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Isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase and prenyltransferase from tomato fruit plastids.

Isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase has been isolated from an extract of tomato fruit plastids and purified 245-fold by fractionation with ammonium sulfate, gel filtration on Bio-Gel A 1.5m, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, and chromatofocusing. Gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 separated the isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase from a prenyltransferase fraction that catalyzed the conversion of isopentenyl pyrophosphate to acid-labile compounds in the presence of dimethylallyl, geranyl, or farnesyl pyrophosphates. The molecular weights of the isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase and prenyltransferase were determined to be 34,000 and 64,000, respectively, by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The only cofactor required by either the isomerase or the prenyltransferase was a divalent cation, either Mg2+ or Mn2+. Isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase could also be totally inactivated by 1 X 10(-3) M iodoacetamide, and this property was utilized in the assay of prenyltransferase activity in the presence of contaminating isomerase. The inactivation of isomerase by iodoacetamide is consistent with the stabilization of isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase by dithiothreitol. The Km of isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase for isopentenyl pyrophosphate was found to be 5.7 X 10(-6).

Carbon-Carbon Double Bond Isomerases↗

Monoterpene biosynthesis: mechanism and stereochemistry of the enzymatic cyclization of geranyl pyrophosphate to (+)-cis- and (+)-trans-sabinene hydrate.

The conversion of geranyl pyrophosphate to (+)-cis- and (+)-trans-sabinene hydrate by a partially purified cyclase from sweet marjoram (Majorana hortensis) is considered to proceed by the initial ionization and isomerization of the substrate to (-)-(3R)-linalyl pyrophosphate and the subsequent cyclization of this enzyme-bound tertiary allylic intermediate to the monocyclic (+)-(4R)-alpha-terpinyl cation. A 1,2-hydride shift and a second cyclization with water capture of the resulting cation complete the reaction sequence. [6-3H, 14C]Geranyl pyrophosphate, coupled with selective chemical degradation of the resulting sabinene hydrate products, was employed to demonstrate the hydride shift, while separate testing of the linalyl pyrophosphate enantiomers confirmed the involvement of the (3R)-antipode in the cyclization and indicated the cyclization of linalyl pyrophosphate to be faster than the coupled isomerization-cyclization of the geranyl substrate. (1R)- and (1S)-[1-3H, 14C]geranyl pyrophosphates, in conjunction with stereoselective degradations of the biosynthetic products to locate the 3H, were exploited to deduce that configuration at C1 of the substrate was retained in the reaction. These findings suggest the isomerization of the geranyl substrate to be a suprafacial process and the cyclization of the (3R)-linalyl intermediate to proceed via the anti,endo-conformation consistent with the stereo-chemistry of other monoterpene cyclizations and with chemical model studies. Sulfonium ion analogs of the presumptive linalyl and alpha-terpinyl cationic intermediates of the isomerization-cyclization sequence were shown to be potent inhibitors of the enzymatic reaction (Ki = 0.3 and 2.8 microM, respectively), and inhibition was synergized by the presence of inorganic pyrophosphate, indicating that the enzyme recognized and bound more tightly to these ion-paired species than to either cationic or anionic partner alone. Additionally, the enzyme was capable of ionizing (solvolyzing) the noncyclizable substrate analogs 6,7-dihydrogeranyl pyrophosphate and 2,3-methanogeranyl pyrophosphate. These results define the overall stereochemistry of the coupled isomerization-cyclization to sabinene hydrate, demonstrate the 1,2-hydride shift, and confirm the electrophilic nature of this enzymatic reaction type.

Catalysis↗

Kinetics of pyrophosphate induced iron release from diferric ovotransferrin.

