The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi epimastigotes: molecular, kinetic, and regulatory properties

The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (ATP:oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (transphosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.49) of the epimastigote form of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi has been purified to homogeneity. The enzyme is composed of two apparently identical 42,000 +/- 500 subunits, is highly specific for adenine nucleotides, and has a strict requirement of Mn2+ ions for activity; the activation of the enzyme by ionic Mn2+ reveals that one Mn2+ ion required for each 42,000 subunit. Hyperbolic kinetics are observed for all substrates in the carboxylation reaction with Km (phosphoenolpyruvate) of 0.36 +/- 0.08 mM, Km (HCO-3) of 3.7 +/- 0.2 mM, and Km (Mg-ADP) of 39 +/- 1 microM. In the decarboxylation reaction the kinetics with respect to oxalacetic acid are also hyperbolic with a Km of 27 +/- 3 microM, but towards Mg-ATP there is a biphasic response: hyperbolic at low (less than 250 microM) concentrations with a Km of 39 +/- 1 microM, but at higher concentrations the nucleotide produces a strong inhibition of the enzyme activity. This inhibition is also observed with Mg-GTP and Mg-ITP which are not substrates of the reaction. The results are consistent with an important regulatory function of the enzyme in the amino-acid catabolism of T. cruzi.     

Photosynthesis in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-type C4 plants: pathways of C4 acid decarboxylation in bundle sheath cells of Urochloa panicoides

The mechanism of C4 acid decarboxylation was studied in bundle sheath cell strands from Urochloa panicoides, a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK)-type C4 plant. Added malate was decarboxylated to give pyruvate and this activity was often increased by adding ADP. Added oxaloacetate or aspartate plus 2-oxoglutarate (which produce oxaloacetate via aspartate aminotransferase) gave little metabolic decarboxylation alone but with added ATP there was a rapid production of PEP. For this activity ADP could replace ATP but only when added in combination with malate. In addition, the inclusion of aspartate plus 2-oxoglutarate with malate plus ADP often increased the rate of pyruvate production from malate by more than twofold. Experiments with respiratory chain inhibitors showed that the malate-dependent stimulation of oxaloacetate decarboxylation (PEP production) was probably due to ATP generated during the oxidation of malate in mitochondria. We could provide no evidence that photophosphorylation could serve as an alternative source of ATP for the PEP carboxykinase reaction. We concluded that both PEP carboxykinase and mitochondrial NAD-malic enzyme contribute to C4 acid decarboxylation in these cells, with the required ATP being derived from oxidation-linked phosphorylation in mitochondria.     

菠萝叶片PEP羧激酶活性及草酰乙酸与腺苷酸库的昼夜变化

自然条件下生长的菠萝植株,其叶片的ＰＥＰ羧激酶的脱羧与可逆羧化活性于中午１２时达最大值。脱羧／羧化比值在上午明显高于下午和晚上。脱羧反应底物ＯＡＡ含量于夜间增高,至次日早晨６时最高,随后下降。白天的ＯＡＡ／Ｍａｌ值高于夜间。参与Ｍａｌ及ＯＡＡ形成转化的ＰＥＰＣ和ＭＤＨ活性的昼夜变化与ＰＥＰ羧激酶（ＰＥＰＣＫ）活性的图式相似。ＰＥＰ羧激酶脱羧反应的另一底物ＡＴＰ在夜间０～６时内处于低水平,白天９～１５时内则显著增高。     

Photosynthesis in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-type C4 plants: photosynthetic activities of isolated bundle sheath cells from Urochloa panicoides

A method has been developed for rapidly preparing bundle sheath cell strands from Urochloa panicoides, a phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase-type C4 plant. These cells catalyzed both HCO3(-)- and oxaloacetate-dependent oxygen evolution; oxaloacetate-dependent oxygen evolution was stimulated by ATP. For this activity oxaloacetate could be replaced by aspartate plus 2-oxoglutarate. Both oxaloacetate- and aspartate plus 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygen evolution were accompanied by PEP production and both were inhibited by 3-mercaptopicolinic acid, an inhibitor of PEP carboxykinase. The ATP requirement for oxaloacetate- and aspartate plus 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygen evolution could be replaced by ADP plus malate. The increased oxygen evolution observed when malate plus ADP was added with oxaloacetate was accompanied by pyruvate production. These results are consistent with oxaloacetate being decarboxylated via PEP carboxykinase. We suggest that the ATP required for oxaloacetate decarboxylation via PEP carboxykinase may be derived by phosphorylation coupled to malate oxidation in mitochondria. These bundle sheath cells apparently contain diffusion paths for the rapid transfer of compounds as large as adenine nucleotides.     

