15-Hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase from human placenta, II. Steady state kinetics and influence of prostaglandin F2alpha analogues (author's transl)]

A complete initial rate analysis of the forward reaction catalyzed by 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase from human term placenta was carried out at pH 7.4 (100mM triethanolamine) with the substrates NAD, and the prostaglandins E1, E2 and F2alpha. The limiting Michaelis constants, the dissociation constants, and the limiting maximum velocities for these substrates were calculated by fitting the obtained data by weighted linear regression analysis to the complete rate equation. The product inhibition of the reaction by NADH and 15-oxoprostaglandin was studied and the inhibition constants were graphically determined. The initial rate and inhibition patterns obtained indicate that the reaction follows kinetically an ordered Bi Bi mechanism. The prostaglandin F2alpha analogues ICI 81,008 and ICI 79,939 were not utilized by the enzyme. With ICI 81,008 a slight inhibition of the enzymatic reaction with prostaglandin F2alpha was observed, whereas ICI 79,939 showed no effect. The results are discussed with respect to their possible biological significance.     

Properties of glutamate dehydrogenase purified from Bacteroides fragilis

The dual pyridine nucleotide-specific glutamate dehydrogenase [EC 1.4.1.3] was purified 37-fold from Bacteroides fragilis by ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-Sephadex A-25 chromatography twice, and gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300. The enzyme had a molecular weight of approximately 300,000, and polymeric forms (molecular weights of 590,000 and 920,000) were observed in small amounts on polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the subunit was 48,000. The isoelectric point of the enzyme was pH 5.1. This glutamate dehydrogenase utilized NAD(P)H and NAD(P)+ as coenzymes and showed maximal activities at pH 8.0 and 7.4 for the amination with NADPH and with NADH, respectively, and at pH 9.5 and 9.0 for the deamination with NADP+ and NAD+, respectively. The amination activity with NADPH was about 5-fold higher than that with NADH. The Lineweaver-Burk plot for ammonia showed two straight lines in the NADPH-dependent reactions. The values of Km for substrates were: 1.7 and 5.1 mM for ammonium chloride, 0.14 mM for 2-oxoglutarate, 0.013 mM for NADPH, 2.4 mM for L-glutamate, and 0.019 mM for NADP+ in NADP-linked reactions, and 4.9 mM for ammonium chloride, 7.1 mM for 2-oxoglutarate, 0.2 mM for NADH, 7.3 mM for L-glutamate, and 3.0 mM for NAD+ in NAD-linked reactions. 2-Oxoglutarate and L-glutamate caused substrate inhibition in the NADPH- and NADP+-dependent reactions, respectively, to some extent. NAD+- and NADH-dependent activities were inhibited by 50% by 0.1 M NaCl. Adenine nucleotides and dicarboxylic acids did not show remarkable effects on the enzyme activities.     

Isolation and properties of lung 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase from pregnant rabbits

A NAD-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) was purified to a specific activity of over 25,000 nmol NADH formed/min/mg protein with 50 microM prostaglandin E1 as substrate from the lungs of 28-day-old pregnant rabbits. This represented a 2600-fold purification of the enzyme with a recovery of 6% of the starting enzyme activity. The lungs of pregnant rabbits were used because a 42- to 55-fold induction of the PGDH activity was observed after 20 days of gestation. The enzyme was purified by CM-cellulose, DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-75, octylamino-agarose, and hydroxylapatite chromatography. The enzyme could not be purified by affinity chromatography using NAD- or blue dextran-bound resins. The purified enzyme was specific for NAD and had a subunit molecular weight of 29,000. The optimal pH range for the oxidation of prostaglandin E1 was between 10.0 and 10.4 using 3-(cyclohexylamino)propanesulfonic acid as the buffer. The Km and Vmax values for prostaglandin E1 were 33 microM and 40,260 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively, while the Km and Vmax values for prostaglandin E2 were 59 microM and 43,319 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. The Km for prostaglandin F2 alpha was four times the value for prostaglandin E1. The PGDH activity was inhibited by p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid but the enzymatic activity was restored by the addition of dithiothreitol. n-Ethylmaleimide also produced a rapid decline in enzymatic activity but when NAD was included in the incubation system, no inhibition was observed.     

