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Flavin recognition by an RNA aptamer targeted toward FAD.

Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) is one of the primary cofactors in biological redox reactions. Designing cofactor-dependent redox ribozymes could benefit from studies of new RNA-cofactor complexes, as would our understanding of ribozyme evolution during an RNA World. We have therefore used the SELEX method to identify RNA aptamers that recognize FAD. Functional analysis of mutant aptamers, S1 nuclease probing, and comparative sequence analysis identified a simple, 45 nt helical structure with several internal bulges as the core-binding element. These aptamers recognize with high specificity the isoalloxazine nucleus of FAD but do not distinguish FAD from FADH(2), nor are they removed from an FAD resin with UMP (which shares a pattern of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors along one face). Thus, these aptamers are structurally and functionally distinct from previously identified FMN and riboflavin aptamers. Circular dichroism data suggest a conformational change in the RNA upon FAD binding. These aptamers require magnesium and are active across a wide pH range (4.5-8.9). Since general acid-base catalysis plays a role in some flavin-dependent redox reaction mechanisms, these aptamers may be particularly well-suited to the design of new redox ribozymes.

Base Sequence↗

Electron transfer in flavocytochrome P450 BM3: kinetics of flavin reduction and oxidation, the role of cysteine 999, and relationships with mammalian cytochrome P450 reductase.

Cys-999 is one component of a triad (Cys-999, Ser-830, and Asp-1044) located in the FAD domain of flavocytochrome P450 BM3 that is almost entirely conserved throughout the diflavin reductase family of enzymes. The role of Cys-999 has been studied by steady-state kinetics, stopped-flow spectroscopy, and potentiometry. The C999A mutants of BM3 reductase (containing both FAD and FMN cofactors) and the isolated FAD domain are substantially compromised in their capacity to reduce artificial electron acceptors in steady-state turnover with either NADPH or NADH as electron donors. Stopped-flow studies indicate that this is due primarily to a substantially slower rate of hydride transfer from nicotinamide coenzyme to FAD cofactor in the C999A enzymes. The compromised rates of hydride transfer are not attributable to altered thermodynamic properties of the flavins. A reduced enzyme-NADP(+) charge-transfer species is populated following hydride transfer in the wild-type FAD domain, consistent with the slow release of NADP(+) from the 2-electron-reduced enzyme. This intermediate does not accumulate in the C999A FAD domain or wild-type and C999A BM3 reductases, suggesting more rapid release of NADP(+) from these enzyme forms. Rapid internal electron transfer from FAD to FMN in wild-type BM3 reductase releases NADP(+) from the nicotinamide-binding site, thus preventing the inhibition of enzyme activity through the accumulation of a stable FADH(2)-NADP(+) charge-transfer complex. Hydride transfer is reversible, and the observed rate of oxidation of the 2-electron-reduced C999A BM3 reductase and FAD domain is hyperbolically dependent on NADP(+) concentration. With the wild-type BM3 reductase and FAD domain, the rate of flavin oxidation displays an unusual dependence on NADP(+) concentration, consistent with a two-site binding model in which two coenzyme molecules bind to catalytic and regulatory regions (or sites) within a bipartite coenzyme binding site. A kinetic model is proposed in which binding of coenzyme to the regulatory site hinders sterically the release of NADPH from the catalytic site. The results are discussed in the light of kinetic and structural studies on mammalian cytochrome P450 reductase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interaction of glutathione reductase with heavy metal: the binding of Hg(II) or Cd(II) to the reduced enzyme affects both the redox dithiol pair and the flavin.

