Equilibrium Dialysis Data Research Articles

The Effect of Arsenic Trioxide on All-trans Retinoic Acid Binding to Human Serum Albumin.

Tretinoin or All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an efficient medication in leukemia treatment. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) significantly improves the effectiveness of ATRA. In this study, the effect of ATO on ATRA binding to human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated. Fluorescence and UV-Vis spectroscopy and equilibrium dialysis technique were used to determine ATRA binding to HSA in the presence and absence of ATO and of two compounds, warfarin and ibuprofen, specific for binding to HSA sites I and II, respectively ("site markers"). The association constants for ATRA binding and the number of binding sites as well as the thermodynamic parameters of complex formation, were obtained at different temperatures. Fluorescence results showed a static quenching mechanism for ATRA binding to HSA. The calculated thermodynamic parameters revealed that the binding reaction is a spontaneous and exothermic process and also that hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces have a central role in the binding of ATRA to HSA. Competitive experiments showed that none of markers seriously prevents ATRA binding to HSA. Interestingly, the fluorescence and equilibrium dialysis data showed that ATO increases the binding of ATRA to HSA, and converts the binding mode of ATRA from mainly hydrogen bonding to include hydrophobic interactions as well. These results suggest that ATO can prevent the metabolism of ATRA and keep it in the blood for longer by increasing the binding of ATRA to HSA.

Physicochemical Properties of the Inclusion Complex of Moxifloxacin with Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Synthesized by RESS

A new method for the synthesis of guest–host inclusion complex of moxifloxacin (MF) with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) by supercritical fluid technology in the rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS) mode was suggested for developing new drug formulations with improved bioaccessibility. The MF–HPCD complex was synthesized by this method as particles of 2–4 μm, which is the optimum size for creating the oral and inhalation MF drug forms. According to the scanning electron microscopy data, the morphology of MF–HPCD particles (irregular polyhedra) obtained by RESS processing differs from that of the starting components and from that of unbound MF and HPCD obtained by lyophilization from aqueous solution. According to X-ray diffraction data, the crystallinity of MF decreased from 95% to 20–30% after the formation of the HPCD complex. The IR spectroscopic and equilibrium dialysis data showed that RESS provides higher efficiency of drug inclusion in the complex with HPCD compared with that of conventional methods such as lyophilization or mixing of solid components.

Combining PET Biodistribution and Equilibrium Dialysis Assays to Assess the Free Brain Concentration and BBB Transport of CNS Drugs

The passage of drugs in and out of the brain is controlled by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), typically, using either passive diffusion across a concentration gradient or active transport via a protein carrier. In-vitro and preclinical measurements of BBB penetration do not always accurately predict the in-vivo situation in humans. Thus, the ability to assay the concentration of novel drug candidates in the human brain in vivo provides valuable information for de-risking of candidate molecules early in drug development. Here, positron emission tomography (PET) measurements are combined with in-vitro equilibrium dialysis assays to enable assessment of transport and estimation of the free brain concentration in vivo. The PET and equilibrium dialysis data were obtained for 36 compounds in the pig. Predicted P-glycoprotein (P-gp) status of the compounds was consistent with the PET/equilibrium dialysis results. In particular, Loperamide, a well-known P-gp substrate, exhibited a significant concentration gradient consistent with active efflux and after inhibition of the P-gp process the gradient was removed. The ability to measure the free brain concentration and assess transport of novel compounds in the human brain with combined PET and equilibrium dialysis assays can be a useful tool in central nervous system (CNS) drug development.

