Α-keto Acids Research Articles

Asymmetric β-Methylation of l- and d-α-Amino Acids by a Self-Contained Enzyme Cascade.

This report describes a modular enzyme-catalyzed cascade reaction that transforms l- or d-α-amino acids to β-methyl-α-amino acids. In this process an α-amino acid transaminase, an α-keto acid methyltransferase, and a halide methyltransferase cooperate in two orthogonal reaction cycles that mediate product formation and regeneration of the cofactor pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and the co-substrate S-adenosylmethionine. The only stoichiometric reagents consumed in this process are the unprotected l- or d-α-amino acid and methyl iodide.

Structure-Function Studies and Mechanism of Action of Snake Venom L-Amino Acid Oxidases.

Snake venom L-amino acid oxidases (SV-LAAOs) are the least studied venom enzymes. These enzymes catalyze the stereospecific oxidation of an L-amino acid to their corresponding α-keto acid with the liberation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ammonia (NH3). They display various pathological and physiological activities including induction of apoptosis, edema, platelet aggregation/inhibition, hemorrhagic, and anticoagulant activities. They also show antibacterial, antiviral and leishmanicidal activity and have been used as therapeutic agents in some disease conditions like cancer and anti-HIV drugs. Although the crystal structures of six SV-LAAOs are present in the Protein Data Bank (PDB), there is no single article that describes all of them in particular. To better understand their structural properties and correlate it with their function, the current work describes structure characterization, structure-based mechanism of catalysis, inhibition and substrate specificity of SV-LAAOs. Sequence analysis indicates a high sequence identity (>84%) among SV-LAAOs, comparatively lower sequence identity with Pig kidney D-amino acid oxidase (<50%) and very low sequence identity (<24%) with bacterial LAAOs, Fugal (L-lysine oxidase), and Zea mays Polyamine oxidase (PAAO). The three-dimensional structure of these enzymes are composed of three-domains, a FAD-binding domain, a substrate-binding domain and a helical domain. The sequence and structural analysis indicate that the amino acid residues in the loops vary in length and composition due to which the surface charge distribution also varies that may impart variable substrate specificity to these enzymes. The active site cavity volume and its average depth also vary in these enzymes. The inhibition of these enzymes by synthetic inhibitors will lead to the production of more potent antivenoms against snakebite envenomation.

Mechanism-Based Design of 3-Amino-4-Halocyclopentenecarboxylic Acids as Inactivators of GABA Aminotransferase.

Aminotransferases are pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes that catalyze reversible transamination reactions between an amino acid and an α-keto acid, playing a critical role in cellular nitrogen metabolism. It is evident that γ-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase (GABA-AT), which balances the levels of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for epilepsy and cocaine addiction based on mechanism-based inactivators (MBIs). In this work, we established an integrated approach using computational simulation, organic synthesis, biochemical evaluation, and mass spectrometry to facilitate our design and mechanistic studies of MBIs, which led to the identification of a new cyclopentene-based analogue (6a), 25-times more efficient as an inactivator of GABA-AT compared to the parent compound (1R,3S,4S)-3-amino-4-fluorocyclopentane carboxylic acid (FCP, 4).

Hydroperoxide-Mediated Decarboxylative Acylation of Amines with α-Keto Acids

Hydroperoxide-Mediated Decarboxylative Acylation of Amines with α-Keto Acids

Structural basis of keto acid utilization in nonribosomal depsipeptide synthesis.

Nonribosomal depsipeptides are natural products composed of amino and hydroxy acid residues. The hydroxy acid residues often derive from α-keto acids, reduced by ketoreductase domains in the depsipeptide synthetases. Biochemistry and structures reveal the mechanism of discrimination for α-keto acids and a remarkable architecture: flanking intact adenylation and ketoreductase domains are sequences separated by >1,100 residues that form a split 'pseudoAsub' domain, structurally important for the depsipeptide module's synthetic cycle.

