Purification of multiple forms of the soluble 17alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase or rabbit liver.

Eight distinct forms of the soluble 17alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase of rabbit liver were resolved by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and isoelectric focusing. Five of these enzymes were homogeneous as judged by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Substrate-specificity studies carried out with oestradiol-17alpha and oestradiol-17alpha 3-glucuronide revealed a variation in activity toward these substrates among the different purified enzyme forms. Three forms of the 17alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase exhibited equal activity toward both oestrogen substrates, whereas three forms of the enzyme displayed a greater activity toward the glucuronide derivative of oestradiol-17alpha. One enzyme in particular is essentially specific for oestradiol-17alpha 3-glucuronide, its activity toward oestradiol-17alpha being only one-thirtieth that observed with the 3-glucuronide derivative.     

Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases of Pseudomonas testosteroni. Separation of a 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from the 3(17) beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and comparison of the two enzymes.

When a crude extract of Pseudomonas testosteroni induced with testosterone was subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, six bands that stained for 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was observed. A protein fraction containing the enzyme corresponding to the fastest migrating band and devoid of the other hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities has been obtained. This preparation appears to be distinct from the previously isolated 3(17) beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.51) in its chromatography properties on DEAE-cellulose, substrate and cofactor specificity, immunological properties and heat stability. The preparation appears devoid of 3alpha-, 3beta-, 11beta-, 17alpha-, 20alpha-, and 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities. The enzyme transfers th 4-pro-S-hydrogen of NADH from estradiol-17beta (1,3,5(10)estratriene-3,17beta-diol) to estrone (3-hydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-17-one).     

Purification and properties of a new testosterone 17beta-dehydrogenase (NADP+) from guinea-pig liver.

As a result of studies of guinea-pig live testosterone 17beta-dehydrogenase (NADP+) (EC 1.1.1.64), a new testosterone 17beta-dehydrogenase was discovered. The new enzyme was purified to a single homogeneous protein from the 105 000 g-supernatant fraction of guinea-pig liver by (NH4)2SO4 fractional precipitation and two gel-filtration stages, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and hydroxyapatite column chromatography. It was characterized by many properties. The enzyme has almost the same properties as the classical testosterone 17beta-dehydrogenase (NADP+) (EC 1.1.1.64), with respect to cofactor requirement, pH optima for dehydrogenation, effect of phosphate ion on the NAD+-dependent reaction and molecular weight, but characteristic differences were observed in substrate-specificity between the two dehydrogenases. With various androstane derivatives, the configuration of the A/B-ring junction was closely connected with enzyme activity. 5alpha-Androstanes, such as 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol, 5alpha-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol and 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one, and 5beta-congeners, such as 5beta-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol, 5beta-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol and 17beta-hydroxy-5beta-androstan-3-one, served as substrates for both the EC 1.1.1.64 enzyme and the new enzyme. The EC 1.1.1.64 enzyme oxidized testosterone more rapidly than did the new enzyme. These comparisons were based on the relative activities, apparent Km values and apparent Vmax values.     

Purification and properties of cyclic nucleotide-independent phosvitin kinase from pig testis

Cyclic nucleotide-independent and Ca2+-independent phosvitin kinase was purified from pig testis to apparent homogeneity by DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-200 chromatography, followed by subsequent DEAE-cellulose chromatography and phosvitin-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme was homogeneous by analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and it consisted of two polypeptides with molecular weights of 92000 (alpha) and 84000 (beta), which were present in the ratio of 1:2. Molecular weight of the native enzyme was estimated at 240000 by gel chromatography on Sepharose 6B, suggesting that the enzyme consists of alpha beta 2. The enzyme had maximal activity with phosvitin as the substrate. Casein was less active than phosvitin. Histone, protamine and myosin light-chains were practically ineffective. The enzyme possessed no ability to autophosphorylate. The apparent Km values were 7.4 microM for phosvitin, 65 microM for ATP and 0.6 mM for Mg2+. Vmax was 2.16 mumol/min per mg. The enzyme was inhibited by ammonium sulfate and heparin, and it was not affected by the addition of cyclic nucleotides and Ca2+ with calmodulin or phospholipid.     

