Narrow Substrate Specificity Research Articles

SLC36A4 (hPAT4) Is a High Affinity Amino Acid Transporter When Expressed in Xenopus laevis Oocytes

The SLC36 family of transporters consists of four genes, two of which, SLC36A1 and SLC36A2, have been demonstrated to code for human proton-coupled amino acid transporters or hPATs. Here we report the characterization of the fourth member of the family, SLC36A4 or hPAT4, which when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes also encodes a plasma membrane amino acid transporter, but one that is not proton-coupled and has a very high substrate affinity for the amino acids proline and tryptophan. hPAT4 in Xenopus oocytes mediated sodium-independent, electroneutral uptake of [(3)H]proline, with the highest rate of uptake when the uptake medium pH was 7.4 and an affinity of 3.13 μM. Tryptophan was also an excellently transported substrate with a similarly high affinity (1.72 μM). Other amino acids that inhibited [(3)H]proline were isoleucine (K(i) 0.23 mM), glutamine (0.43 mM), methionine (0.44 mM), and alanine (1.48 mM), and with lower affinity, glycine, threonine, and cysteine (K(i) >5 mM for all). Of the amino acids directly tested for transport, only proline, tryptophan, and alanine showed significant uptake, whereas glycine and cysteine did not. Of the non-proteogenic amino acids and drugs tested, only sarcosine produced inhibition (K(i) 1.09 mM), whereas γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), β-alanine, L-Dopa, D-serine, and δ-aminolevulinic acid were without effect on [(3)H]proline uptake. This characterization of hPAT4 as a very high affinity/low capacity non-proton-coupled amino acid transporter raises questions about its physiological role, especially as the transport characteristics of hPAT4 are very similar to the Drosophila orthologue PATH, an amino acid "transceptor" that plays a role in nutrient sensing.

Селективна деградація пероксисом у дріжджів Hansenula polymorpha потребує стеролглюкозилтрансферазу ATG26

UDP-glucose:sterol glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.173) catalyses the biosynthesis of ergosterol glucoside, a minor membrane lipid present in yeasts and plants. The sterol glucosyltransferases from different yeast species, including the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris , display narrow substrate specificity with respect to both activated sugar and glycosyl acceptor. We isolated the mutant of the methanol-utilizing yeast Hansenula polymorpha defective in the ATG26 gene (encoding sterol glucosyltransferase) and analysed its phenotype. Similarly to P. pastoris product of the H. polymorpha ATG26 gene was required for pexophagy, the process of selective autophagic peroxisome degradation in vacuoles. Thus, sterol glucosyltransferases in different species of methylotrophic yeasts have a similar function in pexophagic process probably related to peculiarities of peroxisome morphogenesis and regulation of their homeostasis in these yeasts. Keywords : methylotrophic yeasts, Hansenula polymorpha , peroxisomes, pexophagy, sterol glucosyltransferase.

Herbivore-induced and floral homoterpene volatiles are biosynthesized by a single P450 enzyme (CYP82G1) in Arabidopsis

Terpene volatiles play important roles in plant-organism interactions as attractants of pollinators or as defense compounds against herbivores. Among the most common plant volatiles are homoterpenes, which are often emitted from night-scented flowers and from aerial tissues upon herbivore attack. Homoterpene volatiles released from herbivore-damaged tissue are thought to contribute to indirect plant defense by attracting natural enemies of pests. Moreover, homoterpenes have been demonstrated to induce defensive responses in plant-plant interaction. Although early steps in the biosynthesis of homoterpenes have been elucidated, the identity of the enzyme responsible for the direct formation of these volatiles has remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that CYP82G1 (At3g25180), a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase of the Arabidopsis CYP82 family, is responsible for the breakdown of the C(20)-precursor (E,E)-geranyllinalool to the insect-induced C(16)-homoterpene (E,E)-4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene (TMTT). Recombinant CYP82G1 shows narrow substrate specificity for (E,E)-geranyllinalool and its C(15)-analog (E)-nerolidol, which is converted to the respective C(11)-homoterpene (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT). Homology-based modeling and substrate docking support an oxidative bond cleavage of the alcohol substrate via syn-elimination of the polar head, together with an allylic C-5 hydrogen atom. CYP82G1 is constitutively expressed in Arabidopsis stems and inflorescences and shows highly coordinated herbivore-induced expression with geranyllinalool synthase in leaves depending on the F-box protein COI-1. CYP82G1 represents a unique characterized enzyme in the plant CYP82 family with a function as a DMNT/TMTT homoterpene synthase.

