High Concentrations Of NAD Research Articles

Tumor-Specific Nano-Herb Delivery System with High L-Arginine Loading for Synergistic Chemo and Gas Therapy against Cervical Cancer.

Cancer metastasis poses significant challenges in current clinical therapy. Osthole (OST) has demonstrated efficacy in treating cervical cancer and inhibiting metastasis. Despite these positive results, its limited solubility, poor oral absorption, low bioavailability, and photosensitivity hinder its clinical application. To address this limitation, a glutathione (GSH)-responded nano-herb delivery system (HA/MOS@OST&L-Arg nanoparticles,HMOA NPs) is devised for the targeted delivery of OST with cascade-activatable nitric oxide (NO) release. The HMOA NPs system is engineered utilizing enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effects and active targeting mediated by hyaluronic acid (HA) binding to glycoprotein CD44. The cargoes, including OST and L-Arginine (L-Arg), are released rapidly due to the degradation of GSH-responsive mesoporous organic silica (MOS). Then abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced from OST in the presence of high concentrations of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), resulting in the generation of NO and subsequently highly toxic peroxynitrite (ONOO-) by catalyzing guanidine groups of L-Arg. These ROS, NO, and ONOO- molecules have a direct impact on mitochondrial function by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibiting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, thereby promoting increased apoptosis and inhibiting metastasis. Overall, the results indicated that HMOA NPs has great potential as a promising alternative for the clinical treatment of cervical cancer.

Characterization of a broadly specific cadaverine N-hydroxylase involved in desferrioxamine B biosynthesis in Streptomyces sviceus.

N-hydroxylating flavin-dependent monooxygenases (FMOs) are involved in the biosynthesis of hydroxamate siderophores, playing a key role in microbial virulence. Herein, we report the first structural and kinetic characterization of a novel alkyl diamine N-hydroxylase DesB from Streptomyces sviceus (SsDesB). This enzyme catalyzes the first committed step in the biosynthesis of desferrioxamine B, a clinical drug used to treat iron overload disorders. X-ray crystal structures of the SsDesB holoenzyme with FAD and the ternary complex with bound NADP+ were solved at 2.86 Å and 2.37 Å resolution, respectively, providing a structural view of the active site environment. SsDesB crystallized as a tetramer and the structure of the individual protomers closely resembles the structures of homologous N-hydroxylating FMOs from Erwinia amylovora (DfoA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PvdA), and Aspergillus fumigatus (SidA). Using NADPH oxidation, oxygen consumption, and product formation assays, kinetic parameters were determined for various substrates with SsDesB. SsDesB exhibited typical saturation kinetics with substrate inhibition at high concentrations of NAD(P)H as well as cadaverine. The apparent kcat values for NADPH in steady-state NADPH oxidation and oxygen consumption assays were 0.28 ± 0.01 s-1 and 0.24 ± 0.01 s-1, respectively. However, in product formation assays used to measure the rate of N-hydroxylation, the apparent kcat for NADPH (0.034 ± 0.008 s-1) was almost 10-fold lower under saturating FAD and cadaverine concentrations, reflecting an uncoupled reaction, and the apparent NADPH KM was 33 ± 24 μM. Under saturating FAD and NADPH concentrations, the apparent kcat and KM for cadaverine in Csaky assays were 0.048 ± 0.004 s-1 and 19 ± 9 μM, respectively. SsDesB also N-hydroxylated putrescine, spermidine, and L-lysine substrates but not alkyl (di)amines that were branched or had fewer than four methylene units in an alkyl chain. These data demonstrate that SsDesB has wider substrate scope compared to other well-studied ornithine and lysine N-hydroxylases, making it an amenable biocatalyst for the production of desferrioxamine B, derivatives, and other N-substituted products.

Coordinated regulation of gnd, which encodes 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, by the two transcriptional regulators GntR1 and RamA in Corynebacterium glutamicum.

