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Affinity Labeling of the active site of rabbit muscle adenylosuccinate lyase by 2-[(4-bromo-2.3-dioxobutyl)thio] adenosine 5'-monophosphate.

Rabbit muscle adenylosuccinate lyase upon incubation with 7.5-50 muM 2 -[(4-bromo-2.3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 5'-monophosphate (2-BDB-TAMP) in 0.05 M PIPES buffer, ph 7.0 and 10 degrees C, gives a time dependent biphasic inactivation. The rate of inactivation exhibits a nonlinear dependence on the concentration 2-BDB-TAMP, which can be described by reversible binding of reagent to the enzyme (K1=8.5 microM. 5.2 microM) prior to the irreversible reaction, with maximum rate constants of 0.319 and 0.027 min-1 for the fast and slow phases, respectively. The enzyme is a tetramer, with subunits of 50 000 Da. When the enzyme was 90% inactivated, 0.84 mol of reagent/mol of subunit was incorporated as measured by protein-bound phosphate analysis; similar results were obtained using 2-BDB-[14C]TAMP. Complete protection against inactivation and incorporation was afforded by 1 mM 5'-AMP and by 0.1 mM 5'-AMP + 5 mM fumarate (the natural products of adenylosuccinate hydrolysis) but not by 0.1 mM 5'-AMP alone, 5 mM fumarate alone, or 0.1 mM 5'-AMP + 5 mM maleate or 5 mM succinate. These studies suggest that 2-BDB-TAMP inactivates adenylosuccinate lyase by specific reaction at the substrate binding site, with negative cooperativity between subunits accounting for the appearance of two phases of inactivation. Cleavage of 2-BDB-TAMP-modified enzyme with cyanogen bromide and subsequent separation of peptides by reverse phase HPLC gave only one radioactive peak. This radioactive peptide was further digested with papain and the target site of the 2-BDB-TAMP reaction was identified as Arg112. We conclude that Arg112 is located in the substrate binding site of rabbit muscle adenylosuccinate lyase.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Redox potentials and quinone reductase activity of L-aspartate oxidase from Escherichia coli.

l-Aspartate oxidase (EC 1.4.3.16) is a flavoprotein that catalyzes the first step in the de novobiosynthetic pathway to pyridine nucleotides both under aerobic and under anaerobic conditions. Despite the physiological importance of this biosynthesis particularly in facultative aerobic organisms, such as Escherichia coli, little is known about the electron acceptor of reduced L-aspartate oxidase in the absence of oxygen. In this report, evidence is presented which suggests that in vitro quinones can play such a role. L-Aspartate oxidase binds menadione and 2, 3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-p-benzoquinone with Kd values of 11.5 and 2.4 microM, respectively. A new L-aspartate:quinone oxidoreductase activity is described in the presence and in the absence of phospholipids, and its possible physiological relevance is discussed. Moreover, considering the striking sequence similarity between L-aspartate oxidase and the highly conserved family of succinate-fumarate oxidoreductases, the redox properties of L-aspartate oxidase were investigated in detail. A value of -216 mV was calculated for the midpoint potential of the couple FAD/FADH2 bound to the enzyme. This result perfectly explains why L-aspartate oxidase may be considered as a very particular fumarate reductase unable to use succinate as the electron donor.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Implication of His68 in the substrate site of Bacillus subtilis adenylosuccinate lyase by mutagenesis and affinity labeling with 2-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 5'-monophosphate.