Extracellular proteolytic activity of bacteria from soda-salt lakes of Transbaikalia

Influence of nitrogen source on proteinases synthesis in aerobic alkalotolerant and halotolerant bacteria from soda-salt lakes of Transbaikalia was studied. Maximal accumulation of proteinases was revealed on medium with peptones. Introduction of various sources of nitrogen in the medium did not result in increase of enzyme activity in cultural liquid. It was indicated that secreting proteinases of the studied bacteria strains possess narrow substrate specificity, hydrolyze proteins and n-nitroanilide substrates have maximal activity during GlpAALpNA hydrolysis. Data of inhibitory analysis and substrate specificity of studied extracellular enzymes indicate that they belong to a class of serine proteinases of subtilisin-like type.

Mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in Ectocarpus siliculosus, a key role for mannitol synthesis in brown algae.

Mannitol represents a major end product of photosynthesis in brown algae (Phaeophyceae), and is, with the β-1,3-glucan laminarin, the main form of carbon storage for these organisms. Despite its importance, little is known about the genes and enzymes responsible for the metabolism of mannitol in these seaweeds. Taking benefit of the sequencing of the Ectocarpus siliculosus genome, we focussed our attention on the first step of the synthesis of mannitol (reduction of the photo-assimilate fructose-6-phosphate), catalysed by the mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase (M1PDH). This activity was measured in algal extracts, and was shown to be regulated by NaCl concentration in the reaction medium. Genomic analysis revealed the presence of three putative M1PDH genes (named EsM1PHD1, EsM1PDH2 and EsM1PDH3). Sequence comparison with orthologs demonstrates the modular architecture of EsM1PHD1 and EsM1PDH2, with an additional N-terminal domain of unknown function. In addition, gene expression experiments carried out on samples harvested through the diurnal cycle, and after several short-term saline and oxidative stress treatments, showed that EsM1PDH1 is the most highly expressed of these genes, whatever the conditions tested. In order to assess the activity of the corresponding protein, this gene was expressed in Escherichia coli. Cell-free extracts prepared from bacteria containing EsM1PDH1 displayed higher M1PDH activity than bacteria transformed with an empty plasmid. Further characterisation of recombinant EsM1PDH1 activity revealed its very narrow substrate specificity, salt regulation, and sensitivity towards an inhibitor of SH-enzymes.

Construction of cellobiose phosphorylase variants with broadened acceptor specificity towards anomerically substituted glucosides

The general application of glycoside phosphorylases such as cellobiose phosphorylase (CP) for glycoside synthesis is hindered by their relatively narrow substrate specificity. We have previously reported on the creation of Cellulomonas uda CP enzyme variants with either modified donor or acceptor specificity. Remarkably, in this study it was found that the donor mutant also displays broadened acceptor specificity towards several beta-glucosides. Triple mutants containing donor (T508I/N667A) as well as acceptor mutations (E649C or E649G) also display a broader acceptor specificity than any of the parent enzymes. Moreover, further broadening of the acceptor specificity has been achieved by site-saturation mutagenesis of residues near the active site entrance. The best enzyme variant contains the additional N156D and N163D mutations and is active towards various alkyl beta-glucosides, methyl alpha-glucoside and cellobiose. In comparison with the wild-type C. uda CP enzyme, which cannot accept anomerically substituted glucosides at all, the obtained increase in substrate specificity is significant. The described CP enzyme variants should be useful for the synthesis of cellobiosides and other glycosides with prebiotic and pharmaceutical properties.