Purification and characterization of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase from Lake Van fish (Chalcalburnus tarichii pallas, 1811) liver

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (D-glucose 6-phosphate: NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.49; G6PD) was purified from Lake Van fish (Chalcalburnus tarichii pallas, 1811) liver, using a simple and rapid method, and some characteristics of the enzyme were investigated. The purification procedure was composed of two steps: homogenate preparation and 2', 5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity gel chromatography, which took 7-8 hours. Thanks to the two consecutive procedures, the enzyme, having specific activity of 38 EU/mg protein, was purified with a yield of 44.39% and 1310 fold. In order to control the enzyme purification SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was done. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a single band for enzyme. Optimal pH, stable pH, optimal temperature, Km and, Vmax values for NADP+ and glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) were also determined for the enzyme. In addition, molecular weight and subunit molecular weights were found by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and gel filtration chromatography respectively.     

Purification and properties of the 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone 3 alpha(beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from human prostatic cytosol.

5 alpha-Dihydrotestosterone 3 alpha(beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase [3 alpha(beta)-HSDH] [EC 1.1.1.50/EC 1.1.1.51] which catalyses the conversion of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) to both 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol and 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol was purified to an apparent homogeneous state using cytosol of three human hyperplastic prostates by a 4-step purification procedure. After each purification step 3 alpha-HSDH activity was coincident with 3 beta-HSDH activity. On average, specific 3 alpha-HSDH activity was enriched 856-fold, specific 3 beta-HSDH activity 749-fold compared to human prostatic cytosol using anion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, gel filtration and affinity chromatography. Examination of the purified enzyme by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) revealed a single protein band with silver staining. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated as 33 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and as 28 kDa by Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration indicating that the native 3 alpha(beta)-HSDH is a monomer. In the presence of the preferred co-factor, NADPH, the purified enzyme had a mean apparent Km for 5 alpha-DHT of 3.9 microM and a Vmax of 93.3 nmol (mg protein)-1 h-1 with regard to 3 alpha-HSDH activity, and a Km of 6.3 microM and a Vmax of 20.6 nmol (mg protein)-1 h-1 with regard to 3 beta-HSDH activity.     

"Affinity" chromatography of steroid-transforming enzymes with a non-steroidal ligand.

The chromatographic behaviour of an avian oestradiol-17 beta dehydrogenase, the 3(17) beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas testosteroni and cortisone reductase from Streptomyces dehydrogenans was studied on columns of p-(phenoxypropoxy)aniline attached to CNBr-activated Sepharose. The ligand was effective in adsorbing the oestradiol dehydrogenase from a partially purified extract of chicken liver, and the cortisone reductase was perferentially retained when mixtures of the three dehydrogenases were applied to columns in 10mM-buffer. Under these conditions the 3(17)beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase was eluted in the front, but was adsorbed in the presence of 3 M-KCl. beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase present in the liver preparation was not retained by the ligand, whereas lactate dehydrogenase from rabbit muscle was adsorbed in a manner similar to the retention pattern found on affinity chromatography with 2',5'-ADP--Sepharose. The mean overall purification of the oestradiol dehydrogenase was 13-fold, with a mean recovery of 53%. p-(Phenoxypropoxy)aniline offers promise for the purification of steroid-transforming enzymes where elution with substrate or cofactor is not wanted. It is also suggested that the ligand may be of service in the purification of receptors of hormonal steroids.     

Acid sphingomyelinase from human urine: purification and characterization

Acid sphingomyelinase (sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase, EC 3.1.4.12) was purified from human urine in the presence of 0.1% Nonidet P-40. The activity could be enriched 23,000-fold by sequential chromatography on octyl-Sepharose, concanavalin A-Sepharose, blue Sepharose and DEAE-cellulose. The last purification step yielded an enzyme preparation with a specific activity of about 2.5 mmol sphingomyelin cleaved/h per mg protein and with a yield of about 3%. Purified sphingomyelinase appeared to be homogeneous in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a molecular mass of 70 kDa. In the presence of 0.08% (w/v) sodium taurodeoxycholate the preparation showed phosphodiesterase activity toward sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. These activities co-purified during the entire purification procedure, indicating that the acid sphingomyelinase hydrolyses not only sphingomyelin but also the other two phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. Addition of 100 microM tripalmitoylglycerol to the assay system (which contains 100 microM sphingomyelin) instead of detergent, stimulated the reaction about 20-fold compared to an assay which did not contain detergents, thus offering a very sensitive and efficient system for the assay of sphingomyelinase in a system free of detergents. Sphingomyelin degradation was strongly inhibited by phosphatidylinositol 4',5'-bisphosphate, adenosine 3',5'-diphosphate and adenine-9-beta-D-arabinofuranoside 5'-monophosphate (50% inhibition at inhibitor concentrations of 1-5 microM).     

Isolation of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from rat liver microsomal fraction by affinity chromatography

Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase of rat liver microsomes was purified to an apparently homogeneous state with a recovery of about 36% using 8-aminooctyl Sepharose, DEAE-cellulose and 2′,5′-ADP Sepharose columns. This enzyme was insensitive to SH-reagent p-chloromercuribenzoate and oxidized galactose 6-phosphate, glucose 6-phosphate and glucose, with either NADP or NAD as an electron acceptor. The minimum molecular weight of this enzyme was estimated to be 104,000 in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol.     

Periodate-oxidized NADP+ is a powerful inhibitor of human placental estradiol-17 beta dehydrogenase

Periodate-oxidized NADP+ inhibits the NAD+-linked activity of human placental estradiol-17 beta dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.62). The inhibition appears to be competitive with respect to NAD+ and can be reversed by dialysis or gel filtration. The apparent inhibitor constant for the periodate-oxidized analogue is 0.047 microM. The presence in the incubation mixture of NAD+ protects the enzyme against inhibition. No inhibitory effects of the coenzyme analogue are observed on the NADP+-linked activity of the enzyme.     

Affinity-chromatographic purification of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase. Some properties of the enzyme from rat liver.

S-Adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase has been purified to apparent homogeneity from rat liver by means of affinity chromatography on 8-(3-aminopropylamino)adenosine linked to Sepharose. The purified enzyme was free from adenosine kinase and adenosine deaminase activities and was homogeneous on SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis which gave a subunit mol.wt. of 47 000. The native enzyme showed some microheterogeneity on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis under increased-resolution conditions but was homogeneous on isoelectric focusing (pI 5.6). The molecular weight of the native enzyme was about 220 000 as judged by pore-gradient electrophoresis. The native enzyme bound adenosine tightly and showed Km values of 0.6 microM, 0.9 microM and 60 microM for adenosine, S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine and L-homocysteine respectively. The enzyme was rapidly inactivated when incubated in the presence of adenosine, S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine or several adenosine derivatives or analogues. Inactivation took place both at 0 and 37 degrees C. Freezing in the absence of glycerol resulted in the appearance of dissociation products of the oligomeric protein. Multimer formation was observed at low thiol concentrations.     

Purification and properties of mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase from unfertilized eggs of the sea urchin, Anthocidaris crassispina

Purification and characterization of mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase [EC 1.1.1.37] from unfertilized eggs of the sea urchin, Anthocidaris crassispina, are described. The purification method consisted of dextran sulfate fractionation, Blue Dextran Sepharose chromatography, Phenyl-Sepharose hydrophobic chromatography and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The enzyme was purified 771-fold with a 7% yield from the crude extract. The purified enzyme appeared homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under both native and denatured conditions. After incubation at 45 degrees C for 50 min, the enzyme lost about 90% of its activity. In the presence of NADH, however, the enzyme was protected against the heat denaturation. The native enzyme had a molecular weight of about 65,000 and probably consisted of two identical subunits. In the reduction of oxaloacetate with NADH, a broad optimum pH ranging from 8.2 to 9.4 was found with 50 mM Tris-HCl and glycine-NaOH buffers. Sodium phosphate buffer apparently activated the enzyme. The apparent Km values for oxaloacetate and NADH were 19 microM and 30 microM, respectively. The optimum pH for malate oxidation with NAD+ was 10.2 in 50 mM NaHCO3-Na2CO3 buffer. The apparent Km values for malate and NAD+ were 7.0 mM and 0.6 mM, respectively. Zinc ion, sulfite ion, p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate and adenine nucleotides strongly inhibited the enzyme.     

