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PubMed2006

AtATM3 is involved in heavy metal resistance in Arabidopsis.

AtATM3, an ATP-binding cassette transporter of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), is a mitochondrial protein involved in the biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters and iron homeostasis in plants. Our gene expression analysis showed that AtATM3 is up-regulated in roots of plants treated with cadmium [Cd(II)] or lead (II); hence, we investigated whether this gene is involved in heavy metal tolerance. We found that AtATM3-overexpressing plants were enhanced in resistance to Cd, whereas atatm3 mutant plants were more sensitive to Cd than their wild-type controls. Moreover, atatm3 mutant plants expressing 35S promoter-driven AtATM3 were more resistant to Cd than wild-type plants. Since previous reports often showed that the cytosolic glutathione level is positively correlated with heavy metal resistance, we measured nonprotein thiols (NPSH) in these mutant plants. Surprisingly, we found that atatm3 contained more NPSH than the wild type under normal conditions. AtATM3-overexpressing plants did not differ under normal conditions, but contained less NPSH than wild-type plants when exposed to Cd(II). These results suggest a role for AtATM3 in regulating cellular NPSH level, a hypothesis that was further supported by our gene expression study. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of glutathione biosynthesis led to the elevated expression of AtATM3, whereas expression of the glutathione synthase gene GSH1 was increased under Cd(II) stress and in the atatm3 mutant. Because the closest homolog of AtATM3 in fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe), HMT1, is a vacuolar membrane-localized phytochelatin-Cd transporter, it is tempting to speculate that glutathione-Cd(II) complexes formed in the mitochondria are exported by AtATM3. In conclusion, our data show that AtATM3 contributes to Cd resistance and suggest that it may mediate transport of glutamine synthetase-conjugated Cd(II) across the mitochondrial membrane.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1981

Glycyl-tRNA synthetase from baker's yeast. Interconversion between active and inactive forms of the enzyme.

Glycyl-tRNA synthetase from baker's yeast has been purified to homogeneity. This synthetase was found to be very sensitive to proteases present in the yeast extracts and to oxidizing agents of thiol groups. In the absence of protease inhibitors and/or dithioerythritol, the enzyme rapidly lost its activity and could not be isolated. The use of these protectors allowed us to obtain different oligomeric structures of the synthetase. In the presence of a minimal concentration of dithioerythritol but in the absence of protease inhibitors, a tetrameric glycyl-tRNA synthetase of the alpha 2 beta 2 type (alpha = 67 600, beta = 57 500) with a very low specific activity was recovered. With high concentrations of both protectors, a dimeric enzyme was isolated with a specific activity comparable to that for other yeast synthetases. The enzyme was of the alpha 2 type where alpha = 70 000--80 000 daltons, depending on whether phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride or diisopropyl fluorophosphate was used as the protecting agent. The native form of the enzyme (alpha 2 = 160 000) associated easily with other proteins in various complexes of molecular weights from 250 000 to 300 000, some of them containing valyl-tRNA synthetase. The dimeric glycyl-tRNA synthetase was found in equilibrium with its subunits. Diluting the enzyme solution or increasing the salt concentration displaced the equilibrium toward the monomers, which are catalytically inactive for both the tRNA aminoacylation and the PPi-ATP exchange reactions. Addition of both tRNAGly and ATP.MgCl2 plus glycine displaced the equilibrium toward the dimeric form of the enzyme. Thiol groups were found to be involved in the association between the two subunits and in both activities of the synthetase. The results are interpreted in the light of possible regulatory mechanisms of the activity of this synthetase.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Role of the carboxylic groups in interaction of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase with substrates].

