Kinetic properties of the partially purified pyruvate dehydrogenase complex of ox brain

The properties of a purified preparation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from ox brain have been compared with those of a similar preparation from ox kidney. A broad pH optimum around 7.8, similar dependence on ionic strength, and independence of the nature of the buffer anions or cations characterized preparations from both tissues. Michaelis constants for the binding of pyruvate, thiamin pyrophosphate, NAD(+) and CoA were also similar. Enzyme from both tissues was inhibited by NADH, by copper and other heavy metals, by high concentrations of tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates, and by preincubation with ATP. Acetyl-CoA itself did not appear to inhibit these preparations, although some commercial preparations of acetyl-CoA did contain an inhibitor. Although oxaloacetate and alpha-oxobutyrate were weak inhibitors, a number of other alpha-oxo acids including phenylpyruvate did not inhibit. The properties of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from brain and kidney appeared similar.     

Effects of alpha-ketoisovalerate on bovine heart pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase

The regulatory effects of alpha-ketoisovalerate on purified bovine heart pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and endogenous pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase were investigated. Incubation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex with 0.125 to 10 mM alpha-ketoisovalerate caused an initial lag in enzymatic activity, followed by a more linear but inhibited rate of NADH production. Incubation with 0.0125 or 0.05 mM alpha-ketoisovalerate caused pyruvate dehydrogenase inhibition, but did not cause the initial lag in pyruvate dehydrogenase activity. Gel electrophoresis and fluorography demonstrated the incorporation of acyl groups from alpha-keto[2-14C]isovalerate into the dihydrolipoyl transacetylase component of the enzyme complex. Acylation was prevented by pyruvate and by arsenite plus NADH. Endogenous pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase activity was stimulated specifically by K+, in contrast to previous reports, and kinase stimulation by K+ correlated with pyruvate dehydrogenase inactivation. Maximum kinase activity in the presence of K+ was inhibited 62% by 0.1 mM thiamin pyrophosphate, but was inhibited only 27% in the presence of 0.1 mM thiamin pyrophosphate and 0.1 mM alpha-ketoisovalerate. Pyruvate did not affect kinase inhibition by thiamin pyrophosphate at either 0.05 or 2 mM. The present study demonstrates that alpha-ketoisovalerate acylates heart pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and suggests that acylation prevents thiamin pyrophosphate-mediated kinase inhibition.     

Regulation of kinase reactions in pig heart pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

1. Pig heart pyruvate dehydrogenase complex is inactivated by phosphorylation (MgATP2-) of an alpha-chain of the decarboxylase component. Three serine residues may be phosphorylated, one of which (site 1) is the major inactivating site. 2. The relative rates of phosphorylation are site 1 greater than 2 greater than site 3. 3. The kinetics of the inactivating phosphorylation were investigated by measuring inactivation of the complex with MgATP2-. The apparent Km for the Mg complex of ATP was 25.5 microM; ADP was a competitive inhibitor (Ki 69.8 microM) and sodium pyruvate an uncompetitive inhibitor (Ki 2.8 microM). Inactivation was accelerated by increasing concentration ratios of NADH/NAD+ and of acetyl-CoA/CoA. 4. The kinetics of additional phosphorylations (predominantly site 2 under these conditions) were investigated by measurement of 32P incorporation into non-radioactive pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphate containing 3-6% of active complex, and assumed from parrallel experiments with 32P labelling to contain 91% of protein-bound phosphate in site 1 and 9% in site 2. 5. The apparent Km for the Mg complex of ATP was 10.1 microM; ADP was a competitive inhibitor (Ki 31.5 microM) and sodium pyruvate an uncompetitive inhibitor (Ki 1.1 mM). 6. Incorporation was accelerated by increasing concentration ratios of NADH/NAD+ and of acetyl-CoA/CoA, although it was less marked at the highest ratios.     