A novel prokaryotic l‐arginine:glycine amidinotransferase is involved in cylindrospermopsin biosynthesis

We report the first characterization of an L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase from a prokaryote. The enzyme, CyrA, is involved in the pathway for biosynthesis of the polyketide-derived hepatotoxin cylindrospermopsin from Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii AWT205. CyrA is phylogenetically distinct from other amidinotransferases, and structural alignment shows differences between the active site residues of CyrA and the well-characterized human L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT). Overexpression of recombinant CyrA in Escherichia coli enabled biochemical characterization of the enzyme, and we confirmed the predicted function of CyrA as an L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase by (1) H NMR. As compared with AGAT, CyrA showed narrow substrate specificity when presented with substrate analogs, and deviated from regular Michaelis-Menten kinetics in the presence of the non-natural substrate hydroxylamine. Studies of initial reaction velocities and product inhibition, and identification of intermediate reaction products, were used to probe the kinetic mechanism of CyrA, which is best described as a hybrid of ping-pong and sequential mechanisms. Differences in the active site residues of CyrA and AGAT are discussed in relation to the different properties of both enzymes. The enzyme had maximum activity and maximum stability at pH 8.5 and 6.5, respectively, and an optimum temperature of 32 °C. Investigations into the stability of the enzyme revealed that an inactivated form of this enzyme retained an appreciable amount of secondary structure elements even on heating to 94 °C, but lost its tertiary structure at low temperature (T(max) of 44.5 °C), resulting in a state reminiscent of a molten globule. CyrA represents a novel group of prokaryotic amidinotransferases that utilize arginine and glycine as substrates with a complex kinetic mechanism and substrate specificity that differs from that of the eukaryotic L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferases.

Papain-Like Protease 1 from Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus: Crystal Structure and Enzymatic Activity toward Viral and Cellular Substrates

Coronaviruses encode two classes of cysteine proteases, which have narrow substrate specificities and either a chymotrypsin- or papain-like fold. These enzymes mediate the processing of the two precursor polyproteins of the viral replicase and are also thought to modulate host cell functions to facilitate infection. The papain-like protease 1 (PL1(pro)) domain is present in nonstructural protein 3 (nsp3) of alphacoronaviruses and subgroup 2a betacoronaviruses. It participates in the proteolytic processing of the N-terminal region of the replicase polyproteins in a manner that varies among different coronaviruses and remains poorly understood. Here we report the first structural and biochemical characterization of a purified coronavirus PL1(pro) domain, that of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV). Its tertiary structure is compared with that of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus PL2(pro), a downstream paralog that is conserved in the nsp3's of all coronaviruses. We identify both conserved and unique structural features likely controlling the interaction of PL1(pro) with cofactors and substrates, including the tentative mapping of substrate pocket residues. The purified recombinant TGEV PL1(pro) was shown to cleave a peptide mimicking the cognate nsp2|nsp3 cleavage site. Like its PL2(pro) paralogs from several coronaviruses, TGEV PL1(pro) was also found to have deubiquitinating activity in an in vitro cleavage assay, implicating it in counteracting ubiquitin-regulated host cell pathways, likely including innate immune responses. In combination with the prior characterization of PL2(pro) from other alphacoronaviruses, e.g., human coronaviruses 229E and NL63, our results unequivocally establish that these viruses employ two PL(pro)s with overlapping specificities toward both viral and cellular substrates.