The effect of modification of carboxylic groups of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase by p-toluene sulfonate N-cyclohexyl-N'-beta-(4-methylmorpholine) ethylcarbodiimide (CMEC) on the activity of the enzyme was investigated. It was shown that modification of two moles of carboxylic groups per mole of the enzymes leads to the diminution of negative charge of the enzyme and to inactivation in ATP-[32P]PPi-exchange and aminoacylation reactions. The inactivation is completely reversed by mild alkaline hydrolysis. ATP in concentration 2 X 10(-4) M partially protects the enzyme against inactivation, protective effect being stimulated by Mg2+ and 0.4-0.7 moles of carboxylic groups per mole of the enzyme are protected against inactivation is observed although the depth of modification is increased. Other substrates do not have protective effect. Modification of the enzyme by CMEC increases Kdiss value of [14C]-Phe-tRNA enzyme complex and Km value for tRNAPhe in aminoacylation by factor of three. Vmax for all substrates in both aminoacylation and leads to 40% increase of Hill's coefficient for ATP in ATP-[32P]PPi-exchange reaction but not in aminoacylation. The carboxylic groups modified by CMEC are assumed to take part in ATP recognition and in catalysis of the ATP conversion and in catalysis of transfer of activated amino acid residues on tRNA.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1977

Non-equivalence of the sites of yeast phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase during catalysis.

Yeast phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase, an enzyme with an alpha2beta2 structure, has two active sites for phenylalanine, tRNAphe, phenylalanyladenylate and phenylalanyl-tRNAphe. Determination of phenylalanine binding properties to the free enzyme by equilibrium dialysis shows that only one mole of amino acid binds per mole of enzyme, i.e. absolute negative cooperativity. Binding of the amino acid in the presence of tRNA or of ATP and PPi unmasks the second phenylalanine binding site. The difference between the affinities at the tight and loose binding sites under such conditions is about 10--15. Titration of phenylalanyladenylate sites by the burst of ATP consumption shows the formation of a (enzyme-phenylalanyladenylate)2 complex in the presence of pyrophosphatase; however, the two sites differ widely in their affinity as shown by dialysis experiments. Measurements of hydrolysis rates of enzyme-bound phenylalanyladenylate suggests that when only the high-affinity adenylate site is occupied, the other protomer can still bind phenylalanine and ATP (in the presence of phenylalanine). Two moles of Phe-tRNAphe bind to the enzyme with a very high affinity (Kd less than 48 nM). The presence of millimolar concentrations of ATP, phenylalanine and pyrophosphate triggers negative cooperativity and under these conditions only one mole of Phe-tRNAphe is bound per mole of enzyme with a Kd value of 0.15 muM. The present results give support to interprotomer catalytic cooperativity in the mechanism of action of yeast phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1991

Nuclear Overhauser effect studies on the conformations of Mg(alpha,beta-methylene)ATP bound to Escherichia coli methionyl-tRNA synthetase.

Internuclear distances obtained from nuclear Overhauser effects were used in combination with a distance geometry algorithm to determine the conformation of Mg(alpha,beta-methylene)ATP bound to the Escherichia coli truncated methionyl-tRNA synthetase (delta MTS) both in the absence and presence of cognate and noncognate amino acids. Mg(alpha,beta-methylene)ATP, a nonhydrolyzable analog of ATP, was used to prevent hydrolysis of the nucleotide in the presence of either cognate or noncognate amino acids. Kinetic analysis showed that Mg(alpha,beta-methylene)ATP was a linear competitive inhibitor with respect to ATP in the ATP-pyrophosphate exchange reaction with a Ki = 1.2 mM. The pattern of internuclear Overhauser effects on Mg(alpha,beta-methylene)ATP bound to delta MTS was qualitatively consistent only with an anti glycosidic torsional angle, suggesting that the adenosine portion of the nucleotide is uniquely oriented in the binary enzyme-nucleotide complex. Nearly identical patterns of nuclear Overhauser effects were also observed in ternary complexes containing either cognate L-methionine or noncognate L-homocysteine amino acids. Distance geometry calculations permitted the range and conformational space of the allowed adenine-ribose glycosidic torsional angles in each of the complexes to be better defined and compared. Average adenine-ribose glycosidic torsional angles for enzyme-bound Mg(alpha,beta-methylene)ATP of -106 +/- 9 degrees, -99 +/- 11 degrees, and -97 +/- 11 degrees were determined for the delta MTS.Mg(alpha,beta-methylene)ATP, delta MTS.Mg(alpha,beta-methylene)ATP.L-methionine, and delta MTS.Mg(alpha,beta-methylene)ATP.L-homocysteine complexes, respectively. Comparison of the three enzyme-bound conformations showed that a single nucleotide structure having an adenine-ribose glycosidic torsional angle of -98 degrees with a 3'-endo to O4'-exo ribose sugar pucker was, within error, consistent with the experimental internuclear distances obtained in all three complexes. The nearly identical anti glycosidic torsional angles observed in all three complexes demonstrates that the conformation of the adenosine moiety of the enzyme-bound nucleotide is not sensitive to the presence or the nature of the amino acid bound at the aminoacyladenylate site. Therefore, conformational changes known to occur in the methionyl-tRNA synthetase upon ligand binding appear not to alter the bound conformation of the nucleotide. Information on the conformation and arrangement of substrates bound at the aminoacyladenylate site of delta MTS is necessary for understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in amino acid activation and discrimination.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1976

