Transport and metabolism of vitamin B6 in the yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis 4228.

Active transport of pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine occurs in resting cells of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis 4228 and can lead to intracellular concentrations of free vitamin much higher than those supplied externally. The initial Km for pyridoxine uptake is 3.6 x 10(-7) M at 30 degrees and pH 4.5, which are optimum for growth. Transport is inhibited by many unphosphorylated vitamin analogs, the most effective being 5'-deoxypyridoxine, 5'-deoxypridoxal, toxopyrimidine, 4'-deoxypyridoxine, and 3-amino-3-deoxypyridoxine. Two distinct uptake systems that differ in structural specificity and ionic requirements are present. One, with optimum pH of 3.5, transports pyridoxal effectively, but not pyridoxamine; the other (optimum pH 6.0) transports pyridoxamine effectively, but not pyridoxal. Both systems transport pyridoxine, while neither transports pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. Other properties of these systems are similar, indicating that they share certain elements in common. An initial temperature optimum of 30 degrees is observed for pyrodoxine transport and, at this temperature, an "overshoot" in intracellular vitamin levels, with subsequent decrease to a constant level, occurs with time. It appears that intracellular vitamin, or a derivative, activates the exit mechanism for the vitamin. Exit rates also depend on the resuspension buffer and are increased in the presence of glucose and decreased by azide. Above 30 degrees net uptake of pyridoxine drops initially, then rapidly increases to a second optimum at 50 degrees; the uptake system is inactivated at about 55 degrees. The optimum at 50 degrees apparently results from activation of inflow as exit is rapid and is accelerated by azide. No overshoot was detected at 50 degrees, so it appears that the exit system is not regulated by intracellular vitamin at this temperature. A phase transition in membrane lipids occurs at 30 degrees and may be responsible for the change in properties of the inflow and exit mechanisms above this temperature.     

Irreversible Inhibition of Thymidylate Synthase by Pyridoxine (B6) Analogues

Abstract

Three vitamin B₆ analogues have been synthesized and tested as inhibitors of thymidylate synthase. The compounds are: 4′,5′-dichloro-, 4,5′-dibromo- and 4′, 5′-diiodo-pyridoxine. All three analogues inhibited the enzyme irreversibly. The kinetic data for the chloro- and bromo-analogues showed that a limiting rate of inhibition is approached as the inhibitor concentration is increased, which indicates that a reversible enzyme: inhibitor affinity complex is formed prior to the irreversible reaction. 4′,5′-Dibromo-pyridoxine exhibited a greater binding affinity (lower K_i) for thymidylate synthase than 4′,5′-dichloro-pyridoxine, and it also reacted faster to irreversibly inhibit the enzyme. The presence of the substrate dUMP (10μM) completely protected thymidylate synthase from inhibition. These data suggest that the halogenated vitamin B₆ analogues are active site-directed inhitors of thymidylate synthase, which first bind reversibly to the catalytic site and then react irreversibly with the enzyme.     

Isolation of a Regulatory Mutant of Fructose-1, 6-diphosphatase in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis

By selecting for growth on glycerol, but absence of growth on glucose, a mutant of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis was isolated which does not grow on glucose, fructose, mannose, or sucrose, which shows long-term adaptation to maltose, but which can grow normally on galactose, ethanol, or glycerol. In the mutant, fructose diphosphatase is not inactivated after the addition of glucose, fructose or mannose to the medium, resulting in the simultaneous presence of fructose diphosphatase and phosphofructokinase activity. Under these conditions, a cycle is probably catalyzed between fructose-6-phosphate and fructose-1,6-diphosphate, resulting in the net consumption of adenosine triphosphate and an immediate stop of protein synthesis.     

Purification and properties of phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11) of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis.

A procedure for the purification of phosphofructokinase from brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces carlsbergensis) is reported. Treatments with organic solvents and heat were avoided and chromatographic and filtration techniques in the presence of phenylmethane sulfonyl fluoride were mainly used. The purified enzyme is homogeneous in disc gel electrophoresis and according to sedimentation velocity and equilibrium measurements in the ultracentrifuge. The isoelectric point determined by focusing was 5.3. Absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and circular dichroism spectrum are given. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme determined by gel filtration was 720 000, in agreement with that of the enzyme in the raw extract. This confirms the results of sedimentation velocity experiments which gave a value of SO20, W equals 19.4. Alkaline treatment leads to a dissociation of the native enzyme, yielding an inactive species with a molecular weight of 360 000. In 6M guanidine hydrochloride the enzyme dissociates into subunits with a mean molecular weight of 90 000 as obtained by ultracentrifugation analysis. This suggests a structure composed of 8 monomers. The specific activity of the enzyme was 116 U/mg under optimum conditions. The enzyme activity was proportional to the enzyme concentration in the range of 6 times 10- minus 12 M to 3 times 10- minus 7 M. The Michaelis constants and Hill coefficients for fructose 6-phosphate and AMP, the pH optima, and the stability properties of the enzyme are reported. Furthermore, the activation energy is given and it is shown that under saturating conditions, a straight Arrhenius plot obtains, whereas the plot is discontinuous at high ATP concentrations and at pH 7.6.     

