Biosynthesis of cyclopentenylglycine from α-ketopimelate in Idesia polycarpa callus cultures

The nonproteinogenic amino acid, cyclopentenylglycine, is found in certain Flacourtiaceae. This compound may be synthesized by two C₁-chain elongations of -ketoglutarate via -ketopimelate (C₅+2C₁) or by condensation of C₄ and C₃ units (C₄+C₃), a pathway not involving -ketopimelate. The following experimental design elucidated the biosynthetic pathway: Idesia polycarpa callus cultures were freshly established from leaf petioles; synthetic -[1,2-¹⁴C]ketopimelate was added to the medium and cultures were incubated for 3 weeks. After isolation and separation of free amino acids from the tissues, the radioactivity incorporated into cyclopentenylglycine was determined. The results establish -ketopimelate as a precursor for cyclopentenylglycine, thus providing evidence for the C₅+2C₁ biosynthetic path.     

Some analogies between prebiotic thermal conversions of glycine and metabolic pathways

The reaction schemes suggested earlier for thermal transformation of glycine into amino acids and carboxylic acids are considered in detail. Close analogy with some wide-spread biochemical reactions of amino acids is observed. The pathway suggested has some common stages with the tricarboxylic acid cycle and other metabolic processes. The possible role of -imino or -keto acids as prebiological analogs of pyridoxal-phosphate-containing enzymes is discussed. The thermal transformations of glycine under primitive Earth conditions could be considered as evolutionary precursors of some present-day metabolic pathways.     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of asymmetric heterocyclic amino acid derivatives

Summary 2-methyl-oxazolinones and thio-thiazolidones representative of aromatic and aliphatic amino acids were hydrolysed by -chymotrypsin and subtilisin. The parametric ratio k_cat/K_m, correlated with the enantiomeric enrichment of the reaction product, indicates that thio-thiazolidones are converted to free amino acids by enzyme with the higher degree of stereospecificity.     

Peptide modification by incorporation ofα-trifluoromethyl substituted amino acids

Summary Metabolic stabilization of pharmacologically active peptides can be achieved by incorporation of sterically hindered non-natural amino acids, e.g. C ^, -disubstituted amino acids.-Trifluoromethyl substituted amino acids, a subclass of C ^, -disubstituted amino acids, also fulfil this requirement while featuring additional properties based on the electronic influence of the fluorine substituents.This review summarizes the results concerning the stability of peptides containing-TFM amino acids towards proteolysis by-chymotrypsin. Furthermore, configurational effects of-TFMAla on the proteolytic stability of peptides are explained using empirical force field calculations. The influence of-TFMAla incorporation on the secondary structure of selected tripeptide amides is compared to the effects exerted by its fluorine-free analogue, aminoisobutyric acid.Finally, results on metabolic stabilization and biological activity of modified thyrotropin releasing hormone are interpreted.     

C-Terminal exchange between Gα o and Gα i3 proteins differently modulates α2A-adrenoceptor activation

Chimeric G proteins, obtained by exchanging their C-terminal portion for that of a G protein from an unrelated class, drive the receptor selectivity to that corresponding to the introduced G protein domain. The _2A-adrenoceptor (_2AAR), which yielded an efficacious and weak [³⁵S]GTPS binding response by respectively G _o and G _i3 protein, was investigated in CHO-K1 cells co-expressing chimeric G proteins for which the six last C-terminal amino acids between G _o and G _i3 proteins, and reciprocally, were permuted. Activation of the chimeric G _{o / i3} protein was highly efficient whereas the G _{i3 / o} protein yielded a weak stimulation. These [³⁵S]GTPS binding responses were not different from their parental wild-type G _o and G _i3 proteins. Similar results were obtained with an _2AAR carrying a facilitating Thr³⁷³Lys mutation in a putative G protein interaction domain. These data indicate that the six terminal G _o protein amino acids do not constitute a major _2AAR interaction domain for G protein activation.     

Studies on the formation of long-chain dicarboxylic acids from puren-alkanes by a mutant ofCandida tropicalis

Summary Individualn-alkanes, from C₁₁–C₁₆, were metabolized by a mutant ofCandida tropicalis. This strain was selected for its inability to grow in the presence of dodecanedioic acid and dodecane as the sole carbon source. Transformations were studied in fed-batch cultures. Undecane was only poorly transformed, but from dodecane to hexadecane high transformation yields were achieved. Maximum yield of acid-precipitable long-chain dioic acids was obtained with tridecane as substrate. All the products were mixtures of different acids. Besides the ,-alkanedioic acids, the 3-hydroxy derivatives of long-chain ,-alkanedioic acids and dioic acids with a shortened carbon chain were found.     