Functional Relationship between Protein Disulfide Isomerase Family Members during the Oxidative Folding of Human Secretory Proteins

To examine the relationship between protein disulfide isomerase family members within the mammalian endoplasmic reticulum, PDI, ERp57, ERp72, and P5 were depleted with high efficiency in human hepatoma cells, either singly or in combination. The impact was assessed on the oxidative folding of several well-characterized secretory proteins. We show that PDI plays a predominant role in oxidative folding because its depletion delayed disulfide formation in all secretory proteins tested. However, the phenotype was surprisingly modest suggesting that other family members are able to compensate for PDI depletion, albeit with reduced efficacy. ERp57 also exhibited broad specificity, overlapping with that of PDI, but with preference for glycosylated substrates. Depletion of both PDI and ERp57 revealed that some substrates require both enzymes for optimal folding and, furthermore, led to generalized protein misfolding, impaired export from the ER, and degradation. In contrast, depletion of ERp72 or P5, either alone or in combination with PDI or ERp57 had minimal impact, revealing a narrow substrate specificity for ERp72 and no detectable role for P5 in oxidative protein folding.

Functional analysis of glycoside hydrolase family 8 xylanases shows narrow but distinct substrate specificities and biotechnological potential

The potential of glycoside hydrolase family (GH) 8 xylanases in biotechnological applications is virtually unexplored. Therefore, the substrate preference and hydrolysis product profiles of two GH8 xylanases were evaluated to investigate their activities and substrate specificities. A GH8 xylanase from an uncultured bacterium (rXyn8) shows endo action but very selectively releases xylotriose from its substrates. It has a higher activity than the Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis GH8 endo-xylanase (PhXyl) on xylononaose and smaller xylo-oligosaccharides. PhXyl preferably degrades xylan substrates with a high degree of polymerization. It is sterically more hindered by arabinose substituents than rXyn8, producing larger end hydrolysis products. The specificities of rXyn8 and PhXyl differ completely from these of the previously described GH8 xylanases from Bifidobacterium adolescentis (BaRexA) and Bacillus halodurans (BhRex). As reducing-end xylose-releasing exo-oligoxylanases, they selectively release xylose from the reducing end of small xylo-oligosaccharides. The findings of this study show that GH8 xylanases have a narrow substrate specificity, but also one that strongly varies between family members and is distinct from that of GH10 and GH11 xylanases. Structural comparison of rXyn8, PhXyl, BaRexA, and BhRex showed that subtle amino acid changes in the glycon as well as the aglycon subsites probably form the basis of the observed differences between GH8 xylanases. GH8 xylanases, therefore, are an interesting group of enzymes, with potential towards engineering and applications.

Hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA): molecular structure and interactions with HGFA inhibitor‐1 (HAI‐1)

The trypsin-like serine protease hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA) undergoes proteolytic activation during blood coagulation, resulting in a 34 kDa 'short form', consisting mainly of the protease domain. The crystal structures of the recombinantly expressed HGFA 'short form' discussed herein have provided molecular insights into its interaction with inhibitors and substrates, as well as the regulation of catalytic activity. The HGFA structures revealed enzymatically competent and noncompetent forms associated with the conformational states of two substrate specificity-determining loops, the 220-loop and 99-loop. The implied dynamic behavior of these loops, which are intimately involved in substrate interaction, has precedents in other members of the S1 family of serine proteases, and may be associated with specific mechanisms of enzyme regulation. Furthermore, HGFA activity is strongly inhibited by HGFA inhibitor-1, a membrane-spanning multidomain inhibitor containing two Kunitz domains, of which only the N-terminal Kunitz domain-1 (KD1) inhibits enzymatic activity. In the structure of the KD1-HGFA complex, the inhibitor interacts with the active site region by making contacts with all substrate specificity-determining loops and by occupying subsites S1, S2 and S4 in a substrate-like manner. In fact, the side chains of KD1 residues occupying these sites are virtually superimposable on the P1, P2 and P4 residues of the pro-hepatocyte growth factor-derived substrate mimic Lys-Gln-Leu-Arg chloromethyl ketone bound to HGFA. These structures also allow us to rationalize the apparently narrow substrate specificity of HGFA, which is limited to the two known macromolecular substrates pro-hepatocyte growth factor and pro-macrophage-stimulating protein.

