Biosynthetic mechanism of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase in the purple photosynthetic bacterium,Chromatium vinosum: II. Biosynthesis of constituent subunits

[³⁵S]Methionine-labeled free subunits A and B of RuBP carboxylase were present in barely detectable amounts; the radioactivity in the free subunit B was approximately 1/150th of that in the subunit B contained in the holoenzyme of RuBP carboxylase. The turnover rates of subunits A and B in the holoenzyme were equal at each time during the incubation period. The ratio of subunit A to subunit B was constant throughout the incubation time both in quantity and in the level of [³H]leucine and [³⁵S]methionine incorporated. CO₂ contained in the incubation medium suppressed [³⁵S]methionine incorporation into both subunits A and B equally. These results suggest that the biosynthesis of subunits A and B is completely synchronized and may be regulated by identical mechanisms.     

Plasmodium knowlesi: In vitro biosynthesis of methionine

Methionine biosynthesis was studied in rhesus monkey erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium knowlesi malaria which were cultured in vitro with l-[3-¹⁴C]serine, methyl-[¹⁴C]tetrahydrofolic acid, and l-[³⁵S]homocysteine. Radioactivity derived from [3-¹⁴C]serine was detected in approximately equivalent amounts in methionine and thymidylic acid by thin-layer chromatography of acid-hydrolysates of washed erythrocytes. The results with methyl-[¹⁴C]tetrahydrofolic acid were inconclusive. Radioactivity from l-[³⁵S]homocysteine also appeared in methionine but the level of homocysteine required for maximal activity was tenfold that of serine. The results indicate that the serine: 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolic acid: 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolic acid: methionine biosynthetic pathway is present in the P. knowlesi malaria parasite.     

Unique characteristics of rat spleen lymphocyte, L1210 lymphoma and HeLa cells in glutathione biosynthesis from sulfur-containing amino acids

Suspensions of rat spleen lymphocyte, murine L1210 lymphoma and HeLa cells were partially depleted of glutathione (GSH) with diethyl maleate and allowed to utilize either [35S]methionine, [35S]cystine or [35S]-cysteine for GSH synthesis. Lymphocytes preferentially utilized cysteine, compared to cystine, at a ratio of about 30 to 1, which was not related to differences in the extent of amino acid uptake. Only HeLa cells displayed a slight utilization of methionine via the cystathionine pathway for cysteine and GSH biosynthesis. HeLa and L1210 cells readily utilized either cystine or cysteine for GSH synthesis. The three cell types accumulated detectable levels of intracellular cysteine glutathione mixed disulfide when incubated in a medium containing a high concentration of cystine. Various enzyme activities were measured including gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, GSH S-transferase and gamma-cystathionase. These results support the concept of a dynamic interorgan relationship of GSH to plasma cyst(e)ine that may have importance for growth of various cell types in vivo.     

Synthesis of subunits of ligandin by isolated hepatocytes

The pulse-chase technique was employed to determine the synthesis of the subunits of ligandin (glutathione S-transferase 1–2) by isolated hepatocytes. Ligandin comprised 2.5–3% of the total proteins synthesized. A slightly higher incorporation of [³⁵S]methionine into the 22 k than the 25 k subunit was observed. However, the ratio of [³⁵S]methionine incorporation into the subunits remained constant throughout the chase period, suggesting that, in spite of the considerable sequence homology, the conversion of 25 k to 22 k subunit does not occur in vivo     

Effects of Carboxylemethylation and Polyamine Synthesis Inhibitors on Methylation of Trypanosoma brucei Cellular Proteins and Lipids

