Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Methylamines”

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 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

The 'methylamine oxidase' system of an obligate methylotroph.

The terminal respiratory oxidase was solubilized from membranes of organism 4025, an obligate methylotroph. The partially purified oxidase is probably a cytochrome co. It does not oxidize amicyanin, but it oxidizes 'azurin' and cytochromes cH and cL. By using a complete 'methylamine oxidase' system reconstituted from pure methylamine dehydrogenase, purified oxidase and soluble blue copper proteins and cytochromes, it was confirmed that amicyanin is essential for methylamine oxidation; it could not be replaced by 'azurin' or cytochrome cH or cL. It was shown that the usual mediator between amicyanin and the oxidase is cytochrome cH, with 'azurin' able to replace it during growth at the high copper concentrations required for optimum growth of this unusual methylotroph.

Azurin↗

The interaction of chromatin with alkylating agents. The monofunctional action of bis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine.

The reaction of L5178Y lymphoblast cell chromatin with the alkylating agent bis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine has been studied as a function of time, pH and reagent concentration. The reaction with DNA of chromatin from which the proteins were dissociated, as well as with purified calf thymus DNA, was studied in parallel. The extent of alkylation of DNA in intact chromatin was 4--5 times as much as in parallel free DNA samples; up to 4% of nucleotide base pairs were substituted. The extent of monofunctional substitution of the proteins was similar, on a weight basis, to that of DNA. Chromatographic analysis of the depurinated products showed that in chromatin, as in DNA, position N-7 of guanine is the major site of reaction. Up to 25% of the reaction products were guanines cross-linked as bis(2-guanin-7-yl-ethyl)methylamine, indicating a considerable degree of DNA-DNA cross linking. Column analysis shows that up to 40% of the nuclear proteins are cross-linked to DNA at 10 mM bis(2-chloroethyl)methylamine. The increased reactivity of intact chromatin is interpreted in terms of a conformational change in the position of the DNA bases when in the organized nucleohistone complex.

Animals↗

Methylamine oxidase from Arthrobacter P1. A bacterial copper-quinoprotein amine oxidase.

Methylamine oxidase from Arthrobacter P1 was purified to homogeneity. The enzyme oxidizes primary amines but not tyramine or polyamines like spermine and putrescine. The enzyme activity has a pH optimum of 8.0 with methylamine, and is inhibited by certain cations as well as anions at rather low concentrations. The enzyme has an Mr of 167900, an isoelectric point of 4.6, consists of two (probably identical) subunits (Mr 82250) and contains two copper atoms but no sugar residues. The visible absorption spectra of the enzyme as it is isolated (broad maximum at 480 nm), that of its reduced form obtained on addition of excess of methylamine (maximum at 470 nm) and that of phenylhydrazine-inhibited enzyme (maximum at 440 nm) are very similar to those of eucaryotic copper-containing amine oxidases (EC 1.4.3.6). Also the stoichiometry of inhibition with carbonyl group reagents is similar since the enzyme reacted with only one methylhydrazine. The adduct isolated from copper-free enzyme, treated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, was identical to that found in bovine serum amine oxidase treated with this compound after copper removal. This indicates that the enzyme is a copper-quinoprotein amine oxidase, the first example from bacterial origin.

Arthrobacter↗

Direct electrochemistry of the enzyme, methylamine dehydrogenase, from bacterium W3A1.

The electrochemical response of methylamine dehydrogenase from bacterium W3A1 at edge-plane-oriented pyrolytic graphite (epg) and modified gold electrodes has been investigated. Quasi-reversible electron transfer has been observed. Variations in concentration of different cations and anions gave rise to both promotion and inhibition of the direct response. A catalytic response of the enzyme in the presence of methylamine has been observed at both an epg electrode and a 2,2'-dithiodiglycolic-acid-modified gold electrode surface, and the effects of various cations and anions on the catalytic peak current have been investigated. The spectroelectrochemical results obtained at an optically transparent thin-layer electrode, modified with 2,2'-dithiodiglycolic acid, are also reported. In the presence of 1,1'-dimethylferrocene-3-(1-ethanol-2-amine) (14.8 microM), the results reveal a midpoint potential of -148 mV for methylamine dehydrogenase from bacterium W3A1. This is in very close agreement to the value obtained in the cyclic voltammetric investigations of -140 mV.