Kinetic studies on a 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase from human placenta.

Kinetic studies have shown that the reaction catalyzed by the human placental 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase proceeds by a single displacement mechanism. Addition of the reactants is ordered with NAD⁺ binding first. The lifetime of the ternary complex is affected by the pH of the reaction mixture. At pH 7.0 a kinetically significant ternary complex is formed, while at pH 9.0 the ternary complex is not kinetically significant (Theorell-Chance mechanism). There is evidence for the occurrence of a kinetically significant isomerization of the enzyme · NADH complex at pH 9.0 but not at pH 7.0. At high substrate concentrations there is formation of unreactive complexes between the 15-hydroxyrostaglandin and both the free enzyme and enzyme · NADH complex and between the 15-ketoprostaglandin and both the free enzyme and enzyme · NAD⁺ complex. The inhibition of the 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase by various prostaglandins and prostaglandin analogs may be explained by the formation of similar unreactive complexes. Certain prostaglandin analogs, arachidonic acid, and ethacrynic acid also affect the activity of the enzyme by causing its irreversible inactivation.     

Studies on 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase with various prostaglandin analogues.

The NAD+-linked 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) of swine lung was purified to a high specific activity by affinity chromatographies on prostaglandin (PG)-and NAD+-Sepharose. The affinities of the enzyme for various synthetic analogues of PGA, E, F, and I and their inhibitory effects on the enzymatic reaction were examined. The modification of the alkyl side chain of PG, particularly at C-15 or C-16, reduced the affinity of the enzyme for these PG analogues. Furthermore, 14-methyl-13,14-dihydro-PGE1 and 16-cyclopentyl-omega-trinor-15-epi-PGE2 were potent inhibitors of PGDH.     

Spectrofluorometric assay of NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase activity

A simple, rapid, and sensitive spectrofluorometric assay for 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase activity was developed in which the rate of production of NADH was monitored. The cytosolic fraction prepared from human placental tissue was employed as the enzyme source. The assay was conducted at pH 9.5 since 15-ketoprostaglandin Δ¹³-reductase and NADH oxidase activities were inhibited at this pH, thereby minimizing the interference of the reactions catalyzed by these enzymes in the assay of prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity.     

NAD+-15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase distribution in rat kidney.

Rat kidney NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) was measured in zones and substructure of the rat kidney nephron. This was accomplished utilizing an assay procedure based upon determining the amount of prostaglandin E1 present before and after the reaction with the 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase contained in the tissue sample. The enzyme activity was assayed in freeze dried, quick frozen rat kidney sections and its distribution within the rat kidney was determined. In kidney zones, it was localized to medullary rays and inner cortex. In kidney substructure, activity was highest in collecting tubule, pars recti tubule, distal convoluted tubule and the ascending limb of Henle (14.2, 11.5, 6.4 and 9.2 mM kg-1hr-1, respectively). Activity in glomeruli, proximal convoluted tubule and small arteries was lower (2.1, 2.8 and 2.1 mM kg-1hr-1, respectively). The assay procedure was verified by established assays (spectrophotometric, fluorometric and radiometric TLC) which are often used in homogenate and purified PGDH preparations.     