Aminoacyl transfer RNA formation. VII. Lack of correlation between aminoacylation and PPi-ATP exchange catalyzed by isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase of Escherichia coli in the presence of various divalent cations.

Isoleucyl-tRNA formation and isoleucine-dependent PPi-ATP exchange catalyzed by purified isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase [EC 6.1.1.5] of Escherichia coli were studied in the presence of various amounts of either Mg2+, Ca2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, or Cu2+. In the presence of Mg2+, isoleucine-dependent PPi-ATP exchange was observed in parallel with isoleucyl-tRNA formation, while in the presence of Ca2+, isoleucyl-tRNA formation was observed without isoleucine-dependent PPi-ATP exchange. Moreover, isoleucine-dependent PPi-ATP exchange was much more in the presence of Fe2+ than in the presence of Mg2+, while little isoleucyl-tRNA was formed in the presence of Fe2+. In the presence of Ni2+ or Cu2+, neither reaction was observed. These data, indicating that formation of an isoleucyl-AMP-enzyme complex is not a necessary step in isoleucyl-tRNA formation, support the existence of a concerted mechanism of isoleucyl-tRNA formation in E. coli.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1997

A locus coding for putative non-ribosomal peptide/polyketide synthase functions is mutated in a swarming-defective Proteus mirabilis strain.

We describe a large bacterial locus that, unusually, encodes components typically required for both the non-ribosomal synthesis of peptides and also polyketide/fatty acid synthase function. Two tandem ABC transporter genes in this putative nrp (non-ribosomal peptide/polyketide) operon suggest that the principal product may be secreted. Immediately distal to the nrp operon is a gene, irpP, encoding a small peptide similar to the Bacillus ComX pheromone that in its mature, extracellular form increases expression of unlinked non-ribosomal peptide synthesis genes. Transcription of both the nrp operon and irpP was up-regulated in iron-limiting culture conditions, consistent with the presence of a putative Fur repressor-binding site 5' of irpP. The locus was isolated from Proteus mirabilis as the site of a TnphoA insertion causing impaired swarm cell differentiation and an aberrant swarming pattern. The mutation was in one of the transporter genes, but a comparable swarming defect resulted from interposon disruption of the putative nrp synthetase gene.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1986

Free energy of hydrolysis of tyrosyl adenylate and its binding to wild-type and engineered mutant tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases.