To determine the inhibition mechanism of yeast glutathione reductase (GR) by heavy metal, we have compared the electronic absorption and resonance Raman (RR) spectra of the enzyme in its oxidized (Eox) and two-electron reduced (EH2) forms, in the absence and the presence of Hg(II) or Cd(II). The spectral data clearly show a redox dependence of the metal binding. The metal ions do not affect the absorption and RR spectra of Eox. On the contrary, the EH2 spectra, generated by addition of NADPH, are strongly modified by the presence of heavy metal. The absorption changes of EH2 are metal-dependent. On the one hand, the main flavin band observed at 450 nm for EH2 is red-shifted at 455 nm for the EH2-Hg(II) complex and at 451 nm for the EH2-Cd(II) complex. On the other hand, the characteristic charge-transfer (CT) band at 540 nm is quenched upon metal binding to EH2. In NADPH excess, a new CT band is observed at 610 nm for the EH2-Hg(II)-NADPH complex and at 590 nm for EH2-Cd(II)-NADPH. The RR spectra of the EH2-metal complexes are not sensitive to the NADPH concentration. With reference to the RR spectra of EH2 in which the frequencies of bands II and III were observed at 1582 and 1547 cm-1, respectively, those of the EH2-metal complexes are detected at 1577 and 1542 cm-1, indicating an increased flavin bending upon metal coordination to EH2. From the frequency shifts of band III, a concomitant weakening of the H-bonding state of the N5 atom is also deduced. Taking into account the different chemical properties of Hg(II) and Cd(II), the coordination number of the bound metal ion was deduced to be different in GR. A mechanism of the GR inhibition is proposed. It proceeds primarily by a specific binding of the metal to the redox thiol/thiolate pair and the catalytic histidine of EH2. The bound metal ion then acts on the bending of the isoalloxazine ring of FAD as well as on the hydrophobicity of its microenvironment.

Binding Sites↗

Observation of a flavin semiquinone in the resting state of monoamine oxidase B by electron paramagnetic resonance and electron nuclear double resonance spectroscopy.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) plays an essential role in the regulation of various neurotransmitter and xenobiotic amines. Inhibitors of MAO have been employed in the treatment of depression and as adjuncts in Parkinson's disease therapy. X-Band and Q-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopic techniques are employed to characterize a signal assigned as a stable red anionic semiquinone radical in the resting state of MAO B. It is shown that the radical signal is not affected during substrate (either benzylamine or phenylethylamine) turnover, by anaerobic incubation with substrate, or by covalent modification of the active site flavin cofactor in the catalytically active dimer. Upon denaturation, however, the semiquinone absorbances and EPR signals are lost. Photoreduction of the native enzyme in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetate generates an EPR signal that is not the same as that obtained in the resting state and shows different proton ENDOR signals. These results suggest that the two flavin prosthetic groups that exist in catalytically active monoamine oxidase B are physically distinct.

Animals↗

EPR, ENDOR, and TRIPLE resonance spectroscopy on the neutral flavin radical in Escherichia coli DNA photolyase.

Ultraviolet radiation promotes the formation of a cyclobutane ring between adjacent pyrimidine residues on the same DNA strand to form a pyrimidine dimer. Such dimers may be restored to their monomeric forms through the action of a light-absorbing enzyme named DNA photolyase. The redox-active cofactor involved in the light-induced electron transfer reactions of DNA repair and enzyme photoactivation is a noncovalently bound FAD. In this paper, the FAD cofactor of Escherichia coli DNA photolyase was characterized as the neutral flavin semiquinone by EPR spectroscopy at 9.68 and 94.5 GHz. From the high-frequency/high-field EPR spectrum, the principal values of the axially symmetric g-matrix of FADH(*) were extracted. Both EPR spectra show an emerging hyperfine splitting of 0.85 mT that could be assigned to the isotropic hyperfine coupling constant (hfc) of the proton at N(5). To obtain more information about the electron spin density distribution ENDOR and TRIPLE resonance spectroscopies were applied. All major proton hfc's could be measured and unambiguously assigned to molecular positions at the isoalloxazin moiety of FAD. The isotropic hfc's of the protons at C(8alpha) and C(6) are among the smallest values reported for protein-bound neutral flavin semiquinones so far, suggesting a highly restricted delocalization of the unpaired electron spin on the isoalloxazin moiety. Two further hfc's have been detected and assigned to the inequivalent protons at C(1'). Some conclusions about the geometrical arrangement of the ribityl side chain with respect to the isoalloxazin ring could be drawn: Assuming tetrahedral angles at C(1') the dihedral angle between the C(1')-C(2') bond and the 2p(z)() orbital at N(10) has been estimated to be 170.4 degrees +/- 1 degrees.

Anisotropy↗

Oxygen isotope effects on electron transfer to O2 probed using chemically modified flavins bound to glucose oxidase.