Thermostable alanine dehydrogenase from thermophilic Bacillus sphaericus DSM 462. Purification, characterization and kinetic mechanism

Alanine dehydrogenase (L-alanine: NAD+ oxidoreductase, deaminating) was simply purified to homogeneity from a thermophile, Bacillus sphaericus DSM 462, by ammonium sulfate fractionation, red-Sepharose 4B chromatography and preparative slab gel electrophoresis. The enzyme had a molecular mass of about 230 kDa and consisted of six subunits with an identical molecular mass of 38 kDa. The enzyme was much more thermostable than that from a mesophile, B. sphaericus, and retained its full activity upon heating at 75 degrees C for at least 60 min and with incubation in pH 5.5-9.5 at 75 degrees C for 10 min. The enzyme can be stored without loss of its activity in a frozen state (-20 degrees C, at pH 7.2) for over 5 months. The optimum pH for the L-alanine deamination and pyruvate amination were around 10.5 and 8.2, respectively. The enzyme exclusively catalyzed the oxidative deamination of L-alanine in the presence of NAD+, but showed low amino acceptor specificity; hydroxypyruvate, oxaloacetate, 2-oxobutyrate and 3-fluoropyruvate are also aminated as well as pyruvate in the presence of NADH and ammonia. Initial velocity and product inhibition studies showed that the reductive amination proceeded through a sequential mechanism containing partially random binding. NADH binds first to the enzyme, and then pyruvate and ammonia bind in a random fashion. The products are sequentially released from the enzyme in the order L-alanine then NAD+. A dead-end inhibition by the formation of an abortive ternary complex which consists of the enzyme, NAD+ and pyruvate was included in the reaction. A possible role of the dead-end inhibition is to prevent the enzyme from functioning in the L-alanine synthesis. The Michaelis constants for the substrates were as follows: NADH, 0.10 mM; pyruvate, 0.50 mM; ammonia, 38.0 mM; L-alanine, 10.5 mM and NAD+, 0.26 mM.     

Purification and properties of tauropine dehydrogenase from the shell adductor muscle of the ormer, Haliotis lamellosa

Tauropine dehydrogenase (tauropine:NAD oxidoreductase) was purified from the shell adductor muscle of the ormer, Haliotis lamellosa. The enzyme was found to utilize stoichiometrically NADH as co-enzyme and pyruvate and taurine as substrates producing tauropine [rhodoic acid; N-(D-1-carboxyethyl)-taurine]. The enzyme was purified to a specific activity of 463 units/mg protein using a combination of ammonium sulphate fractionation, ion-exchange and affinity chromatography. The relative molecular mass was 38,000 +/- 1000 when assessed by gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 54 and 42,000 +/- 150 by electrophoresis on 5-10% polyacrylamide gels in the presence of 1% sodium dodecyl sulphate; the data suggest a monomeric structure. Tauropine and pyruvate were found to be the preferred substrates. Among the amino acids tested for activity with the enzyme, only alanine is used as an alternative substrate, but with a rate less than 6% of the enzyme activity with taurine. Of the oxo acids tested, 2-oxobutyrate and 2-oxovalerate were also found to be substrates. Apparent Km values for the substrates NADH, pyruvate and taurine are 0.022 +/- 0.003 mM, 0.64 +/- 0.07 mM and 64.7 +/- 5.4 mM, respectively, at pH 7.0 and for the products, NAD+ and tauropine, are 0.29 +/- 0.01 mM and 9.04 +/- 1.27 mM, respectively, at pH 8.3. Apparent Km values for both pyruvate and taurine decrease with increasing co-substrate (taurine or pyruvate) concentration. NAD+ and tauropine were found to be product inhibitors of the forward reaction. NAD+ was a competitive inhibitor of NADH, whereas tauropine gave a mixed type of inhibition with respect to pyruvate and taurine. Succinate was found to inhibit non-competitively with respect to taurine and pyruvate with an apparent Ki value in the physiological range of this anaerobic end product. The inhibition by L-lactate, not an end product in the ormer, was competitive with respect to pyruvate. The physiological role or tauropine dehydrogenase during anaerobiosis is discussed.     