Anions↗

Methanogenesis from methanol and methylamines and acetogenesis from hydrogen and carbon dioxide in the sediments of a eutrophic lake.

C-tracer techniques were used to examine the metabolism of methanol and methylamines and acetogenesis from hydrogen and carbon dioxide in sediments from the profundal and littoral zones of eutrophic Wintergreen Lake, Michigan. Methanogens were primarily responsible for the metabolism of methanol, monomethylamine, and trimethylamine and maintained the pool size of these substrates below 10 muM in both sediment types. Methanol and methylamines were the precursors for less than 5 and 1%, respectively, of the total methane produced. Methanol and methylamines continued to be metabolized to methane when the sulfate concentration in the sediment was increased to 20 mM. Less than 2% of the total acetate production was derived from carbon dioxide reduction. Hydrogen consumption by hydrogen-oxidizing acetogens was 5% or less of the total hydrogen uptake by acetogens and methanogens. These results, in conjunction with previous studies, emphasize that acetate and hydrogen are the major methane precursors and that methanogens are the predominant hydrogen consumers in the sediments of this eutrophic lake.

Journal Article↗

Heterologous expression of correctly assembled methylamine dehydrogenase in Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

The biosynthesis of methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH) from Paracoccus denitrificans requires four genes in addition to those that encode the two structural protein subunits, mauB and mauA. The accessory gene products appear to be required for proper export of the protein to the periplasm, synthesis of the tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ) prosthetic group, and formation of several structural disulfide bonds. To accomplish the heterologous expression of correctly assembled MADH, eight genes from the methylamine utilization gene cluster of P. denitrificans, mauFBEDACJG, were placed under the regulatory control of the coxII promoter of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and introduced into R. sphaeroides by using a broad-host-range vector. The heterologous expression of MADH was constitutive with respect to carbon source, whereas the native mau promoter allows induction only when cells are grown in the presence of methylamine as a sole carbon source and is repressed by other carbon sources. The recombinant MADH was localized exclusively in the periplasm, and its physical, spectroscopic, kinetic and redox properties were indistinguishable from those of the enzyme isolated from P. denitrificans. These results indicate that mauM and mauN are not required for MADH or TTQ biosynthesis and that mauFBEDACJG are sufficient for TTQ biosynthesis, since R. sphaeroides cannot synthesize TTQ. A similar construct introduced into Escherichia coli did not produce detectable MADH activity or accumulation of the mauB and mauA gene products but did lead to synthesizes of amicyanin, the mauC gene product. This finding suggests that active recombinant MADH is not expressed in E. coli because one of the accessory gene products is not functionally expressed. This study illustrates the potential utility of R. sphaeroides and the coxII promoter for heterologous expression of complex enzymes such as MADH which cannot be expressed in E. coli. These results also provide the foundation for future studies on the molecular mechanisms of MADH and TTQ biosynthesis, as well as a system for performing site-directed mutagenesis of the MADH gene and other mau genes.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Horse alpha 2-macroglobulin. Circular dichroism studies of conformational changes upon reaction with proteinases and methylamine.

The interaction of horse alpha 2-macroglobulin with methylamine, trypsin and cathepsin D was studied by circular dichroism in the far and near UV region, by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by determination of its inhibitory activity. The CD spectra of horse alpha 2-macroglobulin resemble those of bovine und human alpha 2-macroglobulin. The CD spectra were changed in a different manner after the interaction of alpha 2-macroglobulin with methylamine, trypsin and inactive or active cathepsin D, indicating that more than one conformational change occurs. Cathepsin D activity was not affected by complex formation with horse alpha 2-macroglobulin. In contrast to the action of trypsin, treatment with methylamine did not increase the electrophoretic mobility of alpha 2-macroglobulin.

