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Proinflammatory macrophage-activating properties of the novel phospholipid diacylglycerol pyrophosphate.

We have found that the novel phospholipid diacylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP), identified in bacteria, yeast, and plants, but not in mammalian cells, is able to potently activate macrophages for enhanced secretion of arachidonate metabolites, a key event in the immunoinflammatory response of leukocytes. Macrophage responses to DGPP are specific and are not mediated by its conversion into other putative lipid mediators such as phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid, or diacylglycerol. The responses to DGPP are compatible with a receptor-recognition event because they are blocked by suramin. Intracellular signaling initiated by DGPP includes phosphorylation and activation of the Group IV cytosolic phospholipase A2 and of the extracellular-signal regulated p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p44 MAPK, and membrane translocation of the protein kinase C isoenzymes alpha, epsilon, delta. These results establish DGPP as a novel macrophage-activating factor and suggest a potential role for this compound in triggering homeostatic cellular responses.

Arachidonic Acid↗

Regulation of the DPP1-encoded diacylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP) phosphatase by inositol and growth phase. Inhibition of DGPP phosphatase activity by CDP-diacylglyceron and activation of phosphatidylserine synthase activity by DGPP.

The regulation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae DPP1-encoded diacylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP) phosphatase by inositol supplementation and growth phase was examined. Addition of inositol to the growth medium resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the level of DGPP phosphatase activity in both exponential and stationary phase cells. Activity was greater in stationary phase cells when compared with exponential phase cells, and the inositol- and growth phase-dependent regulations of DGPP phosphatase were additive. Analyses of DGPP phosphatase mRNA and protein levels, and expression of beta-galactosidase activity driven by a P(DPP1)-lacZ reporter gene, indicated that a transcriptional mechanism was responsible for this regulation. Regulation of DGPP phosphatase by inositol and growth phase occurred in a manner that was opposite that of many phospholipid biosynthetic enzymes. Regulation of DGPP phosphatase expression by inositol supplementation, but not growth phase, was altered in opi1Delta, ino2Delta, and ino4Delta phospholipid synthesis regulatory mutants. CDP-diacylglycerol, a phospholipid pathway intermediate used for the synthesis of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol, inhibited DGPP phosphatase activity by a mixed mechanism that caused an increase in K(m) and a decrease in V(max). DGPP stimulated the activity of pure phosphatidylserine synthase by a mechanism that increased the affinity of the enzyme for its substrate CDP-diacylglycerol. Phospholipid composition analysis of a dpp1Delta mutant showed that DGPP phosphatase played a role in the regulation of phospholipid metabolism by inositol, as well as regulating the cellular levels of phosphatidylinositol.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isopentenyl pyrophosphate, a mycobacterial non-peptidic antigen, triggers delayed and highly sustained signaling in human gamma delta T lymphocytes without inducing eown-modulation of T cell antigen receptor.

The Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cell subset, which represents up to 90% of the circulating gammadelta T cells in humans, was shown to be activated, via the T cell receptor (TcR), by non-peptidic phosphorylated small organic molecules. These phosphoantigens, which are not presented by professional antigen-presenting cells, induce production of high amounts of interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha). To date, the specific signals triggered by these antigens have not been characterized. Here we analyze proximal and later intracellular signals triggered by isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), a mycobacterial antigen that specifically stimulates Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells, and compare these to signals induced by the non-physiological model using an anti-CD3 antibody. During antigenic stimulation we noticed that, except for the proximal p56(lck) signal, which is triggered early, the signals appear to be delayed and highly sustained. This delay, which likely accounts for the delay observed in TNF-alpha production, is discussed in terms of the ability of the antigen to cross-link and recruit transducing molecules mostly anchored to lipid rafts. Moreover, we demonstrate that, in contrast to anti-CD3 antibody, IPP does not induce down-modulation of the TcR.CD3 complex, which likely results in the highly sustained signaling and release of high levels of TNF-alpha.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Regulation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae DPP1-encoded diacylglycerol pyrophosphate phosphatase by zinc.

