Enhancement of the antiviral and interferon-inducing activities of poly r(A-U) by carminic acid

Experiments have been designed to systematically examine the effects of carminic acid (CAR) on the antiviral/interferon-inducing activity of poly r(A-U), using the human foreskin fibroblast-vesicular stomatitis virus bioassay system. Modulation of the antiviral/interferon-inducing activity of poly r(A-U) by carminic acid was examined at fixed poly r(A-U) concentrations of 0.05 mM or 0.2 mM while varying the carminic acid concentrations to produce variable CAR/ribonucleotide ratios ranging from 1:16 to 2:1. Carminic acid and poly r(A-U) were tested individually at the concentrations employed in the CAR/poly r(A-U) combinations. Neither the carminic acid alone nor poly r(A-U) alone were effective antiviral agents/interferon inducers. The antiviral/interferon-inducing activity of poly r(A-U) was potentiated twelve-fold at CAR/ribonucleotide ratios in the region of 1/6 to 1/4. These results suggest a synergism between the poly r(A-U) and the carminic acid at the concentrations employed in this study.     

In vitro antiviral activity of poly (A-U) and ellipticines.

The role of N2-methyl-9-hydroxy-ellipticine (NMHE) and N2,N6-dimethyl-9-hydroxy-ellipticine (DMHE) in modulating the antiviral activity of poly (A-U) was examined using a human foreskin fibroblast-vesicular stomatitis virus (HSF-VSV) bioassay in which the concentration of poly (A-U) was fixed at 0.05 mM or 0.2 mM while the NMHE or DMHE concentration was varied to produce variable NMHE (or DMHE)/ribonucleotide ratios ranging from 1:16 to 2:1. Poly (A-U), NMHE and DMHE tested individually were not efficacious antiviral agents. When the poly (A-U) was combined with the NMHE or DMHE, the antiviral activity of the poly (A-U) was potentiated 16- to 20-fold a NMHE (or DMHE)/ribonucleotide ratios in the region of 1/4. Poly (A-U), NMHE and DMHE induce beta-IFN. The interferon-inducing activity of the NMHE (or DMHE)/poly (A-U) combination was equal to the sum of the interferon-inducing activity of the poly (A-U) alone and the NMHE (or DMHE) alone. The direct viral inactivation study demonstrated that NMHE, DMHE, poly (A-U) and the NMHE (or DMHE)/poly (A-U) combinations did not inactivate VSV at concentrations near the 50% viral inhibitory dose. Photomicrographs of HSF cells incubated with NMHE alone or with a NMHE/poly (A-U) combination suggest that poly (A-U) affects the subcellular distribution of the NMHE by steering the NMHE to the nucleolus. These observations suggest that modulation of a nuclear process may be responsible for the enhanced antiviral activity.     

Polyribonucleotide-anthraquinone interactions: in vitro antiviral activity studies.

Twelve anthraquinones (AQ) were evaluated for their ability to potentiate the antiviral activity of poly r(A-U) using a human foreskin fibroblast-vesicular stomatitis virus bioassay in which the AQ was combined with 0.2 mM poly r(A-U) to produce an AQ/ribonucleotide ratio of 1/4. Poly r(A-U) and the AQ alone were not effective antiviral agents. Five of the twelve AQs tested, mitoxantrone, adriamycin, ametantrone, carminic acid and daunomycin, enhanced the antiviral activity of poly r(A-U) 9- to 13-fold. The interferon-inducing activity of the five active AQ/poly r(A-U) combinations was equal to the sum of the interferon-inducing activities of their constituents. These five AQs appear to potentiate the antiviral activity of poly r(A-U) without superinduction of interferon.     