Enhanced Synthesis of Alkyl Amino Acids in Miller’s 1958 H<Subscript>2</Subscript>S Experiment

Stanley Miller’s 1958 H₂S-containing experiment, which included a simulated prebiotic atmosphere of methane (CH₄), ammonia (NH₃), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) produced several alkyl amino acids, including the α-, β-, and γ-isomers of aminobutyric acid (ABA) in greater relative yields than had previously been reported from his spark discharge experiments. In the presence of H₂S, aspartic and glutamic acids could yield alkyl amino acids via the formation of thioimide intermediates. Radical chemistry initiated by passing H₂S through a spark discharge could have also enhanced alkyl amino acid synthesis by generating alkyl radicals that can help form the aldehyde and ketone precursors to these amino acids. We propose mechanisms that may have influenced the synthesis of certain amino acids in localized environments rich in H₂S and lightning discharges, similar to conditions near volcanic systems on the early Earth, thus contributing to the prebiotic chemical inventory of the primordial Earth.     

Na+/L+ selectivity in transport systemA: Effects of substrate structure

Summary The effect of amino acid structure on the selectivity between Na and Li as co-substrates for transport SystemA in the Ehrlich cell has been explored to localize relative binding positions. By various tests the relative effectiveness of the two cations varies over fivefold. Changes in structure of the amino acid that lower its response to Na tend to decrease its selectivity for Na over Li, but with many exceptions. The higher the Li level required to half-maximize amino acid entry, the slower tends to be the entry attainable for both Li and amino acid. Our attention fell on strong departures from these trends. An atypically fast uptake is produced by Li in the presence of a second amino group pK₂<8.5, in exceptional association with the known fast uptake in Na. The hydroxyl group of serine yields exceptionally strong uptake, whereas hydroxyl groups in restrained orientation (as in threonine and hydroxyprolines) sharply limit co-substrate interaction. Despite the absence of a sidechain, glycine shows unexceptional relative co-substrate responses. A sidechain in the ₂ position, as ind-alanine, lowers tolerance for both ions, an aberration largely corrected by the insertion of a second (₂) methyl group, and surprisingly, even by an N-methyl group. Forl-alanine, an N-methyl group has in contrast unfavorable effects on co-substrate interaction. These factors point to disturbance by the ₂ methyl group of the position taken by the amino acid at the site, largely rectifiable by balancing effects of a second methyl group. They also point to a position of the alkali ion quite close to the -carbon and far from the position taken in SystemASC. Addition of an ethylene bridge between the -methyl groups of (methylamino)-isobutyric acid leads to the strongest discrimination seen against Li⁺ relative to Na⁺, suggesting through crowding of the area that the alkali ion adjoins the three methyl groups of this analog.     

Biosynthesis of amino acids from sucrose and Krebs cycle metabolites by Rhizobium lupini bacteroids

Summary The possibility of amino acids biosynthesis from sucrose, metabolites of Krebs cycle or glyoxylate and ammonium by intact bacteroids has been studied. The suspension of intact Rhizobium lupini bacteroids in phosphate buffer solution pH 7.8 was shown to catalyse the biosynthesis from sucrose and ammonium of some amino acids, such as alanine, aspartic and glutamic acids, glycine and serine. The yield of alanine and aspartic acid was 2.5–3 times higher than that of other amino acids, which were formed in almost equal quantities. Intact bacteroids were also found to catalyse the biosynthesis of aspartic and glutamic acids, alanine and glycine from ammonium and Krebs cycle metabolites such as fumaric acid (FA), oxaloacetic acid (OAA), pyruvic acid (PA), a-ketoglutaric acid (a-KGA), malic acid (MA), as well as from glyoxylic acid (GOA). The biosynthesis of aspartic acid from fumaric acid was dominant. Besides that, the suspension of intact bacteroids catalysed transamination of aspartic and glutamic acids, the transamination of aspartic acid being especially intense with -KGA and GOA. Aspartic acid was synthesized most efficiently through the amination of fumaric acid, while glutamic acid was better synthesized through the transamination of aspartic acid with -KGA than through reductive amination of -KGA.The experimental data proved that intact bacteroids posess Krebs cycle enzymes and primary ammonia assimilation enzymes. This enzyme complex permits bacteroids to detoxify ammonia, which they produce using sucrose and metabolites of Krebs cycle as the sources of carbon.The data obtained are of great interest as they prove the importance of bacteroids in the synthesis of amino acids from ammonium which is formed in the course of N₂-fixation, and sucrose available from leaves.     

