Pentatrichomonas hominis: purine salvage pathway

1. Pentatrichomonas hominis was found incapable of de novo synthesis of purines. 2. Pentatrichomonas hominis can salvage adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, adenosine, guanosine and inosine, but not xanthine for the synthesis of nucleotides. 3. HPLC tracing of radiolabelled purines or purine nucleosides revealed that adenine, adenosine and hypoxanthine are incorporated into adenine nucleotides and IMP through a similar channel while guanine and guanosine are salvaged into guanine nucleotides via another route. There appears to be no direct interconversion between adenine and guanine nucleotides. Interconversion between AMP and IMP was observed. 4. Assays of purine salvage enzymes revealed that P. hominis possess adenosine kinase; adenosine, guanosine and inosine phosphotransferases; adenosine, guanosine and inosine phosphorylases and AMP deaminase.     

Purine metabolism and urate biosynthesis in isolated chicken hepatocytes

The metabolism of some purine compounds to urate and their effects on de novo urate synthesis in chicken hepatocytes were investigated. The purines, listed in descending order of rates of catabolism to urate, were hypoxanthine, xanthine, inosine, guanosine, guanine, IMP, GMP, adenosine, AMP, and adenine. During a 1-h incubation period, conversion to urate accounted for more than 80% of the total quantities of guanine, guanosine, and inosine metabolized, but only 42% of the adenosine and 23% of the adenine metabolism. Adenine, adenosine, and AMP inhibited de novo urate synthesis [( 14C]formate incorporation into urate), whereas the other purines, especially guanine, guanosine, and GMP, stimulated de novo urate synthesis. When hepatocytes were incubated with glutamine and adenosine, AMP, guanine, guanosine, or GMP, the rates of de novo urate synthesis were lower than the additive effects of glutamine and the purine in separate incubations. Increasing phosphate concentrations had no effect on urate synthesis in the absence of added purines but, in combination with adenosine, AMP, guanosine, or GMP, increased urate synthesis. These results indicate that the ratio of adenine to guanine nucleotides and the interaction between substrates and purine nucleotides are involved in the regulation of urate biosynthesis in chicken liver.     

Profiles of purine biosynthesis, salvage and degradation in disks of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers

To find general metabolic profiles of purine ribo- and deoxyribonucleotides in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants, we looked at the in situ metabolic fate of various ¹⁴C-labelled precursors in disks from growing potato tubers. The activities of key enzymes in potato tuber extracts were also studied. Of the precursors for the intermediates in de novo purine biosynthesis, [¹⁴C]formate, [2-¹⁴C]glycine and [2-¹⁴C]5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxyamide ribonucleoside were metabolised to purine nucleotides and were incorporated into nucleic acids. The rates of uptake of purine ribo- and deoxyribonucleosides by the disks were in the following order: deoxyadenosine > adenosine > adenine > guanine > guanosine > deoxyguanosine > inosine > hypoxanthine > xanthine > xanthosine. The purine ribonucleosides, adenosine and guanosine, were salvaged exclusively to nucleotides, by adenosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.20) and inosine/guanosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.73) and non-specific nucleoside phosphotransferase (EC 2.7.1.77). Inosine was also salvaged by inosine/guanosine kinase, but to a lesser extent. In contrast, no xanthosine was salvaged. Deoxyadenosine and deoxyguanosine, was efficiently salvaged by deoxyadenosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.76) and deoxyguanosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.113) and/or non-specific nucleoside phosphotransferase (EC 2.7.1.77). Of the purine bases, adenine, guanine and hypoxanthine but not xanthine were salvaged for nucleotide synthesis. Since purine nucleoside phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.1) activity was not detected, adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.7) and hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.8) seem to play the major role in salvage of adenine, guanine and hypoxanthine. Xanthine was catabolised by the oxidative purine degradation pathway via allantoin. Activity of the purine-metabolising enzymes observed in other organisms, such as purine nucleoside phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.1), xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.22), adenine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.2), adenosine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.4) and guanine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.3), were not detected in potato tuber extracts. These results suggest that the major catabolic pathways of adenine and guanine nucleotides are AMP → IMP → inosine → hypoxanthine → xanthine and GMP → guanosine → xanthosine → xanthine pathways, respectively. Catabolites before xanthosine and xanthine can be utilised in salvage pathways for nucleotide biosynthesis.     

PURINE NUCLEOTIDE METABOLISM IN THE CAT BRAIN AFTER ONE HOUR OF COMPLETE ISCHEMIA

—Complete cerebral ischemia was produced in normothermic anaesthetized cats by clamping the innominate and the left subclavian arteries combined with lowering the blood pressure. After 1 h of ischemia, ATP was no longer present in detectable amounts. Total adenine nucleotides were reduced to 34 per cent of the normal level. The breakdown of guanine nucleotides was less marked, with small amounts of GTP still being present at the end of the ischemic period. In animals with signs of functional recovery after 3–7 h of recirculation, ATP was resynthesized to 62 per cent of the control level. Total adenine nucleotides increased to 68 per cent and the adenylate energy change—[ATP + 1/2 ADP]/[AMP + ADP + ATP]—was re-established to within 7 per cent of the pre-ischemic value. Radiochromatography of nucleotides following intravenous injection of [¹⁴C]formate indicated a marked enhancement of postischemic purine de novo synthesis. Purine nucleosides and free bases which accumulated during ischemia, were partially re-utilized by salvage pathways: adenosine was rephosphorylated to AMP by adenosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.20); inosine and hypoxanthine were re-used via IMP in a reaction mediated by hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.8).     

Purine accumulation in human fat cell suspensions. Evidence that human adipocytes release inosine and hypoxanthine rather than adenosine

Human adipocytes are of limited viability (7 +/- 2% release of lactate dehydrogenase/h) and contain active ectophosphatases which are capable of sequentially degrading ATP to adenosine. At densities of 30,000-40,000 cells/ml, human fat cell suspensions accumulated adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine, and their concentrations were 38 +/- 8, 120 +/- 10, and 31 +/- 7 nmol/liter after 3 h of incubation. Dipyridamole (10 mumol/liter), an inhibitor of nucleoside transport, caused a 5-7-fold increase in adenosine accumulation which was reduced by 85% on inhibition of ectophosphatases by beta-glycerophosphate and antibodies against ecto-5'-nucleotidase or alpha, beta-methylene 5'-adenosine diphosphate (10 mumol/liter), respectively, indicating that most of the adenosine is produced in the extracellular compartment. Accordingly, the spontaneous accumulation of adenosine was reduced beyond 5 nmol/liter on inhibition of ectophosphatase activities or removal of extracellular AMP by AMP deaminase (4 units/ml). Added adenosine (30 nmol/liter) disappeared until its concentration approached 5 nmol/liter. Isoproterenol (1 mumol/liter) had no effect on adenosine accumulation regardless whether purine production from extracellular sources was minimized or not. In contrast to adenosine, the concentrations of inosine and hypoxanthine displayed only a modest decrease (30-50%) on inhibition of ectophosphatase activities. In addition, isoproterenol caused a 2-3-fold increase in inosine and hypoxanthine production which was concentration-dependent and could be inhibited by propranolol. It is concluded that the adenosine that accumulates in human adipocyte suspensions is almost exclusively derived from adenine nucleotides which are released by leaking cells. By contrast, inosine and hypoxanthine are produced inside the cells, and the release of these latter purines appears to be linked to ATP turnover via adenylate cyclase.     

Purine metabolism in Acholeplasma laidlawii B: novel PPi-dependent nucleoside kinase activity

Acholeplasma laidlawii B-PG9 was examined for 16 cytoplasmic enzymes with activity for purine salvage and interconversion. Phosphoribosyltransferase activities for adenine, guanine, xanthine, and hypoxanthine were shown. Adenine, guanine, xanthine, and hypoxanthine were ribosylated to their nucleoside. Adenosine, inosine, xanthosine, and guanosine were converted to their base. No ATP-dependent phosphorylation of nucleosides to mononucleotides was found. However, PPi-dependent phosphorylation of adenosine, inosine, and guanosine to AMP, inosine monophosphate, and GMP, respectively, was detected. Nucleotidase activity for AMP, inosine monophosphate, xanthosine monophosphate, and GMP was also found. Interconversion of GMP to AMP was detected. Enzyme activities for the interconversion of AMP to GMP were not detected. Therefore, A. laidlawii B-PG9 cannot synthesize guanylates from adenylates or inosinates. De novo synthesis of purines was not detected. This study demonstrates that A. laidlawii B-PG9 has the enzyme activities for the salvage and limited interconversion of purines and, except for purine nucleoside kinase activity, is similar to Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides. This is the first report of a PPi-dependent nucleoside kinase activity in any organism.     

Mononucleotide Metabolism in the Rat Brain After Transient Ischemia

Nucleotide metabolism was studied in rats during and following the induction of 10 min of forebrain ischemia (four-vessel occlusion model). Purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, nucleotides, and bases in forebrain extracts were quantitated by HPLC with an ultraviolet detector. Ischemia resulted in a severe reduction in the concentration of nucleoside triphosphates (ATP, GTP, UTP, and CTP) and an increase in the concentration of AMP, IMP, adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine, and guanosine. During the recovery period, both the phosphocreatine level and adenylate energy charge were rapidly and completely restored to the normal range. ATP was only 78% of the control value at 180 min after ischemic reperfusion. Levels of nucleosides and bases were elevated during ischemia but decreased to values close to those of control animals following recirculation. Both the decrease in the adenine nucleotide pool and the incomplete ATP recovery were caused by insufficient reutilization of hypoxanthine via the purine salvage system. The content of cyclic AMP, which transiently accumulated during the early recirculation period, returned to the control level, paralleling the decrease of adenosine concentration, which suggested that adenylate cyclase activity during reperfusion is modulated by adenosine A2 receptors. The recovery of CTP was slow but greater than that of ATP, GTP, and UTP. The GTP/GDP ratio was higher than that of the control animals following recirculation.     

Purine metabolism in Leishmania donovani and Leishmania braziliensis

We have studied purine metabolism in the culture forms of Leishmania donovani and Leishmania braziliensis. These organisms are incapable of synthesizing purines de novo from glycine, serine, or formate and require an exogenous purine for growth. This requirement is better satisfied by adenosine or hypoxanthine than by guanosine. Bothe adenine and inosine are converted to a common intermediate, hypoxanthine, before transformation to nucleotides. This is due to the activity of an adenine aminohydrolase (EC 3.5.4.2), a rather unusual finding in a eukaryotic cell. There is a preferential synthesis of adenine nucleotides, even when guanine or xanthine are used as precursors.The pathways of purine nucleotide interconversions in these Leishmania resemble those found in mammalian cells except for the absence of de novo purine biosynthesis and the presence of an adenine-deaminating activity.     

Genetic and physiological characterization of the purine salvage pathway in the archaebacterium Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum Marburg.

The enzymes involved in the purine interconversion pathway of wild-type and purine analog-resistant strains of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum Marburg were assayed by radiometric and spectrophotometric methods. Wild-type cells incorporated labeled adenine, guanine, and hypoxanthine, whereas mutant strains varied in their ability to incorporate these bases. Adenine, guanine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine were activated by phosphoribosyltransferase activities present in wild-type cell extracts. Some mutant strains simultaneously lost the ability to convert both guanine and hypoxanthine to the respective nucleotide, suggesting that the same enzyme activates both bases. Adenosine, guanosine, and inosine phosphorylase activities were detected for the conversion of base to nucleoside. Adenine deaminase activity was detected at low levels. Guanine deaminase activity was not detected. Nucleoside kinase activities for the conversion of adenosine, guanosine, and inosine to the respective nucleotides were detected by a new assay. The nucleotide-interconverting enzymes AMP deaminase, succinyl-AMP synthetase, succinyl-AMP lyase, IMP dehydrogenase, and GMP synthetase were present in extracts; GMP reductase was not detected. The results indicate that this autotrophic methanogen has a complex system for the utilization of exogenous purines.     

Circadian variations of adenosine level in blood and liver and its possible physiological significance

The role of adenosine as a possible physiological modulator was explored by measuring its concentration in different tissues during a 24-hour period. Initially the circadian variations of adenosine and other purine compounds such as inosine, hypoxanthine, uric acid and adenine nucleotides were studied in the rat blood. A daily cyclic response was observed, with low levels of adenosine from 08.00 - 20.00 h, followed by an increase from this time on. Inosine and hypoxanthine levels were elevated during the day and low at night. The uric acid changes observed indicate that the decrease in purine catabolism coincides with a decrease in inosine and hypoxanthine levels and an increase in adenosine. The blood adenine nucleotides, energy charge and phosphorylation potential remained constant during the day and showed oscillatory changes during the night. Similar studies were made in the liver, a primary source of circulating purines. Liver adenosine was high during the night while inosine and hypoxanthine remained low along the 24 hours. The results suggest that liver purine metabolism might participate in the maintenance and renewal of the blood purine pool and in the energy state of erythrocytes in vivo.     

Purine requirements for the expression of Cape buffalo serum trypanocidal activity

Cape buffalo serum contains xanthine oxidase which generates trypanocidal H₂O₂ during the catabolism of hypoxanthine and xanthine. The present studies show that xanthine oxidase-dependent trypanocidal activity in Cape buffalo serum was also elicited by purine nucleotides, nucleosides, and bases even though xanthine oxidase did not catabolize those purines. The paradox was explained in part, by the presence in serum of purine nucleoside phosphorylase and adenosine deaminase, that, together with xanthine oxidase, catabolized adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine to uric acid yielding trypanocidal H₂O₂. In addition, purine catabolism by trypanosomes provided substrates for serum xanthine oxidase and was implicated in the triggering of xanthine oxidase-dependent trypanocidal activity by purines that were not directly catabolized to uric acid in Cape buffalo serum, namely guanosine, guanine, adenine monophosphate, guanosine diphosphate, adenosine 3′:5-cyclic monophosphate, and 1-methylinosine. The concentrations of guanosine and guanine that elicited xanthine oxidase-dependent trypanocidal activity were 30–270-fold lower than those of other purines requiring trypanosome-processing which suggests differential processing by the parasites.     

Relation between energy metabolism,glycolysis, noradrenaline release and duration of ischemia

We studied the effect of 12–36 min of global ischemia followed by 36 min of reperfusion in Langendorff perfused rabbit hearts (n = 26). Metabolism was determined in terms of peak and total release of purines (adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine), lactate and noradrenaline during reperfusion; and myocardial content of nucleotides (ATP, ADP, AMP), glycogen and noradrenaline at the end of reperfusion. An inverse relationship (r = –0.79) existed between duration of ischemia and developed pressure post-ischemia. Early during reperfusion, after 12 min of ischemia, the purine concentration (peak release) increased 100x (p < 0.01), that of lactate and noradrenaline lOx (p < 0.05) . Total purine release rose with progression of the ischemic period (30x after 36 min of ischemia; p < 0.01), concomitant with a reduction in nucleotide content. Lactate release was independent from the duration of ischemia, although glycogen had declined by 30% (p < 0.01) after 36 min of ischemia. The acid insoluble glycogen fraction, which presumably contains proglycogen, increased substantially during short-term ischemia. Peak noradrenaline increased 100x and 200x (p < 0.05) after 24 and 36 min of ischemia, respectively. Total noradrenaline release due to various periods of ischemia mirrored its peak release. Function recovery was inversely related to total purine and noradrenaline efflux (both r =–0.81); it correlated with tissue nucleotide content (r = 0.84). In conclusion, larger amounts of noradrenaline are released only after a substantial drop in myocardial ATP. During severe ischemia ATP consumption more than limited ATP production by anaerobic glycolysis, is a key factor affecting recovery on subsequent reperfusion. In contrast to lactate efflux, purine and noradrenaline release are useful markers of ischemic and reperfusion damage.     

Sustained depolarisation induces changes in the extracellular concentrations of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides in the rat thalamus

ATP and adenosine are well-known neuroactive compounds. Other nucleotides and nucleosides may also be involved in different brain functions. This paper reports on extracellular concentrations of nucleobases and nucleosides (uracil, hypoxanthine, xanthine, uridine, 2'-deoxycytidine, 2'-deoxyuridine, inosine, guanosine, thymidine, adenosine) in response to sustained depolarisation, using in vivo brain microdialysis technique in the rat thalamus. High-potassium solution, the glutamate agonist kainate, and the Na(+)/K(+) ATPase blocker ouabain were applied in the perfusate of microdialysis probes and induced release of various purine and pyrimidine nucleosides. All three types of depolarisation increased the level of hypoxanthine, uridine, inosine, guanosine and adenosine. The levels of measured deoxynucleosides (2'-deoxycytidine, 2'-deoxyuridine and thymidine) decreased or did not change, depending on the type of depolarisation. Kainate-induced changes were TTX insensitive, and ouabain-induced changes for inosine, guanosine, 2'-deoxycytidine and 2'-deoxyuridine were TTX sensitive. In contrast, TTX application without depolarisation decreased the extracellular concentrations of hypoxanthine, uridine, inosine, guanosine and adenosine.Our data suggest that various nucleosides may be released from cells exposed to excessive activity and, thus, support several different lines of research concerning the regulatory roles of nucleosides.     

Adenine nucleotide metabolism in relation to purine enzymes in liver, erythrocytes and cultured fibroblasts.

To evaluate the regulation of adenine nucleotide metabolism in relation to purine enzyme activities in rat liver, human erythrocytes and cultured human skin fibroblasts, rapid and sensitive assays for the purine enzymes, adenosine deaminase (EC 2.5.4.4), adenosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.20), hyposanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.28), adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.7) and 5'-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) were standardized for these tissues. Adenosine deaminase was assayed by measuring the formation of product, inosine (plus traces of hypoxanthine), isolated chromatographically with 95% recovery of inosine. The other enzymes were assayed by isolating the labelled product or substrate nucleotides as lanthanum salts. Fibroblast enzymes were assayed using thin-layer chromatographic procedures because the high levels of 5'-nucleotidase present in this tissue interferred with the formation of LaCl3 salts. The lanthanum and the thin-layer chromatographic methods agreed within 10%. Liver cell sap had the highest activities of all purine enzymes except for 5'-nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase which were highest in fibroblasts. Erythrocytes had lowest activities of all except for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase which was intermediate between the liver and fibroblasts. Erhthrocytes were devoid of 5'-nucleotidase activity. Hepatic adenosine kinase activity was thought to control the rate of loss of adenine nucleotides in the tissue. Erythrocytes had excellent purine salvage capacity, but due to the relatively low activity of adenosine deaminase, deamination might be rate limiting in the formation of guanine nucleotides. Fibroblasts, with high levels of 5'-nucleotidase, have the potential to catabolize adenine nucleotides beyond the control od adenosine kinase. The purine salvage capacity in the three tissues was erythrocyte greater than liver greater than fibroblasts. Based on purine enzyme activities, erythrocytes offer a unique system to study adenine salvage; fibroblasts to study adenine degradation; and liver to study both salvage and degradation.     

Adenine nucleotide metabolism in relation to purine enzymes in liver,erythrocytes and cultured fibroblasts

To evaluate the regulation of adenine nucleotide metabolism in relation to purine enzyme activities in rat liver, human erythrocytes and cultured human skin fibroblasts, rapid and sensitive assays for the purine enzymes, adenosine deaminase (EC 2.5.4.4), adenosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.20), hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.28), adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.7) and 5′-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) were standardized for these tissues. Adenosine deaminase was assayed by measuring the formation of product, inosine (plus traces of hypoxanthine), isolated chromatographically with 95% recovery of inosine. The other enzymes were assayed by isolating the labelled product or substrate nucleotides as lanthanum salts. Fibroblast enzymes were assayed using thin-layer chromatographic procedures because the high levels of 5′-nucleotidase present in this tissue interferred with the formation of LaCl₃ salts. The lanthanum and the thin-layer chromatographic methods agreed with-in 10%.Liver cell sap had the highest activities of all purine enzymes except for 5′-nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase which were highest in fibroblasts. Erythrocytes had lowest activities of all except for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase which was intermediate between the liver and fibroblasts. Erythrocytes were devoid of 5′-nucleotidase activity. Hepatic adenosine kinase activity was thought to control the rate of loss of adenine nucleotides in the tissue.Erythrocytes had excellent purine salvage capacity, but due to the relatively low activity of adenosine deaminase, deamination might be rate limiting in the formation of guanine nucleotides. Fibroblasts, with high levels of 5′-nucleotidase, have the potential to catabolize adenine nucleotides beyond the control of adenosine kinase. The purine salvage capacity in the three tissues was erythrocyte > liver > fibroblasts. Based on purine enzyme activities, erythrocytes offer a unique system to study adenine salvage; fibroblasts to study adenine degradation; and liver to study both salvage and degradation.     

Brain Adenosine and Transmitter Amino Acid Release from the Ischemic Rat Cerebral Cortex: Effects of the Adenosine Deaminase Inhibitor Deoxycoformycin

The effects of a potent adenosine deaminase inhibitor, deoxycoformycin, on purine and amino acid neuro-transmitter release from the ischemic rat cerebral cortex were studied with the cortical cup technique. Cerebral ischemia (20 min) was elicited by four-vessel occlusion. Purine and amino acid releases were compared from control ischemic animals and deoxycoformycin-pretreated ischemic rats. Ischemia enhanced the release of glutamate, aspartate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid into cortical perfusates. The levels of adenosine, inosine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine in the same perfusates were also elevated during and following ischemia. Deoxycoformycin (500 micrograms/kg) enhanced ischemia-evoked release of adenosine, indicating a marked rise in the adenosine content of the interstitial fluid of the cerebral cortex. Inosine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine levels were depressed by deoxycoformycin. Deoxycoformycin pretreatment failed to alter the pattern of amino acid neurotransmitter release from the cerebral cortex in comparison with that observed in control ischemic animals. The failure of deoxycoformycin to attenuate amino acid neurotransmitter release, even though it markedly enhanced adenosine levels in the extracellular space, implies that the amino acid release during ischemia occurs via an adenosine-insensitive mechanism. Inhibition of excitotoxic amino acid release is unlikely to be responsible for the cerebroprotective actions of deoxycoformycin in the ischemic brain.     

Purine metabolism in Toxoplasma gondii

We have studied the incorporation and interconversion of purines into nucleotides by freshly isolated Toxoplasma gondii. They did not synthesize nucleotides from formate, glycine, or serine. The purine bases hypoxanthine, xanthine, guanine, and adenine were incorporated at 9.2, 6.2, 5.1, and 4.3 pmol/10(7) cells/h, respectively. The purine nucleosides adenosine, inosine, guanosine, and xanthosine were incorporated at 110, 9.0, 2.7, and 0.3 pmol/10(7) cells/h, respectively. Guanine, xanthine, and their respective nucleosides labeled only guanine nucleotides. Inosine, hypoxanthine, and adenine labeled both adenine and guanine nucleotide pools at nearly equal ratios. Adenosine kinase was greater than 10-fold more active than the next most active enzyme in vitro. This is consistent with the metabolic data in vivo. No other nucleoside kinase or phosphotransferase activities were found. Phosphorylase activities were detected for guanosine and inosine; no other cleavage activities were detected. Deaminases were found for adenine and guanine. Phosphoribosyltransferase activities were detected for all four purine nucleobases. Interconversion occurs only in the direction of adenine to guanine nucleotides.     

Simultaneous quantification by HPLC of purines in umami soup stock and evaluation of their effects on extracellular and intracellular purine metabolism

Ribonucleotide flavor enhancers such as inosine monophosphate (IMP) and guanosine monophosphate (GMP) provide umami taste, similarly to glutamine. Japanese cuisine frequently uses soup stocks containing these nucleotides to enhance umami. We quantified 18 types of purines (nucleotides, nucleosides, and purine bases) in three soup stocks (chicken, consommé, and dried bonito soup). IMP was the most abundant purine in all umami soup stocks, followed by hypoxanthine, inosine, and GMP. The IMP content of dried bonito soup was the highest of the three soup stocks. We also evaluated the effects of these purines on extracellular and intracellular purine metabolism in HepG2 cells after adding each umami soup stock to the cells. An increase in inosine and hypoxanthine was evident 1 h and 4 h after soup stock addition, and a low amount of xanthine and guanosine was observed in the extracellular medium. The addition of chicken soup stock resulted in increased intracellular and extracellular levels of uric acid and guanosine. Purine metabolism may be affected by ingredients present in soups.     

Investigation of Possible Participation of Nucleoside Transport Systems in the Postischemic Release of Purines and Pyrimidines from Cold Stored Liver

The aim of the study was to elucidate the role of nucleoside transport systems in the postischemic release of nucleosides and nucleobases accumulated by the rat liver during cold storage. Livers were preserved for 24 h in Euro-Collins (EC) or in a lactobionate-based solution (LBS) without exogenous adenosine. The rates of release of uric acid, xanthine, hypoxanthine, inosine, adenosine, uridine, and cytidine were monitored during early reperfusion. The greater part of the purines and pyrimidines (up to 80%) was lost in the first 2 min of reperfusion. After storage in EC, uric acid and xanthine formed more than 90% of the total purines released; nucleosides did not exceed 5% of the total. After storage in LBS, hypoxanthine formed more than 80% of purine efflux and the release of inosine and uridine was increased 5-10 times. These changes were shown to be due to the presence of allopurinol in LBS. Dipyridamole (an inhibitor of equilibrative nucleoside transporters) decreased the efflux of uric acid after storage in EC but residual release remained high. Dipyridamole exerted the most pronounced effect on the release of nucleosides (inosine and uridine) from livers stored in LBS. The use of sodium-free media for liver preservation and reperfusion did not alter the rates of purine and pyrimidine release. We conclude that equilibrative nucleoside transporters mediate the postischemic release of nucleosides and also, but to a less degree, of uric acid. Simple diffusion is an important factor in the release of nucleobases. Active Na(+)/nucleoside cotransport does not play an important role in early reperfusion.     

Hypoxanthine Transport and Metabolism in the Central Nervous System

The mechanisms by which hypoxanthine, the principal purine in plasma and CSF, enters and leaves rabbit brain, choroid plexus, and CSF were investigated in the isolated choroid plexus in vitro and by injecting [14C]hypoxanthine intraventricularly and [3H]hypoxanthine intravenously. The isolated choroid plexus accumulated and extensively metabolized [14C]hypoxanthine; however, 14C was readily released from choroid plexus principally as [14C]-hypoxanthine. After infusion of [3H]hypoxanthine intravenously, [3H]hypoxanthine entered CSF and brain slowly and was converted in brain to nucleotides. Fewer than 5% of the acid-soluble purine nucleotides in brain entered rabbit brain from plasma hypoxanthine (and inosine) per 24 h. After intraventricular injection of [14C]hypoxanthine, the [14C]hypoxanthine was cleared from the CSF into the blood or accumulated by brain and largely converted into 14C-nucleotides. Little [14C]xanthine and no [14C]uric acid or allantoin were formed. These studies show that brain, unlike most other tissues, rapidly recycles hypoxanthine and converts it into purine nucleotides, and not unsalvageable purines.