Anomeric configuration of the dolichyl D-mannosyl phosphate formed in calf pancreas microsomes.

Dolichyl D-[14C]mannosyl phosphate formed in calf pancreas microsomes was compared to dolichyl alpha-D-[14C]mannopyranosyl phosphate, a chemical synthesis of which is described. Jack bean alpha-mannosidase, which converted citronellyl alpha-D-mannopyranosyl phosphate, but not its beta anomer, to citronellyl phosphate and D-mannose, was effective in releasing D-[14C]mannose from dolichyl alpha-D-[14C]manopyranosyl phosphate in the presence of detergent. In contrast, alpha-mannosidase did not cause any significant release from the pancreatic dolichyl D-[14C]mannosyl phosphate. Alkali treatment (0.1 M NaOH in propanol at 65 and 90 degrees) degraded both dolichyl D-[14C]mannosyl phosphates with the formation of water-soluble 14C-labeled products. The pattern of 14C-labeled breakdown products formed from the synthetic dolichyl alpha-D-[14C]mannopyranosyl phosphate differed from that obtained from the pancreatic dolichyl D-[14C]mannosyl phosphate. Dolichyl alpha-D-[14C]mannopyranosyl phosphate yielded several 14C-labeled products, including a trace of D-[14C]mannosyl phosphate, and an acidic fraction which appeared to result from degradation of D-[14C]mannose. The pancreatic dolichyl D-[14C]mannosyl phosphate gave various products, depending on the temperature of the reaction: at 90 degrees, 20 to 30% of the radioactivity was found in D-[14C]mannosyl phosphate and the rest in acidic breakdown products; at 65 degrees, about two-thirds of the radioactivity was recovered in a compound which behaved as D-MANNOSE 2-PHOSPHATE, A Product characteristic of a beta-linked D-mannosyl residue. It is concluded that the pancreatic compound is dolichyl beta-D-[14C]mannosyl phosphate.     

Synthesis, characterization and properties of uridine 5′-(α-d-apio-d-furanosyl pyrophosphate)

1. A method was developed for synthesizing UDP-apiose [uridine 5'-(alpha-d-apio-d-furanosyl pyrophosphate)] from UDP-glucuronic acid [uridine 5'-(alpha-d-glucopyranosyluronic acid pyrophosphate)] in 62% yield with the enzyme UDP-glucuronic acid cyclase. 2. UDP-apiose had the same mobility as uridine 5'-(alpha-d-xylopyranosyl pyrophosphate) when chromatographed on paper and when subjected to paper electrophoresis at pH5.8. When [(3)H]UDP-[U-(14)C]glucuronic acid was used as the substrate for UDP-glucuronic acid cyclase, the (3)H/(14)C ratio in the reaction product was that expected if d-apiose remained attached to the uridine. In separate experiments doubly labelled reaction product was: (a) hydrolysed at pH2 and 100 degrees C for 15min; (b) degraded at pH8.0 and 100 degrees C for 3min; (c) used as a substrate in the enzymic synthesis of [(14)C]apiin. In each type of experiment the reaction products were isolated and identified and were found to be those expected if [(3)H]UDP-[U-(14)C]apiose was the starting compound. 3. Chemical characterization established that the product containing d-[U-(14)C]apiose and phosphate formed on alkaline degradation of UDP-[U-(14)C]apiose was alpha-d-[U-(14)C]apio-d-furanosyl 1:2-cyclic phosphate. 4. Chemical characterization also established that the product containing d-[U-(14)C]apiose and phosphate formed on acid hydrolysis of alpha-d-[U-(14)C]apio-d-furanosyl 1:2-cyclic phosphate was d-[U-(14)C]apiose 2-phosphate. 5. The half-life periods for the degradation of UDP-[U-(14)C]apiose to alpha-d-[U-(14)C]apio-d-furanosyl 1:2-cyclic phosphate and UMP at pH8.0 and 80 degrees C, at pH8.0 and 25 degrees C and at pH8.0 and 4 degrees C were 31.6s, 97.2min and 16.5h respectively. The half-life period for the hydrolysis of UDP-[U-(14)C]-apiose to d-[U-(14)C]apiose and UDP at pH3.0 and 40 degrees C was 4.67min. After 20 days at pH6.2-6.6 and 4 degrees C, 17% of the starting UDP-[U-(14)C]apiose was degraded to alpha-d-[U-(14)C]apio-d-furanosyl 1:2-cyclic phosphate and UMP and 23% was hydrolysed to d-[U-(14)C]apiose and UDP. After 120 days at pH6.4 and -20 degrees C 2% of the starting UDP-[U-(14)C]apiose was degraded and 4% was hydrolysed.     