Purification and characterization of cytosol-specific phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from chicken liver

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase of chicken liver cytosol was purified to homogeneity by procedures including affinity chromatography with GTP as a ligand. The purified enzyme showed a molecular weight of 68,000 on gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate. Comparative studies on this enzyme and its isozyme purified from chicken liver mitochondria were performed. As regards amino acid composition, the cytosolic enzyme was quite different from the mitochondrial enzyme, but was rather similar to rat liver cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Specific activities of the cytosolic enzyme were 30-100% higher than those of the mitochondrial enzyme for oxaloacetate-CO2 exchange, oxaloacetate decarboxylation, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylation reactions, though the relative rates of the activities were similar, decreasing in the order given. Apparent Michaelis constants for oxaloacetate in the oxaloacetate decarboxylation reaction were 11.6 and 17.9 microM for the cytosolic and the mitochondrial enzyme, respectively, but the values for GTP, GDP, phosphoenolpyruvate, and CO2 in the oxaloacetate decarboxylation and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylation reactions were 1.3-2.2 times higher for the cytosolic enzyme than for the mitochondrial enzyme. Thus, the fundamental catalytic properties of the chicken liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase isozymes were rather similar, despite the marked difference in amino acid compositions.     

Properties of oxaloacetate decarboxylase from Veillonella parvula.

Oxaloacetate decarboxylase was purified to 136-fold from the oral anaerobe Veillonella parvula. The purified enzyme was substantially free of contaminating enzymes or proteins. Maximum activity of the enzyme was exhibited at pH 7.0 for both carboxylation and decarboxylation. At this pH, the Km values for oxaloacetate and Mg2+ were at 0.06 and 0.17 mM, respectively, whereas the Km values for pyruvate, CO2, and Mg2+ were 3.3, 1.74, and 1.85 mM, respectively. Hyperbolic kinetics were observed with all of the aforementioned compounds. The Keq' was 2.13 X 10(-3) mM-1 favoring the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate. In the carboxylation step, avidin, acetyl coenzyme A, biotin, and coenzyme A were not required. ADP and NADH had no effect on either the carboxylation or decarboxylation step, but ATP inhibited the carboxylation step competitively and the decarboxylation step noncompetitively. These types of inhibition fitted well with the overall lactate metabolism of the non-carbohydrate-fermenting anaerobe.     

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in mouse pancreatic islets. ATP-induced changes in sensitivity to Mn2+ activation

The presence of high phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) activity in mouse islet cytosol has been demonstrated. The enzyme was activated by Mn2+ with a Ka of 100 X 10(-6) mol/l. The mean total activity of the Mn2+-stimulated phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in islet cytosol estimated at 22 degrees C with saturating concentrations of the substrates oxaloacetate and ITP was 146 pmol/min per micrograms DNA. Km was calculated to be 6 X 10(-6) mol/l for oxaloacetate and 140 X 10(-6) mol/l for ITP. The islet phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity was not increased after starvation of the animals for 48 h. Preincubation of the cytosol at 4 degrees C with Fe2+, quinolinate, ATP, Pi, glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, NAD+, NADH, oxaloacetate, ITP, cyclic AMP and Ca2+ had no effect on the enzyme activity. However, preincubation of the cytosol at 37 degrees C with ATP-Mg inhibited the Mn2+-stimulated phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity progressively with time and in a concentration-dependent manner. A similar but weaker inhibitory effect was observed with p[NH]ppA, whereas p[CH2]ppA, ADP, AMP, adenosine and Pi had no effect. It is tentatively suggested that ATP and p[NH]ppA either by adenylation or otherwise affect the interaction between islet phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and the recently discovered Mr = 29000 protein modulator of the enzyme in such a way - perhaps by causing a dissociation between them - that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase loses its sensitivity to Mn2+ activation.     

