Glucosamine Synthetase Research Articles

Site-specific Tn7 transposition into the human genome

The bacterial transposon, Tn7, inserts into a single site in the Escherichia coli chromosome termed attTn7 via the sequence-specific DNA binding of the target selector protein, TnsD. The target DNA sequence required for Tn7 transposition is located within the C-terminus of the glucosamine synthetase (glmS) gene, which is an essential, highly conserved gene found ubiquitously from bacteria to humans. Here, we show that Tn7 can transpose in vitro adjacent to two potential targets in the human genome: the gfpt-1 and gfpt-2 sequences, the human analogs of glmS. The frequency of transposition adjacent to the human gfpt-1 target is comparable with the E.coli glmS target; the human gfpt-2 target shows reduced transposition. The binding of TnsD to these sequences mirrors the transposition activity. In contrast to the human gfpt sequences, Tn7 does not transpose adjacent to the gfa-1 sequence, the glmS analog in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We also report that a nucleosome core particle assembled on the human gfpt-1 sequence reduces Tn7 transposition by likely impairing the accessibility of target DNA to the Tns proteins. We discuss the implications of these findings for the potential use of Tn7 as a site-specific DNA delivery agent for gene therapy.

ChemInform Abstract: Inhibition of Escherichia coli Glucosamine Synthetase by Novel Electrophilic Analogues of Glutamine. Comparison with 6‐Diazo‐5‐oxo‐norleucine.

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

Inhibition of escherichia coli glucosamine synthetase by novel electrophilic analogues of glutamine—comparison with 6-diazo-5-oxo-norleucine

A series of electrophilic glutamine analogues based on 6-diazo-5-oxo-norleucine has been prepared, using novel synthetic routes, and evaluated as inhibitors of Escherichia coli. glucosamine synthetase. The γ-dimethylsulphonium salt analogue of glutamine was found to be one of the most potent inactivators of this enzyme yet reported, with an apparent second order rate constant ( k 2/ K i) of 3.5×10 5 M −1 min −1.

Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and its 15-hydroperoxy and 15-hydroxy derivatives on glucosamine synthetase activity in rabbit gastric mucosa.

The effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and its 15-hydroperoxy and 15-hydroxy adducts on the activity of glucosamine synthetase, the rate-limiting enzyme of mucus synthesis, in rabbit gastric antral mucosa were examined. 15-Hydroperoxy-eicosapentaenoic acid inhibited the glucosamine synthetase activity at concentrations of 10, 20 and 50 microM. The effect was concentration-dependent, and the concentration required for 50% inhibition was approximately 20 microM. Eicosapentaenoic acid and its 15-hydroxy adduct had no significant effect on the enzyme activity at the same concentration range. The experiment utilizing Fe2+ revealed that the inhibitory effect of 15-hydroperoxyeicosapentaenoic acid on the glucosamine synthetase activity is not due to hydroxy radical which is expected to be formed from the hydroperoxy adduct. These results suggest that 15-hydroperoxyeicosapentaenoic acid has the potential to reduce the synthesis of gastric mucus by inhibiting the glucosamine synthetase activity.

A Tn 7 -Like Transposon Is Present in the glmUS Region of the Obligately Chemoautolithotrophic Bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

The region downstream of the Thiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 33020 atp operon was examined, and the genes encoding N-acetylglucosamine-1-uridyltransferase (glmU) and glucosamine synthetase (glmS) were found. This atpEFHAGDC-glmUS gene order is identical to that of Escherichia coli. The T. ferrooxidans glmS gene was shown to complement E. coli glmS mutants for growth on minimal medium lacking glucosamine. A Tn7-like transposon, Tn5468, was found inserted into the region immediately downstream of the glmS gene in a manner similar to the site-specific insertion of transposon Tn7 within the termination region of the E. coli glmS gene. Tn5468 was sequenced, and Tn7-like terminal repeat sequences as well as several open reading frames which are related to the Tn7 transposition genes tnsA, tnsB, tnsC, and tnsD were found. Tn5468 is the closest relative of Tn7 to have been characterized to date. Southern blot hybridization indicated that a similar or identical transposon was present in three T. ferrooxidans strains isolated from different parts of the world but not in two Thiobacillus thiooxidans strains or a Leptospirillum ferrooxidans strain. Since T. ferrooxidans is an obligately acidophilic autotroph and E. coli is a heterotroph, ancestors of the Tn7-like transposons must have been active in a variety of physiologically different bacteria so that their descendants are now found in bacteria that occupy very different ecological niches.

P-778 - Effects of various ions and lipid hydroperoxides on the glucosamine synthetase activity in rabbit gastric corpus mucosa.

P-778 - Effects of various ions and lipid hydroperoxides on the glucosamine synthetase activity in rabbit gastric corpus mucosa.