The DPP1 gene, encoding diacylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP) phosphatase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has recently been identified as a zinc-regulated gene, and it contains a putative zinc-responsive element (UAS(ZRE)) in its promoter. In this work we examined the hypothesis that expression of DGPP phosphatase was regulated by zinc availability. The deprivation of zinc from the growth medium resulted in a time- and dose-dependent induction of beta-galactosidase activity driven by a P(DPP1)-lacZ reporter gene. This regulation was dependent on the UAS(ZRE) in the DPP1 promoter and was mediated by the Zap1p transcriptional activator. Induction of the DGPP phosphatase protein and activity by zinc deprivation was demonstrated by immunoblot analysis and measurement of the dephosphorylation of DGPP. The regulation pattern of DGPP phosphatase in mutants defective in plasma membrane (Zrt1p and Zrt2p) and vacuolar membrane (Zrt3p) zinc transporters indicated that enzyme expression was sensitive to the cytoplasmic levels of zinc. DGPP phosphatase activity was inhibited by zinc by a mechanism that involved formation of DGPP-zinc complexes. Studies with well characterized subcellular fractions and by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that the DGPP phosphatase enzyme was localized to the vacuolar membrane.

Cell Membrane↗

The CWH8 gene encodes a dolichyl pyrophosphate phosphatase with a luminally oriented active site in the endoplasmic reticulum of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Mutations in the CWH8 gene, which encodes an ER transmembrane protein with a phosphate binding pocket in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, result in a deficiency in dolichyl pyrophosphate (Dol-P-P)-linked oligosaccharide intermediate synthesis and protein N-glycosylation (van Berkel, M. A., Rieger, M., te Heesen, S., Ram, A. F., van den Ende, H., Aebi, M., and Klis, F. M. (1999) Glycobiology 9, 243-253). Genetic, enzymological, and topological approaches were taken to investigate the potential role of Cwh8p in Dol-P-P/Dol-P metabolism. Overexpression of Cwh8p in the yeast double mutant strain, lacking LPP1/DPP1, resulted in an impressive increase in Dol-P-P phosphatase activity, a relatively small increase in Dol-P phosphatase activity, but no change in phosphatidate (PA) phosphatase activity in microsomal fractions. The Dol-P-P phosphatase encoded by CWH8 is optimally active in the presence of 0.5% octyl glucoside and relatively unstable in Triton X-100, distinguishing this activity from the lipid phosphatases encoded by LPP1 and DPP1. Stoichiometric amounts of P(i) and Dol-P are formed during the enzymatic reaction indicating that Cwh8p cleaves the anhydride linkage in Dol-P-P. Membrane fractions from Sf-9 cells expressing Cwh8p contained a 30-fold higher level of Dol-P-P phosphatase activity, a slight increase in Dol-P phosphatase activity, but no increase in PA phosphatase relative to controls. This is the first report of a lipid phosphatase that hydrolyzes Dol-P-P/Dol-P but not PA. In accord with this enzymatic function, Dol-P-P accumulated in cells lacking the Dol-P-P phosphatase. Topological studies using different approaches indicate that Cwh8p is a transmembrane protein with a luminally oriented active site. The specificity, subcellular location, and topological orientation of this novel enzyme are consistent with a role in the re-utilization of the glycosyl carrier lipid for additional rounds of lipid intermediate biosynthesis after its release during protein N-glycosylation reactions.

Animals↗

Mechanism of product chain length determination and the role of a flexible loop in Escherichia coli undecaprenyl-pyrophosphate synthase catalysis.

The Escherichia coli undecaprayl-pyrophosphate synthase (UPPs) structure has been solved using the single wavelength anomalous diffraction method. The putative substrate-binding site is located near the end of the betaA-strand with Asp-26 playing a critical catalytic role. In both subunits, an elongated hydrophobic tunnel is found, surrounded by four beta-strands (betaA-betaB-betaD-betaC) and two helices (alpha2 and alpha3) and lined at the bottom with large residues Ile-62, Leu-137, Val-105, and His-103. The product distributions formed by the use of the I62A, V105A, and H103A mutants are similar to those observed for wild-type UPPs. Catalysis by the L137A UPPs, on the other hand, results in predominantly the formation of the C(70) polymer rather than the C(55) polymer. Ala-69 and Ala-143 are located near the top of the tunnel. In contrast to the A143V reaction, the C(30) intermediate is formed to a greater extent and is longer lived in the process catalyzed by the A69L mutant. These findings suggest that the small side chain of Ala-69 is required for rapid elongation to the C(55) product, whereas the large hydrophobic side chain of Leu-137 is required to limit the elongation to the C(55) product. The roles of residues located on a flexible loop were investigated. The S71A, N74A, or R77A mutants displayed 25-200-fold decrease in k(cat) values. W75A showed an 8-fold increase of the FPP K(m) value, and 22-33-fold increases in the IPP K(m) values were observed for E81A and S71A. The loop may function to bridge the interaction of IPP with FPP, needed to initiate the condensation reaction and serve as a hinge to control the substrate binding and product release.