Structure and functions of linkage unit intermediates in the biosynthesis of ribitol teichoic acids in Staphylococcus aureus H and Bacillus subtilis W23

The stepwise formation and characterization of linkage unit intermediates and their functions in ribitol teichoic acid biosynthesis were studied with membranes obtained from Staphylococcus aureus H and Bacillus subtilis W23. The formation of labeled polymer from CDP-[14C]ribitol and CDP-glycerol in each membrane system was markedly stimulated by the addition of N-acetylmannosaminyl(beta 1----4)N-acetylglucosamine (ManNAc-GlcNAc) linked to pyrophosphorylyisoprenol. Whereas incubation of S. aureus membranes with CDP-glycerol and ManNAc-[14C]GlcNAc-PP-prenol led to synthesis of (glycerol phosphate) 1-3-ManNAc-[14C]GlcNAc-PP-prenol, incubation of B. subtilis membranes with the same substrates yielded (glycerol phosphate)1-2-ManNAc-[14C]GlcNAc-PP-prenol. In S. aureus membranes, (glycerol phosphate)2-ManNAc-[14C]GlcNAc-PP-prenol as well as (glycerol phosphate)3-ManNAc-[14C]GlcNAc-PP-prenol served as an acceptor for ribitol phosphate units, but (glycerol phosphate)-ManNAc-[14C]GlcNAc-PP-prenol did not. In B. subtilis W23 membranes, (glycerol phosphate)-ManNAc-[14C]GlcNAc-PP-prenol served as a better acceptor for ribitol phosphate units than (glycerol phosphate)2-ManNAc-[14C]GlcNAc-PP-prenol. In this membrane system (ribitol phosphate)-(glycerol phosphate)-ManNAc-[14C]GlcNAc-PP-prenol was formed from ManNAc-[14C]GlcNAc-PP-prenol, CDP-glycerol and CDP-ribitol. The results indicate that (glycerol phosphate)1-3-ManNAc-GlcNAc-PP-prenol and (glycerol phosphate)1-2-ManNac-GlcNAc-PP-prenol are involved in the pathway for the synthesis of wall ribitol teichoic acids in S. aureus H and B. subtilis W23 respectively.     

Biodegradation of [14C]Tri-p-Cresyl Phosphate in a Laboratory Activated-Sludge System

Biodegradation of [¹⁴C]tri-p-cresyl phosphate was studied in a laboratory model sewage treatment system to develop information on the nature of its transformation products. In 24-h experiments, 70 to 80% of tri-p-cresyl phosphate added at the 1-μg/ml level was degraded. The remaining parent compound was associated with the sludge solids. The major metabolite extracted with ethyl ether from the aqueous phase was identified as p-hydroxybenzoic acid by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Two unstable ether-extractable metabolites were not identified. The half-life of [¹⁴C]tri-p-cresyl phosphate was estimated to be 7.5 h.     

Conversion of dolichyl pyrophosphate N,N'-diacetylchitobiose to lipid-tri- to heptasaccharides by liver microsomes from hibernating ground squirrels (Citellus citellus L.)