Apo-glucose oxidase has been reconstituted with flavins modified in the 7 and 8 positions and characterized with regard to the catalytic rate of O(2) reduction and oxygen-18 isotope effects on this process. Kinetic studies as a function of driving force indicate a reorganization energy for electron transfer to O(2) of lambda = 28 kcal mol(-)(1) at optimal pH, which is similar to the value obtained earlier from temperature dependencies of rates (Roth, J. P.; Klinman, J. P. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2003, 100, 62-67). For the various enzyme-bound flavins, competitive oxygen-18 kinetic isotope effects fall within the narrow range of 1.0266(5) to 1.0279(6), apparently because of the dominant contribution of outer-sphere reorganization to the activation barrier; within the context of semiclassical and quantum mechanical electron transfer theories, the magnitude of the isotope effects reveals the importance of nuclear tunneling.

Aspergillus niger↗

Flavinylation in wild-type trimethylamine dehydrogenase and differentially charged mutant enzymes: a study of the protein environment around the N1 of the flavin isoalloxazine.

In wild-type trimethylamine dehydrogenase, residue Arg-222 is positioned close to the isoalloxazine N1/C2 positions of the 6S-cysteinyl FMN. The positively charged guanidino group of Arg-222 is thought to stabilize negative charge as it develops at the N1 position of the flavin during flavinylation of the enzyme. Three mutant trimethylamine dehydrogenases were constructed to alter the nature of the charge at residue 222. The amount of active flavinylated enzyme produced in Escherichia coli is reduced when Arg-222 is replaced by lysine (mutant R222K). Removal or reversal of the charge at residue 222 (mutants R222V and R222E, respectively) leads to the production of inactive enzymes that are totally devoid of flavin. A comparison of the CD spectra for the wild-type and mutant enzymes revealed no major structural change following mutagenesis. Like the wild-type protein, each mutant enzyme contained stoichiometric amounts of the 4Fe-4S cluster and ADP. Electrospray MS also indicated that the native and recombinant wild-type enzymes were isolated as a mixture of deflavo and holo enzyme, but that each of the mutant enzymes have masses expected for deflavo trimethylamine dehydrogenase. The MS data indicate that the lack of assembly of the mutant proteins with FMN is not due to detectable levels of post-translational modification of significant mass. The experiments reported here indicate that simple mutagenic changes in the FMN-binding site can reduce the proportion of flavinylated enzyme isolated from Escherichia coli and that positive charge is required at residue 222 if flavinylation is to proceed.

Apoenzymes↗

Identification of a 14mer RNA that recognizes and binds flavin mononucleotide with high affinity.

Aptamers are nucleic acids developed by in vitro evolution techniques that bind to specific ligands with high affinity and selectivity. Despite such high affinity and selectivity, however, in vitro evolution does not necessarily reveal the minimum structure of the nucleic acid required for selective ligand binding. Here, we show that a 35mer RNA aptamer for the cofactor flavin mononucleotide (FMN) identified by in vitro evolution can be computationally evolved to a mere 14mer structure containing the original binding pocket and eight scaffolding nucleotides while maintaining its ability to bind in vitro selectively to FMN. Using experimental and computational methodologies, we found that the 14mer binds with higher affinity to FMN (K(D) approximately 4 microM) than to flavin adenine dinucleotide (K(D) approximately 12 microM) or to riboflavin (K(D) approximately 13 microM),despite the negative charge of FMN. Different hydrogen-bond strengths resulting from differing ring-system electron densities associated with the aliphatic-chain charges appear to contribute to the selectivity observed for the binding of the 14mer to FMN and riboflavin. Our results suggest that high affinity and selectivity in ligand binding is not restricted to large RNAs, but can also be a property of extraordinarily short RNAs.

Aptamers, Nucleotide↗

Gene cloning, purification, and characterization of NfsB, a minor oxygen-insensitive nitroreductase from Escherichia coli, similar in biochemical properties to FRase I, the major flavin reductase in Vibrio fischeri.

nfsB, encoding a minor oxygen-insensitive nitroreductase, was isolated by PCR using primers corresponding to two amino acid sequences conserved among the major flavin reductase from Vibrio fischeri and classical nitroreductases from Salmonella typhimurium and Enterobacter cloacae. The gene product, NfsB, was purified to homogeneity from extracts of Escherichia coli cells overexpressing it. NfsB was found to be situated at 13 min on the E. coli map. Biochemical analysis indicated NfsB to be a polypeptide having a calculated molecular weight of 23,904, capable of forming a homodimer and associated tightly with FMN as a prosthetic group. Although it exhibited a lower affinity to the NfsB apoenzyme than FMN, FAD could serve as an effective substitute for FMN. It was also shown that NfsB has a broad electron acceptor specificity and is associated with a low level of the NAD(P)H-flavin oxidoreductase. The NfsB catalysis obeys the ping pong Bi-Bi mechanism. The Km value for NADH varied depending on the second substrate used.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of chlorophenol 4-monooxygenase (TftD) and NADH:flavin adenine dinucleotide oxidoreductase (TftC) of Burkholderia cepacia AC1100.

