Studies on the vitamin B12 auxotrophy of Rhodocyclus purpureus and two other vitamin B12-requiring purple nonsulfur bacteria

The vitamin B₁₂ requirement of Rhodocyclus purpureus 6770, Rhodospirillum tenue 1/67, and Rhodopseudomonas palustris G 53/2 was determined. A wide variety of biogenetic precursors of the vitamin including cobinamide, cobyric acid, cobinic acid and several partially amidated cobyrinic acids showed growth-promoting activity in all three strains. In R. purpureus vitamin B₁₂ could even be substituted by cobyrinic acid which is the first cobalt-containing precursor of vitamin B₁₂ so far established. Neither methionine, deoxynucleosides, dimethylbenzimidazole nor increased amounts of cobalt could replace vitamin B₁₂ as growth factor.Cupribalamin, which is a strong antimetabolite of vitamin B₁₂ in Escherichia coli 113-3 and Lactobacillus leichmannii ATCC 7830, exhibited only a weak antagonistic effect on growth of R. purpureus and R. tenue. Growth of R. palustris was not inhibited by cupribalamin. The cells of all three strains were shown to contain metal-free corrinoids in addition to cobalt-containing corrinoids. The principal products were identified as 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin and hydrogenobalamin, the metal free analogue of vitamin B₁₂. The latter does not originate from the vitamin by removal of cobalt but is de novo biosynthesized as could be demonstrated in the case of R. purpureus by a labelling experiment with [¹³C] methyl-l-methionine.     

Application of vitamin B(12)-targeting site on Lactobacillus helveticus B-1 to vitamin B(12) assay by chemiluminescence method

Lactobacillus helveticus B-1 is assumed to have a vitamin B(12)-targeting (or B(12)-binding) site on the cells, since the binding reaction of vitamin B(12) with L. helveticus B-1 cells proceeded instantly and quantitatively. This reaction is specific to complete B(12) compounds, cobalamins, and can be used for a vitamin B(12) assay method by chemiluminescence. The calibration graph was linear from 0.1 to 10.0 ng/mL. The B(12) contents in oyster and sardine were 75.9 and 39.4 microg/100g, respectively. These values were very close to those obtained using a chemilumi-ADVIA Centaur immunoassay system with intrinsic factor and to those obtained by microbiological assays.     

The binding properties of the human receptor for the cellular uptake of vitamin B12

Cellular uptake of vitamin B(12) (cobalamin, Cbl) is mediated by a receptor expressed on the plasma membrane that binds transcobalamin (TC) saturated with Cbl and internalizes the TC-Cbl by endocytosis. A few reports have described the characterization of the receptor protein. However, many discrepancies have emerged in the functional and structural properties of the receptor and therefore, the identity and primary structure of this protein remains unconfirmed. In this report, we provide evidence of a 58 kDa monomeric protein as the likely receptor for the uptake of TC-Cbl and that the functional activity is not associated with a 72/144 kDa monomer/dimer with immunoglobulin Fc structural domain that has been purported to be the receptor in a number of publications.     

Sequential protein-dependent steps in the cell cycle initiation and completion of division in vitamin B12 replenishedEuglena gracilis

Summary InEuglena gracilis Z, vitamin B₁₂ deficiency arrests cell divisions in S/G 2 phase. After the addition of vitamin B₁₂ to blocked cells, nuclear and cellular divisions begin to be induced between the 3rd and the 4th and between the 4th and the 5th hour respectively; the cell population is doubled after the 11th hour.Addition of cycloheximide either with vitamin B₁₂ or 2 to 6 hours later inhibits the resumption of divisions and blocks cell development in different stages between G 2, karyokinesis and cytokinesis. These results suggest that as a prerequisite protein-dependent steps are required at precise times during the reversibility of blocked cell divisions: at least sequential syntheses of protein concern a) formation of the mitotic spindle and replication of the pellicle; b) completion of the nuclear division; c) progression of the cleavage furrow.     