Incubation of liver microsomes from hibernating ground squirrel with GDP-[14C]mannose and exogenous dolichyl phosphate resulted in the synthesis of dolichyl phosphate [14C]mannose. The mannosyltransferase activity was about 3-fold higher in microsomes from hibernating ground squirrels than in those from active animals. Incubation for 30 min of liver microsomes from hibernating animals with dolichyl pyrophosphate N,N'-diacetyl-[14C]chitobiose and GDP-[14C]mannose led to the synthesis of lipid-[14C]trisaccharide. When liver microsomes were incubated with lipid-[14C]trisaccharide and unlabelled GDP-mannose, lipid-tetra- to heptasaccharides were discovered in the chloroform-methanol (2:1) extract. Since, under the experimental conditions, negligible synthesis of dolichyl phosphate mannose was observed, it was assumed that GDP-mannose was a donor of mannose in the conversion of lipid-trisaccharide into lipid-oligosaccharides containing 2-5 mannose residues.     

Effect of phosphate and ionophores on (14C)-NEM incorporation in mitochondrial membranes and relationships with phosphate carrier system.

Phosphate transport in mitochondria was investigated with respect to its inhibition by NEM. The reactivity of the Pi carrier SH groups was influenced by phosphate or ionophores during preincubation before the addition of NEM. Furthermore in order to obtain some mitochondrial protein fractions where the typical effects of phosphate and ionophores on [14C]-NEM fixations were observed, mitochondria were submitted to hypotonic treatment and sonication. The following results were obtained: 1. -- Phosphate and grisorixin (a new ionophore of the nigericin group) decreased the inhibition of phosphate transport by NEM. The same effect was observed for [14C]-NEM incorporation. 2. -- Valinomycin increased [14C]-NEM incorporation. The valinomycin effect was abolished by phosphate. ClCCP alone affected [14C]-NEM incorporation slightly. Valinomycin plus ClCCP decreased NEM inhibition of phosphate transport and [14C]-NEM incorporation like grisorixin. 3. -- The variability of SH group reactivity can be interpreted by a control of SH group accessibility by transmembrane delta pH as previously suggested. 4. -- Typical effects of phosphate or ionophores were observed in whole pig heart and rat liver mitochondria. These effects were enhanced in the same supernatant protein fraction resulting from sonication in pig heart mitochondria : phosphate decreased [14C]-NEM incorporation by 1,50 nmoles/mg protein, grisorixin by 0.95 nmoles, whereas valinomycin increased it by 0.75 nmoles. For rat liver mitochondria the phosphate effect and the valinomycin increased it by 0.75 nmoles. For rat liver mitochondria the phosphate effect valinomycin effect on [14C]-NEM incorporation were observed in the subparticular fraction obtained after sonification.     

The biosynthesis of ovothiol A (N-methyl-4-mercaptohistidine). Identification of S-(4'-L-histidyl)-L-cysteine sulfoxide as an intermediate and the products of the sulfoxide lyase reaction.

Crude extracts of Crithidia fasciculata catalyse the formation of 4-mercapto-L-histidine, an intermediate in the biosynthesis of ovothiol A (N1-methyl-4-mercaptohistidine), in the presence of histidine, cysteine, Fe2+ and pyridoxal phosphate. This activity was present in a 35-55% ammonium sulfate fraction that was shown to produce a transsulfuration intermediate in the absence of pyridoxal phosphate. The transsulfuration intermediate was isolated and identified as S-(4'-L-histidyl)-L-cysteine sulfoxide. The synthase activity, partially purified by anion-exchange chromatography, was shown to require oxygen and could be used to synthesize a number of isotopically labeled S-(4'-L-histidyl)-L-cysteine sulfoxides. Sulfoxide lyase activity was partially resolved from the synthase by anion-exchange chromatography. The phenylhydrazone of the product derived from the cysteine moiety of the sulfoxide coeluted with the phenylhydrazone of pyruvate on HPLC, but this assignment could not be confirmed by mass spectral analysis. S-(4'-[14C]L-histidyl)-[U-13C3,15N]L-cysteine sulfoxide was synthesized and converted to products of the lyase reaction in the presence of lactate dehydrogenase and NADH. The 13C-labeled product was identified by 13C-NMR spectroscopy as lactate and the primary product of the lyase reaction is therefore pyruvate. With S-(4'[3H]L-histidyl)-[14C]L-cysteine sulfoxide as the substrate [14C]lactate, [14C]cysteine and [3H]4-mercaptohistidine could be detected as products of the lyase reaction, but the sum of the two thiol species exceeded the amount of sulfoxide substrate used. Evidence is presented that this anomaly was due to the utilization of sulfur from dithiothreitol for the formation of cysteine.     