Alanine↗

Nudix hydrolases that degrade dinucleoside and diphosphoinositol polyphosphates also have 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) pyrophosphatase activity that generates the glycolytic activator ribose 1,5-bisphosphate.

A total of 17 Nudix hydrolases were tested for their ability to hydrolyze 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate (PRPP). All 11 enzymes that were active toward dinucleoside polyphosphates with 4 or more phosphate groups as substrates were also able to hydrolyze PRPP, whereas the 6 that could not and that have coenzyme A, NDP-sugars, or pyridine nucleotides as preferred substrates did not degrade PRPP. The products of hydrolysis were ribose 1,5-bisphosphate and P(i). Active PRPP pyrophosphatases included the diphosphoinositol polyphosphate phosphohydrolase (DIPP) subfamily of Nudix hydrolases, which also degrade the non-nucleotide diphosphoinositol polyphosphates. K(m) and k(cat) values for PRPP hydrolysis for the Deinococcus radiodurans DR2356 (di)nucleoside polyphosphate hydrolase, the human diadenosine tetraphosphate hydrolase, and human DIPP-1 (diadenosine hexaphosphate and diphosphoinositol polyphosphate hydrolase) were 1 mm and 1.5 s(-1), 0.13 mm and 0.057 s(-1), and 0.38 mm and 1.0 s(-1), respectively. Active site mutants of the Caenorhabditis elegans diadenosine tetraphosphate hydrolase had no activity, confirming that the same active site is responsible for nucleotide and PRPP hydrolysis. Comparison of the specificity constants for nucleotide, diphosphoinositol polyphosphate, and PRPP hydrolysis suggests that PRPP is a significant substrate for the D. radiodurans DR2356 enzyme and for the DIPP subfamily. In the latter case, generation of the glycolytic activator ribose 1,5-bisphosphate may be a new function for these enzymes.

Binding Sites↗

Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase is an essential enzyme in Trypanosoma brucei. In vitro RNA interference and in vivo inhibition studies.

We report the cloning and sequencing of a gene encoding the farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) of Trypanosoma brucei. The protein (TbFPPS) is an attractive target for drug development because the growth of T. brucei has been shown to be inhibited by analogs of its substrates, the nitrogen containing bisphosphonates currently in use in bone resorption therapy. The protein predicted from the nucleotide sequence of the gene has 367 amino acids and a molecular mass of 42 kDa. Several sequence motifs found in other FPPSs are present in TbFPPS, including an 11-mer peptide insertion present also in the Trypanosoma cruzi FPPS. Heterologous expression of TbFPPS in Escherichia coli produced a functional enzyme that was inhibited by several nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, such as pamidronate and risedronate. Risedronate was active in vivo against T. brucei infection in mice (giving a 60% survival rate), but pamidronate was not effective. The essential nature of TbFPPS was studied using RNA interference (RNAi) to inhibit the expression of the gene. Expression of TbFPPS double-stranded RNA in procyclic trypomastigotes caused specific degradation of mRNA. After 4 days of RNAi, the parasite growth rate declined and the cells subsequently died. Similar results were obtained with bloodstream form trypomastigotes, except that the RNAi system in this case was leaky and mRNA levels and parasites recovered with time. Molecular modeling and structure-activity investigations of enzyme and in vitro growth inhibition data resulted in similar pharmacophores, further validating TbFPPS as the target for bisphosphonates. These results establish that FPPS is essential for parasite viability and validate this enzyme as a target for drug development.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Direct stimulation of the lambdapaQ promoter by the transcription effector guanosine-3',5'-(bis)pyrophosphate in a defined in vitro system.

