In-silico and in-vitro investigation on the phenylalanine metabolites’ interactions with hexokinase of Rat’s brain mitochondria

Hexokinase (HK) is the first enzyme of glycolysis pathway. In brain, most dominant form of HK, HK-I, binds reversibly to the outer mitochondria membrane. Those metabolites that affect binding or releasing of the enzyme from the mitochondria have regulatory effect on glucose consumption of the cell. In this study destructive effect of phenylalanine and its metabolites in relation to glucose metabolism in brain have been studied. The results show that phenylpyruvic acid decreases the activity of enzyme in the presence and absence of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) and increases the release of the enzyme from mitochondria, whereas phenylalanine and phenyllactic acid have no such effects. Obtained Interactions and elicited binding energies of docking and MD simulations also showed more affinity for phenylpyruvic acid compared with the other potent inhibitors for hexokinase after the natural product of G6P. It is possible that phenylpyruvic acid is the cause of the reduction of glucose consumption by decreasing hexokinase activity and the higher inhibitory function. Therefore, production of ATP declines in brain cells.     

Role of Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase Activities on Oxidative Stress in the Brain of a Phenylketonuria Animal Model and the Effect of Lipoic Acid

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase which leads to accumulation of phenylalanine and its metabolites in tissues of patients with severe neurological involvement. Recently, many studies in animal models or patients have reported the role of oxidative stress in PKU. In the present work we studied the effect of lipoic acid against oxidative stress in rat brain provoked by an animal model of hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA), induced by repetitive injections of phenylalanine and α-methylphenylalanine (a phenylalanine hydroxylase inhibitor) for 7 days, on some oxidative stress parameters. Lipoic acid prevented alterations on catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the oxidative damage of lipids, proteins, and DNA observed in HPA rats. In addition, lipoic acid diminished reactive species generation compared to HPA group which was positively correlated to SOD/CAT ratio. We also observed that in vitro Phe inhibited CAT activity while phenyllactic and phenylacetic acids stimulated superoxide dismutase activity. These results demonstrate the efficacy of lipoic acid to prevent oxidative stress induced by HPA model in rats. The possible benefits of lipoic acid administration to PKU patients should be considered.     

Gas chromatographic determination of aromatic acid metabolites of phenylalanine in brain

A method for the determination of the aromatic acid metabolites of phenylalanine in brain by gas-liquid chromatography is described. Procedures were developed for the extraction and purification of the metabolites, the preparation of their trimethylsilyl derivatives, the separation and identification of these derivatives by gas-liquid chromatography, and the quantification of the metabolites by employing the internal reference standards phenylvaleric and o-hydroxyphenylacetic acids with the detector molar response factors. The metabolites in the hyperphenylalaninemic brain were identified as the trimethylsilyl ester of phenylacetic, ester-ethers of mandelic and phenyllactic, and the ester-enol ether of the oxime of phenylpyruvic acid.     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and NADPH/NADP+ ratio in liver and pancreas are dependent on the severity of hyperglycemia in rat

Hyperglycemia is associated with metabolic disturbances affecting cell redox potential, particularly the NADPH/NADP+ ratio and reduced glutathione levels. Under oxidative stress, the NADPH supply for reduced glutathione regeneration is dependent on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. We assessed the effect of different hyperglycemic conditions on enzymatic activities involved in glutathione regeneration (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase), NADP(H) and reduced glutathione concentrations in order to analyze the relative role of these enzymes in the control of glutathione restoration. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with mild, moderate and severe hyperglycemia were obtained using different regimens of streptozotocin and nicotinamide. Fifteen days after treatment, rats were killed and enzymatic activities, NADP(H) and reduced glutathione were measured in liver and pancreas. Severe hyperglycemia was associated with decreased body weight, plasma insulin, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, NADPH/NADP+ ratio and glutathione levels in the liver and pancreas, and enhanced NADP+ and glutathione reductase activity in the liver. Moderate hyperglycemia caused similar changes, although body weight and liver NADP+ concentration were not affected and pancreatic glutathione reductase activity decreased. Mild hyperglycemia was associated with a reduction in pancreatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, NADPH/NADP+ ratio and glutathione level, vary inversely in relation to blood glucose concentrations, whereas liver glutathione reductase was enhanced during severe hyperglycemia. We conclude that glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NADPH/NADP+ were highly sensitive to low levels of hyperglycemia. NADPH/NADP+ is regulated by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the liver and pancreas, whereas levels of reduced glutathione are mainly dependent on the NADPH supply.     

Regulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in spinach chloroplasts by ribulose 1,5-diphosphate and NADPH/NADP+ ratios.

The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) FROM SPINACH CHLOROPLASTS IS STRONGLY REGULATED BY THE RATIO OF NADPH/NADP+, with the extent of this regulation controlled by the concentration of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate. Other metabolites of the reductive pentose phosphate cycle are far less effective in mediating the regulation of the enzyme activity by NADPH/NADP+ ratio. With a ratio of NADPH/NADP+ of 2, and a concentration of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate of 0.6 mM, the activity of the enzyme is completely inhibited. This level of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate is well within the concentration range which has been reported for unicellular green algae photosynthesizing in vivo. Ratios of NADPH/NADP+ of 2.0 have been measured for isolated spinach chloroplasts in the light and under physiological conditions. Since ribulose 1,5-diphosphate is a metabolite unique to the reductive pentose phosphate cycle and inhibits glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the presence of NADPH/NADP+ ratios found in chloroplasts in the light, it is proposed that regulation of the oxidative pentose phosphate cycle is accomplished in vivo by the levels of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate, NADPH, and NADP+. It already has been shown that several key reactions of the reductive pentose phosphate cycle in chloroplasts are regulated by levels of NADPH/NADP+ or other electron-carrying cofactors, and at least one key-regulated step, the carboxylation reaction is strongly affected by 6-phosphogluconate, the metabolic unique to the oxidative pentose phosphate cycle. Thus there is an interesting inverse regulation system in chloroplasts, in which reduced/oxidized coenzymes provide a general regulatory mechanism. The reductive cycle is activated at high NADPH/NADP+ ratios where the oxidative cycle is inhibited, and ribulose 1,5-diphosphate and 6-phosphogluconate provide further control of the cycles, each regulating the cycle in which it is not a metabolite.     

Metabolism of Phenylalanine in Aspergillus sojae

It was found that a new compound of phenylalanine metabolites (2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropenoic acid) and phenylacetic acid were formed in the cultured Czapek medium containing phenylalanine by Aspergillus sojae. 2-Hydroxy-3-phenylpropenoic acid (HPPA) was formed from phenylalanine (d- and l-form) via phenyllactic acid (d- and l-form), and degraded to benzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, and catechol in this order.

On the other hand, phenylacetic acid was formed from phenylpyruvic acid, and converted to homogentisic acid via o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. From these results, a metabolic pathway of phenylalanine in Asp. sojae was proposed.     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from a tetracycline producing strain of Streptomyces aureofaciens: some properties and regulatory aspects of the enzyme

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from Streptomyces aureofaciens exhibited activity with both NAD and NADP, the maximum reaction rate being 1.6 times higher for NAD-linked activity than for the NADP-linked one. The KM values for NAD-linked activity were 2.5 mM for glucose-6-phosphate and 0.27 mM for NAD, and for NADP-linked activity 0.8 mM for glucose-6-phosphate and 0.08 mM for NADP. NAD- and NADP-linked activities were inhibited by both NADH and NADPH. (2'-phospho-)adenosinediphospho-ribose inhibited only NAD-linked activity. The inhibition was competitive with respect to NAD and noncompetitive with respect to glucose-6-phosphate.     

Phenylacetic acid production by Bacteroides gingivalis from phenylalanine and phenylalanine-containing peptides

Phenylacetic acid production and growth of Bacteroides gingivalis were directly proportional to the trypticase content of the medium. L-Phenylalanine enhanced phenylacetic acid production; 5 mg L-phenylalanine per millilitre stimulated maximum production of phenylacetic acid. Peptides (2-4 amino acids) containing L-phenylalanine also stimulated phenylacetic acid production as did phenylpyruvic acid. Resting cell suspensions of B. gingivalis also produced phenylacetic acid when incubated aerobically in the presence of L-phenylalanine and phenylpyruvic acid. Hydrocinnamic acid (3-phenylpropionic acid) and phenyllactic acid were also produced by resting cell suspensions. Our results suggest that L-phenylalanine and phenylpyruvic acid are both precursors to phenylacetic acid.     

