Engineering of a matched pair of xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase for xylose fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for xylose fermentation has often relied on insertion of a heterologous pathway consisting of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) NAD(P)H-dependent xylose reductase (XR) and NAD⁺-dependent xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH). Low ethanol yield, formation of xylitol and other fermentation by-products are seen for many of the S. cerevisiae strains constructed in this way. This has been ascribed to incomplete coenzyme recycling in the steps catalyzed by XR and XDH. Despite various protein-engineering efforts to alter the coenzyme specificity of XR and XDH individually, a pair of enzymes displaying matched utilization of NAD(H) and NADP(H) was not previously reported. We have introduced multiple site-directed mutations in the coenzyme-binding pocket of Galactocandida mastotermitis XDH to enable activity with NADP⁺, which is lacking in the wild-type enzyme. We describe four enzyme variants showing activity for xylitol oxidation by NADP⁺ and NAD⁺. One of the XDH variants utilized NADP⁺ about 4 times more efficiently than NAD⁺. This is close to the preference for NADPH compared with NADH in mutants of Candida tenuis XR. Compared to an S. cerevisiae-reference strain expressing the genes for the wild-type enzymes, the strains comprising the gene encoding the mutated XDH in combination a matched XR mutant gene showed up to 50% decreased glycerol yield without increase in ethanol during xylose fermentation.     

Redox involvement in acid secretion in the amphibian gastric mucosa

Summary Gastric fundic metabolism was studied by spectroscopic observation in frog mucosa during transitions of secretory status in vitro and by direct measurement of pyridine nucleotides and associated metabolites in biopsies of dog fundic mucosa also during secretory oxidation of the redox components from flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) to cytochromea ₃. Addition of histamine resulted in reduction of these components with onset of secretion by about 50%. In contrast, the effect of apparently, burimamide and subsequently histamine on the ratio of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced (NAD⁺/NADH) was relatively slight. Further, the presence of burimamide substantially reduces the effect of amytal on the pyridine nucleotide spectrum and abolishes the effect of amytal on FAD and the cytochromes. Measurements of lactate, pyruvate, -ketoglutarate, NH₃ and glutamate in the dog showed that whereas the calculated NAD⁺/NADH ratio in the cytoplasm declined with onset of secretion, the calculated mitochondrial ratio rose. No change was noted in the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced (NADP⁺/NADPH) ratio. It is concluded that (1) H₂ antagonists act by blocking substrate flow into the mitochondrial respiratory chain, (2) conversely, histamine stimulation acts at the level of substrate mobilization, and (3) there may be a cross-over in the mitochondrial chain between NAD⁺ and FAD.     

A hydrogen bond network in the active site of Anabaena ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase modulates its catalytic efficiency

Ferredoxin-nicotinamide–adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP⁺) reductase (FNR) catalyses the production of reduced nicotinamide–adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in photosynthetic organisms, where its flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor takes two electrons from two reduced ferredoxin (Fd) molecules in two sequential steps, and transfers them to NADP⁺ in a single hydride transfer (HT) step. Despite the good knowledge of this catalytic machinery, additional roles can still be envisaged for already reported key residues, and new features are added to residues not previously identified as having a particular role in the mechanism. Here, we analyse for the first time the role of Ser59 in Anabaena FNR, a residue suggested by recent theoretical simulations as putatively involved in competent binding of the coenzyme in the active site by cooperating with Ser80. We show that Ser59 indirectly modulates the geometry of the active site, the interaction with substrates and the electronic properties of the isoalloxazine ring, and in consequence the electron transfer (ET) and HT processes. Additionally, we revise the role of Tyr79 and Ser80, previously investigated in homologous enzymes from plants. Our results probe that the active site of FNR is tuned by a H-bond network that involves the side-chains of these residues and that results to critical optimal substrate binding, exchange of electrons and, particularly, competent disposition of the C4n (hydride acceptor/donor) of the nicotinamide moiety of the coenzyme during the reversible HT event.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies on pyridine dinucleotides. The pH dependence of the carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance of NAD+ analogs.

