Inhibition of yeast pyruvate decarboxylase by alkyl phosphates]

It is found that yeast pyruvate decarboxylase is inhibited by alkyl phosphates. Inhibition is competitive with respect to a substrate. The inhibition constants with n-butyl and n-heptyl esters of phosphoric acid are the values of the same order of magnitude. With an increase in the length of the alkyl phosphates hydrocarbon chain from 7 to 10 carbon atoms inhibition constants change drastically. For n-heptyl phosphate and n-decyl phosphate values KI are equal to 1.6 x 10(-4) M and 1.7 x 10(-6) M, respectively. A further increase in the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl substituent of phosphoric acid ester induces no reduction of the inhibition constant. Multiple-inhibitor experiments of pyruvate decarboxylase show that inorganic phosphate and n-decyl ester of phosphoric acid are mutually exclusive. It is suggested that the inhibition mechanism with alkyl phosphates includes the competition of the phosphoric acid residue with alpha-ketocarboxyl group of pyruvate as well as the interaction between a hydrocarbon radical and hydrophobic parts on the enzyme surface, one of them being outside the substrate binding site.     

Resolution of brewers' yeast pyruvate decarboxylase into two isozymes

A novel purification method was developed for brewers' yeast pyruvate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.1) that for the first time resolved the enzyme into two isozymes on DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. The isozymes were found to be distinct according to sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis: the first one to be eluted gave rise to one band, the second to two bands. The isozymes were virtually the same so far as specific activity, KM, inhibition kinetics and irreversible binding properties by the mechanism-based inhibitor (E)-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxo-3-butenoic acid are concerned. This finding resolves a longstanding controversy concerning the quaternary structure of this enzyme.     

Expression of active yeast pyruvate decarboxylase in Escherichia coli.

We have shown by appropriate modification of the translational signals and using the strong T7 RNA polymerase promoter phi 10, that a cloned Saccharomyces cerevisiae pyruvate decarboxylase gene (pdc1) can be expressed in Escherichia coli. This protein, which migrated as a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, was found to have a subunit molecular mass of approximately 62 kDa, similar to that of the enzyme produced by yeast. Polyclonal antibodies raised against purified yeast pyruvate decarboxylase recognized this bacterially produced protein. We found that this recombinant enzyme is active, indicating that the homotetramer encoded by the pdc1 gene is functional.     

Genetic analysis of the pyruvate decarboxylase reaction in yeast glycolysis.

Six different pyruvate decarboxylase mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated. They belong to two unlinked complementation groups. Evidence is presented that one group is affected in a structural gene. The fact that five of the six mutants had residual pyruvate decarboxylase activity provided the opportunity for an intensive physiological characterization. It was shown that the loss of enzyme activity in vitro is reflected in a lower fermentation rate, an increased pyruvate secretion, and slower growth on a 2% glucose medium. The different effects of antimycin A on leaky mutants grown on ethanol versus the same mutants grown on glucose support the view that glucose induces some of the glycolytic enzymes, especially pyruvate decarboxylase.     

Hydroxyl-ion-induced subunit dissociation of east cytoplasmic pyruvate decarboxylase. A circular dichroism study

Cytoplasmic pyruvate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.1, from Saccharomyces carlsbergensis) exhibits in its circular dichroic spectrum in the 250--320-nm range a multiple two-signal band. This couplet disappears on increasing the pH up to pH 8.5. Two classes of two protons each can be quantified by these spectral changes. The first class dissociates rapidly and the apparent pK is 7.84. The thermodynamic data are delta G = 87.7 kJ mol-1, delta H = + 56.0 kJ mol-1, delta S = - 108 J mol-1 K-1, very characteristic for the deprotonation of an amino-acid side chain. The second class of the protons has the following thermodynamic data: delta G = 88.3 kJ mol-1, delta H = - 64.3 kJ mol-1, delta S = - 520 J mol-1 K-1 which, in conjunction with kinetic reasoning and in view of enzyme stoichiometry and symmetry, suggests a conformational equilibrium exposing the second two protons. Th enzyme dissociates into two dimeric subunits. This dissociation step is considered to be rate-determining for the overall process. The data are kp = 1.4 . 10(-3), delta H not equal to = + 128.3 kJ mol-1, delta S not equal = + 136 J mol-1 K-1. If there is a conformational equilibrium, the rate constant of product formation kp will be modified by a factor beta = kc/(1 + Kc) (0 < beta less than or equal to 1) where Kc is the conformational equilibrium constant. The subunit dissociation appears to be controlled by the enthalpy of activation indicating that a number of interactions, i.e. ionic, hydrogen and hydrophobic bridges, are to be broken. Optimal conditions for the preparation of the apo-enzyme are derived from the data.     

Cellular distribution of yeast pyruvate decarboxylase,and its induction by glucose

Summary The cellular distribution of pyruvate decarboxylase and acetyl-CoA kinase in C. pulcherrima grown on glucose has been investigated. By using a mild procedure for the separation of the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial fractions, it could be demonstrated that both enzymes are almost exclusively localized in the cytoplasm.The levels of pyruvate decarboxylase in Candida pulcherrima and Saccharomyces cheresiensis grown aerobically on different carbon sources have also been studied: it was high in cells from glucose, glucose plus acetate, or glucose plus pyruvate, and low in cells from acetate or pyruvate. By contrast, the content of acetyl-CoA kinase was always relatively constant. Evidence is also presented for the induction of pyruvate decarboxylase by glucose.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Zellverteilung von Pyruvatdecarboxylase und Acetat-CoA-Kinase in mit Glucose gewachsenem Candida pulcherrima untersucht. Bei der Erhaltung der subcellularen Fraktionen, d. h. Cytoplasma und Mitochondrien, ist eine milde Methode angewandt worden. Es konnte gezeigt werden, daß Pyruvatdecarboxylase und Acetat-CoA-Kinase fast ausschließlich in der cytoplasmatischen Fraktion vorkommen.Die Menge dieser Enzyme in mit verschiedenen Kohlenstoffquellen aerob gewachsenen Candida pulcherrima und Saccharomyces cheresiensis wurde ebenfalls untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen zeigen einen hohen Pyruvat-decarboxylaseinhalt in Hefezellen aus Glucose, Glucose plus Acetat oder Glucose plus Pyruvat, im Gegensatz zu jenen aus Acetat oder Pyruvat, deren Inhalt in diesem Enzyme niedrig war. Die Werte für Acetat-CoA-Kinase zeigen aber keine deutlichen Änderungen. Außerdem wurde die Induktion von Pyruvatdecarboxylase durch Glucose nach-gewiesen.