ABSTRACT. The fate of methionine in eukaryotic cells is divided between protein synthesis and the branched pathway encompassing polyamine synthesis, methylation of proteins and lipids, and transsulphuration reactions. Aside from protein synthesis, the first step to all other uses of methionine is conversion to S-adenosylmethionine. Blockade of polyamine synthesis in African trypanosomes by the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor DL-α-difluoromethylomithine (Ornidyl, DFMO) the AdoMet decarboxylase inhibitor 5′-{[(Z)-4-amino-2-butenyl]-methylamino}-5′-deoxyadenosine or the protein methylase inhibitor sinefungin induces dramatic increases in intracellular AdoMet. In a previous study, distribution and pool sizes of [¹⁵S] or [U-¹⁴C]methionine were followed in bloodform trypanosomes as incorporation into the total TCA precipitable fraction. In the present study, the effects of pretreatment with DFMO (1 mM), MDL 73811 (1 μM) and sinefugin (2 nM) on [³⁵S] and [U-¹⁴C]methionine incorporation were studied in blood forms. DFMO or MDL 73811 pretreatment increased protein methylation 1.5-fold through incorporation of [U¹⁴C]methionine, while sinefungin caused a 40% reduction of incorporation. The increases in incorporation of [U-¹⁴C]methionine due to DFMO and MDL 73811 were reduced 40% to 70% by including cold AdoMet (1 mM) in the incubation medium, an indication of AdoMet transport by bloodform trypanosomes and the utilization of [U-¹⁴C]methionine as AdoMet. Exogenous AdoMet had no effect on [³⁵S]methionine incorporation. The agents studied are curative for African trypnosomiasis infections, either clinically (DFMO) or in model infections (MDL 73811, sinefungin) and thus highlight interference with AdoMet metabolism and methylation reactions as biochemical consequences of these agents.     

The transsulfuration pathway in tetrahymena pyriformis

Four enzymes necessary for the metabolism of methione by the transsulfuration pathway, methionine adenosyltransferase (EC 2.5.1.6), adenosyl-homocysteinase (EC 3.3.1.1), cystathionine β-synthase (EC 4.2.1.22) and cystathionine γ-lyase (EC 4.4.1.1) were identified in Tetrahymean pyriformis. The ability of these cells to transfer ³⁵S from [³⁵S] methionine to form [³⁵S] - cysteine was also observed and taken as direct evidence for the functional existence of this pathway in Tetrahymena. An intermediate in the pathway and an active methyl donor, $\text{S-}\text{adenosylmethionine}$, was qualitatively identified in Tetrahymena and its concentration was found to be greater in late stationary phase cells than in early stationary phase cells.     

The origin of the sulfur atom in thiamine

The mode of biosynthesis of the thiazole moiety of thiamine, 4-methyl-5β-hydroxyethyl thiazole (MHET) was studied using Salmonella typhimurium as test organism. It was shown by isotope incorporation experiments, that the sulfur atom, but not carbon-3, of cysteine is incorporated into MHET, indicating a separation of the sulfur atom of cysteine from the carbon chain during incorporation. Isotope competition experiments revealed that the incorporation of [³⁵S]cysteine is not significantly diluted by the presence of methionine, homocysteine, and glutathione. No incorporation of label from [¹⁴C]glutamate and [¹⁴C]formate was observed, leaving the origin of the five-carbon unit still in doubt.     

Production of farnesoic acid and methyl farnesoate by mandibular organs of the crayfish,Procambarus clarkii

The mandibular organs (MO) of crustaceans secrete methyl farnesoate (MF) and farnesoic acid (FA). To better understand the secretory activity of MO, the kinetics of production and release of both compounds were determined in vitro by following incorporation of [2-¹⁴C]acetate and l-[³H-methyl]methionine into MF and [2-¹⁴C]acetate into FA by MO of Procambarus clarkii. MO released more FA than MF but contained more MF. In medium lacking unlabeled acetate, the percentage incorporation of [¹⁴C]acetate into MF, relative to [³H]methionine, was between 21 and 40%, suggesting that there may be an alternative source of C₂ units.MO produce similar amounts of MF at concentrations of acetate from 0.08 to 10 mM. However, the addition of exogenous unlabelled FA to incubation media did not stimulate the biosynthesis of MF, raising the possibility that unlike JH biosynthesis in insects, the last step in MF production may be rate-limiting. Nonetheless, exogenous FA significantly reduced the incorporation of [¹⁴C]acetate into MF, suggesting that the glands use exogenous FA to synthesize MF. The absence of stimulation of FA production by exogenous FA indicates that there is no feedback effect of this product on the early steps in the biosynthetic pathway.     