Adenylosuccinate lyase of Bacillus subtilis is inactivated by 2-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 5'-monophosphate (2-BDB-TAMP) at pH 7.0. As the reagent concentration is increased, a maximum rate constant is approached, indicative of reversible enzyme-reagent complex formation (KR = 68 +/- 9 microM) prior to irreversible modification (kmax = 0.081 +/- 0.004 min-1). Complete inactivation occurs concomitant with about 1 mol of 2-BDB-[14C]TAMP incorporated/mol of enzyme subunit. Adenylosuccinate, or a combination of AMP and fumarate, decreases the inactivation rate and reduces incorporation of [14C] reagent, whereas either AMP or fumarate alone is much less effective. These observations suggest that 2-BDB-TAMP attacks the adenylosuccinate binding site. Proteolytic digestion of inactivated enzyme, followed by purification of the digest by HPLC, yields the radioactive peptide Ile62-Ala72, in which Arg67 and His68 are the most likely targets. Thus 2-BDB-TAMP reacts with adenylosuccinate lyase at a site distinct from the His141 attacked by 6-BDB-TAMP (Lee, Worby, Dixon, and Colman (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 458-465). Site-directed mutagenesis was used to construct mutant enzymes with replacements for both Arg67 and His68, and either Arg67 or His68. The R67M mutant enzyme has almost the same specific activity as the wild-type enzyme under standard assay conditions, whereas the single mutant H68Q and double mutant R67M-H68Q enzymes exhibit specific activities that are decreased more than 100-fold. These results indicate that while Arg67 and His68 may both be in the region of the substrate site, only His68 is important for the catalytic activity of B. subtilis adenylosuccinate lyase. A role is proposed for His68 as a general acid-base catalyst.

Adenylosuccinate Lyase↗

UV resonance Raman spectra reveal a structural basis for diminished proton and CO2 binding to alpha,alpha-cross-linked hemoglobin.

UV resonance Raman difference spectra between ligated and deoxyhemoglobin contain tryptophan and tyrosine signals which arise from quaternary H-bonds in the T state, which are broken in the R state. These H-bonds are unaffected by bis(3,5-dibromosalicyl) fumarate cross-linking at the Lys alpha 99 residues, which prevents dissociation of Hb tetramers to dimers. However, when the pH is lowered from 9.0, or when NaCl is added, intensity is diminished for the tyrosine Y8 and tryptophan W3 bands of cross-linked deoxyHb, but not of native deoxyHb. This effect is attributed to weakening of tertiary H-bonds involving Tyr alpha 140 and Trp alpha 14, when the T state salt bridge between Val alpha 1 and Arg alpha 141 is formed via protonation of the terminal amino group and anion binding. The Tyr alpha 140-Val alpha 93 H-bond connects the Arg alpha 141-bearing H helix with the Lys alpha 99-bearing G helix. Weakening of the H-bond reflects a tension between the fumarate linker and the salt-bridge. This tension inhibits protonation of the Val alpha 1 amino terminus, thus accounting for the diminution of both proton [Bohr effect] and CO2 binding in the T state as a result of cross-linking.

Anions↗

Formation constants of copper(I)-olefin complexes in aqueous solution.

A simple kinetic method has been applied to measure the formation constants of aqueous copper(I) with fumaronitrile, dimethyl fumarate, and fumaric and maleic acids. At 0.14 M ionic strength, the values of beta(1) are (0.85 +/- 0.02) x 10(3), (6.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(3), (7.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(3), and (2.2 +/- 0.4) x 10(3) M(-1), respectively. The values for the last two olefins are compared to previous results. Values of beta(1) for hydrogen maleate and beta(2) for fumaronitrile also have been determined. A reanalysis of much earlier work has been done, and all the results are discussed in terms of the effect of substituents on the olefin on the beta(1) values. The structure of bis(fumaronitrile)copper(I) nitrate also is reported. The nitrile is N-coordinated to copper(I), which has a distorted tetrahedral geometry, while the overall structure consists of macrocyclic Cu(6)(fumaronitrile)(6) rings which extend in three dimensions.

Journal Article↗

Occurrence of Neighboring Group Participation Reactions in Amide-N and Amidine Complexes Derived from Pentaammine(dinitrile)cobalt(III) Ions.