Histochemical demonstration of enzymes in rat liver during post-natal development

Summary Male and female rat liver were studied during post-natal development. A correlation was found between biochemically determined hydroxylations and enzymhisto-chemically determined NADPH-nitro-BT reductase and Naphthol-AS-D esterase. No correlation was found between glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase or iso-citric acid dehydrogenase activity and hydroxylations. The difference in hydroxylating capacity between male and female rats may be caused by the fact that the number of cells with hydroxylating activity in the liver lobule, as judged by the NADPH-nitro-BT reductase and Naphthol-AS-D esterase activity, is higher in male than in female rats.List of Abbreviations NADH reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide - NADPH reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate - G6PD glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase - ICD iso-citric acid dehydrogenase - G6Pase glucose-6-phosphatase - NADPH -nitro-BT red - NADPH Nitro-blue tetrazolium reductase - SDH succinic acid dehydrogenase - TCA trichloracetic acid     

Regulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in spinach chloroplasts by ribulose 1,5-diphosphate and NADPH/NADP+ ratios

The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) from spinach chloroplasts is strongly regulated by the ratio of NADPH/NADP⁺, with the extent of this regulation controlled by the concentration of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate. Other metabolites of the reductive pentose phosphate cycle are far less effective in mediating the regulation of the enzyme activity by NADPH/NADP⁺ ratio. With a ratio of NADPH/NADP⁺ of 2, and a concentration of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate of 0.6 mM, the activity of the enzyme is completely inhibited.This level of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate is well within the concentration range which has been reported for unicellular green algae photosynthesizing in vivo. Ratios of NADPH/NADP⁺ of 2.0 have been measured for isolated spinach chloroplasts in the light and under physiological conditions.Since ribulose 1,5-diphosphate is a metabolite unique to the reductive pentose phosphate cycle and inhibits glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the presence of NADPH/NADP⁺ ratios found in chloroplasts in the light, it is proposed that regulation of the oxidative pentose phosphate cycle is accomplished in vivo by the levels of ribulose 1,5-diphosphate, NADPH, and NADP⁺.It already has been shown that several key reactions of the reductive pentose phosphate cycle in chloroplasts are regulated by levels of NADPH/NADP⁺ or other electron-carrying cofactors, and at least one key-regulated step, the carboxylation reaction is strongly affected by 6-phosphogluconate, the metabolite unique to the oxidative pentose phosphate cycle. Thus there is an interesting inverse regulation system in chloroplasts, in which reduced/oxidized coenzymes provide a general regulatory mechanism. The reductive cycle is activated at high NADPH/NADP⁺ ratios where the oxidative cycle is inhibited, and ribulose 1,5-diphosphate and 6-phosphogluconate provide further control of the cycles, each regulating the cycle in which it is not a metabolite.     

NADP+ and NADPH in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient erythrocytes under oxidative stimulation.

A mild oxidative stimulation of the hexose monophosphate pathway of human glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49)-deficient erythrocytes (Mediterranean variant) causes a significant drop in NADPH. These results, other than to confirm that glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is a product deficiency disorder, demonstrate that under oxidative stimulation glutathione reductase may become functionally impaired and GSSG cannot be reduced at a sufficient rate.     

NADP and NADPH in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient erythrocytes under oxidative stimulation

A mild oxidative stimulation of the hexose monophosphate pathway of human glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49)-deficient erythrocytes (Mediterranean variant) causes a significant drop in NADPH.

These results, other than to confirm that glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is a product deficiency disorder, demonstrate that under oxidative stimulation glutathione reductase may become functionally impaired and GSSG cannot be reduced at a sufficient rate.     

Kinetic properties of human placental glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