Enzymatic synthesis of mannosyl retinyl phosphate from retinyl phosphate and guanosine diphosphate mannose.

A study was conducted to determine whether retinyl phosphate would act as substrate for the enzymatic synthesis of mannosyl retinyl phosphate. Retinyl phosphate, prepared chemically, supported the growth of vitamin A-deficient rats at the same rate as retinol. It also stimulated the uptake of [14C]mannose from GDP-[14C]mannose into total chloroform-methanol extractable lipid. This reaction occurred in the presence of ATP, Mn2+, detergent (Zonyl A), and a membrane-rich enzyme preparation from the livers of vitamin A-deficient rats, provided that a lipid extract of the membrane preparation of alpha-L-lecithin was also added. Total chloroform-methanol-extractable, labeled mannolipid was separated into two principal labeled mannolipids by thin-layer or column chromatography or by differential solvent extraction. The properties of these mannolipids identified them as glycophospholipids: one was identical with authentic synthetic dolichyl mannosyl phosphate, and the other was concluded to be mannosyl retinyl phosphate because of its incorporation of radioactivity from [3H]retinyl phosphate, its rapid hydrolysis by dilute acid, and the formation of substance that cochromatographed with retinol upon its acid hydrolysis. The presence of ATP or GTP was essential for the stimulation of mannolipid synthesis, probably because of their protective action on the substrates against phosphatases present in the crude enzyme fraction. A pH of 6.0-6.2 favored the formation of dolichyl mannosyl phosphate; a higher pH (6.7-7.0) that of mannosyl retinyl phosphate.     

Mannosylation of endogenous and exogenous phosphatidic acid by liver microsomal membranes. Formation of phosphatidylmannose

Hamster liver post-nuclear membranes catalyze the transfer of mannose from GDP-mannose to endogenous dolichyl phosphate and to a second major endogenous acidic lipid. This mannolipid was believed to be synthesized from endogenous retinyl phosphate and was tentatively identified as retinyl phosphate mannose (Ret-P-Man) (De Luca, L. M., Brugh, M. R. Silverman-Jones, C. S. and Shidoji, Y. (1982) Biochem. J. 208, 159-170). To characterize this endogenous mannolipid in more detail, we isolated and purified the mannolipid from incubations containing hamster liver membranes and GDP-[14C]mannose and compared its properties to those of authentic Ret-P-Man. We found that the endogenous mannolipid was separable from authentic Ret-P-Man on a Mono Q anion exchange column, did not exhibit the absorbance spectrum characteristic of a retinol moiety, and was stable to mild acid under conditions which cleave authentic Ret-P-Man. The endogenous mannolipid was sensitive to mild base hydrolysis and mannose was released from the mannolipid by snake venom phosphodiesterase digestion. These properties were consistent with the endogenous acceptor being phosphatidic acid. Addition of exogenous phosphatidic acid, but not phospholipids with a head group blocking the phosphate moiety, to incubations containing hamster liver membranes and GDP-[14C]mannose resulted in the synthesis of a mannolipid with chromatographic and physical properties identical to the endogenous mannolipid. A double-labeled mannolipid was synthesized in incubations containing hamster liver membranes, GDP-[14C]mannose, and [3H]phosphatidic acid. Mannosyl transfer to exogenous phosphatidic acid was saturable with increasing concentrations of phosphatidic acid and GDP-mannose and specific for glycosyl transfer from GDP-mannose. Class E Thy-1-negative mutant mouse lymphoma cell membranes, which are defective in dolichyl phosphate mannose synthesis, also fail to transfer mannose from GDP-mannose to exogenous phosphatidic acid or retinyl phosphate. Amphomycin, an inhibitor of dolichyl phosphate mannose synthesis, blocked mannosyl transfer to the endogenous lipid, and to exogenous retinyl phosphate and phosphatidic acid. We conclude that the same mannosyltransferase responsible for dolichyl phosphate mannose synthesis can also utilize in vitro exogenous retinyl phosphate and phosphatidic acid as well as endogenous phosphatidic acid as mannosyl acceptors.     

