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Activity of aspartate aminotransferase and acid phosphatase in cryopreserved trout sperm.

Milt of brown, rainbow and brook trout was cryopreserved. Activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) and acid phosphatase was assayed both in supernatants and in spermatozoa obtained from thawed sperm samples; additionally, post-thaw motility was evaluated. Enzyme activities differed according to fish species and were strongly affected by the type of cryoprotectant used. The activity in supernatants was usually higher than that in spermatozoa because of protein leakage from injured cells. AspAT activity in cryopreserved spermatozoa correlated positively with fertilization success in all three species. There was a negative correlation between activity of extracellular (supernatant) AspAT and fertilization rates in variants with dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylacetamide-based extenders. The motility of thawed sperm, determined microscopically, provided some information on the cryopreservation efficiency of trout milt.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Complete amino acid sequence of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from pig heart muscle. Cyanogen bromide peptides.

Twelve cyanogen bromide peptides were isolated from S-carboxymethylated mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase and their amino acid sequences were determined. These peptides were purified first by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-75 column, and then by gel filtration on Bio-Gel, or by ion exchange chromatography on a phosphocellulose column in the presence of 8 M urea, or by both methods. Small peptides were purified by paper chromatography. The cyanogen bromide peptides accounted for 367 of the 401 amino acid residues in the subunit of the enzyme. No peptide accounting for the other 34 residues was obtained in a homogeneous state, but peptide mixtures containing this particular peptide were analyzed by various procedures including Edman degradation and digestion with Staphylococcus aureus protease. The results accounted for all 401 amino acid residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pseudolinkage of the duplicate loci for supernatant aspartate aminotransferase in brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis.

Electrophoretic variation involving three alleles is described for the duplicated loci for supernatant aspartate aminotransferase (AAT-1,2), from muscle extracts of brook trout. Both loci exhibit largely disomic inheritance. Exceptional progeny types are proposed to be the result of a form of tetrasomic inheritance. Nonrandom segregation was found among the progeny of males doubly heterozygous for AAT markers; where so-called linkage phase was known, this nonrandom assortment was shown to be pseudolinkage (78.9 percent recombination). Analyses of joint segregation of triply heterozygous males for the AAT-(1,2) loci and for the single alpha glycerophosphate dehydrogenase locus (AGP-1) revealed true linkage of AGP-1 with one AAT locus (mean r = 11 percent), but pseudolinkage with the other AAT locus (r = 74 percent). Intraindividual variation for homoeologous multivalent pairing of two acrocentric with two metacentric chromosomes in males, but with bivalent pairing in females, is proposed to account for pseudolinkage and for the tetrasomically inherited types.

Animals↗

The precursor of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase is imported into mitochondria faster than the homologous cytosolic isoenzyme with the same presequence attached.

Mitochondrial and cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) are homologous proteins with identically folded polypeptide chains. The cDNAs of the two isoenzymes of chicken were used to express the following proteins in yeast: the precursor of mitochondrial AspAT, mature mitochondrial AspAT, and two chimeric proteins in one of which (pc) the presequence of the precursor was attached to the entire cytosolic isoenzyme and in the other one (pmc) the N-terminal segment (amino acid residues -22 to 23) of the precursor was linked to the slightly truncated cytosolic isoenzyme (residues 34 to 412). All presequence containing proteins were imported into the mitochondria and processed to the mature form whereas mature mitochondrial AspAT remained in the cytosol. The rate of import of the authentic precursor was four times faster than that of the chimeric proteins pc and pmc, t1/2 for importation at 29 degrees C being 3, 13 and 14 min, respectively. Apparently, the mature moiety of the precursor of mitochondrial AspAT promotes importation.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗

Effects of therapeutic coronary reperfusion on aspartate aminotransferase isoenzymes in sera of patients with acute myocardial infarction.

We examined the kinetics of the catalytic activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, EC 2.6.1.1) isoenzymes in serum of 28 patients with myocardial infarction who were to receive either intracoronary urokinase--reperfusion angiographically proved--or conventional therapy (control group). Cytosolic (soluble) AST (s-AST) activity in serum increased rapidly immediately after recanalization, reaching a maximum 12 h after the onset of infarction. In the control group, this peak was reached 28 h after the onset (P less than 0.001). Peak s-AST activity was similar in the two groups. Peak activity and peak time for mitochondrial AST (m-AST) were the same for the two groups of patients; intervention that affects myocardial perfusion caused only a slight additional increase in m-AST activity in the early post-infarct period. There may be advantages to measuring m-AST, which is briefly influenced by reperfusion, instead of the usual cytosolic enzymes for assessment of myocardial damage in patients with myocardial infarction treated with thrombolytic therapy.