The kinetics of pyrophosphate-induced iron release from diferric ovotransferrin were studied spectrophotometrically at 37 degrees C in 0.1 M HEPES, pH 7.0. At high pyrophosphate concentrations, the kinetics are biphasic, indicating that the rates of iron release from the two, presumably noninteracting iron-binding sites of ovotransferrin are different. The pseudo-first-order rate constants for iron release from both the fast and slow sites exhibit a hyperbolic dependence on pyrophosphate concentrations. The data suggest that pyrophosphate forms complexes with the two iron-binding sites of ovotransferrin prior to iron removal. The stability constants of the complex formed with the fast site (Keqf) and slow site (Keqs) are 8.3 M-1 and 40.4 M-1, respectively. The first-order rate constants for the dissociation of ferric-pyrophosphate from the fast site (k2f) and the slow site (k2s) are 0.062 and 0.0044 min-1, respectively. Results from urea gel electrophoresis studies suggest that iron is released at a much faster rate from the N-terminal binding site of ovotransferrin. At high pyrophosphate concentration, only C-monoferric-ovotransferrin is detected during the course of iron release. At low pyrophosphate concentration, however, a detectable amount of N-monoferric-ovotransferrin is accumulated. This result is consistent with the kinetic finding that the site with a higher k2 (0.062 min-1) has a lower affinity toward pyrophosphate (Keq = 8.3 M-1) whereas the site with a lower k2 (0.0044 min-1) has a higher affinity for pyrophosphate (Keq = 40.4 M-1).

Animals↗

Solanesyl pyrophosphate synthetase from Micrococcus lysodeikticus.

Solanesyl pyrophosphate synthetase from extracts of Micrococcus lysodeikticus was purified by DEAE-Sephadex, hydroxylapatite, and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. This enzyme was found to catalyze the trans condensation of isopentenyl pyrophosphate with geranyl pyrophosphate to afford all-trans-octaprenyl (C40) and alltrans-nonaprenyl (C45) pyrophosphate without accumulation of prenyl pyrophosphate with chain length shorter than C40. all-trans-Farnesyl and all-trans-geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate also were active as cosubstrates, though they were less effective than geranyl pyrophosphate. However, neither dimethylallyl nor cis,trans,trans-geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate was active. The molecular weight of this enzyme was estimated to be 78 000 by Sephadex G-100 filtration. An enzyme preparation from young shoots of potato was found to hydrolyze the polyprenyl pyrophosphates effectively to give the corresponding prenols.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

The crystal structure of human geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase reveals a novel hexameric arrangement and inhibitory product binding.

Modification of GTPases with isoprenoid molecules derived from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate or farnesyl pyrophosphate is an essential requisite for cellular signaling pathways. The synthesis of these isoprenoids proceeds in mammals through the mevalonate pathway, and the final steps in the synthesis are catalyzed by the related enzymes farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase. Both enzymes play crucial roles in cell survival, and inhibition of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase by nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates is an established concept in the treatment of bone disorders such as osteoporosis or certain forms of cancer in bone. Here we report the crystal structure of human geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase, the first mammalian ortholog to have its x-ray structure determined. It reveals that three dimers join together to form a propeller-bladed hexameric molecule with a mass of approximately 200 kDa. Structure-based sequence alignments predict this quaternary structure to be restricted to mammalian and insect orthologs, whereas fungal, bacterial, archaeal, and plant forms exhibit the dimeric organization also observed in farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase. Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate derived from heterologous bacterial expression is tightly bound in a cavity distinct from the chain elongation site described for farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase. The structure most likely represents an inhibitory complex, which is further corroborated by steady-state kinetics, suggesting a possible feedback mechanism for regulating enzyme activity. Structural comparisons between members of this enzyme class give deeper insights into conserved features important for catalysis.

Crystallization↗

P5L mutation in Ank results in an increase in extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate during proliferation and nonmineralizing hypertrophy in stably transduced ATDC5 cells.