Potentiation of the antiviral activity of poly r(A-U) by xanthene dyes

Ten xanthene dyes (XAN) are evaluated for their ability to potentiate the antiviral activity of poly r(A-U) using a human foreskin fibroblast-vesicular stomatitis virus bioassay in which the XAN is combined with 0.2 mM poly r(A-U) to produce a XAN/ribonucleotide ratio of 1/4. Four of the ten XANs tested in this study, rhodamine 123, rhodamine B, rhodamine 6G and sulforhodamine B, enhance the antiviral activity of poly r(A-U) 8- to 15-fold. The interferon-inducing activity of the four active XAN/poly r(A-U) combinations is equal to the sum of the activities of their constituents. These four XANs appear to potentiate the antiviral activity of the poly r(A-U) without superinduction of interferon. The direct viral inactivation study demonstrates that the XANs, poly r(A-U) and the XAN/poly r(A-U) combinations do not inactivate the VSV at concentrations near the 50% effective dose.     

Enhanced antiviral activity and altered subcellular distribution of magnesium/poly r(A-U) combinations.

When Mg2+ or ethidium bromide (EB) were combined with poly r(A-U) at a ligand/ribonucleotide ratio of 1/4, the antiviral activity of the Mg2+ and EB increased 136-fold and 154-fold. Eriochrome Blue SE was employed to visualize the subcellular distribution of Mg2+ following co-incubation of Human Foreskin Fibroblasts (HSF) with Mg2+ alone or with the Mg2+/poly r(A-U) combination. Phase contrast micrographs of these Mg(2+)-treated HSF cells as well as phase contrast and fluorescence micrographs of EB-treated or EB/poly r(A-U)-treated HSF cells illustrated that the Mg2+ (or EB)/poly r(A-U) combinations display altered subcellular distribution with the Mg2+ and EB being localized in the nucleoli and chromatin of the HSF cells. These results suggest that modulation of nuclear processes may be responsible for the enhanced antiviral activity.     

Effect of enthidium on the morphology, antiviral activity and subcellular distribution of Poly r(A-U)

When ethidium bromide (EB) is combined with poly r(A-U) at an EB/ribonucleotide ratio of 1/4, the antiviral activity of the EB increases 22-fold. The increased antiviral activity is not due to increased interferon induction, direct viral inactivation or host cell cytotoxicity. Phase contrast, confocal and fluorescence microscopic observations reveal an increase in the nucleolar accumulation of the EB and/or the poly r(A-U) in the EB/poly r(A-U)-treated fibroblasts. Ultrastructure of negatively stained and replica preparations demonstrated that EB-induced condensation of poly r(A-U). These results suggest the elevated antiviral activity may be related to the altered uptake and subcellular distribution of the EB/poly r(A-U) complex.     

Subcellular localization and antiviral activity of carminic acid/poly r(A-U) combinations

Carminic acid (CAR) enhances the antiviral activity of poly r(A-U) twelve-fold without increasing interferon induction, inactivating the vesicular stomatitis virus or inducing host cell cytotoxicity. Phase contrast photomicrographs of human foreskin fibroblasts (HSF) incubated with CAR alone, poly r(A-U) alone or with a CAR/poly r(A-U) combination illustrate that the CAR/poly r(A-U) combinations display altered subcellular distribution with the CAR being localized in the nucleoli and chromatin. Phase contrast and fluorescence photomicrographs of adriamycin (ADR)-treated and ADR/poly r(A-U)-treated HSF cells corroborate these findings. These results suggest that modulation of one or more nucleolar processes may be responsible for the enhanced antiviral activity.     

The recognition of glycolate oxidase apoprotein with flavin analogs in higher plants

The net photosynthetic efficiency in C3 plants (such asrice, wheat and other major crops) can be decreased by30% due to the metabolism of photorespiration [1], inwhich glycolate oxidase (GO) serves as a key enzyme. Itis known that GO, with flavin mononucleotide (FMN) asa cofactor, belongs to flavin oxidase [2]. But it differs fromother flavoproteins in that FMN is loosely bound to itsapoprotein and there exists a dissociation balance betweenthem, which indicates that FMN probably regulate…     

Metaphosphate-dependent phosphorylation of riboflavin to FMN by Corynebacterium ammoniagenes