Physiologic Mechanisms Involved in Accumulation of 3-Hydroxypropionaldehyde during Fermentation of Glycerol by Enterobacter agglomerans

When grown in 700 mM glycerol within the pH range 6.0 to 7.5, anaerobic pH-regulated cultures of Enterobacter agglomerans exhibited an extracellular accumulation of 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA). This phenomenon, which causes fermentation cessation, occurred earlier when pH was low. In contrast, substrate consumption was complete at pH 8. Levels of glycerol-catabolizing enzymes, i.e., glycerol dehydrogenase and dihydroxyacetone kinase for the oxidative route and glycerol dehydratase and 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase for the reductive route, as well as the nucleotide pools were determined periodically in the pH 7- and pH 8-regulated cultures. A NAD/NADH ratio of 1.7 was correlated with the beginning of the production of the inhibitory metabolite. Further accumulation was dependent on the ratio of glycerol dehydratase activity to 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase activity. For a ratio higher than 1, 3-HPA was produced until fermentation ceased, which occurred for the pH 7-regulated culture. At pH 8, a value below 1 was noticed and 3-HPA accumulation was transient, while the NAD/NADH ratio decreased. The low rate of glycerol dissimilation following the appearance of 3-HPA in the culture medium was attributed to the strong inhibitory effect exerted by 3-HPA on glycerol dehydrogenase activity.     

Novel prostaglandin dehydrogenase in rat skin.

Present evidence suggests that skin is an important organ of prostaglandin metabolism. To clarify its role, the basic kinetics of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) from rat skin were investigated with either NAD+ of NADP+ as co-substrate. Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were used as substrates and preliminary studies were made of the inhibitory effects of the reduced co-substrates NADH and NADPH. A radiochemical assay was used in which [3H]PGF2 alpha or [14C]PGE2 were incubated with high-speed supernatant of rat skin homogenates. The substrate and products were then extracted by solvent partition, separated by t.l.c. and quantified by liquid-scintillation counting. At linear reaction rates and at an NAD+ concentration of 10 mM the mean apparent Km for PGF2 alpha was 24 microM with a mean apparent Vmax. of 9.8 nmol/s per litre of reaction mixture. For PGE2 the mean apparent Km was 8 microM, with a mean apparent Vmax, of 2.7 nmol/s per litre of reaction mixture. With NADP+ as a co-substrate at a concentration of 5 mM a mean apparent Km of 23 microM was obtained for PGF2 alpha with a mean apparent Vmax. of 5.2 nmol/s per litre. For PGE2 values of 7.5 microM and 3.0 nmol/s per litre were obtained respectively. These results show that skin contains NAD+- and NADP+-dependent PGDH. An important finding was that the NADP+-linked enzyme gave Km values for PGE2 that were considerably lower than those reported for NADP+-linked PGDH from other tissues. Furthermore, preliminary inhibition studies with the NAD+-linked PGDH system indicate that this enzyme is not only inhibited by NADH, but also by NADPH, a property not previously reported for NAD+-linked PGDH derived from other tissues.     

Purification and properties of N-acetylneuraminate lyase from Escherichia coli

N-Acetylneuraminate lyase [N-acetylneuraminic acid aldolase EC 4.1.3.3] from Escherichia coli was purified by protamine sulfate treatment, fractionation with ammonium sulfate, column chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel, gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 44, and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme preparation was homogeneous on analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and was free from contaminating enzymes including NADH oxidase and NADH dehydrogenase. The enzyme catalyzed the cleavage of N-acetylneuraminic acid to N-acetylmannosamine and pyruvate in a reversible reaction. Both cleavage and synthesis of N-acetylneuraminic acid had the same pH optimum around 7.7. The enzyme was stable between pH 6.0 to 9.0, and was thermostable up to 60 degrees C. The thermal stability increased up to 75 degrees C in the presence of pyruvate. No metal ion was required for the enzyme activity, but heavy metal ions such as Ag+ and Hg2+ were potent inhibitors. Oxidizing agents such as N-bromosuccinimide, iodine, and hydrogen peroxide, and SH-inhibitors such as p-chloromercuribenzoic acid and mercuric chloride were also potent inhibitors. The Km values for N-acetylneuraminic acid and N-glycolylneuraminic acid were 3.6 mM and 4.3 mM, respectively. Pyruvate inhibited the cleavage reaction competitively; Ki was calculated to be 1.0 mM. In the condensation reaction, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, glucosamine, and galactosamine could not replace N-acetylmannosamine as substrate, and phosphoenolpyruvate, lactate, beta-hydroxypyruvate, and other pyruvate derivatives could not replace pyruvate as substrate. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was estimated to be 98,000 by gel filtration methods. After denaturation in sodium dodecyl sulfate or in 6 M guanidine-HCl, the molecular weight was reduced to 33,000, indicating the existence of 3 identical subunits. The enzyme could be used for the enzymatic determination of sialic acid; reaction conditions were devised for determining the bound form of sialic acid by coupling neuraminidase from Arthrobacter ureafaciens, lactate dehydrogenase, and NADH.     