The kinetic properties of placental glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were studied, since this enzyme is expected to be an important component of the placental protection system. In this capacity it is also very important for the health of the fetus. The placental enzyme obeyed "Rapid Equilibrium Ordered Bi Bi" sequential kinetics with K(m) values of 40+/-8 microM for glucose-6-phosphate and 20+/-10 microM for NADP. Glucose-6-phosphate, 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate and galactose-6-phosphate were used with catalytic efficiencies (k(cat)/K(m)) of 7.4 x 10(6), 4.89 x 10(4) and 1.57 x 10(4) M(-1).s(-1), respectively. The K(m)app values for galactose-6-phosphate and for 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate were 10+/-2 and 0.87+/-0.06 mM. With galactose-6-phosphate as substrate, the same K(m) value for NADP as glucose-6-phosphate was obtained and it was independent of galactose-6-phosphate concentration. On the other hand, when 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate used as substrate, the K(m) for NADP decreased from 30+/-6 to 10+/-2 microM as the substrate concentration was increased from 0.3 to 1.5 mM. Deamino-NADP, but not NAD, was a coenzyme for placental glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The catalytic efficiencies of NADP and deamino-NADP (glucose-6-phosphate as substrate) were 1.48 x 10(7) and 4.80 x 10(6) M(-1)s(-1), respectively. With both coenzymes, a hyperbolic saturation and an inhibition above 300 microM coenzyme concentration, was observed. Human placental glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was inhibited competitively by 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (K(i)=15+/-3 mM) and NADPH (K(i)=17.1+/-3.2 microM). The small dissociation constant for the G6PD:NADPH complex pointed to tight enzyme:NADPH binding and the important role of NADPH in the regulation of the pentose phosphate pathway.     

Dehydrogenases of the pentose phosphate pathway in rat liver peroxisomes

Subcellular distribution of pentose-phosphate cycle enzymes in rat liver was investigated, using differential and isopycnic centrifugation. The activities of the NADP+-dependent dehydrogenases of the pentose-phosphate pathway (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase) were detected in the purified peroxisomal fraction as well as in the cytosol. Both dehydrogenases were localized in the peroxisomal matrix. Chronic administration of the hypolipidemic drug clofibrate (ethyl-alpha-p-chlorophenoxyisobutyrate) caused a 1.5-2.5-fold increase in the amount of glucose-6-phosphate and phosphogluconate dehydrogenases in the purified peroxisomes. Clofibrate decreased the phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, but did not alter glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the cytosolic fraction. The results obtained indicate that the enzymes of the non-oxidative segment of the pentose cycle (transketolase, transaldolase, triosephosphate isomerase and glucose-phosphate isomerase) are present only in a soluble form in the cytosol, but not in the peroxisomes or other particles, and that ionogenic interaction of the enzymes with the mitochondrial and other membranes takes place during homogenization of the tissue in 0.25 M sucrose. Similar to catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase are present in the intact peroxisomes in a latent form. The enzymes have Km values for their substrates in the millimolar range (0.2 mM for glucose-6-phosphate and 0.10-0.12 mM for 6-phosphogluconate). NADP+, but not NAD+, serves as a coenzyme for both enzymes. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was inhibited by palmitoyl-CoA, and to a lesser extent by NADPH. Peroxisomal glucose-6-phosphate and phosphogluconate dehydrogenases have molecular mass of 280 kDa and 96 kDa, respectively. The putative functional role of pentose-phosphate cycle dehydrogenases in rat liver peroxisomes is discussed.     

Interactions between magnesium ions,pH, glucose-6-phosphate,and NADPH/NADP+ ratios in the modulation of chloroplast glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in vitro

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) from spinach chloroplasts is strongly affected by interactions between Mg²⁺, proton, and substrate concentrations. Mg²⁺ activates the enzyme to different degrees; however, it is not essential for enzyme activity. The Mg²⁺-dependent activation follows a maximum curve, magnitude and position of the maximum being dependent on pH and NADPH/NADP⁺ ratios. At a ratio of zero and pH 7.2, maximum activity is observed at 10 mM Mg²⁺. Increasing the NADPH/NADP⁺ ratio up to 1.7 (a ratio measured in the stroma during a light period), maximum activity is shifted to much lower Mg²⁺ concentrations. At pH 8.2 (corresponding to the pH of the stroma in the light) and at a high NADPH/NADP⁺ ratio, enzyme activity is not affected by the Mg²⁺ ion. The results are discussed in relation to dark-light-dark regulation of the oxidative pentose phosphate cycle in spinach chloroplasts.Abbreviations DTT dithiothreitol - G-6-P glucose-6-phosphate - G-6-PDH glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) - PPC pentose phosphate cycle     

Fatty acid synthesis and the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway in developing embryos of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)