The pH dependence of the ¹³C chemical shifts for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺), thionicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (TNAD⁺), pyridine adenine dinucleotide (PyrAD⁺), N-methyl-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (N-Me-NAD⁺), acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide (AcPyAD⁺), nicotinamide hypoxanthine dinucleotide (NHD⁺), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP⁺) are reported. In these analogs the ¹³C chemical shifts of the pyridinium moiety reflect the pK_a of the opposing purine base, while the ¹³C chemical shift dependence on pD for the pyridinium carbons of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN⁺) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP), 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide (N(a)AD⁺) are not influenced by the adenine ring in the pD range tested. Through the use of ¹³C-labeled NAD⁺, the source of the pH dependence of the ¹³C chemical shifts was shown to be intramolecular in origin. However, serious doubt is cast on the utility of employing the pD dependence of chemical shift data to determine the nature of solution conformers or their relative populations.     

Quantitative histochemistry of nicotinamide adenine nucleotides in retina of monkey and rabbit

The levels of NADP⁺, NADPH, NAD⁺ and NADH were measured in the different layers of retinas from rabbit and monkey. Samples (0.1 μg) were dissected from frozen-dried sections. The sum of oxidized and reduced forms was obtained by analysis of samples diluted several thousand fold in 0.02 n -NaOH at 0°. The reduced forms were measured by analysis of the same alkaline preparation after heating to destroy NADP⁺ and NAD⁺. All assays were made at 1:100,000 tissue dilution by enzymic cycling, which is capable of measuring 10⁻¹⁴ moles of nucleotides. Profiles of nicotinamide adenine nucleotide levels werecomparable in monkey and rabbit. Both total NADP and NAD were lowest in the outer segments of the retina and highest in the inner layers. NADP of the outer layers (1-2b) was oxidized to a high degree. This was particularly striking for layer 2b, which is rich in mitochondria. In the inner layers the fraction of NADPH rose to 0.7 of the total NADP. NAD on the contrary was highly oxidized in all ten layers of the retina. Three aspects of these results seem significant: (1) The profile for NADP was not related to the distribution of any of four major NADP-requiring dehydrogenases or their sum; (2) the ratio of total NADP/NADPH in the mitochondrial layer was much higher than expected from studies with isolated mitochondria; and (3) the amount of total NADP was surprisingly high in non-mitochondrial layers.     

Towards the competent conformation for catalysis in the ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase from the Brucella ovis pathogen

Brucella ovis encodes a bacterial subclass 1 ferredoxin-NADP(H) reductase (BoFPR) that, by similarity with other FPRs, is expected either to deliver electrons from NADPH to the redox-based metabolism and/or to oxidize NADPH to regulate the soxRS regulon that protects bacteria against oxidative damage. Such potential roles for the pathogen survival under infection conditions make of interest to understand and to act on the BoFPR mechanism. Here, we investigate the NADP⁺/H interaction and NADPH oxidation by hydride transfer (HT) to BoFPR. Crystal structures of BoFPR in free and in complex with NADP⁺ hardly differ. The latter shows binding of the NADP⁺ adenosine moiety, while its redox-reactive nicotinamide protrudes towards the solvent. Nonetheless, pre-steady-state kinetics show formation of a charge-transfer complex (CTC-1) prior to the hydride transfer, as well as conversion of CTC-1 into a second charge-transfer complex (CTC-2) concomitantly with the HT event. Thus, during catalysis nicotinamide and flavin reacting rings stack. Kinetic data also identify the HT itself as the rate limiting step in the reduction of BoFPR by NADPH, as well as product release limiting the overall reaction. Using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations with a thermal effect approach we are able to visualise a potential transient catalytically competent interaction of the reacting rings. Simulations indicate that the architecture of the FAD folded conformation in BoFPR might be key in catalysis, pointing to its adenine as an element to orient the reactive atoms in conformations competent for HT.     