The transcriptional regulation of Corynebacterium glutamicum gnd, encoding 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, was investigated. Two transcriptional regulators, GntR1 and RamA, were isolated by affinity purification using gnd promoter DNA. GntR1 was previously identified as a repressor of gluconate utilization genes, including gnd. Involvement of RamA in gnd expression had not been investigated to date. The level of gnd mRNA was barely affected by the single deletion of ramA. However, gnd expression was downregulated in the ramA gntR1 double mutant compared to that of the gntR1 single mutant, suggesting that RamA activates gnd expression. Two RamA binding sites are found in the 5' upstream region of gnd. Mutation proximal to the transcriptional start site diminished the gluconate-dependent induction of gnd-lacZ. DNase I footprinting assay revealed two GntR1 binding sites, with one corresponding to a previously proposed site that overlaps with the -10 region. The other site overlaps the RamA binding site. GntR1 binding to this newly identified site inhibits DNA binding of RamA. Therefore, it is likely that GntR1 represses gnd expression by preventing both RNA polymerase and RamA binding to the promoter. In addition, DNA binding activity of RamA was reduced by high concentrations of NAD(P)H but not by NAD(P), implying that RamA senses the redox perturbation of the cell.

Characterization of NAD Uptake in Mammalian Cells

Recent evidence has shown that NAD(P) plays a variety of roles in cell-signaling processes. Surprisingly, the presence of NAD(P) utilizing ectoenzymes suggests that NAD(P) is present extracellularly. Indeed, nanomolar concentrations of NAD have been found in plasma and other body fluids. Although very high concentrations of NAD have been shown to enter cells, it is not known whether lower, more physiological concentrations are able to be taken up. Here we show that two mammalian cell types are able to transport low NAD concentrations effectively. Furthermore, extracellular application of NAD was able to counteract FK866-induced cell death and restore intracellular NAD(P) levels. We propose that NAD uptake may play a role in physiological NAD homeostasis.

Conformational flexibility of a model protein upon immobilization on self‐assembled monolayers

The present study reports on the retention of conformational flexibility of a model allosteric protein upon immobilization on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. Organothiolated SAMs of different compositions were utilized for adsorptive and covalent attachment of bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), a well-characterized allosteric enzyme. Sensitive fluorimetric assays were developed to determine immobilization capacity, specific activity, and allosteric properties of the immobilized preparations as well as the potential for repeated use and continuous catalytic transformations. The allosteric response of the free and immobilized forms towards ADP, L-leucine and high concentrations of NAD(+), some of the well-known activators for this enzyme, were determined and compared. The enzyme immobilized by adsorption or chemical binding responded similarly to the activators with a greater degree of activation, as compared to the free form. Also loss of activity involving the two immobilization procedures were similar, suggesting that residues essential for catalytic activity or allosteric properties of GDH remained unchanged in the course of chemical modification. A recently established method was used to predict GDH orientation upon immobilization, which was found to explain some of the experimental results presented. The general significance of these observations in connection with retention of native properties of protein structures upon immobilization on SAMs is discussed.

Kinetic characterization of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase of Leishmania donovani

Trypanosomatid protozoan pathogens are purine auxotrophs that are highly dependent on the enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) for the synthesis of guanylate nucleotides. Enzymatic characterization of the Leishmania donovani IMPDH (LdIMPDH) overexpressed in E. coli revealed that this enzyme was highly specific for the substrates IMP and NAD+ with Kmapp values of 33 and 390μM, respectively. In contrast to other IMPDHs, LdIMPDH exhibits no substrate inhibition in high concentrations of NAD+. Kinetic studies revealed that XMP and GMP were inhibitors with Ki values of ∼26 and 210μM, respectively, suggesting that these nucleotides may regulate LdIMPDH activity. Mycophenolic acid was also a potent inhibitor of L. donovani IMPDH with a Ki value of ∼25nM. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and subcellular fractionation localized LdIMPDH to the glycosome. Protein–protein interaction assays revealed that LdIMPDH associated tightly with glycosomal protein sorting receptor LdPEX5.

Are poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation by PARP-1 and deacetylation by Sir2 linked?

