH and salt, and does not exhibit a primary kinetic solvent isotope effect over the range of pH and cation concentrations studied. These properties are similar to those of the ET reaction of quinol MADH and different from those of the gated reaction of N-quinol MADH, whose rate varies considerably with pH and concentrations of specific monovalent cations. Thus, the covalent incorporation of substrate-derived N into TTQ is not alone sufficient to cause gating of ET. It affects the rate and DeltaG degrees for the ET reaction from the TTQ semiquinone by altering its redox potential, but it does not alter the reorganizational energy and electronic coupling associated with ET from TTQ to amicyanin.

Bacterial Proteins↗

The tyrosyl free radical of recombinant ribonucleotide reductase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis is located in a rigid hydrophobic pocket.

The tyrosyl free radical in protein R2-2 of class Ib ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) fromMycobacterium tuberculosis is essential for the enzymatic activity and has an EPR spectrum remarkably similar to that of the tyrosyl radical YD* in PSII. The EPR relaxation properties of the radical suggest a very weak exchange coupling between the two redox centers, the radical and the diferric cluster. The tyrosyl radical gives almost identical EPR spectra in the temperature interval 10-293 K. We conclude that the tyrosyl radical sits in a rigid pocket. Two ring protons and one beta-methylene proton account for the major anisotropic hyperfine interactions. A high-frequency EPR spectrum of the radical showed a resolved gx = 2. 0092, indicating that a hydrogen bond to the phenolic oxygen of the radical is absent. Theoretical modeling studies based on the structural data known for Salmonella typhimurium class Ib RNR protein R2F revealed a hydrophobic wall aligned with the radical harboring residue Y110. The distance between the phenolic oxygen of the radical and the diferric cluster is longer in the two class Ib nrdF R2 proteins than in other characterized class Ia R2 proteins. The tyrosyl radical in protein R2-2 from M. tuberculosis was accessible to direct reduction by dithionite in the absence of a mediator. The radical could be partly regenerated when the system was exposed to O2 after the completion of anaerobic reduction. This indicates that the Fe3+ ions also had become reduced by dithionite.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Iron-sulfur center of biotin synthase and lipoate synthase.

Biotin synthase and lipoate synthase are homodimers that are required for the C-S bond formation at nonactivated carbon in the biosynthesis of biotin and lipoic acid, respectively. Aerobically isolated monomers were previously shown to contain a (2Fe-2S) cluster, however, after incubation with dithionite one (4Fe-4S) cluster per dimer was obtained, suggesting that two (2Fe-2S) clusters had combined at the interface of the subunits to form the (4Fe-4S) cluster. Here we report Mössbauer studies of (57)Fe-reconstituted biotin synthase showing that anaerobically prepared enzyme can accommodate two (4Fe-4S) clusters per dimer. The (4Fe-4S) cluster is quantitatively converted into a (2Fe-2S)(2+) cluster upon exposure to air. Reduction of the air-exposed enzyme with dithionite or photoreduced deazaflavin yields again (4Fe-4S) clusters. The (4Fe-4S) cluster is stable in both the 2+ and 1+ oxidation states. The Mössbauer and EPR parameters were DeltaE(q) = 1.13 mm/s and delta = 0.44 mm/s for the diamagnetic (4Fe-4S)(2+) and DeltaE(q) = 0.51 mm/s, delta = 0.85 mm/s, g(par) = 2.035, and g(perp) = 1.93 for the S = (1)/(2) state of (4Fe-4S)(1+). Considering that we find two (4Fe-4S) clusters per dimer, our studies argue against the early proposal that the enzyme contains one (4Fe-4S) cluster bridging the two subunits. Our study of lipoate synthase gave results similar to those obtained for BS: under strict anaerobiosis, lipoate synthase can accommodate a (4Fe-4S) cluster per subunit [DeltaE(q) = 1.20 mm/s and delta = 0.44 mm/s for the diamagnetic (4Fe-4S)(2+) and g(par) = 2.039 and g(perp) = 1.93 for the S = (1)/(2) state of (4Fe-4S)(1+)], which reacts with oxygen to generate a (2Fe-2S)(2+) center.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Structure of the molybdenum site of Rhodobacter sphaeroides biotin sulfoxide reductase.