TbPRMT6 Is a Type I Protein Arginine Methyltransferase That Contributes to Cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei

Arginine methylation is a widespread posttranslational modification of proteins catalyzed by a family of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammals, this modification affects multiple cellular processes, such as chromatin remodeling leading to transcriptional regulation, RNA processing, DNA repair, and cell signaling. The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei possesses five putative PRMTs in its genome. This is a large number of PRMTs relative to other unicellular eukaryotes, suggesting an important role for arginine methylation in trypanosomes. Here, we present the in vitro and in vivo characterization of a T. brucei enzyme homologous to human PRMT6, which we term TbPRMT6. Like human PRMT6, TbPRMT6 is a type I PRMT, catalyzing the production of monomethylarginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine residues. In in vitro methylation assays, TbPRMT6 utilizes bovine histones as a substrate, but it does not methylate several T. brucei glycine/arginine-rich proteins. As such, it exhibits a relatively narrow substrate specificity compared to other T. brucei PRMTs. Knockdown of TbPRMT6 in both procyclic form and bloodstream form T. brucei leads to a modest but reproducible effect on parasite growth in culture. Moreover, upon TbPRMT6 depletion, both PF and BF exhibit aberrant morphologies indicating defects in cell division, and these defects differ in the two life cycle stages. Mass spectrometry of TbPRMT6-associated proteins reveals histones, components of the nuclear pore complex, and flagellar proteins that may represent TbPRMT6 substrates contributing to the observed growth and morphological defects.

Arabidopsis Uracil DNA Glycosylase (UNG) Is Required for Base Excision Repair of Uracil and Increases Plant Sensitivity to 5-Fluorouracil

Uracil in DNA arises by misincorporation of dUMP during replication and by hydrolytic deamination of cytosine. This common lesion is actively removed through a base excision repair (BER) pathway initiated by a uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG) activity that excises the damage as a free base. UDGs are classified into different families differentially distributed across eubacteria, archaea, yeast, and animals, but remain to be unambiguously identified in plants. We report here the molecular characterization of AtUNG (Arabidopsis thaliana uracil DNA glycosylase), a plant member of the Family-1 of UDGs typified by Escherichia coli Ung. AtUNG exhibits the narrow substrate specificity and single-stranded DNA preference that are characteristic of Ung homologues. Cell extracts from atung(-/-) mutants are devoid of UDG activity, and lack the capacity to initiate BER on uracil residues. AtUNG-deficient plants do not display any apparent phenotype, but show increased resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a cytostatic drug that favors dUMP misincorporation into DNA. The resistance of atung(-/-) mutants to 5-FU is accompanied by the accumulation of uracil residues in DNA. These results suggest that AtUNG excises uracil in vivo but generates toxic AP sites when processing abundant U:A pairs in dTTP-depleted cells. Altogether, our findings point to AtUNG as the major UDG activity in Arabidopsis.

Development and application of a screening assay for glycoside phosphorylases

Glycoside phosphorylases (GPs) are interesting enzymes for the glycosylation of chemical molecules. They require only a glycosyl phosphate as sugar donor and an acceptor molecule with a free hydroxyl group. Their narrow substrate specificity, however, limits the application of GPs for general glycoside synthesis. Although an enzyme’s substrate specificity can be altered and broadened by protein engineering and directed evolution, this requires a suitable screening assay. Such a screening assay has not yet been described for GPs. Here we report a screening procedure for GPs based on the measurement of released inorganic phosphate in the direction of glycoside synthesis. It appeared necessary to inhibit endogenous phosphatase activity in crude Escherichia coli cell extracts with molybdate, and inorganic phosphate was measured with a modified phosphomolybdate method. The screening system is general and can be used to screen GP enzyme libraries for novel donor and acceptor specificities. It was successfully applied to screen a residue E649 saturation mutagenesis library of Cellulomonas uda cellobiose phosphorylase (CP) for novel acceptor specificity. An E649C enzyme variant was found with novel acceptor specificity toward alkyl β-glucosides and phenyl β-glucoside. This is the first report of a CP enzyme variant with modified acceptor specificity.

Alteration in the status of glutathione transferase of the water snail, Bulinus globosus, during aestivation and recovery

Abstract The varying status of glutathione transferases (GSTs) in water snail, Bulinus globosus, an intermediate host of disease-causing Schistosoma haematobium (Bilharz 1852) has been investigated. The expression of GST isoenzymes in the water snail appears seasonal with about three isoenzymes appearing during raining season, when the organism is active, which may reduce to a single peak of one isoenzyme during aestivation, when the organism is inactive. GST isoenzyme is present in high concentration in all the tissues investigated namely: haemolymph, foot muscle and hepatopancreas with specific activities of 0.006 ± 0.002, 0.45 ± 0.021 and 1.33 ± 0.103 units/mg protein respectively for 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate. With this substrate, the specific activity of GST from the hepatopancreas appears higher than the specific activities that have been previously reported for GSTs from molluscs. Partial purification of the isoenzymes using Tris acrylic acid-based resins enabled us to observe that GST appears to be the major protein in the hepatopancreas of this organism. We also found indications for the presence of an endogenous GST inhibitor in the cytosol, whose function is yet unknown. All the traditional GST inhibitors such as cibacron blue, hematin, bromosulfophthalein and S-hexylglutathione were able to inhibit the isoenzymes effectively, with cibacron blue being the most potent. The isoenzymes however have narrow substrate specificity. We conclude that different isoenzymes of GST are expressed in the same class of molluscs, even when they belong to the same genus or species, and that the expression may depend on whether the snails are on aestivation or not.

Structural Basis for Substrate Specificity in Human Monomeric Carbonyl Reductases

Carbonyl reduction constitutes a phase I reaction for many xenobiotics and is carried out in mammals mainly by members of two protein families, namely aldo-keto reductases and short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases. In addition to their capacity to reduce xenobiotics, several of the enzymes act on endogenous compounds such as steroids or eicosanoids. One of the major carbonyl reducing enzymes found in humans is carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) with a very broad substrate spectrum. A paralog, carbonyl reductase 3 (CBR3) has about 70% sequence identity and has not been sufficiently characterized to date. Screening of a focused xenobiotic compound library revealed that CBR3 has narrower substrate specificity and acts on several orthoquinones, as well as isatin or the anticancer drug oracin. To further investigate structure-activity relationships between these enzymes we crystallized CBR3, performed substrate docking, site-directed mutagenesis and compared its kinetic features to CBR1. Despite high sequence similarities, the active sites differ in shape and surface properties. The data reveal that the differences in substrate specificity are largely due to a short segment of a substrate binding loop comprising critical residues Trp229/Pro230, Ala235/Asp236 as well as part of the active site formed by Met141/Gln142 in CBR1 and CBR3, respectively. The data suggest a minor role in xenobiotic metabolism for CBR3.Enhanced version This article can also be viewed as an enhanced version in which the text of the article is integrated with interactive 3D representations and animated transitions. Please note that a web plugin is required to access this enhanced functionality. Instructions for the installation and use of the web plugin are available in Text S1.

Thermostable Cyanuric Acid Hydrolase from Moorella thermoacetica ATCC 39073

Cyanuric acid, a metabolic intermediate in the degradation of many s-triazine compounds, is further metabolized by cyanuric acid hydrolase. Cyanuric acid also accumulates in swimming pools due to the breakdown of the sanitizing agents di- and trichloroisocyanuric acid. Structurally stable cyanuric acid hydrolases are being considered for usage in pool water remediation. In this study, cyanuric acid hydrolase from the thermophile Moorella thermoacetica ATCC 39073 was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified to homogeneity. The recombinant enzyme was found to have a broader temperature range and greater stability, at both elevated and low temperatures, than previously described cyanuric acid hydrolases. The enzyme had a narrow substrate specificity, acting only on cyanuric acid and N-methylisocyanuric acid. The M. thermoacetica enzyme did not require metals or other discernible cofactors for activity. Cyanuric acid hydrolase from M. thermoacetica is the most promising enzyme to use for cyanuric acid remediation applications.