Glycoprotein biosynthesis in Chlamydomonas. A mannolipid intermediate with the properties of a short-chain alpha-saturated polyprenyl monophosphate

A crude membrane preparation of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardii was found to catalyse the incorporation of D-[14C]mannose from GDP-D-[14C]-mannose into a chloroform/methanol-soluble compound and into a trichloroacetic acid-insoluble polymer fraction. The labelled lipid revealed the chemical and chromatographic properties of a short-chain (about C55-C65) alpha-saturated polyprenyl mannosyl monophosphate. In the presence of detergent both long-chain (C85-C105) dolichol phosphate and alpha-unsaturated undecaprenyl phosphate (C55) were found to be effective as exogenous acceptors of D-mannose from GDP-D-[14C]mannose to yield their corresponding labelled polyprenyl mannosyl phosphates. Exogenous dolichyl phosphate stimulated the incorporation of mannose from GDP-D-[14C]mannose into the polymer fraction 5-7-fold, whereas the mannose moiety from undecaprenyl mannosyl phosphate was not further transferred. Authentic dolichyl phosphate [3H]mannose and partially purified mannolipid formed from GDP-[14C]mannose and exogenous dolichyl phosphate were found to function as direct mannosyl donors for the synthesis of labelled mannoproteins. These results clearly indicate the existence of dolichol-type glycolipids and their role as intermediates in transglycosylation reactions of this algal system. Both the saturation of the alpha-isoprene unit and the length of the polyprenyl chain may be regarded as evolutionary markers.     

The tritium isotope effect of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate oxidase and the effects of clofenapate and N-(2-benzoyloxyethyl)norfenfluramine on the esterification of glycerol phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate by rat liver mitochondria

1. Owing to a (3)H isotope effect, the mitochondrial sn-glycerol 3-phosphate oxidase (EC 1.1.99.5) had a mean activity which was 8.4 times less with sn-[2-(3)H]-rather than with sn-[1-(14)C]glycerol 3-phosphate as a substrate. 2. A method for measuring the simultaneous synthesis of lipid from glycerol phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate in rat liver mitochondria is described. 3. The lipid synthesized by rat liver mitochondria from sn-[1-(14)C]glycerol 3-phosphate was mainly phosphatidate and lysophosphatidate, whereas that synthesized from dihydroxy[1-(14)C]acetone phosphate was mainly acyldihydroxyacetone phosphate. 4. Additions of NADPH facilitated the conversion of acyldihydroxyacetone phosphate into lysophosphatidate and phosphatidate. 5. Hydrazine (1.4mm) or KCN (1.4mm) inhibited the synthesis of lipids from dihydroxyacetone phosphate but not from glycerol phosphate. 6. Clofenapate (1-2.5mm) inhibited the synthesis of lipids from dihydroxyacetone phosphate but slightly stimulated synthesis from glycerol phosphate. 7. The methanesulphonate of N-(2-benzoyloxyethyl)norfenfluramine, at 0.25-0.75mm, inhibited lipid synthesis from both glycerol phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate.     

Alcoholysis of the endogenous phosphate esters in rats treated with large doses of ethanol

1. Monoethyl phosphate was isolated from the liver of rats treated with large doses of ethanol. The (14)C- and (32)P-labelled products were obtained when [2-(14)C]ethanol and [(32)P]orthophosphate respectively were used as the radioactive precursors. 2. The isolated ethyl phosphate preparations were identified by their chemical properties, chromatographic behaviour and enzymic hydrolysis, which, for the (14)C-labelled substrate, resulted in a partial recovery of the administered [(14)C]ethanol. 3. The possibility of artifact formation of ethyl phosphate was excluded by suitable control experiments. 4. It is concluded that ethyl phosphate formed in vivo may be a product of phosphate-catalysed alcoholysis of various phosphate esters. The physiological significance of the possible substitution of water by ethanol in reactions catalysed by hydrolytic enzymes under conditions of acute body intoxication with the alcohol is emphasized.     