Ank is a multipass transmembrane protein that regulates the cellular transport of inorganic pyrophosphate. In the progressive ankylosis (ank) mouse, a premature termination mutation at glutamic acid 440 results in a phenotype characterized by inappropriate deposition of basic calcium phosphate crystals in skeletal tissues. Mutations in the amino terminus of ANKH, the human homolog of Ank, result in familial calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease. It has been hypothesized that these mutations result in a gain-of-function with respect to the elaboration of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate. To explore this issue in a mineralization-competent system, we stably transduced ATDC5 cells with wild-type Ank as well as with familial chondrocalcinosis-causing Ank mutations. We evaluated the elaboration of inorganic pyrophosphate, the activity of pyrophosphate-modulating enzymes, and the mineralization in the transduced cells. Expression of transduced protein was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR and by ELISA. Levels of inorganic pyrophosphate were measured, as were the activities of nucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase and alkaline phosphatase. We also evaluated the expression of markers of chondrocyte maturation and the nature of the mineralization phase elaborated by transduced cells. The cell line expressing the proline to leucine mutation at position 5 (P5L) consistently displayed higher levels of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate and higher phosphodiesterase activity than the other transduced lines. During hypertrophy, however, extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate levels were modulated by alkaline phosphatase activity in this cell system, resulting in the deposition of basic calcium phosphate crystals only in all transduced cell lines. Cells overexpressing wild-type Ank displayed a higher level of expression of type X collagen than cells transduced with mutant Ank. Other markers of hypertrophy and terminal differentiation, such as alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, and runx2, were not significantly different in cells expressing wild-type or mutant Ank in comparison with cells transduced with an empty vector or with untransduced cells. These results suggest that the P5L Ank mutant is capable of demonstrating a gain-of-function with respect to extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate elaboration, but this effect is modified by high levels of expression of alkaline phosphatase in ATDC5 cells during hypertrophy and terminal differentiation, resulting in the deposition of basic calcium phosphate crystals.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Comparative anticalculus effect of dentifrices containing 1.30% soluble pyrophosphate with and without a copolymer.

A six-month, double blind, clinical study was conducted to determine the effect on supragingival calculus formation of a dentifrice containing 1.30% soluble pyrophosphate (from 2.0% tetrasodium pyrophosphate) and 1.50% of a copolymer of methoxyethylene and maleic acid, as compared to a dentifrice containing the same amount of soluble pyrophosphate but without the copolymer. This pyrophosphate/copolymer dentifrice contained the optimal ratio of pyrophosphate anion to copolymer required for obtaining a comparable anticalculus effect to a clinically proven anticalculus dentifrice containing 3.3% soluble pyrophosphate and 1.0% of a copolymer. The optimal pyrophosphate/copolymer ratio was determined by a series of in vitro laboratory and in vivo animal studies. Male and female adult subjects were stratified into three balanced groups according to baseline calculus scores. They received an oral prophylaxis and were assigned to the use of either the dentifrice containing soluble pyrophosphate and the copolymer, or to the dentifrice containing soluble pyrophosphate but without the copolymer, or to a placebo dentifrice that did not contain an anticalculus ingredient. The results of the three-month calculus examination indicated that the dentifrice containing soluble pyrophosphate and the copolymer provided a 33.66% reduction in supragingival calculus formation after an oral prophylaxis as compared to the placebo dentifrice. This reduction was statistically significant at the 99 percent level of confidence. The results of the six-month calculus examination indicated that the dentifrice containing the soluble pyrophosphate and the copolymer provided a 36.10% reduction in supragingival calculus formation after an oral prophylaxis, as compared to the placebo dentifrice. This reduction was also statistically significant at the 99% level of confidence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Elucidation of the deficiency in two yeast coenzyme Q mutants. Characterization of the structural gene encoding hexaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase.

The assembly of a polyisoprenoid side chain and its transfer to para-hydroxybenzoate are the first two steps of coenzyme Q biosynthesis. In yeast these reactions are catalyzed by hexaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase and PHB:polyprenyltransferase, respectively. We have screened nine complementation groups of yeast coenzyme Q mutants for the activities of these two enzymes and found two strains deficient in either activity. The strain deficient in hexaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase activity, C296-LH3, is complemented by the plasmid pG3/T1. When C296-LH3 was transformed with a shuttle vector containing a 2,187-base pair fragment from the genomic insert of pG3/T1, both glycerol growth and hexaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase activity were restored. The activity of the latter enzyme was higher than that seen in wild-type yeast. The increase in activity could be attributed to a gene dosage effect of the multi-copy plasmid. A 1,419-base pair open reading frame encoding a 52,560-dalton protein was found on the genomic fragment. The size of the RNA transcript and the location of transcriptional initiation indicate that the entire open reading frame is contained within the mRNA. Comparison of the hexaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase amino acid sequence with amino acid sequences from the related enzyme farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase show the presence of three highly conserved domains. Within two of the domains is an aspartate-rich motif found invariantly in the amino acid sequences of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase from three species and the hexaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase amino acid sequence reported here. These aspartic acid motifs may comprise binding sites for the allylic and homoallylic substrates. The hydrophobicity profiles of the hexaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase sequence and the farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase sequence from rat appear similar. Furthermore, the hydrophobicity correlation coefficient of the comparison of these two sequences indicate with a high degree of confidence (p less than 0.001) that the two proteins will fold into similar three-dimensional structures.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Heptaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase from Bacillus subtilis.

Heptaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase was detected in partially purified extracts of Bacillus subtilis. The enzyme catalyzed the synthesis of all-trans C35 prenyl pyrophosphate from isopentenyl pyrophosphate and farnesyl or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, but it did not catalyze a reaction between isopentenyl pyrophosphate and either dimethylallyl or geranyl pyrophosphate. The enzyme reaction proceeded with an elimination of 2-pro-R hydrogen of isopentenyl pyrophosphate without accumulation of any prenyl pyrophosphate shorter than C35. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated by gel filtration to be 45,000. Michaelis constants for isopentenyl, farnesyl, and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate were 12.8, 13.3, and 8.3 microM, respectively.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Hexaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase from Micrococcus luteus B-P 26. Separation of two essential components.

Hexaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase was detected in extracts of Micrococcus luteus B-P 26. During the course of purification the enzyme was resolved into two components, each of which had no catalytic activity but restored the hexaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase activity when combined with each other. Both fractions, designated components A and B in the order of their elution from hydroxyapatite, were purified free of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase co-occurring in the same bacterium. They appeared to be proteins of molecular weights of approximately 20,000 (component A) and 60,000 (component B). Component A was more stable as compared with component B which was easily destroyed by relatively mild heat treatment. The hexaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase reconstituted of these two components catalyzed the synthesis of all-trans-hexaprenyl pyrophosphate from isopentenyl pyrophosphate and all-trans-farnesyl or all-trans-geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, but it did not catalyze a reaction between isopentenyl pyrophosphate and either dimethylallyl or geranyl pyrophosphate.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate increases bone mass in ovariectomized rats.

Bisphosphonates are synthetic pyrophosphate analogs that can be used for the treatment of osteoporosis. Sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate, as a pyrophosphate analog, may be useful in the clinical setting for osteoporosis. In this study, an ovariectomized rat model is used to evaluate the effects of orally administered sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate on bone mass. Thirty-six female rats were used in this study. They randomly were divided into six groups: a negative normal control group, a positive osteoporosis control group, and ovariectomized groups treated either with alendronate sodium (one group) or sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate (three groups, each at a different level). The animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks after treatment. For all the rats, whole blood samples were obtained for the biochemical study. Bone ashes of long bones were measured and studied and histologic studies of cancellous bone were carried out. The ingestion of either alendronate or sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate did not have any deleterious effect on the major visceral organs. Ingestion of alendronate or sintered pyrophosphate decreased the bony porosity and increased bone mineral contents in the long bones of ovariectomized rats. Thus sintered dicalcium pyrophosphate can increase bone mass in the ovariectomized rat.

Administration, Oral↗

Regulation of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate synthesis in human fibroblasts by the concentration of inorganic phosphate.

During the growth cycle of normal fibroblasts and of fibroblasts deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, the concentration of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate and of Pi, as well as the activity of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate synthetase, decreased to stable values in confluent cultures. A high degree of correlation (0.89 and 0.91 for two normal and 0.69 for one glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient cell strain, respectively) was shown between intracellular Pi, and 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate concentrations under varying culture and incubation conditions. 5-Phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate concentrations were elevated in normal fibroblasts incubated with methylene blue only if intracellular Pi levels were high. Neither methylene blue nor 6-aminonicotinamide, singly, affected intracellular Pi concentrations. However, when normal cells were pretreated with 6-aminonicotinamide and then with methylene blue, intracellular Pi decreased, 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate was depleted, and its rate of generation decreased. Under similar conditions, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient fibroblasts maintained unaltered Pi levels, and 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate concentration and generation were slightly increased. The decrease in intracellular Pi in normal cells after the combined treatment was commensurate with an accumulation of 6-phosphogluconate, which did not take place in mutant cells. The changes in 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate synthesis, whether due to the stage of growth or various experimental manipulations, were always concordant with changes in intracellular Pi level. The regulatory role of Pi is consistent with the known enzymic properties of 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate synthetase.