Properties of a fructose-1,6-diphosphate-activated lactate dehydrogenase from Acholeplasma laidlawii type A

Acholeplasma laidlawii A possesses a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent l(+)-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) which is activated specifically by low concentrations of fructose-1, 6-diphosphate (FDP). Studies with partially purified enzyme show that the kinetic response to FDP is hyperbolic. The enzyme is inhibited by inorganic phosphate, adenosine triphosphate, and high concentrations of reduced NAD (NADH). Low activity is demonstrable in the absence of FDP at pH 6.0 to 7.2, but FDP is absolutely required in the region of pH 8. FDP causes an upward shift in the optimum pH of the enzyme, which is near 7.2 in tris (hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer. Activation of the enzyme by FDP is markedly affected by substrate concentration; FDP lowers the apparent K(m) for pyruvate and NADH. The affinity of the enzyme for pyruvate is also influenced by H(+) concentration. The pyruvate analogue alpha-ketobutyrate serves as an effective substrate for the enzyme; when it is utilized, the enzyme is still activated by FDP. Reversal of the pyruvate reduction reaction catalyzed by the enzyme can be demonstrated with the 3-acetylpyridine analogue of NAD. The catalytic properties of the A. laidlawii enzyme and the known FDP-activated LDHs which occur among lactic acid bacteria are discussed.     

Regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase by fatty acid in isolated rat liver mitochondria.

The mechanism by which fatty acid addition leads to the inactivation of pyruvate dehydrogenase in intact rat liver mitochondria was investigated. In all cases the fatty acid octanoate was added to mitochondria oxidizing succinate. Addition of fatty acid caused an inactivation of pyruvate dehydrogenase in mitochondria incubated under State 3 conditions (glucose plus hexokinase), in uncoupled, oligomycin-treated mitochondria, and in rotenone-menadione-treated mitochondria, but not in uncoupled mitochondria or in mitochondria incubated under State 4 conditions. A number of metabolic conditions were found in which pyruvate dehydrogenase was inactivated concomitant with an elevation in the ATP/ADP ratio. This is consistent with the inverse relationship between the ATP/ADP ratio and the pyruvate dehydrogenase activity proposed by various laboratories. However, in several other metabolic conditions pyruvate dehydrogenase was inactivated while the ATP/ADP ratio either was unchanged or even decreased. This observation implies that there are likely other regulatory factors involved in the fatty acid-mediated inactivation of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Incubation conditions in State 3 were found in which the ATP/ADP and the acetyl-CoA/CoASH ratios remained constant and the pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was correlated inversely with the NADH/NAD+ ratio. Other State 3 conditions were found in which the ATP/ADP and the NADH/NAD+ ratios remained constant while the pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was correlated inversely with the acetyl-CoA/CoASH ratio. Further evidence supporting these experiments with intact mitochondria was the observation that the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase activity of a mitochondrial extract was stimulated strongly by acetyl-CoA and was inhibited by NAD+ and CoASH. In contrast to acetyl-CoA, octanoyl-CoA inhibited the kinase activity. These results indicate that the inactivation of pyruvate dehydrogenase by fatty acid in isolated rat liver mitochondria may be mediated through effects of the NADH/NAD+ ratio and the acetyl-CoA/CoASH ratio on the interconversion of the active and inactive forms of the enzyme complex catalyzed by pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase and pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase.     

The kinetic mechanism of pyruvate reduction by lactate dehydrogenase from Phycomyces blakesleeanus

The kinetics of pyruvate reduction by lactate dehydrogenase from Phycomyces blakesleeanus NRRL 1555 (-) have been determined at pH 6.0. Initial rate studies performed in the pyruvate reduction direction suggest that a sequential mechanism is operating. Product inhibition studies with NAD+ and L(+)-lactate are consistent with an ordered sequential mechanism if we considered that NAD+ mimics the NADH that binds cooperatively on the enzyme and also the existence of dead-end complex responsible for substrate inhibition by pyruvate at this pH value.     

Kinetic characterization of the pyruvate and oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes from human heart

The Michaelis constant values for the highly purified pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) from human heart are 25, 13 and 50 microM for pyruvate, CoA and NAD, respectively. Acetyl-CoA produces a competitive inhibition of PDC (Ki = 35 microM) with respect to CoA, whereas NADH produces the same type of inhibition with respect to NAD (Ki = 36 microM). The oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (OGDC) from human heart has active sites with two different affinities for 2-oxoglutarate ([S]0.5 of 30 and 120 microM). ADP (1 mM) decreases the [S]0.5 values by a half. The inhibition of OGDC (Ki = 81 microM) by succinyl-CoA is of a competitive type with respect to CoA (Km = 2.5 microM), whereas that of NADH (Ki = 25 microM) is of a mixed type with respect to NAD (Km = 170 microM).     