The bacterial response to nutritional deprivation, called the stringent response, results in the introduction of the specific nucleotide guanosine-3',5'-(bis) pyrophosphate (ppGpp). This nucleotide interacts with RNA polymerase and alters its action so that transcription from certain promoters is inhibited, whereas transcription from others seems to be activated. The exact mechanism of transcriptional stimulation by ppGpp in vivo remains unknown. A passive control model has been proposed according to which transcription inhibition during the stringent response at several very active promoters, like those for rRNA and tRNA genes, makes more free RNA polymerase (RNAP) molecules available for transcription at promoters with weak binding affinities for RNAP, thus leading to their passive activation. Among promoters whose transcription is activated by ppGpp in vivo is the histidine operon promoter (hisGp). However, in vitro it is only possible to demonstrate this effect in a coupled transcription-translation system. Here we demonstrate, using another in vivo ppGpp-stimulated promoter, the phage lambdapaQ promoter, that activation by ppGpp in a defined in vitro system is direct. A systematic study of ppGpp effects on the stimulation of paQ revealed that, as in the case of promoters inhibited by this nucleotide, ppGpp decreases the half-life of paQ open complexes. Our results also indicate that the equilibrium binding affinity of RNA polymerase to paQ seems not to be affected in the presence of ppGpp. Our data indicate that the mechanism underlying ppGpp stimulation of paQ is due to an increased rate of productive open complex formation.

DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases↗

BcrC from Bacillus subtilis acts as an undecaprenyl pyrophosphate phosphatase in bacitracin resistance.

Overexpression of the BcrC(Bs) protein, formerly called YwoA, in Escherichia coli or in Bacillus subtilis allows these bacteria to stand higher concentrations of bacitracin. It was suggested that BcrC(Bs) was a membrane-spanning domain of an ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter involved in bacitracin resistance. However, we hypothesized that this protein has an undecaprenyl pyrophosphate (UPP) phosphatase activity able to compete with bacitracin for UPP. We found that overexpression of a recombinant His6-BcrC(Bs) protein in E. coli (i) increased the resistance of the cells to bacitracin and (ii) increased UPP phosphatase activity in membrane preparations by 600-fold. We solubilized and prepared an electrophoretically pure protein exhibiting a strong UPP phosphatase activity. BcrC(Bs), which belongs to the type 2 phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP2) phosphatase superfamily (PF01569), differs totally from the already known BacA UPP phosphatase from E. coli, a member of the PF02673 family of the Protein family (Pfam) database. Thus, BcrC(Bs) and its orthologs form a new class of proteins within the PAP2 phosphatase superfamily, and likely all of them share a UPP phosphatase activity.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

A nudix enzyme removes pyrophosphate from dihydroneopterin triphosphate in the folate synthesis pathway of bacteria and plants.