Cells, Cultured↗

Metabolism of extracellular pyrophosphate.

Accumulation of excess inorganic pyrophosphate in cartilage matrix leads to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposits. Recent animal and human studies now support a role for physiologic extracellular pyrophosphate levels in preventing ectopic apatite calcification in joints and extracellular tissues. Extracellular pyrophosphate is likely generated by ectoenzymes and/or is a consequence of transport of intracellular pyrophosphate to the extracellular space. Generation of pyrophosphate by chondrocytes is modulated by aging, several soluble growth factors and cytokines, and transglutaminase. The transduction mechanisms involved in regulating pyrophosphate metabolism include protein kinase C and adenylyl cyclase. It appears that regulation of extracellular pyrophosphate levels within a narrow range is complex and necessary for appropriate mineral homeostasis in articular and nonarticular tissues.

Animals↗

Synovial fluid pyrophosphate and nucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphatase: comparison between normal and diseased and between inflamed and non-inflamed joints.

Deposition of intra-articular calcium pyrophosphate is associated with both aging and arthropathy; increased concentrations of free pyrophosphate (PPi) may contribute to such deposition. Free pyrophosphate and nucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphatase (NTPase) were estimated in synovial fluids from 50 subjects with normal knees and from 44 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 61 with pyrophosphate arthropathy, and 59 with osteoarthritis. For arthropathic knees clinically assessed inflammation was classified as active or inactive using a summated score of six clinical features. The order of PPi (mumol/l) and NTPase (mumol PPi/30 min/mg protein) was pyrophosphate arthropathy greater than osteoarthritis greater than rheumatoid arthritis (median PPi, NTPase respectively: for pyrophosphate arthropathy 15.9, 0.45; for osteoarthritis 9.3, 0.25; for rheumatoid arthritis 4.4, 0.18), with significant differences between all groups. In pyrophosphate arthropathy both PPi (mumol/l) and NTPase (mumol PPi/30 min/mg protein) were higher than normal (15.9, 0.45 v 8.6, 0.2 respectively), but findings in osteoarthritis did not differ from normal. The inflammatory state of the knee had a distinct but variable effect on synovial fluid findings in rheumatoid arthritis and pyrophosphate arthropathy, but not in osteoarthritis. There was no correlation of either PPi or NTPase with age, or between PPi and NTPase in any group. This study provides in vivo data for synovial fluid PPi and NTPase. It suggests that factors other than PPi need to be considered in a study of crystal associated arthropathy. Clinical inflammation, as well as diagnosis, is important in synovial fluid studies.

Adult↗

Monoterpene biosynthesis: demonstration of a geranyl pyrophosphate:sabinene hydrate cyclase in soluble enzyme preparations from sweet marjoram (Majorana hortensis).

A soluble enzyme preparation from the leaves of sweet marjoram (Majorana hortensis Moench) catalyzes the divalent cation-dependent cyclization of [1-3H]geranyl pyrophosphate to the bicyclic monoterpene alcohols (+)-[6-3H]cis- and (+)-[6-3H]-transsabinene hydrate, providing labeling patterns consistent with current mechanistic considerations. No free intermediates were detectable in the conversion of geranyl pyrophosphate to the sabinene hydrates as determined by isotopic dilution experiments. Label from H2(18)O water was quantitatively incorporated into the products, indicating that the hydroxyl oxygen atoms of both cis- and trans-sabinene hydrate are derived from water and not from the pyrophosphate ester moiety of the substrate. The two enzymatic activities were inseparable by several chromatographic procedures, and differential inactivation studies suggested that the two activities reside with the same enzyme. The sabinene hydrate cyclase (synthase) has an apparent molecular weight of 56,000, shows a pH optimum near 7.0, and requires a divalent metal ion (either Mn2+ or Mg2+) for activity. The enzyme preparation is also capable of cyclizing neryl pyrophosphate, the cis-isomer of geranyl pyrophosphate, and analysis of mixed substrate incubations indicated that the two precursors are mutually competitive. Kinetic analysis and comparison of Vrel/Km values revealed that geranyl pyrophosphate is the more efficient substrate. This is the first report on an enzyme preparation capable of cyclizing geranyl pyrophosphate and neryl pyrophosphate to the isomeric sabinene hydrates.