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) safeguards genomic integrity by limiting sister chromatid exchanges. Overstimulation of PARP-1 by extensive DNA damage, however, can result in cell death, as prolonged PARP-1 activation depletes NAD(+), a substrate, and elevates nicotinamide, a product. The decline of NAD(+) and the rise of nicotinamide may downregulate the activity of Sir2, the NAD(+)-dependent deacetylases, because deacetylation by Sir2 is dependent on high concentration of NAD(+) and inhibited by physiologic level of nicotinamide. The Sir2 deacetylase family has been implicated in mediating gene silencing, longevity and genome stability. It is conceivable that poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation by PARP-1, which is induced by DNA damage, could modulate protein deacetylation by Sir2 via the NAD(+)/nicotinamide connection. The possible linkage of the two ancient pathways that mediate broad biological activities may spell profound evolutionary roles for the conserved PARP-1 and Sir2 gene families in multicellular eukaryotes.

Purification and properties of two malate dehydrogenases from Candida sp. N-16 grown on methanol.

Two malate dehydrogenases (MDH-M1 and MDH-M2) were found in a methanol-using yeast, Candida sp. N-16. MDH-M2 was induced with methanol. These enzymes were purified as electrophoretically and isoelectrophoretically homogeneous proteins. The molecular weights of MDH-M1 and MDH-M2 were estimated to be about 78,000 (homodimer) and 160,000 (homotetramer). Several kinetic properties were significantly different between the two enzymes. The value (2.07) of Vmax(oxaloacetate)/Vmax(malate) and Kcats (555 s(-1) for oxaloacetate, 481 s(-1) for NADH) of MDH-M2 were higher than the ratio (1.37) of Vmax and Kcats (241 s(-1) for oxaloacetate, 271 s(-1) for NADH) of MDH-M1, respectively. The activity of MDH-M2 was inhibited by a high concentration of NAD+ and the activity of MDH-M1 by oxaloacetate.

Modification of the ADP-ribosyltransferase and NAD Glycohydrolase Activities of a Mammalian Transferase (ADP-ribosyltransferase 5) by Auto-ADP-ribosylation

Mono-ADP-ribosylation, a post-translational modification in which the ADP-ribose moiety of NAD is transferred to an acceptor protein, is catalyzed by a family of amino acid-specific ADP-ribosyltransferases. ADP-ribosyltransferase 5 (ART5), a murine transferase originally isolated from Yac-1 lymphoma cells, differed in properties from previously identified eukaryotic transferases in that it exhibited significant NAD glycohydrolase (NADase) activity. To investigate the mechanism of regulation of transferase and NADase activities, ART5 was synthesized as a FLAG fusion protein in Escherichia coli. Agmatine was used as the ADP-ribose acceptor to quantify transferase activity. ART5 was found to be primarily an NADase at 10 microM NAD, whereas at higher NAD concentrations (1 mM), after some delay, transferase activity increased, whereas NADase activity fell. This change in catalytic activity was correlated with auto-ADP-ribosylation and occurred in a time- and NAD concentration-dependent manner. Based on the change in mobility of auto-ADP-ribosylated ART5 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the modification appeared to be stoichiometric and resulted in the addition of at least two ADP-ribose moieties. Auto-ADP-ribosylated ART5 isolated after incubation with NAD was primarily a transferase. These findings suggest that auto-ADP-ribosylation of ART5 was stoichiometric, resulted in at least two modifications and converted ART5 from an NADase to a transferase, and could be one mechanism for regulating enzyme activity.