Analysis of 43 kb of the Chlorella Virus PBCV-1 330-kb Genome: Map Positions 45 to 88

Forty-three kb of DNA, located at the left end (45 to 88 kb) of the 330-kb Chlorella virus PBCV-1 genome, was sequenced and analyzed. Eighty-six open reading frames (ORFs) 65 codons or longer were identified; 47 were classified as major ORFs. These 47 major ORFs are densely packed on both strands of PBCV-1 DNA. Seventeen of these major ORFs resemble genes in the sequence databases, including three putative gene products involved in manipulating sugars (glucosamine synthetase, GDP-D-mannose dehydratase, and N -acetylglucosaminyltransferase), two transcription factors, β-1,3-glucanase, aspartate transcarbamylase, ubiquitin carboxy terminal hydrolase, RNA guanyl transferase, an exonuclease, and a helicase. This is the first time some of these putative PBCV-1 genes have been found in a virus genome. One of the transcription factor-like genes contains a type IB self-splicing intron. Since a spliceosomal processed intron was reported previously in the PBCV-1 DNA polymerase gene, PBCV-1 is the first virus known to contain two different types of introns.

ChemInform Abstract: Stereocontrolled Enantiospecific Synthesis of Anticapsin.

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

Stereocontrolled enantiospecific synthesis of anticapsin

A stereocontrolled enantiospecific synthesis of the revised structure of anticapsin (3) is described. The carbonyl group of anticapsin has also been observed to be markedly electrophilic, showing a high propensity for hydration and enolisation. A possible rôle for the hydrated form of anticapsin during the inhibition of glucosamine synthetase is proposed.

Mucosal glucosamine synthetase activity in inflammatory bowel disease.

Abnormalities in colonic glycoprotein synthesis have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Glucosamine synthetase is the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of gastrointestinal glycoprotein and has been measured in control subjects (N = 23) and patients with ulcerative colitis (N = 26) or Crohn's disease of the colon (N = 20) classified according to the macroscopic status of the rectum. Glucosamine synthetase activity was relatively constant around the normal colon but lower levels were found in the terminal ileum. In ulcerative colitis, glucosamine synthetase activity was similar to controls (24.0 +/- 1.9) mmol/g wet (wt/hr) irrespective of disease activity (quiescent: N = 13, = 27.3 +/- 1.9; active N = 16, = 26.2 +/- 2.3). Rectal glucosamine synthetase activity was normal in the presence of active Crohn's proctocolitis (29.4 +/- 3.1) but raised in patients with Crohn's colitis and rectal sparing (37.2 +/- 4.9 P < 0.02). Glucosamine synthetase activity was strongly influence by the degree of epithelial preservation.

Faecal diversion for Crohn's colitis: a model to study the role of the faecal stream in the inflammatory process.

The high incidence of clinical remission after faecal diversion for Crohn's colitis suggests the faecal stream may play a part in the inflammatory mechanism. The effect of faecal diversion (n = 22) and restoration of intestinal continuity (n = 10) was assessed in patients with Crohn's colitis and compared with controls. Faecal diversion produced significant improvement in the disease activity index mean (SEM) (before 176 (9); after 114 (9), p < 0.01) and serum albumin concentrations (before 33 (3.0); after 38 (3.0), p < 0.05) in all patients with Crohn's colitis. The crypt cell production rate (CCPR) was maintained after faecal diversion for Crohn's colitis but fell in the control group (before = 3.6 (0.8)), at two (1.4 (0.4), p < 0.02), and six weeks (1.6 (0.4), p < 0.05). Mucosal glucosamine synthetase activity, reflecting glycoprotein synthesis, was significantly lower in patients with Crohn's colitis (analysis of variance p < 0.05) after diversion but was maintained in the control group. Restoration of intestinal continuity failed to produce reciprocal changes. The sustained cellular proliferation and fall in glycoprotein synthesis in Crohn's colitis after faecal diversion may represent the end of an exaggerated protective response and regenerative hyperplasia after exclusion of the faecal stream. This study suggests the faecal stream may participate in the inflammatory process in Crohn's colitis. The underlying mechanism is unknown.

Effect of 5-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]amino-5,11- dihydro[1]benzoxepino[3,4-b]pyridine trihydrochloride (KW-5805) on the biosynthesis of rat gastric mucus

The effect of 5-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]amino-5,11- dihydro[1]benzoxepino[3,4-b]pyridine trihydrochloride (KW-5805) on the activity of an enzyme regulating gastric mucous aminosugar metabolism was studied in rats. Restraint and water-immersion stress decreased the gastric mucosal glucosamine synthetase activity and induced gastric ulcers. The decrease of the enzyme activity reached a maximum at 1 hr and then returned to the non-stressed value. Pretreatment with KW-5805 at oral doses of 3 and 30 mg/kg inhibited the decrease of the enzyme activity and the gastric adherent mucus content and gastric ulceration induced by the stress. KW-5805 (30 mg/kg, p.o.) increased the enzyme activity in normal rats and also prevented the decrease of gastric mucosal N-acethylglucosamine kinase activity in the stressed rats. KW-5805 stimulated the activities of gastric mucosal. UDP-N-acethylglucosamine 4-epimerase and UDP-galactosyltransferase in in vitro. These results suggested that the antiulcerogenic effect of KW-5805 might be due to the activation of an enzyme regulating the biosynthesis of gastric mucus resulting in the reinforcement of gastric mucosal defensive mechanisms.

Inhibition of Gastric Glucosamine Synthetase Activity by Oxygen Radicals: A Possible Cause of Decreased Mucosal Protective Capacity.

To clarify the role of oxygen radicals in the mucus metabolism of the gastrointestinal tract, the effect of oxygen radicals on the activity of glucosamine synthetase, the rate-limiting enzyme of mucus synthesis, was investigated using homogenate derived from rat gastric mucosa. The simultaneous addition of both xanthine and xanthine oxidase caused a significant inhibition of the enzyme activity, and this decrease was counteracted by catalase, but not by superoxide dismutase. Hydrogen peroxide also caused a significant decrease in the enzyme activity; and this effect of hydrogen peroxide was counteracted by catalase and dithiothreitol, but not by mannitol, dimethyl sulfoxide and reduced glutathione. The inhibition of glucosamine synthetase activity by oxygen radicals is considered to be caused by the oxidation of sulfhydryl groups of the enzyme molecule. The present results also suggest that oxygen radicals in the gastrointestinal tract may induce the suppression of a protective mechanism of the gastric mucosa by inhibiting glucosamine synthesis activity.

Inhibition of Gastric Glucosamine Synthetase Activity by Oxygen Radicals: A Possible Cause of Decreased Mucosal Protective Capacity

To clarify the role of oxygen radicals in the mucus metabolism of the gastrointestinal tract, the effect of oxygen radicals on the activity of glucosamine synthetase, the rate-limiting enzyme of mucus synthesis, was investigated using homogenate derived from rat gastric mucosa. The simultaneous addition of both xanthine and xanthine oxidase caused a significant inhibition of the enzyme activity, and this decrease was counteracted by catalase, but not by superoxide dismutase. Hydrogen peroxide also caused a significant decrease in the enzyme activity; and this effect of hydrogen peroxide was counteracted by catalase and dithiothreitol, but not by mannitol, dimethyl sulfoxide and reduced glutathione. The inhibition of glucosamine synthetase activity by oxygen radicals is considered to be caused by the oxidation of sulfhydryl groups of the enzyme molecule. The present results also suggest that oxygen radicals in the gastrointestinal tract may induce the suppression of a protective mechanism of the gastric mucosa by inhibiting glucosamine synthesis activity.

Design and synthesis of putative inhibitors of glucosamine synthetase

Design and synthesis of putative inhibitors of glucosamine synthetase

Augmentation of the gastric mucosal defense mechanism induced by KW-5805, a novel antiulcer agent.

KW-5805 (a new antiulcer agent), given p. o. at 30 mg/kg to rats, significantly increased the amount of gastric adherent mucus and mucosal glycoproteins. Gastric mucosal glucosamine synthetase activity was significantly enhanced by KW-5805 (30 mg/kg, p. o.). KW-5805 (10, 30 mg/kg, p. o.) significantly suppressed the decrease of gastric mucosal blood volume and oxygen sufficiency induced by hemorrhagic shock. The agent also significantly inhibited the extravasation of Evans blue into the gastric mucosa after ischemia-reinfusion. In conclusion, KW-5805 increased biosynthesis, storage and secretion of gastric mucus and improved the gastric mucosal hemodynamics.

Glucosamine synthetase from Escherichia coli: kinetic mechanism and inhibition by N3-fumaroyl-L-2,3-diaminopropionic derivatives.

N3-(4-Methoxyfumaroyl)-L-2,3-diaminopropionic acid (FMDP; 1, R = OMe), a member of a new class of glutamine analogues, has been investigated as an inhibitor of pure Escherichia coli glucosamine synthetase. Product and dead-end inhibition studies indicate an ordered association to the enzyme with the sugar molecule binding prior to substrate or inhibitor. The inactivation exhibits pseudo-first-order kinetics, is irreversible, and occurs faster in the presence of fructose 6-phosphate, a behavior previously reported [Chmara, H., Andruszkiewicz, R., & Borowski, E. (1986) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 870,357] for the partially purified enzyme from Salmonella typhimurium. The ratio kinact/Kirr of 5500 makes compound 1 (R = OMe) one of the most efficient inhibitors of glucosamine synthetase to date. Inhibition occurs with partial covalent incorporation of L-FMDP into glucosamine synthetase. In the presence of fructose 6-phosphate, enzyme inactivation with [2-3H]-DL-FMDP is associated with the incorporation of 0.75 equiv of inhibitor and with the modification of 0.78 thiol residue per enzyme subunit. This result is the first evidence for covalent entrapment of the entire inhibitor molecule following FMDP-mediated glucosamine synthetase inactivation. Preliminary inactivation with 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, known to alkylate selectively the NH2-terminal cysteine residue, completely prevents radioactivity incorporation. Therefore, this inhibitor is postulated to covalently modify glucosamine synthetase through direct addition of the thiol nucleophile from the terminal cysteine residue to the Michael acceptor 1, so acting as an affinity label rather than a mechanism-based inhibitor.

Molecular cloning and overexpression of the glucosamine synthetase gene from Escherichia coli

A recombinant plasmid carrying a 4.6 kg restriction endonuclease NcoI- ClaI fragment of genomic DNA from Escherichia coli K12 was constructed. This plasmid complements the glmS mutation. Subcloning into pUC18 gave plasmid pGM10 encoding the structural gene of glucosamine synthetase, as judged by overexpression of enzyme activity and the isolation in high yield of the pure protein.

Glucosamine synthetase from Escherichia coli: purification, properties, and glutamine-utilizing site location.

L-Glutamine:D-fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (glucosamine synthetase) has been purified to homogeneity from Escherichia coli. A subunit molecular weight of 70,800 was estimated by gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. Pure glucosamine synthetase did not exhibit detectable NH3-dependent activity and did not catalyze the reverse reaction, as reported for more impure preparations [Gosh, S., Blumenthal, H. J., Davidson, E., & Roseman, S. (1960) J. Biol. Chem. 235, 1265]. The enzyme has a Km of 2 mM for fructose 6-phosphate, a Km of 0.4 mM for glutamine, and a turnover number of 1140 min-1. The amino-terminal sequence confirmed the identification of residues 2-26 of the translated E. coli glmS sequence [Walker, J. E., Gay, J., Saraste, M., & Eberle, N. (1984) Biochem. J. 224, 799]. Methionine-1 is therefore removed by processing in vivo, leaving cysteine as the NH2-terminal residue. The enzyme was inactivated by the glutamine analogue 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) and by iodoacetamide. Glucosamine synthetase exhibited half-of-the-sites reactivity when incubated with DON in the absence of fructose 6-phosphate. In its presence, inactivation with [6-14C]DON was accompanied by incorporation of 1 equiv of inhibitor per enzyme subunit. From this behavior, a dimeric structure was tentatively assigned to the native enzyme. The site of reaction with DON was the NH2-terminal cysteine residue as shown by Edman degradation.

Inactivation of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase from Salmonella typhimurium LT2 by fumaroyl diaminopropanoic acid derivatives, a novel group of glutamine analogs

A novel group of glutamine analogs, N 3- fumaroyl- l-2,3- diaminopropanoic acid (FDP) and its derivatives and analogs including amide (FCDP), methyl ester (FMDP) and its homologue, N 4-(4- methoxyfumaroyl)- l-2,4- diaminobutanoic acid, inactivate glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase ( l-glutamine: d-fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (hexose-isomerizing), EC 2.6.1.16), isolated from Salmonella typhimurium, by covalent modification. For comparative purposes, selected known glutamine analogs were also examined. Anticapsin, 6-diazo-5-oxo- l-norleucine and, at high concentration, azaserine inactivate the enzye. The pseudo-first-order rate constants show a hyperbolic dependence on inhibitor concentration for all the above-mentioned inhibitors, suggesting the formation of a reversible complex prior to covalent modification. Dissociation constants for inhibitors were determined and ranged from 10 −4 M for FCDP to 10 −6 M for FMDP. Albizziin, γ-glutamylhydroxamate and, at low concentration, azaserine inhibit glucosamine synthetase only reversibly. All inhibitors tested are competitive in relation to glutamine. Glutamine and competitive inhibitors, albizziin and γ-glutamylhydroxamate protect the enzyme against inactivation. Fructose 6-phosphate accelerates the rate of inactivation. Some analogs of FDP, such as SMDP, CRDP, O-FMSer, MMDP and AADP, are not active against glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase. The structure-activity relationship of the novel group of glutamine analogs is discussed and structural requirements for the activity of these compounds is established. It is postulated that the compounds examined can be classified as mechanism-based enzyme inactivators.