1H-filtered correlation experiments for assignment and determination of coupling constants in backbone labelled proteins

The implementation of [¹³C,¹³C,¹⁵N,²H] labelled amino acids into proteins allows the acquisition of high resolution triple resonance experiments. We present for the first time resonance assignments facilitated by this new labelling strategy. The absence of ¹J_C,C couplings enables us to measure ¹J_C,C scalar and ¹D_C,C residual dipolar coupling constants using modified HNCA experiments which do not suffer from sensitivity losses characteristic for ¹³C constant time experiments.     

Salinity dependence,uptake kinetics,and specificity of amino-acid absorption across the body surface of the oligochaete annelidEnchytraeus albidus

Enchytraeus albidus is able to absorb dissolved¹⁴C-labeled neutral amino acids (glycine, L-alanine, L-valine,-aminoisobutyric acid) and an amino-acid mixture from ambient water across the body surface against considerable concentration gradients. Saturation kinetics and susceptibility of glycine uptake to competitive inhibition by alanine suggest mediated transport. Absorption of neutral amino acids is an active process. Exchange diffusion of preloaded-aminoisobutyric acid against external glycine or-aminoisobutyric acid could not be detected. Results on inhibition of glycine uptake by a variety of low-molecular-weight substances indicate that glycine absorption is highly specific for neutral amino acids and somewhat less for basic amino acids; it is unspecific for non--amino acids, acidic amino acids, carbohydrates, and organic acids. Rates of transintegumentary net influx of glycine are nearly identical to¹⁴C-glycine influx, suggesting that only small amounts of amino acids are released, as compared with the capacity for uptake. Thus,¹⁴C-amino-acid influx data are used for characterization of the uptake system. Glycine uptake is positively correlated to external salinity. In fresh water, absorption is nearly zero; between 10 and 20 S, uptake increases markedly reaching maximum values at 30 S; these remain almost constant at 40 S. Transport constants and maximum uptake rates increase with rising salinities. Since absorption of glycine and L-valine is susceptible to sodium depletion, similar mechanisms presumably underly salinity-dependent uptake of amino acids and sodium-dependent solute transport. Oxygen consumption is not significantly modified by different external salinities. Estimates of nutritional profit gained from absorption of amino acids vary between 4 and 15 % of metabolic rate for glycine absorption and between 10 and 39 % for uptake of an amino-acid mixture, according to external concentrations (10 and 50 µM) and salinities (20 and 30 S).     

Characterization of auto-regulation of the human cardiac α1 subunit of the L-type calcium channel: Importance of the C-terminus

The carboxyl terminal of the L-type calcium channel _1C subunit comprises approximately one third of the primary structure of the ₁ subunit (> 700 amino acids residues). This region is sensitive to limited posttranslational processing. In heart and brain the _1C subunits are found to be truncated but the C-terminal domain remains functionally present. Based on our previous data we hypothesized that the distal C-terminus (approximately residues 1650–1950) harbors an important, predominantly inhibitory domain. We generated C-terminal-truncated _1C mutants, and after expressing them in combination with a ₃ subunit in HEK-293 cells, electrophysiological experiments were carried out. In order to dissect the important inhibitory part of the C-terminus, trypsin was dialyzed into the cells. The data provide evidence that there are multiple residues within the inhibitory domain that are crucial to the inhibitory process as well as to the enhancement of expressed current by intracellular application of proteases. In addition, the expression of the chimeric mutant _1C1673-DRK₁ demonstrated that the C-terminal is specific for the heart channel.     

In-vitro processing of yeast α-factor leader fusion proteins using a soluble yscF (Kex2) variant

Summary The Saccharomyces cerevisiae KEX2 gene encodes the membrane-bound endoprotease yscF, which is responsible for the site-specific endoproteolytic cleavages at pairs of basic amino acid residues in the -factor precursor. In order to obtain soluble yscF activity, a mutant KEX2 gene lacking 600 bp coding for the C-terminal 200 amino acids was constructed. Expression of the truncated KEX2 gene in yeast led to the secretion of an active soluble yscF protein (yscF_s). The soluble yscF protein is able to efficiently cleave heterologous protein precursors in-vitro, as demonstrated for -factor leader-hIGF1 and -factor leader-hirudin fusion proteins. Offprint requests to: P. G. Seeboth     