Transsulphuration and methylation of homocysteine in control and mutant human fibroblasts

The ability of human skin-fibroblasts in monolayer culture to carry out transsulphuration and remethylation of homocysteine has been tested. The conversion of homocyst(e)ine to cyst(e)ine and methionine was studied in control and mutant cells by incubation for 16 h with l-[³⁵S]homocystine. Labelled cysteic acid and methionine sulphone were found in hydrolysates of oxidized cell proteins. The quantities found were dependent on the time of incubation and were used as a measure of cyst(e)ine and methionine formation, respectively. In control cells, labelled cyst(e)ine and labelled methionine were found. In cystathionine β-synthase-deficient cell lines, labelled cyst(e)ine formation was reduced, while labelled methionine formed was similar to that of controls, indicating the role of transsulphuration in the formation of cyst(e)ine observed in control cells. In a 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase-deficient cell line, labelled methionine formation was reduced, indicating the role of N-5-methyltetrahydrofolate-requiring methylation of homocysteine in the formation of methionine observed in control cells.     

A study of the sulphur amino acids of rat tissues

1. In a study of the metabolism of l-[(35)S]methionine in vivo, the labelled sulphur compounds of rat liver and brain were separated first by ion-exchange chromatography into two fractions containing (i) free sulphur amino acids such as methionine, cystathionine, cyst(e)ine and homocyst(e)ine and (ii) glutathione. 2. Two-dimensional paper chromatography with butan-1-ol-acetic acid or propionic acid-water in the first direction and 80% acetone or acetone-ethyl methyl ketone-water in the second direction was found superior to other solvent systems for separating the sulphur amino acids. 3. At 10min. after injection of [(35)S]methionine only a small part of the (35)S was found combined in free methionine or other free sulphur amino acids. 4. Evidence was obtained of the presence of adenosyl[(35)S]methionine and adenosyl[(35)S]homocysteine in perchloric acid extracts of rat liver and brain. 5. The trans-sulphuration pathway was active in brain as well as in liver.     

Glutathione changes occurring after S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase inhibition

Freshly isolated rat hepatocytes, which metabolize methionine through the cystathionine pathway, and cultured L5178Y cells, which do not, were compared for their response to the inhibition of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) hydrolase (EC 3.3.1.1). When cells were incubated in Fischer's medium lacking cystine but containing 0.67 mM methionine and 10% serum, the addition of periodate-oxidized adenosine (POA), an inhibitor of SAH hydrolase, increased the level of SAH approximately 4-fold in L5178Y cells (5 mM POA) and 30-fold in hepatocytes (1 mM POA). POA treatment also decreased the amount of intracellular glutathione (GSH) in hepatocytes by 6-fold, and in L5178Y cells by 3-fold. Incubation of hepatocytes with adenosine plus homocysteine, 2-chloroadenosine, or 2',3'-acyclic adenosine increased intracellular SAH and also lowered GSH levels. Neither GSH oxidation nor efflux of GSH or GSH conjugates appeared to account for the GSH loss. Intracellular GSH, covalently bound to proteins as mixed disulfides, increased when hepatocytes were incubated with POA, but the increase was insufficient to account for the total GSH loss. In hepatocytes with prelabeled [35S]GSH, POA caused the cellular GSH content to decrease while the specific activity of [35S]GSH remained constant, suggesting that inhibitor treatments that caused elevated SAH levels may have increased the degradation of GSH while GSH synthesis was inhibited.     