Using the bifunctional FAD synthetase from Corynebacterium ammoniagenes, which has the two sequential activities of flavokinase and FMN adenylyl-transferase in FAD biosynthesis, a method of production of the intermediate FMN without any accumulation of FAD was investigated. Various phosphate polymers having no adenylyl moiety were tested for their ability to phosphorylate riboflavin to FMN, using a crude enzyme from C. ammoniagenes/pKH46, which is an FAD-synthetase-gene-dosed strain. Only metaphosphate, other than ATP, could phosphorylate riboflavin to FMN, but FAD did not accumulate at all. The conditions for the conversion of riboflavin to FMN were optimized. The metaphosphate-dependent phosphorylation reaction required Mg²⁺ as the most effective divalent cation. The best concentrations were 10 mM for MgCl₂ and 3mg/ml for metaphosphate. The riboflavin added to the reaction mixture was almost completely converted into FMN after 6 h incubation in the presence of high concentrations of the enzyme preparation.     

Antiviral activity of magnesium and magnesium/poly r(A-U) combinations against two RNA viruses.

Magnesium (Mg2+) potentiated the anti-vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) activity of poly r(A-U) or poly r(G-C) and the anti-HIV-1 activity of poly r(A-U). Mg2+ did not affect the anti-VSV activity of poly (rI).poly (rC), poly (dA-dT).poly (dA-dT) or poly (dG-dC).poly (dG-dC). Modulation of one or more nuclear (nucleolar) processes of the host cell may be responsible for the synergistic antiviral activity.     

Cold-active acetogenic bacteria from surficial sediments of perennially ice-covered Lake Fryxell, Antarctica

RibR is a minor cryptic flavokinase (EC 2.7.1.26) of the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis with an unknown cellular function. The flavokinase activity appears to be localized to the N-terminal domain of the protein. Using the yeast three-hybrid system, it was shown that RibR specifically interacts in vivo with the nontranslated wild-type leader of the mRNA of the riboflavin biosynthetic operon. This interaction is lost partially when a leader containing known cis-acting deregulatory mutations in the so-called RFN element is tested. The RFN element is a sequence within the rib-leader mRNA reported to serve as a receptor for an FMN-dependent 'riboswitch'. In RibR itself, interaction was localized to the carboxy-terminate part of the protein, a segment of unknown function that does not show similarity to other proteins in the public databases. Analysis of a ribR-defective strain revealed a mild deregulation with respect to flavin (riboflavin, FMN and FAD) biosynthesis. The results indicate that the RNA-binding protein RibR may be involved in the regulation of the rib genes.     

Antiviral Activity of Magnesium and Magnesium/poly r(A-U) Combinations Against two RNA Viruses

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) potentiated the anti-vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) activity of poly r(A-U) or poly r(G-C) and the anti-HIV-1 activity of poly r(A-U). Mg²⁺ did not affect the anti-VSV activity of poly (rI) ? poly (rC), poly (dA-dT) ? poly (dA-dT) or poly (dG-dC) ? poly (dG-dC). Modulation of one or more nuclear (nucleolar) processes of the host cell may be responsible for the synergistic antiviral activity.     

Relationship between changes in properties and contents of riboflavin derivatives of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in the liver microsomes of riboflavin-deficient rats

Weanling male rats were fed a riboflavin-deficient diet for 5-8 weeks, and the decrease in NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase (FpT) activity in the liver microsomes was compared with the contents of riboflavin derivatives. The decrease of FpT activity for the reduction of cytochrome c was greater than that for the reduction of ferricyanide. The FpT's of riboflavin-deficient and control rats were indistinguishable in the Ouchterlony immunodiffusion test against anti-FpT, and were shown to have the same molecular weight of 78,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis. However, the purified FpT of the riboflavin-deficient rats contained 14.2, 4.9, and 1.9 nmol of FAD, FMN, and riboflavin per mg of protein, respectively, while that of the control rats contained 10.6 and 9.5 nmol of FAD and FMN per mg of protein, respectively. After riboflavin injection into the riboflavin-deficient rats, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity and FMN content of the FpT were restored to the control levels in 36 h, NADPH-ferricyanide reductase activity recovered in 18 h, and riboflavin content diminished in 18 h. On incubation of the purified FpT of the riboflavin-deficient rats with FMN, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity and FMN content were restored to those of control rats. These results indicated that a part of FMN in the FpT of the riboflavin-deficient rats was replaced with FAD and riboflavin.     

FAD is a preferred substrate and an inhibitor of Escherichia coli general NAD(P)H:flavin oxidoreductase

Escherichia coli general NAD(P)H:flavin oxidoreductase (Fre) does not have a bound flavin cofactor; its flavin substrates (riboflavin, FMN, and FAD) are believed to bind to it mainly through the isoalloxazine ring. This interaction was real for riboflavin and FMN, but not for FAD, which bound to Fre much tighter than FMN or riboflavin. Computer simulations of Fre.FAD and Fre.FMN complexes showed that FAD adopted an unusual bent conformation, allowing its ribityl side chain and ADP moiety to form an additional 3.28 H-bonds on average with amino acid residues located in the loop connecting Fbeta5 and Falpha1 of the flavin-binding domain and at the proposed NAD(P)H-binding site. Experimental data supported the overlapping binding sites of FAD and NAD(P)H. AMP, a known competitive inhibitor with respect to NAD(P)H, decreased the affinity of Fre for FAD. FAD behaved as a mixed-type inhibitor with respect to NADPH. The overlapped binding offers a plausible explanation for the large K(m) values of Fre for NADH and NADPH when FAD is the electron acceptor. Although Fre reduces FMN faster than it reduces FAD, it preferentially reduces FAD when both FMN and FAD are present. Our data suggest that FAD is a preferred substrate and an inhibitor, suppressing the activities of Fre at low NADH concentrations.     

The binding of adenine nucleotides to apo-electron-transferring flavoprotein.

Apoprotein of electron-transferring flavoprotein (ETF) reacts with FAD as follows: A*<-->A, A+FAD<-->holoETF. Two different forms of apoETF (A* and A) convert into each other and only one of them, A, can associate with FAD [Sato, K. et al. (1991) J. Biochem. 109, 734-740]. In the present study, the reactions between apoETF and ATP, ADP, AMP, riboflavin, or FMN were investigated. It was revealed that all three adenine nucleotides bind with apoETF with the same kinetic reaction scheme as FAD, and compete with FAD. These results suggest that the nucleotides bind to A with the same location as the ADP part of FAD in holoETF and that the ADP-binding site of apoETF is generated upon conversion from A* to A. Neither riboflavin nor FMN bound to apoETF regardless of the presence or absence of the nucleotides, indicating that the ADP part of the FAD molecule is essential to the incorporation of the isoalloxazine ring into ETF. The binding rate constant of FAD to A was 1/20 of that of ADP while the dissociation rate constant was 1/1,000. This indicates that the riboflavin part of FAD inhibits the binding of FAD by steric hindrance, while after the binding, it stabilizes the complex.     

Cloning of FAD synthetase gene from Corynebacterium ammoniagenes and its application to FAD and FMN production

The cloning of a bifunctional FAD synthetase gene, which shows flavokinase and FMN adenylyltransferase activities, from Corynebacterium ammoniagenes was tried by hybridization with synthetic DNAs corresponding to the N-terminal amino acid sequence. The cloned PstI-digested 4.4 × 10³-base (4.4-kb) fragment could not express the FAD synthetase activity in E. coli, but could increase the two activities by the same factor of about 20 in C. amminoagenes. The FAD-synthetase-gene-amplified C. amminoagenes cells were applied to the production of FAD from FMN or riboflavin. The productivity of FAD from FMN was increased four to five times compared with the parent strain, and reached a 90% molar yield. The productivity of FAD from riboflavin was increased about eight times, with a 50% molar yield. The addition of Zn²⁺ to the reaction mixtures for the conversion from riboflavin to FAD brought about the specific inhibition of adenylyltransferase activity and resulted in the accumulation of FMN.     

5'-Nucleotidase of human placental trophoblastic microvilli possesses cobalt-stimulated FAD pyrophosphatase activity

An enzyme with FAD pyrophosphatase activity was extracted from human placental syncytiotrophoblast microvilli and purified to near-homogeneity. The enzyme has been identified as 5'-nucleotidase by several criteria. Throughout purification, parallel increases in the specific activities of FAD pyrophosphatase and AMP phosphatase were observed. The enzyme was a glycoprotein with a subunit molecular weight of 74,000. EDTA treatment resulted in a marked decline in both activities, and restoration of FAD pyrophosphatase activity but not 5'-nucleotidase activity was accomplished by the addition of Co2+ or, to a lesser extent, Mn2+. The substrate specificity of the 5'-nucleotidase activity that we observed agreed closely with the results of others. The pyrophosphatase activity was relatively specific for FAD. ADP, ATP, NAD(H), and FMN were not hydrolyzed, and ADP strongly inhibited both activities. For FAD pyrophosphatase activity, a Km of 1.2 x 10(-5) M and a Vmax of 1.1 mumol/min/mg protein were determined in assays performed in the presence of Co2+. In the absence of added Co2+, the Vmax declined but the Km was unchanged. For 5'-nucleotidase (AMP as substrate) the Km was 4.1 x 10(-5) M and the Vmax 109 mumol/min/mg protein. Hydrolysis of FMN to riboflavin was observed in partially purified detergent extracts of microvilli that contained alkaline phosphatase activity and lacked FAD pyrophosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase activity. The presence of both FAD pyrophosphatase and FMN phosphatase activities in syncytiotrophoblast microvilli supports the view that the placental uptake of vitamin B2 involves the hydrolysis of FAD and FMN to riboflavin which is then absorbed, a sequence postulated for intestinal absorption and liver uptake.     

Entamoeba histolytica: flavins in axenic organisms.

The individual flavin species of axenic Entamoeba histolytica were assayed: separated riboflavin was assayed by the lumiflavin method; flavin-adenine dinucleotide (FAD), by an enzymatic method; flavin mononucleotide (FMN) was calculated from the difference, total flavin minus FAD and riboflavin. The amount of flavin in micrograms per grams fresh cells follows: total flavin, 7.6 ± 0.9 calculated as riboflavin; riboflavin, 1.6 ± 0.7; FMN, 6.6 ± 0.5; and FAD, 1.2 ± 0.1. Recalculated to nanomoles per milligrams total amebal protein these values were: total flavin, 0.21; riboflavin, 0.04; FMN, 0.15; and FAD, 0.02. The identity of each flavin was confirmed by a paper chromatographic method. Analyses on Panmede, the main source of flavins in the TP-S-1 medium, indicate that it contains all three forms of flavin. Its contribution to growth medium in micrograms per milliliters: riboflavin, 2.1 ± 0.3; FMN, 0.6 ± 0.1; and FAD, 0.4 ± 0.1. The in vivo biosynthesis of FMN and FAD from riboflavin by E. histolytica is demonstrated. A new and convenient method was found to separate riboflavin from flavin nucleotides in tissue extracts.     

Probable reaction mechanisms of flavokinase and FAD synthetase from rat liver

A steady-state kinetic analysis with evaluation of product inhibition was accomplished with purified rat liver flavokinase and FAD synthetase. For flavokinase, Km values were calculated as approximately 11 microM for riboflavin and 3.7 microM for ATP. Ki values were calculated for FMN as 6 microM against riboflavin and for ZnADP as 120 microM against riboflavin and 23 microM against ZnATP. From the inhibition pattern, the flavokinase reaction followed an ordered bi bi mechanism in which riboflavin binds first followed by ATP; ADP is released first followed by FMN. For FAD synthetase, Km values were calculated as 9.1 microM for FMN and 71 microM for MgATP. Ki values were calculated for FAD as 0.75 microM against FMN and 1.3 microM against MgATP and for pyrophosphate as 66 microM against FMN. The product inhibition pattern suggests the FAD synthetase reaction also followed an ordered bi bi mechanism in which ATP binds to enzyme prior to FMN, and pyrophosphate is released from enzyme before FAD. Comparison of Ki values with physiological concentrations of FMN and FAD suggests that the biosynthesis of FAD is most likely regulated by this coenzyme as product at the stage of the FAD synthetase reaction.