Effects of adenosine phosphates and nicotinamide nucleotides on pyruvate carboxylase from baker''s yeast

1. Pyruvate carboxylase from baker's yeast is inhibited by ADP, AMP and adenosine at pH8.0 in the presence of magnesium chloride concentrations equal to or higher than the ATP concentration. The adenine moiety is essential for the inhibitory effect. 2. In the absence of acetyl-CoA (an allosteric activator) ADP, AMP and adenosine are competitive inhibitors with respect to ATP. In the presence of acetyl-CoA, besides the effect with respect to ATP, AMP competes with acetyl-CoA, whereas ADP and adenosine are non-competitive inhibitors with respect to the activator. 3. Pyruvate carboxylase is inhibited by NADH. The inhibition is competitive with respect to acetyl-CoA and specific with respect to NADH, since NAD(+), NADP(+) and NADPH do not affect the enzyme activity. In the absence of acetyl-CoA, NAD(+), NADH, NADP(+) and NADPH do not inhibit pyruvate carboxylase. 4. Pyruvate carboxylase is inhibited by ADP, AMP and NADH at pH6.5, in the presence of 12mm-Mg(2+), 0.75mm-Mn(2+) and 0.5mm-ATP, medium conditions similar to those existing inside the yeast cell. The ADP and NADH effects are consistent with a regulation of enzyme activity by the intracellular [ATP]/[ADP] ratio and secondarily by NADH concentration. These mechanisms would supplement the already known control of yeast pyruvate carboxylase by acetyl-CoA and l-aspartate. Inhibition by AMP is less marked and its physiological role is perhaps limited.     

STEADY STATE KINETICS OF RAT BRAIN PYRUVATE DEHYDROGENASE MULTIENZYME COMPLEX

Abstract— The overall steady state kinetic mechanism of pyruvate dehydrogenase multienzyme complex purified from rat brain has been investigated. Initial rate patterns were a series of parallel lines regardless of which substrate was varied at several fixed concentrations of other substrates. Product inhibition patterns showed that acetyl CoA is competitive vs CoA, that NADH is competitive vs NAD, and that both acetyl CoA and NADH are uncompetitive vs pyruvate. Both acetyl CoA and NADH are noncompetitive vs NAD and CoASH, respectively. These results are inconsistent with classical 'hexa uni' ping-pong mechanisms, but are consistent with a non-classical 3-site ping-pong mechanism.     

Fungal metabolism of biphenyl.

gamma-Glutamyl phosphate reductase, the second enzyme of proline biosynthesis, catalyses the formation of l-glutamic acid 5-semialdehyde from gamma-glutamyl phosphate with NAD(P)H as cofactor. It was purified 150-fold from crude extracts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO 1 by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and hydroxyapatite adsorption chromatography. The partially purified preparation, when assayed in the reverse of the biosynthetic direction, utilized l-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid as substrate and reduced NAD(P)(+). The apparent K(m) values were: NAD(+), 0.36mm; NADP(+), 0.31mm; l-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid, 4mm with NADP(+) and 8mm with NAD(+); P(i), 28mm. 3-(Phosphonoacetylamido)-l-alanine, a structural analogue of gamma-glutamyl phosphate, inhibited this enzyme competitively (K(i)=7mm). 1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (EC 1.5.1.2), the third enzyme of proline biosynthesis, was purified 56-fold by (NH(4))(2)SO(4) fractionation, Sephadex G-150 gel filtration and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. It reduced l-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate with NAD(P)H as a cofactor to l-proline. NADH (K(m)=0.05mm) was a better substrate than NADPH (K(m)=0.02mm). The apparent K(m) values for l-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate were 0.12mm with NADPH and 0.09mm with NADH. The 3-acetylpyridine analogue of NAD(+) at 2mm caused 95% inhibition of the enzyme, which was also inhibited by thio-NAD(P)(+), heavy-metal ions and thiol-blocking reagents. In cells of strain PAO 1 grown on a proline-medium the activity of gamma-glutamyl kinase and gamma-glutamyl phosphate reductase was about 40% lower than in cells grown on a glutamate medium. No repressive effect of proline on 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase was observed.     

Some kinetic and regulatory properties of the pea mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex was isolated, partially purified, and characterized from green pea (Pisum sativum L., cv Little Marvel) leaf mitochondria. The pH optimum for the overall reaction was 7.6. The divalent cation requirement was best satisfied by Mg²⁺. Reaction velocity was maximal at 40°C. Pyruvate was a better substrate than 2-oxo-butyrate; other 2-oxo-acids were not substrates. Michaelis constants for substrates were; pyruvate, 57 micromolar; NAD, 122 micromolar; Coenzyme-A, 5 micromolar; Mg²⁺, 0.36 millimolar; Mg-thiamine pyrophosphate, 80 nanomolar. The products, NADH and acetyl-Coenzyme-A, were linear competitive inhibitors with respect to NAD and Coenzyme A. Inhibition constants were 18 and 10 micromolar, respectively. Glyoxylate inhibited complex activity only in the absence of thiol reagents. Glyoxylate inhibition was competitive with respect to pyruvate with an inhibition constant of 51 micromolar. Among mitochondrial metabolites examined as potential effectors, only ADP with an inhibition constant of 0.57 millimolar could be of physiological significance.     

Inhibition and inactivation of bovine mammary and liver UDP-galactose-4-epimerases.

Bovine liver and mammary UDP-galactose-4-epimerases were investigated with respect to various inhibitors and inactivators. Uridine nucleotides and NADH are potent inhibitors with Ki values in the low micromolar range. The NAD+/NADH ratio may be an important physiological control mechanism for it affects markedly the activity of the enzyme with 50% inhibition occurring at a ratio of 20:1. In the presence of uridine nucleotides binding of NADH to the epimerases is enhanced. Consequently, the effect of changes in the NAD+/NADH ratio in vivo would not be immediately apparent as uridine nucleotides would slow down the displacement of NADH by NAD+. Neither uridine nor galactose 1-phosphate inhibits the purified enzymes as previously reported with the impure liver enzyme. Uridine nucleotides provide almost total protection against the apparent first order inactivation of the epimerases by trypsin and allow determination of dissociation constants. NAD+ partially protects against trypsin inactivation. Inactivation with various sulfhydryl reagents is complex and the results indicate that at least three sulfhydryl groups may be modified before total inactivation occurs. Partial inactivation occurs upon modification of the epimerases with 2-hydroxy-5-nitrogenzyl bromide. Some protection against this modification is provided by the combination of NAD+ and UDP.     

Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate biosynthesis and the regulation of glucose metabolism in Azotobacter beijerinckii

Azotobacter beijerinckii possesses the enzymes of both the Entner-Doudoroff and the oxidative pentose phosphate cycle pathways of glucose catabolism and both pathways are subject to feedback inhibition by products of glucose oxidation. The allosteric glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase utilizes both NADP(+) and NAD(+) as electron acceptors and is inhibited by ATP, ADP, NADH and NADPH. 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (NADP-specific) is unaffected by adenosine nucleotides but is strongly inhibited by NADH and NADPH. The formation of pyruvate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate from 6-phosphogluconate by the action of the Entner-Doudoroff enzymes is inhibited by ATP, citrate, isocitrate and cis-aconitate. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase is unaffected by adenosine and nicotinamide nucleotides but the enzyme is non-specific with respect to NADP and NAD. Citrate synthase is strongly inhibited by NADH and the inhibition is reversed by the addition of AMP. Isocitrate dehydrogenase, a highly active NADP-specific enzyme, is inhibited by NADPH, NADH, ATP and by high concentrations of NADP(+). These findings are discussed in relation to the massive synthesis of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate that occurs under certain nutritional conditions. We propose that synthesis of this reserve material, to the extent of 70% of the dry weight of the organism, serves as an electron and carbon ;sink' when conditions prevail that would otherwise inhibit nitrogen fixation and growth.     

Antioxidant pyruvate inhibits cardiac formation of reactive oxygen species through changes in redox state

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion is associated with bursts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide radicals (O(2)(-).). Membrane-associated NADH oxidase (NADHox) activity is a hypothetical source of O(2)(-)., implying the NADH concentration-to-NAD(+) concentration ratio ([NADH]/[NAD(+)]) as a determinant of ROS. To test this hypothesis, cardiac NADHox and ROS formation were measured as influenced by pyruvate or L-lactate. Pre- and postischemic Langendorff guinea pig hearts were perfused at different pyruvate/L-lactate concentrations to alter cytosolic [NADH]/[NAD(+)]. NADHox and ROS were measured with the use of lucigenin chemiluminescence and electron spin resonance, respectively. In myocardial homogenates, pyruvate (0.05, 0.5 mM) and the NADHox blocker hydralazine markedly inhibited NADHox (16 +/- 2%, 58 +/- 9%). In postischemic hearts, pyruvate (0.1-5.0 mM) dose dependently inhibited ROS up to 80%. However, L-lactate (1.0-15.0 mM) stimulated both basal and postischemic ROS severalfold. Furthermore, L-lactate-induced basal ROS was dose dependently inhibited by pyruvate (0.1-5.0 mM) and not the xanthine oxidase inhibitor oxypurinol. Pyruvate did not inhibit ROS from xanthine oxidase. The data suggest a substantial influence of cytosolic NADH on cardiac O(2)(-). formation that can be inhibited by submillimolar pyruvate. Thus cytotoxicities due to cardiac ischemia-reperfusion ROS may be alleviated by redox reactants such as pyruvate.     

Microbial metabolism of amino alcohols. Formation of coenzyme B12-dependent ethanolamine ammonia-lyase and its concerted induction in Escherichia coli.

1. A branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase was partially purified from ox liver mitochondria. 2. The preparation oxidized 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate, 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate and D- and L-3-methyl-2-oxopentanoate. The apparent Km values for the oxo acids and for thiamin pyrophosphate, CoA, NAD+ and Mg2+ were determined. 3. The oxidation of each oxo acid was inhibited by isovaleryl (3-methylbutyryl)-CoA (competitive with CoA) and by NADH (competitive with NAD+); Ki values were determined. 4. The preparation showed substrate inhibition with each 2-oxo acid. The oxidative decarboxylation of 4-methyl-2-oxo[1-14C]pentanoate was inhibited by 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate and DL-3-methyl-2-oxopentanoate, but not by pyruvate. The Vmax. with 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate as variable substrate was not increased by the presence of each of the other 2-oxo acids. 5. Ox heart pyruvate dehydrogenase did not oxidize these branched-chain 2-oxo acids and it was not inhibited by isovaleryl-CoA. The branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase activity (unlike that of pyruvate dehydrogenase) was not inhibited by acetyl-CoA. 6. It is concluded that the branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase activity is distinct from that of pyruvate dehydrogenase, and that a single complex may oxidize all three branched-chain 2-oxo acids.     

An increase in the redox state during reperfusion contributes to the cardioprotective effect of GIK solution

This study aimed at determining whether glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) solutions modify the NADH/NAD(+) ratio during postischemic reperfusion and whether their cardioprotective effect can be attributed to this change in part through reduction of the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The hearts of 72 rats were perfused with a buffer containing glucose (5.5 mM) and hexanoate (0.5 mM). They were maintained in normoxia for 30 min and then subjected to low-flow ischemia (0.5% of the preischemic coronary flow for 20 min) followed by reperfusion (45 min). From the beginning of ischemia, the perfusate was subjected to various changes: enrichment with GIK solution, enrichment with lactate (2 mM), enrichment with pyruvate (2 mM), enrichment with pyruvate (2 mM) plus ethanol (2 mM), or no change for the control group. Left ventricular developed pressure, heart rate, coronary flow, and oxygen consumption were monitored throughout. The lactate/pyruvate ratio of the coronary effluent, known to reflect the cytosolic NADH/NAD(+) ratio and the fructose-6-phosphate/dihydroxyacetone-phosphate (F6P/DHAP) ratio of the reperfused myocardium, were evaluated. Mitochondrial ROS production was also estimated. The GIK solution improved the recovery of mechanical function during reperfusion. This was associated with an enhanced cytosolic NADH/NAD(+) ratio and reduced mitochondrial ROS production. The cardioprotection was also observed when the hearts were perfused with fluids known to increase the cytosolic NADH/NAD(+) ratio (lactate, pyruvate plus ethanol) compared with the other fluids (control and pyruvate groups). The hearts with a high mechanical recovery also displayed a low F6P/DHAP ratio, suggesting that an accelerated glycolysis rate may be responsible for increased cytosolic NADH production. In conclusion, the cardioprotection induced by GIK solutions could occur through an increase in the cytosolic NADH/NAD(+) ratio, leading to a decrease in mitochondrial ROS production.     