Enzymatic properties, renaturation and metabolic role of mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli

Enzymatic properties, renaturation and metabolic role of mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli. D-mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase was purified to homogeneity from Escherichia coli, and its physicochemical and enzymatic properties were investigated. The molecular weight of the polypeptide chain is 45,000 as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in denaturing conditions. High performance size exclusion chromatography gives an apparent molecular weight of 47,000 for the native enzyme, showing that D-mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase is a monomeric NAD-dependent dehydrogenase. D-mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase is rapidly denatured by 6 M guanidine hydrochloride. Non-superimposable transition curves for the loss of activity and the changes in fluorescence suggest the existence of a partially folded inactive intermediate. The protein can be fully renatured after complete unfolding, and the regain of both native fluorescence and activity occurs rapidly within a few seconds at pH 7.5 and 20 degrees C. Such a high rate of reactivation is unusual for a protein of this size. D-mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase is specific for mannitol-1-phosphate (or fructose-6-phosphate) as a substrate and NAD+ (or NADH) as a cofactor. Zinc is not required for the activity. The affinity of D-mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase for the reduced or oxidized form of its substrate or cofactor remains constant with pH. The affinity for NADH is 20-fold higher than for NAD+. The forward and reverse catalytic rate constants of the reaction: mannitol-1-phosphate + NAD+ in equilibrium fructose-6-phosphate + NADH have different pH dependences. The oxidation of mannitol-1-phosphate has an optimum pH of 9.5, while the reduction of fructose-6-phosphate has its maximum rate at pH 7.0. At pH values around neutrality the maximum rate of reduction of fructose-6-phosphate is much higher than that of oxidation of mannitol-1-phosphate. The enzymatic properties of isolated D-mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase are discussed in relation to the role of this enzyme in the intracellular metabolism.     

Purification and characterization of a 15-ketoprostaglandin delta 13-reductase from bovine lung.

15-Ketoprostaglandin delta 13-reductase from bovine lung has been purified using affinity chromatography to apparent homogeneity, as judged from polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with and without sodium dodecyl sulphate. Valine was identified as tne N-terminal aumino acid, and the isoelectric point was estimated at pH 7.8. Molecular weights of 56,000 and 39,500 were found by the use of gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively. The enzyme was found to be specific for the 15-keto group, thus 15-ketoprostaglandin E4 (apparent Km = microM) is a substrate, in contrast to prostaglandin E1. The enzyme was active with both NADH (apparent Km = 88--94 microM) and NADH (apparent Km = 5--9 microM) as coenzyme, but the V max with NADH was more than twice that obtained with NADPH. The enzyme did not catalyze the reversed reaction: 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin E1 to 15-ketoprostaglandin E1. The turnover number of the enzyme was determined to be either 60 or 42 min-1. The low value of the turnover number is compensated by a high concentration (96.4 mU/g tissue) of the enzyme in lung tissue, resulting in a high metabolic capacity. Thus, 15-ketoprostaglandin delta 13-reductase together with 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase ensures an irreversible catabolism of prostaglandins.     

