Central Cavity of Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and the Evolution of AMP/Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate Synergism in Eukaryotic Organisms

The effects of AMP and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P₂) on porcine fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (pFBPase) and Escherichia coli FBPase (eFBPase) differ in three respects. AMP/Fru-2,6-P₂ synergism in pFBPase is absent in eFBPase. Fru-2,6-P₂ induces a 13° subunit pair rotation in pFBPase but no rotation in eFBPase. Hydrophilic side chains in eFBPase occupy what otherwise would be a central aqueous cavity observed in pFBPase. Explored here is the linkage of AMP/Fru-2,6-P₂ synergism to the central cavity and the evolution of synergism in FBPases. The single mutation Ser⁴⁵ → His substantially fills the central cavity of pFBPase, and the triple mutation Ser⁴⁵ → His, Thr⁴⁶ → Arg, and Leu¹⁸⁶ → Tyr replaces porcine with E. coli type side chains. Both single and triple mutations significantly reduce synergism while retaining other wild-type kinetic properties. Similar to the effect of Fru-2,6-P₂ on eFBPase, the triple mutant of pFBPase with bound Fru-2,6-P₂ exhibits only a 2° subunit pair rotation as opposed to the 13° rotation exhibited by the Fru-2,6-P₂ complex of wild-type pFBPase. The side chain at position 45 is small in all available eukaryotic FBPases but large and hydrophilic in bacterial FBPases, similar to eFBPase. Sequence information indicates the likelihood of synergism in the FBPase from Leptospira interrogans (lFBPase), and indeed recombinant lFBPase exhibits AMP/Fru-2,6-P₂ synergism. Unexpectedly, however, AMP also enhances Fru-6-P binding to lFBPase. Taken together, these observations suggest the evolution of AMP/Fru-2,6-P₂ synergism in eukaryotic FBPases from an ancestral FBPase having a central aqueous cavity and exhibiting synergistic feedback inhibition by AMP and Fru-6-P.     

Novel allosteric activation site in Escherichia coli fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) governs a key step in gluconeogenesis, the conversion of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate into fructose 6-phosphate. In mammals, the enzyme is subject to metabolic regulation, but regulatory mechanisms of bacterial FBPases are not well understood. Presented here is the crystal structure (resolution, 1.45A) of recombinant FBPase from Escherichia coli, the first structure of a prokaryotic Type I FBPase. The E. coli enzyme is a homotetramer, but in a quaternary state between the canonical R- and T-states of porcine FBPase. Phe(15) and residues at the C-terminal side of the first alpha-helix (helix H1) occupy the AMP binding pocket. Residues at the N-terminal side of helix H1 hydrogen bond with sulfate ions buried at a subunit interface, which in porcine FBPase undergoes significant conformational change in response to allosteric effectors. Phosphoenolpyruvate and sulfate activate E. coli FBPase by at least 300%. Key residues that bind sulfate anions are conserved among many heterotrophic bacteria, but are absent in FBPases of organisms that employ fructose 2,6-bisphosphate as a regulator. These observations suggest a new mechanism of regulation in the FBPase enzyme family: anionic ligands, most likely phosphoenolpyruvate, bind to allosteric activator sites, which in turn stabilize a tetramer and a polypeptide fold that obstructs AMP binding.     

Structural and Biochemical Characterization of the Type II Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase GlpX from Escherichia coli