Active Expression of Membrane-Bound L-Amino Acid Deaminase from Proteus mirabilis in Recombinant Escherichia coli by Fusion with Maltose-Binding Protein for Enhanced Catalytic Performance

L-amino acid deaminases (LAADs) are membrane flavoenzymes that catalyze the deamination of neutral and aromatic L-amino acids to α-keto acids and ammonia. LAADs can be used to develop many important biotechnological applications. However, the transmembrane α-helix of LAADs restricts its soluble active expression and purification from a heterologous host, such as Escherichia coli. Herein, through fusion with the maltose-binding protein (MBP) tag, the recombinant E. coli BL21 (DE3)/pET-21b-MBP-PmLAAD was constructed and the LAAD from Proteus mirabilis (PmLAAD) was actively expressed as a soluble protein. After purification, the purified MBP-PmLAAD was obtained. Then, the catalytic activity of the MBP-PmLAAD fusion protein was determined and compared with the non-fused PmLAAD. After fusion with the MBP-tag, the catalytic efficiency of the MBP-PmLAAD cell lysate was much higher than that of the membrane-bound PmLAAD whole cells. The soluble MBP-PmLAAD cell lysate catalyzed the conversion of 100 mM L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) to phenylpyruvic acid (PPA) with a 100% yield in 6 h. Therefore, the fusion of the MBP-tag not only improved the soluble expression of the PmLAAD membrane-bound protein, but also increased its catalytic performance.

Degradation Mechanisms and Substituent Effects of N-Chloro-α-Amino Acids: A Computational Study.

N-Chloro-α-amino acids formed in the chlorination disinfection treatment of water or wastewater and in living organisms have attracted extensive attention due to the potential toxicities of themselves and their decomposition products. The degradation mechanisms of three N-chloro-α-amino acids, i.e., N-chloro-glycine, N-chloro-alanine, and N-chloro-valine, have been systematically investigated using quantum chemical computations. The results indicate that N-chloro-α-amino acid anions undergo two competitive degradation pathways: a concerted Grob fragmentation (CGF) and β-elimination (β-E). Generally, the former predominates over the latter under neutral conditions and finally generates amines and carbonyls, while the latter is preferred under base-promoted conditions and mainly produces the respective α-keto acid anions or nitriles in the end. To gain deeper insights into the substitution effects, in view of the advantages of quantum chemical computations, a number of real or designed N-chloro-α-amino acids with traditional electron-donating groups (EDG) or electron-withdrawing groups (EWG) have been studied. All of the substituted N-chloro-α-amino acids, regardless of the type and position of substituents, are kinetically more favorable than N-monochloro-glycine for degradation via the CGF pathway. Moreover, conjugated EDG substituted on the N-terminal facilitate both CGF and β-E reactions, whereas conjugated EDG and EWG on the α-carbon are only favorable for the CGF and β-E reactions, respectively. These results are expected to expand our understanding of organic N-chloramine degradation mechanisms and chlorination reaction characteristics.

Bioelectrocatalytic Conversion from N2 to Chiral Amino Acids in a H2/α-Keto Acid Enzymatic Fuel Cell.

Enzymatic electrosynthesis is a promising approach to produce useful chemicals with the requirement of external electrical energy input. Enzymatic fuel cells (EFCs) are devices to convert chemical energy to electrical energy via the oxidation of fuel at the anode and usually the reduction of oxygen or peroxide at the cathode. The integration of enzymatic electrosynthesis with EFC architectures can simultaneously result in self-powered enzymatic electrosynthesis with more valuable usage of electrons to produce high-value-added chemicals. In this study, a H2/α-keto acid EFC was developed for the conversion from chemically inert nitrogen gas to chiral amino acids, powered by H2 oxidation. A highly efficient cathodic reaction cascade was first designed and constructed. Powered by an applied voltage, the cathode supplied enough reducing equivalents to support the NH3 production and NADH recycling catalyzed by nitrogenase and diaphorase. The produced NH3 and NADH were reacted in situ with leucine dehydrogenase (LeuDH) to generate l-norleucine with 2-ketohexanoic acid as the NH3 acceptor. A 92% NH3 conversion ratio and 87.1% Faradaic efficiency were achieved. On this basis, a H2-powered fuel cell with hyper-thermostable hydrogenase (SHI) as the anodic catalyst was combined with the cathodic reaction cascade to form the H2/α-keto acid EFC. After 10 h of reaction, the concentration of l-norleucine achieved 0.36 mM with >99% enantiomeric excess and 82% Faradaic efficiency. From the broad substrate scope and the high enzymatic enantioselectivity of LeuDH, the H2/α-keto acid EFC is an energy-efficient alternative to electrochemically produce chiral amino acids for biotechnology applications.

