Guanosine metabolism in Neurospora crassa

Two aspects of guanosine metabolism in Neurospora have been investigated. (a) The inability of adenine mutants (blocked prior to IMP synthesis) to use guanosine as a nutritional supplement; and (b) the inhibitory effect of guanosine on the utilization of hypoxanthine as a purine source for growth by these mutants. Studies on the utilization of guanosine indicated that the proportion of adenine derived from guanosine may be limiting for the growth of adenine mutants. In wild type, adenine is produced through the biosynthetic pathway when grown in the presence of guanosine. The amount of adenine produced through the de novo biosynthesis in wild type increases with increasing concentrations of guanosine in the medium. However, the total purine synthesis does not increase. Guanosine inhibits the uptake of hypoxanthine severely. In addition, guanosine and its nucleotide derivatives also inhibit the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase activity, at the same time stimulating the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase activity. Guanosine's effects on the uptake of hypoxanthine and its conversion to the nucleotide form may be the reasons why guanosine inhibits the utilization of hypoxanthine but not adenine by these mutants.     

Hybrid MC/QC simulations of water-assisted proton transfer in nucleosides. Guanosine and its analog acyclovir

To provide an in-depth insight into the molecular basis of spontaneous tautomerism in DNA and RNA base pairs, a hybrid Monte Carlo (MC)–quantum chemical (QC) methodology is implemented to map two-dimensional potential energy surfaces along the reaction coordinates of solvent-assisted proton transfer processes in guanosine and its analog acyclovir in aqueous solution. The solvent effects were simulated by explicit inclusion of water molecules that model the relevant part of the first hydration shell around the solute. The position of these water molecules was estimated by carrying out a classical Metropolis Monte Carlo simulation of dilute water solutions of the guanosine (Gs) and acyclovir (ACV) and subsequently analyzing solute–solvent intermolecular interactions in the statistically-independent MC-generated configurations. The solvent-assisted proton transfer processes were further investigated using two different ab initio MP2 quantum chemical approaches. In the first one, potential energy surfaces of the ‘bare’ finite solute–solvent clusters containing Gs/ACV and four water molecules (MP2/6-31+G(d,p) level) were explored, while within the second approach, these clusters were embedded in ‘bulk’ solvent treated as polarizable continuum (C-PCM/MP2/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory). It was found that in the gas phase and in water solution, the most stable tautomer for guanosine and acyclovir is the 1H-2-amino-6-oxo form followed by the 2-amino-6-(sZ)-hydroxy form. The energy barriers of the water-assisted proton transfer reaction in guanosine and in acyclovir are found to be very similar – 11.74 kcal mol^?1 for guanosine and 11.16 kcal mol^?1 for acyclovir, and the respective rate constants (k = 1.5?×?10¹ s^?1, guanosine and k = 4.09?×?10¹ s^?1, acyclovir), are sufficiently large to generate the 2-amino-6-(sZ)-hydroxy tautomer. The analysis of the reaction profiles in both compounds shows that the proton transfer processes occur through the asynchronous concerted mechanism.     

Guanosine triphosphate catabolism in human and rabbit erythrocytes: role of reductive deamination of guanylate to inosinate.

The reductive deamination of guanylate to inosinate was demonstrable but occurred at low rates in human and rabbit erythrocytes incubated in vitro with or without glucose. However, the process was considerably accelerated in erythrocytes incubated with deoxyglucose. In human erythrocytes incubated with deoxyglucose, deamination was the major pathway of catabolism of guanylate; little or no guanylate was dephosphorylated. In rabbit erythrocytes, guanylate was both deaminated and dephosphorylated. Inosinate formed from guanylate was metabolized only by dephosphorylation in human erythrocytes, but in rabbit erythrocytes, it was also converted to xanthylate.     

Neurotrophic Effects of Extracellular Guanosine

Central nervous system (CNS) astrocytes release guanosine extracellularly, that exerts trophic effects. In CNS, extracellular guanosine (GUO) stimulates mitosis, synthesis of trophic factors, and cell differentiation, including neuritogenesis, is neuroprotective, and reduces apoptosis due to several stimuli. Specific receptor-like binding sites for eGUO in the nervous system may mediate its effects through both MAP kinase and PI3-kinase signalling pathways. Extracellular guanine (eGUA) also exerts several effects; the trophic effects of eGUO are likely regulated by conversion of eGUO to eGUA by a membrane located purine nucleoside phosphorylase (ecto-PNP) and by conversion of eGUA to xanthine by guanine deaminase.     