Purification and characterization of cytosol phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) liver.

Cytosol PEP carboxykinase has been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from bullfrog liver homogenate. The enzyme is a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of approximately 72,000-75,000. The purified enzyme catalyzed oxaloacetate decarboxylation (nucleoside triphosphate-supported), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylation, and an exchange reaction between oxaloacetate and [14C]HCO3-in the presence of ITP or CTP. Manganese is absolutely required for the enzyme-catalyzed phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylation, whereas it can be replaced by Mg2+ for the oxaloacetate decarboxylation and the exchange reaction. The optimal pH of each reaction is dependent on the divalent metal ion used. The dependence of the enzyme activity on Mn2+ is markedly different in the phosphoenolpyuvate carboxylation and the oxaloacetate decarboxylation reactions.     

Affinity labeling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase with the 2',3'-dialdehyde derivative of ATP

Saccharomyces cerevisiae phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase [ATP:oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (transphosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.49] is completely inactivated by the 2',3'-dialdehyde derivative of ATP (oATP) in the presence of Mn2+. The dependence of the pseudo-first-order rate constant on reagent concentration indicates the formation of a reversible complex with the enzyme (Kd = 60 +/- 17 microM) prior to covalent modification. The maximum inactivation rate constant at pH 7.5 and 30 degrees C is 0.200 +/- 0.045 min-1. ATP or ADP plus phosphoenolpyruvate effectively protect the enzyme against inactivation. oATP is a competitive inhibitor toward ADP, suggesting that oATP interacts with the enzyme at the substrate binding site. The partially inactivated enzyme shows an unaltered Km but a decreased V as compared with native phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Analysis of the inactivation rate at different H+ concentrations allowed estimation of a pKa of 8.1 for the reactive amino acid residue in the enzyme. Complete inactivation of the carboxykinase can be correlated with the incorporation of about one mole of [8-14C]oATP per mole of enzyme subunit. The results indicate that oATP can be used as an affinity label for yeast phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase.     

Purification of particulate malate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from Leishmania mexicana mexicana

The particulate activities of Leishmania mexicana mexicana amastigote malate dehydrogenase (L-malate:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.37) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (ATP:oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (transphosphorylating) EC 4.1.1.49) have been purified to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity by hydrophobic interaction chromatography using Phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, affinity chromatography using 5'AMP-Sepharose 4B, and gel filtration using Sephadex G-100. Malate dehydrogenase was purified 150-fold overall with a final specific activity of 1230 units/mg protein and a recovery of 63%. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was purified 132-fold with a final specific activity of 30.3 units/mg protein and a recovery of 20%. Molecular weights determined by gel filtration and SDS-gel electrophoresis were 39 800 and 33 300 for malate dehydrogenase and 63 100 and 65 100 for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, respectively. Kinetic studies with malate dehydrogenase assayed in the direction of oxaloacetic acid reduction showed a Km(NADH) of 41 microM and a Km(oxaloacetic acid) of 39 microM. For malate oxidation there was a Km(malate) of 3.6 mM and a Km(NAD) of 0.79 mM. Oxaloacetic acid exhibited substrate inhibition at concentrations greater than 0.83 mM and malate was found to be a product inhibitor at high concentrations. However, there was no modification of enzyme activity by a number of glycolytic intermediates and cofactors, suggesting that malate dehydrogenase is not a major regulatory enzyme in L. m. mexicana. The results show that these L. m. mexicana amastigote enzymes are in several ways similar to their mammalian counterparts; nevertheless, their apparent importance and unique subcellular organization in the parasite make them potential targets for chemotherapeutic attack.     