Inhibition of phytoalexin biosynthesis in elicitor-treated tobacco cell-suspension cultures by calcium/calmodulin antagonists

A role for calcium/calcium-binding proteins in a mechanism of signaling elicitor-inducible phytoalexin biosynthesis was investigated. Two classes of calcium/calmodulin antagonists, phenothiazines and naphthalenesulfonamides, inhibited sesquiterpene phytoalexin accumulation in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cell-suspension cultures when added 1 h before elicitor. The antagonists also inhibited the induction of sesquiterpene cyclase enzyme activity, a key regulatory enzyme for sesquiterpene biosynthesis. The antagonists suppressed the induction of sesquiterpene cyclase only if added before or simultaneously with elicitor. Additionally, the antagonists inhibited (a) accumulation of the cyclase protein as measured in immunoblots; (b) the in vivo synthesis rate of the cyclase protein, measured as the incorporation of [³⁵S]methionine into immunoprecipitable cyclase protein; and (c) the cyclase mRNA translational activity, measured as the incorporation of [³⁵S]methionine into immunoprecipitable cyclase protein synthesized by in vitro translation of RNA isolated from antagonist-treated, elicitor-induced cells. In contrast, elicitor-inducible phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme activity, the level of the enzyme protein, the in vivo synthesis rate, and the mRNA translational activity were not affected by any of the antagonist treatments. Uptake and incorporation of [³⁵S]methionine into total cellular proteins and total in vitro translation products were also not indiscriminately altered by the antagonist treatments. The current results suggest that calcium and/or calmodulin-like proteins may be elements of a signal transduction pathway mediating elicitor-induced accumulation of phytoalexins in tobacco.     

Effect of tunicamycin on the glycosylation of rhodopsin

The incorporation of [³H]glucosamine, [³H]mannose, and [³⁵S]methionine into rhodopsin was investigated in retinas which had been incubated in the presence and absence of the antibiotic, tunicamycin. In its presence, the incorporation of glucosamine was inhibited 70% and mannose, 96% compared to controls. In the presence of tunicamycin the attachment of glucosamine to core-region sites was virtually eliminated. The formation of unglycosylated rhodopsin was also indicated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and concanavalin A-Sepharose chromatography. These findings are consistent with the participation of the lipid-linked pathway in the glycosylation of this well-characterized intrinsic glycoprotein of the membranes of the disk of the rod outer segment. As indicated by the incorporation of [³⁵S]methionine, the synthesis of rhodopsin apoprotein was inhibited by a much lesser amount. This suggests that the glycosylation of rhodopsin is not required for its insertion into the disk membrane.     

The formation of sulphur-containing amino acids in germinating seeds of rape (Brassica napus L.)

Sodium [(35)S]sulphide was fed to batches of germinating rapeseed, in some instances with the addition of unlabelled cysteine. Both the total radioactivity and specific radioactivity of the free sulphur-containing amino acids were examined. Cysteine and homocysteine were rapidly labelled; label subsequently appeared in cystathionine and methionine. The results obtained indicated that both the sulphydration and trans-sulphuration pathways were operating. This conclusion was reinforced by the results of experiments in which batches of rapeseed were incubated with l-[(14)C]homoserine. These showed the formation of labelled homocysteine, cystathione and methionine. It was thought the trans-sulphuration pathway was making the greater contribution to the biosynthesis of methionine in germinating rapeseed.     