N-Bonded pentaamminecobalt(III) complexes of 2-cyanobenzamide, 2-cyanoacetamide, and fumaric, succinic, glutaric, and adipic amide-nitriles have been prepared. The kinetics of the base hydrolysis of (succinonitrile)pentaamminecobalt(III) have been measured: k(obsd) = k(OH) [OH(-)]; k(OH) = 1.23 x 10(3) {I = 1.00 M (NaCH(3)COO), 25 degrees C}. Amido-N-coordinated 2-cyanobenzamide cyclized in aqueous base, and it forms [(1-oxo-3-iminoisoindolino-endo-N)pentaamminecobalt(III). In aqueous acid it protonates on the exo-imine and solvolyzes (k(H) = 7.9 x 10(-)(5) s(-)(1)), forming the pentaammineaquacobalt(III) complex and 1-oxo-3-iminoisoindoline. In aqueous acid the amido-N complexes are protonated on the amide oxygen. The 2-cyanobenzamide species rearranges to form the nitrile-bonded linkage isomer in aqueous acid and also in Me(2)SO-d(6), while the succinic amide nitrile complex rearranges more slowly in aqueous acid to form solely the nitrile-bonded linkage isomer. The kinetics of the reaction were k(obsd) = f(k(H)[H(+)]/(K(a) + [H(+)])) where k(H) = 3.4 x 10(-)(4) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) and K(a) = 6.76 x 10(-)(2) M, pK(a) 1.2; pK(a) 1.3 (spectrophotometric) {I = 1.00 M (LiClO(4).3H(2)O), 25 degrees C}. In Me(2)SO-d(6) this amide-N complex reacts by three pathways: solvolysis, amide-N to -O isomerization, and amide-N to nitrile-bonded rearrangement (10%). The conjugate acid of the 2-cyanoacetamido-N complex reacted in both aqueous acid and acidified Me(2)SO-d(6) by solvolysis, amide N to O isomerization, and amide-N to nitrile-bonded rearrangement (17% in each solvent). The fumaric, glutaric, and adipic amide-nitrile complexes bonded through the amide nitrogen react only by solvolysis and amide-N to -O isomerization. Pentaamminecobalt(III) complexes of 2-cyanobenzamidine and succinic, glutaric, and adipic amidine-nitriles bonded through the amidine secondary nitrogen have been prepared. The 2-cyanobenzamidine complex undergoes rapid ligand cyclization to form the corresponding complex of 1,3-diiminoisoindoline bonded through the deprotonated endocyclic nitrogen. In aqueous acid the complex is protonated on one of the exo-imines, and this solvolyzes to form the pentaammineaquacobalt(III) complex and 1,3-diiminoisoindoline {k(H) = 1.7 x 10(-)(3) s(-)(1) (0.5 M HCl, 25 degrees C). Coordinated succinic amidine-nitrile also cyclizes in liquid ammonia to yield the complex of 2,5-diiminopyrrolidine bonded through the deprotonated endocyclic nitrogen. This is stable in aqueous base but solvolyzes rapidly (t(1/2) (s)) in aqueous acid to the aqua complex and succinimide; the latter is formed by hydrolysis of the free 2,5-diiminopyrrolidine. The dinuclear complex &mgr;-decaammine(succinonitrile)dicobalt(III) was synthesized; in aqueous base it forms &mgr;-(succinamido-N)decaamminecobalt(III). The dinuclear dinitrile complex reacts in liquid ammonia to form the corresponding succinic amidine-nitrile species which cyclizes rapidly to form &mgr;-decaammine(2,5-diiminopyrrolidino)cobalt(III) in which the ligand is bonded to cobalt(III) through the exo-imines.

Journal Article↗

Rhodium-mediated stereoselective polymerization of "carbenes".

Unprecedented rhodium-catalyzed stereoselective polymerization of "carbenes" from ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) to give high molecular mass poly(ethyl 2-ylidene-acetate) is described. The mononuclear, neutral [(N,O-ligand)M(I)(cod)] (M = Rh, Ir) catalytic precursors for this reaction are characterized by (among others) single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These species mediate formation of a new type of polymers from EDA: carbon-chain polymers functionalized with a polar substituent at each carbon of the polymer backbone. The polymers are obtained as white powders with surprisingly sharp NMR resonances. Solution and solid state NMR data for these new polymers reveal a highly stereoregular polymer, with a high degree of crystallinity. The polymer is likely syndiotactic. Material properties are very different from those of atactic poly(diethyl fumarate) polymer obtained by radical polymerization of diethyl fumarate. Other diazoacetates are also polymerized. Further studies are underway to reveal possible applications of these new materials.