BCAT2-mediated BCAA catabolism is critical for development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism is potentially linked with development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)1-4. BCAA transaminase 2 (BCAT2) was essential for the collateral lethality conferred by deletion of malic enzymes in PDAC and the BCAA-BCAT metabolic pathway contributed to non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) other than PDAC3,4. However, the underlying mechanism remains undefined. Here we reveal that BCAT2 is elevated in mouse models and in human PDAC. Furthermore, pancreatic tissue-specific knockout of Bcat2 impedes progression of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) in LSL-KrasG12D/+; Pdx1-Cre (KC) mice. Functionally, BCAT2 enhances BCAA uptake to sustain BCAA catabolism and mitochondrial respiration. Notably, BCAA enhances growth of pancreatic ductal organoids from KC mice in a dose-dependent manner, whereas addition of branched-chain α-keto acid (BCKA) and nucleobases rescues growth of KC organoids that is suppressed by BCAT2 inhibitor. Moreover, KRAS stabilizes BCAT2, which is mediated by spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) and E3 ligase tripartite-motif-containing protein 21 (TRIM21). In addition, BCAT2 inhibitor ameliorates PanIN formation in KC mice. Of note, a lower-BCAA diet also impedes PDAC development in mouse models of PDAC. Thus, BCAT2-mediated BCAA catabolism is critical for development of PDAC harbouring KRAS mutations. Targeting BCAT2 or lowering dietary BCAA may have translational significance.

Proteasome activity and expression of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling factors in skeletal muscle of dairy cows supplemented with conjugated linoleic acids during early lactation

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a major regulator of protein synthesis via its main downstream effectors, ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein (4EBP1). The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the main proteolytic pathway in muscle, and the muscle-specific ligases tripartite motif containing 63 (TRIM63; also called muscle-specific ring-finger protein 1, MuRF-1) and F-box only protein 32 (FBXO32; also called atrogin-1) are important components of the UPS. We investigated 20S proteasome activity and mRNA expression of key components of mTOR signaling and UPS in skeletal muscle of dairy cows during late gestation and early lactation and tested the effects of dietary supplementation (from d 1 in milk) with conjugated linoleic acids (sCLA; 100 g/d; n = 11) compared with control fat-supplemented cows (CTR; n = 10). Blood and muscle tissue (semitendinosus) samples were collected on d -21, 1, 21, and 70 relative to parturition. Dry matter intake increased with time of lactation in both groups. It was lower in sCLA than in CTR on d 21, which resulted in a reduced calculated metabolizable protein balance. Most serum and muscle concentrations of AA followed time-related changes but were unaffected by CLA supplementation. In both groups, serum and muscle 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) concentrations and the ratio of 3-MH:creatinine increased from d -21 to d 1, followed by a decline on d 21. The mRNA abundance of MTOR on d 21 and 70 was greater in sCLA than in CTR. The abundance of 4EBP1 mRNA did not differ between groups but was upregulated in both on d 1. The mRNA abundance of S6K1 on d 70 was greater in CTR than in sCLA, but remained unchanged over time in both groups. The mRNA abundance of FBXO32 (encoding atrogin-1) on d 21 was greater in sCLA than in CTR. The mRNA abundance of TRIM63 (also known as MuRF1) showed a similar pattern as FBXO32 in both groups: an increase from d -21 to d 1, followed by a decline. The mRNA for the α (BCKDHA) and β (BCKDHB) polypeptide of branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase was elevated in sCLA and CTR cows on d 21, respectively, suggesting a role of CLA in determining the metabolic fate of branched-chain AA. For the mTOR protein, no group differences were observed. The abundance of S6K1 protein was greater across all time points in sCLA versus CTR. The antepartum 20S proteasome activity in muscle was elevated in both groups compared with postpartum, probably reflecting the start of protein mobilization before parturition. Plasma insulin concentrations decreased in both groups postpartum but to a greater extent in CTR than in sCLA, resulting in greater insulin concentrations in sCLA than in CTR. Thus, the greater abundance of MTOR mRNA and S6K1 protein in sCLA compared with CTR might be mediated by the greater plasma insulin postpartum. The upregulation of MTOR mRNA in sCLA cows on d 21, despite greater FBXO32 mRNA abundance, may reflect a simultaneous activation of both anabolic and catabolic signaling pathways, likely resulting in greater protein turnover.

