Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “FAD”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 919 records · Page 51Linked to original sources

Linkage studies in familial Alzheimer disease: evidence for chromosome 19 linkage.

A genetic component in the etiology of Alzheimer disease (AD) has been supported by indirect evidence for several years, with autosomal dominant inheritance with age-dependent penetrance being suggested to explain the familial aggregation of affecteds. St. George Hyslop et al. reported linkage of familial AD (FAD) in four early-onset families (mean age at onset [M] less than 50 years). Subsequent studies have been inconsistent in their results; Goate et al. also reported positive lod scores. However, both Pericak-Vance et al.'s study of a series of mainly late-onset FAD families (M greater than 60 years) and Schellenberg et al.'s study failed to confirm linkage to chromosome 21 (CH21). These various studies suggest the possibility of genetic heterogeneity, with some families linked to CH21 and others unlocalized. Recently, St. George Hyslop et al. extended their analysis to include additional families. The extended analyses supported their earlier finding of linkage to CH21, while showing strong evidence of heterogeneity between early-onset (M less than 65 years) and late-onset (M greater than 60 years) FAD families. Because our families did not show linkage to CH21, we undertook a genomic search for an additional locus for FAD. Because of both the confounding factor of late age at onset of FAD and the lack of clear evidence of Mendelian transmission in some of our families, we employed the affected-pedigree-member (APM) method of linkage analysis as an initial screen for possible linkage. Using this method, we identified two regions suggesting linkage: the proximal long arm of chromosome 19 (CH19) and the CH21 region of FAD linkage reported by St. George Hyslop et al. Application of standard likelihood (LOD score) analysis to these data support the possibility of an FAD gene locate on CH19, particularly in the late-onset FAD families. These data further suggest genetic heterogeneity and delineate this region of CH19 as an area needing additional investigation in FAD.

Age Factors↗

D-aspartate oxidase from beef kidney. Purification and properties.

The flavoprotein D-aspartate oxidase (EC 1.4.3.1) has been purified to homogeneity from beef kidney cortex. The protein is a monomer with a molecular weight of 39,000 containing 1 molecule of flavin. The enzyme as isolated is a mixture of a major active form containing FAD and a minor inactive form containing 6-hydroxy-flavin adenine dinucleotide (6-OH-FAD). The absorption and fluorescence spectral properties of the two forms have been studied separately after reconstitution of the apoprotein with FAD or 6-OH-FAD, respectively. FAD-reconstituted D-aspartate oxidase has flavin fluorescence, shows characteristic spectral perturbation upon binding of the competitive inhibitor tartaric acid, is promptly reduced by D-aspartic acid under anaerobiosis, reacts with sulfite to form a reversible covalent adduct, stabilizes the red anionic form of the flavin semiquinone upon photoreduction, and yields the 3,4-dihydro-FAD-form after reduction with borohydride. A Kd of 5 X 10(-8) M was calculated for the binding of FAD to the apoprotein. 6-OH-FAD-reconstituted D-aspartate oxidase has no flavin fluorescence, shows no spectral perturbation in the presence of tartaric acid, is not reduced by D-aspartic acid under anaerobiosis, does not stabilize any semiquinone upon photoreduction, and does not yield the 3,4-dihydro-form of the coenzyme when reduced with borohydride; the enzyme stabilizes the p-quinoid anionic form of 6-OH-FAD and lowers its pKa more than two pH units below the value observed for the free flavin. The general properties of the enzyme thus resemble those of the dehydrogenase/oxidase class of flavoprotein, particularly those of the amino acid oxidases.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

[Interaction of muscle glycogen phosphorylase B with flavin-adenine dinucleotide and its analogs].

The inhibition of rabbit skeletal muscle glycogen phosphorylase b by FAD and its analogues with substitutes in the position 8 has been studied. The value of half-saturation, [I]0,5, for inhibitors increases in the following order: FAD (44 microM), 8 alpha-hydroxy-FAD (60 microM), 8-dimethylamino (nor)-FAD (69 microM), 8 alpha-(N-acetyl-L-cystein-S-yl)-FAD (106 microM). From the comparison of these values with those obtained earlier for FMN analogues, it follows that in the case of FAD the half-saturation value is less sensitive to modification of the position 8 in the flavin isoalloxazine ring. The existence of the glycogen phosphorylase b FAD-complex has been proved by the spectrophotometry and sedimentation methods. The positions of maxima of optical absorption of the enzyme-bound FAD in the 300-500 nm region are identical with corresponding positions for FMN. FAD has been shown to hinder the AMP-induced transition of dimeric form of the enzyme to tetrameric one.