Journal Article↗

Mechanism of benzylsuccinate synthase probed by substrate and isotope exchange.

Benzylsuccinate synthase catalyzes the first step in the anaerobic metabolism of toluene through an unusual reaction in which toluene is added to fumarate to produce (R)-benzylsuccinate. We have exploited the broad substrate range of the enzyme to demonstrate that the enzyme can catalyze the exchange of p-cresol with the benzyl portion of benzylsuccinate to form (4-hydroxybenzyl)-succinate, indicating that the reverse reaction (disproportionation of benzylsuccinate to toluene and fumarate) must have occurred. Even though the equilibrium constant for the reverse reaction is extremely unfavorable, Keq approximately 8 x 10-11 M at 4 degrees C, the enzyme catalyzes the reverse reaction at a rate only 250-fold slower than the forward reaction. Furthermore, using deuterium-labeled benzylsuccinate we observe partial exchange of deuterium with the solvent. This provides the first direct evidence that the migrating hydrogen is transferred to a labile site on the protein during catalysis, which is consistent with the participation of the proposed active-site cysteine residue in the mechanism of BSS.

Carbon-Carbon Lyases↗

Potential inhibitors of L-asparagine biosynthesis. 5. Electrophilic amide analogues of (S)-2,3-diaminopropionic acid.

Three electrophilic amide analogues of (S)-2,3-diaminopropionic acid (1, DAP) have been prepared as potential inhibitors of L-asparagine synthetase (ASase, from Novikoff hepatoma, EC 6.3.5.4). DAP was selectively blocked by the carbobenzoxy (Cbz) group to give 3-N-Cbz-DAP (2a). Esterification of 2a with isobutylene afforded tert-butyl 3-N-carbobenzoxy-(S)-2,3-diaminopropionate (3a), which was then blocked at the 2 position with the tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) group to give tert-butyl 2-[(S)-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-3-[(carbobenzoxy)amino]propionate (4). Selective cleavage of the Cbz group by H2/Pd gave the key intermediate tert-butyl 2-N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-(S)-2,3-diaminopropionate (5), which was acylated, via the N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, with bromoacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, and fumaric acid monoethyl ester to give tert-butyl 2-[(S)-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-amino]-3-(2-bromoacetamido)propionate (6a), tert-butyl 2-[(S)-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-3-(2,2-dichloroacetamido)propionate (6b), and tert-butyl 2-[(S)-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-3-(ethoxycarbonyl)acrylamido]-propionate (6c), respectively. Deblocking of 6a-c gave the corresponding amino acids (S)-2-amino-3-(2-bromoacetamido)propionic acid hydrobromide (7a), (S)-2-amino-3-(2,2-dichloroacetamido)propionic acid (7b), and ethyl N-[(S)-2-amino-2-carboxyethyl]fumarate (7c). By a slightly different procedure, 5 was converted in two steps to (S)-2-amino-3-acetamidopropionic acid hydrobromide (7d). The inhibition of ASase by 7a-c at 1 mM was 93, 19, and 37%, respectively, while 7d was without inhibition at 2 mM. Compounds 7a-c failed to increase the life span of mice infected with B16 melanoma.

Alanine↗

Synthesis of a hapten to be used in development of immunoassays for trans-3'-hydroxycotinine, a major metabolite of cotinine.

4-Carboxyl-substituted analogues of trans-3'-hydroxycotinine were synthesized to be covalently linked to macromolecules for antibody production. 3-Pyridyl-N-methylnitrone was condensed with dimethyl fumarate to give two isomeric isoxazolidines. Hydrogenolysis of the major product [2RS-(2 alpha,3 alpha,3 beta)]-3-carbomethoxy-3- [[(benzyloxy)carbonyl]oxy]-1-methyl-5-oxo-2-(3-pyridinyl)pyrrolidine with Pd/C followed by hydrolysis gave [2RS-(2 alpha,3 beta,4 beta)]-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-oxo-2-(3-pyridinyl)-3- pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid. The same compound was also prepared in two steps in high yield starting with dibenzyl fumarate and 3-pyridyl-N-methylnitrone.