Gluconeogenesis is an important metabolic pathway, which produces glucose from noncarbohydrate precursors such as organic acids, fatty acids, amino acids, or glycerol. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, a key enzyme of gluconeogenesis, is found in all organisms, and five different classes of these enzymes have been identified. Here we demonstrate that Escherichia coli has two class II fructose-1,6-bisphosphatases, GlpX and YggF, which show different catalytic properties. We present the first crystal structure of a class II fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (GlpX) determined in a free state and in the complex with a substrate (fructose 1,6-bisphosphate) or inhibitor (phosphate). The crystal structure of the ligand-free GlpX revealed a compact, globular shape with two α/β-sandwich domains. The core fold of GlpX is structurally similar to that of Li⁺-sensitive phosphatases implying that they have a common evolutionary origin and catalytic mechanism. The structure of the GlpX complex with fructose 1,6-bisphosphate revealed that the active site is located between two domains and accommodates several conserved residues coordinating two metal ions and the substrate. The third metal ion is bound to phosphate 6 of the substrate. Inorganic phosphate strongly inhibited activity of both GlpX and YggF, and the crystal structure of the GlpX complex with phosphate demonstrated that the inhibitor molecule binds to the active site. Alanine replacement mutagenesis of GlpX identified 12 conserved residues important for activity and suggested that Thr⁹⁰ is the primary catalytic residue. Our data provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of the substrate specificity and catalysis of GlpX and other class II fructose-1,6-bisphosphatases.Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase,² EC 3.1.3.11), a key enzyme of gluconeogenesis, catalyzes the hydrolysis of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate to form fructose 6-phosphate and orthophosphate. It is the reverse of the reaction catalyzed by phosphofructokinase in glycolysis, and the product, fructose 6-phosphate, is an important precursor in various biosynthetic pathways (1). In all organisms, gluconeogenesis is an important metabolic pathway that allows the cells to synthesize glucose from noncarbohydrate precursors, such as organic acids, amino acids, and glycerol. FBPases are members of the large superfamily of lithium-sensitive phosphatases, which includes three families of inositol phosphatases and FBPases (the phosphoesterase clan CL0171, 3167 sequences, Pfam data base). These enzymes show metal-dependent and lithium-sensitive phosphomonoesterase activity and include inositol polyphosphate 1-phosphatases, inositol monophosphatases (IMPases), 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphatases (PAPases), and enzymes acting on both inositol 1,4-bisphosphate and PAP (PIPases) (2). They possess a common structural core with the active site lying between α+β and α/β domains (3). Li⁺-sensitive phosphatases are putative targets for lithium therapy in the treatment of manic depressive patients (4), whereas FBPases are targets for the development of drugs for the treatment of noninsulin-dependent diabetes (5, 6). In addition, FBPase is required for virulence in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Leishmania major and plays an important role in the production of lysine and glutamate by Corynebacterium glutamicum (7, 8).Presently, five different classes of FBPases have been proposed based on their amino acid sequences (FBPases I to V) (9–11). Eukaryotes contain only the FBPase I-type enzyme, but all five types exist in various prokaryotes. Types I, II, and III are primarily in bacteria, type IV in archaea (a bifunctional FBPase/inositol monophosphatase), and type V in thermophilic prokaryotes from both domains (11). Many organisms have more than one FBPase, mostly the combination of types I + II or II + III, but no bacterial genome has a combination of types I and III FBPases (9). The type I FBPase is the most widely distributed among living organisms and is the primary FBPase in Escherichia coli, most bacteria, a few archaea, and all eukaryotes (9, 11–15). The type II FBPases are represented by the E. coli GlpX and FBPase F-I from Synechocystis PCC6803 (9, 16); type III is represented by the Bacillus subtilis FBPase (17); type IV is represented by the dual activity FBPases/inosine monophosphatases FbpA from Pyrococcus furiosus (18), MJ0109 from Methanococcus jannaschii (19), and AF2372 from Archaeoglobus fulgidus (20); and type V is represented by the FBPases TK2164 from Pyrococcus (Thermococcus) kodakaraensis and ST0318 from Sulfolobus tokodai (10, 21).Three-dimensional structures of the type I (from pig kidney, spinach chloroplasts, and E. coli), type IV (MJ0109 and AF2372), and type V (ST0318) FBPases have been solved (10, 11, 19, 20, 22, 23). FBPases I and IV and inositol monophosphatases share a common sugar phosphatase fold organized in five layered interleaved α-helices and β-sheets (α-β-α-β-α) (2, 19, 24). ST0318 (an FBPase V enzyme) is composed of one domain with a completely different four-layer α-β-β-α fold (10). The FBPases from these three classes (I, IV, and V) require divalent cations for activity (Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, or Zn²⁺), and their structures have revealed the presence of three or four metal ions in the active site.E. coli has five Li⁺-sensitive phosphatases as follows: CysQ (a PAPase), SuhB (an IMPase), Fbp (a FBPase I enzyme), GlpX (a FBPase II), and YggF (an uncharacterized protein) (see the Pfam data base). CysQ is a 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphatase involved in the cysteine biosynthesis pathway (25, 26), whereas SuhB is an inositol monophosphatase (IMPase) that is also known as a suppressor of temperature-sensitive growth phenotypes in E. coli (27, 28). Fbp is required for growth on gluconeogenic substrates and probably represents the main gluconeogenic FBPase (12). This enzyme has been characterized both biochemically and structurally and shown to be inhibited by low concentrations of AMP (IC₅₀ 15 μm) (11, 29, 30). The E. coli GlpX, a class II enzyme FBPase, has been shown to possess a Mn²⁺-dependent FBPase activity (9). The increased expression of glpX from a multicopy plasmid complemented the Fbp^- phenotype; however, the glpX knock-out strain grew normally on gluconeogenic substrates (succinate or glycerol) (9).In this study, we present the first structure of a class II FBPase, the E. coli GlpX, in a free state and in the complex with FBP + metals or phosphate. We have demonstrated that the fold of GlpX is similar to that of the lithium-sensitive phosphatases. We have identified the GlpX residues important for activity and proposed a catalytic mechanism. We have also showed that YggF is a third FBPase in E. coli, which has distinct catalytic properties and is more sensitive than GlpX to the inhibition by lithium or phosphate.     

