Preferred Coenzyme Research Articles

An aldo-keto reductase with 2-keto-l-gulonate reductase activity functions in l-tartaric acid biosynthesis from vitamin C in Vitis vinifera

Tartaric acid has high economic value as an antioxidant and flavorant in food and wine industries. l-Tartaric acid biosynthesis in wine grape (Vitis vinifera) uses ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as precursor, representing an unusual metabolic fate for ascorbic acid degradation. Reduction of the ascorbate breakdown product 2-keto-l-gulonic acid to l-idonic acid constitutes a critical step in this l-tartaric acid biosynthetic pathway. However, the underlying enzymatic mechanisms remain obscure. Here, we identified a V. vinifera aldo-keto reductase, Vv2KGR, with 2-keto-l-gulonic acid reductase activity. Vv2KGR belongs to the d-isomer–specific 2-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase superfamily and displayed the highest similarity to the hydroxyl pyruvate reductase isoform 2 in Arabidopsis thaliana. Enzymatic analyses revealed that Vv2KGR efficiently reduces 2-keto-l-gulonic acid to l-idonic acid and uses NADPH as preferred coenzyme. Moreover, Vv2KGR exhibited broad substrate specificity toward glyoxylate, pyruvate, and hydroxypyruvate, having the highest catalytic efficiency for glyoxylate. We further determined the X-ray crystal structure of Vv2KGR at 1.58 Å resolution. Comparison of the Vv2KGR structure with those of d-isomer–specific 2-hydroxyacid dehydrogenases from animals and microorganisms revealed several unique structural features of this plant hydroxyl pyruvate reductase. Substrate structural analysis indicated that Vv2KGR uses two modes (A and B) to bind different substrates. 2-Keto-l-gulonic acid displayed the lowest predicted free-energy binding to Vv2KGR among all docked substrates. Hence, we propose that Vv2KGR functions in l-tartaric acid biosynthesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a d-isomer–specific 2-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase that reduces 2-keto-l-gulonic acid to l-idonic acid in plants.

NADH-dependent lactate dehydrogenase from Alcaligenes eutrophus H16 reduces 2-oxoadipate to 2-hydroxyadipate

Adipic acid is an important monomer for the production of nylon-6,6 polyamide. One novel biological route for the synthesis of adipic acid, which combines the lysine synthetic pathway and glutaconic acid production pathway, has been suggested, but this route has suffered from the lack of an efficient 2-oxoadipate reductase connecting the two pathways or converting 2-oxoadipate to 2-hydroxyadipate. In this study, we report that the lactate dehydrogenase of Alcaligenes eutrophus H16 is a promising catalyst for this reaction. The lactate dehydrogenase gene (Ae-ldhO) was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and characterized. The recombinant enzyme, having a molecular weight of 36.7 kDa, exhibited broad substrate specificity for various 2-oxoacids. NADH was the preferred coenzyme over NADPH for all 2-oxoacids tested. The maximum specific activity of Ae-LdhO on 2-oxoadipate was 454.5 ± 20.1 U/mg protein at pH 7.0 and 30℃. The Km values for 2-oxoadipic acid and NADH were 0.32 ± 0.02 and 0.09 ± 0.002 mM, respectively. The activity of Ae-LdhO was enhanced in the presence of some metal ions, such as Mg2+, Co2+ or Ni2+, whereas it was completely inhibited by Hg2+, Ag+, Cu2+ and DTT.

A Novel NAD+-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase encoded by the puuC gene of Klebsiella pneumoniae DSM 2026 that utilizes 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde as a substrate

3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), a versatile and valuable platform chemical, has diverse industrial applications; but its biological production from glycerol is often limited by the capability of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to convert an intermediary compound, 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA), to 3-HP. In this study, we report a new ALDH, PuuC, from Klebsiella pneumoniae DSM 2026, that efficiently converts 3-HPA to 3-HP. The identified gene puuC was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and characterized for its properties. The recombinant enzyme with a molecular weight of 53.8 kDa exhibited broad substrate specificity for various aliphatic aldehydes, especially C2–C5 aldehydes. NAD+ was the preferred coenzyme for the oxidation of most aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes tested. The optimum pH and temperature for PuuC activity were pH 8.0 and 45°C. The K m values for 3-HPA and NAD+ were 0.48 and 0.09 mM, respectively. The activity of PuuC was enhanced in the presence of reducing agents such as 2-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol, while several metal ions, particularly Hg2+, Ag+, and Cu2+ inhibited its activity. The predicted structure of PuuC indicated the presence of K191 and E194 in close proximity to the glycine motif, suggesting that PuuC belongs to class 2 ALDHs.