Cotinine↗

Cloning, sequencing and characterization of Fnr from Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The transcription factor Fnr (fumarate nitrate reductase regulator) globally regulates gene expression in response to oxygen deprivation in Escherichia coli. We report here the cloning and sequencing of the fnr gene from the facultative anaerobic bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae M5al, another member of the enteric bacteria. The deduced amino acid sequence of K. pneumoniae fnr showed very high similarity (98% amino acid identity) to the Fnr protein from E. coli and contained the four essential cysteine residues which are presumed to build the oxygen-sensing [4Fe4S]+2 center. Transfer of the K. pneumoniae gene to a fnr mutant of E. coli complemented the mutation and permitted synthesis of nitrate reductase and fumarate reductase during anaerobic growth. A gene fusion between K. pneumoniae fnr and glutathione S-transferase was constructed and expressed in E. coli under anaerobic conditions in order to make the protein available in preparative amounts. The overproduced protein was purified by glutathione-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography in the absence of oxygen, and biochemically characterized.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A stereoselective carbon-nitrogen lyase from Ralstonia sp. SLRS7 cleaves two of three isomers of iminodisuccinate.

Following biodegradation tests according to the OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals 301F different degradation rates were observed for the three stereoisomers of iminodisuccinate (IDS). A strain was isolated from activated sludge, which used two of three isomers, R,S-IDS and S,S-IDS, as sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy. The isolated strain was identified by 16S-rDNA and referred to as Ralstonia sp. SLRS7. An IDS-degrading lyase was isolated from the cell-free extract. The enzyme was purified by three chromatographic steps, which included anion-exchange chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography and gel filtration. The lyase catalysed the non-hydrolytic cleavage of IDS without requirement of any cofactors. Cleavage of S,S-IDS led to the formation of fumaric acid and L-aspartic acid. Interestingly R,S-IDS yielded only D-aspartic acid besides fumaric acid. R,R-IDS was not transformed. Thus, the IDS-degrading enzyme is a carbon-nitrogen lyase attacking only the asymmetric carbon atom exhibiting the S-configuration. Besides S,S-IDS and R,S-IDS cleavage, the lyase catalysed also the transformation of certain S,S-IDS metal complexes, namely Ca(2+)-, Mg(2+)- and Mn(2+)-IDS. The maximum enzyme activity was found at pH 8.0-8.5 and 35 degrees C. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed a single 57-kDa protein band. The native enzyme was estimated to be around 240 kDa indicating a homotetramer enzyme.

Amino Acids↗

The potential of encapsulated iron compounds in food fortification: a review.

Iron (Fe) encapsulation has the potential to help overcome several major challenges in Fe fortification of foods. It may decrease unwanted sensory changes in fortified products and reduce interactions of Fe with food components that lower Fe bioavailability. However, the effect of encapsulation per se on Fe bioavailability is a concern. Rat studies comparing encapsulated ferrous sulfate, ferric ammonium citrate, and ferrous fumarate to non-encapsulated compounds indicate that a ratio of capsule:substrate of > or = 60:40 may decrease the relative bioavailability (RBV) of the Fe by approximately 20%. At a ratio of capsule:substrate of < or = 50:50, the RBV of encapsulated ferrous sulfate appears to be similar to ferrous sulfate. Even minor changes in capsule composition may influence Fe bioavailability. Encapsulated ferrous fumarate given with ascorbic acid as a complementary food supplement and encapsulated ferrous sulfate fortified into salt have been shown to be efficacious in anemic children. For salt fortification, further refinements in Fe capsule design are needed to increase resistance to moisture and abrasion, while maintaining bioavailability. Studies evaluating the potential efficacy of encapsulated Fe in staple cereals (wheat and maize flours) are needed. A potential barrier to use of encapsulated forms of Fe in staple food fortification is the relatively low melting point of the capsules, which may cause unwanted sensory changes during food preparation. Research and development efforts to improve the quality of coatings and their resistance to high temperatures are ongoing. Process costs for encapsulation can be high, and unless they can be reduced, may limit applications. Further research is needed to determine which encapsulation technologies are most effective in ensuring iron bioavailability from encapsulated compounds.