Diversity of D-Amino Acid Utilizing Bacteria From Kongsfjorden, Arctic and the Metabolic Pathways for Seven D-Amino Acids

D-amino acids (DAAs) are an important component of the refractory dissolved organic matter pool in the ocean. Microbes play a vital role in promoting the recycling of DAAs in the ocean. However, the diversity of marine DAA-utilizing bacteria and how they metabolize DAAs are seldom studied. Here, by enrichment culture with DAAs as the sole nitrogen source, bacteria of 12 families from three phyla were recovered from surface seawater and sediment from Kongsfjorden, Arctic, and seven DAA-utilizing bacterial strains were isolated. These strains have different DAA-utilizing abilities. Of the seven DAAs used, Halomonas titanicae SM1922 and Pseudoalteromonas neustonica SM1927 were able to utilize seven and five of them, respectively, while the other strains were able to utilize only one or two. Based on genomic, transcriptional and biochemical analyses, the key genes involved in DAA metabolism in each strain were identified and the metabolic pathways for the seven DAAs in these marine bacteria were identified. Conversion of DAAs into α-keto acids is generally the main pathway in marine DAA-utilizing bacteria, which is performed by several key enzymes, including DAA oxidoreductases/dehydrogenases, D-serine ammonia-lyases, D-serine ammonia-lyase DSD1s and DAA transaminases. In addition, conversion of DAAs into LAAs is another pathway, which is performed by amino acid racemases. Among the identified key enzymes, D-serine ammonia-lyase DSD1 and Asp racemase are first found to be employed by bacteria for DAA utilization. These results shed light on marine DAA-utilizing bacteria and the involved DAA metabolism pathways, offering a better understanding of the DAA recycling in the ocean.

Branched-chain amino acids: Abundance of their transporters and metabolizing enzymes in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver of dairy cows at high or normal body condition