Enzymatic redox cofactor regeneration in organic media: functionalization and application of glycerol dehydrogenase and soluble transhydrogenase in reverse micelles

An enzymatic system for the regeneration of redox cofactors NADH and NADPH was investigated in nanostructural reverse micelles using bacterial glycerol dehydrogenase (GLD) and soluble transhydrogenase (STH). Catalytic conversion of NAD+ to NADH was realized in the sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate (AOT)/isooctane reverse micellar system harboring GLD and a sacrificial substrate, glycerol. The initial rate of NADH regeneration was enhanced by exogenous addition of ammonium sulfate into the reverse micelles, suggesting that NH4+ acts as a monovalent cationic activator. STH was successfully entrapped in the AOT/isooctane reverse micelles as well as GLD and was revealed to be capable of catalyzing the stoichiometric hydrogen transfer reaction between NADP+ and NADPH in reverse micelles. These results indicate that GLD and STH have potential for use in redox cofactor recycling in reverse micelles, which allows the use of catalytic quantities of NAD(P)H in organic media.     

Purification and characterization of rat lens pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase

delta 1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (L-proline:NAD(P)+ 5-oxidoreductase, EC 1.5.1.2) has been purified from rat lens and biochemically characterized. Purification steps included ammonium sulfate fractionation, affinity chromatography on Amicon Matrex Orange A, and gel filtration with Sephadex G-200. These steps were carried out at ambient temperature (22 degrees C) in 20 mM sodium phosphate/potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) containing 10% glycerol, 7 mM mercaptoethanol and 0.5 mM EDTA. The enzyme, purified to apparent homogeneity, displayed a molecular weight of 240 000 by gel chromatography and 30 000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This suggests that the enzyme is composed of eight subunits. The purified enzyme displays a pH optimum between 6.5 and 7.1 and is inhibited by heavy metal ions and p-chloromercuribenzoate. Kinetic studies indicated Km values of 0.62 mM and 0.051 mM for DL-pyrroline-5-carboxylate as substrate when NADH and NADPH respectively were employed as cofactors. The Km values for the cofactors NADH and NADPH with DL-pyrroline-5-carboxylate as substrate were 0.37 mM and 0.006 mM, respectively. With L-pyrroline-5-carboxylate as substrate, Km values of 0.21 mM and 0.022 mM were obtained for NADH and NADPH, respectively. Enzyme activity is potentially inhibited by NADP+ and ATP, suggesting that delta 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase may be regulated by the energy level and redox state of the lens.     

Enzymatic synthesis of (15s)-[15-3h]prostaglandins and their use in the development of a simple and sensitive assay for 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase.

The stereospecificity of swine renal NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase has been determined. It was found that the enzyme is a B-side specific dehydrogenase. (15S)-[15-3H]Prostaglandins were synthesized by stereospecific transfer of the tritium label of D-[1-3H]galactose to prostaglandins by coupling 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase with beta-D-galactose dehydrogenase, an enzyme of the same stereospecificity. A simple and sensitive assay for 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase was developed based on the stereospecific transfer of the tritium label of tritiated prostaglandins to glutamate by coupling 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase with glutamate dehydrogenase. The amount of prostaglandin oxidized is determined by the radioactivity of labeled glutamate present in the supernatant after charcoal precipitation of labeled prostaglandin. Concurrent assays with the present tritium release method and the thin-layer chromatography method indicated excellent correlation. The assay was employed to study some of the properties of swine renal 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase in crude extract and the distribution of enzyme activity in various tissues of rat. Enzyme activity was linear for the first 10 min studied and was nonlinear with increasing amounts of crude enzyme, indicating the possible presence of endogenous inhibitor(s). Apparent Km's for PGE2, PGF2alpha, and PGA2 were found to be 2.5, 12.5, and 3.9 muM, respectively. The distribution pattern indicated high levels of enzyme activity in gastrointestinal tract, lung, kidney, and spleen. The assay method may prove to be valuable for studying enzyme turnover and enzyme regulation by hormonal and pharmacological agents.     