Synthesis of the acceptor analog αFuc(1→2)αGal-O(CH2)7 CH3: A probe for the kinetic mechanism of recombinant human blood group B glycosyltransferase

We report the chemical synthesis of Fuc(12)Gal-O(CH₂)₇CH₃ (1) an analog of the natural blood group (O)H disaccharide Fuc(12)Gal-OR. Compound 1 was a good substrate for recombinant blood group B glycosyltransferase (GTB) and was used as a precursor for the enzymatic synthesis of the blood group B analog Gal(3)[Fuc(12)]Gal-O(CH₂)₇CH₃ (2). To probe the mechanism of the GTB reaction, kinetic evaluations were carried out employing compound 1 or the natural acceptor disaccharide Fuc(12)Gal-O(CH₂)₇CH₃ (3) with UDP-Gal and UDP-GalNAc donors. Comparisons of the kinetic constants for alternative donor and acceptor pairs suggest that the GTB mechanism is Theorell-Chance where donor binding precedes acceptor binding. GTB operates with retention of configuration at the anomeric center of the donor. Retaining reactions are thought to occur via a double-displacement mechanism with formation of a glycosyl-enzyme intermediate consistent with the proposed Theorell-Chance mechanism.     

Novel formation of α-amino acid from α-oxo acids and ammonia in an aqueous medium

In the course of a study of possible mechanisms for chemical evolution in the primeval sea, we found the novel formation of -amino acids and N-acylamino acids from -oxo acids and ammonia in an aqueous medium. Glyoxylic acid reacted with ammonia to form N-oxalylglycine, which gave glycine in a 5–39% yield after hydrolysis with 6N HCl. Pyruvic acid and ammonia reacted to give N-acetylalanine, which formed alanine in a 3–7% overall yield upon hydrolysis. The pH optima in these reactions were between pH 3 and 4. These reactions were further extended to the formation of other amino acids. Glutamic acid, phenylalanine and alanine were formed from -ketoglutaric acid, phenylpyruvic acid and oxaloacetic acid, respectively, under similar conditions. N-Succinylglutamic acid was obtained as an intermediate in glutamic acid synthesis. Phenylacetylphenyl-alanineamide was also isolated as an intermediate in phenylalanine synthesis. Alanine, rather than aspartic acid, was produced from oxaloacetic acid. These reactions provide a novel route for the prebiotic synthesis of amino acids. A mechanism for the reactions will be proposed.     

Cytochemistry of colloidal iron binding to the surface of hela cells and human erythrocytes

Summary It seems from the literature that colloidal iron (C.I.) binding sites on cell surfaces cannot be completely removed by treatment with Vibrio Colerae -neuraminidase. We wondered if C.I. particles bind to negative groups other than the carboxyl groups of sialic acids. Using HeLa cells from suspension cultures and fresh human erythrocytes, we examined, with the transmission electronmicroscope, the influence of the following enzymatic and histochemical treatments on C.I. staining: -neuraminidase; hyaluronidase; ribonuclease; -amylase; mild methylation (MM); MM+saponification (Sap.); MM+Sap+MM; MM+Sap+-neuraminidase; active methylation (AM); AM+Sap; AM+Sap+AM; AM+Sap+-neuraminidase; CH₃OH (80%); Sap. It seemed from these experiments that the carboxyl groups of -neuraminidase sensitive sialic acids constitute the majority of binding sites for C.I. to these particular cells. The most interesting candidates for the residual binding of C.I. are carboxyl groups of -neuraminidase resistant molecules, sulfon, sulfin, and sulfate groups.Supported by a grant from the Algemene Spaar- en Lijfrentekas Cancer FundThe authors gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of L. Baeke, O. Claeys and J. Roels van Kerckvoorde     

HNCCH-TOCSY,a triple resonance experiment for the correlation of backbone 13Cα and 15N resonances with aliphatic side-chain proton resonances and for measuring vicinal 13CO, 1Hβ coupling constants in proteins

Summary A 3D triple resonance experiment has been designed to provide intraresidual and sequential correlations between amide nitrogens and -carbons in uniformly ¹³C¹⁵N-labeled proteins. In-phase ¹³C magnetization is transferred to the aliphatic side-chain protons via the side-chain carbons using a CC-TOCSY mixing sequence. Thus, the experiment alleviates the resonance assignment process by providing information about the amino acid type as well as establishing sequential connectivities. Leaving the carbonyl spins untouched throughout the transfer from ¹³C to ¹H leads to E.COSY-type cross peaks, from which the ³J_{H co} coupling constants can be evaluated. The pulse sequence is applied to oxidized Desulfovibrio vulgaris flavodoxin.     