An effective and simplified pH-stat control strategy for the industrial fermentation of vitamin B12 by Pseudomonas denitrificans

In order to improve the productivity of vitamin B(12) by Pseudomonas denitrificans carried out in a 120-m(3) fermenter, the effect of pH on vitamin B(12) biosynthesis was investigated. Results obtained from shake flask experiments showed that the feeding of carbon source (beet molasses or glucose) and methyl-group donor (betaine or choline chloride) significantly influenced the pH and the biosynthesis of vitamin B(12). In contrast to beet molasses or choline chloride, using glucose as a feed medium and betaine as a methyl-group donor, pH could be maintained at a stable range. As a result, higher vitamin B(12) production was achieved. Accordingly, an effective and simplified pH-stat control strategy was established for the fermentation of vitamin B(12) in a 120-m(3) industrial fermenter. When the new pH control strategy was applied, pH was stably kept in the range of 7.15-7.30 during fermentation. Thus, 214.3 mug/mL of vitamin B(12) was achieved.     

Development and application of an α-face-specific radioimmunoassay for vitamin B12

The first development of an α-face-specific radioimmunoassay for vitamin B₁₂ is described. Sheep, fed a cobalt-deficient diet, and immunized with a conjugate between Co-β carboxypropyl cobalamin and keyhole limpet hemocyanin, were used to produce antisera. The antisera crossreacted with Co-β derivatives of vitamin B₁₂, but did not crossreact with the α-face vitamin B₁₂ analog cobinamide. The antisera were used to develop a sensitive and reproducible radioimmunoassay that was free from contamination with the nonspecific vitamin B₁₂ binding protein, R-protein. Both the radioimmunoassay and measurements of plasma concentrations of methylmalonic acid were applied to the diagnosis of cobalt/vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in sheep. The assay correlated well with a commercially available radioassay and did not falsely detect normal vitamin B₁₂ concentration in plasma samples containing elevated concentrations of methylmalonic acid.     

Biosynthesis of vitamin B12

Radioactivity from [1-¹⁴C]riboflavin was incorporated into the 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole moiety of Vitamin B₁₂ in the aerobes Bacillus megaterium, Nocardia rugosa and Streptomyces sp. as well as in the aerotolerant anaerobe Propionibacterium freudenreichii, but not in the anaerobe Eubacterium limosum.As recently published for E. limosum, also in the anaerobe Clostridium barkeri radioactivity from [1-¹⁴C]glycine and [2-¹⁴C]glycine was found in the 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole moiety, but not in the corrin moiety. The addition of l-[methyl-¹⁴C]methionine to C. barkeri led to the labeling of the corrin moiety and the 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole moiety, showing that the seven extra methyl groups in the corrin ring as well as the two methyl groups of the base part originate from this precursor.In Clostridium thermoaceticum, forming the vitamin B₁₂ analog 5-methoxybenzimidazolylcobamide, [1-¹⁴C]glycine and [2-¹⁴C]glycine were also incorporated into the 5-methoxybenzimidazole moiety, but not into the corrin ring.In E. limosum l-[U-¹⁴C]glutamate led to the labeling of the corrin ring of vitamin B₁₂, but not of its base moiety.There results together with data from the literature indicate that a common biosynthetic pathway might exist for the corrinoid biosynthesis in aerobic microorganisms, and in those aerotolerant anaerobes like the Propionibacteria, which form the 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole moiety of vitamin B₁₂ only under aerobic conditions. They also show that this pathway differs from the pathway found in anaerobic bacteria.     

On the biosynthesis of 5-hydroxybenzimidazolylcobamide (vitamin B12-factor III) in Methanosarcina barkeri

