RESPIRATION AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN ESCHERICHIA COLI MEMBRANE-ENVELOPE FRAGMENTS : III. Electron Microscopy and Analysis of the Cytochromes

The membranous nature of pellets obtained from broken Escherichia coli spheroplasts by successive centrifugation at 3500 g (P₁), 20,000 g (P₂), and 105,000 g (P₃), has been established by electron microscopy. Spectrophotometric analysis has shown that about 90% of the cytochromes are concentrated in the particulate fractions. The crude ribosomal pellet (P₃) contained as much of the total cytochromes as did the pellet obtained at 20,000 g (P₂). The high cytochrome content of P₃ is consistent with its high oxidative activity (1) and the presence of membrane vesicles in this fraction. Analysis at 77°K intensified the optical extinction of all the cytochrome absorption bands, but the degree of intensification was not uniform for each fraction nor for each band within a given fraction. Carbon monoxide had little or no inhibiting effect on NADH oxidation. Reduced plus carbon monoxide difference spectra yielded artifactual absorption bands in the wave length regions where reduced vs. oxidized absorption bands normally occur. Succinate and NADH, either together or separately, reduced nearly all of the cytochromes, indicating that the cytochrome portion of the electron-transport chain is shared by both substrates. A tentative formulation of the electron-transport chain is presented.     

The Effect of Diphenylamine on Terminal Respiration in Bloodstream and Culture Forms of Trypanosoma brucei*

SYNOPSIS. Diphenylamine was shown to be a potent inhibitor of cyanide insensitive respiration in both bloodstream and newly established culture forms of the same isolate of Trypanosoma brucei, with the L-α-glycerophosphate oxidase system having the greatest sensitivity to the inhibitor. The NADH oxidase activity of bloodstream forms was at least twice as sensitive to diphenylamine as the corresponding activity in culture forms, suggesting different routes of NADH oxidation in the 2 forms. The oxidation of L-α-glycerophosphate was inhibited to a similar degree in both culture and bloodstream forms. L-α-glycerophosphate oxidation in bloodstream forms differed from that found in culture forms in that the bloodstream system, unlike that in the culture form, was unable to donate electrons to cytochrome c. In culture form trypanosomes there was a distinct difference in the degree of diphenylamine inhibition on the oxidation of L-α-glycerophosphate, NADH, and succinate, suggesting the participation of separate flavoproteins in the oxidation of these substrates.     

Der Biosyntheseweg der RNS-Ribose in Hydrogenomonas eutropha Stamm H 16 und Pseudomonas facilis

Zusammenfassung Die am Fructose- und Gluconatabbau über den Entner-Doudoroff-Weg beteiligten Enzyme sowie die Enzyme des oxydativen Pentosephosphat-Weges wurden in Rohextrakten von Hydrogenomonas eutropha Stamm H 16 und Pseudomonas facilis, sowohl nach autotrophem Wachstum als auch nach heterotrophem Wachstum auf Fructose oder Gluconat, bestimmt. Fructose induziert in H. eutropha alle Enzyme des Entner-Doudoroff-Weges, Gluconat nur die Gluconokinase, die 6-Phosphogluconat-Dehydratase und die 2-Keto-3-desoxy-6-phosphogluconat-Aldolase. Dagegen induzieren in P. facilis beide Substrate den gesamten Enzymsatz. Das Fehlen der 6-Phosphogluconat-Dehydrogenase in H. eutropha und das Vorhandensein einer NAD-abhängigen 6-Phosphogluconat-Dehydrogenase in P. facilis wurden bestätigt. Die Enzymaktivitäten in voll induzierten, auf Fructose gewachsenen Zellen beider Arten sind ähnlich.Mit beiden Stämmen wurden Einbauexperimente mit U-¹⁴C-, 1-¹⁴C- und 6-¹⁴C-Fructose sowie 1-¹⁴C- und 6-¹⁴C-Gluconat als Substrate durchgeführt. Die Ribose wurde aus der RNS isoliert und durch Lactobacillus plantarum fermentativ in Essigund Milchsäure gespalten. Die spezifische Radioaktivität der einzelnen C-Atome wurde durch schrittweisen Abbau der Säuren, quantitative Bestimmung des dabei entstehenden ¹⁴CO₂ und Messung der darin enthaltenen absoluten Radioaktivität ermittelt.Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die Ribose in Stamm H 16 ausschließlich über die nicht-oxydativen Reaktionen des Pentosephosphat-Weges gebildet wird. Die C-Atome 1,2 und 3 des Gluconats tragen nicht signifikant zur Gluconeogenese bei.Das Markierungsmuster der Ribose aus P. facilis ist mit dem von Stamm H 16 nahezu identisch. Die oxydativen Reaktionen des Pentosephosphat-Weges über die 6-Phosphogluconat-Dehydrogenase sind von quantitativ geringerer Bedeutung als die Transaldolase-Transketolase-Reaktionen.