Kinetic and Mutational Analyses of the Major Cytosolic Exopolyphosphatase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Yeast exopolyphosphatase (scPPX) processively splits off the terminal phosphate group from linear polyphosphates longer than pyrophosphate. scPPX belongs to the DHH phosphoesterase superfamily and is evolutionarily close to the well characterized family II pyrophosphatase (PPase). Here, we used steady-state kinetic and binding measurements to elucidate the metal cofactor requirement for scPPX catalysis over the pH range 4.2-9.5. A single tight binding site for Mg(2+) (K(d) of 24 microm) was detected by equilibrium dialysis. Steady-state kinetic analysis of tripolyphosphate hydrolysis revealed a second site that binds Mg(2+) in the millimolar range and modulates substrate binding. This step requires two protonated and two deprotonated enzyme groups with pK(a) values of 5.0-5.3 and 7.6-8.2, respectively. The catalytic step requiring two deprotonated groups (pK(a) of 4.6 and 5.6) is modulated by ionization of a third group (pK(a) of 8.7). Conservative mutations of Asp(127), His(148), His(149) (conserved in scPPX and PPase), and Asn(35) (His in PPase) reduced activity by a factor of 600-5000. N35H and D127E substitutions reduced the Mg(2+) affinity of the tight binding site by 25-60-fold. Contrary to expectations, the N35H variant was unable to hydrolyze pyrophosphate, but markedly altered metal cofactor specificity, displaying higher catalytic activity with Co(2+) bound to the weak binding site versus the Mg(2+)- or Mn(2+)-bound enzyme. These results provide an initial step toward understanding the dynamics of scPPX catalysis and reveal significant functional differences between structurally similar scPPX and family II PPase.

Equilibrium Dialysis Data and the Relationships between Preferential Interaction Parameters for Biological Systems in Terms of Kirkwood−Buff Integrals

Equilibrium dialysis data has provided valuable information concerning the preferential interaction of a cosolvent with a biomolecule in aqueous solutions. Here, we formulate the experimental data in terms of Kirkwood-Buff (KB) theory, resulting in equations that provide a simple physical picture of the dialysis experiment and thereby the interaction of a cosolvent with a biomolecule. These results are then used to establish exact relationships between preferential interaction coefficients, defined in different ensembles and/or using different concentration scales, in terms of KB integrals. It is then argued that the molality based equilibrium dialysis data represent the situation most relevant to computer simulations performed in either open or closed systems.

Molecular crowding effects of linear polymers in protein solutions

Measurement of protein–polymer second virial coefficients ( B AP ) by sedimentation equilibrium studies of carbonic anhydrase and cytochrome c in the presence of dextrans (T10–T80) has revealed an inverse dependence of B AP upon dextran molecular mass that conforms well with the behaviour predicted for the excluded-volume interaction between a spherical protein solute A and a random-flight representation of the polymeric cosolute P. That model of the protein–polymer interaction is also shown to provide a reasonable description of published gel chromatographic and equilibrium dialysis data on the effect of polymer molecular mass on B AP for human serum albumin in the presence of polyethylene glycols, a contrary finding from analysis of albumin solubility measurements being rejected on theoretical grounds. Inverse dependence upon polymer chainlength is also the predicted excluded-volume effect on the strength of several types of macromolecular equilibria—protein isomerization, protein dimerization, and 1 : 1 complex formation between dissimilar protein reactants. It is therefore concluded that published experimental observations of the reverse dependence, preferential reaction enhancement within DNA replication complexes by larger polyethylene glycols, must reflect the consequences of cosolute chemical interactions that outweigh those of thermodynamic nonideality arising from excluded-volume effects.

Interactions of Two Amphiphilic Penicillins with Myoglobin in Aqueous Buffered Solutions: A Thermodynamic and Spectroscopy Study