Exogenous 5-hydroxy-[2-¹⁴C]benzimidazole was transformed by Methanosarcina barkeri into 5-hydroxy-[2-¹⁴C]benzimidazolylcobamide. Thereby the endogenous biosynthesis of 5-hydroxybenzimidazole was completely blocked.Benzimidazole and 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole were used by M. barkeri to form benzimidazolylcobamide respectively 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazolylcobamide (vitamin B₁₂), but in these cases the endogenous biosynthesis of factor III was not completely suppressed.With [2-¹⁴C]benzimidazole it was demonstrated that this base as well as the benzimidazolylcobamide formed thereof are no precursors in the biosynthesis of 5-hydroxybenzimidazolylcobamide.Glycine instead was found to be a building block for the biosynthesis of 5-hydroxybenzimidazole, since radioactivity from [1-¹⁴C] and [2-¹⁴C]glycine was incorporated, into the base moiety of factor III, but not into its corrin moiety. With [1-¹³C]glycine and ¹³C-NMR-spectroscopy it was shown that C-1 of glycine gets C-3a of 5-hydroxybenzimidazole.[1-¹³C]glycine also led to a single prominent signal in the ¹³C-NMR-spectrum of coenzyme F₄₂₀, this was assigned to C-10a.Thus C-1 of glycine was incorporated into the hydroxybenzene part of 5-hydroxybenzimidazole, whereas it was not incorporated into this part of coenzyme F₄₂₀, indicating that the hydroxybenzene part of these two compounds is not formed from a common intermediate. L-[U-¹⁴C]glutamate led to the exclusive labeling of the corrin ring of factor III, showing that the corrin precursor 5-aminolevulinic acid is formed by the C-5 pathway in M. barkeri.These experiments indicate that the biosynthesis of factor III in the archaebacterium M. barkeri is similar to the corrinoid biosynthesis in the anaerobic eubacteria Eubacterium limosum, Clostridium barkeri, and Clostridium thermoaceticum.     

Competitive immunoassay for analysis of vitamin B(12)

In the current work, direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for derivatized vitamin B₁₂ by generating chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) against derivatized vitamin B₁₂ and purified using affinity chromatography. Checkerboard assay was performed with vitamin B₁₂ antibody and vitamin B₁₂–alkaline phosphatase conjugate followed by its conjugate characterization using ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The limit of detection was 10 ng/ml with a linear working range of 10 to 10,000 ng/ml. The affinity constant (K_a) of the vitamin B₁₂ antibody was found to be 4.23 × 10⁸ L/mol. Cross-reactivity with other water-soluble vitamins was found to be less than 0.01% except for analogs of vitamin B₁₂ that showed 12% to 35%. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were found to be in the ranges from 0.0005% to 1.2% and 0.009% to 1.03%, respectively. The assay was validated with the HPLC method in terms of sensitivity, specificity, precision, and recovery of vitamin B₁₂ with spiked multivitamin injections, tablets, capsules, and chocolates. The HPLC method had a detection limit of 500 ng/ml with a linear working range of 1000 to 10,000 ng/ml. After extraction of vitamin B₁₂ using Amberlite XAD, the developed ELISA method correlated well with the established HPLC method with a correlation coefficient of 0.90.     

Influence of vitamin B12 and light on the formation of chlorosomes in green- and brown-colored Chlorobium species

The specific Bchl a and c content of the vitamin B₁₂-dependent Chlorobium limicola strain 1230 decreased strongly under vitamin B₁₂ limitation. In comparison to a regularly grown culture (20 g vitamin B₁₂/l) the specific Bchl c content of a B₁₂-limited culture was reduced to 20% and the specific Bchl a content to 42%. By ultrathin sections it could be clearly demonstrated that B₁₂-deficient cells contained no chlorosomes. After the addition of vitamin B₁₂ to a deficient culture, chlorosomes were formed and the Bchl a and c content increased again to the level of regularly grown cells. The brown-colored Chlorobium phaeobacteroides strain 2430 (type strain) and the extremely low-light-adapted strain MN1 were compared with respect to the influence of light on the formation of chlorosomes and the Bchl e and carotenoid content. By ultrathin sections it could be demonstrated that strain MN1 produced two-fold larger chlorosomes. Chlorosome dimensions of strain MN1 decreased with increasing light intensities. The number of chlorosomes per cell in both strains did not change with different light intensities. Strain MN1 formed twice as much Bchl e as the type strain when grown at 30 or below 1 mol · m^-2 · s^-1. Under comparable light conditions strain MN1 formed 14–57% more carotenoids than the type strain. Low light intensities aaused the carotenoid content to increase by 25% in strain 2430 in comparison to high light intensity.     