Animals↗

Comparisons of the low-resolution structures of ornithine decarboxylase by electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography: the utility of methylamine tungstate stain and Butvar support film in the study of macromolecules by transmission electron microscopy.

The structure of ornithine decarboxylase (Mr approximately 1.04 x 10(6] from Lactobacillus 30a was investigated by electron microscopy and x-ray crystallography. Electron micrographs showed the structure to be well preserved in methylamine tungstate stain. The molecules interacted little with the Butvar support film, yielding three unique projections: a hexagonal ring (front view) and two rod-shaped projections (edge views). Stereo pairs revealed a novel feature of the Butvar film in that some molecules were suspended in the stain in random orientations. Consequently, the relatedness of the hexagonal ring and the rod-shaped particles could be demonstrated since some particle shapes interconverted when the stage was tilted +/- 45 degrees. The two edge views were related by a 30 degrees rotation about the sixfold axis. Image averaging of the three primary views suggested a dodecamer (point group symmetry 622) composed of two hexameric rings, apparently in an eclipsed configuration. To investigate the structural organization of the complex, the dissociation of the enzyme was studied by electron microscopy. The dissociation process involved the initial breakage of the ring followed by separation of dimers from the ring (one subunit from each of the two hexamers). Thus, the dodecamer forms as a hexamer of dimers rather than a dimer of hexamers. These structural studies were confirmed and extended by x-ray crystallographic analysis. A 4.0-A resolution electron density map revealed two hexameric rings, consisting of six closely associated dimers, tilted approximately 10 degrees with respect to the molecular twofold axis. Electron density projections of the three primary views of the molecule derived from the x-ray data corresponded closely to those obtained from image averaging of the electron microscopy data, thereby establishing in a novel way the reliability of the electron microscopy studies. Methylamine tungstate stain and Butvar support film therefore offer unique advantages for investigating protein structures by electron microscopy.

Image Processing, Computer-Assisted↗

Isolation and preliminary characterization of mutants of the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum resistant to growth inhibition by methylamine.

The wild-type heterocystous and nitrogen-fixing (Het+Nif+) N. muscorum and its non-heterocystous non-nitrogen-fixing (Het-Nif-) mutant strain both fail to grow in different inorganic nitrogen media containing 1 mM methylamine hydrochloride (MA). Mutants of the Het+Nif+ and Het-Nif- parents resistant to growth inhibition by 5 mM MA and thus designated as MAR strains were isolated with a frequency of 2.5(+/- 2.4) x 10(6). A MAR strain of the Het+Nif+ and a MAR strain of the Het-Nif- parent were characterized for growth, heterocyst formation and acetylene reducing activity in the presence and absence of methylamine in N2 medium. The Het+Nif+ MAR strain grows better in MA containing than in MA-free N2 medium, and all cultures grown with MA are found to lack both acetylene reducing activity and heterocyst. The Het-Nif-MAR strain shows good growth in MA-containing N2 medium but no growth in MA-free N2 medium. Furthermore, both the Het+Nif+MAR and Het-Nif-MAR strains show better growth in the presence than in the absence of MA in NO3- and HN4+ media. These results appear to suggest that the MAR phenotype in N. muscorum is due to the metabolic utilization of the ammonium analog as a nitrogen source.

Cyanobacteria↗

Methylamine metabolism and its role in nitrogenase "switch off" in Rhodopseudomonas capsulata.