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The biosynthetic pathway of RNA ribose in Hydrogenomonas eutropha Strain H 16 and Pseudomonas facilis

Summary The enzymes involved in the degradation of fructose and gluconate via the Entner-Doudoroff-pathway as well as those involved in the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway have been determined in crude extracts of Hydrogenomonas eutropha strain H 16 and of Pseudomonas facilis after either autotrophic growth or heterotrophic growth on fructose or gluconate as substrates. In H. eutropha fructose induces all enzymes of the Entner-Doudoroff-pathway, gluconate induces only glucokinase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase and 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase. In contrast, in P. facilis both substrates induce the entire set of enzymes. The absence of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in H. eutropha and the presence of a NAD-linked 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in P. facilis have been confirmed. Otherwise, the enzyme activities in fully induced fructose grown cells of both species are similar.Incorporation experiments were performed using both bacterial species and employing U-¹⁴C-, 1-¹⁴C-, and 6-¹⁴C-fructose as well as 1-¹⁴C- and 6-¹⁴C-gluconate as substrates. Ribose was isolated from RNA and fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum with the production of acetic and lactic acids. By stepwise degradation of the acids and by quantitative measurement and scintillation counting of the carbon dioxide formed the specific radioactivity of each carbon atom has been determined.The results demonstrate that in strain H 16 ribose is formed exclusively via the non-oxidative reactions of the pentose phosphate pathway. Carbon atoms 1 to 3 of gluconate do not significantly contribute to gluconeogenesis.With P. facilis an almost identical labelling pattern was observed, indicating that the oxidative reactions of the pentose phosphate pathway via 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase are quantitatively of minor importance for ribose synthesis than the transaldolase-transketolase reactions.

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Abkürzungen ATP Adenosin-5-triphosphat - DAP Dihydroxyacetonphosphat - E-4-P Erythrose-4-phosphat - ED Entner-Doudoroff - EDTA Äthylen-diamin-tetraessigsäure - FDP(ase) Fructose-1,6-diphosphat(ase) - F-6-P Fructose-6-phosphat - G-6-P(-DH) Glucose-6-phosphat(-Dehydrogenase) - GAP Glycerinaldehyd-3-phosphat - GDH Glycerin-1-phosphat-Dehydrogenase - GK Gluconokinase - HK Hexokinase - KDPG 2-Keto-3-desoxy-6-phosphogluconat - LDH Lactat-Dehydrogenase - NAD(H₂) Nicotin-amid-adenin-dinucleotid (reduziert) - NADP(H₂) Nicotinamid-adenin-dinucleotidphosphat (reduziert) - PGI Phosphoglucose-Isomerase - PP Pentosephosphat - 6-PG(-DH) 6-Phosphogluconat(-Dehydrogenase) - 6-PG-DHT 6-Phosphogluconat-Dehydratase - R-5-P Ribose-5-phosphat - Ru-5-P Ribulose-5-phosphat - Su-7-P Seduheptulose-7-phosphat - TA Transaldolase - TEA Triäthanolaminhydrochlorid - TIM Triosephosphat-Isomerase - TK Transketolase - TPP Thiaminpyrophosphat - Tris Tris-(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethan - Xu-5-P Xylulose-5-phosphat     

Hydroxamate-activated peroxidases in potato tuber callus. Interaction with the determination of the cytochrome and the alternative pathways