Conditions for heterologous expression of Rhodobacter sphaeroides biotin sulfoxide reductase in Escherichia coli were modified, resulting in a significant improvement in the yield of recombinant enzyme and enabling structural studies of the molybdenum center. Quantitation of the guanine and the molybdenum as compared to that found in R. sphaeroides DMSO reductase demonstrated the presence of the bis(MGD)molybdenum cofactor. UV-visible absorption spectra were obtained for the oxidized, NADPH-reduced, and dithionite-reduced enzyme. EPR spectra were obtained for the Mo(V) state of the enzyme. X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the molybdenum K-edge has been used to probe the molybdenum coordination of the enzyme. The molybdenum site of the oxidized protein possesses a Mo(VI) mono-oxo site (Mo=O at 1.70 A) with additional coordination by approximately four thiolate ligands at 2.41 A and probably one oxygen or nitrogen at 1.95 A. The NADPH- and dithionite-reduced Mo(IV) forms of the enzyme are des-oxo molybdenum sites with approximately four thiolates at 2.33 A and two different Mo-O/N ligands at 2.19 and 1.94 A.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reversible carbon monoxide binding and inhibition at the active site of the Fe-only hydrogenase.

Carbon monoxide binding and inhibition have been investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in solution and in crystals of structurally described states of the Fe-only hydrogenase (CpI) from Clostridium pasteurianum. Simulation of the EPR spectrum of the as-isolated state indicates that the main component of the EPR spectrum consists of the oxidized state of the "H cluster" and components due to reduced accessory FeS clusters. Addition of carbon monoxide to CpI in the presence of dithionite results in the inhibition of hydrogen evolution activity, and a characteristic axial EPR signal [g(eff(1)), g(eff(2)), and g(eff(3)) = 2.0725, 2.0061, and 2.0061, respectively] was observed. Hydrogen evolution activity was restored by successive sparging with hydrogen and argon and resulted in samples that exhibited the native oxidized EPR signature that could be converted to the reduced form upon addition of sodium dithionite and hydrogen. To examine the relationship between the spectroscopically defined states of CpI and those observed structurally by X-ray crystallography, we have examined the CpI crystals using EPR spectroscopy. EPR spectra of the crystals in the CO-bound state exhibit the previously described axial signal associated with CO binding. The results indicate that the addition of carbon monoxide to CpI results in a single reversible carbon monoxide-bound species characterized by loss of enzyme activity and the distinctive axial EPR signal.

Binding Sites↗

Stopped-Flow Kinetics of Methyl Group Transfer between the Corrinoid-Iron-Sulfur Protein and Acetyl-Coenzyme A Synthase from Clostridium thermoaceticum.

Kinetics of methyl group transfer between the Ni-Fe-S-containing acetyl-CoA synthase (ACS) and the corrinoid protein (CoFeSP) from Clostridium thermoaceticum were investigated using the stopped-flow method at 390 nm. Rates of the reaction CH(3)-Co(3+)FeSP + ACS(red) <==> Co(1+)FeSP + CH(3)-ACS(ox) in both forward and reverse directions were determined using various protein and reductant concentrations. Ti(3+)citrate, dithionite, and CO were used to reductively activate ACS (forming ACS(red)). The simplest mechanism that adequately fit the data involved formation of a [CH(3)-Co(3+)FeSP]:[ACS(red)] complex, methyl group transfer (forming [Co(1+)FeSP]:[CH(3)-ACS(ox)]), product dissociation (forming Co(1+)FeSP + CH(3)-ACS(ox)), and CO binding yielding a nonproductive enzyme state (ACS(red) + CO <==> ACS(red)-CO). Best-fit rate constants were obtained. CO inhibited methyl group transfer by binding ACS(red) in accordance with K(D) = 180 +/- 90 microM. Fits were unimproved when >1 CO was assumed to bind. Ti(3+)citrate and dithionite inhibited the reverse methyl group transfer reaction, probably by reducing the D-site of CH(3)-ACS(ox). This redox site is oxidized by 2e(-) when the methyl cation is transferred from CH(3)-Co(3+)FeSP to ACS(red), and is reduced during the reverse reaction. Best-fit K(D) values for pre- and post-methyl-transfer complexes were 0.12 +/- 0.06 and 0.3 +/- 0.2 microM, respectively. Intracomplex methyl group transfer was reversible with K(eq) = 2.3 +/- 0.9 (k(f)/k(r) = 6.9 s(-1)/3.0 s(-1)). The nucleophilicity of the [Ni(2+)D(red)] unit appears comparable to that of Co(1+) cobalamins. Reduction of the D-site may cause the Ni(2+) of the A-cluster to behave like the Ni of an organometallic Ni(0) complex.