Adult↗

Aspartate aminotransferase from an alkalophilic Bacillus contains an additional 20-amino acid extension at its functionally important N-terminus.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT), responsible for a minor part of the total AspAT enzymic activity in alkalophilic Bacillus circulans, was purified, its N-terminal amino acid sequence was determined, and its gene was cloned as two separate fragments. DNA sequencing showed an open reading frame of 432 amino acids (M(r) 47,439) exhibiting moderately low homology with AspATs from other sources. Sequence alignment of the enzyme with chicken mitochondrial, chicken cytoplasmic and Escherichia coli AspATs was performed with the MULTALIN program and further optimized assuming that the three-dimensional structures of the proteins were conserved. The primary structure of the studied AspAT diverged markedly from the others in the catalytically important small domain and in a segment of 31 amino acids in the large domain. The functional N-terminal arm was about two times longer than those of AspATs from other sources. According to the molecular model, the unique regions of B. circulans AspAT are all located together, forming a continuous network of contacts. Additional contacts formed by the elongated N-terminal arm may result in some limitation of domain movements in the alkalophilic enzyme in comparison to in other known AspATs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of betaxolol on aspartate aminotransferase activity in hypoxic rat retina in vitro.

We investigated the effect of betaxolol on the decrease of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (mAAT) activity in rat retinas induced by hypoxia in vitro. It is reported that mAAT decreases in ischemic or hypoxic retina and that the decrease is caused by Ca(2+)-dependent proteases such as calpain. Betaxolol is a compound that has beta(1)-adrenergic receptor blocking and voltage-dependent calcium channel blocking properties. The rat eye cups were maintained with Locke's solution saturated with 95% air - 5% CO(2). The eye cups were immersed in glucose-free Locke's solution saturated with 95% N(2) / 5% CO(2) (hypoxic solution). Ninety minutes of hypoxia caused a 20% decrease in mAAT activity. The eye cups incubated with the hypoxic solution containing 1 mM EGTA, 10 micro M MK-801 or 100 micro M betaxolol were protected from the decrease in mAAT activity, so that the residual mAAT activity was 50%, 45% or 40%, respectively, compared to the eye cups incubated in hypoxic solution alone, which had a 100% decrease in mAAT activity. In addition, co-incubation with EGTA and betaxolol had a greater protective effect against the mAAT decrease than a single application. This additive effect of betaxolol was dose-dependent. These results suggested that betaxolol had a protective effect against the decrease of mAAT caused by hypoxia and indicated that betaxolol might inhibit the Ca(2+) release from intracellular Ca(2+) stores.

Animals↗

Replacement of active-site lysine-239 of thermostable aspartate aminotransferase by S-(2-aminoethyl)cysteine: properties of the mutant enzyme.

The active-site lysine residue of thermostable aspartate aminotransferase, Lys-239, to which the cofactor, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), is bound, has been converted to Cys by site-directed mutagenesis. The thiol group of Cys-239 was chemically aminoethylated with ethylenimine. Amino acid analysis of the modified enzyme showed that it contained about 1 mol of S-(2-aminoethyl)cysteine (SAEC) per mol subunit. The activity of the mutant enzyme (K239SAEC) was about 14% of that of the wild-type enzyme. No significant difference in thermostability was found between the wild-type and K239SAEC enzymes. The UV-visible spectrum of K239SAEC showed a peak (lambda max 380 nm), due to absorption by the cofactor, at a 20 nm longer wavelength than that of the wild-type enzyme. The circular dichroism band due to the bound cofactor of K239SAEC also shifted toward a 20 nm longer wavelength. We determined kinetic parameters (rate constants, kmax, and dissociation constants, Kd, for the substrates) for each half transamination catalyzed by the wild-type and K239SAEC mutant enzymes by the stopped-flow method. The kmax values for the mutant enzyme reactions were 2.6-24 times lower than those for the wild-type enzyme ones. The two enzymes showed similar Kd values for the same substrates except glutamate; the mutant enzyme showed higher affinity for glutamate than the wild-type enzyme.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗

Does determination of serum aspartate aminotransferase contribute to the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction?

Values for total lactate dehydrogenase (LD), LD isoenzymes, and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined in 150 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 130 non-AMI patients 24, 48, and 72 hours after admission. The authors assessed the diagnostic yield of a single determination of AST, LD, and three LD isoenzymes tests: LD-1 greater than LD-2; LD-1 greater than 90 U/L; LD-1/LD greater than 0.4. They also assessed the diagnostic accuracy of combined determination of AST with LD and AST with each of the above three LD isoenzymes tests. The efficiency of single determination of AST was better than that of LD (88% vs. 80%, 48 hours after admission). The most efficient single test for diagnosing AMI was the LD-1 greater than 90 U/L test (92%, 48 hours after admission). The efficiency of the combined AST/LD test was better than that of a single determination of each of the two enzymes (90% vs. 88% and 80%, 48 hours after admission). The highest efficiency was achieved, however, with combined determination of AST and any of the three LD isoenzymes tests. It was found to be more efficient than single determination of each of the LD isoenzymes tests (95.5-96% vs. 89-92.5%) and more efficient than the combined determination of the AST/LD test (95.5-96% vs. 89-90%). The authors conclude that AST should be determined in every patient with suspected AMI because its determination may contribute to the diagnostic yield of LD isoenzymes tests, especially in patients with AMI admitted 48-72 hours after onset of symptoms, when creatine kinase declined to near normal values.

Adult↗

Aspartate Aminotransferase in Alfalfa Root Nodules : II. Immunological Distinction between Two Forms of the Enzyme.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AAT), a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of aspartate and asparagine, occurs as two forms in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), AAT-1 and AAT-2. Both forms were purified to near homogeneity, and high titer polyclonal antibodies produced to the native proteins. Alfalfa AAT-1 was purified from root suspension culture cells, while AAT-2 was purified from effective root nodules. Antibodies prepared to AAT-1 and used as probes for western blots readily recognized native and SDS forms of AAT-1 but did not recognize either native or SDS forms of AAT-2. Conversely, antibodies to AAT-2 readily recognized native and SDS forms of AAT-2 but did not recognize AAT-1. Immunotitrations further confirmed the immunological distinction between AAT-1 and AAT-2. AAT-1 antibodies immunotitrated 100% of the in vitro activity of purified AAT-1 but had no effect on AAT-2 in vitro activity. Likewise, AAT-2 antibodies removed 100% of the in vitro activity of purified AAT-2 but did not affect AAT-1 in vitro activity. Sequential titration of total AAT activity from roots and nodules showed that AAT-1 comprised the major form (62%) of AAT in roots, while AAT-2 was the predominant form (90%) in nodules. Last, SDS-PAGE western blots showed that the molecular masses of AAT-1 and AAT-2 were 42 and 40 kilodaltons, respectively. These data indicate that AAT is under the control of at least two distinct genes in alfalfa.

Journal Article↗

Cocrystallization of a mutant aspartate aminotransferase with a C5-dicarboxylic substrate analog: structural comparison with the enzyme-C4-dicarboxylic analog complex.

A mutant Escherichia coil aspartate aminotransferase with 17 amino acid substitutions (ATB17), previously created by directed evolution, shows increased activity for beta-branched amino acids and decreased activity for the native substrates, aspartate and glutamate. A new mutant (ATBSN) was generated by changing two of the 17 mutated residues back to the original ones. ATBSN recovered the activities for aspartate and glutamate to the level of the wild-type enzyme while maintaining the enhanced activity of ATB17 for the other amino acid substrates. The absorption spectrum of the bound coenzyme, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, also returned to the original state. ATBSN shows significantly increased affinity for substrate analogs including succinate and glutarate, analogs of aspartate and glutamate, respectively. Hence, we could cocrystallize ATBSN with succinate or glutarate, and the structures show how the enzyme can bind two kinds of dicarboxylic substrates with different chain lengths. The present results may also provide an insight into the long-standing controversies regarding the mode of binding of glutamate to the wild-type enzyme.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗

Light-dependent changes in cytoplasmic aspartate aminotransferase activity in rod spherules of the rat retina. A cytochemical study.

The cytoplasmic activity of the glutamate synthesizing enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (c-AAT) has been investigated on the ultrastructure level in rod spherules of light and dark adapted rat retinae using cytochemistry. Although most rod terminals react negatively, in a subpopulation of rods a weak activity, which is observed in light adapted retinae, is markedly increased under dark conditions. This indicates, that in addition to cones, some rods might use glutamate as their transmitter as well.

Animals↗

The influence of chloride and other univalent inorganic anions on the visible-absorption spectrum of aspartate aminotransferase.

1. The influence of Cl(-), Br(-), NO(3) (-) and F(-) ions on the visible-absorption spectrum of deionized aspartate aminotransferase was investigated. 2. Except for F(-), these anions caused an increase of the extinction at 430mmu with a concomitant decrease of that at 362mmu. 3. The affinity constants for Cl(-) and NO(3) (-) ions were calculated by a procedure based on the assumption that the anion stabilizes the protonated form of the enzyme chromophore (lambda(max.) 430mmu). 4. The true pK of the chromophore of the enzyme was found to be 5.25.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗

Catalytic activity of aspartate aminotransferase in the crystal. Equilibrium and kinetic analysis.

Natural substrates and analogs rapidly diffuse through crystals of pig heart mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase and react at the active sites causing spectral changes that can be measured by single-crystal microspectrophotometry. Dissociation constants for natural substrates and rate constants of transamination for slowly reacting substrates have been determined. A comparison between the data obtained in the crystal and in solution shows that the crystalline enzyme is catalytically competent and that events occurring in the crystal essentially parallel those occurring in solution, even though minor differences have been detected.

Animals↗

Lack of correlation between mRNA expression and enzymatic activity of the aspartate aminotransferase isoenzymes in various tissues of the rat.

Little is known about control of expression of basal levels of the aspartate aminotransferases which are ubiquitous 'house keeping' enzymes in vertebrates. We have measured both mRNA and activity levels for both isoenzymes in various rat tissues as a function of age. Patterns of mRNA expression for the two isoenzymes were similar in a particular tissue about differed widely between tissues. Surprisingly, there was no simple correlation between mRNA levels and specific activities of the enzyme products. We conclude that translation for mRNA for these two isoenzymes is subject to tissue-specific, and in some cases age-related, regulation.

Age Factors↗

Divergent Hsc70 binding properties of mitochondrial and cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase. Implications for their segregation to different cellular compartments.

Cytosolic Hsc70 discriminates between the homologous mitochondrial and cytosolic isozymes of aspartate aminotransferase, binding exclusively the mitochondrial form. By screening a library of synthetic peptides spanning the sequence of the mitochondrial enzyme, we have identified binding sites in this polypeptide that interact with Hsc70. These potential binding sites are scattered over the entire sequence and map to secondary structure elements, particularly the alpha-helix, that are partly exposed on the surface of the native protein. Several peptides corresponding to analogous positions in the cytosolic enzyme sequence do not bind to Hsc70. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that Hsc70 binding sequences have diverged as a consequence of biochemical specialization ensuring differential interaction of each isozyme with the cellular machinery in charge of protein folding and translocation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Relationship between levels of aspartate aminotransferase in gingival crevicular fluid and periodontal disease activity].

This paper describes a longitudinal study in which clinical parameters and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were monitored bimonthly over a 6-12 months period in 970 sites from 7 treated periodontitis patients. In this study, 21 out of 970 sites exhibited new attachment loss (AL) of at least 2mm between two consecutive visits. The GCF-AST levels and clinical parameters at sites with active tissue destruction (> or = 2mm AL within two months) were significantly higher than those at control sites on the same tooth. The GCF-AST levels and clinical parameters at sites with active tissue destruction decreased significantly after re-treatment. The measurement of GCF-AST could be an useful adjunctive criterion for detection of disease activity. However, it seems to be unsatisfactory in predicting disease activity.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗

Desialylated transferrin and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase compared as laboratory markers of excessive alcohol consumption.

Concentrations of both desialylated transferrin (dTf) and the mitochondrial isoenzyme of aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1, mAST) have been claimed to be increased in sera of alcoholic subjects. To investigate the diagnostic usefulness of these new biochemical markers of alcoholism and to compare them with more conventional markers, we measured dTf and mAST in the sera of controls, alcoholic subjects, and patients with nonalcoholic liver diseases (NALD). Alcoholic subjects had significantly (P less than 0.001) higher ratios of dTf to total transferrin than did either healthy controls or patients with NALD (sensitivity 81%, specificity 97%). The mAST was increased in 92% of alcoholic subjects but also in 48% of patients with NALD. The mAST/total AST ratio differentiated the alcoholic subjects from those with NALD (P less than 0.001) with a sensitivity of 92%, but the specificity was only 70%. In contrast, the conventional markers were less sensitive and less specific. We conclude that the best available single laboratory marker for current heavy alcohol consumption is the ratio dTf/total transferrin.

Adult↗