Biosynthesis of Vitamin B6 in Rhizobium: In Vitro Synthesis of Pyridoxine from 1-Deoxy-D-xylulose and 4-Hydroxy-L-threonine

Pyridoxine (vitamin B₆) in Rhizobium is synthesized from 1-deoxy-D-xylulose and 4-hydroxy-L-threonine. To define the pathway enzymatically, we established an enzyme reaction system with a crude enzyme solution of R. meliloti IFO14782. The enzyme reaction system required NAD⁺, NADP⁺, and ATP as coenzymes, and differed from the E. coli enzyme reaction system comprising PdxA and PdxJ proteins, which requires only NAD⁺ for formation of pyridoxine 5′-phosphate from 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate and 4-(phosphohydroxy)-L-threonine.     

Symbiotic growth of Acetobacter suboxydans and Saccharomyces carlsbergensis in a chemostat

The bacterium Acetobacter suboyxdans and the yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis have been grown together on a synthetic medium in a chemostat. Mannitol, the only carbon source fed to the fermenter, is oxidized by the bacteria to fructose. The yeast, which cannot attack mannitol, breaks down the fructose nearly completely. Eight steady states and five transitory periods after changes in flow rate have been analyzed to study the kinetics of the mixed culture. Separate cell concentrations were determined by a modified Coulter counter apparatus. Both sugars were monitored. Both bacteria and yeast may be modeled using Monod's equation, the latter with some deviations. The yeast is unable to grow beyond the washout point of the bacteria, even though its maximum growth rate is much higher. The yield of both organisms decreases with increasing dilution rate, as does their average cell size. After step changes in dilution rate, repeated oscillations of both sugar and cell concentrations usually occur before steady-state conditions are reattained. They are generally in phase, with no definite sign of a lag. Oscillations of yeast and fructose concentrations are more pronounced. Periods average about 6 hr and are not correlated with fermentation conditions or equipment variables. Repeated oscillations are not found after step-downs in pure cultures of A. suboxydans, leading to the conclusion that the instability in mixed cultures may be caused by a feedback mechanism from the yeast to the bacteria.     

Vitamin B(6) salvage enzymes: mechanism, structure and regulation

Vitamin B(6) is a generic term referring to pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal and their related phosphorylated forms. Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is the catalytically active form of vitamin B(6), and acts as cofactor in more than 140 different enzyme reactions. In animals, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is recycled from food and from degraded B(6)-enzymes in a "salvage pathway", which essentially involves two ubiquitous enzymes: an ATP-dependent pyridoxal kinase and an FMN-dependent pyridoxine 5'-phosphate oxidase. Once it is made, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is targeted to the dozens of different apo-B(6) enzymes that are being synthesized in the cell. The mechanism and regulation of the salvage pathway and the mechanism of addition of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate to the apo-B(6)-enzymes are poorly understood and represent a very challenging research field. Pyridoxal kinase and pyridoxine 5'-phosphate oxidase play kinetic roles in regulating the level of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate formation. Deficiency of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate due to inborn defects of these enzymes seems to be involved in several neurological pathologies. In addition, inhibition of pyridoxal kinase activity by several pharmaceutical and natural compounds is known to lead to pyridoxal 5'-phosphate deficiency. Understanding the exact role of vitamin B(6) in these pathologies requires a better knowledge on the metabolism and homeostasis of the vitamin. This article summarizes the current knowledge on structural, kinetic and regulation features of the two enzymes involved in the PLP salvage pathway. We also discuss the proposal that newly formed PLP may be transferred from either enzyme to apo-B(6)-enzymes by direct channeling, an efficient, exclusive, and protected means of delivery of the highly reactive PLP. This new perspective may lead to novel and interesting findings, as well as serve as a model system for the study of macromolecular channeling. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Pyridoxal Phosphate Enzymology.     

Preservation of Mycoplasma Strains by Freezing in Liquid Nitrogen and by Lyophilization with Sucrose

Procedures for maintaining Mycoplasma strains are described. Liquid nitrogen storage provided an adequate means for keeping stock cultures stable. Over 74 strains of approximately 26 species have been preserved in this way, some for as long as 9 years. Mycoplasma strains can also be recovered satisfactorily from the freeze-dried state when the procedure described includes the use of 12% (v/v) sucrose as an additive. Fifteen strains representing 12 or more species were subjected to a freeze-drying program with and without sucrose added to concentrated cell suspensions in growth medium. Cell counts indicate improved survival with sucrose.     