Rapid Methylation of Cell Proteins and Lipids in Trypanosoma brucei

ABSTRACT. The fate of the [methyl-¹⁴C] group of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) in bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei, was studied. Trypanosomes were incubated with either [methyl-¹⁴C]methionine, [U-¹⁴C]methionine, S-[methyl-¹⁴C]AdoMet or [³⁵S]methionine and incorporation into the total TCA precipitable fractions was followed. Incorporation of label into protein through methylation was estimated by comparing molar incorporation of [methyl-¹⁴C] and [U-¹⁴C]methionine to [³⁵S]methionine. After 4-h incubation with [U-¹⁴C]methionine, [methyl-¹⁴C]methionine or [³⁵S]methionine, cells incorporated label at mean rates of 2,880 pmol, 1,305 pmol and 296 pmol per mg total cellular protein, respectively. Cells incubated with [U-¹⁴C] or [methyl-¹⁴C]methionine in the presence of cycloheximide (50 μg/ml) for four hours incorporated label eight- and twofold more rapidly, respectively, than cells incubated with [³⁵S]methionine and cycloheximide. [Methyl-¹⁴C] and [U-¹⁴C]methionine incorporation were > 85% decreased by co-incubation with unlabeled AdoMet (1 mM). The level of protein methylation remaining after 4-h treatment with cycloheximide was also inhibited with unlabeled AdoMet. The acid precipitable label from [U-¹⁴C]methionine incorporation was not appreciably hydrolyzed by DNAse or RNAse treatment but was 95% solubilized by proteinase K. [U-¹⁴C]methionine incorporated into the TCA precipitable fraction was susceptible to alkaline borate treatment, indicating that much of this label (55%) was incorporated as carboxymethyl groups. The rate of total lipid methylation was found to be 1.5 times that of protein methylation by incubating cells with [U-¹⁴C]methionine for six hours and differential extraction of the TCA lysate. These studies show T. b. brucei maintains rapid lipid and protein methylation, confirming previous studies demonstrating rapid conversion of methionine to AdoMet and subsequent production of post-methylation products of AdoMet in African trypanosomes.     

Turnover and functions of glutathione studied with isolated hepatic and renal cells

Suspensions of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes and renal tubular cells contain high levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), which exhibits half-lives of 3-5 and 0.7-1 h, respectively. In both cells types the availability of intracellular cysteine is rate limiting for GSH biosynthesis. In hepatocytes, methionine is actively converted to cysteine via the cystathionine pathway, and hepatic glutathione biosynthesis is stimulated by the presence of methionine in the medium. In contrast, extracellular cystine can support renal glutathione synthesis; several disulfides, including cystine, are rapidly taken up by renal cells (but not by hepatocytes) and are reduced to the corresponding thiols via a GSH-linked reaction sequence catalyzed by thiol transferase and glutathione reductase (NAD(P)H). During incubation, hepatocytes release both GSH and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) into the medium; the rate of GSSG efflux is markedly enhanced during hydroperoxide metabolism by glutathione peroxidase. This may lead to GSH depletion and cell injury; the latter seems to be initiated by a perturbation of cellular calcium homeostasis occurring in the glutathione-depleted state. In contrast to hepatocytes, renal cells metabolize extracellular glutathione and glutathione S-conjugates formed during drug biotransformation to the component amino acids and N-acetyl-cysteine S-conjugates, respectively. In addition, renal cells contain a thiol oxidase acting on extracellular GSH and several other thiols. In conclusion, our findings with isolated cells mimic the physiological situation characterized by hepatic synthesis and renal degradation of plasma glutathione and glutathione S-conjugates, and elucidate some of the underlying biochemical mechanisms.     

Exogenous gangliosides may affect methylation mechanisms in neuronal cell cultures

Primary neurons in culture from chick embryo cerebral hemispheres were treated with a mixture of gangliosides added to the growth medium (final concentration: 10^–5M and 10^–8M) from the 3rd to the 6th day in vitro. Under these conditions methylation processes measured with [³H] and [³⁵S] methionine and [³H]ethanolamine as precursors showed an increased methylation of [³H]ethanolamine containing phospholipids, a correspondent increased conversion of these compounds to [³H]choline containing phospholipids, and a general increased methylation of trichloroacetic acid precipitable macromolecules containing labeled methionine. A small increase in protein synthesis was observed after incubation of neurons with [³H]- and [³⁵S]methionine. This was confirmed after electrophoretic separation of a protein extract with increased³H-and³⁵S-labeling in protein bands with moecular weights between 50 and 60 KDaltons. A protein band of about 55 KDaltons appeared to be preferentially labelled when [³H] methionine was the precursor. The treatment with gangliosides increased the incorporation of [methyl-³H] label after incubation of neurons with [³H] methionine, into total DNA and decreased that of total RNA. The treatment of neurons in culture with exogenous gangliosides hence affects differently methylation processes, a finding which may confirm the involvement of gangliosides on the intracellular mediation of neuronal information mechanisms.     