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are major components of milk protein and important precursors for nonessential AA. Thus, the BCAA transport and break-down play a key role in the metabolic adaptation to the high nutrient demands in lactation. However, in monogastrics, increased BCAA levels have been linked with obesity and certain metabolic disorders such as impaired insulin sensitivity. Our objective was to study the effect of over-conditioning at calving on plasma BCAA levels as well as the tissue abundance of the most relevant BCAA transporters and degrading enzymes in dairy cows during late pregnancy and early lactation. Thirty-eight Holstein cows were allocated 15 wk antepartum to either a normal- (NBCS) or over-conditioned (HBCS) group, receiving 6.8 or 7.2 MJ of NEL/kg of DM, respectively, during late lactation to reach the targeted differences in body condition score (BCS) and back fat thickness (BFT; NBCS: BCS <3.5, BFT <1.2 cm; HBCS: BCS >3.75, BFT >1.4 cm) until dry-off. During the dry period and next lactation, cows were fed the same diets, whereby differences in BCS and BFT were maintained: prepartum means were 3.16 ± 0.06 and 1.03 ± 0.07 cm (NBCS) vs. 3.77 ± 0.08 and 1.89 ± 0.11 cm (HBCS), postpartum means were 2.89 ± 0.06 and 0.81 ± 0.05 cm (NBCS) vs. 3.30 ± 0.06 and 1.38 ± 0.08 cm (HBCS). Blood and biopsies from liver, semitendinosus muscle, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (scAT) were sampled at d 49 antepartum, 3, 21, and 84 postpartum. Free BCAA were analyzed and the mRNA abundance of solute carrier family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5), SLC7A5, and SLC38A2 as well as branched-chain aminotransferase 2 (BCAT2), branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase E1α (BCKDHA), and branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase E1β (BCKDHB) as well as the protein abundance of BCKDHA were assessed. Concentrations of all BCAA changed with time, most markedly in HBCS cows, with a nadir around calving. Apart from Ile, neither individual nor total BCAA differed between groups. The HBCS group had greater BCKDHA mRNA as well as higher prepartum BCKDHA protein abundance in scAT than NBCS cows, pointing to a greater oxidative capacity for the irreversible degradation of BCAA transamination products in scAT of over-conditioned cows. Prepartum hepatic BCKDHA protein abundance was lower in HBCS than in NBCS cows. In both groups, SLC1A5, SLC7A5, and BCAT2 mRNA were most abundant in scAT, whereas SLC38A2 was higher in scAT and muscle compared with liver, and BCKDHA and BCKDHB mRNA were greatest in liver and muscle, respectively. Our results indicate that scAT may be a major site of BCAA uptake and initial catabolism, with the former, however, being independent of BCS and time relative to calving in dairy cows.

Stability of α-ketoglutaric acid simulating an impact-generated hydrothermal system: implications for prebiotic chemistry studies

AbstractLife originated on Earth possibly as a physicochemical process; thus, geological environments and their hypothetical characteristics on early Earth are essential for chemical evolution studies. Also, it is necessary to consider the energy sources that were available in the past and the components that could have contributed to promote chemical reactions. It has been proposed that the components could have been mineral surfaces. The aim of this work is to determine the possible role of mineral surfaces on chemical evolution, and to study of the stability of relevant molecules for metabolism, such as α-ketoglutaric acid (α-keto acid, Krebs cycle participant), using ionizing radiation and thermal energy as energy sources and mineral surfaces to promote chemical reactions. Preliminary results show α-ketoglutaric acid can be relatively stable at the simulated conditions of an impact-generated hydrothermal system; thus, those systems might have been plausible environments for chemical evolution on Earth.

Biologically generated carbon dioxide: nature's versatile chemical strategies for carboxy lyases.

Covering: up to 2019Metabolic production of CO2 is natural product chemistry on a mammoth scale. Just counting humans, among all other respiring organisms, the seven billion people on the planet exhale about 3 billion tons of CO2 per year. Essentially all of the biogenic CO2 arises by action of discrete families of decarboxylases. The mechanistic routes to CO2 release from carboxylic acid metabolites vary with the electronic demands and structures of specific substrates and illustrate the breadth of chemistry employed for C-COO (C-C bond) disconnections. Most commonly decarboxylated are α-keto acid and β-keto acid substrates, the former requiring thiamin-PP as cofactor, the latter typically cofactor-free. The extensive decarboxylation of amino acids, e.g. to neurotransmitter amines, is synonymous with the coenzyme form of vitamin B6, pyridoxal-phosphate, although covalent N-terminal pyruvamide residues serve in some amino acid decarboxylases. All told, five B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B7), ATP, S-adenosylmethionine, manganese and zinc ions are pressed into service for specific decarboxylase catalyses. There are additional cofactor-independent decarboxylases that operate by distinct chemical routes. Finally, while most decarboxylases use heterolytic ionic mechanisms, a small number of decarboxylases carry out radical pathways.

Silver-catalyzed acylative annulation of N-propargylated indoles with α-keto acids: access to acylated pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles.