In potato (Solatium tuberosum L. cv. Bintje and Doré) callus a very active hydrox-amate-stimulated NADH-dependent O₂-uptake develops during the growth of the callus, which is caused by a peroxidase. More than 95% of the peroxidase activity is found in the 40000 g supernatant. The total activity may be as high as 1000 times the respiratory acitivity of the callus tissue. At least two fractions, obtained by Sephadex gel filtration, can be distinguished showing this peroxidase activity, one of about 15 kDa and one > 50 kDa. The main properties of both fractions are: a) Hydroxamate at 0.2–0.5 mM gives half-maximal stimulation. Maximal stimulation is observed with 1–3 mM benzhydroxamate (BHAM) and 1–15 mM salicylhydroxamate (SHAM). Higher concentrations, especially of BHAM, give less or no stimulation. b) Hydroxamates are not consumed during the reaction. c) Both NADH and NADPH can serve as the electron donor for the reaction. The affinity for NAD(P)H is very low (K_m near 10 mM). In the absence of hydroxamates NAD(P)H is only slowly oxidized, with an even lower affinity. d) The peroxidase can carry out two reactions: an O₂-consuming and a H₂O₂-consuming reaction. In both reactions one NAD(P)H is consumed. In the first reaction H₂O₂ is formed which can be consumed in the second reaction, resulting in an overall stoichiometry of 2 NADH consumed for each O₂ molecule and in the production of H₂O. e) The reaction is completely blocked by cyanide, superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) and (excess) catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), but not by antimycin A or azide. This peroxidase-mediated O₂-uptake might interfere with respiratory measurements. In experiments with isolated mitochondria this interference can be prevented by the addition of catalase to the reaction mixture. The use of high concentrations of hydroxamate is not allowed because of inhibitory effects on the cytochrome pathway. In intact callus tissue hydroxamates only stimulate O₂-uptake in the presence of exogenous NADH. In vivo the peroxidase does not appear to function in O₂-uptake, probably because of its localization (at least partly in the cell wall) and/or its low affinity for NADH. The use of hydroxamates in the determination of cytochrome and alternative pathway activity is discussed.     

Effect of pH on the Steady State Kinetics of Bovine Heart NADH: Coenzyme Q Oxidoreductase

Complete initial steady state kinetics of NADH-decylubiquinone (DQ) oxidoreductase reaction between pH 6.5 and 9.0 show an ordered sequential mechanism in which the order of substrate bindings and product releases is NADH-DQ–DQH₂-NAD⁺. NADH binding to the free enzyme is accelerated by protonation of an amino acid (possibly a histidine) residue. The NADH release is negligibly slow under the turnover conditions. The rate of DQ binding to the NADH-bound enzyme and the maximal rate at the saturating concentrations of the two substrates, which is determined by the rates of DQH₂ formation in the active site and releases of DQH₂ and NAD⁺ from the enzyme, are insensitive to pH, in contrast to clear pH dependencies of the maximal rates of cytochrome c oxidase and cytochrome bc ₁ complex. Physiological significances of these results are discussed.     

Aerobic electron transport in Propionibacterium shermanii effects of cyanide

Cyanide inhibited d- and l-lactate and NADH oxidase activities of membrane particles from Propionibacterium shermanii but only at relatively high concentrations. Inhibition occurred at two different sites in the electron transport pathway. One site, with a half-maximal inhibition concentration (I _0.5) of 2 to 3 mM KCN, is located at the terminal oxidase involved in cytochrome b oxidation; the evidence is consistent with cytochrome d being the major oxidase involved. At high concentrations, cyanide inhibited reduction of cytochrome b by d-lactate (I _0.5 value 20–25 mM cyanide). A proportion of the oxygen-uptake remained uninhibited even by 100 mM cyanide; this proportion was about 80% for succinate, 30% for l-lactate, 15% for d-lactate and 10% for NADH. The oxygen uptake per mol of substrate oxidised increased with increasing cyanide concentration and was accompanied by the formation of hydrogen peroxide as a product of a cyanide-insensitive oxidase system.Abbreviations PMS Phenazine methosulphate     

Electron transport pathways in isolated chromoplasts from Narcissus pseudonarcissus L.