Characterization of Fructose 1,6-Bisphosphatase and Sedoheptulose 1,7-Bisphosphatase from the Facultative Ribulose Monophosphate Cycle Methylotroph Bacillus methanolicus

The genome of the facultative ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) cycle methylotroph Bacillus methanolicus encodes two bisphosphatases (GlpX), one on the chromosome (GlpX^C) and one on plasmid pBM19 (GlpX^P), which is required for methylotrophy. Both enzymes were purified from recombinant Escherichia coli and were shown to be active as fructose 1,6-bisphosphatases (FBPases). The FBPase-negative Corynebacterium glutamicum Δfbp mutant could be phenotypically complemented with glpX^C and glpX^P from B. methanolicus. GlpX^P and GlpX^C share similar functional properties, as they were found here to be active as homotetramers in vitro, activated by Mn²⁺ ions and inhibited by Li⁺, but differed in terms of the kinetic parameters. GlpX^C showed a much higher catalytic efficiency and a lower K_m for fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (86.3 s⁻¹ mM⁻¹ and 14 ± 0.5 μM, respectively) than GlpX^P (8.8 s⁻¹ mM⁻¹ and 440 ± 7.6 μM, respectively), indicating that GlpX^C is the major FBPase of B. methanolicus. Both enzymes were tested for activity as sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphatase (SBPase), since a SBPase variant of the ribulose monophosphate cycle has been proposed for B. methanolicus. The substrate for the SBPase reaction, sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphate, could be synthesized in vitro by using both fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase proteins from B. methanolicus. Evidence for activity as an SBPase could be obtained for GlpX^P but not for GlpX^C. Based on these in vitro data, GlpX^P is a promiscuous SBPase/FBPase and might function in the RuMP cycle of B. methanolicus.     

Structure of a Class I Tagatose-1,6-bisphosphate Aldolase: INVESTIGATION INTO AN APPARENT LOSS OF STEREOSPECIFICITY*

Tagatose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase from Streptococcus pyogenes is a class I aldolase that exhibits a remarkable lack of chiral discrimination with respect to the configuration of hydroxyl groups at both C3 and C4 positions. The enzyme catalyzes the reversible cleavage of four diastereoisomers (fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), psicose 1,6-bisphosphate, sorbose 1,6-bisphosphate, and tagatose 1,6-bisphosphate) to dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and d-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate with high catalytic efficiency. To investigate its enzymatic mechanism, high resolution crystal structures were determined of both native enzyme and native enzyme in complex with dihydroxyacetone-P. The electron density map revealed a (α/β)₈ fold in each dimeric subunit. Flash-cooled crystals of native enzyme soaked with dihydroxyacetone phosphate trapped a covalent intermediate with carbanionic character at Lys²⁰⁵, different from the enamine mesomer bound in stereospecific class I FBP aldolase. Structural analysis indicates extensive active site conservation with respect to class I FBP aldolases, including conserved conformational responses to DHAP binding and conserved stereospecific proton transfer at the DHAP C3 carbon mediated by a proximal water molecule. Exchange reactions with tritiated water and tritium-labeled DHAP at C3 hydrogen were carried out in both solution and crystalline state to assess stereochemical control at C3. The kinetic studies show labeling at both pro-R and pro-S C3 positions of DHAP yet detritiation only at the C3 pro-S-labeled position. Detritiation of the C3 pro-R label was not detected and is consistent with preferential cis-trans isomerism about the C2–C3 bond in the carbanion as the mechanism responsible for C3 epimerization in tagatose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase.     