Mannosyltransferase activity in calf pancreas microsomes. Formation of 14C-labeled lipid-linked oligosaccharides from GDP-D-[14C]mannose and pancreatic dolichyl beta-D-[14C]mannopyranosyl phosphate.

Calf pancreas microsomes incorporated radioactive D-mannose from GDP-D-[14C]mannose into lipid-bound oligosaccharides extracted with chloroform/methanol/water (10/10/2.5, v/v). Several products, which probably differed in the size of the oligosaccharide moiety, were labeled. These could be partially resolved by thin layer chromatography and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The labeled lipid-bound oligosaccharides were retained on DEAE-cellulose more strongly than synthetic dolichyl alpha-D-[14C]mannopyranosyl phosphate. They were stable to mild alkali, but labile to acid and hot alkali. Acid treatment yielded a neutral 14C-labeled oligosaccharide fraction which was estimated by gel filtration to have a minimum of 8 monosaccharide residues. Hot alkali treatment yielded a mixture of neutral and acidic 14C-labeled oligosaccharides which could be transformed into neutral products by alkaline phosphatase. The D-[14C]mannose residues were alpha-linked at the nonreducing terminus of the oligosaccharides since they could be removed completely with alpha-mannosidase. Most of the D-[14C]mannose-labeled oligosaccharides were retained on concanavalin A Sepharose and eluted with methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside. Pancreatic dolichyl beta-D-[14C]mannopyranosyl phosphate incubated with calf pancreas microsomes in the presence of sodium taurocholate was efficiently utilized as donor of alpha-D-mannosyl residues in lipid-bound oligosaccharides. The products formed from dolichyl beta-D-[14C]mannopyranosyl phosphate were identical with those formed from GDP-D-[14C]mannose, and evidence was obtained to show that the dolichyl beta-D-[14C]mannopyranosyl phosphate was serving as donor without prior conversion to GDP-D-[14C]mannose. Transfer of mannose from dolichyl beta-D-[14C]mannopyranosyl phosphate to lipid-bound oligosaccharides took place at a pH optimum of 7.3, whereas transfer to the precipitate containing glycoproteins was greatest at pH 6.0 in Tris/maleate buffer. The addition of divalent cation was not required, but low concentrations of EDTA were extremely inhibitory. The carbohydrate composition of the lipid-bound oligosaccharides of microsomal membranes was investigated by gas-liquid chromatography and by reduction with sodium borotritide. A heterogeneous mixture of oligosaccharides containing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-mannose, and D-glucose varying in proportions from approximately 1/2.5/0.5 to 1/5/1.5 was obtained with glucosamine at the reducing end. Acid treatment of the lipid-bound oligosaccharide fraction yielded dolichyl pyrophosphate, suggesting that at least some of the oligosaccharides were linked to dolichol through a pyrophosphate group.     

A stable isotope dilution assay for disopyramide and its [13C, 15N]labelled analogue in biological fluids

The mass spectra of disopyramide phosphate and two stable isotopically labelled analogues have been obtained using electron impact and chemical ionization. The low isotopic purity of [13C, 15N)disopyramide phosphate was shown to be due to the low isotopic purity of the 15N label. A stable isotope dilution assay for disopyramide and [13C, 15N]disopyramide in biological fluids has been developed using [2H14]disopyramide phosphate as the internal standard. This assay will be used to analyse samples obtained after the co-administration of disopyramide phosphate intravenously and [13C, 15N]disopyramide phosphate orally to several animal species.     