The equilibrium constant for the formation of tyrosyl adenylate and pyrophosphate from ATP and tyrosine in solution has been measured by applying the Haldane relationship to wild-type and three mutant tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases from Bacillus stearothermophilus. The formation constant (=[Tyr-AMP] [PPi]/[ATP] [Tyr]) at pH 7.78, 25 degrees C, and 10 mM MgCl2 is (3.5 +/- 0.5) X 10(-7). This corresponds to a free energy of hydrolysis of tyrosyl adenylate at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C of -16.7 kcal mol-1. All necessary rate constants had been determined previously for the calculations apart from the dissociation constant of tyrosyl adenylate from its enzyme-bound complex. This was measured by taking advantage of the 100-fold difference in hydrolysis rates of the tyrosyl adenylate when sequestered by the enzyme and when free in solution. These are technically difficult measurements because the dissociation constants are so low and the complexes unstable. The task was simplified by using mutants prepared by site-directed mutagenesis. These were designed to have different rate and equilibrium constants for dissociation of tyrosyl adenylate from the enzyme-bound complexes. The dissociation constants were in the range (3.5-38) X 10(-12) M, with that for wild type at 13 X 10(-12) M. The four enzymes all gave consistent data for the formation constant of tyrosyl adenylate in solution. This not only improves the reliability of the measurement but also provides confirmation of the reliability of the measured kinetic constants for the series of enzymes.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed2002

Lateral gene transfer and parallel evolution in the history of glutathione biosynthesis genes.

BACKGROUND: Glutathione is found primarily in eukaryotes and in Gram-negative bacteria. It has been proposed that eukaryotes acquired the genes for glutathione biosynthesis from the alpha-proteobacterial progenitor of mitochondria. To evaluate this, we have used bioinformatics to analyze sequences of the biosynthetic enzymes gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase and glutathione synthetase. RESULTS: Gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase sequences fall into three groups: sequences primarily from gamma-proteobacteria; sequences from non-plant eukaryotes; and sequences primarily from alpha-proteobacteria and plants. Although pairwise sequence identities between groups are insignificant, conserved sequence motifs are found, suggesting that the proteins are distantly related. The data suggest numerous examples of lateral gene transfer, including a transfer from an alpha-proteobacterium to a plant. Glutathione synthetase sequences fall into two distinct groups: bacterial and eukaryotic. Proteins in both groups have a common structural fold, but the sequences are so divergent that it is uncertain whether these proteins are homologous or arose by convergent evolution. CONCLUSIONS: The evolutionary history of the glutathione biosynthesis genes is more complex than anticipated. Our analysis suggests that the two genes in the pathway were acquired independently. The gene for gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase most probably arose in cyanobacteria and was transferred to other bacteria, eukaryotes and at least one archaeon, although other scenarios cannot be ruled out. Because of high divergence in the sequences, the data neither support nor refute the hypothesis that the eukaryotic gene comes from a mitochondrial progenitor. After acquiring gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase, eukaryotes and most bacteria apparently recruited a protein with the ATP-grasp superfamily structural fold to catalyze synthesis of glutathione from gamma-glutamylcysteine and glycine. The eukaryotic glutathione synthetase did not evolve directly from the bacterial glutathione synthetase.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Metal ion dependence of phosphorothioate ATP analogues in the Bacillus stearothermophilus tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase reaction.

Pre-steady-state kinetic analyses on the formation of tyrosyl adenylate from tyrosine and each of the four diastereomers of alpha- and beta-phosphorothioate adenosine triphosphates [ATP alpha S and ATP beta S; Eckstein, F., & Goody, R. (1976) Biochemistry 15, 1685-1691; Yee, D., Armstrong, V. W., & Eckstein, F. (1979) Biochemistry 18, 4116-4123] were performed in the presence of Mg2+, Co2+, and Cd2+ as the divalent metal ion cofactor. A modest preference of 5.5-fold in kappa 3/KA' (where kappa 3 is the rate constant for tyrosyl adenylate formation and KA' is the dissociation constant for ATP, or phosphorothioate ATP, from the E.Tyr.metal.ATP complex) for the Sp ATP alpha S diastereomer and the absence of an inversion of preference when the metal ion is changed suggest that there is a stereospecific enzyme-alpha-phosphate interaction and that there is no direct metal ion interaction with the alpha-phosphate. The extent of reaction of the ATP alpha S diastereomers (30-50%) implies that these analogues are more susceptible to the hydrolytic site reaction previously reported for this enzyme [Wells, T. N. C., & Fersht, A. R. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 1881-1886]. The strong preference in kappa 3/KA' for the RP ATP beta S diastereomer (16-fold for Mg2+ and 50-fold for Co2+) is indicative of a stereospecific interaction with the pro SP beta oxygen of ATP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1979

Yeast argininosuccinate synthetase. Purification; structural and kinetic properties.