Animals↗

Studies of the flavin adenine dinucleotide binding region in Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase.

Experiments have been performed to probe the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) binding region in Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase. This enzyme functions as a membrane-associated flavoprotein coupled to the aerobic E. coli respiratory chain. The FAD moiety is noncovalently bound to pyruvate oxidase and can be removed reversibly to form apopyruvate oxidase. The addition of free FAD to apoenzyme results in the stoichiometric re-formation of the active flavoprotein. Using this technique, synthetic analogs of FAD were substituted in the flavin binding site and used as structural probes. Spectral analysis indicates that the benzoquinoid forms of 8-mercapto-FAD and 6-hydroxy-FAD are stabilized in the enzyme-binding site. This is consistent with the fact that the native flavoprotein forms a red (anion) radical upon photoreduction. These data suggest that the isoalloxazine ring may be poised for reduction via position N-5 by a carbanionic intermediate. The alpha-carbanion of hydroxyethylthiamin pyrophosphate, formed following the decarboxylation of pyruvate, is a likely candidate. The highly resolved visible spectrum of the native flavoprotein suggests that the flavin is buried in a hydrophobic environment. Reactivity studies using 8-chloro-FAD-pyruvate oxidase and 2-thio-FAD-pyruvate oxidase suggest that the C-8 position and C-2 position of the isoalloxazine ring may not be accessible to the solvent. Spectral perturbations observed with 6-hydroxy-FAD-pyruvate oxidase indicate, however, that the isoalloxazine C-6 position may be located near the binding site for the cofactor thiamin pyrophosphate. Restrictions to the accessibility of the active site of the enzyme are suggested by the fact that sulfite does not form an adduct with the flavin in the native enzyme.

Binding Sites↗

Molecular genetics of familial Alzheimer's disease.

Defective genes play an important role in some, if not all cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Epidemiologic case control studies, family pedigree analysis, and recent twin studies clearly implicate inherited gene defects in development of the disease. In addition to defective genes, trisomy 21 also results in the neuropathology of AD and an increased risk of early dementia. The genetics of AD have been partially resolved. In some rare kindreds, AD is inherited by an autosomal dominant mechanism. In some of these rare families, mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene on chromosome 21 are responsible for AD. APP mutations appear to account for approximately 5% of early-onset familial AD (FAD). Linkage analysis and a genomic scanning strategy have been used recently to localize an early-onset FAD locus to chromosome 14q24.3. This, as yet unidentified gene, accounts for FAD in most of the early-onset FAD kindreds which do not carry APP mutations. The chromosome 14 FAD locus is found in ethnically diverse populations including European Caucasians, Hispanics from Mexico, and in at least 1 Japanese family. However, the chromosome 14 locus is not responsible for FAD in the Volga German FAD families, a group of ethnically related kindreds with family age-of-onset means ranging from 50 to 65 years. Also, the chromosome 14 locus does not appear to be responsible for late-onset FAD. A locus on chromosome 19 appears to be a risk factor for AD in at least some late-onset FAD kindreds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alzheimer Disease↗

Hydrogenase encapsulation into red blood cells and regeneration of electron acceptor.

Biochemical decompression has been proposed as a method for reducing the amount of time required for deep-sea divers to return to the surface. Divers breathing H2/O2 mixtures would be presented with hydrogenase enzyme, and decompression would be accelerated by means of the enzymic removal of excess H2 from the tissues. We have studied FAD as a hydrogenase electron acceptor that is capable of transferring electrons derived from H2 oxidation directly to O2. Kinetic activity constants for the soluble hydrogenase from the bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus H16 were determined with FAD, FMN and riboflavin as electron acceptors, and these values were compared with those obtained with the physiological electron acceptor NAD+. The Michaelis constants (K(m)) were similar for FAD, FMN and NAD. However, the maximal catalytic-centre activity (Kcat) was much lower for the flavins, and the catalytic efficiency (Kcat/K(m)) with FAD was 1/20th the value for NAD+. After enzyme-catalysed FAD reduction to FADH2, the FAD could be regenerated by addition of O2 and reduced again by the enzyme in the presence of H2. Thus FAD served as a regenerable electron shuttle between H2 and O2. H2O2, a by-product of FADH2 oxidation by O2, inhibited the enzyme. Much greater inhibition was observed with the reduced form of the enzyme. Active hydrogenase was efficiently encapsulated into human and pig red blood cells. Hydrogen consumption was seen with lysed carrier cells, but was demonstrated with unlysed carrier cells only when FAD was co-encapsulated along with enzyme. These results demonstrate that red blood cells encapsulating hydrogenase and FAD act as a system for continuous H2 consumption in a mammalian tissue without addition of exogenous factors, and such cells may provide a biotherapeutic method for reducing the risk and treatment of decompression sickness.