(2S)‐Methylsuccinyl‐CoA dehydrogenase closes the ethylmalonyl‐CoA pathway for acetyl‐CoA assimilation

Many organic substrates are metabolized via acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) and enter central carbon metabolism at the level of this compound. We recently described the outlines of the ethylmalonyl-CoA pathway, a new acetyl-CoA assimilation strategy that operates in a number of bacteria such as Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Methylobacterium extorquens and streptomycetes and replaces the glyoxylate cycle. This new pathway involves a unique central reaction sequence catalysed by characteristic enzymes. Here, we identified and characterized (2S)-methylsuccinyl-CoA dehydrogenase from R. sphaeroides, a flavin adenine dinucleotide-containing enzyme that catalyses the last unknown step in the central part of the ethylmalonyl-CoA pathway, the oxidation of (2S)-methylsuccinyl-CoA to mesaconyl-(C1)-CoA. This enzyme is highly specific for its substrate and forms a distinct subgroup within the superfamily of flavin-dependent acyl-CoA dehydrogenases. Homology modelling and comparative sequence analyses with well-studied members of this superfamily identified amino acids that may contribute to the narrow substrate specificity of (2S)-methylsuccinyl-CoA dehydrogenase. The central part of the ethylmalonyl-CoA pathway was reconstituted in vitro using four recombinant enzymes. By this work, the ethylmalonyl-CoA pathway and its stereochemical course have been completely solved. This allowed defining the minimum set of enzymes necessary for its operation and to screen for further organisms following this acetyl-CoA assimilation strategy.

Characterization of osmolyte betaine synthesizing sarcosine dimethylglycine N-methyltransferase from Methanohalophilus portucalensis

To overcome the extracellular salt stress, Methanohalophilus portucalensis FDF1(T) synthesizes the compatible solute betaine through the methylation of glycine, sarcosine, and N,N-dimethylglycine. S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) is the methyl donor. The enzyme sarcosine dimethylglycine N-methyltransferase (SDMT) of M. portucalensis, that catalyzes the formation of N,N-dimethylglycine and glycine betaine, has been purified and characterized. SDMT, a monomer of 33 kDa with a pI at 5.03, has a narrow substrate specificity limited to using only sarcosine and dimethylglycine as substrates for the methyl transferase reaction. The K(m) values for sarcosine and AdoMet were 2.29 and 0.21 mM, respectively, with a V(max) of 0.83 micromol/mg-min (k(cat) value of 0.44 s(-1)). The K(m) values for dimethylglycine and AdoMet were 3.76 and 0.59 mM, respectively, with a V(max) of 4.88 micromol/mg-min (k(cat) of 2.68 s(-1)). A high concentration of the end product betaine (2.0 M) did not affect the SMT activity, but it slightly inhibited the DMT activity. Both activities were also not affected by potassium or sodium ions in concentrations of 200-1,000 mM. We compared this novel archaeal SDMT enzyme to other similar bacterial transferases as well as to the glycine sarcosine dimethylglycine methyltransferase found also in M. portucalensis.

Measurement of Phenylalanine Monooxygenase (PAH) Activities

Mammalian phenylalanine monooxygenase (phenylalaninase, phenylalanine hydroxylase, PAH; EC 1.14.16.1) is a member of the large aromatic amino acid hydrolase cohort of enzymes that include tyrosine monooxygenase and tryptophane monooxygenase. PAH is a non-heme-iron-dependent protein that normally catalyzes the C-oxidation of phenylalanine (Phe) to tyrosine (Tyr) in the presence of BH(4), utilizing molecular dioxygen as an additional substrate. However, over recent years, the presumed narrow substrate specificity of PAH has been questioned and catalytic activity towards alternative xenobiotic substrates (both environmental and drugs) has been reported. Like the cytochrome P450 system, PAH is able to oxidize both aliphatic and aromatic carbon centers in addition to undertaking the S-oxidation of aliphatic thioethers (including the two mucoactive drugs S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine and S-methyl-L-cysteine).