Removal of pyrophosphate from dihydroneopterin triphosphate (DHNTP) is the second step in the pterin branch of the folate synthesis pathway. There has been controversy over whether this reaction requires a specific pyrophosphohydrolase or is a metal ion-dependent chemical process. The genome of Lactococcus lactis has a multicistronic folate synthesis operon that includes an open reading frame (ylgG) specifying a putative Nudix hydrolase. Because many Nudix enzymes are pyrophosphohydrolases, YlgG was expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized. The recombinant protein showed high DHNTP pyrophosphohydrolase activity with a K(m) value of 2 microM, had no detectable activity against deoxynucleoside triphosphates or other typical Nudix hydrolase substrates, required a physiological level (approximately 1 mM) of Mg(2+), and was active as a monomer. Essentially no reaction occurred without enzyme at 1 mM Mg(2+). Inactivation of ylgG in L. lactis resulted in DHNTP accumulation and folate depletion, confirming that YlgG functions in folate biosynthesis. We therefore propose that ylgG be redesignated as folQ. The closest Arabidopsis homolog of YlgG (encoded by Nudix gene At1g68760) was expressed in E. coli and shown to have Mg(2+)-dependent DHNTP pyrophosphohydrolase activity. This protein (AtNUDT1) was reported previously to have NADH pyrophosphatase activity in the presence of 5 mM Mn(2+) (Dobrzanska, M., Szurmak, B., Wyslouch-Cieszynska, A., and Kraszewska, E. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 50482-50486). However, we found that this activity is negligible at physiological levels of Mn(2+) and that, with 1 mM Mg(2+), AtNUDT1 prefers DHNTP and (deoxy) nucleoside triphosphates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Plc1p, Arg82p, and Kcs1p, enzymes involved in inositol pyrophosphate synthesis, are essential for phosphate regulation and polyphosphate accumulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the phosphate signal transduction PHO pathway is involved in regulating several phosphate-responsive genes such as PHO5, which encodes repressible acid phosphatase. In this pathway, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (Pho81p) regulates the kinase activity of the cyclin-cyclin-dependent kinase complex Pho80p-Pho85p, which phosphorylates the transcription factor Pho4p in response to intracellular phosphate levels. However, how cells sense phosphate availability and transduce the phosphate signal to Pho81p remains unknown. To identify additional components of the PHO pathway, we have screened a collection of yeast deletion strains. We found that disruptants of PLC1, ARG82, and KCS1, which are involved in the synthesis of inositol polyphosphate, and ADK1, which encodes adenylate kinase, constitutively express PHO5. Each of these factors functions upstream of Pho81p and negatively regulates the PHO pathway independently of intracellular orthophosphate levels. Overexpression of KCS1, but not of the other genes, suppressed PHO5 expression in the wild-type strain under low phosphate conditions. These results raise the possibility that diphosphoinositol tetrakisphosphate and/or bisdiphosphoinositol triphosphate may be essential for regulation of the PHO pathway. Furthermore, the Deltaplc1, Deltaarg82, and Deltakcs1 deletion strains, but not the Deltaipk1 deletion strain, had significantly reduced intracellular polyphosphate levels, suggesting that enzymes involved in inositol pyrophosphate synthesis are also required for polyphosphate accumulation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The pyrophosphate analogue foscarnet traps the pre-translocational state of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase in a Brownian ratchet model of polymerase translocation.

The pyrophosphate (PPi) analogue phosphonoformic acid (PFA or foscarnet) inhibits the reverse transcriptase (RT) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1); however, the mechanisms of drug action and resistance remain elusive. Here we studied the effects of the translocational status of HIV-1 RT on drug binding and inhibition of DNA synthesis. We identified "hot spots" for inhibition during active elongation. Site-specific footprinting analyses revealed that the corresponding complexes exist predominantly in the pre-translocational state. The sensitivity to PFA is significantly reduced with sequences that show a bias toward the post-translocational state. Binding studies showed that PFA stabilizes selectively the complex in the pre-translocated configuration. These findings are consistent with a Brownian ratchet model of polymerase translocation. The enzyme can rapidly shuttle between pre- and post-translocated states. The bound inhibitor acts like a pawl of a ratchet and prevents the forward motion of HIV-1 RT, whereas the bound nucleotide binds to the post-translocated complex and prevents the reverse motion. The proposed mechanisms of RT translocation and drug action are consistent with the PFA-resistant phenotypes. We show that certain sequences and the PFA-resistant E89K mutant diminishes the stability of the pre-translocated complex. In these cases, the enzyme is seen at multiple positions around the 3' end of the primer, which provides a novel mechanism for resistance. These findings validate the pre-translocated complex as a target for the development of novel, perhaps less toxic and more potent inhibitors that block HIV-1 RT translocation.

Base Sequence↗

Nucleosides and nucleotides. 192. Toward the total synthesis of cyclic ADP-carbocyclic-ribose. Formation of the intramolecular pyrophosphate linkage by a conformation-restriction strategy in a syn-form using a halogen substitution at the 8-position of the adenine ring.

The synthesis of cyclic ADP-carbocyclic-ribose (2), as a stable mimic for cyclic ADP-ribose, was investigated. Construction of the 18-membered backbone structure was successfully achieved by condensation of the two phosphate groups of 19, possibly due to restriction of the conformation of the substrate in a syn-form using an 8-chloro substituent at the adenine moiety. SN2 reactions between an optically active carbocyclic unit 8, which was constructed by a previously developed method, and 8-bromo-N6-trichloroacetyl-2',3'-O-isopropylideneadenosine 9c gave N-1-carbocyclic derivative, which was deprotected to give 5'-5"-diol derivatives 18. When 18 was treated with POCl3 in PO(OEt)3, the bromo group at the 8-position was replaced to give N-1-carbocyclic-8-chloroadenosine 5',5"-diphosphate derivative 19 in 43% yield. Treatment of 19 with 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride gave the desired intramolecular condensation product 20 in 10% yield. This is the first chemical construction of the 18-membered backbone structure containing an intramolecular pyrophosphate linkage of a cADPR-related compound with an adenine base.