Inhibition of glucose phosphate isomerase by metabolic intermediates of fructose

1. Purified rabbit-muscle and -liver glucose phosphate isomerase, free of contaminating enzyme activities that could interfere with the assay procedures, were tested for inhibition by fructose, fructose 1-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate. 2. Fructose 1-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate are both competitive with fructose 6-phosphate in the enzymic reaction, the apparent K_i values being 1·37×10⁻³−1·67×10⁻³m for fructose 1-phosphate and 7·2×10⁻³−7·9×10⁻³m for fructose 1,6-diphosphate; fructose and inorganic phosphate were without effect. 3. The apparent K_m values for both liver and muscle enzymes at pH7·4 and 30° were 1·11×10⁻⁴−1·29×10⁻⁴m for fructose 6-phosphate, determined under the conditions in this paper. 4. In the reverse reaction, fructose, fructose 1-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate did not significantly inhibit the conversion of glucose 6-phosphate into fructose 6-phosphate. 5. The apparent K_m values for glucose 6-phosphate were in the range 5·6×10⁻⁴−8·5×10⁻⁴m. 6. The competitive inhibition of hepatic glucose phosphate isomerase by fructose 1-phosphate is discussed in relation to the mechanism of fructose-induced hypoglycaemia in hereditary fructose intolerance.     

Structural Insights into the Substrate Specificity of a 6-Phospho-β-glucosidase BglA-2 from Streptococcus pneumoniae TIGR4

The 6-phospho-β-glucosidase BglA-2 (EC 3.2.1.86) from glycoside hydrolase family 1 (GH-1) catalyzes the hydrolysis of β-1,4-linked cellobiose 6-phosphate (cellobiose-6′P) to yield glucose and glucose 6-phosphate. Both reaction products are further metabolized by the energy-generating glycolytic pathway. Here, we present the first crystal structures of the apo and complex forms of BglA-2 with thiocellobiose-6′P (a non-metabolizable analog of cellobiose-6′P) at 2.0 and 2.4 Å resolution, respectively. Similar to other GH-1 enzymes, the overall structure of BglA-2 from Streptococcus pneumoniae adopts a typical (β/α)₈ TIM-barrel, with the active site located at the center of the convex surface of the β-barrel. Structural analyses, in combination with enzymatic data obtained from site-directed mutant proteins, suggest that three aromatic residues, Tyr¹²⁶, Tyr³⁰³, and Trp³³⁸, at subsite +1 of BglA-2 determine substrate specificity with respect to 1,4-linked 6-phospho-β-glucosides. Moreover, three additional residues, Ser⁴²⁴, Lys⁴³⁰, and Tyr⁴³² of BglA-2, were found to play important roles in the hydrolytic selectivity toward phosphorylated rather than non-phosphorylated compounds. Comparative structural analysis suggests that a tryptophan versus a methionine/alanine residue at subsite −1 may contribute to the catalytic and substrate selectivity with respect to structurally similar 6-phospho-β-galactosidases and 6-phospho-β-glucosidases assigned to the GH-1 family.     

Crystal structure of cbbF from Zymomonas mobilis and its functional implication

A phosphate group at the C1-atom of inositol-monophosphate (IMP) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) is hydrolyzed by a phosphatase IMPase and FBPase in a metal-dependent way, respectively. The two enzymes are almost indiscernible from each other because of their highly similar sequences and structures. Metal ions are bound to residues on the β1- and β2-strands and one mobile loop. However, FBP has another phosphate and FBPases exist as a higher oligomeric state, which may discriminate FBPases from IMPases. There are three genes annotated as FBPases in Zymomonas mobilis, termed also cbbF (ZmcbbF). The revealed crystal structure of one ZmcbbF shows a globular structure formed by five stacked layers. Twenty-five residues in the middle of the sequence form an α-helix and a β-strand, which occupy one side of the catalytic site. A non-polar Leu residue among them is protruded to the active site, pointing out unfavorable access of a bulky charged group to this side. In vitro assays have shown its dimeric form in solution. Interestingly, two β-strands of β1 and β2 are disordered in the ZmcbbF structure. These data indicate that ZmcbbF might structurally belong to IMPase, and imply that its active site would be reorganized in a yet unreported way.     

Structure of inhibited fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase from Escherichia coli: distinct allosteric inhibition sites for AMP and glucose 6-phosphate and the characterization of a gluconeogenic switch