Animals↗

Free and total carnitine concentrations in pig plasma after oral ingestion of various L-carnitine compounds.

This study was undertaken to investigate the bioavailability of various L-carnitine esters (acetyl-L-carnitine and lauroyl-L-carnitine) and salts (L-carnitine L-tartrate, L-carnitine fumarate, L-carnitine magnesium citrate) relative to base of free L-carnitine. Six groups of five or six piglets each were administered orally a single dose of 40 mg L-carnitine equivalents/kg body weight of each of those L-carnitine compounds. A seventh group served as a control. Free and total plasma carnitine concentrations were determined 1, 2, 3.5, 7, 24, and 32 hours after administration of the single dose. Area-under-the-curve (AUC) values were calculated to assess the bioavailability of the L-carnitine compounds. AUC values, calculated for the time interval between 0 and 32 hours, for both free and total carnitine were similar for base of free L-carnitine and the three L-carnitine salts (L-carnitine L-tartrate, L-carnitine fumarate, L-carnitine magnesium citrate) while those of the two esters (acetyl-L-carnitine, lauroyl-L-carnitine) were lower. Administration of L-carnitine L-tartrate yielded a higher plasma free carnitine AUC value for the time interval between 0 and 3.5 hours than administration of the other compounds. The data of this study suggest that L-carnitine salts have a similar bioavailability to that of free L-carnitine while L-carnitine esters have a lower one. The study also suggests that L-carnitine L-tartrate is absorbed faster than the other L-carnitine compounds.

Acetylcarnitine↗

Metabolism of propionate by sheep-liver mitochondria. Evidence for rate control by a specific succinate oxidase.

1. Metabolism of propionate by sheep-liver mitochondria was stimulated catalytically by alpha-oxoglutarate, pyruvate, citrate and isocitrate. Succinate was stimulatory at higher concentrations, but fumarate and malate were inert. These effects were all independent of the presence of ATP, succinate being less effective when ATP was present. 2. Compared with the metabolism of added succinate, propionate metabolism was resistant to malonate inhibition, but only in the presence of added ATP. In the absence of ATP propionate metabolism was more sensitive to malonate inhibition than was the metabolism of succinate. 3. In the absence of malonate, and at malonate concentrations in the range 5-100mm, alpha-oxoglutarate increased the rate of fixation of [2-(14)C]propionate by about 50% without altering the nature of the fixation products. 4. Metabolism of [1-(14)C]-propionate in the presence of 50mm-malonate was accompanied by accumulation of about half the propionate consumed as succinate. When alpha-oxoglutarate was present in addition part of the alpha-oxoglutarate was metabolized and the rate of propionate consumption was increased. The total succinate that accumulated corresponded to the alpha-oxoglutarate consumed plus about half the propionate metabolized. 5. When [1-(14)C]propionate was metabolized in the absence of malonate about 70% of the generated succinate was oxidized to fumarate or beyond. The addition of malonate decreased the rate of propionate metabolism, and decreased to about half the fraction of generated succinate oxidized. 6. When propionate and 10mm-succinate were metabolized together, the total oxidation of succinate was greater than that with 10mm-succinate alone. The increment in succinate oxidation corresponded to about half the propionate metabolized in the presence or absence of malonate or ATP. 7. It is suggested that the metabolism of propionate is specifically limited by the rate of oxidation of the generated succinate, and that the succinate oxidase concerned is distinct from that responsible for the oxidation of added succinate. 8. The results are discussed in terms of the mode of action of certain stimulants and inhibitors of propionate metabolism. It is suggested that many of these act by stimulation or inhibition of the specific succinate oxidase that limits propionate metabolism.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Characterization and phenotypic control of the cytochrome content of Escherichia coli.