Acetate-CoA Ligase↗

Novel histidine-heme covalent linkage in a hemoglobin.

When treated with dithionite at neutral pH, the recombinant hemoglobin from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 reconstituted with ferric heme undergoes a rapid chemical reaction resulting in the attachment of the heme group to the polypeptide chain. The nature of the cross-linked species was studied by NMR and mass spectral methods. 1H NMR data indicated that the 2-vinyl group was the reacting moiety of the heme. Mass spectrometry of pepsin digests located the site of attachment within a 12-mer at the C-terminal end of the protein. Homonuclear and 1H-15N NMR data identified the modified residue as His117, which underwent addition to the vinyl Calpha through the imidazole Nepsilon. Dithionite treatment of the globin reconstituted with Zn protoporphyrin IX sample did not lead to 2-vinyl group modification, suggesting that the chemical reduction of the heme iron facilitated the attachment.

Apoproteins↗

Alkylation of DNA by C-10 of 2,7-diaminomitosene.

Mitomycin C and certain analogues alkylate DNA with their C-1 position and cross-link it by a second alkylation involving C-10. We now show that monoalkylation by C-10 (carbamate group) can occur for mitosene analogues that have no reactive C-1 functionality. Sodium dithionite reduction of 2,7-diaminomitosene or 2,7-diamino-1-hydroxymitosene in the presence of calf thymus DNA resulted in alkylation of the DNA to the extent of one molecule per 14 and 11 bases, respectively, although no covalent binding was observed on catalytic reduction. Reduction of each of these mitosenes by sodium dithionite in the presence of 2'-deoxyguanosine gave monoalkylation on the 2-amino group of this nucleotide. The 2,7-diaminomitosenes inhibited L-1210 leukemia cell colony formation in vitro at concentrations 3-4-fold greater (less potent) than mitomycin C. DNA single-strand breaks were also produced by each mitosene, but these lesions did not correlate with cytotoxicity and were less prominent than breaks produced by another monofunctional alkylating agent, methyl methanesulfonate. Mitosene-induced DNA strand breaks are probably due to excission-repair endonuclease activity and not from oxygen free radicals produced by redox cycling of the quinone moiety. There was no evidence of DNA-DNA cross-links by either 2,7-diaminomitosene.

Alkylation↗

Redox chemistry of anthracycline antitumor drugs and use of captodative radicals as tools for its elucidation and control.

The oxomorpholinyl radicals are unique materials in organic and medicinal chemistry. Their closest parallel lies in inorganic chemistry with dithionite, which exists in equilibrium with sulfur dioxide radical anion, also a one-electron reducing agent. However, dithionite is a more powerful reducing agent and is probably more toxic. The rate of release of the oxomorpholinyl radical from its dimer is medium and is structure dependent, which provides for some level of control. The oxomorpholinyl radicals TM-3 and DHM-3 are selective one-electron reducing agents for the anthracyclines, generating sequentially semiquinone and hydroquinone redox states. Formation of the reduced states of the anthracyclines is probably relevant to their cytotoxic activity. Semiquinones and hydroquinones react rapidly with molecular oxygen to yield superoxide. Hydroquinone redox states with anaerobic conditions in protic media at pH 7-8 undergo glycosidic cleavage to form quinone methides; in aprotic media or at pH less than 4, they tautomerize to leuco forms. Quinone methides react with protons from solvent to form 7-deoxyaglycons, with some nucleophiles to form adducts, and with molecular oxygen to form semiquinone methide. The reactivity of the quinone methide is a function of substitution; nucleophilic addition is facilitated by the absence of a hydroxyl group at the 11-position and by proper location of the nucleophile. Quinone methides and semiquinone methides are both viable transients for covalently linking anthracycline aglycons to biological macromolecules. DHM-3 dimer is of possible pharmaceutical value for the detoxification of quinone antitumor drugs and for the improvement of chemotherapy through modulating the redox chemistry of the quinone antitumor drugs.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗

Synthesis and structural characterization of the N2G-mitomycin C-N2G interstrand cross-link in a model synthetic 23 base pair oligonucleotide DNA duplex.

Mitomycin C (MMC) is a genotoxic cancer chemotherapeutic agent that reacts principally at the N2 position of guanine to form one of two predominant monoadducts, or a G-G interstrand cross-link at CpG sites, or a G-G intrastrand cross-link at GpG sites. Previous studies of MMC adduction have principally used very short duplex oligonucleotides (5-15 bp) or very long native duplex DNAs. We examined the formation and structural features of the MMC CpG interstrand cross-link on a model 23 bp synthetic oligonucleotide duplex having the (upper strand) sequence 5'-ATAAATACGTATTTATTTATAAA-3'. MMC was reacted with the duplex oligonucleotide in the presence of sodium dithionite at ratios of 6 mM dithionite: 1.5 mM MMC:0.03 mM duplex. The yield of cross-link in the reaction was determined to be approximately 4.8% by denaturing gel electrophoresis, which represented approximately 75% of the total bound MMC. The cross-linked DNA was isolated to greater than 97% purity in a single step by high temperature size exclusion column chromatography. Characterization of the purified product confirmed that the complex contained exclusively the N2G-MMC-N2G cross-link at the single central CpG site. CD spectroscopy demonstrated a negative band at approximately 290-320 nm which has previously been shown to be characteristic of the MMC cross-link. The relative intensity of this band compared to those reported for shorter duplexes suggested that the majority of the duplex is in a normal B-DNA helical configuration. Base-specific chemical footprinting techniques also indicated that there were subtle but distinct structural perturbations principally within the central four to six base pairs containing and adjacent to the cross-link.

Base Composition↗

Catalytic and spectroscopic analysis of blue copper-containing nitrite reductase mutants altered in the environment of the type 2 copper centre: implications for substrate interaction.

The blue dissimilatory nitrite reductase (NiR) from Alcaligenes xylosoxidans is a trimer containing two types of Cu centre, three type 1 electron transfer centres and three type 2 centres. The latter have been implicated in the binding and reduction of nitrite. The Cu ion of the type 2 centre of the oxidized enzyme is ligated by three His residues, and additionally has a co-ordinated water molecule that is also hydrogen-bonded to the carboxyl of Asp(92) [Dodd, Van Beeumen, Eady and Hasnain (1998), J. Mol. Biol. 282, 369-382]. Two mutations of this residue have been made, one to a glutamic acid residue and a second to an asparagine residue; the effects of both mutations on the spectroscopic and catalytic properties of the enzyme have been analysed. EPR spectroscopy revealed that both mutants retained intact type 1 Cu centres with g( parallel)=2.12 (A( parallel)=0 mT) and g( perpendicular)=2.30 (A( perpendicular)=6.4 mT), which was consistent with their blue colour, but differed in their activities and in the spectroscopic properties of the type 2 centres. The D92E mutant had an altered geometry of its type 2 centre such that nitrite was no longer capable of binding to elicit changes in the EPR parameters of this centre. Accordingly, this mutation resulted in a form of NiR that had very low enzyme activity with the artificial electron donors reduced Methyl Viologen and sodium dithionite. As isolated, the EPR spectrum of the Asp(92)-->Asn (D92N) mutant showed no characteristic type 2 hyperfine lines. However, oxidation with iridium hexachloride partly restored a type 2 EPR signal, suggesting that type 2 copper is present in the enzyme but in a reduced, EPR-silent form. Like the Asp(92)-->Glu mutant, D92N had very low enzyme activities with either Methyl Viologen or dithionite. Remarkably, when the physiological electron donor reduced azurin I was used, both mutant proteins exhibited restoration of enzyme activity. The degree of restoration differed for the two mutants, with the D92N derivative exhibiting approx. 60% of the activity seen for the wild-type NiR. These findings suggest that on formation of an electron transfer complex with azurin, a conformational change in NiR occurs that returns the catalytic Cu centre to a functionally active state capable of binding and reducing nitrite.