Maize Root Phytase (Purification,Characterization, and Localization of Enzyme Activity and Its Putative Substrate)

Three phytase (EC 3.1.3.26) isoforms from the roots of 8-d-old maize (Zea mays L. var Consul) seedlings were separated from phosphatases and purified to near homogeneity. The molecular mass of the native protein was 71 kD, and the isoelectric points of the three isoforms were pH 5.0, 4.9, and 4.8. Each of the three isoforms consisted of two subunits with a molecular mass of 38 kD. The temperature and pH optima (40[deg]C, pH 5.0) of these three isoforms, as well as the apparent Michaelis constants for sodium inositol hexakisphosphate (phytate) (43, 25, and 24 [mu]M) as determined by the release of inorganic phosphate, were only slightly different. Phytate concentrations higher than 300 [mu]M were inhibitory to all three isoforms. In contrast, the dephosphorylation of 4-nitrophenyl phosphate was not inhibited by any substrate concentration, but the Michaelis constants for this substrate were considerably higher (137-157 [mu]M). Hydrolysis of phytate by the phytase isoforms is a nonrandom reaction. D/L-Inositol-1,2,3,4,5- pentakisphosphate was identified as the first and D/L-inositol-1,2,5,6-tetrakisphosphate as the second intermediate in phytate hydrolysis. Phytase activity was localized in root slices. Although phosphatase activity was present in the stele and the cortex of the primary root, phytase activity was confined to the endodermis. Phytate was identified as the putative native substrate in maize roots (45 [mu]g P g-1 dry matter). It was readily labeled upon supplying [32P]phosphate to the roots.     

Effects of Hydroxyurea and Deoxyadenosine on the Synthesis of Deoxycytidine Phosphate and on the Uptake of Nucleosides in Excised Root Tips of Vicia faba

The effects of hydroxyurea and deoxyadenosine on the synthesis of deoxycytidine phosphate was studied by measuring the incorporation of [¹⁴C]-cytidine into acid soluble deoxycytidine phosphate in root tips of Vicia faba. Hydroxyurea and deoxyadenosine both markedly depressed the incorporation of [¹⁴C]-cytidine. Deoxyadenosine had the additional effect of inhibiting the uptake of [¹⁴C]-cytidine. Furthermore, millimolar concentrations of deoxyadenosine inhibited the uptake of micromolar concentrations of adenosine, thymidine, and deoxycytidine. The incorporation of [¹⁴C]-cytidine into RNA was only slightly affected by hydroxyurea. Deoxyadenosine inhibited the incorporation into RNA to about the same extent as the uptake of [¹⁴C]-cytidine. It is suggested that hydroxyurea reduced the incorporation of radioactive cytidine into deoxycytidine phosphate mainly by interfering with ribonucleotide reduction. The depression of [¹⁴C]-cytidine incorporation into deoxycytidine phosphate in the presence of deoxyadenosine is believed to be the result of an inhibition of both ribonucleotide reduction and [¹⁴C]-cytidine uptake.     

Synthesis of methyl 6-(ammonium 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside and use of this compound for the determination of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase

Methyl 6-(ammonium 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl phosphate)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside was synthesized and identified by 1H-n.m.r. and 13C-n.m.r. data, acid hydrolysis, and elemental analysis. It was utilized for the determination of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase in an assay procedure that employed methyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside as an acceptor. The assay product was identified and characterized by thin-layer chromatography with the title reference compound. The present technique does not require [32P]UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, but effectively uses commercially available UDP-[14C]GlcNAc.     

Microbial growth on C1 compounds: Uptake of [14C]formaldehyde and [14C]formate by methane-grown Pseudomonas methanica and determination of the hexose labelling pattern after brief incubation with [14C]methanol

1. A study has been made of the incorporation of carbon from [¹⁴C]formaldehyde and [¹⁴C]formate by cultures of Pseudomonas methanica growing on methane. 2. The distribution of radioactivity within the non-volatile constituents of the ethanol-soluble fractions of the cells, after incubation with labelled compounds for periods of up to 1min., has been analysed by chromatography and radioautography. 3. Radioactivity was fixed from [¹⁴C]formaldehyde mainly into the phosphates of the sugars, glucose, fructose, sedoheptulose and allulose. 4. Very little radioactivity was fixed from [¹⁴C]formate; after 1min. the only products identified were serine and malate. 5. The distribution of radioactivity within the carbon skeleton of glucose, obtained from short-term incubations with [¹⁴C]methanol of Pseudomonas methanica growing on methane, has been investigated. At the earliest time of sampling over 70% of the radioactivity was located in C-1; as the time increased the radioactivity spread throughout the molecule. 6. The results have been interpreted in terms of a variant of the pentose phosphate cycle, involving the condensation of formaldehyde with C-1 of ribose 5-phosphate to give allulose phosphate.     