Characterization of rat and mouse NAD+-dependent 3α/17β/20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and identification of substrate specificity determinants by site-directed mutagenesis

In this study, we characterized rat and mouse aldo-keto reductases (AKR1C16 and AKR1C13, respectively) with 92% sequence identity. The recombinant enzymes oxidized non-steroidal alcohols using NAD+ as the preferred coenzyme, and showed low 3α/17β/20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) activities. The substrate specificity differs from that of rat NAD+-dependent 3α-HSD (AKR1C17) that shares 95% sequence identity with AKR1C16. To elucidate the residues determining the substrate specificity of the enzymes, we performed site-directed mutagenesis of Tyr24, Asp128 and Phe129 of AKR1C16 with the corresponding residues (Ser, Tyr and Leu, respectively) of AKR1C17. The double mutation (Asp128/Tyr-Phe129/Leu) had few effects on the substrate specificity, while the Tyr24/Ser mutant showed only 3α-HSD activity, and the triple mutation of the three residues produced an enzyme that had almost the same properties as AKR1C17. The importance of the residue 24 for substrate recognition was verified by the mutagenesis of Ser24/Tyr of AKR1C17 which resulted in a decrease in 3α-HSD activity and appearance of 17β- and 20α-HSD activities. AKR1C16 is also 92% identical with rat NAD+-dependent 17β-HSD (AKR1C24), which possesses Tyr24. The replacement of Asp128, Phe129 and Ser137 of AKR1C16 with the corresponding residues (Glu, Ser and Phe, respectively) of AKR1C24 increased the catalytic efficiency for 17β- and 20α-hydroxysteroids.

Rat NAD +-dependent 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C17): A member of the aldo-keto reductase family highly expressed in kidney cytosol

Mammalian 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3α-HSDs) have been divided into two types: Cytosolic NADP(H)-dependent 3α-HSDs belonging to the aldo-keto reductase family, and mitochondrial and microsomal NAD +-dependent 3α-HSDs belonging to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family. In this study, we characterized a rat aldo-keto reductase (AKR1C17), whose functions are unknown. The recombinant AKR1C17 efficiently oxidized 3α-hydroxysteroids and bile acids using NAD + as the preferred coenzyme at an optimal pH of 7.4–9.5, and was inhibited by ketamine and organic anions. The mRNA for AKR1C17 was detected specifically in rat kidney, where the enzyme was more highly expressed as a cytosolic protein than NADP(H)-dependent 3α-HSD (AKR1C9). Thus, AKR1C17 represents a novel NAD +-dependent type of cytosolic 3α-HSD with unique inhibitor sensitivity and tissue distribution. In addition, the replacement of Gln270 and Glu276 of AKR1C17 with the corresponding residues of NADP(H)-dependent 3α-HSD resulted in a switch in favor of NADP + specificity, suggesting their key roles in coenzyme specificity.

Molecular Cloning of a Novel Type of Rat Cytoplasmic 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Distinct from the Type 5 Isozyme

Rat liver contains two cytosolic enzymes (TBER1 and TBER2) that reduce 6-tert-butyl-2,3-epoxy-5-cyclohexene-1,4-dione into its 4R- and 4S-hydroxy metabolites. In this study, we cloned the cDNA for TBER1 and examined endogenous substrates using the homogenous recombinant enzyme. The cDNA encoded a protein composed of 323 amino acids belonging to the aldo-keto reductase family. The recombinant TBER1 efficiently oxidized 17beta-hydroxysteroids and xenobiotic alicyclic alcohols using NAD+ as the preferred coenzyme at pH 7.4, and showed low activity towards 20alpha- and 3alpha-hydroxysteroids, and 9-hydroxyprostaglandins. The enzyme was potently inhibited by diethylstilbestrol, hexestrol and zearalenone. The coenzyme specificity, broad substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity of the enzyme differed from those of rat NADPH-dependent 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 5, which was cloned from the liver and characterized using the recombinant enzyme. The mRNA for TBER1 was highly expressed in rat liver, gastrointestinal tract and ovary, in contrast to specific expression of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 5 mRNA in the liver and kidney. Thus, TBER1 represents a novel type of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase with unique catalytic properties and tissue distribution. In addition, TBER2 was identified as 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase on chromatographic analysis of the enzyme activities in rat liver cytosol and characterization of the recombinant 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Prediction of coenzyme specificity in dehydrogenases/ reductases