Equilibrium binding of nicotinamide nucleotides to lactate dehydrogenases

1. No discontinuities were observed during the continuous titration with NADH of the lactate dehydrogenases of ox muscle, pig heart, pig muscle, rabbit muscle, dogfish muscle or lobster tail muscle. The binding was monitored by either the enhanced fluorescence of bound NADH or the quenched fluorescence of the protein. A single macroscopic dissociation constant, independent of protein concentration, could be used to describe the binding to each enzyme, and there was no need to postulate the involvement of molecular relaxation effects. 2. The affinity for NADH decreases only threefold between pH6 and 8.5. Above pH9 the affinity decreases more rapidly with increasing pH and is consistent with a group of about pK9.5 facilitating binding. Muscle enzymes bind NADH more weakly than does the pig heart enzyme. 3. Increasing temperature and increasing concentrations of ethanol both weaken NADH binding. 4. NADH binding is weakened by increasing ionic strength. NaCl is more effective than similar ionic strengths derived from sodium phosphate or sodium pyrophosphate. 5. Commercial NAD(+) quenches the protein fluorescence of the heart and muscle isoenzymes. Highly purified NAD(+) does not, and its binding was monitored by competition for the NADH-binding sites. A single macroscopic dissociation constant is sufficient to describe NAD(+) binding at the concentrations tested. The dissociation constant is about 0.3mm and is not sensitive to changed ionic strength and to changed pH in the range pH6-8.5.     

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex from ribbed mussel gill mitochondria

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex has been demonstrated in high speed pellet preparations from sonicated ribbed mussel gill mitochondria. The activity of the complex is inhibited by low chloride (less than 100 mM) concentrations, EDTA (1 mM), succinate, ATP, and NAD/NADH ratios below 4. Inhibition by EDTA is relieved by addition of 10 mM MgCl2-1 mM CaCl2. ATP inhibition was enhanced by NaF and reversed by high Mg++ concentrations in the absence of NaF. Pyruvate and thiamine pyrophosphate inhibited the inactivation by ATP. The nonhydrolyzable ATP analog AMP-PNP caused inhibition of the overall catalytic activity that was identical to ATP. Factors involved in the ATP inhibition and Mg++ reversal are lost with freezing or cold storage. Preliminary results using gamma-32P-ATP indicate that a protein kinase that phosphorylates the alpha subunit of E1 (pyruvate dehydrogenase) from the mammalian PDC is associated with the gill PDC. The activity of the complex may be regulated by a phosphorylation/dephosphorylation mechanism and by the relative levels of substrates, products, and other metabolites in the mitochondria.     

The purification and steady-state kinetic behaviour of rabbit heart mitochondrial NAD(P)+ malic enzyme.

The mitochondrial NAD(P)+ malic enzyme [EC 1.1.1.39, L-malate:NAD+ oxidoreductase (decarboxylating)] was purified from rabbit heart to a specific activity of 7 units (mumol/min)/mg at 23 degrees C. A study of the reductive carboxylation reaction indicates that this enzymic reaction is reversible. The rate of the reductive carboxylation reaction appears to be completely inhibited at an NADH concentration of 0.92 mM. A substrate saturation curve of this reaction with NADH as the varied substrate describes this inhibition. The apparent kinetic parameters for this reaction are Ka(NADH) = 239 microM and Vr = 1.1 mumol/min per mg at 23 degrees C. The steady-state product-inhibition patterns for pyruvate and NADH indicate a sequential binding of the substrates: NAD+ followed by L-malate. These data also indicate that NADH is the last product released. A steady-state kinetic model is proposed that incorporates NADH-enzyme dead-end complexes.     

The resolution of some steps of the reactions of lactate dehydrogenase with its substrates

1. The reaction of pig heart lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) with NAD(+) and lactate to form pyruvate and NADH was followed by rapid spectrophotometric methods. The distinct spectrum of enzyme-bound NADH permits the measurement of the rate of dissociation of this compound. 2. The reduction of the first mole equivalent of NAD(+) per mole of enzyme sites can also be observed, and is much more rapid than the steady-state rate of NADH production. 3. At pH8 the dissociation of the enzyme-NADH complex is rate-determining for the steady-state oxidation of lactate. At lower pH some other step after the interconversion of the ternary complex and before the dissociation of NADH is rate-determining. Other evidence for a compulsory-order mechanism is provided.