The development of gluconeogenesis in rat liver. Effects of glucagon and ether

1. Administration of glucagon to foetal rats produced a 10-15-fold increase in hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity together with a similar increase in the overall pathway of pyruvate conversion into glycogen in liver slices. 2. Glucagon was without effect on gluconeogenesis in vivo, which remained at approx. 0.1% of the incorporation as measured in newborn animals. 3. The apparent discrepancy between these results was due to the ether anaesthesia that was required for experimentation in vivo. Under conditions when minimal ether was used, the rates of labelling of glycogen from [3-(14)C]pyruvate in vivo were increased 10-20-fold and there was an additional stimulus by glucagon. 4. Ether anaesthesia produced a more reduced redox state of the foetal liver cytosol and lowered the ATP/ADP concentration ratio. 5. It is proposed that these effects are significant in the limitation of gluconeogenesis in the foetal rat liver, so that only with high phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity, high ATP concentration and a relatively oxidized cytosol redox state will a functional gluconeogenic pathway be present.     

Analysis of Escherichia coli anaplerotic metabolism and its regulation mechanisms from the metabolic responses to altered dilution rates and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase knockout

The gluconeogenic phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase is active in Escherichia coli during its growth on glucose. The present study investigated the influence of growth rates and PEP carboxykinase knockout on the anaplerotic fluxes in E. coli. The intracellular fluxes were determined using the complementary methods of flux ratio analysis and metabolic flux analysis based on [U-(13)C(6)]glucose labeling experiments and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of cellular amino acids and glycerol. Significant activity of PEP carboxykinase was identified in wild-type E. coli, and the ATP dissipation for the futile cycling via this reaction accounted for up to 8.2% of the total energy flux. Flux analysis of pck deletion mutant revealed that abolishment of PEP carboxykinase activity resulted in a remarkably reduced flux through the anaplerotic PEP carboxylase and the activation of the glyoxylate shunt, with 23% of isocitrate found being channeled in the glyoxylate shunt. The changes in intracellular metabolite concentrations and specific enzyme activities associated with different growth rates and pck deletion, were also determined. Combining the measurement data of in vivo fluxes, metabolite concentrations and enzyme activities, the in vivo regulations of PEP carboxykinase flux, PEP carboxylation, and glyoxylate shunt in E. coli are discussed.     

In vivo quantification of parallel and bidirectional fluxes in the anaplerosis of Corynebacterium glutamicum

The C(3)-C(4) metabolite interconversion at the anaplerotic node in many microorganisms involves a complex set of reactions. C(3) carboxylation to oxaloacetate can originate from phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate, and at the same time multiple C(4)-decarboxylating enzymes may be present. The functions of such parallel reactions are not yet fully understood. Using a (13)C NMR-based strategy, we here quantify the individual fluxes at the anaplerotic node of Corynebacterium glutamicum, which is an example of a bacterium possessing multiple carboxylation and decarboxylation reactions. C. glutamicum was grown with a (13)C-labeled glucose isotopomer mixture as the main carbon source and (13)C-labeled lactate as a cosubstrate. 58 isotopomers as well as 15 positional labels of biomass compounds were quantified. Applying a generally applicable mathematical model to include metabolite mass and carbon labeling balances, it is shown that pyruvate carboxylase contributed 91 +/- 7% to C(3) carboxylation. The total in vivo carboxylation rate of 1.28 +/- 0.14 mmol/g dry weight/h exceeds the demand of carboxylated metabolites for biosyntheses 3-fold. Excess oxaloacetate was recycled to phosphoenolpyruvate by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. This shows that the reactions at the anaplerotic node might serve additional purposes other than only providing C(4) metabolites for biosynthesis.     

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity in grape berries

Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase activity was found in crude extracts of ;Pinot noir' grape berries. The enzyme required ATP, Mn(2+) plus Mg(2+), a pH of 6.6, and a temperature of 40 C for maximum activity. The range in concentration of oxaloacetic acid needed for maximum phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity was 5 to 10 mm, and the Km for HCO(3) (-) in the exchange of (14)CO(2) into oxaloacetic acid was 26.8 mm.Changes in the activity of PEP carboxykinase and PEP carboxylase in berries were studied at weekly intervals throughout fruit development. PEP carboxykinase had maximum activity 4 weeks after flowering, and during the following 11 weeks remained relatively constant. The activity of PEP carboxylase was 2- to 4-fold higher than PEP carboxykinase throughout fruit development, and changed little except for a sharp reduction at the onset of ripening.     