Allosteric activation of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) from Escherichia coli by phosphoenolpyruvate implies rapid feed-forward activation of gluconeogenesis in heterotrophic bacteria. But how do such bacteria rapidly down-regulate an activated FBPase in order to avoid futile cycling? Demonstrated here is the allosteric inhibition of E. coli FBPase by glucose 6-phosphate (Glc-6-P), the first metabolite produced upon glucose transport into the cell. FBPase undergoes a quaternary transition from the canonical R-state to a T-like state in response to Glc-6-P and AMP ligation. By displacing Phe(15), AMP binds to an allosteric site comparable with that of mammalian FBPase. Relative movements in helices H1 and H2 perturb allosteric activator sites for phosphoenolpyruvate. Glc-6-P binds to allosteric sites heretofore not observed in previous structures, perturbing subunits that in pairs form complete active sites of FBPase. Glc-6-P and AMP are synergistic inhibitors of E. coli FBPase, placing AMP/Glc-6-P inhibition in bacteria as a possible evolutionary predecessor to AMP/fructose 2,6-bisphosphate inhibition in mammalian FBPases. With no exceptions, signature residues of allosteric activation appear in bacterial sequences along with key residues of the Glc-6-P site. FBPases in such organisms may be components of metabolic switches that allow rapid changeover between gluconeogenesis and glycolysis in response to nutrient availability.     

HETEROLOGOUS EXPRESSION OF Escherichia coli FRUCTOSE-1,6-BISPHOSPHATASE IN Corynebacterium glutamicum AND EVALUATING THE EFFECT ON CELL GROWTH AND L-LYSINE PRODUCTION

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), which is mainly used to supply NADPH, has an important role in increasing L-lysine production by Corynebacterium glutamicum. However, C. glutamicum FBPase is negatively regulated at the metabolic level. Strains that overexpressed Escherichia coli fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase in C. glutamicum were constructed, and the effects of heterologous FBPase on cell growth and L-lysine production during growth on glucose, fructose, and sucrose were evaluated. The heterologous fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase is insensitive to fructose 1-phosphate and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, whereas the homologous fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase is inhibited by fructose 1-phosphate and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate. The relative enzyme activity of heterologous fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase is 90.8% and 89.1% during supplement with 3 mM fructose 1-phosphate and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, respectively. Phosphoenolpyruvate is an activator of heterologous fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, whereas the homologous fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase is very sensitive to phosphoenolpyruvate. Overexpression of the heterologous fbp in wild-type C. glutamicum has no effect on L-lysine production, but fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activities are increased 9- to 13-fold. Overexpression of the heterologous fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase increases L-lysine production in C. glutamicum lysC ^T311I by 57.3% on fructose, 48.7% on sucrose, and 43% on glucose. The dry cell weight (DCW) and maximal specific growth rate (μ) are increased by overexpression of heterologous fbp. A “funnel-cask” diagram is first proposed to explain the synergy between precursors supply and NADPH supply. These results lay a definite theoretical foundation for breeding high L-lysine producers via molecular target.     

Characterization of Hyperthermostable Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphatase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermococcus onnurineus</Emphasis> NA1

To understand the physiological functions of thermostable fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (TNA1-Fbp) from Thermococcus onnurineus NA1, its recombinant enzyme was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and the enzymatic properties were characterized. The enzyme showed maximal activity for fructose-1,6-bisphosphate at 95°C and pH 8.0 with a half-life (t _1/2) of about 8 h. TNA1-Fbp had broad substrate specificities for fructose-1,6-bisphosphate and its analogues including fructose-1-phosphate, glucose-1-phosphate, and phosphoenolpyruvate. In addition, its enzyme activity was increased five-fold by addition of 1 mM Mg²⁺, while Li⁺ did not enhance enzymatic activity. TNA1-Fbp activity was inhibited by ATP, ADP, and phosphoenolpyruvate, but AMP up to 100 mM did not have any effect. TNA1-Fbp is currently defined as a class V fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) because it is very similar to FBPase of Thermococcus kodakaraensis KOD1 based on sequence homology. However, this enzyme shows a different range of substrate specificities. These results suggest that TNA1-Fbp can establish new criterion for class V FBPases.     

Crystal Structures of Ethanolamine Ammonia-lyase Complexed with Coenzyme B12 Analogs and Substrates