Cobalamin (vitamin B12) binding, phylogeny, and synteny of human transcobalamin

Selected residues in a highly conserved 15-residue region, 174SVDTAAMAGLAFTC L188 of human transcobalamin (TC), a cobalamin (Cbl: vitamin B12) binding protein, were subjected to site-directed mutagenesis. The mutant constructs were expressed in TC-deficient fibroblasts or in vitro to assess the effect of these mutations on Cbl binding. Phylogenetic analyses and protein parsimony indicated that TC evolved earlier than other mammalian Cbl-binding proteins, intrinsic factor and haptocorrins, and divergence occurred between mouse/rat and human dispersing TC gene to different chromosomes. These studies show that (a) two of the three polar residues, S174, T177, or D176 and two of the three conserved alanine residues, A179 and A184 present in the 15-residue evolutionary conserved region are essential for Cbl-binding by human TC, and (b) TC gene is transferred in a syntenic manner to different chromosomes, at least before the divergence of mouse/rat and human.     

Vitamin B12 transport in Escherichia coli K12 does not require the btuE gene of the btuCED operon

Summary Transport of vitamin B₁₂ across the cytoplamic membrane ofEscherichia coli requires the products ofbtuC andbtuD, two genes in thebtuCED operon. The role ofbtuE, the central gene of this operon, was examined. Deletions withinbtuE were constructed by removal of internal restriction fragments and were crossed onto the chromosome by allelic replacement. In-frame deletions that removed 20% or 82% of thebtuE coding region did not affect expression of the distalbtuD gene. These nonpolar deletions had little effect on vitamin B₁₂ binding (whole cells or periplasmic fraction) and transport. They did not affect the utilization of vitamin B₁₂ or other cobalamins for methionine biosynthesis, even in strains with decreased outer membrane transport of vitamin B₁₂. ThebtuE mutations did not impair adenosyl-cobalamin dependent catabolism of ethanolamine or repression ofbtuB expression. Thus, despite its genetic location in the transport operon, thebtuE product plays no essential role in vitamin B₁₂ transport.     

C-terminal truncation of a bovine B12 trafficking chaperone enhances the sensitivity of the glutathione-regulated thermostability

The human B₁₂ trafficking chaperone hCblC is well conserved in mammals and non-mammalian eukaryotes. However, the C-terminal ∼40 amino acids of hCblC vary significantly and are predicted to be deleted by alternative splicing of the encoding gene. In this study, we examined the thermostability of the bovine CblC truncated at the C-terminal variable region (t-bCblC) and its regulation by glutathione. t-bCblC is highly thermolabile (T_m = ∼42℃) similar to the full-length protein (f-bCblC). However, t-bCblC is stabilized to a greater extent than f-bCblC by binding of reduced glutathione (GSH) with increased sensitivity to GSH. In addition, binding of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) destabilizes t-bCblC to a greater extent and with increased sensitivity as compared to f-bCblC. These results indicate that t-bCblC is a more sensitive form to be regulated by glutathione than the full-length form of the protein. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(3): 169-174]     