Burkholderia cepacia AC1100 uses 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, an environmental pollutant, as a sole carbon and energy source. Chlorophenol 4-monooxygenase is a key enzyme in the degradation of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and it was originally characterized as a two-component enzyme (TftC and TftD). Sequence analysis suggests that they are separate enzymes. The two proteins were separately produced in Escherichia coli, purified, and characterized. TftC was an NADH:flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) oxidoreductase. A C-terminally His-tagged fusion TftC used NADH to reduce either FAD or flavin mononucleotide (FMN) but did not use NADPH or riboflavin as a substrate. Kinetic and binding property analysis showed that FAD was a better substrate than FMN. TftD was a reduced FAD (FADH(2))-utilizing monooxygenase, and FADH(2) was supplied by TftC. It converted 2,4,5-trichlorophenol to 2,5-dichloro-p-quinol and then to 5-chlorohydroxyquinol but converted 2,4,6-trichlorophenol only to 2,6-dichloro-p-quinol as the final product. TftD interacted with FADH(2) and retarded its rapid oxidation by O(2). A spectrum of possible TftD-bound FAD-peroxide was identified, indicating that the peroxide is likely the active oxygen species attacking the aromatic substrates. The reclassification of the two enzymes further supports the new discovery of FADH(2)-utilizing enzymes, which have homologues in the domains Bacteria and Archaea.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Effect of respiratory infection on tissue riboflavin and flavin enzymes in mice.

The effects of Klebsiella pneumoniae infection on red blood cell and liver riboflavin levels and a few flavin enzymes were examined to verify our earlier hypothesis based on human experience that upper respiratory infections result in mobilization of riboflavin from tissues into blood, resulting in a rise in red blood cell riboflavin and an increased saturation of erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR) with its coenzyme flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD; reduction in EGR activation coefficient, AC, values). Thirty-six-day-old male mice fed a diet marginally sufficient in riboflavin were injected with a single sublethal dose of K. pneumoniae. Batches of control, deficient infected and deficient uninfected animals were killed during the peak period of infection and after recovery. Infection brought about a significant rise in basal EGR activity due to greater saturation with coenzyme FAD and a concomitant reduction in EGR-AC values. On recovery, basal EGR activity decreased, and EGR-AC values increased to levels beyond control values, suggesting riboflavin deficiency. In the liver, acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase showed a significant decrease and pyridoxamine-phosphate oxidase activity a significant increase. Both the enzymes normalized after recovery. D-amino acid oxidase activity did not change.

Analysis of Variance↗

Effect of flavin compounds on glutathione reductase activity: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Increases or decreases of red cell glutathione reductase (GR) have been described in connection with many clinical abnormalities. We find that GR activity as measured in hemolysates represents only a portion of the available GR activity. The addition of small amounts of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), but not of flavin mononucleotide or riboflavin, activates the GR of hemolysates. 1 muM FAD results in a maximal activation within 10 min; gradually increasing activation occurs at much lower, for example, 20 mmuM FAD concentrations. Once FAD has activated GR, dilution or dialysis does not reverse activation of the enzyme. Activation of GR by FAD can be inhibited by adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and to a lesser extent by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP), if these adenine nucleotides are added before the addition of FAD, but only to a slight extent if FAD is added before the adenine nucleotides. The addition of FAD to GR does not alter its electrophoretic mobility but produces intensification of the bands. The administration of 5 mg of riboflavin daily produces marked stimulation of red cell GR activity within only 2 days. After cessation of riboflavin administration, the GR activity again begins to fall. The degree of stimulation of GR activity by riboflavin is inversely correlated with the level of dietary riboflavin intake. The base line GR activity of normal individuals is directly correlated with the level of dietary riboflavin intake. The previously unexplained variations of glutathione reductase in health and disease must be reevaluated in light of the state of riboflavin nutrition and metabolism of the subject.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Aldosterone stimulation of riboflavin incorporation into rat renal flavin coenzymes and the effect of inhibition by riboflavin analogues on sodium reabsorption.