During daffodil flower development, chloroplasts differentiate into photosynthetically inactive chromoplasts having lost functional photosynthetic reaction centers. Chromoplasts exhibit a respiratory activity reducing oxygen to water and generating ATP. Immunoblots revealed the presence of the plastid terminal oxidase (PTOX), the NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH) complex, the cytochrome b₆f complex, ATP synthase and several isoforms of ferredoxin‐NADP⁺ oxidoreductase (FNR), and ferredoxin (Fd). Fluorescence spectroscopy allowed the detection of chlorophyll a in the cytochrome b₆f complex. Here we characterize the electron transport pathway of chromorespiration by using specific inhibitors for the NDH complex, the cytochrome b₆f complex, FNR and redox‐inactive Fd in which the iron was replaced by gallium. Our data suggest an electron flow via two separate pathways, both reducing plastoquinone (PQ) and using PTOX as oxidase. The first oxidizes NADPH via FNR, Fd and cytochrome b_h of the cytochrome b₆f complex, and does not result in the pumping of protons across the membrane. In the second, electron transport takes place via the NDH complex using both NADH and NADPH as electron donor. FNR and Fd are not involved in this pathway. The NDH complex is responsible for the generation of the proton gradient. We propose a model for chromorespiration that may also be relevant for the understanding of chlororespiration and for the characterization of the electron input from Fd to the cytochrome b₆f complex during cyclic electron transport in chloroplasts.     

Direct evidence for the presence of a rotenone-resistant NADH dehydrogenase on the inner surface of the inner membrane of plant mitochondria

Submitochondrial particles (SMP) were produced from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) mitochondria by sonication and differential centrifugation. The SMP were about 50% inside-out as measured by the access of reduced cytochrome c to cytochrome c oxidase. Uncoupled NADH oxidation (1 mM NADH) by the SMP was 120 nmol O₂ min^?1mg^?1, which was reduced to 98 nmol O₂ min^?1 (mg mitochondrial protein)^?1 in the presence of EGTA. In contrast, the oxidation of NADH by intact mitochondria was completely inhibited by EGTA (from 182 to 14 nmol O₂ min^?1mg^?1). The EGTA-resistant NADH oxidation by the SMP is ascribed to the NADH dehydrogenase(s) on the inside of the inner membrane and exposed to the medium in the inside-out SMP. In the presence of EGTA it could be shown that two NADH dehydrogenase activities were present in the SMP. One had an apparent K_m of 7 μM for NADH, a V_max of 80 nmol NADH min^?1mg^?1, and was rotenone-sensitive. This dehydrogenase is equivalent to the mammalian Complex I NADH dehydrogenase. The other dehydrogenase, which was rotenone-resistant, had a K_m of 80 μM and a V_max of 131 nmol NADH min^?1mg^?1; it is probably responsible for the rotenone-resistant oxidation of organic acids often observed in plant mitochondria. The redox poise of the pyridine nucleotides had only a small effect on the relative rates of the two internal dehydrogenases. Electron flow through these dehydrogenases appears, therefore, to be regulated mainly by the concentration of NADH in the matrix of the mitochondria.     

Effectiveness of phenoxyl radicals generated by peroxidase/H2O2-catalyzed oxidation of caffeate, ferulate, and p-coumarate in cooxidation of ascorbate and NADH

The rate of ascorbate and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide plus hydrogen (NADH) cooxidation (i.e., their nonenzymic oxidation by peroxidase/H₂O₂-generated phenoxyl radicals of three hydroxycinnamates: caffeate, ferulate and p-coumarate) was studied in vitro. The reactions initiated by different sources of peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) [isolates from soybean (Glycine max L.) seed coat, maize (Zea mays L.) root-cell wall, and commercial horseradish peroxidase] were monitored. Native electrophoresis of samples and specific staining for peroxidase activity revealed various isoforms in each of the three enzyme sources. The peroxidase sources differed both in the rate of H₂O₂-dependent hydroxycinnamate oxidation and in the order of affinity for the phenolic substrates. The three hydroxycinnamates did not differ in their ability to cooxidize ascorbate, whereas NADH cooxidation was affected by substitution of the phenolic ring. Thus, p-coumarate was more efficient than caffeate in NADH cooxidation, with ferulate not being effective at all. Metal ions (Zn²⁺ and Al³⁺) inhibited the reaction of peroxidase with p-coumarate and affected the cooxidation rate of ascorbate and the peroxidase reaction in the same manner with all substrates used. However, inhibition of p-coumarate oxidation by metal ions did not affect NADH cooxidation rate. We propose that both the ascorbate and NADH cooxidation systems can function as mechanisms to scavenge H₂O₂ and regenerate phenolics in different cellular compartments, thus contributing to protection from oxidative damage. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Transition metal and organic radical components of carp liver tissue observed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