N-terminal truncation of the Escherichia coli ethanolamine ammonia-lyase β-subunit does not affect the catalytic properties of the enzyme (Akita, K., Hieda, N., Baba, N., Kawaguchi, S., Sakamoto, H., Nakanishi, Y., Yamanishi, M., Mori, K., and Toraya, T. (2010) J. Biochem. 147, 83–93). The binary complex of the truncated enzyme with cyanocobalamin and the ternary complex with cyanocobalamin or adeninylpentylcobalamin and substrates were crystallized, and their x-ray structures were analyzed. The enzyme exists as a trimer of the (αβ)₂ dimer. The active site is in the (β/α)₈ barrel of the α-subunit; the β-subunit covers the lower part of the cobalamin that is bound in the interface of the α- and β-subunits. The structure complexed with adeninylpentylcobalamin revealed the presence of an adenine ring-binding pocket in the enzyme that accommodates the adenine moiety through a hydrogen bond network. The substrate is bound by six hydrogen bonds with active-site residues. Argα¹⁶⁰ contributes to substrate binding most likely by hydrogen bonding with the O1 atom. The modeling study implies that marked angular strains and tensile forces induced by tight enzyme-coenzyme interactions are responsible for breaking the coenzyme Co–C bond. The coenzyme adenosyl radical in the productive conformation was modeled by superimposing its adenine ring on the adenine ring-binding site followed by ribosyl rotation around the N-glycosidic bond. A major structural change upon substrate binding was not observed with this particular enzyme. Gluα²⁸⁷, one of the substrate-binding residues, has a direct contact with the ribose group of the modeled adenosylcobalamin, which may contribute to the substrate-induced additional labilization of the Co–C bond.     

Estimation of the fructose diphosphatase-phosphofructokinase substrate cycle in the flight muscle of Bombus affinis

1. Substrate cycling of fructose 6-phosphate through reactions catalysed by phosphofructokinase and fructose diphosphatase was estimated in bumble-bee (Bombus affinis) flight muscle in vivo. 2. Estimations of substrate cycling of fructose 6-phosphate and of glycolysis were made from the equilibrium value of the ³H/¹⁴C ratio in glucose 6-phosphate as well as the rate of ³H release to water after the metabolism of [5-³H,U-¹⁴C]glucose. 3. In flight, the metabolism of glucose proceeded exclusively through glycolysis (20.4μmol/min per g fresh wt.) and there was no evidence for substrate cycling. 4. In the resting bumble-bee exposed to low temperatures (5°C), the pattern of glucose metabolism in the flight muscle was altered so that substrate cycling was high (10.4μmol/min per g fresh wt.) and glycolysis was decreased (5.8μmol/min per g fresh wt.). 5. The rate of substrate cycling in the resting bumble-bee flight muscle was inversely related to the ambient temperature, since at 27°, 21° and 5°C the rates of substrate cycling were 0, 0.48 and 10.4μmol/min per g fresh wt. respectively. 6. Calcium ions inhibited fructose diphosphatase of the bumble-bee flight muscle at concentrations that were without effect on phosphofructokinase. The inhibition was reversed by the presence of a Ca²⁺-chelating compound. It is proposed that the rate of fructose 6-phosphate substrate cycling could be regulated by changes in the sarcoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration associated with the contractile process.     

The Mechanism of Calcium-Induced Inhibition of Muscle Fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase and Destabilization of Glyconeogenic Complex

The mechanism by which calcium inhibits the activity of muscle fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) and destabilizes its interaction with aldolase, regulating glycogen synthesis from non-carbohydrates in skeletal muscle is poorly understood. In the current paper, we demonstrate evidence that Ca²⁺ affects conformation of the catalytic loop 52–72 of muscle FBPase and inhibits its activity by competing with activatory divalent cations, e.g. Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺. We also propose the molecular mechanism of Ca²⁺-induced destabilization of the aldolase–FBPase interaction, showing that aldolase associates with FBPase in its active form, i.e. with loop 52–72 in the engaged conformation, while Ca²⁺ stabilizes the disengaged-like form of the loop.     

Evidence for a specific phosphoryl binding site in swine kidney phosphofructokinase

Summary Phosphofructokinase (PFK) from swine kidney was purified by a procedure which included affinity chromatography on Cibacron blue F3GA-Sepharose 4B and ATP-Sepharose 413 columns in order to examine its binding properties. The homogeneous enzyme was purified more than 3 000-fold with a yield of 30% and it had a specific activity of 39.8 µmol/min/ mg of protein at 25°C. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was 360 000 and it contained 4 identical subunits of molecular weight 88 000. The principal catalytically reacting form of the enzyme had a S_20,w of 13.7 S which corresponds to a molecular weight of 360 000 ± 6 000. The initial velocity patterns in the forward and reverse directions suggested a sequential mechanism for the reaction. The K_m values for fructose 6-phosphate, ATP, fructose, 1,6-bisP and ADP were 33 µM, 8.3 µM, 460 µM, and 110 µM, respectively.The homogeneous native enzyme binds specifically to phosphoryl groups immobilized in cellulose phosphate columns. ATP and fructose 6-phosphate interacted with the enzyme and decreased its affinity for phosphoryl binding sites. Other metabolites including fructose 1,6-bisP, glucose 6-phosphate and various nucleotides, alone or in various combinations, were ineffective in promoting the dissociation of the enzyme. Allosteric effectors of the enzyme, such as citrate and AMP were also inactive. However, they cooperatively altered the eoncentration of ATP required to dissociate the enzyme from phosphoryl groups. The bound enzyme was enzymatically inactive. The enzyme was also inactivated when it was treated with pyridoxal 5-phosphate and reduced with sodium borohydride and the inactive enzyme no longer bound to cellulose phosphate. These effects were not observed when treatment with pyridoxal 5-phosphate was carried out in the presence of fructose 6-phosphate.These observations and the results of similar studies with swine kidney fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) show that both enzymes share the unique property of binding specifically to phosphoryl groups. FBPase interacts through its allosteric AMP binding site and PFK binds through its fructose 6-P binding site. This specific binding of both enzymes through these sites result in the inactivation of PFK and the desensitization of FBPase to allosteric inhibition by AMP. In the unbound state PFK may be active and FBPase can be inhibited by AMP. Taken collectively, these binding effects could play a role in the reciprocal regulation of these enzymes during gluconeogenesis in kidney.     