Microbiological activities of nucleotide loop-modified analogues of vitamin B12

Novel vitamin B₁₂ analogues in which the D-ribose moiety of the nucleotide loop was replaced by an oligomethylene group and a trimethylene analogue containing imidazole instead of 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole as well as cobinamide methyl phosphate were tested for biological activities with Escherichia coli 215, a B₁₂- or methionine-auxotroph, and Lactobacillus leichmannii ATCC 7830 as test organisms. A cyano form of 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazolyl tetramethylene, trimethylene and hexamethylene analogues supported the growth of L. leichmannii in this order. 5.6-Dimethylbenzimidazolyl dimethylene and imidazolyl trimethylene analogues did not show B₁₂ activity and behaved as weak B₁₂ antagonists when added together with cyanocobalamin. An adenosyl form of the biologically active analogues served as coenzymes for ribonucleotide reductase of this bacterium, whereas that of the inactive analogues did not. The latter acted as weak competitive inhibitors against adenosylcobalamin. ON the contrary, all the analogues did not support the growth of E. coli 215 at all by themselves and inhibited the growth when added with a suboptimum level of cyanocobalamin. A methyl form of the analogues also did not support the growth of E. coli 215, although they served as active coenzymes for methionine synthase of the bacterium. Since unlabeled analogues strongly inhibited the uptake of [³H]cyanocobalamin by this bacterium, it seems likely that the analogues exert their anti-B₁₂ activity toward E. coli 215 by blocking the B₁₂-transport systemAbbreviations AdoCbl adenosylcobalamin - MeCbl methylcobalamin - CN-Cbl cyanocobalamin or vitamin B₁₂ - Cbl cobalamin - (CN, aq)Cbi cyanoaquacobinamide - MeCbi methylcobinamide - Cbi cobinamide - (CN, aq)Cbi-PMe cyanoaquacobinamide methyl phosphate - Cbi-PMe cobinamide methyl phosphate - DBI 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole - DBIyl 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazolyl - FMNH₂ fully reduced form of riboflavin 5-phosphate     

Production of vitamin B12 in an upflow anaerobic filter continuous reactor using Acetobacterium sp.

The accumulation of biofilm by Acetobacterium sp. during continuous culture in an upflow anaerobic filter (UAF) growing on methanol-formate was the result of space velocity and inlet concentrations of substrate and Co⁺². To achieve good development of biofilm, a space velocity of 0.38 h^–1, inlet substrate concentrations of 125 mM of both methanol and formate, and Co⁺² at 0.16 mM were required. Cell productivities in the effluent of the UAF-reactor were about 6-fold higher than in chemostat cultures (0.20 g l^–1 h^–1 for UAF and 0.035 g l^–1 h^–1 for chemostat) (previous studies), and the maximum vitamin B₁₂ specific concentration was 5.1 mg g cell^–1.     

Effects of nutrition on zinc, folic acid, and vitamin B12 levels during pregnancy

In this article, we report the results of a case control study carried out on 290 Turkish pregnant women at 5–24 wk of gestation to determine their zinc, folic acid, and vitamin B₁₂ levels in relation to their nutritional and socioconomic status. The women were divided into two groups (n=145 each), depending on the stage of gestation. Group I consisted of women in the first trimester of gestation; those in the second trimester were allocated into group II. Twenty-five age-matched, healthy nonpregnant women were selected as controls. The nutritional status of the subjects was determined by means of a survey. Based on this, the women were subdivided into three subgroups: malnourished (PN), moderately nourished (MN), and well nourished (WN). Also from the survey, the socioeconomic status was classified as good (G) or bad (B). A statistically significant decrease on zinc and folic acid was observed in group I women, as their socioeconomic status worsened. In group II, zinc decreased only in the PN and MN subgroups, p<0.001. The folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ levels did not change significantly during the second trimester of gestation in all subgroups. Regarding zinc, nutrition, or dietary habits are more relevant than socioeconomic status, but poor nutrition affects folic acid levels only during the first trimester of gestation.     

Effects of maternal vitamin B12 deficiency from end of gestation to weaning on the growth and haematological and immunological parameters in mouse dams and offspring

Vitamin B₁₂-deficiency may induce specific symptoms as neurological alterations and unspecific symptoms such as anaemia and growth retardation. In this study, maternal vitamin B₁₂ deficiency from end of gestation to weaning was evaluated in mouse dams, which was provoked by feeding a vitamin B₁₂-deficient diet. The animals were divided into two groups (control and deficient). The control group received the vitamin B₁₂-deficient diet supplemented with commercial vitamin B₁₂. Compared to the control, the vitamin B₁₂-deficient dams and their offspring showed a significant decrease of body weight (by 20 and 39%, respectively), serum vitamin B₁₂ concentration (by 61 and 67%, respectively), haematological values as haematocrit (25 and 26%, respectively), and IgA producer cells (by 36 and 54%, respectively). In both, vitamin B₁₂-deficient mouse dams and their offspring, histological alterations of small intestine were observed, whereas growth retardation occurred in the offspring only. This experimental murine model allows assessing the incidence of maternal cobalamin deficiency in offspring and would be useful for evaluating novel adjuncts such as functional foods to prevent vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.     