Alcaligenes↗

The purification and properties of nitrite reductase from higher plants, and its dependence on ferredoxin.

1. NADPH-dependent nitrite reductase from the leaves of higher plants was purified at least 70-fold and separated into two enzyme fractions. The first enzyme, a diaphorase with ferredoxin-NADP-reductase activity, is required only to transfer electrons from NADPH to a suitable electron acceptor, which then donates electrons to nitrite reductase proper. 2. Purified nitrite reductase accepted electrons from ferredoxin (the natural donor) or from reduced dyes. Ferredoxin was reduced by illuminated chloroplasts or dithionite, or by NADPH when diaphorase was present. The purified enzyme did not accept electrons directly from NADPH. 3. Ferredoxins purified from maize, spinach or Clostridium were interchangeable in the nitrite-reductase system. 4. Nitrite reductase had K(m) 0.15mm for nitrite. The pH optimum varied with plant and method of assay. The preparation had low sulphite-reductase activity. Ammonia was the product of nitrite reduction. 5. For some plants, the assay of crude preparations with NADPH was limited by diaphorase and the addition of diaphorase gave a better estimate of nitrite-reductase activity. A simple method of assay is described that uses dithionite with benzyl viologen as electron donor.

Chemical Phenomena↗

The binding of cyanide to ferroperoxidase.

1. The equilibrium and kinetics of cyanide binding to ferroperoxidase were investigated. At pH9.1 the equilibrium and kinetic measurements agree closely and disclose a single process with an affinity constant of 1.1x10(3)m(-1) and combination and dissociation velocity constants of 29m(-1).s(-1) and 2.5x10(-2)s(-1) respectively. 2. At pH values below 8 the affinity constant falls until at pH6.0 the ferroperoxidase.cyanide complex is no longer formed. This is shown to be associated with the formation of ferriperoxidase.cyanide complex in the mixture even in the presence of excess of sodium dithionite. 3. Rapid-pH-jump experiments show a fast pseudo-first-order interconversion between ferroperoxidase.cyanide complex at pH9.1 and ferriperoxidase.cyanide complex at pH6.0. 4. The kinetics of binding of cyanide to dithionite-reduced peroxidase at pH6.0 are complicated and radically different from those observed at pH9.1. 5. Above pH8 the change of affinity constant with pH is consistent with the undissociated species, HCN, being bound by the ferroperoxidase. The enthalpy for this process measured both by equilibrium and kinetic methods is about -8kcal/mol. 6. The binding of cyanide to reconstituted peroxidases, proto, meso and deutero, was investigated. 7. The results are discussed in relation to known data on cyanide binding to other haemoproteins.

Binding Sites↗

Microbial oxidation of amines. Partial purification of a mixed-function secondary-amine oxidase system from Pseudomonas aminovorans that contains an enzymically active cytochrome-P-420-type haemoprotein.