Mutation of amino acid residues in the mobile loop region of the NAD(H)-binding domain of proton-translocating transhydrogenase

The effects of single amino acid substitutions in the mobile loop region of the recombinant NAD(H)-binding domain (dI) of transhydrogenase have been examined. The mutations lead to clear assignments of well-defined resonances in one-dimensional 1H-NMR spectra. As with the wild-type protein, addition of NADH, or higher concentrations of NAD +, led to broadening and some shifting of the well-defined resonances. With many of the mutant dI proteins more nucleotide was required for these effects than with wild-type protein. Binding constants of the mutant proteins for NADH were determined by equilibrium dialysis and, where possible, by NMR. Generally, amino acid changes in the mobile loop region gave rise to a 2–4-fold increase in the dI-nucleotide dissociation constants, but substitution of Ala 236 for Gly had a 10-fold effect. The mutant dI proteins were reconstituted with dI-depleted bacterial membranes with apparent docking affinities that were indistinguishable from that of wild-type protein. In the reconstituted system, most of the mutants were more inhibited in their capacity to perform cyclic transhydrogenation (reduction of acetyl pyridine adenine dinucleotide, AcPdAD +, by NADH in the presence of NADP +) than in either the simple reduction of AcPdAD + by NADPH, or the light-driven reduction of thio-NADP + by NADH, which suggests that they are impaired at the hydride transfer step. A cross-peak in the 1H- 1H nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectrum of a mixture of wild-type dI and NADH was assigned to an interaction between the A8 proton of the nucleotide and the βCH 3 protons of Ala 236. It is proposed that, following nucleotide binding, the mobile loop folds down on to the surface of the dI protein, and that contacts, especially from Tyr 235 in a Gly-Tyr-Ala motif with the adenosine moiety of the nucleotide, set the position of the nicotinamide ring of NADH close to that of NADP + in dIII to effect direct hydride transfer.

NADH amperometric sensor based on poly(3-methylthiophene)-coated cylindrical carbon fiber microelectrodes: application to the enzymatic determination of L-lactate

Abstract A NADH amperometric microsensor based on cylindrical carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) coated with poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MT) is reported. Cyclic voltammograms for NADH showed an oxidation response at the P3MT-coated CFME 320 mV lower than that obtained at a conventional glassy carbon electrode. A higher resistance to the electrode fouling was observed when P3MT-coated CFMEs were compared with P3MT-coated GC electrodes of conventional size. A potential of +0.45 V was selected for the detection of NADH by amperometry in stirred solutions. The steady-state current was reached very rapidly (5–7 s), and the same modified micro-electrode could be used during a whole working day without any cleaning treatment. A linear calibration graph for NADH was obtained in the range 1.0×10 −6 –10×10 −4 mol l −1 with a detection limit of 7.6×10 −7 mol l −1 . The influence of the presence of high concentrations of NAD + or ascorbic acid on the NADH amperometric response was also tested. An amperometric flow-cell adapted for the use of microelectrodes was designed. Improved signal-to-background ratios were obtained in this case, which allowed NADH amperometric measurements to be carried out at potentials lower than +0.45 V. Taking into account the influence of an excess of NAD + on the NADH response, a potential value of +0.30 V was selected. The stability of the polymer coating on the CFME was shown to be good in the carrier stream, and the analytical characteristics of the calibration graph were slightly better than those obtained by amperometry under batch conditions. A flow-injection method for the amperometric-enzymatic determination of L-lactate has been developed by using a reticulated vitreous carbon-based enzyme (lactate dehydrogenase) reactor inserted into the flow cell. Practically constant lactate responses were obtained over the first 8 d. A good selectivity for lactate was achieved against citric, malic, tartaric, and acetic acids, and ethanol.

Isolation of protease-free alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from Drosophila simulans and several homozygous and heterozygous Drosophila melanogaster variants.