One carbon metabolism in methanogenic bacteria

Two strains of Methanosarcina (M. Barkeri strain MS, isolated from sewage sludge, and strain UBS, isolated from lake sediments) were found to have similar cellular properties and to have DNA base compositions of 44 mol percent guanosine plus cytosine. Strain MS was selected for further studies of its one-carbon metabolism. M. barkeri grew autotrophically via H₂ oxidation/CO₂ reduction. The optimum temperature for growth and methanogenesis was 37°C. H₂ oxidation proceeded via an F₄₂₀-dependent NADP⁺-linked hydrogenase. A maximum specific activity of hydrogenase in cell-free extracts, using methyl viologen as electron acceptor, was 6.0 mol min · mg protein at 37°C and the optimum pH (9.0). M. barkeri also fermented methanol andmethylamine as sole energy sources for growth. Cell yields during growth on H₂/CO₂ and on methanol were 6.4 and 7.2 mg cell dry weight per mmol CH₄ formed, respectively. During mixotrophic growth on H₂/CO₂ plus methanol, most methane was derived from methanol rather than from CO₂. Similar activities of hydrogenase were observed in cell-free extracts from H₂/CO₂-grown and methanol-grown cells. Methanol oxidation apparently proceeded via carrierbound intermediates, as no methylotrophy-type of methanol dehydrogenase activity was observed in cell-free extracts. During growth on methanol/CO₂, up to 48% of the cell carbon was derived from methanol indicating that equivalent amounts of cell carbon were derived from CO₂ and from an organic intermediate more reduced than CO₂. Cell-free extracts lacked activity for key cell carbon synthesis enzymes of the Calvin cycle, serine path, or hexulose path.Abbreviations CAPS cycloaminopropane sulfonic acid - CH₃-SCoM methyl coenzyme M - DCPIP 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol - DEAE diethylaminoethyl - dimethyl POPOP 1,4-bis-2-(4-mothyl-5-phenyloxazolyl)-benzene - DNA deoxyribonucleic acid - dpm dismtegrations per min - DTT dithiothreitol - EDTA ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid - F₄₂₀ factor 420 - G+C guanosine plus cytosine - NAD⁺ nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - NADP⁺ nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate - PBBW phosphate buffered basal Weimer - PMS phenazine methosulfate - PPO 2,5-diphenyloxazole - rRNA ribosomal ribonucleic acid - RuBP ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate - Tris tris-hydroxymethyl-aminomethane - max maximum specific growth rate     

Methionine,folic acid and vitamin B12 in growing-finishing pigs: Impact on growth performance and meat quality

Growth performance, metabolic variables, and meat quality were measured in 78 growing-finishing pigs using supplements of 0 (C), or 0.2% of DL-methionine (M), and three combinations of folic acid [mg/kg] and cyanocobalamin [μg/kg], respectively 0 and 0 (V0), 10 and 25 (V1), and 10 and 150 (V2) in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Feed conversion was lower (p = 0.05) in M than in C pigs during the growing period (0–4 weeks). Both V1 and V2 treatments increased plasma vitamin B₁₂ (p < 0.01) and decreased plasma homocysteine (p < 0.01). Plasma 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolates were the lowest, highest and intermediate in V0, V1 and V2 pigs (p < 0.04), respectively. In V2 meat, folates were 32% higher, vitamin B₁₂, 55% higher and homocysteine, 28% lower than in V0 (p < 0.01). Oxidative stability of the fresh meat was similar among treatments during a storage period of 42 days. Therefore, methionine supplements improved growth performance during the growing period. Vitamin supplements interacted with the methionine cycle pathway, increased vitamin content of pork meat but did not improve oxidative stability of the fresh meat during storage.