This study was designed to investigate a possible relationship between the effect of aldosterone upon urinary electrolytes and the incorporation of [(14)C]riboflavin into renal [(14)C]flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and [(14)C]flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). Adrenalectomized Sprague-Dawley rats that weighed between 185 and 210 g were pretreated with 15 mug/100 g body wt dexamethasone intraperitoneally. 16 h later they were administered aldosterone (1.5 mug/100 g body wt) and [(14)C]riboflavin (5.0 muCi/200 g body wt). The urethra of each rat was ligated, and the rats were sacrificed by decapitation 3 h later. The urine was aspirated from the bladders of each rat and analyzed for total Na(+) and K(+) excretion while the kidneys were removed and the formation of [(14)C]FMN and [(14)C]FAD was determined for each kidney. There was a significant increase in the formation of renal [(14)C]FMN and [(14)C]FAD (27.3 and 14.4%, respectively) after aldosterone treatment. Aldosterone significantly decreased the excretion of Na(+) by 50%, and increased that of K(+) by 55%. To determine if the increased incorporation of [(14)C]riboflavin into renal [(14)C]FMN and [(14)C]FAD was an important intermediary step in the aldosterone-induced alterations in urinary Na(+) and K(+), the riboflavin analogues 7,8-dimethyl-10-formylmethyl isoalloxazine or 7,8-dimethyl-10-(2'-hydroxyethyl) isoalloxazine were given to the animals i.p. to diminish the conversion of riboflavin to FMN by competitively inhibiting the enzyme flavokinase (EC 2.7.1.26). These analogues were found to significantly counteract the decreased urinary excretion of Na(+) as a result of aldosterone from 26+/-9% to 124+/-58% (SEM) with a dose-related response when administered from 10 to 25 mug/100 g body wt. The same doses of the analogues that significantly increased the urinary output of Na(+) when administered simultaneously with aldosterone also significantly decreased the formation of renal [(14)C]FMN from 15+/-4 to 38+/-3% when compared with the effects of aldosterone alone. The analogues exerted no significant effect on the increased urinary excretion of K(+) by aldosterone. The analogues alone had no influence on urinary Na(+) and K(+) output or the formation of renal [(14)C]FMN and [(14)C]FAD at the dose levels that we investigated. These data strongly suggest that the enhanced synthesis of renal FMN and FAD may be a causative factor in the increased reabsorption of Na(+) as a result of aldosterone; and, consequently, riboflavin analogues may function as a novel class of antimineralocorticoids.

Aldosterone↗

Mechanisms underlying the differential effects of ethanol on the bioavailability of riboflavin and flavin adenine dinucleotide.

Chronic alcoholism is associated with a high prevalence of riboflavin deficiency. Experiments were designed in an animal model to determine whether ethanol alters selectively the absorption of riboflavin and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), the predominant dietary form of the vitamin. Rats received by gavage a liver homogenate to which either [14C]riboflavin or [14C]FAD was added with either ethanol or isocaloric sucrose solutions. Ethanol markedly diminished the bioavailability of [14C]FAD to a greater degree than that of [14C]riboflavin. Corroboration of an ethanol-impaired intraluminal hydrolysis of FAD was provided by using everted jejunal segments and measuring mucosal uptake of [14C]riboflavin together with nonradiolabeled FAD. In subsequent studies with mucosal cell extracts, ethanol markedly inhibited activities of FAD pyrophosphatase and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) phosphatase. These findings suggest that dietary sources of riboflavin (FMN and FAD) are not absorbed as well in the presence of ethanol than are vitamin preparations containing riboflavin, which is utilized more readily.

Acetaldehyde↗

Catalytic properties of streptococcal NADH oxidase containing artificial flavins.