Dehydrogenases and reductases are enzymes of fundamental metabolic importance that often adopt a specific structure known as the Rossmann fold. This fold, consisting of a six-stranded beta-sheet surrounded by alpha-helices, is responsible for coenzyme binding. We have developed a method to identify Rossmann folds and predict their coenzyme specificity (NAD, NADP or FAD) using only the amino acid sequence as input. The method is based upon hidden Markov models and sequence pattern analysis. The prediction sensitivity is 79% and the selectivity close to 100%. The method was applied on a set of 68 genomes, representing the three kingdoms archaea, bacteria and eukaryota. In prokaryotes, 3% of the genes were found to code for Rossmann-fold proteins, while the corresponding ratio in eukaryotes is only around 1%. In all genomes, NAD is the most preferred cofactor (41-49%), followed by NADP with 30-38%, while FAD is the least preferred cofactor (21%). However, the NAD preponderance over NADP is most pronounced in archaea, and least in eukaryotes. In all three kingdoms, only 3-8% of the Rossmann proteins are predicted to have more than one membrane-spanning segment, which is much lower than the frequency of membrane proteins in general. Analysis of the major protein types in eukaryotes reveals that the most common type (26%) of the Rossmann proteins are short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases. In addition, the identified Rossmann proteins were analyzed with respect to further protein types, enzyme classes and redundancy. The described method is available at http://www.ifm.liu.se/bioinfo, where the preferred coenzyme and its binding region are predicted given an amino acid sequence as input.

Substrate Specificity of a Mouse Aldo-Keto Reductase (AKR1C12)

AKR1C12, a mouse member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily, is highly expressed in the stomach and is identical to a protein encoded in an interleukin-3-regulated gene in mouse myeloid cells, but its function remains unknown. In this study, the recombinant AKR1C12 was purified to homogeneity and the specificity for coenzymes and substrates was examined at a physiological pH of 7.4. The enzyme reduced various alpha-dicarbonyl compounds, several ketosteroids, aldehydes and some ketones using NADH as the preferred coenzyme. In the reverse reaction, the enzyme showed coenzyme preference for NAD+, and oxidized 3alpha-, 17beta- and 20alpha-hydroxysteroids, and non-steroidal aliphatic and alicyclic alcohols, of which many hydroxysteroids and geranylgeraniol were good substrates, exhibiting low Km and high kcat/Km values. The results, together with the intracellular high ratio of NAD+/NADH, suggest that AKR1C12 functions as a dehydrogenase for the endogenous hydroxysteroids and geranylgeraniol in mouse stomach and myeloid cells.

Molecular cloning and kinetic characterization of an aldehyde dehydrogenase gene in Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess with metastatic complications is an emerging infectious disease in Taiwan. The present study aimed to identify virulence genes involved in the pathogenicity of K. pneumoniae. The closely related Escherichia coli genome array was employed to study the expression of the putative genome of K. pneumoniae. Total mRNA expression levels of a K. pneumoniae strain (designated National Taiwan University Hospital [NTUH]-K2044), isolated from a patient with liver abscess, and another strain (designated NTUH-K9), from a patient with sepsis only, were compared on the E. coli array. RNA blot was used to reconfirm mRNA expression in NTUH-K9, K2044 and in 9 other sepsis strains and 9 other liver abscess strains. One of the genes which was found to be highly expressed in NTUH-K2044, designated aldA, was selected for further study. The aldA gene codes for the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (aldehyde:NAD[P](+) oxidoreductase; ALDH). Kinetic properties of ALDH isolated from the 2 strains, designated K2044 ALDH and K9 ALDH respectively, were characterized. The isolated recombinant K2044 ALDH and K9 ALDH, both with subunit molecular weight 55 kDa, exhibited similar substrate specificity and coenzyme preference with glycolaldehyde (V(max)/K(m) = 27 and 17 U/mg/mM, respectively) and glyceraldehyde (maximum velocity [V(max)]/ Michaelis constant [K(m)] = 42 and 30 U/mg/mM, respectively) being the much better substrates and NAD(+) being the preferred coenzyme (K(m) = 0.28 and 0.23 mM, respectively). Unlike K9 ALDH, K2044 ALDH displayed inhibition at high concentrations of glycolaldehyde (substrate inhibition constant [K(i)] = 7.4 mM) and glyceraldehyde (K(i) = 2.6 mM). The expression of the aldA gene is higher in K. pneumoniae strains from patients with liver abscess. The aldA gene encodes functional ALDH and can use glycolaldehyde and glyceraldehydes as substrates.