Characterization of a new mesophilic,secondary alcohol-utilizing methanogen,Methanobacterium palustre spec. nov. from a peat bog

The isolation and characterization of a new methanogen from a peat bog, Methanobacterium palustre spec. nov., strain F, is described. Strain F grew on H₂/CO₂ and formate in complex medium. It also grew autotrophically on H₂/CO₂. Furthermore, growth on 2-propanol/CO₂ was observed. Methane was formed from CO₂ by oxidation of 2-propanol to acetone or 2-butanol to 2-butanone, but growth on 2-butanol plus CO₂ apparently was too little to be measurable. Similarly, Methanobacterium bryantii M. o. H. and M. o. H. G formed acetone and 2-butanone from 2-propanol and 2-butanol, but no growth was measurable.On the basis of morphological and biochemical features strain F could be excluded from the genus Methanobrevibacter. Due to its cell morphology, lipid composition and polyamine pattern it belonged to the genus Methanobacterium. From known members of this genus strain F could be distinguished either by a different G+C content of the DNA, low DNA-DNA homology with reference strains, lacking serological reactions with anti-S probes and differences in the substrate spectrum.An alcohol dehydrogenase activity, specific for secondary alcohols and its substrate specificity was determined in crude extracts of strain F. NADP⁺ was the only electron carrier that was utilized. No reaction was found with NAD⁺, F₄₂₀, FMN and FAD.Abbreviations NAD⁺ nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - NADH₂ reduced form of NAD⁺ - NADP⁺ nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate - NADPH₂ reduced form of NADP⁺ - FMN flavin adenine mononucleotide - FAD flavin adenine dinucleotide - ADH alcohol dehydrogenase - F₄₂₀ 8-hydroxy-7,8-didemethyl-5-deazaflavin - SSC standard saline citrate (0.15 M NaCl, 0.015 M trisodium citrate, pH 7.5)     

High fructose-containing drinking water-induced steatohepatitis in rats is prevented by the nicotinamide-mediated modulation of redox homeostasis and NADPH-producing enzymes

An imbalance in the redox state, increased levels of lipid precursors and overactivation of de novo lipogenesis determine the development of fibrosis during nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We evaluated the modulation of NADPH-producing enzymes associated with the antifibrotic, antioxidant and antilipemic effects of nicotinamide (NAM) in a model of NASH induced by excess fructose consumption. Male rats were provided drinking water containing 40% fructose for 16 weeks. During the last 12 weeks of fructose administration, water containing NAM was provided to some of the rats for 5 h/day. The biochemical profiles and the ghrelin, leptin, lipoperoxidation and TNF-α levels in serum and the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), malic enzyme (ME) and NADP⁺-dependent isocitric dehydrogenase (IDP) levels, the reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) and reduced/oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) (NAD(P)H/NAD(P)⁺) ratios, and the levels of various lipogenic and fibrotic markers in the liver were evaluated. The results showed that hepatic fibrosis induced by fructose consumption was associated with weight gain, hunger-satiety system dysregulation, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, lipoperoxidation and inflammation. Moreover, increased levels of hepatic G6PD and ME activity and expression, the NAD(P)H/NAD(P)⁺ ratios, and GSSG concentration and increased expression of lipogenic and fibrotic markers were detected, and these alterations were attenuated by NAM administration. Specifically, NAM diminished the activity and expression of G6PD and ME, and this effect was associated with a decrease in the NADPH/NADP⁺ ratios, increased GSH levels and decreased lipoperoxidation and inflammation, ameliorating fibrosis and NASH development. NAM reduces liver steatosis and fibrosis by regulating redox homeostasis through a G6PD- and ME-dependent mechanism.

     

Resolution and reconstitution of Rhodospirillum rubrum pyridine dinucleotide transhydrogenase: localization of substrate binding sites.