Effects of 5-fluorouracil and 6-azauracil on the synthesis of ribonucleic acid and protein in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis

1. Some effects of 6-azauracil and 5-fluorouracil on protein and RNA synthesis in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis were studied. 2. Both analogues caused a severe inhibition of RNA formation, whereas protein synthesis was much less affected. 3. Induced alpha-glucosidase formation was only slightly impaired. 4. Both analogues caused an inhibition of ribosome formation, although 5-fluorouracil was far more effective. 5. In the presence of the latter analogue abnormal RNA of high molecular weight and of more DNA-like base composition accumulated. On reincubation in medium free of analogue but containing uracil the abnormal RNA disappeared and was replaced by the normally sedimenting high-molecular-weight RNA species.     

Vitamin B6 in Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Children

Background

Over the past years, the essential role of vitamin B6 in brain development and functioning has been recognized and genetic metabolic disorders resulting in functional vitamin B6 deficiency have been identified. However, data on B6 vitamers in children are scarce.

Materials and Methods

B6 vitamer concentrations in simultaneously sampled plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 70 children with intellectual disability were determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. For ethical reasons, CSF samples could not be obtained from healthy children. The influence of sex, age, epilepsy and treatment with anti-epileptic drugs, were investigated.

Results

The B6 vitamer composition of plasma (pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) > pyridoxic acid > pyridoxal (PL)) differed from that of CSF (PL > PLP > pyridoxic acid > pyridoxamine). Strong correlations were found for B6 vitamers in and between plasma and CSF. Treatment with anti-epileptic drugs resulted in decreased concentrations of PL and PLP in CSF.

Conclusion

We provide concentrations of all B6 vitamers in plasma and CSF of children with intellectual disability (±epilepsy), which can be used in the investigation of known and novel disorders associated with vitamin B6 metabolism as well as in monitoring of the biochemical effects of treatment with vitamin B6.     

Vitamin B6-mediated suppression of colon tumorigenesis,cell proliferation,and angiogenesis (review)

This review describes current research on the preventive effect of dietary vitamin B(6) against colon tumorigenesis and its possible mechanisms. Studies in cell culture have demonstrated that high levels of vitamin B(6) suppress growth of some cancer cells. From these studies it has been considered that supraphysiological doses of vitamin B(6) suppress tumor growth and metastasis. However, recent rodent study has indicated that azoxymethane-induced colon tumorigenesis in mice is suppressed by moderate doses of dietary vitamin B(6.) Epidemiological studies also support an inverse relationship between vitamin B(6) intake and colon cancer risk. Potential mechanisms underlying the preventive effect of dietary vitamin B(6) have been suggested to include the suppression of cell proliferation, oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, and angiogenesis.     

Development of a Real-Time PCR Assay for Rapid Detection and Quantification of Alexandrium minutum (a Dinoflagellate)

The marine dinoflagellate genus Alexandrium includes a number of species which produce neurotoxins responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), which in humans may cause muscular paralysis, neurological symptoms, and, in extreme cases, death. A. minutum is the most widespread toxic PSP species in the western Mediterranean basin. The monitoring of coastal waters for the presence of harmful algae also normally involves microscopic examinations of phytoplankton populations. These procedures are time consuming and require a great deal of taxonomic experience, thus limiting the number of specimens that can be analyzed. Because of the genetic diversity of different genera and species, molecular tools may also help to detect the presence of target microorganisms in marine field samples. In this study, we developed a real-time PCR-based assay for rapid detection of all toxic species of the Alexandrium genus in both fixative-preserved environmental samples and cultures. Moreover, we developed a real-time quantitative PCR assay for the quantification of A. minutum cells in seawater samples. Alexandrium genus-specific primers were designed on the 5.8S rDNA region. Primer specificity was confirmed by using BLAST and by amplification of a representative sample of the DNA of other dinoflagellates and diatoms. Using a standard curve constructed with a plasmid containing the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 A. minutum sequence and cultured A. minutum cells, we determined the absolute number of 5.8S rDNA copies per cell. Consequently, after quantification of 5.8S rDNA copies in samples containing A. minutum cells, we were also able to estimate the number of cells. Several fixed A. minutum bloom sea samples from Arenys Harbor (Catalan Coast, Spain) were analyzed using this method, and quantification results were compared with standard microscopy counting methods. The two methods gave comparable results, confirming that real-time PCR could be a valid, fast alternative procedure for the detection and quantification of target phytoplankton species during coastal water monitoring.