Isolation and characterization of pig kidney mitochondrial ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase

A two-step affinity chromatography procedure, using 2',5'-ADP-agarose and adrenodoxin-Sepharose 4B affinity supports, was used to purify mitochondrial ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase (EC 1.18.1.2, formerly EC 1.6.7.1) from pig kidney. The 450:270 nm absorbance ratio of the enzyme was 0.128, and it had a specific activity of 16,305 nmol/min/mg for the reduction of cytochrome c. The mitochondrial enzyme was a monomer which contained one molecule of FAD and had calculated molecular masses of 51,500 and 48,000 daltons when determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography gel exclusion chromatography, respectively. The porcine enzyme had a Km for NADPH of 0.94 microM and it expressed maximal activity when coupled with its homologous ferredoxin, although it was also active with the heterologous ferredoxin from bovine adrenal. The purified ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase supported the in vitro reduction of membrane-bound adrenal mitochondrial P-450, and it was demonstrated from immunologic studies that the enzyme shares some common epitopes with bovine adrenodoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase.     

Purification of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase from chicken liver and investigation of some kinetic properties

6-phosphogluconate (6PG) dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.44; 6PGD) was purified from chicken liver; some kinetic and characteristic properties of the enzyme were investigated. The purification procedure consisted of four steps: preparation of the hemolysate, ammonium sulfate precipitation, 2',5'-ADP Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography, and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography. Thanks to the four consecutive procedures, product having a specific activity of 61 U (mg proteins)(-1), was purified 344-fold with a yield of 5.57%. Optimum pH, stable pH, optimum temperature, and KM and Vmax values for NADP+ and 6PG substrates were determined for the enzyme. Molecular weight of the enzyme was also determined by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). In addition, Ki values and inhibition types were estimated by means of Lineweaver-Burk graphs obtained for NADPH and CO2 products.     

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 of rat liver arylsulfatase A and its microheterogeneity assayed by crossed affinity-immunoelectrophoresis.

Arylsulfatase A (arylsulfatase sulfohydrolase) EC 3.1.6.1 was purified from rat liver by a procedure consisting of differential centrifugation, Con A-Sepharose and Blue Sepharose chromatography, PBE 94 chromatofocusing, DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration chromatography followed by preparative electrophoresis. A molecular mass of 132,000 was estimated by gradient PAGE. Particular proteins were detected by immunoelectrophoresis. Isoelectric focusing combined with immunoelectrophoresis gave two peaks of arylsulfatase A, with isoelectric points of pH 3.9 and 4.5. Microheterogeneity of rat liver arylsulfatase A was studied by affinity immunoelectrophoresis with 9 different lectins. The presence of concanavalin A-, Lens culinaris agglutinin-, Lotus tetragonolobus agglutinin- and wheat germ agglutinin-reactive forms permitted assessment of the types of carbohydrate moieties in arylsulfatase A.     

Phosphorylase kinase from chicken skeletal muscle. Quaternary structure, regulatory properties and partial proteolysis

Phosphorylase kinase has been purified from white and red chicken skeletal muscle to near homogeneity, as judged by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) gel electrophoresis. The molecular mass of the native enzyme, estimated by chromatography on Sepharose 4B, is similar to that of rabbit skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase, i.e. 1320 kDa. The purified enzyme both from white and red muscles showed four subunits upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of SDS, corresponding to alpha', beta, gamma' and delta with molecular masses of 140 kDa, 129 kDa, 44 kDa and 17 kDa respectively. Based on the molecular mass of 1320 kDa for the native enzyme and on the molar ratio of subunits as estimated from densitometric tracings of the polyacrylamide gels, a subunit formula (alpha' beta gamma' delta)4 has been proposed. The antiserum against the mixture of the alpha' and beta subunits of chicken phosphorylase kinase gave a single precipitin line with the chicken enzyme but did not cross-react with the rabbit skeletal muscle phosphorylase kinase. The pH 6.8/8.2 activity ratio of phosphorylase kinase from chicken skeletal muscle varied from 0.3 to 0.5 for different preparations of the enzyme. Chicken phosphorylase kinase could utilize rabbit phosphorylase b as a substrate with an apparent Km value of 0.02 mM at pH 8.2. The apparent V (18 mumol min-1 mg-1) and Km values for ATP at pH 8.2 (0.20 mM) were of the same order of magnitude as that of the purified rabbit phosphorylase kinase b. The activity of chicken phosphorylase kinase was largely dependent on Ca2+. The chicken enzyme was activated 2-4-fold by calmodulin and troponin C, with concentrations for half-maximal activation of 2 nM and 0.1 microM respectively. Phosphorylation with the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (up to 2 mol 32P/mol alpha beta gamma delta monomer) and autophosphorylation (up to 8 mol 32P/mol alpha beta gamma delta monomer) increased the activity 1.5-fold and 2-fold respectively. Limited tryptic and chymotryptic hydrolysis of chicken phosphorylase kinase stimulated its activity 2-fold. Electrophoretic analysis of the products of proteolytic attack suggests some differences in the structure of the rabbit and chicken gamma subunits and some similarities in the structure of the rabbit red muscle and chicken alpha'.     

Guinea pig liver 3-hydroxyhexobarbital dehydrogenase. Purification and properties.

3-Hydroxyhexobarbital dehydrogenase, which catalyzes the reversible oxidation of 3-hydroxyhexobarbital to 3-oxohexobarbital, has been purified 470-fold from the soluble fraction of guinea pig liver with a yield of 47%. The specific activity of the purified enzyme is 9.4 units/mg of protein. Results of polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing indicated that the purified enzyme preparation is a single and homogeneous protein. NADP+ served as preferred co-factor, but NAD+ is also utilized in the presence of phosphate ion. The guinea pig liver enzyme possessed a relatively narrow substrate specificity in comparison with the rabbit liver enzyme. It is very distinctive that guinea pig liver 3-hydroxyhexobarbital dehydrogenase catalyzes the dehydrogenation of 17beta-hydroxysteroids such as testosterone, 4-androstene-3beta,17beta-diol, 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol, 5alpha-androstane-3beta,17beta-diol, 5alpha-androstan-17beta-ol-3-one, and 5beta-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol.     

Human brain "high Km" aldehyde dehydrogenase: purification, characterization, and identification as NAD+ -dependent succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase

NAD-dependent succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.24) has been purified to homogeneity from human brain via ion-exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography employing Blue Sepharose and 5'-AMP Sepharose. Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase was never previously purified to homogeneity from any species; this preparation therefore allows the determination of its molecular weight, subunit molecular weight, subunit composition, isoelectric points, and substrate specificity for the first time. The enzyme is a tetramer of Mr230,000 to 245,000 and consists of weight-nonidentical subunits (Mr 61,000 and 63,000). On isoelectric focusing the enzyme separates into five bands with the following isoelectric points: 6.3, 6.6, 6.8, 6.95, and 7.15. Its substrates include glutaric semialdehyde, nitrobenzaldehyde, and short chain aliphatic aldehydes in addition to succinic semialdehyde which is the best substrate. The Km values for succinic semialdehyde, acetaldehyde, and propionaldehyde are 1,875, and 580 microM, respectively. The enzyme is inactive with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde and indole-3-acetaldehyde as substrates. Its subcellular localization is in the mitochondrial fraction. Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase is sensitive to inhibition by disulfiram (a drug used therapeutically to produce alcohol aversion) resembling, in this respect, aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3). It does not, however, interact with the antibody developed in the rabbit vs aldehyde dehydrogenase, suggesting that the two enzymes are structurally distinct.     

Demonstration of 3 alpha(17 beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase distinct from 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in hamster liver.

NAD(+)-linked and NADP(+)-linked 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases were purified to homogeneity from hamster liver cytosol. The two monomeric enzymes, although having similar molecular masses of 38,000, differed from each other in pI values, activation energy and heat stability. The two proteins also gave different fragmentation patterns by gel electrophoresis after digestion with protease. The NADP(+)-linked enzyme catalysed the oxidoreduction of various 3 alpha-hydroxysteroids, whereas the NAD(+)-linked enzyme oxidized the 3 alpha-hydroxy group of pregnanes and some bile acids, and the 17 beta-hydroxy group of testosterone and androstanes. The thermal stabilities of the 3 alpha- and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities of the NAD(+)-linked enzyme were identical, and the two enzyme activities were inhibited by mixing 17 beta- and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid substrates, respectively. Medroxyprogesterone acetate, hexoestrol and 3 beta-hydroxysteroids competitively inhibited 3 alpha- and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities of the enzyme. These results show that hamster liver contains a 3 alpha(17 beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase structurally and functionally distinct from 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.