Butanedione in the presence of borate buffer reversibly inhibits Rhodospirillum rubrum chromatophore transhydrogenase complex and the separated membrane-bound and soluble factor components of the complex. NADP⁺ completely protected against inactivation of the membrane-bound component, whereas NAD⁺ was without effect. Soluble factor was maximally protected only partially by either NAD⁺ or NADP⁺, but a mixture of the substrates afforded complete protection. NADP⁺-dependent association of soluble factor with factor-depleted membranes was markedly decreased after incubation of membranes with butanedione in the absence, but not in the presence, of NADP⁺. Soluble factor was bound to agarose-NAD and was eluted by NAD⁺, but not by NADP⁺. These results demonstrate the presence of at least three nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide binding sites on R. rubrum transhydrogenase complex, including separate NADP and NAD binding sites on soluble factor and a NADP binding site on the membrane-bound component.     

NADP-Utilizing Enzymes in the Matrix of Plant Mitochondria

Purified potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L. cv Bintie) mitochondria contain soluble, highly latent NAD⁺- and NADP⁺-isocitrate dehydrogenases, NAD⁺- and NADP⁺-malate dehydrogenases, as well as an NADPH-specific glutathione reductase (160, 25, 7200, 160, and 16 nanomoles NAD(P)H per minute and milligram protein, respectively). The two isocitrate dehydrogenase activities, but not the two malate dehydrogenase activities, could be separated by ammonium sulfate precipitation. Thus, the NADP⁺-isocitrate dehydrogenase activity is due to a separate matrix enzyme, whereas the NADP⁺-malate dehydrogenase activity is probably due to unspecificity of the NAD⁺-malate dehydrogenase. NADP⁺-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase had much lower K_ms for NADP⁺ and isocitrate (5.1 and 10.7 micromolar, respectively) than the NAD⁺-specific enzyme (101 micromolar for NAD⁺ and 184 micromolar for isocitrate). A broad activity optimum at pH 7.4 to 9.0 was found for the NADP⁺-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase whereas the NAD⁺-specific enzyme had a sharp optimum at pH 7.8. Externally added NADP⁺ stimulated both isocitrate and malate oxidation by intact mitochondria under conditions where external NADPH oxidation was inhibited. This shows that (a) NADP⁺ is taken up by the mitochondria across the inner membrane and into the matrix, and (b) NADP⁺-reducing activities of malate dehydrogenase and the NADP⁺-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase in the matrix can contribute to electron transport in intact plant mitochondria. The physiological relevance of mitochondrial NADP(H) and soluble NADP(H)-consuming enzymes is discussed in relation to other known mitochondrial NADP(H)-utilizing enzymes.     

A computer model-built structure of the T. congolense trypanothione reductase in complex with NADP

A three-dimensional structure is engineered for the Trypanosoma congolense trypanothione reductase (TpR) using the sequence homology with glutathione reductase (GR) and lipoamide dehydrogenase, molecular graphics, energy optimization and molecular dynamics techniques. The model was extended to include the complex with the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP). The TpR-NADP structure is compared with X-ray data from the glutathione reductase complex with the reduced NADP (NADPH). A model of TpR-NADP including the trypanothione substrate is presented, and an electron-transfer mechanism is proposed.     

Kinetic and nuclear magnetic resonance study of the interaction of NADP+ and NADPH with chicken liver fatty acid synthase

The ionic strength dependence of the second-order rate constant for the association of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and chicken liver fatty acid synthase was determined. This rate constant is 7.2 X 10(7) M-1 s-1 at zero ionic strength and 25 degrees C; the effective charge at the cofactor binding sites is +0.8. The conformations of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+) and NADPH bound to the beta-ketoacyl and enoyl reductase sites were determined from transferred nuclear Overhauser effect measurements. Covalent modification of the enzyme with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate abolished cofactor binding at the enoyl reductase site; this permitted the cofactor conformations at the beta-ketoacyl and enoyl reductase sites to be distinguished. For NADP+ bound to the enzyme, the conformation of the nicotinamide-ribose bond is anti at the enoyl reductase site and syn at the beta-ketoacyl reductase site; the adenine-ribose bond is anti, and the sugar puckers are C3'-endo. Nicotinamide-adenine base stacking was not detected. Structural models of NADP+ at the beta-ketoacyl and enoyl reductase sites were constructed by using the distances calculated from the observed nuclear Overhauser effects. Because of the overlap of the resonances of several nonaromatic NADPH protons with the resonances of HDO and ribose protons, less extensive structural information was obtained for NADPH bound to the enzyme. However, the conformations of NADPH bound to the two reductases are qualitatively the same as those of NADP+, except that the nicotinamide moiety of NADPH is closer to being fully anti at the enoyl reductase site.     

Butyric acid-induced rat jugular blood cytosolic oxidative stress is associated with SIRT1 decrease

Butyric acid (BA) induces jugular blood mitochondrial oxidative stress, whereas heme-induced oxidative stress was previously reported to inhibit SIRT1 in vitro. This would imply that BA-induced oxidative stress may similarly affect SIRT1. Here, we elucidated the BA effects on jugular blood cytosolic oxidative stress and SIRT1. Jugular blood cytosol was collected 0, 60, and 180 min after BA injection into rat gingival tissues and used throughout the study. Blood cytosolic oxidative stress induction, heme accumulation, NADPH oxidase (NOX) activation, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) and NADP pool levels, NAD kinase (NADK), and SIRT1 amounts were determined. We found that BA retention in the gingival tissue induces blood cytosolic oxidative stress and heme accumulation which we correlated to both NOX activation and NADP pool increase. Moreover, we showed that BA-related NADP pool build-up is associated with NADK increase which we suspect decreased NAD⁺ levels and consequentially lowered SIRT1 amounts in the rat blood cytosol.     

Alanine dehydrogenase of the N2-fixing blue-green alga,Anabaena cylindrica

The l-alanine dehydrogenase (ADH) of Anabaena cylindrica has been purified 700-fold. It has a molecular weight of approximately 270000, has 6 sub-units, each of molecular weight approximately 43000, and shows activity both in the aminating and deaminating directions. The enzyme is NADH/NAD⁺ specific and oxaloacetate can partially substitute for pyruvate. The K _m ^app for NAD⁺ is 14 M and 60 M at low and high NAD⁺ concentrations, respectively. The K _m ^app for l-alanine is 0.4 mM, that for pyruvate is 0.11 mM, and that for oxaloacetate is 3.0 mM. The K _m ^app for NH ₄ ⁺ varies from 8–133 mM depending on the pH, being lowest at high pH levels (pH 8.7 or above). Alanine, serine and glycine inhibit ADH activity in the aminating direction. The enzyme is active both in heterocysts and vegetative cells and activity is higher in nitrogen-starved cultures than in N₂-fixing cultures. The data suggest that although alanine is formed by the aminating activity of ADH, entry of newly fixed ammonia into organic combination does not occur primarily via ADH in N₂-fixing cultures of A. cylindrica. Ammonia assimilation via ADH may be important in cultures with an excess of available nitrogen. The deaminating activity of the enzyme may be important under conditions of nitrogen-deficiency.Abbreviations ADH alanine dehydrogenase - DEAE diethylamino ethyl cellulose - EDTA ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid - GDH glutamic dehydrogenase - GS glutamine synthetase - GOT aspartate-glutamate aminotransferase - NAD⁺ nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - NADH reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - NADP⁺ nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate - NADPH reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate - Tris tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane     

Ferredoxin/thioredoxin system plays an important role in the chloroplastic NADP status of Arabidopsis

NADP is a key electron carrier for a broad spectrum of redox reactions, including photosynthesis. Hence, chloroplastic NADP status, as represented by redox status (ratio of NADPH to NADP⁺) and pool size (sum of NADPH and NADP⁺), is critical for homeostasis in photosynthetic cells. However, the mechanisms and molecules that regulate NADP status in chloroplasts remain largely unknown. We have now characterized an Arabidopsis mutant with imbalanced NADP status (inap1), which exhibits a high NADPH/NADP⁺ ratio and large NADP pool size. inap1 is a point mutation in At2g04700, which encodes the catalytic subunit of ferredoxin/thioredoxin reductase. Upon illumination, inap1 demonstrated earlier increases in NADP pool size than the wild type did. The mutated enzyme was also found in vitro to inefficiently reduce m‐type thioredoxin, which activates Calvin cycle enzymes, and NADP‐dependent malate dehydrogenase to export reducing power to the cytosol. Accordingly, Calvin cycle metabolites and amino acids diminished in inap1 plants. In addition, inap1 plants barely activate NADP‐malate dehydrogenase, and have an altered redox balance between the chloroplast and cytosol, resulting in inefficient nitrate reduction. Finally, mutants deficient in m‐type thioredoxin exhibited similar light‐dependent NADP dynamics as inap1. Collectively, the data suggest that defects in ferredoxin/thioredoxin reductase and m‐type thioredoxin decrease the consumption of NADPH, leading to a high NADPH/NADP⁺ ratio and large NADP pool size. The data also suggest that the fate of NADPH is an important influence on NADP pool size.     

Cofactor regeneration in phototrophic cyanobacteria applied for asymmetric reduction of ketones

The obligate photoautotrophic cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC7942 and the photoheterotrophic heterocystous cyanobacterium Noctoc muscorum are able to reduce prochiral ketones asymmetrically to optical pure chiral alcohols without light. An example is the synthesis of S-pentafluoro(phenyl-)ethanol with an enantiomeric excess >99% if 2′-3′-4′-5′-6′-pentafluoroacetophenone is used as substrate. If no light is available for regeneration of the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form) (NADPH), glucose is used as cosubstrate. Membrane disintegration during asymmetric reduction promotes cytosolic energy generating metabolic pathways. Observed regulatory effects depicted by an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (oxidized form) (NADP⁺) ratio of 3:1 for efficient cofactor recycling indicate a metabolization via glycolisis. The stoichiometric formation of the by-product acetate (1 mol acetate/1 mol chiral alcohol) indicates homoacetic acid fermentation for cofactor regeneration including the obligate photoautotrophic cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC7942.     

Role of Ser-257 in the Sliding Mechanism of NADP(H) in the Reaction Catalyzed by the Aspergillus fumigatus Flavin-dependent Ornithine N5-Monooxygenase SidA

SidA (siderophore A) is a flavin-dependent N-hydroxylating monooxygenase that is essential for virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus. SidA catalyzes the NADPH- and oxygen-dependent formation of N⁵-hydroxyornithine. In this reaction, NADPH reduces the flavin, and the resulting NADP⁺ is the last product to be released. The presence of NADP⁺ is essential for activity, as it is required for stabilization of the C4a-hydroperoxyflavin, which is the hydroxylating species. As part of our efforts to determine the molecular details of the role of NADP(H) in catalysis, we targeted Ser-257 for site-directed mutagenesis and performed extensive characterization of the S257A enzyme. Using a combination of steady-state and stopped-flow kinetic experiments, substrate analogs, and primary kinetic isotope effects, we show that the interaction between Ser-257 and NADP(H) is essential for stabilization of the C4a-hydroperoxyflavin. Molecular dynamics simulation results suggest that Ser-257 functions as a pivot point, allowing the nicotinamide of NADP⁺ to slide into position for stabilization of the C4a-hydroperoxyflavin.     

C-terminal residues of ferredoxin-NAD(P)<Superscript>+</Superscript> reductase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorobaculum tepidum</Emphasis> are responsible for reaction dynamics in the hydride transfer and redox equilibria with NADP<Superscript>+</Superscript>/NADPH

Ferredoxin-NAD(P)⁺ reductase ([EC 1.18.1.2], [EC 1.18.1.3]) from Chlorobaculum tepidum (CtFNR) is structurally homologous to the bacterial NADPH-thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), but possesses a unique C-terminal extension relative to TrxR that interacts with the isoalloxazine ring moiety of the flavin adenine dinucleotide prosthetic group. In this study, we introduce truncations to the C-terminal residues to examine their role in the reactions of CtFNR with NADP⁺ and NADPH by spectroscopic and kinetic analyses. The truncation of the residues from Tyr326 to Glu360 (the whole C-terminal extension region), from Phe337 to Glu360 (omitting Phe337 on the re-face of the isoalloxazine ring) and from Ser338 to Glu360 (leaving Phe337 intact) resulted in a blue-shift of the flavin absorption bands. The truncations caused a slight increase in the dissociation constant toward NADP⁺ and a slight decrease in the Michaelis constant toward NADPH in steady-state assays. Pre-steady-state studies of the redox reaction with NADPH demonstrated that deletions of Tyr326–Glu360 decreased the hydride transfer rate, and the amount of reduced enzyme increased at equilibrium relative to wild-type CtFNR. In contrast, the deletions of Phe337–Glu360 and Ser338–Glu360 resulted in only slight changes in the reaction kinetics and redox equilibrium. These results suggest that the C-terminal region of CtFNR is responsible for the formation and stability of charge-transfer complexes, leading to changes in redox properties and reactivity toward NADP⁺/NADPH.     

Partial purification and some properties of delta1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase from Escherichia coli.

delta1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylate (PCA) reductase [L-proline:NAD(P)+5-oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.2] has been purified over 200-fold from Escherichia coli K-12. It has a molecular weight of approximately 320,000. PCA reductase mediates the pyridine nucleotide-linked reduction of PCA to proline but not the reverse reaction (even at high substrate concentrations). The partially purified preparation is free of competing pyridine nucleotide oxidase, PCA dehydrogenase, and proline oxidase activities. The Michaelis constant (Km) values for the substrate, PCA, with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) or NADH as cofactor are 0.15 and 0.14 mM, respectively. The Km values determined for NADPH and NADH are 0.03 and 0.23 mM, respectively. Although either NADPH or NADH can function as cofactor, the activity observed with NADPH is severalfold greater. PCA reductase is not repressed by growth in the presence of proline, but it is inhibited by the reaction end products, proline and NADP.     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and NADPH/NADP+ ratio in liver and pancreas are dependent on the severity of hyperglycemia in rat

Hyperglycemia is associated with metabolic disturbances affecting cell redox potential, particularly the NADPH/NADP+ ratio and reduced glutathione levels. Under oxidative stress, the NADPH supply for reduced glutathione regeneration is dependent on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. We assessed the effect of different hyperglycemic conditions on enzymatic activities involved in glutathione regeneration (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase), NADP(H) and reduced glutathione concentrations in order to analyze the relative role of these enzymes in the control of glutathione restoration. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with mild, moderate and severe hyperglycemia were obtained using different regimens of streptozotocin and nicotinamide. Fifteen days after treatment, rats were killed and enzymatic activities, NADP(H) and reduced glutathione were measured in liver and pancreas. Severe hyperglycemia was associated with decreased body weight, plasma insulin, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, NADPH/NADP+ ratio and glutathione levels in the liver and pancreas, and enhanced NADP+ and glutathione reductase activity in the liver. Moderate hyperglycemia caused similar changes, although body weight and liver NADP+ concentration were not affected and pancreatic glutathione reductase activity decreased. Mild hyperglycemia was associated with a reduction in pancreatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, NADPH/NADP+ ratio and glutathione level, vary inversely in relation to blood glucose concentrations, whereas liver glutathione reductase was enhanced during severe hyperglycemia. We conclude that glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NADPH/NADP+ were highly sensitive to low levels of hyperglycemia. NADPH/NADP+ is regulated by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the liver and pancreas, whereas levels of reduced glutathione are mainly dependent on the NADPH supply.