This study describes the first carbon centered radical cyclization of N-propargyl indoles involving decarboxylation of α-keto acids in the presence of an Ag-catalyst. The present cascade carbon-carbon bond formation reactions provide C-acylated pyrrolo[1,2-a]indoles in good yields (25 examples). The amount of oxidant has a profound effect on the reaction to convert either the di-acylated products using 8 equiv. of K2S2O8 or mono-acylated products using 2 equiv. of K2S2O8. N-Propargyl pyrroles are also found to be suitable for delivering the corresponding 3H-pyrrolizines.

Visible-light-promoted acyl radical cascade reaction for accessing acylated isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione derivatives.

A visible-light-promoted decarboxylative acyl radical acylation/cyclization cascade reaction of N-methacryloylbenzamides for accessing acylated isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-dione derivatives was described. In this report, α-keto acids were used for generating acyl radicals and inducing radical acylations. This protocol features mild reaction conditions, operational practicality and a broad substrate scope.

Unveiling the active isomer of cycloalanopine, a cyclic opine from Lactobacillus rhamnosus LS8, through synthesis and analog production.

Opines are widely distributed natural products formed by the reductive condensation of amino acids with α-keto acids or carbonyls of carbohydrates. They have important biological roles in bacteria, higher plants, fungi, invertebrates and mammals, including humans. An unusual cyclic opine of undefined stereochemistry, cycloalanopine, was previously isolated from Lactobacillus rhamnosus LS8 and reported to have antimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In this work, we report a three-step strategy to synthetically access pure isomers of this cyclic compound and analogs thereof. In the key step, acyclic bis-hydrazides can be oxidized with (diacetoxyiodo) benzene to corresponding cyclic N,N'-diacylhydrazides. The three cycloalanopine isomers, along with several analogs, were synthesized and tested against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. We identified the active isomer as the meso compound: (4R,6S)-4,6-dimethyl-1,2,5-triazepan-3,7-dione. Additionally, a glycine derivative, (R)-4-methyl-1,2,5-triazepan-3,7-dione, was ascertained to be more potent. This compound was active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms with the strongest potency against Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii, an opportunistic pathogen found in hospital-derived infections.

Analysis of intracellular α-keto acids by HPLC with fluorescence detection.

Branched-chain keto acids and branched-chain amino acids are metabolites of branched-chain amino acid aminotransferases (BCATs), which catalyzes reversible transamination between them. We found that BCAT1 plays an important role in the progression of myeloid leukaemia, and a method for the analysis of intracellular α-keto acids including branched-chain keto acids was necessary to further investigate their role. In this study, we developed a method to analyze six α-keto acids (α-ketoglutaric acid (KG), pyruvic acid, α-ketobutyric acid, α-ketoisovaleric acid, α-ketoisocaproic acid, and α-keto-β-methylvaleric acid) in K562 cells by HPLC with fluorescence detection, using 1,2-diamino-4,5-methylenedioxybenzene (DMB) as a derivatization reagent. Because split peaks of DMB-KG were observed when injection samples were too acidic, the derivatization solution was diluted with NaOH solution to obtain a single peak. Limits of detection and limits of quantification were 1.3-5.4 nM and 4.2-18 nM, respectively. Intracellular concentrations of α-keto acids were 1.55-316 pmol/1 × 106 K562 cells. The developed method realized reproducible and sensitive analysis of intracellular α-keto acids. Thus, the method could be used to elucidate the role of BCAT in myeloid leukaemia.

Characterization of l-2-keto-3-deoxyfuconate aldolases in a nonphosphorylating l-fucose metabolism pathway in anaerobic bacteria

Characterization of l-2-keto-3-deoxyfuconate aldolases in a nonphosphorylating l-fucose metabolism pathway in anaerobic bacteria

Transition-Metal-Free Decarboxylative Amidation of Aryl α-Keto Acids with Diphenylphosphoryl Azide: New Avenue for the Preparation of Primary Aryl Amides

Transition-Metal-Free Decarboxylative Amidation of Aryl <i>α</i>-Keto Acids with Diphenylphosphoryl Azide: New Avenue for the Preparation of Primary Aryl Amides