Yeast argininosuccinate synthetase has been purified to homogeneity. The enzyme was found to have a molecular weight of 228,000 as determined by gel sieving. It is composed of identical subunits of Mr 49,000 as shown by gel electrophoresis. The quaternary structure as determined by cross-linking of the subunits with glutaraldehyde, followed by gel electrophoresis with dodecylsulfate, is tetrameric. The saturation functions by citrulline and aspartate are hyperbolic; with MgATP as the variable substrate a sigmoid character, dependent on the concentration of citrulline, aspartate, argininosuccinate and arginine, was observed. The positive cooperativity is reduced by increasing concentrations of citrulline and aspartate; it is increased by argininosuccinate and arginine. Kinetic analysis provided evidence for a random addition of substrates. Initial velocity studies as well as product and dead-end inhibition studies comply with a rapid-equilibrium random model, except for the interconversion of the central quaternary complexes; the different kinetic constants have been established on the basis. Yeast argininosuccinate synthetase has a double metabolic function: anabolic in the biosynthesis of arginine, catabolic as the first enzyme of citrulline utilization as nitrogen source. The kinetic properties of the enzyme point to a physiologically well-adjusted activity for both roles and to an economic and efficient utilization of ATP.

Argininosuccinate Synthase↗
PubMed1978

A spectral probe near the subunit catalytic site of glutamine synthetase from Escherichia coli. Reduced pyridoxal 5'-phosphate.enzyme complexes.

In order to label phosphate binding sites, unadenylylated glutamine synthetase from Escherichia coli has been pyridoxylated by reacting the enzyme with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate followed by reduction of the Schiff base with NaBH4. A complete loss in Mg2+-supported activity is associated with the incorporation of 3 eq of pyridoxal-P/subunit of the dodecamer. At this extent of modification, however, the pyridoxylated enzyme exhibits substantial Mn2+-supported activity (with increased Km values for ATP and ADP). The sites of pyridoxylation appear to have equal affinities for pyridoxal-P and to be at the enzyme surface, freely accessible to solvent. At least one of the three covalently bound pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate groups is near the subunit catalytic site and acts as a spectral probe for the interactions of the manganese.enzyme with substrates. A spectral perturbation of covalently attached pyridoxamine-P groups is caused also by specific divalent cations (Mn2+, Mg2+ or Ca2+) binding at the subunit catalytic site (but not while binding to the subunit high affinity, activating Me2+ site). In addition, the feedback inhibitors, AMP, CTP, L-tryptophan, L-alanine, and carbamyl phosphate, perturb protein-bound pyridoxamine-P groups. The spectral perturbations produced by substrate and inhibitor binding are pH-dependent and different in magnitude and maximum wavelength. Adenylylation sites are not major sites of pyridoxylation.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1986

Kinetic evidence for half-of-the-sites reactivity in tRNATrp aminoacylation by tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase from beef pancreas.

The aminoacylation reaction catalyzed by the dimeric tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase from beef pancreas was studied under pre-steady-state conditions by the quenched-flow method. The transfer of tryptophan to tRNATrp was monitored by using preformed enzyme-bis(tryptophanyl adenylate) complex. Combinations of either unlabeled or L-[14C]tryptophan-labeled tryptophanyl adenylate and of aminoacylation incubation mixtures containing either unlabeled tryptophan or L-[14C]tryptophan were used. We measured either the formation of a single labeled aminoacyl-tRNATrp per enzyme subunit or the turnover of labeled aminoacyl-tRNATrp synthesis. Four models were proposed to analyze the experimental data: (A) two independent and nonequivalent subunits; (B) a single active subunit (subunits presenting absolute "half-of-the-sites reactivity"); (C) alternate functioning of the subunits (flip-flop mechanism); (D) random functioning of the subunits with half-of-the-sites reactivity. The equations corresponding to the formation of labeled tryptophanyl-tRNATrp under each labeling condition were derived for each model. By use of least-squares criteria, the experimental curves were fitted with the four models, and it was possible to disregard models B and C as likely mechanisms. Complementary experiments, in which there was no significant excess of ATP-Mg over the enzyme-adenylate complex, emphasized an activator effect of free L-tryptophan on the rate of aminoacylation. This result disfavored model A. Model D was in agreement with all data. The analyses showed that the transfer step was not the major limiting reaction in the overall aminoacylation process.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗
PubMed1978

Analysis of the steady-state mechanism of the aminoacylation of tRNAPhe by phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase from yeast.