Paramagnetic transition metal centers and organic radicals in liver from wild-type carp (Cyprinus carpio) were characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Approximately twelve EPR signals were observed at 77 K with resonance positions between g=1.8 and g=2.5. Identification was facilitated by a study of the variation in signal intensity with microwave power (microwave power saturation) for each signal. Many were organic radical or iron signals from typical liver enzymes, including cytochrome P450, coenzyme Q₁₀, NADH dehydrogenase, and succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase and/or catalase. Of special interest were two signals that are not normally found in mammalian liver. The first was a six-line signal from divalent manganese, which was evident in the spectra in quantities suggestive of a functional role. The second was probably a signal from nitrosylated non-heme iron and may be related to the presence of nitrogen-containing compounds produced by nitrifying bacteria in the aquatic environment. These notable differences between the EPR spectra of fish and mammalian liver suggest major metabolic differences between the two systems.     

External Pathway of NADH Oxidation in the Liver of the River Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis

A possibility of exogenous NADH oxidation via the external pathway has been shown on homogenates and isolated liver cells of the lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis in the presence of rotenone and antimycin A. The homogenates were incubated in isotonic and hypotonic sucrose media, while cells, in isotonic salt medium. At incubating the tissue preparations in isotonic media, digitonin was used to enhance membrane permeability to NADH and cytochrome c. In homogenates, the maximal rate of NADH oxidation via the external pathway in the presence of cytochrome c and digitonin was 5.3 nmol O₂/min/10 mg wet weight. This value in the cells amounted to 12.6, while without addition of exogenous NADH and cytochrome c, to 11.0 nmol O₂/min/10 million cells. Cyanide inhibited completely the NADH oxidation via the external pathway both in homogenates and in cells. The intact lamprey hepatocytes, unlike homogenates, are suggested to contain sufficient concentrations of cytochrome c and extramitochondrial NADH to provide maximal NADH oxidation rate in mitochondria through external pathway. This allows thinking that potential possibilities of NADH oxidation via the external pathway in Cyclostomata and mammals are qualitatively and quantitatively close.     

Multiple cytochromes b in Mycobacterium phlei

Electron transport particles from $\text{M. phlei}$ contain at least 3 different active forms of cytochrome b, one reduced by NADH, with a λ_max at 563 nm (b_N563), and the other two reduced by either succinate or NADH, with λ_max at 559 and 563 nm (b_S559) and (b_S563). Low temperature λ_max for cytochrome b reduction with NADH or succinate are described. During steady state only b_S563 was observed with succinate. In the presence of ATP, succinate reduced an increased amount of a b563. A branching of the NAD⁺-linked pathway and a convergence at the level of cytochrome c is suggested, with only one branch accessible to succinate.     

NADPH Oxidase System as a Superoxide-generating Cyanide-Resistant Pathway in the Respiratory Chain of Corynebacterium glutamicum

The respiratory chain of Corynebacterium glutamicum was investigated, especially with respect to a cyanide-resistant respiratory chain bypass oxidase. The membranes of C. glutamicum had NADH, succinate, lactate, and NADPH oxidase activities, and menaquinone, and cytochromes a ₅₉₈, b _562(558), and c ₅₅₀ as respiratory components. The NADH, succinate, lactate, and NADPH oxidase systems, all of which were more cyanide-resistant than N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylene diamine oxidase activity (cytochrome aa ₃ terminal oxidase), had different sensitivities to cyanide; the cyanide sensitivity of these oxidase systems increased in the order, NADPH, lactate, NADH, and succinate. Taken together with the analysis of redox kinetics in the cytochromes and the effects of respiratory inhibitors, the results suggested that there is a cyanide-resistant bypass oxidase branching at the menaquinone site, besides cyanide-sensitive cytochrome oxidase in the respiratory chain. H⁺/O measurements with resting cells suggested that the cyanide-sensitive respiratory chain has two or three coupling sites, of which one is in NADH dehydrogenase and the others between menaquinone and cytochrome oxidase, but the cyanide-resistant bypass oxidase may not have any proton coupling site. NADPH and lactate oxidase systems were more resistant to UV irradiation than other systems and the UV insensitivity was highest in the NADPH oxidase system, suggesting that a specific quinone resistant to UV or no such a quinone works in at least NADPH oxidase system while the UV-sensitive menaquinone pool does in other oxidase systems. Furthermore, superoxide was generated in well-washed membranes, most strongly in the NADPH oxidase system. Thus, it was suggested that the cyanide-resistant bypass oxidase system of C. glutamicum is related to the NADPH oxidase system, which may be involved in generation of superoxide anions and probably functions together with superoxide dismutase and catalase.     