The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from several naturally occurring ADH variants of Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans was isolated. Affinity chromatography with the ligand Cibacron Blue and elution with NAD+ showed similar behavior for D. melanogaster ADH-FF, ADH-71k, and D. simulans ADH. Introduction of a second Cibacron Blue affinity chromatography step, with gradient elution with NAD+, resulted in pure and stable enzymes. D. melanogaster ADH-SS cannot be eluted from the affinity chromatography column at a high concentration of NAD+ and required a pH gradient for its purification, preceded by a wash step with a high concentration of NAD+. Hybrid Drosophila melanogaster alcohol dehydrogenase FS has been isolated from heterozygous flies, using affinity chromatography with first elution at a high concentration NAD+, directly followed by affinity chromatography elution with a pH gradient. Incubation of equal amounts of pure homodimers of Drosophila melanogaster ADH-FF and ADH-SS, in the presence of 3 M urea at pH 8.6, for 30 min at room temperature, followed by reassociation yielded active Drosophila melanogaster ADH-FS heterodimers. No proteolytic degradation was found after incubation of purified enzyme preparations in the absence or presence of SDS, except for some degradation of ADH-SS after very long incubation times. The thermostabilities of D. melanogaster ADH-71k and ADH-SS were almost identical and were higher than those of D. melanogaster ADH-FF and D. simulans ADH. The thermostability of D. melanogaster ADH-FS was lower than those of D. melanogaster ADH-FF and ADH-SS. D. melanogaster ADH-FF and ADH-71k have identical inhibition constants with the ligand Cibacron Blue at pH 8.6, which are two times higher at pH 9.5. The Ki values for D. simulans ADH are three times lower at both pH values. D. melanogaster ADH-SS and ADH-FS have similar Ki values, which are lower than those for D. melanogaster ADH-FF at pH 8.6. But at pH 9.5 the Ki value for ADH-FS is the same as at pH 8.6, while that of ADH-SS is seven times higher. Kinetic parameters of Drosophila melanogaster ADH-FF, ADH-SS, and ADH-71k and Drosophila simulans ADH, at pH 8.6 and 9.5, showed little or no variation in K(m)eth values. The K(m)NAD values measured at pH 9.5 for Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenases are all lower than those measured at pH 8.6. The rate constants (kcat) determined for all four Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenases are higher at pH 9.5 than at pH 8.6. D. melanogaster ADH-FS showed nonlinear kinetics.

Inhibition of recombinant human mitochondrial and cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenases by two candidates for the active metabolites of disulfiram.

We expressed recombinant human cytosolic (ALDH1, high Km) and mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2, low Km) in Escherichia coli and purified the enzymes to homogeneity to examine the nature of inhibition of human ALDH by disulfiram, its confirmed metabolite S-methyl N,N-diethylthiocarbamate (MeDTC) sulfoxide, and its proposed metabolite MeDTC sulfone. Disulfiram, MeDTC sulfoxide, and MeDTC sulfone, respectively, were potent inhibitors with IC50 values of 0.15 +/- 0.02 microM, 0.27 +/- 0.04 microM, and 0.12 +/- 0.02 microM for ALDH1, and 1.45 +/- 0.40 microM, 1.16 +/- 0.56, and 0.40 +/- 0.10 microM for ALDH2. Extensive dialysis did not restore the activity of the inactivated enzyme, indicating irreversible inhibition. Both the esterase and dehydrogenase activities of ALDH2 were inhibited to the same extent by MeDTC sulfone and sulfoxide, suggesting that both catalytic sites are closely linked. The time course of inhibition of ALDH appeared to be first-order for both MeDTC sulfone and MeDTC sulfoxide. Kitz and Wilson plots of the half-life of inactivation versus 1/[inhibitor] indicated that the reactions between ALDH and inhibitors were bimolecular. The pseudobimolecular rate constants (k3/KI) for the ALDH-inhibitor reactions were 1 x 10(5), 1 x 10(4), 3 x 10(3), and 1 x 10(3) s-1 M-1 ALDH1-sulfone, ALDH1-sulfoxide, ALDH2-sulfone, and ALDH2-sulfoxide, respectively. ALDH2 was not significantly protected from inactivation from either MeDTC sulfoxide or MeDTC sulfone by NAD alone, but high concentrations of NAD and acetaldehyde completely prevented inhibition. Since disulfiram is rapidly metabolized in vivo, it is believed that disulfiram is too short-lived to inhibit ALDH directly. The results of our study indicate that MeDTC sulfoxide and sulfone are potent inhibitors of human ALDH and are reasonable candidates for the proximal inhibitors of ALDH following disulfiram administration.