Uronic acid dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas syringae. Purification and properties.

1. Uronic acid dehydrogenase was purified to homogeneity. After a 338-fold purification a yield of 16% was achieved with a specific activity of 81 mumol NADH formed min-1 mg protein-1. 2. The purity of the enzyme was controlled by disc electrophoresis, sodium dodecylsulfate electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation. 3. A molecular weight of 60 000 was determined by gel chromatography and by ultracentrifugation. 4. The native enzyme is composed of two subunits, their molecular weight being 30 000 as estimated by sodium dodecylsulfate electrophoresis. The subunits as such are inactive. 5. The absorption spectrum with a maximum at 278 nm shows no evidence for a prosthetic group. 6. For catalytic activity no SH groups and no metals seem to be necessary. 7. The Michaelis constants determined with the pure enzyme are for glucuronic acid Km = 0.37 mM, galacturonic acid Km = 54 muM and NAD+ (with glucuronic acid) Km = 80 muM. 8. A weak reverse reaction could be observed with glucaric acid lactones at acidic pH. 9. NADH is competitive with NAD+. The inhibitor constant is Ki = 60 muM. 10. The NAD+ binding site seems to be of lower specificity than the uronic acid binding site.     

Trichomonas gallinae: charaterization and regulatory properties of lactic dehydrogenase.

The lactic dehydrogenase (l-lactate: NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.27, LDH)of Trichomonas gallinae was characterized and some of its regulatory properties studied. Electrophoretic analysis, with specific enzymatic staining of crude and dialyzed cell-free extracts and dialyzed ammonium sulfate fractions, all revealed a single band of enzymatic activity suggesting only one molecular form of the enzyme. The pH optima were found to be the following: 7.0 in the pyruvate to lactate direction and 9.0 in the reverse direction. Thermal inactivation studies showed a narrow temperature optimum peaking at 35 C. The K_m values for all four reaction components were determined and found to be: NADH, 70 μm; pyruvate, 88 μm; NAD, 65 μm; and l-lactate, 4.6 mM. T. gallinae LDH was absolutely specific for NAD, NADH, l-lactate, and pyruvate. The enzyme exhibited negative cooperativity, with both NADH and l-lactate, as evidenced by curvilinear Lineweaver-Burk kinetics and Hill coefficients of less than one. Several glycolytic intermediates lowered the K_m of NADH with variable effects on the K_m of pyruvate. The regulation of LDH by glycolytic intermediates is discussed.     

NAD-dependent formate dehydrogenase from methylotrophic bacterium, strain 1. Purification and characterization.

1. NAD-dependent formate dehydrogenase was isolated from gram-negative methylotrophic bacteria, strain 1, grown on methanol. The purification procedure involved ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography and preparative isotachophoresis or gel filtration; it resulted in a yield of 40%. 2. The final enzyme preparations were homogeneous as judged by sedimentation in an ultracentrifuge. Formate dehydrogenase purified in the presence of EDTA reveals two bands on electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel both after protein and activity staining. Two components are transformed into a single one after prolonged storage in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol. 3. Formate dehydrogenase is a dimer composed of identical or very similar subunits. The molecular weight of the enzyme is about 80 000. 4. Amino acid composition and some other physico-chemical properties of the enzyme were studied. 5. Formate dehydrogenase is specific for formate and NAD as electron acceptor. The Michaelis constant was 0.11 mM for NAD and 15 mM for formate (pH 7.0, 37 degrees C). 6. Formate dehydrogenase was rapidly inactivated in the absence of -SH compounds. The enzyme retained full activity upon storage at ambient temperature in solution for half a year in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol or EDTA.