In the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulata, NH4+ switch-off of nitrogenase activity can be mimicked by its analog, methylamine. Like NH4+, methylamine appeared to require processing by glutamine synthetase (GS) before it was effective; gamma-glutamylmethylamide was shown to be the product of this reaction. Evidence that this glutamine analog functioned directly to initiate nitrogenase inactivation was suggested first by the fact that it was a poor substrate for glutamate synthase (i.e., it was not further metabolized by this pathway) and secondly, azaserine which blocks the transfer of the glutamine amide group had no effect on CH3NH3+ (or NH4+) switch-off. These observations are taken as preliminary evidence to suggest that when NH4+ inhibits nitrogenase activity, inactivation is initiated by glutamine itself, and not a molecule derived from it. Finally, evidence was presented that R. capsulata would use CH3NH3+ as a nitrogen substrate, but lag periods and generation times increased with subsequent passages.

Ammonia↗

A novel water-soluble fluorescent probe for the determination of methylamine.

A novel water-soluble fluorescent probe, monosodium 7-(4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazinylamino)-1,3-naphthalenedisulfonic acid (DTND), was synthesized by reacting cyanuric chloride with 7-amino-1,3-naphthalenedisulfonic acid monopotassium salt at 0-5 degrees C. This new reagent was used for the determination of methylamine. The linear range is 3x10(-6)-2x10(-4) mol L(-1) with a detection limit (S/N=3) of 7.2x10(-8) mol L(-1), and the relative S.D. is 1.3% for ten replicate determinations of 1x10(-5) mol L(-1) CH3NH2. Common species in the aqueous environment have no or only slight influence on the determination. The method can be used to determine methylamine in real water samples.

Fluorescent Dyes↗

Electron transfer in crystals of the binary and ternary complexes of methylamine dehydrogenase with amicyanin and cytochrome c551i as detected by EPR spectroscopy.

EPR studies of the methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH)-amicyanin and MADH-amicyanin-cytochrome c551i crystalline complexes have been performed on randomly oriented microcrystals before and after exposure to the substrate, methylamine, as a function of pH. The results show that EPR signals from the redox centers present in the various proteins can be observed simultaneously. These results complement and extend earlier studies of the complexes under similar conditions that utilized single-crystal polarized absorption microspectrophotometry. The binary complex shows a blue copper axial signal, characteristic of oxidized amicyanin. After reaction of substrate with the MADH coenzyme tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ), the binary complex exhibits an equilibrium mixture of oxidized copper/reduced TTQ and reduced copper/TTQ. radical, whose ratio is dependent on the pH. In the oxidized ternary complex, the same copper axial signal is observed superimposed on the low-spin ferric heme features characteristic of oxidized cytochrome c551i. After addition of substrate to the ternary complex, a decrease of the copper signal is observed, concomitant with the appearance of the radical signal derived from the semiquinone form of TTQ. The equilibrium distribution of electrons between TTQ and copper as a function of pH is similar to that observed for the binary complex. This result was essential to establish that the copper center retains its function within the crystalline ternary complex. At high pH, with time the low-spin heme EPR features disappear and the spectrum indicates that full reduction of the complex by substrate has occurred.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Quantitative determination of methylamines using microelectrodes.

A new method for measuring methylamino compounds such as choline, trimethylamine, trimethylamine-N-oxide, betaine, L-carnitine, and dimethylamine is described. A glass microelectrode is used to quantify methylamines in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10.0 mM. Rapid time response and a good sensitivity are maintained by the microelectrode even when measurements are performed in solutions having high ionic strength and low pH. These characteristics make this assay suitable for use with conventional column chromatographic techniques of separation for these methylamines.

Calibration↗

Fecal methylamine and dimethylamine in chronic renal failure.

Determinations of methylamine and dimethylamine in the fecal samples from normal subjects (n = 22), nonhemodialysis patients (n = 10), and hemodialysis patients (n = 14) with chronic renal failure have been made by high-performance liquid chromatography of their 2,4-dinitrophenyl derivatives. Fecal methylamine level was significantly lower in the normal group than in the nonhemodialysis group (P less than 0.05) and in the hemodialysis group (P less than 0.05). The mean dimethylamine value of the hemodialysis group was significantly higher than that of the nonhemodialysis group (P less than 0.01) and that of the normal group (P less than 0.005). The method has also been applied to the determination of the two amines in the fecal samples from two patients with leukemia who had been isolated and sterilized in the laminar air flow rooms. Preliminary in vitro experiments were given of the possible pathway for the production of these amines by the incubation of normal fecal samples with added creatinine.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Methylamine dehydrogenase of Pseudomonase sp. J Isolation and properties of the subunits.

Two kinds of subunits, light subunit (Mr =1300) and heavy subunit (Mr=40 000), were isolated from a methylamine dehydrogenase (Mr=105 000) of Pseudomonas sp. J. The isolation of the subunits was carried out by gel chromatography after the enzyme had been treated with 3M guanidine-HCl. Coexistence of both of the subunit exhibited an absorption maximum only at 278 nm but in addition to the peak at 278 nm. The results indicate that the prosthetic group, assumed to be a derivative of pyridoxal, was bound to the light subunit. The spectral changes of the light subunit were observed by addition of methylamine. Various physical and biochemical parameters of the subunits are reported.

Amino Acids↗

The prosthetic group of methylamine dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas AM1: evidence for a quinone structure.

The g-value and linewidth of ESR spectra of methylamine dehydrogenase (primary-amine:(acceptor) oxidoreductase (deaminating) EC 1.4.99.-) and methanol dehydrogenase (alcohol:(acceptor) oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.99.8) are very similar. This similarity is also reflected in electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) results, the coupling constants of two protons in one enzyme equalling those in the other. The presence of a third proton in the ENDOR spectrum of methylamine dehydrogenase suggests a different structure or a different kind of interaction which can be related to the finding that the resolved ROSTHETIC GROUP IS PROTEIN-BOUND. The bound prosthetic group has a high redox-potential, supporting the conclusion from the ESR and ENDOR results that it is a quinone derivative.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗

Oxidation of methylamine by a Paracoccus denitrificans mutant impaired in the synthesis of the bc1 complex and the aa3-type oxidase. Evidence for the existence of an alternative cytochrome c oxidase in this bacterium.

A Paracoccus denitrificans fbcC-ctaDII double mutant strain impaired in the synthesis of both the bc1 complex and the aa3-type oxidase has been constructed. This mutant strain, which is still able to grow on methylamine as sole carbon and energy source, exhibits unimpaired oxygen consumption with succinate, methylamine and endogenous substrates as electron donors. From kinetic studies of the oxidation and reduction rates of cytochromes c, it can be concluded that P. denitrificans contains a second cytochrome c oxidase, different from the aa3-type.

Electron Transport Complex III↗

A simple alternative pathway for hemolytic assay of human complement component C3 using methylamine-treated plasma.

A quantitative, alternative pathway (AP) hemolytic assay for human complement component C3 has been developed. This AP-C3 assay is inexpensive, rapid, simple, reproducible and insensitive to C3 degradation products. The AP-C3 assay uses rabbit erythrocytes as complement activator and methylamine-treated plasma, depleted of C3 and C4, as complement source. Rabbit erythrocyte sensitivity varies little from batch to batch, and remains unaltered for at least one month in Alsever's solution. Methylamine plasma may be stored at -20 degrees C for 3 months. AP-C3 lysis of 5-25% of erythrocytes is complete in 20 min and does not change subsequently. The AP-C3 assay is optimally stable at 2 mM Mg2+, 5 mM EGTA and at 5 X 10(7) erythrocytes/ml, yet insensitive to at least 20% deviation in these concentrations. The AP-C3 assay is specific to functional C3 and well suited for determination in plasma samples and during C3 preparation. Adding excessive amounts of C3c or plasma components other than C3 does not change the hemolytic response. The level of native C3 in plasma from 14 donors relative to a reference plasma pool ranged from 0.78 to 1.23. The standard deviation of relative C3 determinations did not exceed 2%.

Animals↗