Processing of ADP-ribosylated Integrin α7 in Skeletal Muscle Myotubes

Integrin alpha 7 is a major substrate in skeletal muscle cells for the cell surface, glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored, arginine-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase. Since ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolase, the enzyme responsible for cleavage of the ADP-ribosylarginine bond and a component with the transferase of a putative ADP-ribosylation cycle, is cytosolic, the processing of ADP-ribosylated integrin alpha 7 was investigated. Following incubation of differentiated mouse C2C12 myoblasts with [adenylate-32P]NAD and analysis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions, two [32P]ADP-ribosylated forms of integrin alpha 7 were resolved. By pulse-chase and purification of the radiolabeled proteins on a laminin affinity column, it was demonstrated that a 105-kDa ADP-ribosylated form originated from a mono-ADP-ribosylated 102-kDa form and represented integrin alpha 7 modified at more than one site. The additional site(s) of modification, utilized at higher NAD concentrations, were located in the 63-kDa N-terminal segment of integrin alpha 7. Both [32P]ADP-ribosylated integrins were loosely associated with the cytoskeleton, bound to laminin affinity columns, and immunoprecipitated with antibodies to integrin beta 1. 32P label was rapidly removed from [32P]ADP-ribosylated integrin alpha 7 at either site of modification, a process inhibited by free ADP-ribose or p-nitrophenylthymidine-5'-monophosphate, an alternative substrate of 5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase. The processed integrin alpha 7 was unavailable for subsequent ADP-ribosylation, although the amount of surface integrin alpha 7 remained constant. During the processing, no loss of label was observed from integrin alpha 7 radiolabeled with [14C]NAD, containing 14C in the nicotinamide proximal ribose, consistent with degradation of the ADP-ribose moiety by a cell surface 5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase. Thus, cell surface ADP-ribosylation, in contrast to intracellular ADP-ribosylation, is not readily reversed by ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolase and seems to operate outside the postulated ADP-ribosylation cycle.

Effect of catalytically active recruited crystallins on lens metabolism

The impact on duck lens metabolism of recruited ϵ-crystallin/LDH-B4 and τ-crystallin/enolase was investigated by NMR spectroscopy. A comparison of the duck lens metabolite profile with that of the calf in which recruited crystallins are absent revealed significant increases in ATP, α-glycerophosphate (α-GP) and pyridine dinucleotide concentrations. The alterations in the concentrations of ATP and α-GP appear to be related to both the high concentration of NAD and the elevated reduced to oxidized NADH/NAD + ratio.

Succinate-dependent NAD + Reduction by the Reversed Respiratory Electron Transport in Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Summary Vesicles from Bradyrhizobium japonicum 122 DES catalyze a NAD + reduction which is strictly dependent on ATP and is stimulated by Succinate. NADH formation is not inhibited by KCN and antimycin A but is strongly affected by FCCP, indicating that NAD+ is reduced by complex I of the respiratory chain functioning in the reverse direction. The levels of ATP and NAD + apparently control the flow of electrons to either O 2 or NAD + . High concentrations of NAD + and ATP block NADH dependent respiratory O 2 -uptake and favour the formation of NADH by the reversed respiratory electron transport with the vesicles. NAD + affects complex I of the respiratory chain, whereas ATP blocks NADH and Succinate-dependent respiratory O 2 -uptake. NADP + is also reduced by the Succinate-dependent reversed respiratory electron transport with slightly higher activity. Reversed respiratory electron transport might have a physiological role in the generation of reductants for processes like C0 2 -fixation under lithoautotrophic growth conditions, N 2 -fixation or assimilatory nitrate reduction.

IMP dehydrogenase from the intracellular parasitic protozoan Eimeria tenella and its inhibition by mycophenolic acid.