Direct Measurements of Oscillatory Glycolysis in Pancreatic Islet β-Cells Using Novel Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) Biosensors for Pyruvate Kinase M2 Activity

Pulses of insulin released from pancreatic β-cells maintain blood glucose in a narrow range, although the source of these pulses is unclear. We and others have proposed that positive feedback mediated by the glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK1) enables β-cells to generate metabolic oscillations via autocatalytic activation by its product fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP). Although much indirect evidence has accumulated in favor of this hypothesis, a direct measurement of oscillating glycolytic intermediates has been lacking. To probe glycolysis directly, we engineered a family of inter- and intramolecular FRET biosensors based on the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase M2 (PKAR; pyruvate kinase activity reporter), which multimerizes and is activated upon binding FBP. When introduced into Min6 β-cells, PKAR FRET efficiency increased rapidly in response to glucose. Importantly, however, metabolites entering downstream of PFK1 (glyceraldehyde, pyruvate, and ketoisocaproate) failed to activate PKAR, consistent with sensor activation by FBP; the dependence of PKAR on FBP was further confirmed using purified sensor in vitro. Using a novel imaging modality for monitoring mitochondrial flavin fluorescence in mouse islets, we show that slow oscillations in mitochondrial redox potential stimulated by 10 mm glucose are in phase with glycolytic efflux through PKM2, measured simultaneously from neighboring islet β-cells expressing PKAR. These results indicate that PKM2 activity in β-cells is oscillatory and are consistent with pulsatile PFK1 being the mediator of slow glycolytic oscillations.     

Presence, induction and possible role of glucose 6-phosphatase in mammalian pancreatic islets

1. Pancreatic islets from several mammalian species were investigated for hydrolytic activity towards glucose 6-phosphate. Both the total phosphatase activity towards this substrate and the proportion cleaving glucose 6-phosphate in preference to β-glycerophosphate varied widely between species. In pancreatic-islet homogenates prepared from mice and guinea pigs there was a higher rate of liberation of P_i at pH6·7 from glucose 6-phosphate than from β-glycerophosphate. In these two species cortisone treatment enhanced the enzyme activity towards glucose 6-phosphate but not that towards β-glycerophosphate. Simultaneous injections of ethionine or puromycin blocked this stimulating effect of cortisone. 2. With whole homogenates of mouse pancreatic islets, inverse plots of the relationship between glucose 6-phosphate concentration and enzyme activity suggested the simultaneous action of two enzymes with different K_m values. After fractionation of islets from obese–hyperglycaemic mice by differential centrifugation, one of these enzymes could be shown to be localized in the microsome fraction. It had K_m for glucose 6-phosphate about 0·5mm and optimum pH6·7. It split glucose 6-phosphate in preference to β-glycerophosphate, glucose 1-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate. Incubation of the microsomes at pH5·0 and 37° for 15min. decreased the enzyme activity by about 80%. Glucose was a potent inhibitor, the type of inhibition being neither strictly competitive nor non-competitive. It is suggested that the results indicate the presence of glucose 6-phosphatase in mammalian endocrine pancreas, and that this enzyme may play a role in the metabolic regulation of release of insulin.     