The steady-state mechanism of the aminoacylation of tRNAPhe by the corresponding synthetase from yeast has been investigated in detail by kinetic experiments. It was found that there are two alternative mechanisms: one favoured at low tRNA concentrations and the other at high tRNA concentrations. ATP and Phe are bound randomly to the enzyme. AMP is released immediately after the binding of ATP and Phe. Between the release of AMP and pyrophosphate (PPi) there is at least one additional step. Based on the experimental results a model of the steady-state mechanism is proposed. This model includes the sequence of addition of substrates to the enzyme and the release of products from the enzyme as well as the composition of the intermediate complexes with the enzyme. This model is in accordance with previous results based on different techniques. The results are explained by a "flip-flop" mechanism for all the substrates and products involved in the reaction.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Interaction of various nucleotide-dependent enzymes with bifunctional analogs of ATP, derivatives of polymethylene diamines].

The interaction of bifunctional ATP derivatives, Appp5'[NH-(CH2) n-NH]ppp5'A (n = 0 or 2-8) with tyrosyl-, valyl-, lysyl-, tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetases and creatine kinase was investigated. ATP derivatives don't inhibit the tRNA aminoacylation catalyzed by tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. These derivatives behave as mixed-type inhibitors with respect to ATP in the case of valyl- and lysyl-tRNA-synthetases. In the case of the other enzymes all analogs of ATP manifest competitive inhibition towards ATP. The affinity of all ATP derivatives to tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase does not differ significantly (Ki = 0.2 divided by 0.6 mM). The Ki values for these derivatives in the case of creatine kinase are also very similar with the exception of A5'ppp-NH-(CH2)3-NH-ppp5'A. The Ki value for this derivative is one order of magnitude lower than for other ones. The affinity reagents received by periodate oxidation of bifunctional ATP analogs derivatives of di-, tetra- and heptamethylenediamine modify non-identical subunits of creatine kinase with different velocities, but modification of M- and M'-subunits proceeds independently. An analogues derivative of trimethylenediamine interacts simultaneously with two centers of the dimeric form of kinase forming non-equivalent complexes. The covalent attachment of the reagent to one subunit of creatine kinase does not except the complex formation and covalent binding of bifunctional ATP analogs with the other subunit of the dimer, but results in a one order of magnitude decrease in affinity of the ATP derivative to the nonmodified centre of the enzyme. These data permit to evaluate the distance between ATP binding sites of creatine kinase in its dimeric form as 5-6 A approximately. Such a distance between active sites may be the reason for the higher activity of the M- and M'-creatine kinase subunits taken separately as compared to the enzyme dimeric form.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1999

Hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion increases complement deposition and glycolysis.