Purification and characterization of 7β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from rabbit liver microsomes

7β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7β-HSD), a specific enzyme active in the metabolization of 7β-hydroxycholesterol, was purified about 300-fold from male rabbit liver microsomes using ion exchange, hydroxylapatite, 2′5′ADP Sepharose 4B, and high-performance liquid chromatography on the basis of its catalytic activity. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 276 nmol/min/mg protein. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was 34,000. The preferred coenzyme was β-NADP +. The optimum pH for oxidation was around 7.7 in potassium phosphate buffer, and 11.0 in glycine–NaOH buffer. The purified enzyme catalyzed the synthesis of not only 7β-hydroxycholesterol but also corticosterone and hydrocortisone. Enzyme activities toward these three substrates accompanied all purification steps of 7β-HSD. The amino acid sequence of the N-terminal of the purified enzyme showed that 7β-HSD had sequence similarity to rabbit type I 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD), indicating that 7β-HSD may belong to the rabbit type I 11β-HSD family and may play the same role in the metabolism of 11-hydroxysteroids and 7-hydroxysterols.

Coenzyme-based functional assignments of short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs)

Short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs) are enzymes of great functional diversity. In spite of a residue identity of only 15–30%, the folds are conserved to a large extent, with specific sequence motifs detectable. We have developed an assignment scheme based on these motifs and detect five families. Only two of these were known before, called ‘Classical’ and ‘Extended’, but are now distinguished at a further level based on patterns of charged residues in the coenzyme-binding region, giving seven subfamilies of classical SDRs and three subfamilies of extended SDRs. Three further families are novel entities, denoted ‘Intermediate’, ‘Divergent’ and ‘Complex’, encompassing short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases, enoyl reductases and multifunctional enzymes, respectively. The assignment scheme was applied to the genomes of human, mouse, D. melanogaster, C. elegans, A. thaliana and S. cerevisiae. In the animal genomes, genes corresponding to the extended SDRs amount to around one quarter or less of the total number of SDR genes, while in those of A. thaliana and S. cerevisiae, the extended members constitute about 40% of the SDR forms. The NAD(H)-dependent SDRs are about equally many as the NADP(H)-dependent ones in human, mouse and plant, while the proportions of NAD(H)-dependent enzymes are much lower in fruit fly, worm and yeast. We also find that NADP(H) is the preferred coenzyme among most classical SDRs, while NAD(H) is that preferred among most extended SDRs.

Short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs).

Short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs) are enzymes of great functional diversity. Even at sequence identities of typically only 15-30%, specific sequence motifs are detectable, reflecting common folding patterns. We have developed a functional assignment scheme based on these motifs and we find five families. Two of these families were known previously and are called 'classical' and 'extended' families, but they are now distinguished at a further level based on coenzyme specificities. This analysis gives seven subfamilies of classical SDRs and three subfamilies of extended SDRs. We find that NADP(H) is the preferred coenzyme among most classical SDRs, while NAD(H) is that preferred among most extended SDRs. Three families are novel entities, denoted 'intermediate', 'divergent' and 'complex', encompassing short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases, enoyl reductases and multifunctional enzymes, respectively. The assignment scheme was applied to the genomes of human, mouse, Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, Arabidopsis thaliana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the animal genomes, the extended SDRs amount to around one quarter or less of the total number of SDRs, while in the A. thaliana and S. cerevisiae genomes, the extended members constitute about 40% of the SDR forms. The numbers of NAD(H)-dependent and NADP(H)-dependent SDRs are similar in human, mouse and plant, while the proportions of NAD(H)-dependent enzymes are much lower in fruit fly, worm and yeast. We show that, in spite of the great diversity of the SDR superfamily, the primary structure alone can be used for functional assignments and for predictions of coenzyme preference.

Kinetic study of sn-glycerol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase from the aerobic hyperthermophilic archaeon, Aeropyrum pernix K1.