Adenine↗

Interactions between magnesium, pyrophosphate, and the contractile elements.

1. If glycerol-extracted muscle fibers are alternately immersed in solutions of inorganic pyrophosphate (PP) or ethylenediamme tetraacetate (EDTA) and KCl two to three times, PP no longer increases extensibility. The original condition is restored by solutions containing Mg. EDTA prevents completely the softening action of PP, but has no effect in the presence of an excess of Mg. These observations are explained by assuming that PP and EDTA remove bound Mg. Evidently PP has no softening action without Mg. 2. If PP is washed out from muscle fibers by solutions containing Mg, the softening action of PP persists for many minutes, but washing out with KCl solution promptly abolishes the effect of PP. Also, if fibers which have been made refractory to PP are immersed into a solution of PP and then into a KCl solution free of PP for several minutes, the addition of MgCl(2) alone increases extensibility. It is concluded that PP forms a complex with protein. The formation of this complex, however, has no influence on the mechanical properties, unless Mg also is present. 3. In the presence of PP and Mg the viscous resistance of muscle fibers drops with diminishing temperatures.

Diphosphates↗

Thiamin status of incarcerated and nonincarcerated adolescent males: dietary intake and thiamin pyrophosphate response.

We measured thiamin status in 137 incarcerated and 42 nonincarcerated adolescent males by use of both dietary intake data and a standard biochemical assay, thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) response. Average thiamin intake of the total group was greater than 120% of the age-specific recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Ninety-two percent of incarcerated subjects and 93% of nonincarcerated subjects were consuming greater than or equal to 70% of RDA. Although average daily thiamin intake of nonincarcerated subjects was significantly higher than that of incarcerated subjects, both groups appeared to be at minimal risk for marginal thiamin status. Comparison of TPP response values indicated that there was no significant difference between groups. However, approximately 24% of the total population appeared to have less than adequate RBC thiamin on the basis of current standards for TPP response. Neither dietary intake nor reported previous alcohol intake was correlated with TPP response. These discrepant findings raise questions about the usefulness of the TPP response as the sole indicator of marginal thiamin status.

Adolescent↗

Extruded rice fortified with micronized ground ferric pyrophosphate reduces iron deficiency in Indian schoolchildren: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Iron fortification of rice could be an effective strategy for reducing iron deficiency anemia in South Asia. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether extruded rice grains fortified with micronized ground ferric pyrophosphate (MGFP) would increase body iron stores in children. DESIGN: In a double-blind, 7-mo, school-based feeding trial in Bangalore, India, iron-depleted, 6-13-y-old children (n = 184) were randomly assigned to receive either a rice-based lunch meal fortified with 20 mg Fe as MGFP or an identical but unfortified control meal. The meals were consumed under direct supervision, and daily leftovers were weighed. All children were dewormed at baseline and at 3.5 mo. Iron status and hemoglobin were measured at baseline, 3.5 mo, and 7 mo. RESULTS: At baseline, the prevalences of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in the total sample were 78% and 29%, respectively. After 7 mo of feeding, there was a significant increase in body iron stores in both study groups (P < 0.001), with a greater increase in the iron group than in the control group (P < 0.05). There was a significant time x treatment interaction for iron deficiency, which fell from 78% to 25% in the dewormed iron group and from 79% to 49% in the dewormed control group. Iron deficiency anemia decreased from 30% to 15% (NS) in the iron group but remained virtually unchanged in the control group (28% and 27%). In sensory tests, the MGFP-fortified rice (fortified at 3 and 5 mg Fe/100 g) was indistinguishable from natural rice, in both cooked and uncooked form. CONCLUSIONS: Extruded rice fortified with MGFP has excellent sensory characteristics. Fed in a school lunch meal, it increases iron stores and reduces the prevalence of iron deficiency in Indian children.

Adolescent↗