A working hypothesis on the interdependent genesis of nucleotide bases,protein amino acids,and primitive genetic code

In the course of experimental approach to the chemical evolution in the primeval sea, we have found that the main products from formaldehyde and hydroxylamine are glycine, alanine, serine, aspartic acid etc., and the products from glycine and formaldehyde are serine and aspartic acid. Guanine is found in the two-letter genetic codons of all these amino acids.Based upon the finding and taking into consideration the probable synthetic pathways of nucleotide bases and protein amino acids in the course of chemical evolution and a correlation between the two-letter codons and the number of carbon atoms in the carbon skeleton of amino acids, 1 have been led to a working hypothesis on the interdependent genesis of nucleotide bases, protein amino acids, and primitive genetic code as shown in Table I.Protein amino acids can be classified into two groups: Purine Group amino acids and Pyrimidine Group amino acids. Purine bases and Pyrimidine bases are predominant in two-letter codons of amino acids belonging to the former and the latter group respectively.Guanine, adenine, and amino acids of the Purine Group may be regarded as synthesized from C₁ and C₂ compounds and N₁ compounds (including C₁N₁ compunds such as HCN), probably through glycine, in the early stage of chemical evolution.Uracil, cytosine, and amino acids of the Pyrimidine Group may be regarded as synthesized directly or indirectly from three-carbon chain compounds. This synthesis became possible after the accumulation of three-carbon chain compounds and their derivatives in the primeval sea.The Purine Group can be further classified into a Guanine or (Gly+nC₁) Subgroup and an Adenine or (Gly+nC₂) Subgroup or simply nC₂ Subgroup. The Pyrimidine Group can be further classified into a Uracil or C₃C₆C₉ Subgroup and a Cytosine or C₅-chain Subgroup (Table I).It is suggested that the primitive genetic code was established by a specific interaction between amino acids and their respective nucleotide bases. The interaction was dependent upon their concentration in the primeval environments and the binding constants between amino acids and their respective bases.Presented at the International Symposium (Lipmann Symposium) on The Concepts of Chemical Recognition in Biology held in Grignon near Versailles (France) on July 18–20, 1979.     

Peptide modification by introduction ofα-trifluoromethyl substituted amino acids

Summary Methodology for the synthesis and incorporation of-trifluoromethyl substituted amino acids into N- and C-terminal position of peptides is described. The incorporation of-trifluoromethyl substituted amino acids into strategical positions of peptides enhances proteolytic stability and lipophilicity. Furthermore, it improves transport rates in vivo and permeability through certain body barriers.     

N-(indol-3-ylacetyl)amino acids as sources of auxin in plant tissue culture

N-(Indol-3-ylacetyl) derivatives (IAA conjugates) of aliphatic amino acids with a two- to six-carbon backbone including -l-amino acids, (-amino acids, and the ,-diamino acids ornithine and lysine were prepared, chemically characterized, and tested as sources of auxin in plant tissue culture. Stimulation of unorganized growth in Solanum nigrum L. callus and callus induction and developmental effects in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Marglobe) hypocotyl explants were studied systematically. Relative auxin activities were estimated by comparing physiologically equivalent concentrations, in the optimal and suboptimal range, of the individual IAA conjugates. While the growth-promoting properties of some of the conjugates were species-dependent, those containing straight-chain two- to four-carbon -l-amino acid moieties were generally up to 100 times more active than those of their five- to six-carbon homologues. Branching of the amino acid backbone at C- (norvaline vs. valine and norleucine vs. isoleucine) and C- (norleucine vs. leucine) had a minor effect, but substitution of H- by a methyl group (-amino-l-butyric vs. -aminoisobutyric acids) almost completely blocked growth-promoting activity. IAA conjugates of -amino acids were, in most cases, nearly as active as those of their -amino-l-isomers. Among the conjugates of ,-diamino acids N -(IAA) ornithine was less active than N -(IAA)lysine. The activity of N -(IAA)lysine was less than for the -(IAA) isomer, and that of N ,N -(IAA)₂-lysine was different in tomato and Solanum nigrum. The l-alanine and -lysine conjugates were also found to be useful for induction and development of Oenothera leaf callus and in tomato cell-suspension culture, two systems which require highly active sources of auxin.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indol-3-ylacetic acid the abbreviations for N-(indol-3-ylacetyl)amino acids are listed in Table 1.