A gene having high sequence homology (45-49%) with the glycerol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase gene from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum was cloned from the aerobic hyperthermophilic archaeon Aeropyrum pernix K1 (JCM 9820). This gene expressed in Escherichia coli with the pET vector system consists of 1113 nucleotides with an ATG initiation codon and a TAG termination codon. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 38 kDa by SDS/PAGE and 72.4 kDa by gel column chromatography, indicating presence as a dimer. The optimum reaction temperature of this enzyme was observed to be 94-96 degrees C at near neutral pH. This enzyme was subjected to two-substrate kinetic analysis. The enzyme showed substrate specificity for NAD(P)H-dependent dihydroxyacetone phosphate reduction and NAD(+)-dependent glycerol-1-phosphate (Gro1P) oxidation. NADP(+)-dependent Gro1P oxidation was not observed with this enzyme. For the production of Gro1P in A. pernix cells, NADPH is the preferred coenzyme rather than NADH. Gro1P acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor against dihydroxyacetone phosphate and NAD(P)H. However, NAD(P)(+) acted as a competitive inhibitor against NAD(P)H and as a noncompetitive inhibitor against dihydroxyacetone phosphate. This kinetic data indicates that the catalytic reaction by glycerol- 1-phosphate dehydrogenase from A. pernix follows a ordered bi-bi mechanism.

Essentiality, Expression, and Characterization of the Class II 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase of Staphylococcus aureus

Sequence comparisons have implied the presence of genes encoding enzymes of the mevalonate pathway for isopentenyl diphosphate biosynthesis in the gram-positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. In this study we showed through genetic disruption experiments that mvaA, which encodes a putative class II 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, is essential for in vitro growth of S. aureus. Supplementation of media with mevalonate permitted isolation of an auxotrophic mvaA null mutant that was attenuated for virulence in a murine hematogenous pyelonephritis infection model. The mvaA gene was cloned from S. aureus DNA and expressed with an N-terminal His tag in Escherichia coli. The encoded protein was affinity purified to apparent homogeneity and was shown to be a class II HMG-CoA reductase, the first class II eubacterial biosynthetic enzyme isolated. Unlike most other HMG-CoA reductases, the S. aureus enzyme exhibits dual coenzyme specificity for NADP(H) and NAD(H), but NADP(H) was the preferred coenzyme. Kinetic parameters were determined for all substrates for all four catalyzed reactions using either NADP(H) or NAD(H). In all instances optimal activity using NAD(H) occurred at a pH one to two units more acidic than that using NADP(H). pH profiles suggested that His378 and Lys263, the apparent cognates of the active-site histidine and lysine of Pseudomonas mevalonii HMG-CoA reductase, function in catalysis and that the general catalytic mechanism is valid for the S. aureus enzyme. Fluvastatin inhibited competitively with HMG-CoA, with a K(i) of 320 microM, over 10(4) higher than that for a class I HMG-CoA reductase. Bacterial class II HMG-CoA reductases thus are potential targets for antibacterial agents directed against multidrug-resistant gram-positive cocci.

Enzymological features of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis reflect the phylogeny of mycoplasmas.

Acholeplasma laidlawii possesses a biochemical pathway for tyrosine and phenylalanine biosynthesis, while Mycoplasma iowae and Mycoplasma gallinarum do not. The detection of 7-phospho-2-dehydro-3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptonate (DAHP) synthase (EC 4.1.2.15), dehydro-shikimate reductase (EC 1.1.1.25) and 3-enol-pyruvoylshikimate-5-phosphate synthase (EC 2.5.1.19) activities in cell-free extracts established the presence in A. laidlawii of a functional shikimate pathway. L-Phenylalanine synthesis occurs solely through the phenylpyruvate route via prephenate dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.51), no arogenate dehydratase activity being found. Although arogenate dehydrogenase was detected, L-tyrosine synthesis appears to occur mainly through the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate route, via prephenate dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.1.12), which utilized NAD+ as a preferred coenzyme substrate. L-Tyrosine was found to be the key regulatory molecule governing aromatic biosynthesis. DAHP synthase was feedback inhibited by L-tyrosine, but not by L-phenylalanine or L-tryptophan; L-tyrosine was a potent feedback inhibitor of prephenate dehydrogenase and an allosteric activator of prephenate dehydratase. Chorismate mutase (EC 5.4.99.5) was sensitive to product inhibition by prephenate. Prephenate dehydratase was feedback inhibited by L-phenylalanine. It was also activated by hydrophobic amino acids (L-valine, L-isoleucine and L-methionine), similar to results previously found in a number of other genera that share the Gram-positive line of phylogenetic descent. Aromatic-pathway-encoded cistrons present in saprophytic large-genome mycoplasmas may have been eliminated in the parasitic small-genome mycoplasmas.

Purification and characterization of human liver “high Km” aldehyde dehydrogenase and its identification as glutamic gamma-semialdehyde dehydrogenase.

The enzyme previously considered as an isozyme (E4, ALDH IV) of human liver aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD+) (EC 1.2.1.3) has been purified to homogeneity by the use of ion exchange chromatography on CM-Sephadex and affinity chromatography on Blue Sepharose CL-6B and 5'-AMP Sepharose 4B and identified as glutamic gamma-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, or more precisely 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase (EC 1.5.1.12). Glutamic gamma-semialdehyde dehydrogenase was never previously purified to homogeneity from any mammalian species. The homogeneous enzyme is seen on isoelectric focusing gels as two fine bands separated by 0.12 pH units: pI = 6.89 and 6.77. In addition, the enzyme also appears as two bands in gradient gels; however, in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate the enzyme migrates as one band, indicating that its subunits are of identical size. Because the enzyme molecule is considerably smaller (Mr approximately 142,000-170,000) than that of aldehyde dehydrogenases (EC 1.2.1.3) (Greenfield, N. J., and Pietruszko, R. (1977) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 483, 35-45; Mr approximately 220,000) and its subunit weight is different (70,600 versus approximately 54,000 for E1 and E2 isozymes), the enzyme is not an isozyme of aldehyde dehydrogenase previously described. The Michaelis constants for glutamic gamma-semialdehyde dehydrogenase with acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde are in the millimolar range. Its substrate specificity within the straight chain aliphatic aldehyde series is essentially confined to that of acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde with butyraldehyde and longer chain length aldehydes being considerably less active. Other substrates include succinic, glutaric, and adipic semialdehydes in addition to glutamic gamma-semialdehyde. The reaction velocity with glutamic gamma-semialdehyde is at least an order of magnitude larger than with carboxylic acid semialdehydes. Aspartic beta-semialdehyde is not a substrate. The reaction catalyzed appears to be irreversible. Although NADP can be used, NAD is the preferred coenzyme. The enzyme also exhibits an unusual property of being subject to substrate inhibition by NAD.

Purification and properties of inosine monophosphate oxidoreductase from nitrogen-fixing nodules of cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Using ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and affinity chromatography, inosine monophosphate (IMP) oxidoreductase (EC 1.2.1.14) was isolated from the soluble proteins of the plant cell fraction of nitrogen-fixing nodules of cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata L. Walp). The enzyme, purified more than 140-fold with a yield of 11%, was stabilized with glycerol and required a sulfydryl-reducing agent for maximum activity. Gel filtration indicated a molecular weight of 200,000, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis a single subunit of 50,000 Da. The final specific activity ranged from 1.1 to 1.5 μmol min −1 mg protein −1. The enzyme had an alkaline pH optimum and showed a high affinity for IMP ( K m = 9.1 × 10 −6 M at pH 8.8 and NAD levels above 0.25 m m) and NAD ( K m = 18–35 × 10 −6 M at pH 8.8). NAD was the preferred coenzyme, with NADP reduction less than 10% of that with NAD, while molecular oxygen did not serve as an electron acceptor. Intermediates of ureide metabolism (allantoin, allantoic acid, uric acid, inosine, xanthosine, and XMP) did not affect the enzyme, while AMP, GMP, and NADH were inhibitors. GMP inhibition was competitive with a K i = 60 × 10 −6 M. The purified enzyme was activated by K + ( K m = 1.6 × 10 −3 M) but not by NH + 4. The K + activation was competitively inhibited by Mg 2+. The significance of the properties of IMP oxidoreductase for regulation of ureide biosynthesis in legume root nodules is discussed.

Histochemical studies on steroid dehydrogenases in the testis of the goat (Capra hircus).

Detailed histochemical localization of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) and 17 beta-HSD was made in the goat testis using both NAD and NADP coenzymes. The substrates used for 3 beta-HSD were dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and pregnenolone whereas 17 beta-HSD was localized with testosterone and oestradiol. In general, the activity of the enzymes varied with the cell type, substrate and coenzyme. In seminiferous tubules, DHA and NAD were the preferred substrate and coenzyme respectively for 3 beta-HSD. In addition, in interstitial tissue, NAD was the preferred coenzyme with DHA whereas no such preference existed with pregnenolone. 17 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase showed a similar pattern in the two main compartments of the testis, as testosterone and oestradiol were equally utilized and NAD was the preferred coenzyme in both these compartments. The activities of the enzymes increased during the process of spermiogenesis and were higher in seminiferous tubules than in interstitial tissue, especially in elongated spermatids and spermatozoa.