The flavoprotein NADH oxidase from Streptococcus faecalis 10C1, which catalyzes the tetravalent reduction of O2-->2H2O, has been purified as the apoenzyme to allow reconstitution studies with both native and artificial flavins. Turnover numbers for the enzyme containing 1-deaza-, 2-thio-, and 4-thio-FAD range from 51 to 4% of that of the native FAD enzyme; these reconstituted oxidases also catalyze the four-electron reduction of oxygen. Dithionite and NADH titrations of the native FAD oxidase require 1.7 eq of reductant/FAD and follow spectral courses very similar to those previously reported for the purified holoenzyme. Azide is a linear mixed-type inhibitor with respect to NADH, and dithionite titrations in the presence of azide yield significant stabilization of the neutral blue semiquinone. Redox stoichiometries for the oxidase containing modified flavins range from 1.1 to 1.4 eq of reductant/FAD. Spectrally distinct reduced enzyme.NAD+ complexes result with all but the 2-thio-FAD enzyme on titration with NADH. The reduced 4-thio-FAD oxidase shows little or no evidence of desulfurization to native FAD on reduction and reoxidation. Both the 8-mercapto- (E'o = -290 mV) and 8-hydroxy-FAD (E'o = -335 mV) oxidase are readily reduced by excess NADH. These results offer a further basis for analysis of the active-site structure and oxygen reactivity of this unique flavoprotein oxidase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Spectral evidence for a flavin adduct in a monoalkylated derivative of pig heart lipoamide dehydrogenase.

A derivative of the flavoprotein pig heart lipoamide dehydrogenase has been described recently (Thorpe, C., and Williams, C.H. (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 3553-3557), in which 1 of the 2 cysteine residues generated on reduction of the intrachain active center disulfide bridge is selectively alkylated with iodoacetamide. This monolabeled enzyme exhibits a spectrum of oxidized bound flavin. The addition of 1 mM NAD+ to this derivative at pH 8.3 causes a decrease in absorbance of approximately 50% at 448 nm, with a concomitant increase at 380 nm. These spectral changes are complete within 3 ms and are reversible. NAD+ titrations generate isosbestic points at 408, 374, and 327 nm; allowing values for the apparent dissociation constant for NAD+ and the extent of bleaching at infinite ligand to be obtained from double reciprocal plots. Between pH 6.1 and 8.8, the apparent KD decreases from 320 to 35 muM, whereas the extrapolated delta epsilon 448 values remain approximately constant at 1/2 epsilon 448. Direct measurement of NAD+ binding by gel filtration at pH 8.8 indicates that the spectral changes are associated with a stoichiometry of 1.2 mol of NAD+ bound/2 mol of FAD. The modified protein is a dimer containing 1 FAD and 1 alkylated cysteine residue/subunit; the native enzyme is also dimeric. The visible spectrum of the species absorbing at 380 nm, approximated by correction for the residual oxidized FAD, shows a single maximum at 384 nm, epsilon 384 = 8.7 mM-1cm-1. Comparison of this spectrum with that of model compounds of known structure suggests that it may represent a reversible covalent flavin adduct induced on binding NAD+.

Animals↗

[Effect of flavin coenzymes on the pyridoxine treatment of avitaminosis B6].

Studies on rats with experimental vitamin B6 deficiency have shown that the combined use of pyridoxine and flavine coenzymes affects the supply of rats with these vitamins. Flavine coenzymes have been found to promote more efficient normalization of pyridoxine and riboflavin balance in the body and to improve the general status of the animals, to increase the excretion of riboflavin and 4-pyridoxic acid with urine, to prove more rapid cure of vitamin deficiency.

Animals↗

NADPH-sulfite reductase from Escherichia coli. A flavin reductase participating in the generation of the free radical of ribonucleotide reductase.

Protein R2, the small subunit of ribonucleotide reductase of Escherichia coli, contains an essential free radical localized to tyrosine 122 of its polypeptide chain. When this radical is scavenged by hydroxyurea, the enzyme is transformed into an inactive form, metR2. E. coli contains a NAD(P)H:flavin oxidoreductase, named Fre, absolutely required for the regeneration of the radical and the activation of metR2 into R2. Consequently, an E. coli mutant strain lacking an active fre gene is more sensitive to hydroxyurea during growth, demonstrating the physiological protective function of Fre from the loss of the radical. However, this gene is not essential, and we found that E. coli contains a second tyrosyl radical generating activity, also residing in a flavin reductase. The enzyme has been purified 200-fold to homogeneity and found to be identical to sulfite reductase. Pure sulfite reductase has the ability to catalyze the reduction of free riboflavin, FMN, or FAD by NADPH and thus, as Fre, to transfer electrons to the iron center of metR2, a key step during the activation reaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