The role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in the inhibition of bovine liver S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase by neplanocin A

Neoplanocin A, a cyclopentenyl analog of adenosine, has been shown recently to be a tight binding inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase (EC 3.3.1.1), exhibiting a stoichiometry of one molecule of inhibitor per molecule of the enzyme tetramer (Borchardt, R. T., Keller, B. T., and Patel-Thombre, U. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 4353-4358). In the present study a detailed analysis was performed of the possible role of the enzyme-bound NAD+ in the inactivation of AdoHcy hydrolase by neplanocin A. The NAD+/NADH content was quantitated using a fluorescence technique. The native enzyme showed intrinsic fluorescence with an emission maximum at 460 nm when excited at 340 nm, partially due to NADH bound to the enzyme. It was found that the content of NAD+ and NADH in freshly prepared, native enzyme is equal, having a stoichiometry of two nucleotides per enzyme molecule (tetramer). In addition, it was observed that the enzymatic activity of the native enzyme can be increased by about 30% following preincubation with NAD+. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the mechanism of inhibition of AdoHcy hydrolase by neplanocin A involves the reduction of enzymatically bound NAD+ to NADH. Catalytic activity of the inactivated enzyme could be fully recovered in a time-dependent manner by further incubation with NAD+ (but not NADH). It was also found that inhibition by neplanocin A does not involve dissociation of the bound NAD+ or NADH from the enzyme, but simply reduction of the NAD+ to NADH.     

Adenosine dialdehyde and neplanocin A: Potent inhibitors of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase in neuroblastoma N2a cells

S-Adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AdoHcy hydrolase, E.C. 3.3.1.1) catalyzes the metabolism of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) to adenosine (Ado) and homocysteine (Hcy) in mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells. AdoHcy hydrolase in N2a cells can be inhibited completely by adenosine dialdehyde (Ado dialdehyde) or neplanocin A. The inhibitory effects of Ado dialdehyde (2.5 μM) and neplanocin A (1 μM) on cellular AdoHcy hydrolase were time-dependent, with total enzyme inhibition occurring after 30 min and 15 min of incubation, respectively. The inhibition of AdoHcy hydrolase produced by Ado dialdehyde and neplanocin A persisted for up to 72 h of incubation, and was paralleled by a time-dependent increase in endogenous AdoHcy levels reaching a maximum 4-fold elevation after 8 h of incubation with Ado dialdehyde and an 11-fold increase in the neplanocin A-treated cells. This increase in AdoHcy levels produced a subsequent inhibition of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)-dependent cellular methylations (e.g. protein carboxylmethylation (PCM), lipid methylation). In addition, neplanocin A was metabolically converted to the corresponding AdoMet analog, S-neplanocylmethionine (NepMet), in neuroblastoma N2a cells. NepMet reached maximum levels after 8 h of incubation of the cells with neplanocin A.     

The mechanism of inhibition of Alcaligenes faecalis S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase by neplanocin A

Neplanocin A, a cyclopentenyl analog of adenosine, has been reported by S. Yaginuma, N. Muto, M. Tsujino, Y. Sudate, M. Hayashi, and M. Otari (1981) J. Antibiot. 34, 359-366 to exhibit antibacterial activity against Alcaligenes faecalis. Since neplanocin A (NpcA) is a known inhibitor of eukaryotic S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase (EC 3.3.1.1) (R. T. Borchardt, B. T. Keller, and U. Patel-Thombre (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 4353-4358), the present study was undertaken to determine the effects of this carbocyclic nucleoside on AdoHcy hydrolase isolated from a prokaryotic source (A. faecalis). AdoHcy hydrolase was purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography on an AdoHcy-agarose matrix from A. faecalis. Neplanocin A inactivated the purified AdoHcy hydrolase in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and the enzyme activity could not be recovered by dialysis. The inactivation of this bacterial enzyme by neplanocin A is accompanied by a reduction of three of the six enzyme-bound NAD+s to NADHs. These results suggest that the prokaryotic enzyme, like the eukaryotic AdoHcy hydrolase, is susceptible to inhibition by neplanocin A. The mechanism of inactivation in both cases appears to be a Kcat mechanism involving the reduction of the enzyme-bound NAD+ to NADH. The fact that total inhibition of the prokaryotic AdoHcy hydrolase by NpcA results in a reduction of only three of the six enzyme-bound NAD+s to NADHs suggests that the enzyme shows half-site reactivity (i.e., only three of the six subunits are catalytically active).     

Adenine nucleoside dialdehydes: potent inhibitors of bovine liver S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase

Various ribonucleoside 2',3'-dialdehydes, including adenosine dialdehyde, S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) dialdehyde, and 5-(methylthio)-5'-deoxyadenosine (MTA) dialdehyde, were shown to be potent inhibitors of bovine liver AdoHcy hydrolase (EC 3.3.1.1). These ribonucleoside 2',3'-dialdehydes produce both time-dependent and concentration-dependent inactivation of the AdoHcy hydrolase. The inactivation appears to be irreversible since the enzyme activity cannot be recovered after prolonged dialysis against phosphate buffer. However, a substantial percentage of the enzyme activity could be recovered when the inactivated enzyme was dialyzed against a nitrogen buffer [e.g., tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris)]. This reversal of inhibition could be prevented, however, by pretreatment of the ligand-enzyme complex with sodium borohydride prior to dialysis in Tris buffer. Inclusion of substrates (e.g., adenosine or AdoHcy) afforded protection of the enzyme from the inactivation induced by the ribonucleoside 2',3'-dialdehydes. These data suggest that the bond formed between the enzyme and the inhibitor is probably a Schiff base linkage between the aldehydic functionality of the inhibitor and a protein lysinyl residue in or around the adenosine-AdoHcy binding site. When [2,8-3H]adenosine dialdehyde was used, a stoichiometry of 1.73 nmol of inhibitor bound per nmol of AdoHcy hydrolase was determined. Analysis of the kinetics of enzyme inactivation using the Ackermann-Potter approach indicates that adenosine dialdehyde is a tight-binding inhibitor, exhibiting a stoichiometry of one to two molecules of inhibitor bound to one molecule (tetramer) of enzyme and a Ki = 2.39 nM.     

Carbocyclic Adenosine Analogues as S-Adenosylhomocysteine Hydrolase Inhibitors and Antiviral Agents: Recent Advances

Abstract

Various carbocyclic analogues of adenosine, including aristeromycin (carbocyclic adenosine), carbocyclic 3-deazaadenosine, neplanocin A, 3-deazaneplanocin A, the 5′-nor derivatives of aristeromycin, carbocylic 3-deazaadenosine, neplanocin A and 3-deazaneplanocin A, and the 2-halo (i.e., 2-fluoro) and 6′-R-alkyl (i.e., 6′-R-methyl) derivatives of neplanocin A have been recognized as potent inhibitors of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase. This enzyme plays a key role in methylation reactions depending on S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) as methyl donor. AdoHcy hydrolase inhibitors have been shown to exert broad-spectrum antiviral activity against pox-, paramyxo-, rhabdo-, filo-, bunya-, arena-, and reoviruses. They also interfere with the replication of human immunodeficiency virus through inhibition of the Tat transactivation process.     

Antiviral potency of adenosine analogues: correlation with inhibition of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase

For a series of adenosine analogues a close correlation (r = 0.986) was found between their antiviral potency (against vesicular stomatitis virus) and their inhibitory effects (Ki/Km) on S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase; thus, in order of increasing inhibitory potency for both virus replication and AdoHcy hydrolase activity: (S)-9-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)adenine less than (RS)-3-adenin-9-yl-2-hydroxypropanoic acid (isobutyl ester) less than carbocyclic 3-deazaadenosine less than neplanocin A. Our findings point to AdoHcy hydrolase as the target for the broad-spectrum antiviral activity of these adenosine analogues.     

Role of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase in adenosine-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells

Adenosine has been shown to initiate apoptosis through different mechanisms: (i) activation of adenosine receptors, (ii) intracellular conversion to AMP and stimulation of AMP-activated kinase, (iii) conversion to S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy), which is an inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)-dependent methyltransferases. Since the pathways involved are still not completely understood, we further investigated the role of AdoHcy hydrolase in adenosine-induced apoptosis. In HepG2 cells, adenosine induced caspase-like activity and DNA fragmentation, a marker of apoptosis. These effects were potentiated by co-incubation with homocysteine or adenosine deaminase inhibitor, pentostatin, and were mimicked by inhibition of AdoHcy hydrolase by adenosine-2',3'-dialdehyde (Adox). Adenosine-induced effects were significantly inhibited by dipyridamole, an inhibitor of adenosine transporter, whereas inhibitors of adenosine kinase did not affect adenosine-induced changes. Various adenosine receptor agonists and AICAR, an activator of AMP-activated kinase, did not mimic the effect of adenosine. Thus, adenosine-induced apoptosis is likely due to intracellular action of AdoHcy and independent of AMP-activated kinase and adenosine receptors. Because elevated AdoHcy levels are associated with reduced mRNA methylation, we studied mRNA expression in Adox-treated cells by microarray analysis. Since several p53-target genes and other apoptosis-related genes were up-regulated by Adox, we conclude that AdoHcy is involved in adenosine-induced apoptosis by altering gene expression.     

Trypanosoma cruzi: molecular cloning and characterization of the S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase

S-Adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase has emerged as an attractive target for antiparasitic drug design because of its role in the regulation of all S-adenosylmethionine-dependent transmethylation reactions, including those reactions crucial for parasite replication. From a genomic DNA library of Trypanosoma cruzi, we have isolated a gene that encodes a polypeptide containing a highly conserved AdoHcy hydrolase consensus sequence. The recombinant T. cruzi enzyme was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified as a homotetramer. At pH 7.2 and 37 degrees C, the purified enzyme hydrolyzes AdoHcy to adenosine and homocysteine with a first-order rate constant of 1 s(-1) and synthesizes AdoHcy from adenosine and homocysteine with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 3 s(-1) in the presence of 1 mM homocysteine. The reversible catalysis depends on the binding of NAD(+) to the enzyme. In spite of the significant structural homology between the parasitic and human AdoHcy hydrolase, the K(d) of 1.3 microM for NAD(+) binding to the T. cruzi enzyme is approximately 11-fold higher than the K(d) (0.12 microM) for NAD(+) binding to the human enzyme.     

John Montgomery's legacy: carbocyclic adenosine analogues as SAH hydrolase inhibitors with broad-spectrum antiviral activity

Ever since the S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy, SAH) hydrolase was recognized as a pharmacological target for antiviral agents (J. A. Montgomery et al., J. Med. Chem. 25:626-629, 1982), an increasing number of adenosine, acyclic adenosine, and carbocyclic adenosine analogues have been described as potent SAH hydrolase inhibitors endowed with broad-spectrum antiviral activity. The antiviral activity spectrum of the SAH hydrolase inhibitors include pox-, rhabdo-, filo-, arena-, paramyxo-, reo-, and retroviruses. Among the most potent SAH hydrolase inhibitors and antiviral agents rank carbocyclic 3-deazaadenosine (C-c3 Ado), neplanocin A, 3-deazaneplanocin A, the 5'-nor derivatives of carbocyclic adenosine (C-Ado, aristeromycin), and the 2-halo (i.e., 2-fluoro) and 6'-R-alkyl (i.e., 6'-R-methyl) derivatives of neplanocin A. These compounds are particularly active against poxviruses (i.e., vaccinia virus), and rhabdoviruses (i.e., vesicular stomatitis virus). The in vivo efficacy of C-c3 Ado and 3-deazaneplanocin A has been established in mouse models for vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, and Ebola virus. SAH hydrolase inhibitors such as C-c3Ado and 3-deazaneplanocin A should in thefirst place be considered for therapeutic (or prophylactic) use against poxvirus infections, including smallpox, and hemorrhagic fever virus infections such as Ebola.     

Overexpression, purification, and characterization of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase from Leishmania donovani

The gene encoding S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase in Leishmania donovani was subcloned into an expression vector (pPROK-1) and expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant L. donovani AdoHcy hydrolase was then purified from cell-free extracts of E. coli using three chromatographic steps (DEAE-cellulose chromatofocusing, Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration, and Q-Sepharose ion exchange). The purified recombinant L. donovani enzyme exists as a tetramer with a molecular weight of approximately 48 kDa for each subunit. Unlike recombinant human AdoHcy hydrolase, the catalytic activity of the recombinant L. donovani enzyme was shown to be dependent on the concentration of NAD+ in the incubation medium. The dissociation constant (Kd) for NAD+ with the L. donovani enzyme was estimated to be 2.1 +/- 0.2 microM. The Km values for the natural substrates of the enzyme, AdoHcy, Ado, and Hcy, were determined to be 21 +/- 3, 8 +/- 2, and 82 +/- 5 microM, respectively. Several nucleosides and carbocyclic nucleosides were tested for their inhibitory effects on this parasitic enzyme, and the results suggested that L. donovani AdoHcy hydrolase has structural requirements for binding inhibitors different than those of the human enzyme. Thus, it may be possible to eventually exploit these differences to design specific inhibitors of this parasitic enzyme as potential antiparasitic agents.     

Computational characterization of substrate binding and catalysis in S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase.

S-Adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase catalyzes the reversible hydrolysis of AdoHcy to adenosine (Ado) and homocysteine (Hcy), playing an essential role in modulating the cellular Hcy levels and regulating activities of a host of methyltransferases in eukaryotic cells. This enzyme exists in an open conformation (active site unoccupied) and a closed conformation (active site occupied with substrate or inhibitor) [Turner, M. A., Yang, X., Yin, D., Kuczera, K., Borchardt, R. T., and Howell, P. L. (2000) Cell Biochem. Biophys. 33, 101-125]. To investigate the binding of natural substrates during catalysis, the computational docking program AutoDock (with confirming calculations using CHARMM) was used to predict the binding modes of various substrates or inhibitors with the closed and open forms of AdoHcy hydrolase. The results have revealed that the interaction between a substrate and the open form of the enzyme is nonspecific, whereas the binding of the substrate in the closed form is highly specific with the adenine moiety of a substrate as the main recognition factor. Residues Thr57, Glu59, Glu156, Gln181, Lys186, Asp190, Met351, and His35 are involved in substrate binding, which is consistent with the crystal structure. His55 in the docked model appears to participate in the elimination of water from Ado through the interaction with the 5'-OH group of Ado. In the same reaction, Asp131 removes a proton from the 4' position of the substrate after the oxidation-reduction reaction in the enzyme. To identify the residues that bind the Hcy moiety, AdoHcy was docked to the closed form of AdoHcy hydrolase. The Hcy tail is predicted to interact with His55, Cys79, Asn80, Asp131, Asp134, and Leu344 in a strained conformation, which may lower the reaction barrier and enhance the catalysis rate.     

Characterization of three rabbit liver lysosomal proteinases with fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase converting enzyme activity

A large number of nucleoside analogs have been found to inactivate S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase in a time-dependent irreversible manner. There are two classes of these irreversible inhibitors: (A) analogs that inactivate the enzyme in a pseudofirst-order process and are devoid of any side chain at the 5′-OH group; (B) analogs that inactivate the enzyme in a time-dependent but curvilinear process, and generally have a side chain at the 5′ position. Among the more potent irreversible inhibitors are 2-chloroadenosine, 9-β-d-arabinofuranosyladenine (Ara-A), and (±)aristeromycin. Release of adenine base from adenosine or Ara-A in the presence of AdoHcy hydrolase was observed, thus supporting the proposed catalytic mechanism of AdoHcy hydrolase, that entails the transient formation of 3′-ketoadenosine during enzymatic catalysis of either the formation or hydrolysis of AdoHcy. Both Ara-A and adenosine may exert their irreversible inactivation by a suicide mechanism, but nucleosides such as 5′-iodo-5′-deoxyadenosine and 3′-deoxyadenosine are probably strictly irreversible inhibitors per se in view of the catalytic mechanism proposed for AdoHcy hydrolase. Labeling of AdoHcy hydrolase, perhaps covalent in nature, by radioactive Ara-A and adenosine was demonstrated by gel electrophoresis.     

New Neplanocin Analogues. V. A Potent Adenosylhomocysteine Hydrolase Inhibitor Lacking Antiviral Activity. Synthesis And Antiviral Activity Of 6″-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives Of Neplanocin A 1

Abstract

The 6′-carboxylic acid derivative of neplanocin A 3 was synthesized from NPA, and was converted to the corresponding methyl ester 4 and amides 5 and 6. These were evaluated for their anti-RNA-virus activities. Of the derivatives synthesized, only 5 was active against RNA viruses within the concentration range of 0.14-4.88 μg/mL. Compounds 3 and 5 showed a potent inhibitory effect on S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase from rabbit erythrocytes. Although a close correlation between the inhibitory effect of adenosine analogues on AdoHcy hydrolase and their antiviral potency has been demonstrated, 3 did not show any anti-RNA-virus activities.

     

John Montgomery's Legacy: Carbocyclic Adenosine Analogues as Sah Hydrolase Inhibitors with Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Activity

Ever since the S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy, SAH) hydrolase was recognized as a pharmacological target for antiviral agents (J. A. Montgomery et al., J. Med. Chem. 25:626–629, 1982), an increasing number of adenosine, acyclic adenosine, and carbocyclic adenosine analogues have been described as potent SAH hydrolase inhibitors endowed with broad-spectrum antiviral activity. The antiviral activity spectrum of the SAH hydrolase inhibitors include pox-, rhabdo-, filo-, arena-, paramyxo-, reo-, and retroviruses. Among the most potent SAH hydrolase inhibitors and antiviral agents rank carbocyclic 3-deazaadenosine (C-c³Ado), neplanocin A, 3-deazaneplanocin A, the 5′-nor derivatives of carbocyclic adenosine (C-Ado, aristeromycin), and the 2-halo (i.e., 2-fluoro) and 6′-R-alkyl (i.e., 6′-R-methyl) derivatives of neplanocin A. These compounds are particularly active against poxviruses (i.e., vaccinia virus), and rhabdoviruses (i.e., vesicular stomatitis virus). The in vivo efficacy of C-c³Ado and 3-deazaneplanocin A has been established in mouse models for vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, and Ebola virus. SAH hydrolase inhibitors such as C-c³Ado and 3-deazaneplanocin A should in the first place be considered for therapeutic (or prophylactic) use against poxvirus infections, including smallpox, and hemorrhagic fever virus infections such as Ebola.     

Effects of ligand binding and oxidation on hinge-bending motions in S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase

Domain motions of S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase have been detected by time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements. Time constants for reorientational motions in the native enzyme were compared with those for enzymes where key residues were altered by site-directed mutation. Mutations M351P, H353A, and P354A were selected in a hinge region for motion between the open and closed forms of the enzyme, as identified in a previous normal-mode study [Wang et al. (2005) Domain motions and the open-to-closed conformational transition of an enzyme: A normal-mode analysis of S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine hydrolase, Biochemistry 44, 7228-7239]. In wild-type, substrate-free AdoHcy hydrolase (NAD(+) cofactor in each subunit), reorientational motions were detected on time scales of 10-20 and 80-90 ns. The faster motion is attributed to the domain motion, and the slower motion is attributed to the tumbling of the enzyme. The domain motion was also detected for the enzyme complexes E(NADH/3'-keto-adenosine) and E(NAD(+)/3'-deoxyadenosine) but was absent for the complex E(NADH/3'-keto-neplanocin A). The results indicate that AdoHcy hydrolase exists in equilibrium of open and closed structures, with the equilibrium shifted toward the more mobile open form for the substrate-free enzyme, E(NAD(+)), and for intermediates formed early in the catalytic cycle after substrate binding or formed late prior to product release, E(NAD(+)/ligand). However, the strong inhibitor neplanocin A upon binding undergoes oxidation, forming the complex E(NADH/3'-keto-neplanocin). For this complex, which is analogous to the enzyme complex with the central catalytic intermediate, the equilibrium was shifted toward the more rigid closed form. A similar pattern was observed for M351P and P354A mutants. In contrast, the domain motion could not be detected, either in the absence or presence of ligands or with the cofactor in either the oxidized or reduced state, for the H353A protein, suggesting that this mutation changes the hinge-bending dynamics of the enzyme.     

AdoHcy hydrolase of Trichomonas vaginalis: studies of the effects of 5'-modified adenosine analogues and related 6-N-cyclopropyl derivatives

Trypanosoma brucei and Trichomonas vaginalis are both parasitic protozoans that are known to share many similar biochemical pathways. Aristeromycin, as well as 5'-iodovinyl and 5'-oxime analogues of adenosine, are potent inhibitors of AdoHcy hydrolase in T. brucei, an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of AdoHcy to adenosine and L-homocysteine. To help determine the role of this enzyme in T. vaginalis, we have tested a library of 5'-modified adenosine derivatives, including 5'-deoxy-5'-(iodomethylene)-adenosine and related 6-N-cyclopropyl analogues. Our results indicate that these inhibitors are effective at inhibiting the growth of T. vaginalis, by as much as 95%.     

Catalytic mechanism of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase: roles of His 54, Asp130, Glu155, Lys185, and Aspl89

S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AdoHcyase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) to form adenosine and homocysteine. The crystal structure of the K185N mutated enzyme, which has weak catalytic activity (0.1%), has been determined at 2.8 A resolution and supports the previously predicted mechanism [Takata, Y., Yamada, T., Huang, Y., Komoto, J., Gomi, T., Ogawa, H., Fujioka, M., & Takusagawa, F. (2002). Catalytic mechanism of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase. Site-directed mutagenesis of Asp-130, Lys-185, Asp-189, and Asn-190. J. Biol. Chem. 277, 22670-22676]. The mutated enzyme has an intermediate structure between the open and closed conformation, observed in the substrate-free enzyme and in the inhibitor complexes, respectively. H54, H300, and H352 were mutated to asparagine, respectively, to identify the roles of the histidine residues in catalysis. The kinetic data of H54N, H300N, and H354N mutated enzymes suggest that H54 is the amino acid residue that acts as a general acid/base to cleave the C5'-S(D) bond of AdoHcy. The E155Q mutated enzyme retained a large portion of the catalytic activity (31%), while the E155D mutated enzyme lost most of it (0.3%). The NADH accumulation measurements of the mutated enzymes indicated that the C3'-oxidation and the C4'-proton abstraction are a concerted event and the C5'-S(D) bond cleavage is an independent event. The C4'-proton exchange measurements indicate that the enzyme has an open conformation when AdoHcy is converted to 3'-keto-4', 5'-dehydro-Ado in the active site. With the results of this study and those of the previous studies, a detailed catalytic mechanism of AdoHcyase is described. K185 facilitates the C3'-oxidation, D130 abstracts the C4'-proton, D189, and E155 act as a communicator between the concerted C3'-oxidation and C4'-proton abstraction, and H54 plays as a general acid to cleave the C5'-S(D) bond of AdoHcy.     

Catalytic strategy of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase: transition-state stabilization and the avoidance of abortive reactions

S-Adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AdoHcy hydrolase) crystallizes from solutions containing the intermediate analogue neplanocin A with the analogue bound in its 3'-keto form at the active sites of all of its four subunits and the four tightly bound cofactors in their reduced (NADH) state. The enzyme is in the closed conformation, which corresponds to the structure in which the catalytic chemistry occurs. Examination of the structure in the light of available, very detailed kinetic studies [Porter, D. J., Boyd, F. L. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 21616-21625. Porter, D. J., Boyd, F. L. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 3205-3213. Porter, D. J. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 66-73] suggests elements of the catalytic strategy of AdoHcy hydrolase for acceleration of the reversible conversion of AdoHcy to adenosine (Ado) and homocysteine (Hcy). The enzyme, each subunit of which possesses a substrate-binding domain that in the absence of substrate is in rapid motion relative to the tetrameric core of the enzyme, first binds substrate and ceases motion. Probably concurrently with oxidation of the substrate to its 3'-keto form, the closed active site is "sealed off" from the environment, as indicated by a large (10(8)(-)(9)-fold) reduction in the rate of departure of ligands, a feature that prevents exposure of the labile 3'-keto intermediates to the aqueous environment. Elimination of the 5'-substituent (Hcy in the hydrolytic direction, water in the synthetic direction) generates the central intermediate 4',5'-didehydro-5'-deoxy-3'-ketoadenosine. Abortive 3'-reduction of the central intermediate is prevented by a temporary suspension of all or part of the redox catalytic power of the enzyme during the existence of the central intermediate. The abortive reduction is 10(4)-fold slower than the productive reductions at the ends of the catalytic cycle and has a rate constant similar to those of nonenzymic intramolecular model reactions. The mechanism for suspending the redox catalytic power appears to be a conformationally induced increase in the distance across which hydride transfer must occur between cofactor and substrate, the responsible conformational change again being that which "seals" the active site. The crystal structure reveals a well-defined chain of three water molecules leading from the active site to the subunit surface, which may serve as a relay for proton exchange between solvent and active site in the closed form of the enzyme, permitting maintenance of active-site functional groups in catalytically suitable protonation states.     

Mechanisms of inactivation of human S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase by 5',5',6',6'-tetradehydro-6'-deoxy-6'-halohomoadenosines

In an effort to design more specific and potent inhibitors of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase, we investigated the mechanisms by which 5',5',6', 6'-tetradehydro-6'-deoxy-6'-halohomoadenosines (X = Cl, Br, I) inactivated this enzyme. The 6'-chloro (a) and 6'-bromo (b) acetylenic nucleoside analogues produced partial ( approximately 50%) loss of enzyme activity with a concomitant ( approximately 50%) reduction of E-NAD(+) to E-NADH. In addition, Ade and halide ions were released from the inhibitors in amounts suggestive of a process involving enzyme catalysis. AdoHcy hydrolase, which was inactivated with compound a, was shown to contain 2 mol of the inhibitor covalently bound to Lys318 of two subunits of the homotetramer. These data suggest that the enzyme-mediated water addition at the 5' position of compound a or b produces an alpha-halomethyl ketone intermediate, which is then attacked by a proximal nucleophile (i.e., Lys318) to form the enzyme-inhibitor covalent adduct (lethal event); in a parallel pathway (nonlethal event), addition of water at the 6' position produces an acyl halide, which is released into solution and chemically degrades into Ade, halide ion, and sugar-derived products. In contrast, compound c completely inactivated AdoHcy hydrolase by converting 2 equiv of E-NAD(+) to E-NADH and causing the release of 2 equiv of E-NAD(+) into solution. Four moles of the inhibitor was shown to be tightly bound to the tetrameric enzyme. These data suggest that compound c inactivates AdoHcy hydrolase by a mechanism similar to the acetylenic analogue of Ado described previously by Parry et al. [(1991) Biochemistry 30, 9988-9997].