Reduced Pyridine Nucleotide Oxidases of Euglena gracilis var. bacillaris*

SYNOPSIS. Cell-free extracts of a streptomycin-bleached strain of Euglena gracilis var. bacillaris have been examined for enzyme systems primarily responsible for the oxidation of reduced pyridine nucelotides. NADH lipoyl dehydrogenase, NADH and NADPH oxidase, NADH and NADPH diaphorase, and NADH and NADPH cytochrome c reductase have been demonstrated. The NADPH-linked enzymes had lower activity rates and were less sensitive to N-ethyl maleimide and p-hydroxymercuribenzoate than their NADH-linked counterparts. NADH cytochrome c reductase was the most sensitive to antimycin A. Michaelis-Menten constants (K_m) determined were as follows: NADH diaphorase, 350 μM; NADPH diaphorase, 200 μM; NADH cytochrome c reductase, 13 μM; NADPH cytochrome c reductase, 9 μM; NADH oxidase, 100 μM; NADPH oxidase 150 μM; NADH lipoyl dehydrogenase, 0.35 μM. Enzyme activities after storage at –5 C indicate that the diaphorases are less labile than the other tested enzymes, and the differential activities of the NADH and NADPH linked enzymes suggest that functionally they may have different roles.     

Properties of the cell envelope and a cell-envelope protein of Pseudomonas facilis

The molecular weight of the protein moiety of a phospholipoprotein complex isolated from Pseudomonas facilis has been examined with a variety of sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic systems. A molecular weight of 35 000 was determined for the protein in all analyses. A 35 000-dalton protein was present in the EDTA extract of P. facilis and in the cytoplasmic and outer membrane fractions, but not in the lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan. Prior inoculation of mice with the phospholipoprotein complex led to a 7.5- to 15-fold increase in the LD₅₀ when mice were subsequently inoculated with Salmonella typhimurium; this pathogen has a cell-surface protein which cross-reacts immunologically with antibody to the P. facilis phospholipoprotein complex.Abbreviations KDO 2-keto-3-deoxyoctanoate - LD₅₀ the dosage of Salmonella typhimurium at which there is 50% survival in mice - LPS lipopolysaccharide - PLP phospholipoprotein - P_PLP the protein moiety of PLP - SDS sodium dodecylsulfate - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - TMS trimethylsilyl     

Oxidations of various substrates and effects of the inhibitors on purified mitochondria isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kalanchoë pinnata</Emphasis>

Kalanchoë pinnata mitochondria readily oxidized succinate, malate, NADH, and NADPH at high rates and coupling. The highest respiration rates usually were observed in the presence of succinate. The high rate of malate oxidation was observed at pH 6.8 with thiamine pyrophosphate where both malic enzyme (ME) and pyruvate dehydrogenase were activated. In CAM phase III of K. pinnata mitochondria, both ME and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) simultaneously contributed to metabolism of malate. However, ME played a main function: malate was oxidized via ME to produce pyruvate and CO₂ rather than via MDH to produce oxalacetate (OAA). Cooperative oxidation of two or three substrates was accompanied with the dramatic increase in the total respiration rates. Our results showed that the alternative (Alt) pathway was more active in malate oxidation at pH 6.8 with CoA and NAD⁺ where ME operated and was stimulated, indicating that both ME and Alt pathway were related to malate decarboxylation during the light. In K. pinnata mitochondria, NADH and NADPH oxidations were more sensitive with KCN than that with succinate and malate oxidations, suggesting that these oxidations were engaged to cytochrome pathway rather than to Alt pathway and these capacities would be desirable to supply enough energy for cytosol pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase activity.     