Regulation of coenzyme utilization by bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase: Investigations using thionicotinamide analogues of NAD and NADP in a dual wavelength assay

1. 1. The coenzyme preference of bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was probed using dual wavelength spectroscopy and pairing the thionicotinamide analogues, S-NAD or S-NADP (which have absorbance maxima at 400 nm), with the natural coenzymes, NADP or NAD. 2. 2. S-NAD and S-NADP were found to be good alternate substrates for GDH : the apparent Kin m's for the thioderivatives were similar to those of the corresponding natural coenzymes, the apparent Kin m's for glutamate were unaltered by the substitution of the thioderivatives, and the effects of inhibitors and activators on S-NAD or S-NADP kinetics were qualitatively the same as those found for NAD or NADP, respectively. 3. 3. Dual wavelength assays paired NAD and S-NADP or S-NAD and NADP to study the simultaneous reduction of the two coenzymes. Conditions of increasing glutamate concentrations produced differential effects on the rates of the NAD vs NADP reactions, the result, with either nucleotide pair, promoting the NADP linked reaction. 4. 4. Activators and inhibitors of the GDH reaction also showed differential effects upon the NAD vs NADP linked reaction rates in the dual wavelength assay. ADP and leucine, which activate both the NAD and the NADP linked reactions in single coenzyme assays, preferentially activate the NADP or S-NADP linked reactions in the dual nucleotide assays. GTP produced greater inhibition of the NAD or S-NAD linked reactions than of the NADP or S-NADP reactions while ATP inhibited NAD or S-NAD reactions and activated NADP or S-NADP reactions. The net effect of all metabolite modulators was to promote the NADP linked reaction by decreasing the activity ratios, ν (Nad)/ν (S-Nadp) or ν (S-Nad)/ν (Nadp). 5. 5. The results are consistent with the suggestion that NADP is the preferred coenzyme for the oxidative deamination of glutamate by GDH even though the enzyme is capable of utilizing either coenzyme in vitro.

Rat liver cytoplasmic dihydrodiol dehydrogenase. Purification to apparent homogeneity and properties.

A method is described for the purification of an enzyme, which catalyzes the conversion of benzene dihydrodiol to catechol, from rat liver cytoplasmic fraction to apparent homogeneity. The purification involved (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, interfacial salting-in and gel filtration through Sephadex G-100 superfine. The end product, which was purified over 500-fold with a yield of about 14% when compared to rat liver 100,000 X g supernatant, was judged to be homogeneous by several criteria, including sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, analytical ultracentrifugation, gel filtration, and immunoprecipitation. Physical studies suggested that the protein was a monomer with a molecular weight of 35,000 and one NADPH binding site per molecule. Amino acid analysis showed that the enzyme had a relatively high content of acidic and neutral amino acids in agreement with its isoelectric point which was at pH 6.2 Apparent Km values for benzene dihydrodiol and NADP+ were found to be 2.2 mM and 7.7 microM, respectively. The apparent Vmax value for the conversion of benzene dihydrodiol to catechol using NADP+ as cofactor was calculated to be 6.67 mumol/mg of enzyme/min. Substrate specificity studies showed that, in addition to benzene dihydrodiol, the dehydrogenase could oxidize acenaphthenol and the 3 alpha-hydroxy group of steroids. No activity was observable with a large number of other hydroxylated steroids possessing hydroxy groups at positions 3 beta, 11 beta, 17 alpha, 17 beta, 20 alpha, 20 beta, 21, and 22 of the steroid skeleton. Furthermore, only steroids which contained a 3-keto group and no double bond at the delta 4 position were reduced. This, and the fact that a range of nonsteroidal vicinal diols did not serve as substrates, indicates a relatively narrow substrate specificity. When benzene dihydrodiol was used as substrate, NADP+ was the preferred coenzyme but NAD+ was also accepted, whereas with the hydroxylated steroids the difference between the specific activities with NAD+ and NADP+ or with NADH and NADPH was less striking. The role of the enzyme in the metabolism of carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons is discussed.