The interactions and complexation process of the amphiphilic penicillins sodium cloxacillin and sodium dicloxacillin with horse myoglobin in aqueous buffered solutions of pH 4.5 and 7.4 have been examined by equilibrium dialysis, zeta-potential, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and UV-Vis absorbance techniques. A more opened structure of the protein molecules is detected as a consequence of the reduction of pH from 7.4 to 4.5. Binding isotherms and derived Hill coefficients reflect a cooperative binding behavior. Gibbs energies of binding per mole of drug were obtained from equilibrium dialysis data and compared with those derived from the zeta potential taking into account cooperativity. DeltaGads degrees values so obtained are large and negative at low concentrations where binding to the "high-energy" sites occurs and decreases with the drug concentration. The enthalpies of binding have been obtained from ITC and are small and exothermic so that the Gibbs energies of binding are dominated by large increases in entropy consistent with hydrophobic interactions. Other thermodynamic quantities of the binding mechanism, that is, entropy, DeltaSITCi, Gibbs energy, DeltaGITCi, the binding constant, KITCi, and the number of binding sites, ni, were also obtained, confirming the above results. From ITC data and following a theoretical model, the number of bound and free penicillin molecules was calculated, being higher at pH 4.5 than at pH 7.4. The binding of penicillin causes a conformational transition on protein structure as a consequence of the resulting intramolecular repulsion between the penicillin molecules bound to the protein. Thermodynamic quantites (the Gibbs energy of the transition in water, DeltaGw degrees , and in a hydrophobic environment, DeltaGhc degrees) of the denaturation process were calculated, indicating that at pH 4.5 some of the histidine residues are protonated, becoming accessible to solvent and giving rise to a more opened protein structure.

Selective interaction of ethidium derivatives with quadruplexes: an equilibrium dialysis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis.

The telomeric G-rich single-stranded DNA can adopt in vitro an intramolecular quadruplex structure, which has been shown to directly inhibit telomerase activity. The reactivation of this enzyme in immortalized and most cancer cells suggests that telomerase is a relevant target in oncology, and telomerase inhibitors have been proposed as new potential anticancer agents. In this paper, we have analyzed the selectivity of four ethidium derivatives and ethidium itself toward different G-quadruplex species, with electrospray mass spectrometry and competitive equilibrium dialysis and evaluated their inhibitory properties against telomerase. A selectivity profile may be obtained through electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), which is in fair agreement with competitive equilibrium dialysis data. It also provides unambiguous data on the number of binding sites per nucleic acid (maximal number of two ethidium derivatives per quadruplex, in agreement with external stacking). Our experiments also demonstrate that one compound (4) is the most active and selective G-quadruplex ligand within this series and the most selective telomerase inhibitor in a modified TRAP-G4 assay.

Interaction of daunomycin antibiotic with histone H 1: ultraviolet spectroscopy and equilibrium dialysis studies

Using ultraviolet spectroscopy and equilibrium dialysis techniques, we have investigated the interaction of anticancer drug, daunomycin with calf thymus histone H 1 chromosomal protein in 20 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, 1 mM EDTA at room temperature. The UV spectroscopy results show that daunomycin (5.0–100 μM) decreases the absorbance of histone H 1 at 210–230 nm and induces hypochromicity in the absorption spectrum of the protein. The equilibrium dialysis data show that daunomycin binds to histone H 1 and the binding process is positive cooperative with two binding sites as Scatchard plot and Hill coefficient confirm it. The results suggest that daunomycin binds to histone H 1 and changes its conformation.

Intercalative binding and photoredox behavior of [Cr(phen) 2(dppz)] 3+ with B-DNA

Dramatically increased binding to calf thymus B-DNA is reported for the complex Cr(phen) 2(dppz) 3+ (where dppz is dipyridophenazine) relative to that observed for Cr(phen) 3 3+ . UV–Vis absorption, viscosity, and equilibrium dialysis data provide convincing evidence that this enhanced binding by Cr(phen) 2(dppz) 3+ is associated with intercalation by the dppz ligand. In aqueous buffer solution (pH 7.4), the 2E g→ 4A 2g phosphorescence signal of Cr(phen) 2(dppz) 3+ centered at 730 nm is quenched in the presence of calf thymus DNA or the mononucleotides deoxyguanosine-5′-monophosphate (dGMP) and deoxyadenosine-5′-monophosphate (dAMP). Stern–Volmer lifetime plots for calf thymus DNA, dGMP, and dAMP yield bimolecular quenching rate constants of 3.0×10 7, 2.4×10 9, and 1.8×10 7 M −1 s −1, respectively. The study demonstrates that Cr(phen) 2(dppz) 3+ is a stronger photooxidant than Cr(phen) 3 3+ and Cr(bpy) 3 3+ (and markedly stronger than Ru(phen) 2(dppz) 2+), and is capable of both guanine and adenine nucleobase oxidation.

Investigations of the Effects of Ethanol on Warfarin Binding to Human Serum Albumin

Ethanol effects on warfarin binding to human serum albumin (HSA) have been studied by equilibrium dialysis and fluorescence methods at pH 7.4 in phosphate-buffered saline at 37°C. In the presence of various amounts of ethanol fluorescence intensity of bound warfarin decreased significantly but this intensity reduction was not solely from displacement of bound warfarin from HSA. By comparing fluorescence and equilibrium dialysis data we concluded that fluorescence intensity reduction of warfarin was mainly the result of changes in the surrounding environment of the warfarin binding site by ethanol interaction with HSA and that displacement of bound warfarin was not significant compared to the fluorescence intensity changes. The dissociation constant of warfarin binding to HSA decreased with an increasing amount of ethanol. From the changes in fluorescence intensity upon warfarin binding to HSA with the presence of ethanol ranging from 0 to 5.0% the following dissociation constants (Kd) were determined: 0% ethanol 5.39 ± 0.2 μM, 0.1% ethanol 5.86 ± 0.1 μM, 0.3% ethanol 5.83 ± 0.2 μM, 0.5% ethanol 6.76 ± 0.1 μM, 1% ethanol 7.01 ± 0.1 μM, 3% ethanol 9.9 ± 0.7 μM, 5% ethanol 13.01 ± 0.1 μM. From the equilibrium dialysis with the same ranges of ethanol presence the following Kd values were obtained: 0% ethanol 6.62 ± 1.6 μM, 0.1% ethanol 6.81 ± 1.1 μM, 0.3% ethanol 8.26 ± 2.5 μM, 0.5% ethanol 8.86 ± 1.9 μM, 1% ethanol 11.01 ± 4.2 μM, 3% ethanol 20.75 ± 2.4 μM, 5% ethanol 21.67 ± 2.2 μM. The results suggest that warfarin bound to HSA was displaced by ethanol. These data indicate that ethanol influence on warfarin binding to HSA may alter the pharmacokinetics of warfarin.

Investigations of the effects of ethanol on warfarin binding to human serum albumin.

Ethanol effects on warfarin binding to human serum albumin (HSA) have been studied by equilibrium dialysis and fluorescence methods at pH 7.4 in phosphate-buffered saline at 37 degrees C. In the presence of various amounts of ethanol fluorescence intensity of bound warfarin decreased significantly but this intensity reduction was not solely from displacement of bound warfarin from HSA. By comparing fluorescence and equilibrium dialysis data we concluded that fluorescence intensity reduction of warfarin was mainly the result of changes in the surrounding environment of the warfarin binding site by ethanol interaction with HSA and that displacement of bound warfarin was not significant compared to the fluorescence intensity changes. The dissociation constant of warfarin binding to HSA decreased with an increasing amount of ethanol. From the changes in fluorescence intensity upon warfarin binding to HSA with the presence of ethanol ranging from 0 to 5.0% the following dissociation constants (Kd) were determined: 0% ethanol 5.39 +/- 0.2 microM, 0.1% ethanol 5.86 +/- 0.1 microM, 0.3% ethanol 5.83 +/- 0.2 microM, 0.5% ethanol 6.76 +/- 0.1 microM, 1% ethanol 7.01 +/- 0.1 microM, 3% ethanol 9.9 +/- 0.7 microM, 5% ethanol 13.01 +/- 0.1 microM. From the equilibrium dialysis with the same ranges of ethanol presence the following Kd values were obtained: 0% ethanol 6. 62 +/- 1.6 microM, 0.1% ethanol 6.81 +/- 1.1 microM, 0.3% ethanol 8. 26 +/- 2.5 microM, 0.5% ethanol 8.86 +/- 1.9 microM, 1% ethanol 11. 01 +/- 4.2 microM, 3% ethanol 20.75 +/- 2.4 microM, 5% ethanol 21.67 +/- 2.2 microM. The results suggest that warfarin bound to HSA was displaced by ethanol. These data indicate that ethanol influence on warfarin binding to HSA may alter the pharmacokinetics of warfarin.

Thermodynamic Studies on the Interaction of Cobalt with Alpha‐Amylase

AbstractThe interaction of α‐amylase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens with divalent cobalt ion was studied by equilibrium dialysis and isothermal titration microcalorimetry methods at 27 °C in neutral solution at pH = 7.0. A new equation with a useful graphical method, very similar to the Scatchard plot was introduced to obtain a dissociation equilibrium constant using microcalorimetric data. The constant is remarkably like that obtained from a normal Scatchard plot, which uses equilibrium dialysis data. The enzyme activity increased significantly with an increasing concentration of cobalt; however, the temperature of denaturation of the enzyme decreased.

Studies on the carbohydrate binding sites of the hemolytic lectin CEL-III isolated from the marine invertebrate Cucumaria echinata.

The binding of carbohydrates to the hemolytic lectin CEL-III isolated from the marine invertebrate Cucumaria echinata was studied. Equilibrium dialysis data suggest that CEL-III has two carbohydrate-binding sites with equal affinity. The binding of specific carbohydrates to CEL-III induces a decrease in the fluorescence intensity at 339 nm and the shift of the fluorescence emission maximum to a wavelength shorter by 3 nm, owing to the change in the environment of tryptophan. By analyzing the change in the fluorescence intensity at 339 nm as a function of the concentration of carbohydrates, the association constants for binding of individual carbohydrates to CEL-III were calculated. The results indicate that GalNAc, lactulose, and lactose are bound by CEL-III with fairly high affinity among the carbohydrates tested. The pH-dependence profile of the association constant of lactose suggests that CEL-III binds carbohydrates with highest affinity around pH 5.0. Modification of CEL-III with N-bromosuccinimide produces an oxidized derivative, in which four tryptophan residues/mol were oxidized and had no hemolytic activity. However, two out of these four tryptophans escaped from the modification in the presence of specific saccharides and the resulting derivative retained fairly high hemolytic activity.

Calcium binding and homoassociation of E-cadherin domains.

Cadherins are single pass transmembrane glycoproteins which mediate calcium dependent cell-cell adhesion by homophilic interactions. To reveal the molecular details of calcium binding and homoassociation, we recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli a domain pair consisting of the first two domains of E-cadherin (ECAD12) and the single domains 1, 2, and 5. ECAD12 encompasses the most N-terminal of the four putative calcium-binding pockets in the extracellular region of E-cadherin. Equilibrium dialysis experiments revealed that the single domains do not bind Ca2+, but ECAD12 was found to bind three calcium ions. ECAD12 dimerizes (Kd = 0.08 +/- 0.02 mM) in the presence of Ca2+ as we could demonstrate by analytical ultracentrifugation. Calcium binding to ECAD12 induces conformational changes which were monitored by electrophoretic mobility and by circular dichroism. By analyzing our equilibrium dialysis data with a single binding site model, we found an average Kd of 460 microM for the three bound Ca2+. Assuming a model for three binding sites, which slightly increased the quality of the fit, we obtained two identical Kds of 330 microM and a third much higher Kd of 2 mM. The entire extracellular region of E-cadherin, which was recombinantly expressed in mammalian cells, binds nine Ca2+ with a much lower average Kd of 30 microM. Therefore, we conclude that the four calcium binding pockets are not identical. Since binding to ECAD12 occurs at Ca2+ concentrations close to those in the extracellular space, we suggest that the N-terminal domain pair might be involved in calcium regulation of E-cadherin mediated cell-cell adhesion.

Kinetics of the cooperative binding of glucose to dimeric yeast hexokinase P-I.

Kinetic studies of the cooperative binding of glucose to yeast hexokinase P-I at pH 6.5 have been carried out using the fluorescence temperature-jump technique. Three relaxation effects were observed: a fast low-amplitude effect which could only be resolved at low glucose concentrations (tau 1(-1) = 500-800 s-1), an intermediate effect (tau 2) which showed a linear dependence of reciprocal relaxation time on concentration, and a slow effect (tau 3) which showed a curved dependence on glucose concentration, increasing from approximately 28 s-1 at low concentrations to 250 s-1 at high levels. The findings are interpreted in terms of the concerted Monod-Wyman-Changeux mechanism, the two faster relaxations being assigned to binding to the R and T states, and the slow relaxation to isomerization between the states. Quantitative fitting of the kinetic data to the mechanism has been carried out using independent estimates of the equilibrium parameters of the model; these have been derived from equilibrium dialysis data and by determining the enhancement of the intrinsic ATPase activity of the enzyme by the non-phosphorylatable sugar lyxose, which switches the conformation of the enzyme to the active R state.

Purification and Characterization of a Mannose-Specific Lectin from Shallot (Allium ascalonicum) Bulbs

A new mannose-binding lectin was isolated from shallot (Allium ascalonicum) bulbs by affinity chromatography on an immobilized D-mannose column. The lectin (A. ascojonicum agglutinin, AAA) appeared homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.3 and gave a single protein band with an apparent Mr of 11 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a single symmetrical peak of 11 kDa by gel filtration oa a Sephacryl S-200 HR column, indicating that AAA exists as a monomeric protein at neutral pH under the gel filtration condition employed. However, chemical cross-linking studies revealed that some degree of self-association of the lectin molecules occurs and that the lectin exists in solution as a mixture of monomers and oligomers. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium dialysis data showed the presence of one carbohydrate binding site for Man (α1-3) Man-α-O-Me per monomer, with Ka = 1.62 × 104 M−1. The carbohydrate-binding properties of the purified AAA were investigated by quantitative precipitation and hapten inhibition assays. Purified AAA precipitated asialofetuin, asialotransferrin, asialothyroglobulin, asialoorosomucoid, as well as their agalacto derivatives, but did not precipitate either sialylated glycoproteins or mucins. AAA also reacted strongly with the highly branched yeast mannan obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Of the monosaccharides tested only D-mannose was a hapten inhibitor of the AAA-asialofetuin precipitation system, whereas D-glucose, D-altrose, D-talose, N-acetyl-D-mannosamine, and derivatives of D-mannose, including 2-deoxy-, 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-, 3-deoxy-, and 6-deoxy-D-mannose were noninhibitors. These results suggest that the presence of equatorial hydroxyl groups at the C-3 and C-4 positions, an axial hydroxyl group at the C-2 position, and a free hydroxyl group at the C-6 position of the pyranose ring are the most important loci for the binding of D-mannose to AAA. Of the oligosaccharides tested, the best inhibitors were oligosaccharides containing terminal Man(α1-6)[Man(α1-3)]Man groups. Oligosaccharides containing either Man(α1-3)Man or Man(α1-6)Man units were also moderately good inhibitors of the AAA-asialofetuin precipitation system. These results indicate that AAA has an extended carbohydrate-binding site, which is most complementary to a branched mannotriosyl residue, i.e., Man(α1-6)[Man(α1-3)]Man. A comparison is presented of the detailed carbohydrate-binding properties and molecular structure of the A. ascalonicum lectin and several other mannose-binding lectins from different species of the plant family Amaryllidaceae, i.e., snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis), daffodil lectin (Narcissus pseudonarcissus), and amaryllis lectin (Hippeastrum hybr.).

Mg2+ affects the binding of ADP but not ATP to 3-phosphoglycerate kinase. Correlation between equilibrium dialysis binding and enzyme kinetic data.

The role of Mg2+ in the binding of ADP and ATP to pig muscle and yeast 3-phosphoglycerate kinases has been studied by equilibrium dialysis. Whereas the Kd of ATP binding varies between 0.17 and 0.23 mM (S.E.M. 0.03 mM) for both enzymes, independently of the presence of Mg2+, the Kd values for ADP and MgADP binding are in the range 0.18-0.27 mM (S.E.M. 0.04 mM) and 0.05-0.06 mM (S.E.M. 0.01 mM) respectively. Thus Mg2+ exclusively tightens the interaction of ADP, but not of ATP, with the protein molecule. Although the equilibrium dialysis data are consistent with a model possessing a single site for nucleotides, the existence of a much weaker secondary site (with a Kd value at least two orders of magnitude larger) cannot be excluded. The binding of AMP and adenosine to pig muscle 3-phosphoglycerate kinase is weaker than binding of MgATP; the respective Kd values are 0.36 +/- 0.05 mM and 0.65 +/- 0.05 mM. Thus, in addition to the interaction of the alpha-phosphate that is detectable by crystallography [Banks, Blake, Evans, Haser, Rice, Hardy, Merrett and Phillips (1979) Nature (London) 279, 773-777], the beta- and/or gamma-phosphate(s) of MgATP may also interact with the enzyme molecule. The fact that MgADP binds more tightly than ADP is consistent with its stronger inhibition of the reaction catalysed by the enzyme between 3-phosphoglycerate and MgATP. MgADP is a product of this reaction, and inhibits it competitively with both substrates; as an inhibitor its KI is comparable with the Kd found in binding studies. At the same time, the Km value for MgADP in the reverse reaction (0.18 +/- 0.05 mM; mean +/- S.E.M.) is higher than these constants; this may be due either to a different kinetic mechanism in this direction of the enzymic reaction, or to different binding modes of MgADP as inhibitor and as substrate. The reason why inhibition by MgADP is competitive with 3-phosphoglycerate may be that its binding prevents the specific change in conformation that the enzyme undergoes [Harlos, Vas and Blake (1992) Proteins 12, 133-144] when it binds 3-phosphoglycerate.

Binding of Saccharides to Abrin-b Isolated fromAbrus precatoriusSeeds

The nature of the binding of saccharides to arbin-b, a toxic lectin isolated from Abrus precatorius seeds, was studied by equilibrium dialysis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Equilibrium dialysis data indicate that abrin-b has two saccharide-binding sites, a high affinity site (HA-site) and a low affinity site (LA-site), to which both galactopyranosides and N-acetylgalactosamine can bind. With excitation at 290 nm, abrin-b displayed a fluorescence spectrum with an emission maximum at 345 nm. Upon binding with specific saccharides, this spectrum shifted to a wavelength shorter by 5 nm, suggesting that saccharides bind to abrin-b in such a manner as to induce a change in the environment of the tryptophan residue or residues at or near the respective binding sites. From the variation of fluorescence at 320 nm with saccharide concentrations, the association constants for binding of saccharides to the respective sites were measured. The results suggest that the HA-site has a subsite favorable for saccharides ha...

Interaction of Zn 2+, and Cu 2+, Ions with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from bovine heart and rabbit muscle

1. 1. Binding of Zn 2+, and Cu 2+, ions to GAPDHs from bovine heart and rabbit muscle resulted in a partial loss of enzymatic activity of both enzymes, in a time and metal ion concentration dependent manner. Cu 2+, ions caused a much larger decrease of the activity than Zn 2+, ions. 2. 2. Addition of NAD 2+, or EDTA to either enzyme resulted in a protective effect on GAPDH activity. A similar protective effect was observed following addition of 2-mercaptoethanol to the enzyme solution. 3. 3. The association constant for GAPDH-Zn 2+, complex, calculated from equilibrium dialysis data, was 0.9 × 10 4M −1 for the bovine heart GAPDH and 1.3 × 10 4M −1, for the rabbit muscle enzyme. The association constant for GAPDH-Cu 2+, complex was the same for both enzymes, 11.3 × 10 4M −1. 4. 4. Equilibrium dialysis data also revealed that in either enzyme the specific sites, binding the metal ions, are identical or very similar, and independent from each other. They are situated in the most conserved part of the enzyme molecule. 5. 5. Some zinc was found in GAPDH preparations from bovine heart. It is discussed if Zn 2+, ions could have a kind of modulation effect on GAPDH activity.