Guanosine triphosphatase activity in human erythrocyte membranes

Human red cell membranes have the capacity to hydrolyze enzymatically GTD to GDP. The reaction requires magnesium, is not appreciably affected by sodium, potassium or calcium, and is not inhibited by ouabain. Kinetic analysis suggests that there are two separate enzymes in membranes which cleave GTP, a 'high Km' GTPase and a 'low Km' GTPase. Both enzymes are also ATPases, with an approximately equal affinity for GTP and ATP. GTPase activity did not extract from the membrane with spectrin and was not inactivated by antispectrin antibody. Activity was partially destroyed by 0.5% Triton X-100. It seems probable that the low Km GTPase is the sodium- and potassium-independent ATPase of red cell membranes. The identity of the high Km enzyme is not clear.     

Synthesis of 06-Alkylated Guanosine and Deoxyguanosinephosphoramidites

Abstract

Since 0⁶-alkylguanine derivatives play a specific role in nucleic acids as potential sources o f mutagenic (1) and carcinogenic (2) action the monomeric building blocks of this type of compounds are desirable for more detailed studies. The old route to 0⁶-alkyl ribonucleosides via the corresponding 6-chloro derivative worked with low yields in the 2′-deoxy series and could only just recently be improved by functionalizing the amide group first by sulfonylation on oxygen and followed by subsequent displacement of trimethylamine and various alkoxides (3).     

Lymphangiogenesis and its role in cancer

In many tumour types, lymphatic vasculature serves as a major route for tumour metastasis. The dissemination of malignant cells to the regional lymph nodes is an early step in the progression of many solid tumours and is an important determinant of prognosis. Lymphangiogenesis (formation of new lymphatic vessels) is thought to be crucial for cancer cells to metastasise to the regional lymph nodes. However research in this important process has been neglected largely due to the lack of molecular markers specific to the lymphatic endothelium. Recently, several specific markers have been identified including LYVE-1, podoplanin and prox-1. Although the biology of lymphangiogeneis, particularly its regulation, is still far from clear, it is now well established that tumours are lymphangiogenic i.e. they could induce the generation of their own lymphatics and metastasise to the regional lymph nodes. It is thought that the interruption of the main signalling pathways involved in this process could help to prevent lymphatic spread of many tumours. Furthermore, understanding the molecular mechanisms in lymphangiogenesis might help to develop new therapeutic strategies against cancer lymphatic spread. Here, we reviewed the literature in regards to the biology of lymphangiogenesis, its molecular regulation, lymphatic markers and the significance in human solid tumours.     

Guanosine diphosphate-L-fucose glycopeptide fucosyltransferase activity in Corynebacterium insidiosum

The biosynthesis of a phytotoxic glycopeptide of Corynebacterium insidiosum involves guanosine diphosphate-l-fucosyltransferase activity. This enzyme activity is most consistently associated with the cellular membranes fraction. The optimal pH for the transfer reaction is 7.5. The partially hydrolyzed toxin serves as an acceptor (primer) of l-fucose.     

Guanosine Analogues as Anti-Herpesvirus Agents

Abstract

Several guanosine analogues, i.e. acyclovir (and its oral prodrug valaciclovir), penciclovir (in its oral prodrug form, famciclovir) and ganciclovir, are widely used for the treatment of herpesvirus (i.e. HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV and HCMV) infections. In recent years, several new guanosine analogues have been developed, including the 3-membered (cyclopropyl) sugar derivative A-5021 and the 6-membered D- and L-cyclohexenyl derivatives. Prominent features shared by all guanosine analogues are the following. They depend for their phosphorylation on the virus-encoded thymidine kinase (TK), which makes them particularly effective against those viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2 and VZV) that encoded for such TK. They are also active against HCMV, whether or not they are subject of phosphorylation by the HCMV-induced UL97 protein kinase. Their antiviral activity can be markedly potentiated by mycophenolic acid, an IMP dehydrogenase inhibitor, and they hold great promise, not only as antiviral agents for the treatment of herpesvirus infections, but also as antitumor agents for the combined gene therapy/chemotherapy of cancer, provided that (part of) the tumor cells have been transfected by the viral TK gene.     