Animals↗

Stability and reconstitution of pyruvate oxidase from Lactobacillus plantarum: dissection of the stabilizing effects of coenzyme binding and subunit interaction.

Pyruvate oxidase from Lactobacillus plantarum is a homotetrameric flavoprotein with strong binding sites for FAD, TPP, and a divalent cation. Treatment with acid ammonium sulfate in the presence of 1.5 M KBr leads to the release of the cofactors, yielding the stable apoenzyme. In the present study, the effects of FAD, TPP, and Mn2+ on the structural properties of the apoenzyme and the reconstitution of the active holoenzyme from its constituents have been investigated. As shown by circular dichroism and fluorescence emission, as well as by Nile red binding, the secondary and tertiary structures of the apoenzyme and the holoenzyme do not exhibit marked differences. The quaternary structure is stabilized significantly in the presence of the cofactors. Size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation demonstrate that the holoenzyme retains its tetrameric state down to 20 micrograms/mL, whereas the apoenzyme shows stepwise tetramer-dimer-monomer dissociation, with the monomer as the major component, at a protein concentration of < 20 micrograms/mL. In the presence of divalent cations, the coenzymes FAD and TPP bind to the apoenzyme, forming the inactive binary FAD or TPP complexes. Both FAD and TPP affect the quaternary structure by shifting the equilibrium of association toward the dimer or tetramer. High FAD concentrations exert significant stabilization against urea and heat denaturation, whereas excess TPP has no effect. Reconstitution of the holoenzyme from its components yields full reactivation. The kinetic analysis reveals a compulsory sequential mechanism of cofactor binding and quaternary structure formation, with TPP binding as the first step. The binary TPP complex (in the presence of 1 mM Mn2+/TPP) is characterized by a dimer-tetramer equilibrium transition with an association constant of Ka = 2 x 10(7) M-1. The apoenzyme TPP complex dimer associates with the tetrameric holoenzyme in the presence of 10 microM FAD. This association step obeys second-order kinetics with an association rate constant k = 7.4 x 10(3) M-1 s-1 at 20 degrees C. FAD binding to the tetrameric binary TPP complex is too fast to be resolved by manual mixing.

Apoenzymes↗

The crystal structure of NADPH:ferredoxin reductase from Azotobacter vinelandii.

NADPH:ferredoxin reductase (AvFPR) is involved in the response to oxidative stress in Azotobacter vinelandii. The crystal structure of AvFPR has been determined at 2.0 A resolution. The polypeptide fold is homologous with six other oxidoreductases whose structures have been solved including Escherichia coli flavodoxin reductase (EcFldR) and spinach, and Anabaena ferredoxin:NADP+ reductases (FNR). AvFPR is overall most homologous to EcFldR. The structure is comprised of a N-terminal six-stranded antiparallel beta-barrel domain, which binds FAD, and a C-terminal five-stranded parallel beta-sheet domain, which binds NADPH/NADP+ and has a classical nucleotide binding fold. The two domains associate to form a deep cleft where the NADPH and FAD binding sites are juxtaposed. The structure displays sequence conserved motifs in the region surrounding the two dinucleotide binding sites, which are characteristic of the homologous enzymes. The folded over conformation of FAD in AvFPR is similar to that in EcFldR due to stacking of Phe255 on the adenine ring of FAD, but it differs from that in the FNR enzymes, which lack a homologous aromatic residue. The structure of AvFPR displays three unique features in the environment of the bound FAD. Two features may affect the rate of reduction of FAD: the absence of an aromatic residue stacked on the isoalloxazine ring in the NADPH binding site; and the interaction of a carbonyl group with N10 of the flavin. Both of these features are due to the substitution of a conserved C-terminal tyrosine residue with alanine (Ala254) in AvFPR. An additional unique feature may affect the interaction of AvFPR with its redox partner ferredoxin I (FdI). This is the extension of the C-terminus by three residues relative to EcFldR and by four residues relative to FNR. The C-terminal residue, Lys258, interacts with the AMP phosphate of FAD. Consequently, both phosphate groups are paired with a basic group due to the simultaneous interaction of the FMN phosphate with Arg51 in a conserved FAD binding motif. The fourth feature, common to homologous oxidoreductases, is a concentration of 10 basic residues on the face of the protein surrounding the active site, in addition to Arg51 and Lys258.