1. Electron-transport particles derived from Escherichia coli grown aerobically contain three b-type cytochromes with mid-point oxidation-reduction potentials at pH7 of +260mV, +80mV and -50mV, with n=1 for each. The variation of these values with pH was determined. 2. E. coli develops a different set of b-type cytochromes when grown anaerobically on glycerol with fumarate or nitrate as terminal electron acceptor. Electron-transport particles of fumarate-grown cells contain b-type cytochromes with mid-point potentials at pH7 of +140mV and +250mV (n=1). These two cytochromes are also present in cells grown with nitrate as terminal acceptor, where an additional cytochrome b with a mid-point potential of +10mV (n=1) is developed. 3. The wavelengths of the alpha-absorption-band maxima of the b-type cytochromes at 77K were: (a) for aerobically grown cells, cytochrome b (E(m7) +260mV), 556nm and 563nm, cytochrome b (E(m7) +80mV), 556nm and cytochrome b (E(m7)-50mV), 558nm; (b) for anaerobically grown cells, cytochrome b (E(m7) +250mV), 558nm, cytochrome b (E(m7) +40mV), 555nm and cytochrome b (E(m7) +10mV), 556nm. 4. Cytochrome d was found to have a mid-point potential at pH7 of +280mV (n=1). 5. Cytochrome a(1) was resolved as two components of equal magnitude with mid-point potentials of +260mV and +160mV (n=1). 6. Redox titrations performed in the presence of CO showed that one of the b-type cytochromes in the aerobically grown cultures was reduced, even at the upper limits of our range of electrode potentials (above +400mV). Cytochrome d was also not oxidizable in the presence of CO. Neither of the cytochromes a(1) was affected by the presence of CO.

Aerobiosis↗

The tricarboxylic acid cycle in Dictyostelium discoideum. Metabolite concentrations, oxygen uptake and 14c-labelled amino acid labelling patterns.

Some aspects of tricarboxylic acid-cycle activity during differentiation and aging in Dictyostelium discoideum were examined. The concentrations of glutamate, aspartate, alanine, citrate, 2-oxoglutarate, succinate, fumarate, malate, oxaloacetate, pyruvate and acetyl-CoA were determined at four stages over the course of differentiation. The rate of O2 utilization was also determined over differentiation. In addition, experiments are described in which the specific radioactivities of citrate, 2-oxoglutarate, succinate, fumarate and malate were determined during a 30 min labelling of cells from the preculmination stage of development with [14C]glutamate, [14C]aspartate or [14C]alanine. A similar experiment was also performed with cells from the aggregation stage of development using [14C]glutamate.

Alanine↗

The tricarboxylic acid cycle in Dictyostelium discoideum. A model of the cycle at preculmination and aggregation.

A preliminary model of tricarboxylic acid-cycle activity in Dictyostelium discoideum is presented. Specific-radioactivity labelling patterns of intra- and extra-mitochondrial pools are simulated by this model and compared with the experimental data. The model arrived at by this method shows the following features. (1) The cycle flux rate is approx. 0.4 mM/min. (2) Both fumarate and malate are compartmentalized at approx. 1:5 between cycle pools and non-cycle pools. These may represent mitochondrial and cytoplasmic pools. Citrate is compartmentalized at 1:10. Succinate appears to exist in three compartments, two of which become labelled by [14C]glutamate and only one by [14C]aspartate (3) Two pools of aspartate with two associated pools of oxaloacetate are necessary for simulation. (4) Exchange between the cycle and non-cycle pools of both citrate and fumarate occurs at very low rates of about 0.003 mM/min, whereas exchange between the malate pools is about 0.004 mM/min. The exchange reaction glutamate in equilibrium 2-oxoglutarate runs at approx. 15 times the cycle flux. (5) A reaction catalysed by "malic" enzyme is included in the model, as this reaction is necessary for complete oxidation of amino acid substrates. (6) Calculation of the ATP yield from the model is consistent with earlier estimates of ATP turnover if the activity of adenylate kinase is considered.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