Hyperglucagonemia in rats results in decreased plasma homocysteine and increased flux through the transsulfuration pathway in liver

An elevated plasma level of homocysteine is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of glucagon on homocysteine metabolism in the rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 4 mg/kg/day (3 injections per day) glucagon for 2 days while control rats received vehicle injections. Glucagon treatment resulted in a 30% decrease in total plasma homocysteine and increased hepatic activities of glycine N-methyltransferase, cystathionine beta-synthase, and cystathionine gamma-lyase. Enzyme activities of the remethylation pathway were unaffected. The 90% elevation in activity of cystathionine beta-synthase was accompanied by a 2-fold increase in its mRNA level. Hepatocytes prepared from glucagon-injected rats exported less homocysteine, when incubated with methionine, than did hepatocytes of saline-treated rats. Flux through cystathionine beta-synthase was increased 5-fold in hepatocytes isolated from glucagon-treated rats as determined by production of (14)CO(2) and alpha-[1-(14)C]ketobutyrate from l-[1-(14)C]methionine. Methionine transport was elevated 2-fold in hepatocytes isolated from glucagon-treated rats resulting in increased hepatic methionine levels. Hepatic concentrations of S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine, allosteric activators of cystathionine beta-synthase, were also increased following glucagon treatment. These results indicate that glucagon can regulate plasma homocysteine through its effects on the hepatic transsulfuration pathway.     

Measurement by Digital Autoradiography with a β-Imager of [35S]Methionine Incorporated by Rat Central Nervous System Cells in Primary Cultures: A Marker of in vitro Development

Mixed glial–neuronal cultures prepared from rat embryonic cortical cells were either treated with aracytosine or infected with an adenovirus encoding the Lac-Z gene according to two protocols of infection. In each experiment, 24 h before the end of the incubation period, [³⁵S]methionine was added to one set of cultures which were performed in plastic chamber slides. At 10–13 days in vitro, control and treated cultures were processed either for immunocytochemical detection of neuron-specific enolase (NSE)-stained cells or for measurement of [³⁵S]methionine incorporation. For the latter, cultures grown in the chamber slides were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, dehydrated, and air-dried. After removal of the upper structures of the chambers, the slides were directly transferred to a 1200 -imager, a gaseous detector which displays a digital image of the cultured cells and permits the quantitative measurement of incorporated [³⁵S]methionine within a few hours. In aracytosine-treated cultures, we observed that the numbers of NSE(+) cells as well as [³⁵S]methionine incorporation were decreased compared with control cultures. After viral infection, the number of NSE(+) neurons and the amount of radioactivity incorporated were either the same in control and infected cultures or decreased for the cultures treated according to the different protocols. In all cases, the amount of [³⁵S]methionine incorporated varied in the same direction as the number of NSE(+) neurons in cultures. The digital imaging of the cultures permitted observation of the layer of cultured cells. It appears that such a rapid and direct measurement of incorporation of a radiolabeled indicator of protein synthesis may be considered as a quick and reliable marker of cell survival and/or proliferation.     

Effect of streptozotocin-diabetes on rat liver asialoglycoprotein receptor turnover: in vivo degradation and in vitro biosynthesis

The metabolic turnover of the Hepatic Binding Protein (HBP) was investigated in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. We have already shown that diabetes induced a decreased ligand binding capacity while the immunoreactive HBP was normal. To explore the eventual modifications due to diabetic state upon the turnover of HBP, we followed the in vivo degradation of HBP and its biosynthesis in vitro. After in vivo labelling with L-[3H] leucine and purification of HBP from rat livers, we found a 20% decrease in diabetic HBP half-life. By in vitro incubations of freshly isolated hepatocytes and a 2 h-pulse in the presence of L-[35S] methionine, we showed that diabetes provokes an increased uptake of L-[35S] methionine in hepatocytes allowing an augmented synthesis of HBP although the L-[35S] methionine incorporation into total proteins was less efficient.