Mycophenolic acid (MA) was demonstrated to be an effective inhibitor of the growth of the intracellular parasitic protozoan Eimeria tenella in tissue culture and guanine was shown to reverse this inhibition as expected for an inhibitor of IMP dehydrogenase (IMP:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.205). A high performance liquid chromatography study of the intracellular nucleotide pools labeled with [3H]hypoxanthine was carried out in host cells lacking hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, and the depletion of guanine nucleotides demonstrated that the intracellular parasite enzyme was being inhibited by the drug. Kinetic studies carried out on the enzyme derived from E. tenella oocysts demonstrated substrate inhibition by NAD and mycophenolic acid inhibition similar to that found for mammalian enzymes, but different from that for bacterial enzymes. The inhibition by mycophenolic acid was not time-dependent and was immediately reversed upon dilution. As found previously for other IMP dehydrogenases, an Ordered Bi-Bi mechanism prevails with IMP on first followed by NAD, NADH off first, and then XMP. The kinetic patterns are consistent with substrate inhibition at high concentrations of NAD due to the formation of an E X XMP X NAD complex. Uncompetitive inhibition by MA versus IMP, NAD, and K+ was found and this was interpreted as evidence for the formation of an E X XMP X MA complex. A speculative mechanism for the inhibition of the enzyme is offered which is consistent with the fact that E X XMP X MA readily forms, whereas E X IMP X MA does not.

Inhibition of Human Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Isozymes by Propiolaldehyde

Propiolaldehyde--a metabolite of pargyline (Shirota et al., 1979) can function as an inhibitor or as a substrate of human aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3), dependent on conditions. In the presence of high concentration of NAD, propiolaldehyde is a substrate for both the cytoplasmic E1 isozyme and the mitochondrial E2 isozyme. The Km values are comparable to those with other short chain aldehydes; the maximal velocity is also similar for E2 but lower by about three-fold for E1. Preincubation with propiolaldehyde in the absence of NAD produces inactivation with K1 values of 1.6 microM for E1 and 1.8 microM for E2. NAD, but not propanal, protects both isozymes against inactivation with propiolaldehyde.

Reversible inactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae glutathione reductase under reducing conditions

Glutathione reductase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was rapidly inactivated following aerobic incubation with NADPH, NADH, and several other reductants, in a time- and temperature-dependent process. The inactivation had already reached 50% when the NADPH concentration reached that of the glutathione reductase subunit. The inactivation was very marked at pH values below 5.5 and over 7, while only a slight activity decrease was noticed at pH values between these two values. After elimination of excess NADPH the enzyme remained inactive for at least 4 h. The enzyme was protected against redox inactivation by low concentrations of GSSG, ferricyanide, GSH, or dithiothreitol, and high concentrations of NAD(P) +; oxidized glutathione effectively protected the enzyme at concentrations even lower than GSH. The inactive enzyme was efficiently reactivated after incubation with GSSG, ferricyanide, GSH, or dithiothreitol, whether NADPH was present or not. The reactivation with GSH was rapid even at 0 °C, whereas the optimum temperature for reactivation with GSSG was 30 °C. A tentative model for the redox interconversion, involving an erroneous intramolecular disulfide bridge, is put forward.

A spectrophotometric, enzymatic assay for d-3-hydroxybutyrate that is not dependent on hydrazine

Because of the potential carcinogenic properties of hydrazine and because of other health hazards associated with its use in the laboratory, an enzymatic assay has been developed for d-3-hydroxybutyrate that is not dependent on hydrazine to drive the reaction toward completion. The use of a high concentration of NAD + and a buffer at pH 9.5 resulted in a favorable conversion of d-3-hydroxybutyrate to acetoacetate by d-3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase even though the reaction favors d-3-hydroxybutyrate formation under physiological conditions. The assay was also completed faster than previous assays using hydrazine so that the amount of enzyme used for the assay could be reduced. The recovery of d-3-hydroxybutyrate added to liver samples was 98 ± 1% (mean ± SEM, n = 6). The assay was found to be suitable for the measurement of d-3-hydroxybutyrate in samples such as perchloric acid extracts of isolated hepatocytes even when the acetoacetate to d-3-hydroxybutyrate ratio was 4 to 1. This assay presents a reliable alternative to the use of hydrazine and may be used for the assay of d-3-hydroxybutyrate in a variety of physiological and experimental samples.