The potential role of the plastidial oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP) in providing the NADPH for fatty acid synthesis in plastids from developing embryos of Brassica napus (L.) has been investigated. Measurements of distributions of enzyme activities in fractions obtained from homogenates of isolated embryos have revealed that the glucose 6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases are present in both cytosol and plastid, as is ribose 5-phosphate isomerase. However, transketolase and transaldolase are most probably confined to the plastid, while ribulose 5-phosphate epimerase is essentially cytosolic, although a very small proportion of plastid-localized activity cannot be ruled out. The activity of the OPPP in intact plastids was measured by the release of (14)CO(2) from [1-(14)C]glucose 6-phosphate. Activity was detectable in the absence of electron sinks created by the addition of metabolites to the incubation media and was stimulated 1.3-, 3.2-, and 7.9-fold by the respective additions of glutamine plus 2-oxoglutarate, cofactors and substrates for fatty acid synthesis, or methyl viologen. An increase in OPPP activity in response to additions that are absolutely required for fatty acid synthesis in these isolated plastids provides direct evidence that these two processes are connected, most probably by NADP/NADPH metabolism. The OPPP activity with methyl viologen was more than twice that during fatty acid synthesis, suggesting that the latter is not limited by OPPP capacity. Light energy may also contribute to reductant provision and, consistent with the possibility of maintenance of a balance of NADPH from light and the OPPP, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the isolated plastids was decreased by light or by DTT.     

Free radical inactivation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in vitro

Partial purification and in vitro inactivation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the Fe2+/H2O2 oxidation system were conducted. At the protein concentration 1.5 mg/ml, the enzyme lost 50% of activity within 5 minutes of incubation in presence of 2 mM hydrogen peroxide and 3 mM ferrous sulphate. The inactivation extent depended on time and concentrations of FeSO4 and H2O2. EDTA, ADP and ATP at concentration 0.5 mM enhanced inactivation. At the same time, the presence of 0.5 mM NADPH, 1 mM glucose-6-phosphate, 10 mM mannitol, 30 mM dimethylsulphoxide or 20 mM urea diminished this process. In comparison with native enzyme, index S(0,5) of the partially inactivated enzyme for glucose-6-phosphate was 2.1-fold higher, but for NADP it was 1,6-fold lower. Maximal activity of the partially inactivated enzyme was 3-5-fold lower than that of native one.     

Catalytic properties of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from pea leaves.

A homogeneous preparation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH, EC 1.1.1.49) with a specific activity of 3.88 U/mg protein was isolated from pea (Pisum sativum L.) leaves. The molecular mass of the G6PDH is 79 +/- 2 kD. According to SDS-PAGE, the molecular mass of the enzyme subunit is 40 +/- 3 kD. The Km values for glucose-6-phosphate and NADP are 2 and 0.5 mM, respectively. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 8.0. Mg2+, Mn2+, and Ca2+ activate the enzyme at concentrations above 1 mM. Galactose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate inhibit the G6PDH from pea leaves. Fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate and galactose-1-phosphate are enzyme activators. NADPH is a competitive inhibitor of the G6PDH with respect to glucose-6-phosphate (Ki = 0.027 mM). ATP, ADP, AMP, UTP, NAD, and NADH have no effect on the activity of the enzyme.     

Maintenance of luminal NADPH in the endoplasmic reticulum promotes the survival of human neutrophil granulocytes

The present study demonstrates the expression of hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in human neutrophils, and the presence and activity of these enzymes in the microsomal fraction of the cells. Their concerted action together with the previously described glucose-6-phosphate transporter is responsible for cortisone-cortisol interconversion detected in human neutrophils. Furthermore, the results suggest that luminal NADPH generation by the cortisol dehydrogenase activity of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 prevents neutrophil apoptosis provoked by the inhibition of the glucose-6-phosphate transporter. In conclusion, the maintenance of the luminal NADPH pool is an important antiapoptotic factor in neutrophil granulocytes.     

Changes in brown-adipose-tissue mitochondrial processes in streptozotocin-diabetes.

Yeast glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was inhibited by low NADPH concentrations in cell-free extracts, and de-inhibited by GSSG; extensive dialysis of the crude extract did not diminish the GSSG effect. Immunoprecipitation of glutathione reductase abolished the de-inhibition of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase by GSSG. Purified glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was inhibited by NADPH but not de-inhibited by GSSG, and upon addition of pure glutathione reductase GSSG completely de-inhibited the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.