The transfer of mannose from guanosine diphosphate mannose to dolichol phosphate and protein by pig liver endoplasmic reticulum

When pig liver microsomal preparations were incubated with GDP-[¹⁴C]mannose, 10–40% of the ¹⁴C was transferred to mannolipid and 1–3% to mannoprotein. The transfer to mannolipid was readily reversible and GDP was one of the products of the reaction. It was possible to reverse the reaction by adding excess of GDP and to show the incorporation of [¹⁴C]GDP into GDP-mannose. When excess of unlabelled GDP-mannose was added to a partially completed incubation there was a rapid transfer back of [¹⁴C]mannose from the mannolipid to GDP-mannose. The other product of the reaction, the mannolipid, had the properties of a prenol phosphate mannose. This was illustrated by its lability to dilute acid but stability to dilute alkali, and by its chromatographic properties. Dolichol phosphate stimulated the incorporation of [¹⁴C]mannose into both mannolipid and into protein, although the former effect was larger and more consistent than the latter. The incorporation of exogenous [³H]dolichol phosphate into the mannolipid, and its release, accompanied by mannose, on treatment of the mannolipid with dilute acid, confirmed that exogenous dolichol phosphate can act as an acceptor of mannose in this system. It was shown that other exogenous polyprenol phosphates (but not farnesol phosphate or cetyl phosphate) can substitute for dolichol phosphate in this respect but that they are much less efficient than dolichol phosphate in stimulating the transfer of mannose to protein. Since pig liver contained substances with the chromatographic properties of both dolichol phosphate and dolichol phosphate mannose, which caused an increase in transfer of [¹⁴C]mannose from GDP-[¹⁴C]mannose to mannolipid, it was concluded that endogenous dolichol phosphate acts as an acceptor of mannose in the microsomal preparation. The results indicate that the mannolipid is an intermediate in the transfer of mannose from GDP-mannose to protein. Some 4% of the mannose of a sample of mannolipid added to an incubation was transferred to protein. A scheme is proposed to explain the variations with time in the production of radioactive mannolipid, mannoprotein, mannose 1-phosphate and mannose from GDP-[¹⁴C]mannose that takes account of the above observations. ATP, ADP, UTP, GDP, ADP-glucose and UDP-glucose markedly inhibited the transfer of mannose to the mannolipid.     

Guanosine 5''-[gamma-thio]triphosphate-stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in HL-60 granulocytes. Evidence that the guanine nucleotide acts by relieving phospholipase C from an inhibitory constraint.

Myeloid differentiated human leukaemia (HL-60) cells contain a soluble phospholipase C that hydrolysed phosphatidylinositol 4.5-bisphosphate and was markedly stimulated by the metabolically stable GTP analogue guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]). Half-maximal and maximal (up to 5-fold) stimulation of inositol phosphate formation by GTP[S] occurred at 1.5 microM and 30 microM respectively. Other nucleotides (GTP, GDP, GMP, guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate. ATP, adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, UTP) did not affect phospholipase C activity, GTP[S] stimulation of inositol phosphate accumulation was inhibited by excess GDP, but not by ADP. The effect of GTP[S] on inositol phosphate formation was absolutely dependent on and markedly stimulated by free Ca2+ (median effective concn. approximately 100 nM). Analysis of inositol phosphates by anion-exchange chromatography revealed InsP3 as the major product of GTP[S]-stimulated phospholipase C activity. In the absence of GTP[S], specific phospholipase C activity was markedly decreased when tested at high protein concentrations, whereas GTP[S] stimulation of the enzyme was markedly enhanced under these conditions. As both basal and GTP[S]-stimulated inositol phosphate formation were linear with time whether studied at low or high protein concentration, these results suggest that (a) phospholipase C is under an inhibitory constraint and (b) GTP[S] relieves this inhibition, most likely by activating a soluble GTP-binding protein.