The regulation of the interaction between F-actin and muscle fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase

Interaction between rabbit muscle fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) and rabbit muscle F-actin results in heterologous complex formation [A. Gizak, D. Rakus, A. Dzugaj, Histol. Histopathol. 18 (2003) 135]. Calculated on the basis of co-sedimentation-binding experiments and ELISA assay-binding constant (Ka) revealed that FBPase binds to F-actin with Ka equal to 7.4 x 10(4) M(-1). The binding is down-regulated by ligands interacting with the FBPase active site (fructose 6-phosphate, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, fructose 2,6-bisphosphate) and with the FBPase allosteric inhibitory site (AMP). The binding and the kinetic data suggests that FBPase may bind F-actin using a bipartite motif which includes the amino acids residues involved in the binding of the substrate as well as of the allosteric inhibitor of the enzyme. The in situ co-localization experiment, in which FBPase was diffused into skinned muscle fibres pre-incubated with phalloidin (polymeric actin-interacting toxin), has shown that FBPase binds predominantly to the region of the Z-line.     

Degradation of endogenous fructose during catabolism of sucrose and mannitol in halophilic archaebacteria

Metabolism of fructose arising endogenously from sucrose or mannitol was studied in halophilic archaebacteria Haloarcula vallismortis and Haloferax mediterranei. Activities of the enzymes of Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway, Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway and Pentose Phosphate (PP) pathway were examined in extracts of cells grown on sucrose or mannitol and compared to those grown on fructose and glucose. Sucrase and NAD-specific mannitol dehydrogenase were induced only when sucrose or mannitol respectively were the growth substrates. Endogenously arising fructose was metabolised in a manner similar to that for exogenously supplied fructose i.e. a modified EMP pathway initiated by ketohexokinase. While the enzymes for modified EMP pathway viz. ketohexokinase, 1-phosphofructokinase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase were present under all growth conditions, their levels were elevated in presence of fructose. Besides, though fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, phosphohexoseisomerase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were present, the absence of 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase precluded routing of fructose through ED pathway, or through PP pathway directly as 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase was lacking. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase plays the unusual role of a catabolic enzyme in supporting the non-oxidative part of PP pathway. However the presence of constitutive levels of glucose dehydrogenase and 2-keto 3-deoxy 6-phosphogluconate aldolase when glucose or sucrose were growth substrates suggested that glucose breakdown took place via the modified ED pathway.Abbreviations EMP Embden Meyerhof Parnas - ED Entner Doudoroff - PP pentose phosphate - KHK ketohexokinase - 1-PFK 1-phosphofructokinase - PEP-PTS phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase - 6-PFK 6-phosphofructokinase - FBPase fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase - PHI phosphohexoseisomerase - G6P-DH glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase - 6PG-DH 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase - GAPDH glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase - FIP fructose 1-phosphate - GSH reduced glutathione - 2-ME -mercaptoethanol - FBP fructose 1,6-bisphosphate - KDPG 2-keto 3-deoxy 6-phosphogluconate - F6P fructose 6-phosphatez     

Stabilization of the ADP/Metaphosphate Intermediate during ATP Hydrolysis in Pre-power Stroke Myosin: QUANTITATIVE ANATOMY OF AN ENZYME*

It has been proposed recently that ATP hydrolysis in ATPase enzymes proceeds via an initial intermediate in which the dissociated γ-phosphate of ATP is bound in the protein as a metaphosphate (P_γO₃⁻). A combined quantum/classical analysis of this dissociated nucleotide state inside myosin provides a quantitative understanding of how the enzyme stabilizes this unusual metaphosphate. Indeed, in vacuum, the energy of the ADP³⁻·P_γO₃⁻·Mg²⁺ complex is much higher than that of the undissociated ATP⁴⁻. The protein brings it to a surprisingly low value. Energy decomposition reveals how much each interaction in the protein stabilizes the metaphosphate state; backbone peptides of the P-loop contribute 50% of the stabilization energy, and the side chain of Lys-185⁺ contributes 25%. This can be explained by the fact that these groups make strong favorable interactions with the α- and β-phosphates, thus favoring the charge distribution of the metaphosphate state over that of the ATP state. Further stabilization (16%) is achieved by a hydrogen bond between the backbone C=O of Ser-237 (on loop Switch-1) and a water molecule perfectly positioned to attack the P_γO₃⁻ in the subsequent hydrolysis step. The planar and singly negative P_γO₃⁻ is a much better target for the subsequent nucleophilic attack by a negatively charged OH⁻ than the tetrahedral and doubly negative P_γO₄²⁻ group of ATP. Therefore, we argue that the present mechanism of metaphosphate stabilization is common to the large family of nucleotide-hydrolyzing enzymes. Methodologically, this work presents a computational approach that allows us to obtain a truly quantitative conception of enzymatic strategy.