Electron transport chain and energy transduction in Paracoccus denitrificans under autotrophic growth conditions

Cells of Paracoccus denitrificans grown autotrophically with H₂ as energy source contained a branched respiratory chain. The presence of two terminal oxidases was indicated by two cyanide sensitive sites (K _i =10^-5 M and K _i =10^-3 M). While oxidation of NADH and succinate apparently proceeded via both electron pathways as shown by the inhibition of respiration with cyanide and Antimycin A, oxidation of H₂ involved only the terminal oxidase which was less sensitive to KCN. Oxidation of H₂ was not inhibited by rotenone, and sensitive to only relatively high concentrations of Antimycin A (50 nmol/mg).Under our growth conditions, autotrophic cells contained only very small amounts of cytochrome a +a ₃ . A cytochrome b was able to bind CO (with a peak at 418 nm and a trough at 434 nm in the reduced plus CO minus reduced difference spectrum). This cytochrome b had the spectral characteristics of cytochrome o and could be the alternate oxidase. The respiratory chain contained two b cytochromes (b ₅₅₆ and b ₅₆₂ at 77°K); under steady state conditions only b ₅₅₆ was significantly reduced by NADH and succinate while both b ₅₅₆ and b ₅₆₂ were reduced by H₂.Measurement of respiration-driven proton translocation by spheroplasts showed that the oxidation of H₂ by O₂ was associated with a vectorial ejection of H⁺ (in the outward direction) with aH⁺/O value of 6 to 7.A similar result was obtained with succinate. Oxidation of endogenous substrates gave H⁺/O values corresponding to a H⁺/site ratio of 3 with 3 sites functioning in absence of inhibitors, two sites in the presence of rotenone and one site in the presence of antimycin. The H⁺/O values indicated that two energy transducing sites were involved in the oxidation of H₂ by O₂.Measurement of ATP synthesis in membrane vesicles confirmed that phosphorylation was coupled to H₂ oxidation. However, such determinations which necessitated the use of inverted vesicles, gave P/O values too low to allow any conclusions to be made on the number of coupling sites.     

Soluble electron-transport activities in fresh and aged turnip tissue

Summary A soluble (supernatant) fraction from turnips catalyses the reduction of both FeCN and DCPIP but usually not cytochrome c in the presence of either NADH or NADPH. Slicing and aging turnip tissue induces an increase in these activities as well as the development of an NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity.(NH₄)₂SO₄ and Sephadex fractionation indicated that at least three enzymes were involved: an NADH-cytochrome-c reductase, an NADH-FeCN reductase, and an NAD(P)H-DCPIP and FeCN reductase. While the latter reductase had an acid pH optimum, indicating vacuolar origin, the NADH-cytochrome-c and FeCN reductases both had neutral pH optima, indicating cytoplasmic origin. Characterization of the NADH-specific reductases indicated that NADH-FeCN reductase may be a soluble form of the microsomal membrane NADH dehydrogenase but that NADH-cytochrome-c reductase may be normally soluble and possibly involved in cyanide-sensitive NADH oxidation.The induced development of all three reductases was inhibited by 6-methylpurine, ethionine and cycloheximide, indicating dependence on both RNA and protein synthesis. The inhibition by cycloheximide could be reversed but this reversion required a 20-h washing-out period to be complete.Abbreviations DCPIP 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol - FeCN ferricyanide - NO QNO 2-n-nonylhydroxyquinoline-N-oxide - pCMB p-chloromercuribenzoate - SF soluble fraction     

Pyridine nucleotides and H2 as electron donors to the respiratory and photosynthetic electron-transfer chains and to nitrogenase in Anabaena heterocysts

The pathways through which NADPH, NADH and H₂ provide electrons to nitrogenase were examined in anaerobically isolated heterocysts. Electron donation in freeze-thawed heterocysts and in heterocyst fractions was studied by measuring O₂ uptake, acetylene reduction and reduction of horse heart cytochrome c. In freeze-thawed heterocysts and membrane fractions, NADH and H₂ supported cyanide-sensitive, respiratory O₂ uptake and light-enhanced, cyanide-insensitive uptake of O₂ resulting from electron donation to O₂ at the reducing side of Photosystem I. Membrane fractions also catalyzed NADH-dependent reduction of cytochrome c. In freeze-thawed heterocysts and soluble fractions from heterocysts, NADPH donated electrons in dark reactions to O₂ or cytochrome c through a pathway involving ferredoxin:NADP reductase; these reactions were only slightly influenced by cyanide or illumination. In freeze-thawed heterocysts provided with an ATP-generating system, NADH or H₂ supported slow acetylene reduction in the dark through uncoupler-sensitive reverse electron flow. Upon illumination, enhanced rates of acetylene reduction requiring the participation of Photosystem I were observed with NADH and H₂ as electron donors. Rapid NADPH-dependent acetylene reduction occurred in the dark and this activity was not influenced by illumination or uncoupler. A scheme summarizing electron-transfer pathways between soluble and membrane components is presented.