Purification and properties of mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from liver of Squalus acanthias

Liver from Squalus acanthias (spiny dogfish), a representative elasmobranch, contains approximately 1.4 units (mumol/min) of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity per gram and approximately 90% of the total units of activity are localized in the mitochondria. The mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was isolated and characterized. The purified enzyme has properties generally similar to those found in mammalian and avian species. The enzyme has a molecular weight of approximately 70,000 and exists in a functional state as a monomer. The isolated enzyme displays a dual cation requirement (e.g., 6 mM Mg2+ and 10 microM Mn2+) for maximal activity; very little activity is observed when Mg2+ is present alone, and the maximal activity attained with Mn2+ alone (millimolar concentrations required) is significantly less than that observed under optimal conditions with both cations present. When assayed in the direction of oxalacetate formation there is a lag in product formation with time; the lag can be eliminated by the presence of 50 microM GTP (product). The Km for substrates is not affected by Mn2+ concentration, suggesting that the role of Mn2+ may not be related to substrate binding. The apparent Km for phosphoenolpyruvate (approximately 1 mM) is substantially higher than that reported for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from other species. The activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is increased 70% by physiological concentrations of urea. Maximal velocity of the reaction in the direction of oxalacetate formation is approximately half that of the reverse reaction.     

Photosynthetic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylases: characteristics of alloenzymes from leaves of c(3) and c(1) plants

A detailed comparison of green leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylases from the C(4)-species Atriplex spongiosa and the C(3)-species Atriplex hastata revealed significant physical and kinetic differences. The two alloenzymes can be separated by anion exchange chromatography but have comparable molecular weights (350,000). Maximal velocity estimates were 38.0 and 1.48 micromoles per minute per milligram of chlorophyll for the carboxylases of A. spongiosa and A. hastata, respectively. Km phosphoenolpyruvate estimates were 0.49 and 0.08 mm for the C(4)A. spongiosa and C(3)A. hastata and the Km Mg estimates were 0.33 mm for the C(4) species and 0.017 mm for the C(3) species. The activity of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase of A. spongiosa is more sensitive to chloride and phosphate than the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase of A. hastata, but both are equally sensitive to Mg chelating substances such as ATP, ADP, and citrate if assayed at their respective Km Mg values. A survey of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylases from 18 C(4) and C(3) species resulted in mean maximal velocity estimates of 29.0 +/- 13.2 and 1.50 +/- 0.57 micromoles per minute per milligram of chlorophyll for the C(4) species and C(3) species, respectively. Km phosphoenolpyruvate estimates were 0.59 +/- 0.35 mm and 0.14 +/- 0.07 mm for the C(4) and C(3), and Km Mg estimates were 0.50 +/- 0.30 and 0.097 +/- 0.057 mm for C(4) and C(3). All differences between means were significant at the 0.01 confidence level, supporting our hypothesis that the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase alloenzymes of C(4) and C(3) plants are functionally different and are associated with different photosynthetic roles. Both function in the photosynthetic production of C(4) acids, the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase of C(4) species largely producing malate or aspartate (or both) as a photosynthetic intermediate and the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase of C(3) species producing malate or aspartate (or both) as a photosynthetic product.     

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and gluconeogenesis in cotyledons of Cucurbita pepo

1. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (ATP:oxaloacetate carboxy-lyase (transphosphorylating) EC 4.1.1.49) in the conversion of fat to sugar by the cotyledons of seedlings of Cucurbita pepo. 2. The enzyme was partially purified from the cotyledons of 5-day-old seedlings. The Michaelis constants for oxaloacetate and ATP were 56 and 119 micron, respectively. The decarboxylation reaction was optimum at pH 7.4. A range of intermediary metabolites did not affect the activity of the enzyme, but 3-mercaptopicolinic acid at micron concentrations was an effective inhibitor. 3. Centrifugation of extracts of 5-day-old cotyledons sedimented appreciable proportions of the ribuloseibisphosphate carboxylase, isocitrate lyase and fumarate hydratase present but very little of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. 4. Measurements of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase of cotyledons during germination showed that the maximum catalytic activity exceeded, and changed coincidently with, the rate of gluconeogenesis. 5. 3-Mercaptopicolinic acid inhibited gluconeogenesis from [1-14C]- and [2-14C]acetate supplied to excised cotyledons. The detailed distribution of 14C indicated inhibition of the conversion of oxaloacetate to phosphoenolpyruvate. 6. It is concluded that in marrow cotyledons phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is in the soluble phase of the cytoplasm and catalyses a component reaction of gluconeogenesis.     