Azotobacter vinelandii↗

Assessment of the flavoprotein nature of the redox core of neutrophil NADPH oxidase.

The latent NADPH oxidase activity of purified cytochrome b(558) from rabbit peritoneal neutrophils was expressed in a cell-free system consisting of either gel-filtrated cytosol from resting neutrophils, or a mixture of the three cytosolic activation factors, namely p47, p67 and the G protein Rac1. The cell-free system was supplemented with arachidonic acid and GTPgammaS. With gel-filtrated cytosol, the oxidase activity was relatively high (22 moles O(2)(-)/s/mole heme b in the absence of added FAD), and enhanced by less than one fourth upon addition of FAD. In contrast, with the purified cytosolic activation factors the rate of O(2)(-) production was low (8 moles O(2)(-)/s/mole heme b), and enhanced more than two-fold by a saturating concentration of FAD. The specificity of FAD was demonstrated by the lack of effect of FMN. FAD was determined together with heme b and the oxidase activity in eluates from a Sepharcryl column at the last step of the purification of cytochrome b(558). In the eluted fraction that contained both the maximal inducible oxidase activity and the highest amount of heme b, the molar amount of FAD was 20 times less than that of heme b. It is concluded that cytochrome b(558) is an NADPH-dependent flavocytochrome oxido-reductase (NADPH oxidase) in which one part of FAD is firmly bound and another, loosely attached. On the other hand, there may exist a parallel pathway of electron transfer from NADPH via distinct FAD dehydrogenase(s) to the heme b component of the NADPH oxidase.

Animals↗

The gene defects responsible for familial Alzheimer's disease.

Four different genes have now been found to contain AD-associated mutations or polymorphisms. While the pathogenic mutations in the early-onset FAD genes, APP, PS1, and PS2 directly cause AD with nearly 100% penetrance, in a larger subset of AD cases with onset over 60 years (maximally for onset at 61-65 years), inheritance of the APOE4 allele confers increased risk for AD but is not sufficient to cause the disease. Together, these four genes appear to account for approximately 50% of FAD cases. We are actively screening the genome for additional FAD loci by genotyping markers in over 400 FAD nuclear pedigrees and affected sib-pairs (83% late-onset and 17% early-onset). We have recently discovered genetic linkage to a novel FAD locus on chromosome 12 as well as another putative locus on chromosome 3 (unpublished findings). Positional cloning strategies are currently under way to identify these potentially novel FAD genes. A common event which is associated with all of the known FAD genes is the excessive accumulation of the A beta peptide and deposition of beta-amyloid in the brain. Thus, a common pathogenic pathway for AD neuropathogenesis appears to center around the cellular trafficking, maturation, and processing of APP, and the subsequent generation, aggregation, and deposition of A beta (or more specifically, A beta 1-42). APP and presenilin gene mutations most likely act as either gain-of-function or dominant negative gene defects which may ultimately lead to the transport of APP into intracellular compartments that promote the enhanced production of A beta or A beta 1-42. AD patients who carry an APOE4 allele experience increased amyloid burden in their brains compared to APOE4-negative AD cases. Thus, the presence of APOE4 would also appear to lead to abnormal generation, aggregation, or clearance of A beta in the brain A beta, perhaps by working in concert with its neuronal receptor, LRP. While the exact mechanisms by which the known FAD gene changes lead to the onset of AD remain unclear, the available data indicate that novel therapies aimed at curbing the generation, aggregation, and deposition of A beta would appear to carry the greatest potential for the effective treatment of this formidable disease.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Trypanosoma cruzi: surface antigenic determinants.

A fraction (FAd) capable of inhibiting specific agglutination reactions of anti-epimastigote sera (anti-LE) was obtained by extracting the sediment of lyophilized epimastigote lysates (LE) with 0.05 M phosphate buffered saline, at 37 degrees C for 1 h. These conditions favored the action of parasite proteinase whose presence was detected by tandem-crossed immunoelectrophoresis experiments. As expected from the proteinase properties, the addition of 2-mercaptoethanol or sodium iodoacetate to the extracting solution resulted, respectively, in either increased or decreased amounts of protein in the resulting FAd. FAd components could be precipitated by the addition of Concanavalin A, methylated albumins or 0.1 N HCl. This fraction presented a single component when subjected to electrophoresis in 1% agarose gel with an electrophoretic mobility 1.2 times higher than that of human albumin. FAd component(s) were unable to penetrate 15% polycrylamide gel matrix unless 1% SDS was used. Under this condition four glycopeptide components, with Rm of 0.5, 0.55, 0.6 and 0.86, were detected. The antigenic determinants present in FAd resisted heating at 100 degrees C for 30 min and the prolonged action of pronase. However, these determinants were completely destroyed by the action of 25 mM sodium periodate, thus suggesting polysaccharide characteristics. Immunization of rabbits with FAd induced the production of antibodies that were unable to precipitate with either FAd or with parasite proteinase. These antibodies exhibited positive agglutination reactions with epimastigote forms and positive immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase reactions with trypomastigote and amastigote forms of the different strains tested. FAd was able to inhibit these reactions as well as those obtained with anti-LE and anti-FA immune sera, whereas purified proteinase was unable to inhibit any of these reactions.

Animals↗

Crystal structure of cholesterol oxidase from Brevibacterium sterolicum refined at 1.8 A resolution.

Cholesterol oxidase (3 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidase, EC 1.1.3.6) is an FAD-dependent enzyme that carries out the oxidation and isomerization of steroids with a trans A : B ring junction. The crystal structure of the enzyme from Brevibacterium sterolicum has been determined using the method of isomorphous replacement and refined to 1.8 A resolution. The refined model includes 492 amino acid residues, the FAD prosthetic group and 453 solvent molecules. The crystallographic R-factor is 15.3% for all reflections between 10.0 A and 1.8 A resolution. The structure is made up of two domains: an FAD-binding domain and a steroid-binding domain. The FAD-binding domain consists of three non-continuous segments of sequence, including both the N terminus and the C terminus, and is made up of a six-stranded beta-sheet sandwiched between a four-stranded beta-sheet and three alpha-helices. The overall topology of this domain is very similar to other FAD-binding proteins. The steroid-binding domain consists of two non-continuous segments of sequence and contains a six-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet forming the "roof" of the active-site cavity. This large beta-sheet structure and the connections between the strands are topologically similar to the substrate-binding domain of the FAD-binding protein para-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase. The active site lies at the interface of the two domains, in a large cavity filled with a well-ordered lattice of 13 solvent molecules. The flavin ring system of FAD lies on the "floor" of the cavity with N-5 of the ring system exposed. The ring system is twisted from a planar conformation by an angle of approximately 17 degrees, allowing hydrogen-bond interactions between the protein and the pyrimidine ring of FAD. The amino acid residues that line the active site are predominantly hydrophobic along the side of the cavity nearest the benzene ring of the flavin ring system, and are more hydrophilic on the opposite side near the pyrimidine ring. The cavity is buried inside the protein molecule, but three hydrophobic loops at the surface of the molecule show relatively high temperature factors, suggesting a flexible region that may form a possible path by which the substrate could enter the cavity. The active-site cavity contains one charged residue, Glu361, for which the side-chain electron density suggests a high degree of mobility for the side-chain. This residue is appropriately positioned to act as the proton acceptor in the proposed mechanism for the isomerization step.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Acute toxicity of methanol in the folate-deficient acatalasemic mouse.

Formate acidosis is the chief measurable biochemical characteristic of acute methanol toxicity in man. Its marked elevation in the blood stream of primates has been proposed to account for their much greater susceptibility versus rodents to methanol poisoning. Therefore, a study was undertaken to assess whether folic acid deficient (FAD) mice which accumulate formate are much more sensitive to the lethal effects of this alcohol than folic acid sufficient (FAS) mice. Moreover, because some formate is oxidized by catalase-H2O2 in rodents, but not in primates, we also compared the urinary excretion and blood plasma accumulation of formate and the methanol sensitivity of acatalasemic mice. Methanol-dosed C57BL/6Csb (acatalasemic) mice exhibit slightly lower LD50S than CSa (normal catalase) mice, irrespective of their folate state. CSb-FAD mice excreted much more formate and developed higher plasma formate concentrations (11-17 mM) than identically dosed CSa-FAD animals (6 mM). However, in no instance did a folate deficiency produce a large reciprocal decrease in the oral or i.p. LD50 that would be expected from a huge increase (greater than 10-fold) in the 24-h blood plasma formate level. A low methionine (0.2%) intake did not decrease the oral methanol LD50 of CSb-FAD mice, although excess dietary methionine (1.8%) did lower it from 7.1 to 6.4 g/kg. Methanol treated (4 g/kg) Csb-FAD mice excreted 30.8-48.2% of the oral dose as urinary formate, depending on the level of dietary methionine. Csb-FAS and -FAD mice which were given 2 g/kg sodium formate orally (LD50 = 4.7 and 3.7 g/kg) cleared this dose from the blood within 24 h and excreted 58% and 76% of it, respectively, in the urine. Our results indicate that the plasma formate concentration does not correlate well with methanol lethality in Csb-FAS vs. -FAD mice. In addition, urinary excretion, not oxidation, is the primary means by which mice, and probably rats, eliminate high levels of blood formate. Since the Csb-FAD mouse attains high plasma formate levels and low blood pH-values similar to those which have been reported for methanol poisoned monkeys, it appears to be of value as an inexpensive small animal model for further studies of lethal methanol toxicity and the contribution of formate to this process.

Acatalasia↗

Purkinje cell loss and astrocytosis in the cerebellum in familial and sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

In order to elucidate further the pathological differences between familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD), Purkinje cells and astrocytosis in the cerebellum of 10 FAD patients including two cases with the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene mutation in codon 717 (APP717 Val-->Ile), 10 SAD patients and 10 non-demented, age-matched controls were morphometrically investigated using immunohistochemistry. The regions examined included the molecular, Purkinje cell and granular cell layers, and the cerebellar white matter. This is the first report of a significantly decreased Purkinje cell density in FAD when compared to SAD. The density in SAD was also significantly decreased when compared to controls. In addition, the astrocyte density in FAD was significantly greater than that of SAD in the Purkinje cell layer, granular cell layer, and white matter. The density in SAD was also greater than that in controls, but not significantly in the granular cell layer and white matter. In the cases with the APP717 (Val-->Ile) mutation, Purkinje cell loss in the cerebellum was greater than the mean for FAD and SAD cases, while the astrocyte density was lower than the mean of all FAD cases, but higher than the mean of SAD cases. This study demonstrates that Purkinje cell loss and astrocytosis in FAD in the cerebellum are greater than in SAD, indicating that the cerebellum is more affected in FAD than in SAD.

Adult↗

Organization of the multiple coenzymes and subunits and role of the covalent flavin link in the complex heterotetrameric sarcosine oxidase.

Heterotetrameric (alphabetagammadelta) sarcosine oxidase from Corynebacterium sp. P-1 (cTSOX) contains noncovalently bound FAD and NAD(+) and covalently bound FMN, attached to beta(His173). The beta(His173Asn) mutant is expressed as a catalytically inactive, labile heterotetramer. The beta and delta subunits are lost during mutant enzyme purification, which yields a stable alphagamma complex. Addition of stabilizing agents prevents loss of the delta but not the beta subunit. The covalent flavin link is clearly a critical structural element and essential for TSOX activity or preventing FMN loss. The alpha subunit was expressed by itself and purified by affinity chromatography. The alpha and beta subunits each contain an NH(2)-terminal ADP-binding motif that could serve as part of the binding site for NAD(+) or FAD. The alpha subunit and the alphagamma complex were each found to contain 1 mol of NAD(+) but no FAD. Since NAD(+) binds to alpha, FAD probably binds to beta. The latter could not be directly demonstrated since it was not possible to express beta by itself. However, FAD in TSOX from Pseudomonas maltophilia (pTSOX) exhibits properties similar to those observed for the covalently bound FAD in monomeric sarcosine oxidase and N-methyltryptophan oxidase, enzymes that exhibit sequence homology with beta. A highly conserved glycine in the ADP-binding motif of the alpha(Gly139) or beta(Gly30) subunit was mutated in an attempt to generate NAD(+)- or FAD-free cTSOX, respectively. The alpha(Gly139Ala) mutant is expressed only at low temperature (t(optimum) = 15 degrees C), but the purified enzyme exhibited properties indistinguishable from the wild-type enzyme. The much larger barrier to NAD(+) binding in the case of the alpha(Gly139Val) mutant could not be overcome even by growth at 3 degrees C, suggesting that NAD(+) binding is required for TSOX expression. The beta(Gly30Ala) mutant exhibited subunit expression levels similar to those of the wild-type enzyme, but the mutation blocked subunit assembly and covalent attachment of FMN, suggesting that both processes require a conformational change in beta that is induced upon FAD binding. About half of the covalent FMN in recombinant preparations of cTSOX or pTSOX is present as a reversible covalent 4a-adduct with a cysteine residue. Adduct formation is not prevented by mutating any of the three cysteine residues in the beta subunit of cTSOX to Ser or Ala. Since FMN is attached via its 8-methyl group to the beta subunit, the FMN ring must be located at the interface between beta and another subunit that contains the reactive cysteine residue.

Acetates↗

Synergistic interactions of multiple mutations on catalysis during the hydroxylation reaction of p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase: studies of the Lys297Met, Asn300Asp, and Tyr385Phe mutants reconstituted with 8-Cl-flavin.

The oxygen transfer to p-hydroxybenzoate catalyzed by p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (PHBH) has been shown to occur via a C4a-hydroperoxide of the flavin. Two factors are likely to be important in facilitating the transfer of oxygen from the C4a-hydroperoxide to the substrate. (a) The positive electrostatic potential of the active site partially stabilizes the negative charge centered on the oxygen of the flavin-C4a-alkoxide leaving group during the transition state [Ortiz-Maldonado, M., Ballou, D. P., and Massey, V. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 8124-8137]. (b) The hydrogen-bonding network ionizes the substrate to promote its nucleophilic attack on the electrophilic C4a-hydroperoxide intermediate [Entsch, B., Palfey, B. A., Ballou, D. P., and Massey, V. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 17341-17349]. This ionization is also aided by the positive electrostatic potential of the active site [Moran, G. R., Entsch, B., Palfey, B. A., and Ballou, D. P. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 7548-7556]. Substituents on the flavin can specifically affect the stability of the alkoxide leaving-group, whereas changes to specific enzyme residues can affect the charge in the active site and the hydrogen-bonding network. We have used wild-type (WT) PHBH and several mutant forms, all with normal FAD and with 8-Cl-FAD substituted for FAD, to assess the relative contributions of the two effects. Lys297Met and Asn300Asp have decreased positive charge in the active site, and these variants engender approximately 35-fold slower hydroxylation rates than the WT enzyme. Substitution of 8-Cl-FAD in these mutant forms gives approximately 1.8-fold increases in hydroxylation rates, compared with a > or =4.8-fold increase for WT with this flavin. The hydroxylation catalyzed by Tyr385Phe, a mutant enzyme form with a disrupted hydrogen-bonding network that compromises the ionization of the substrate without changing the positive charge of the active site, is stimulated 1.5-fold by substituting the enzyme with 8-Cl-FAD. The substrate, tetrafluoro-p-hydroxybenzoate, is fully ionized in WT PHBH, but this phenolate is a poor nucleophile because of the electron-withdrawing effects of the fluorine substituents. With tetrafluoro-p-hydroxybenzoate as the substrate, substitution of FAD with 8-Cl-FAD in the WT enzyme stabilizes the leaving alkoxide and leads to a 2.3-fold increase in the hydroxylation rate compared to that with FAD. Either the use of substrates that do not communicate with the proton network or the mutation of amino acid residues that perturb this interaction may prevent a necessary conformational change that allows proper orientation between reactants during the hydroxylation reaction or permits the essential protonation of the initially formed nascent flavin-C4a-peroxide anion. Thus, both activation of substrate by the proton network and stabilization of the leaving alkoxide appear to be important for oxygen transfer catalyzed by PHBH. The full effect of the substituents on the flavin (4.8-fold) can only be realized when the optimal transition state can be achieved, and this optimal state is not fully realized with the mutant forms.

4-Hydroxybenzoate-3-Monooxygenase↗

Relaxation kinetics of cytochrome P450 reductase: internal electron transfer is limited by conformational change and regulated by coenzyme binding.

The kinetics of internal electron transfer in human cytochrome P450 reductase have been studied using temperature-jump relaxation spectroscopy. Temperature perturbation of CPR reduced at the two-electron level with NADPH yields biphasic absorption transients at 450 and 600 nm. The observed rate, 1/tau, for the fast phase is 2200 +/- 300 s(-1). The absence of this phase in fluorescence transients and in absorption transients collected with dithionite-reduced enzyme indicates this phase does not report on electron/hydride transfer and is consistent with its origin in local conformational change in the vicinity of the FAD isoalloxazine ring. The slow phase (1/tau = 55 +/- 2 s(-1)) observed in the absorption transients obtained with CPR reduced at the two-electron level with NADPH reports on internal electron transfer: FAD(sq)-FMN(sq) --> FAD(ox)-FMN(hq). The observed rate of this transient is slower (1/tau = 11 +/- 0.5 s(-1)) in CPR reduced to the two-electron level by dithionite rather than NADPH, demonstrating that coenzyme binding has an important influence on the observed rate of internal electron transfer. Temperature perturbation experiments with CPR reduced with 10-fold molar excess of NADPH produce monophasic absorption transients (1/tau = 20 +/- 0.2 s(-1)) reporting on internal electron transfer: FAD(sq)-FMN(hq) --> FAD(hq)-FMN(sq). The observed rate constants for electron transfer are substantially less than those expected from analysis of CPR by electron-transfer theory (approximately 10(10) s(-1)). Potential gating mechanisms have been investigated using the temperature-jump method. Observed rates for electron transfer were unaffected in experiments performed in deuterated solvent, indicating that deprotonation does not gate the reaction. Introduction of glycerol into the sample significantly decreased the observed rate for internal electron transfer, suggesting conformational gating of the reaction. Replacement of Trp-676 with His-676 reduces approximately 2-fold the observed rate of internal electron transfer in two-electron-reduced enzyme, whereas the observed rate for FAD(sq)-FMN(hq) --> FAD(hq)-FMN(sq) transfer is increased approximately 13-fold in the W676H mutant reduced with a 10-fold molar excess of NADPH. The studies reveal altered redox properties of the FAD in W676H CPR. The data are discussed in the context of previous stopped-flow studies of human CPR and the X-ray crystallographic structure of rat CPR.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Electron transfer in human methionine synthase reductase studied by stopped-flow spectrophotometry.

Human methionine synthase reductase (MSR) is a key enzyme in folate and methionine metabolism as it reactivates the catalytically inert cob(II)alamin form of methionine synthase (MS). Electron transfer from MSR to the cob(II)alamin cofactor coupled with methyl transfer from S-adenosyl methionine returns MS to the active methylcob(III)alamin state. MSR contains stoichiometric amounts of FAD and FMN, which shuttle NADPH-derived electrons to the MS cob(II)alamin cofactor. Herein, we have investigated the pre-steady state kinetic behavior of the reductive half-reaction of MSR by anaerobic stopped-flow absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy. Photodiode array and single-wavelength spectroscopy performed on both full-length MSR and the isolated FAD domain enabled assignment of observed kinetic phases to mechanistic steps in reduction of the flavins. Under single turnover conditions, reduction of the isolated FAD domain by NADPH occurs in two kinetically resolved steps: a rapid (120 s(-1)) phase, characterized by the formation of a charge-transfer complex between oxidized FAD and NADPH, is followed by a slower (20 s(-1)) phase involving flavin reduction. These two kinetic phases are also observed for reduction of full-length MSR by NADPH, and are followed by two slower and additional kinetic phases (0.2 and 0.016 s(-1)) involving electron transfer between FAD and FMN (thus yielding the disemiquinoid form of MSR) and further reduction of MSR by a second molecule of NADPH. The observed rate constants associated with flavin reduction are dependent hyperbolically on NADPH and [4(R)-2H]NADPH concentration, and the observed primary kinetic isotope effect on this step is 2.2 and 1.7 for the isolated FAD domain and full-length MSR, respectively. Both full-length MSR and the separated FAD domain that have been reduced with dithionite catalyze the reduction of NADP+. The observed rate constant of reverse hydride transfer increases hyperbolically with NADP+ concentration with the FAD domain. The stopped-flow kinetic data, in conjunction with the reported redox potentials of the flavin cofactors for MSR [Wolthers, K. R., Basran, J., Munro, A. W., and Scrutton, N. S. (2003) Biochemistry, 42, 3911-3920], are used to define the mechanism of electron transfer for the reductive half-reaction of MSR. Comparisons are made with similar stopped-flow kinetic studies of the structurally related enzymes cytochrome P450 reductase and nitric oxide synthase.

Electron Transport↗