Cations, Divalent↗

Uncompetitive inhibition of monoterpene cyclases by an analog of the substrate geranyl pyrophosphate and inhibition of monoterpene biosynthesis in vivo by an analog of geraniol.

Monoterpene cyclases catalyze the divalent metal ion-dependent conversion of the acyclic precursor geranyl pyrophosphate to a variety of monocyclic and bicyclic monoterpene skeletons. Examination of the kinetics of inhibition of cyclization by the pyrophosphate ester of (E)-4-[2-diazo-3-trifluoropropionyloxy]-3-methyl-2-buten-1-o l, a photolabile structural analog of the substrate, using a partially purified preparation of geranyl pyrophosphate:(+)-pinene cyclase and geranyl pyrophosphate:(+)-bornyl pyrophosphate cyclase from common sage (Salvia officinalis) evidenced (under dark conditions) strictly uncompetitive inhibition with K'i values of 3.2 and 4.7 microM, respectively. These values are close to the corresponding Km values for the substrate with these two enzymes. This novel property of the substrate analog was also examined in the presence of two other inhibitors which bind to different domains of the cyclase active site (inorganic pyrophosphate and a sulfonium ion analog of a cyclic carbocationic intermediate of the reaction sequence (dimethyl-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl)sulfonium iodide)) in order to address the mechanistic origins of the uncompetitive inhibition of cyclization. It was not possible, however, to rule out either an induced-fit mechanism or a sequential binding mechanism since the substrate is recognized by at least two binding domains and because direct examination of the effects of binding on cyclase conformation is currently not feasible. The substrate analog, although photoactive, did not give rise to light-dependent enzyme inactivation of greater magnitude than that obtained from ultraviolet light alone. The unusual behavior of the analog was attributed to intramolecular interaction of the electron-rich carbonyl group of the diazoester with the required divalent metal ion that is chelated by the pyrophosphate group. A photostable analog of geraniol that resembled the photoactive substrate analog in bearing a carbonyl function at C6 (6-oxo-3,7-dimethyloct-2(trans)en-1-ol) was prepared. Following foliar application to rapidly growing sage plants, this analog was seemingly activated to the corresponding pyrophosphate ester in vivo and selectively inhibited the activity of several cyclases in this tissue as evidenced by diminished production of the corresponding monoterpene end products.

Acyclic Monoterpenes↗

Pyrophosphate as a ligand for delivery of iron to isolated rat-liver mitochondria.

Rat liver mitochondria accumulate iron mobilized from transferrin by pyrophosphate. The capacity of the mitochondria to accumulate iron is higher than the capacity of pyrophosphate to mobilize iron from transferrin: with ferric-iron-pyrophosphate as iron donor, iron uptake and heme synthesis are about 10-times that at corresponding concentrations of iron-transferrin plus pyrophosphate. Uptake of iron from ferric-iron-pyrophosphate depends on a functionary respiratory chain and involves reductive cleavage of the ferric-iron-pyrophosphate complex. Apotransferrin inhibits uptake of iron from ferric-iron-pyrophosphate by competing with the mitochondria for iron. The results focus on pyrophosphate as a possible candidate for intracellular iron transport.

Animals↗

Determination of pyrophosphate in renal calculi and urine by means of an enzymatic method.

An enzymatic method for the determination of pyrophosphate which has been applied to renal calculi is described. The method involves the preconcentration of pyrophosphate using anionic exchange resin and development of the enzymatic reactions with the pyrophosphate retained on the resin. The study of calculi treatment according to calculi composition is also reported. The pyrophosphate content was dependent on the calculi composition. The highest amount of pyrophosphate was found in hydroxyapatite calculi (of the order of 10 microg/g), struvite and oxalate calculi showed a lower amount (the order was 2.5 and 4.5 microg/g, respectively) and was not detected in uric acid and cystine stones. The method was also successfully applied to the determination of pyrophosphate in human urine. For urinary pyrophosphate determination, a modification based on a clean-up of urine using activated carbon has been proposed. Pyrophosphate in human urine was of the order of 4 mg l(-1).

Algorithms↗