1. Crude extracts of Pseudomonas aminovorans grown on methylamine, di-methylamine, trimethylamine or trimethylamine N-oxide contain an enzyme or enzyme system catalysing the NADH- or NADPH- and oxygen-dependent oxidation of dimethylamine to methylamine and formaldehyde. 2. The enzyme has been partially purified about five-fold. It is unstable, but can be stabilized by addition of 5% (v/v) ethanol. 3. The partially purified enzyme will utilize either NADH (K(m) 6.5mum) or NADPH (K(m) 13.2mum): The following secondary amines have been shown to be substrates: dimethylamine, ethylmethylamine, diethylamine, methyl-n-propylamine, ethyl-n-propylamine, n-butylmethylamine and N-methylethanolamine. The K(m) values and comparative reaction rates for each substrate have been determined. Where the alkyl groups are different, the aldehyde products are derived from both groups. 4. The enzyme system has a pH optimum of 6.8 and is inhibited by mercurials, thiol compounds, cyanide and carbon monoxide. 5. The partially purified preparation had a spectral maximum at 412nm with shoulders at 427 and 550nm. Reduction with dithionite or NAD(P)H bleached the 412nm peak, and the shoulder at 427nm became a peak. Additional peaks appeared at 550 and 580-588nm. Reduction of a preparation bubbled with carbon monoxide enhanced and sharpened the Soret peak and caused it to shift to 422nm. 6. Analysis of the preparation showed the presence of flavin, acid-extractable iron and non-acid-extractable iron in the proportion 1.1:1.9:1. On reduction with dithionite or NADPH the preparation showed an electron-paramagnetic-resonance signal at around g=1.946.

Amines↗

The partial characterization of purified nitrite reductase and hydroxylamine oxidase from Nitrosomonas europaea.

Nitrite reductase has been separated from cell-free extracts of Nitrosomonas and partially purified from hydroxylamine oxidase by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. In its oxidized state the enzyme, which did not contain haem, had an extinction maximum at 590nm, which was abolished on reduction. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate was a potent inhibitor of nitrite reductase. Enzyme activity was stimulated 2.5-fold when remixed with hydroxylamine oxidase, but was unaffected by mammalian cytochrome c. The enzyme also exhibited a low hydroxylamine-dependent nitrite reductase activity. The results suggest that this enzyme is similar to the copper-containing ;denitrifying enzyme' of Pseudomonas denitrificans. A dithionite-reduced, 465nm-absorbing haemoprotein was associated with homogeneous preparations of hydroxylamine oxidase. The band at 465nm maximum was not reduced during the oxidation of hydroxylamine although the extinction was abolished on addition of hydroxylamine, NO(2) (-) or CO. These last-named compounds when added to the oxidized enzyme precluded the appearance of the 465nm-absorption band on addition of dithionite. Several properties of 465nm-absorbing haemoprotein are described.

Ammonium Sulfate↗

Asymmetric distribution of cytochrome P-450 and NADPH--cytochrome P-450 (cytochrome c) reductase in vesicles from smooth endoplasmic reticulum of rat liver.

1. The topography of cytochrome P-450 in vesicles from smooth endoplasmic reticulum of rat liver has been examined. Approx. 50% of the cytochrome is directly accessible to the action of trypsin in intact vesicles whereas the remainder is inaccessible and partitioned between luminal-facing or phospholipid-embedded loci. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis reveals three major species of the cytochrome. Of these, the variant with a mol.wt. of 52000 is induced by phenobarbitone and this species is susceptible to trypsin. 2. After trypsin treatment of smooth membrane, some NADPH-cytochrome P-450 (cytochrome c) reductase activity remains and this remaining activity is enhanced by treatment with 0.05% deoxycholate, which renders the membranes permeable to macromolecules. In non-trypsin-treated control membranes the reductase activity is increased to a similar extent. These observations suggest an asymmetric distribution of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 (cytochrome c) reductase in the membrane. 3. As compared with dithionite, NADPH reduces only 44% of the cytochrome P-450 present in intact membranes. After tryptic digestion, none of the remaining cytochrome P-450 is reducible by NADPH. 4. In the presence of both a superoxide-generating system (xanthine plus xanthine oxidase) and NADPH, all the cytochrome P-450 in intact membrane (as judged by dithionite reducibility) is reduced. The cytochrome P-450 remaining after trypsin treatment of smooth vesicles cannot be reduced by this method. 5. The superoxide-dependent reduction of cytochrome P-450 is prevented by treatment of the membranes with mersalyl, which inhibits NADPH-cytochrome P-450 (cytochrome c) reductase. Thus the effect of superoxide may involve NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and cytosolically orientated membrane factor(s).

Animals↗