BACKGROUND: Hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion (HIR) impairs cellular energy metabolism and causes local muscle injury possibly through free radical or complement-mediated mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine the relationship among myocellular energetics, histopathological injury, and mediator activity, male Wistar rats underwent 4 h of Sham (n = 8), Unilateral (n = 8), or Bilateral (n = 8) hindlimb ischemia followed by 4 h of reperfusion. All rats underwent 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of their right gastrocnemius muscle to determine various high-energy phosphate ratios including ATP to Pi (ATP/Pi, a measure of energy status) and phosphocreatine to Pi (PCr/Pi, a measure of thermodynamic capacity). Gastrocnemius muscles were then harvested to determine muscle damage and complement membrane attack complex (MAC) deposition by immunohistochemical staining [grade 0 (none) to 3 (very severe)] and to measure glutathione (GSH), DNA, and enzyme activities: beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, phosphofructokinase, and citrate synthetase. RESULTS: HIR was associated with significant declines in ATP/Pi and PCr/Pi (P < 0.001). Progressively more severe HIR (Sham, Unilateral, Bilateral) was associated with greater MAC deposition (0. 0 +/- 0.0, 1.0 +/- 0.3, 1.5 +/- 0.4, P = 0.06, mean +/- SEM) and histological damage (0.0 +/- 0.0, 0.9 +/- 0.3, 1.3 +/- 0.4, P < 0. 05). GSH levels, beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and citrate synthetase activities were not affected by HIR, but phosphofructokinase activity increased (24.09 +/- 2.42, 35.16 +/- 5. 26, 59.29 +/- 9.82 mmol/mg of DNA/min, P < 0.05). Although GSH levels were not significantly altered, complement deposition was closely associated with skeletal muscle injury and compensatory changes in glycolysis. Alterations in myocellular bioenergetics after HIR closely paralleled complement deposition rather than GSH depletion. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic strategies aimed at controlling complement activity and assessment techniques based on bioenergetics may allow more precise determinations of the effects of HIR injury.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1977

Analysis of the structure of T4 bacteriophage-modified valyl-tRNA synthetase by limited proteolysis and isoelectric focusing.

The new form of valyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.1.9) that appears immediately after infection of Escherichia coli with bacteriophage T4 was purified and subjected to mild proteolysis using five different proteases. The inactivation of aminoacylation activity was both more extensive and rapid than that obtained with valyl-tRNA synthetase purified from uninfected E. coli. The addition of bulk tRNA from E. coli B protected the phage-specific form of valyl-tRNA synthetase from proteolysis, but ATP and valine did not exhibit a similar protective effect. The characteristic property of phage-modified valyl-tRNA synthetase, resistance to denaturation by 4 M urea, remained unaffected during treatment with trypsin. This suggested that the phage-specific factor tau, known to be associated with the synthetase in phage-infected cells, was protected from proteolysis in the synthetase-tau complex. Comparison by isoelectric focusing of normal valyl-tRNA synthetase, the phage-specific form of this enzyme, and phage enzyme from which tau had been removed, revealed no differences in the isoelectric points of these three molecules. Based on these results a model was drawn for the structural changes occurring in valyl-tRNA synthetase after association with the phage factor tau.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases↗
PubMed2001

Site-directed mutagenesis of ATP binding residues of biotin carboxylase. Insight into the mechanism of catalysis.

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase catalyzes the first committed step in fatty acid synthesis in all plants, animals, and bacteria. The Escherichia coli form is a multimeric protein complex consisting of three distinct and separate components: biotin carboxylase, carboxyltransferase, and the biotin carboxyl carrier protein. The biotin carboxylase component catalyzes the ATP-dependent carboxylation of biotin using bicarbonate as the carboxylate source and has a distinct architecture that is characteristic of the ATP-grasp superfamily of enzymes. Included in this superfamily are d-Ala d-Ala ligase, glutathione synthetase, carbamyl phosphate synthetase, N(5)-carboxyaminoimidazole ribonucleotide synthetase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase, all of which have known three-dimensional structures and contain a number of highly conserved residues between them. Four of these residues of biotin carboxylase, Lys-116, Lys-159, His-209, and Glu-276, were selected for site-directed mutagenesis studies based on their structural homology with conserved residues of other ATP-grasp enzymes. These mutants were subjected to kinetic analysis to characterize their roles in substrate binding and catalysis. In all four mutants, the K(m) value for ATP was significantly increased, implicating these residues in the binding of ATP. This result is consistent with the crystal structures of several other ATP-grasp enzymes, which have shown specific interactions between the corresponding homologous residues and cocrystallized ADP or nucleotide analogs. In addition, the maximal velocity of the reaction was significantly reduced (between 30- and 260-fold) in the 4 mutants relative to wild type. The data suggest that the mutations have misaligned the reactants for optimal catalysis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