Guanosine analogues as anti-herpesvirus agents

Several guanosine analogues, i.e. acyclovir (and its oral prodrug valaciclovir), penciclovir (in its oral prodrug form, famciclovir) and ganciclovir, are widely used for the treatment of herpesvirus (i.e. HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV and HCMV) infections. In recent years, several new guanosine analogues have been developed, including the 3-membered (cyclopropyl) sugar derivative A-5021 and the 6-membered D- and L-cyclohexenyl derivatives. Prominent features shared by all guanosine analogues are the following. They depend for their phosphorylation on the virus-encoded thymidine kinase (TK), which makes them particularly effective against those viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2 and VZV) that encoded for such TK. They are also active against HCMV, whether or not they are subject of phosphorylation by the HCMV-induced UL97 protein kinase. Their antiviral activity can be markedly potentiated by mycophenolic acid, an IMP dehydrogenase inhibitor, and they hold great promise, not only as antiviral agents for the treatment of herpesvirus infections, but also as antitumor agents for the combined gene therapy/chemotherapy of cancer, provided that (part of) the tumor cells have been transfected by the viral TK gene.     

Guanosine Deaminase and Guanine Deaminase from Tea Leaves

Guanosine deaminase and guanine deaminase were partially purified from tea leaves. The optimum activity of guanosine deaminase was observed at pH 7.5 and that of guanine deaminase was at pH 7.0–7.5 and 8.5. Guanosine deaminase was an unstable enzyme. The activities of these deaminases were significantly inhibited by heavy metals. Molecular weights of guanosine deaminase and guanine deaminase as measured by gel filtration were about 18,000 and 54,000, respectively. The K_m for the respective substrates, guanosine and guanine, were 9.5 μm and 41.7 μm. Guanosine deaminase was considered to catalyze the deamination of 2′-deoxyguanosine besides guanosine. It is suggested that guanosine deaminase as well as guanine deaminase in tea leaves not only acts on the catabolic pathway, but also is involved in the biosynthesis of caffeine from guanosine or guanine nucleotides.     

Guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase activity in rat tissues.

The GTP cyclohydrolase activity of rat tissues has been studied by means of the measurement of formic acid release and neopterin synthesis from GTP. After gel filtration of a 45%-satd.-(NH4)2SO4 fraction of liver homogenates, three enzyme fractions were separated and named A1, A2 and A3 according to the order of their elution. Fractions A1 and A3 displayed an 8-formyl-GTP deformylase activity; no proof of cyclized product has yet been established. This activity was heat-labile and required Mg2+ for maximal activity. Fraction A2 displayed a 'neopterin-synthetase' activity, with dihydroneopterin triphosphate and formic acid formed in stochiometric amounts. Fraction A1 isolated from heat-treated homogenates also produced dihydroneopterin triphosphate. Neopterin synthetase activity in fractions A1 and A2 was heat-resistant and inhibited by Mg2+. In liver the A2 fraction represented 70-75% of the neopterin synthetase capacity and was inhibited by reduced pterines (sepiapterin, dihydrobiopterin and tetrahydrobiopterin) and to a lesser extent by reduced forms of folic acid. In kidney and brain, fraction A1 and A3 GTP 8-formylhydrolase activities were found in significant amounts, in contrast with the neopterin synthetase activity, which was low and appeared to be confined to the A1 fraction.     

Rearrangement Reactions of Guanosine Cyclonucleosides and Their Analogs

Abstract

Under acid-catalyzed transglycosylation conditions 5′,8-cyclo-8-oxoguanine nucleosides undergo a ring-opening reaction to 8-oxoguanine derivatives, instead of the 7–9 isomerization.     

Diversification of the RAB Guanosine Triphosphatase Family in Dicots and Monocots

RAB guanosine triphosphatases （GTPases） are key regulators of vesicle trafficking and are essential to the growth and development of all eukaryotic cells. During evolution, the RAB family has expanded in different patterns to facilitate distinct cellular, developmental and physiological adaptations. Yeast has only 11 family members, whereas mammalian RABs have expanded to 18 RAB subfamilies. Plant RABs have diversified primarily by duplicating members within a single subfamily. Plant RABs are divided into eight subfamilies, corresponding to mammalian RAB1, RAB2, RAB5, RAB6, RAB7, RAB8, RAB11 and RAB18. Functional diversification of these is exemplified by the RAB1 ls, orthologs of which are partitioned into unique cell compartments in plants where they function to transport vesicles during localized tip growth. Similarly, the RAB2 family in grasses is likely involved in vesicle secretion associated with wall expansion, as determined by analysis of over-expression mutants. We propose that dicots and monocots have also diverged in their RAB profiles to accommodate unique cellular functions between the two groups. Here we present a bioinformatics analysis comparing the RAB sub-families of rice, maize and Arabidopsis. These results will guide future functional studies to test for the role of diversification of subfamilies unique to monocots compared to dicots.