Stable Carbon Isotope Ratio and Activities of PEP Carboxylase and PEP Carboxykinase in Pineapple Leaves

Slight flutuation in carbon isotope values were found in counted from top dounward to the 35th in pineapple, Ananas comosus (L.) Merr., but more negative δ13C value (less heavier 13C) was observed in lower position leaves. The average δ 13C value was –12.94‰ in 11 leaves with maximum range of variation as –2.06‰. Similar single peak curves were found between PEPCase and PEP carboxykinase activities with leaves at various positions. Both enzymes reached the maximum activity in 8—11th leaves, then declined in others at lower positions. PEP carboxykinase activity was 3.4 folds higher than PEPCase activity under the present experimental condition (25—30 ℃). The results indicated that metabolic coordination evisted between dark carboxylation and light decarboxylation. For the obligate CAM plant, pineapple, though the carboxylation and decarxylation activities did occur in old leaves, the CAM level change did much, however.     

The effects of calcium ions and adenine nucleotides on the activity of pig heart 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex.

1. The effects of Ca2+ (mainly by using EGTA buffers), pH, ATP and ADP on the activity of the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex from pig heart were explored. 2. Ca2+ (about 30 micrometer) resulted in a decrease in the apparent Km for 2-oxoglutarate from 2.1 to 0.16 mM (at pH 7) without altering the maximal velocity. At 0.1 mM-oxoglutarate there was a 4--5-fold activation by Ca2+, with an apparent Km for Ca2+ of 1.2 micrometer. A similar activation was also observed with Sr2+ (Km 15.1 micrometer), but not wised markedly from pH 7.4 TO 6.6. The effects of Ca2+ remained evident over this pH range. 4. In the presence of Mg2+, ATP resulted in a marked increase in the apparent Km for oxoglutarate, whereas ADP greatly decreased thisp arameter. The concentrations of adenine nucleotide required for half-maximal effects were about 10 micrometer in each case. 5. The effects of the adenine nucleotides and Ca2+ on the apparent Km for oxoglutarate appeared to be essentially independent of each other, reversible, and demonstrable in the presence of end product inhibition by NADH and obtained. 6. Effects similar to those described above were also observed on the activity of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase from rat heart and brown adipose tissue. 7. We discuss the mechanisms controlling this enzyme's activity and compare these regulatory features with those of NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase and the pyruvate dehydrogenase system, which are also sensitive to Ca2+ and adenine nucleotides.     

The development of gluconeogenesis in rat liver. Controlling factors in the newborn

1. Measurements in livers of rats delivered by Caesarian section show a rapid change in the relative proportion of adenine nucleotides. By 20min the ATP/ADP ratio had increased from 1.76 to 8.7 and the value of the relationship [ATP][AMP]/[ADP](2) increased from 1.0 to 4.4. These changes are dependent on the availability of oxygen to the animal. 2. The free [NAD(+)]/[NADH] ratio in the liver cytosol increases from 180 after delivery to reach a maximum of 1010 at 2h, before falling to 540 in the 24h-old animal. 3. The mitochondrial NAD redox potential also shows a sharp increase towards a more oxidized state in livers of delivered rats. 4. These results probably indicate that the foetal liver is hypoxic, with oxygenation occurring in the first hour after delivery. 5. Measurements in livers of naturally born rats 2min after birth also suggest that this tissue is hypoxic with an ATP/ADP ratio of 1.83 and a free [NAD(+)]/[NADH] ratio of 117. 6. Concentrations of intermediates in the gluconeogenic pathway have been determined in livers of foetal, 1h-old and 1-day-old rats. These experiments imply a facilitation of lactate dehydrogenase and glucose 6-phosphatase activities by 1h after birth, and a stimulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose 6-phosphatase steps by 1 day after birth. 7. The appearance of gluconeogenesis in livers of newborn rats seems therefore to involve an oxygenation stage followed by an increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity.