The free amino acid tyrosine enhances the chlorinating activity of human myeloperoxidase

A key function of neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) is the synthesis of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a potent oxidizing agent that plays a cytotoxic role against invading bacteria and viruses at inflammatory sites and in phagosomes. MPO displayed a chlorinating activity preferably at acidic pH but at neutral pH MPO catalyzes mainly reactions of the peroxidase cycle. In the present work effects of tyrosine on the chlorinating activity of MPO were studied. At pH 7.4 we detected an increased HOCl production in the presence of tyrosine not only by the MPO-H₂O₂-Cl^- system but also in suspensions of zymosan-activated neutrophils. An excess of H₂O₂ is known to cause an accumulation of compound II of MPO blocking the generation of HOCl at neutral pH. As evidenced by spectral changes, tyrosine-induced activation of MPO to synthesize HOCl was due to the ability of tyrosine to reduce compound II back to the native state, thus accelerating the enzyme turnover. MPO-induced oxidation of tyrosine is relevant to what can be in vivo; we detected MPO-catalyzed formation of dityrosine in the presence of plasma under experimental conditions when tyrosine concentration was about three magnitudes of order less than the Cl⁻ concentration. At acidic pH formation of compound II was impaired in the presence of chloride and dityrosine couldn't be detected in plasma. In conclusion, the ability of tyrosine to increase the chlorinating activity of MPO at neutral pH and enhanced values of H₂O₂ may be very effective for the specific enhancement of HOCl production under acute inflammation.     

Interaction of ceruloplasmin with eosinophil peroxidase as compared to its interplay with myeloperoxidase: Reciprocal effect on enzymatic properties

Abstract

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) are involved in the development of halogenative stress during inflammation. We previously described a complex between MPO and ceruloplasmin (CP). Considering the high structural homology between MPO and EPO, we studied the latter's interaction with CP and checked whether EPO becomes inhibited in a complex with CP. Disc-electrophoresis and gel filtration showed that CP and EPO form a complex with the stoichiometry 1:1. Affinity chromatography of EPO on CP-agarose (150 mM NaCl, 10 mM Na-phosphate buffer, of pH 7.4) resulted in retention of EPO. EPO protects ceruloplasmin from limited proteolysis by plasmin. Only intact CP shifted the Soret band typical of EPO from 413 to 408 nm. The contact with CP likely causes changes in the heme pocket of EPO. Peroxidase activity of EPO with substrates such as guaiacol, orcinol, o-dianisidine, 4-chloro-1-naphtol, 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine, and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) is inhibited by CP in a dose-dependent manner. Similar to the interaction with MPO, the larger a substrate molecule, the stronger the inhibitory effect of CP upon EPO. The limited proteolysis of CP abrogates its capacity to inhibit the peroxidase activity of EPO. The peptide RPYLKVFNPR (corresponding to amino acids 883–892 in CP) inhibits the peroxidase and chlorinating activity of EPO. Only the chlorinating activity of EPO is efficiently inhibited by CP, while the capacity of EPO to oxidize bromide and thiocyanate practically does not depend on the presence of CP. EPO enhances the p-phenylenediamine-oxidase activity of CP. The structural homology between the sites in the MPO and EPO molecules enabling them to contact CP is discussed.     

Influence of ceruloplasmin and lactoferrin on the chlorination activity of leukocyte myeloperoxidase assayed by chemiluminescence

We demonstrate that addition of H₂O₂ to a mixture of myeloperoxidase (MPO), chloride and luminol immediately evokes a short intense flash of chemiluminescence (CL). This flash is diminished in the absence of MPO or chloride, and in the complete system it is suppressed by an MPO inhibitor azide, hypochlorite scavengers taurine or methionine, or an MPO peroxidase-cycle substrate guaiacol. Hence, this CL is mostly due to the MPO halogenation function; a measure of this activity is provided by the integral CL. With three independent methods (CL, taurine chlorination, and peroxidase assay) it is shown that MPO activity is suppressed by ceruloplasmin (Cp). Lactoferrin has no effect either on MPO or on the MPO-Cp complex. It is also shown that peroxidase inhibition by Cp is the stronger the larger is the MPO substrate, which suggests steric hindrances to substrate binding in the MPO-Cp complex. Importantly, the conventional chlorination and peroxidase assays detect MPO inhibition by Cp only at a large excess of the latter, whereas the CL assay reveals it at stoichiometric ratios characteristic of the naturally occurring protein complexes.     

Inhibition of Apoplastic and Symplastic Peroxidase Activity from Norway Spruce by the Photooxidant Hydroxymethyl Hydroperoxide

Young, clonal Norway spruce trees (Picea abies L.) were exposed for 2 years at high altitudes to ambient atmospheric concentrations of photooxidants containing hydroxymethyl hydroperoxide (HMHP) as an important constituent. In spruce needles from a site with higher concentrations of organic peroxides in air, the apoplastic peroxidase activities were significantly lower than in needles exposed to lower organic peroxide concentrations. Guaiacol peroxidase activities in total needle extracts were not affected. In vitro HMHP at a concentration of 35 [mu]M inhibited apoplastic and total needle guaiacol peroxidase activities by 50% at pH 5.25. At the same pH, ascorbate-specific peroxidase activity required about 100 [mu]M HMHP for 50% inhibition. At pH 7, 1.46 mM HMHP caused a 50% reduction in guaiacol peroxidase and a 13% reduction in ascorbate peroxidase activity. The present results suggest that HMHP in ambient air may affect peroxidase activity in spruce needles. Peroxidases located in the relatively acidic aqueous phase of the cell walls appear to be more susceptible to HMHP inhibition than those present in neutral or slightly alkaline symplastic compartments of cells such as the cytosol or chloroplasts.     

Human hemi-myeloperoxidase. Initial chlorinating activity at neutral pH, compound II and III formation, and stability towards hypochlorous acid and high temperature.

Human neutrophilic myeloperoxidase (MPO) is involved in the defence mechanism of the body against micro-organisms. The enzyme catalyses the generation of the strong oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl) from hydrogen peroxide and chloride ions. In normal neutrophils MPO is present in the dimeric form (140 kDa). The disulphide-linked protomers each consist of a heavy subunit and a light one. Reductive alkylation converts the dimeric enzyme into two promoters, 'hemi-myeloperoxidase'. We studied the initial activities of human dimeric MPO and hemi-MPO at the physiological pH of 7.2 and found no significant differences in chlorinating activity. These results indicate that, at least at neutral pH, the protomers of MPO function independently. The absorption spectra of MPO compounds II and III, both inactive forms concerning HOCl generation, and the rate constants of their formation were the same for dimeric MPO and hemi-MPO, but hemi-MPO required a slightly larger excess of H2O2 for complete conversion. Hemi-MPO was less stable at a high temperature (80 degrees C) as compared to the dimeric enzyme. Furthermore, the resistance of the chlorinating activity of hemi-MPO against its oxidative product hypochlorous acid was somewhat lower (IC50 = 32 microM HOCl) compared to dimeric MPO (IC50 = 50 microM HOCl). The higher stability of dimeric MPO in the presence of its oxidative product compared to that of monomeric MPO might be the reason for the occurrence of MPO as a dimer.     

Spring cabbage peroxidases--potential tool in biocatalysis and bioelectrocatalysis

Two fractions of peroxidase activity, cationic Px-cat and anionic Px-ani, were isolated and partially purified (143.5- and 5.49-fold, respectively) from homogenate of spring cabbage heads. Optimum pH for both fractions is 6.0; however, Px-cat is almost equally active at neutral pH (7.0) while Px-ani reveals high activity in more acidic pHs (with 60% of maximum activity at pH 3.0). Optimal temperature for both fractions was 40 degrees C. Px-ani possessed much higher thermal stability at 40-50 degrees C (60% of remaining activity after 144h of incubation) than Px-cat. The peroxidases remained fully active during 4 weeks of storage at 4 degrees C. Kinetic studies revealed that Px-cat and Px-ani had lower apparent Km values for ABTS (0.0377 and 0.0625mM) and o-dianisidine (0.357 and 0.286mM) than for guaiacol (6.41 and 13.89mM). The best substrate for Px-cat was pyrogallol and for Px-ani-o-dianisidine. Px-cat immobilized on polyanionic PyBA-modified carbon electrode was found to produce linear repetitive signals upon consecutive additions of hydrogen peroxide during at least 1-week period and to work effectively under buffered and non-buffered conditions. These properties were comparable with those of commercially available horseradish peroxidase. Stability of the hybrid bioelectrocatalytic film and low costs of extraction and partial purification of Px-cat make it a highly promising enzyme for practical applications, including construction of bioelectrodes.     

Neutral hydrolases of rat brain. Preliminary characterization and developmental changes of neutral beta-N-acetylhexosamindases

The bulk of rat brain neutral beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases (2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-hexoside acetamidodeoxyhexohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.52) were present in the cytosol fraction. They were not bound by concanavalin A-Sepharose while the acid beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases were all bound. The neutral beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidase had a pH optimum of 5.2 and Km of 0.57 mM, while the neutral beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidase had the highest reaction rate at lost more than 90% of the activity in 30 min at 50 degrees C. The galactosaminidase pH 6.0 with a Km of 0.12 mM. No divalent ions activated either of the enzymes. The galactosaminidase was heat-stable and lost only 10--20% of its activity after 3 h at 50 degrees C. The neutral glucosaminidase was inhibited by free N-acetylglucosamine but not by N-acetylgalactosamine. The reverse was found for the neutral beta-galactosaminidase. Two enzymes were separated almost completely by hydroxyapatite chromatography. Heat stability of the separated activity peaks suggested that the neutral beta-N-acetylgalactosaminidase, which was not bound to hydroxyapatite, may be specific to the galactosaminide substrate. The neutral beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase may, on the other hand, have some activity toward the galactosaminide substrate. Both of the neutral enzyme activities were highest during the first postnatal week in rat brain in contrast to the acidic enzyme which showed peak activities during the second and third weeks. These results confirmed and expanded earlier observations by Frohwein and Gatt in calf brain. The relationship of these enzymes to the hexosaminidase C in human tissues is less certain at the present time.     

Purification of a peroxidase from Solanum melongena fruit juice

Solanum melongena fruit juice contains peroxidase activity of the order of 0.125 IU/mL. A method for the 11-fold purification of the enzyme was developed. The Km values of the peroxidase for the substrates guaiacol and hydrogen peroxide were 6.5 mM and 0.33 mM, respectively. The pH and temperature optima were 5.5 and 84 degrees C, respectively using guaiacol as the substrate. Sodium azide and phenyl hydrazine inhibited the enzyme competitively.     

Propofol inhibits the myeloperoxidase activity by acting as substrate through a redox process

BackgroundPropofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) is frequently used as intravenous anesthetic agent, especially in its injectable form (Diprivan), to initiate and maintain sedative state during surgery or in intensive care units. Numerous studies have reported the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of propofol. The oxidant enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO), released from activated neutrophils, plays a key role in host defense. An increase of the circulating MPO concentration has been observed in patients admitted in intensive care unit and presenting a systemic inflammatory response related to septic shock or trauma.MethodsThis study investigates the immunomodulatory action of propofol and Diprivan as inhibitor of the oxidant activity of MPO. The understanding of the redox action mechanism of propofol and Diprivan on the myeloperoxidase chlorination and peroxidase activities has been refined using the combination of fluorescence and absorption spectroscopies with docking and cyclic voltammetry.ResultsPropofol acts as a reversible MPO inhibitor. The molecule interacts as a reducing substrate in the peroxidase cycle and promotes the accumulation of compound II. At acidic pH (5.5), propofol and Diprivan do not inhibit the chlorination activity, but their action increases at physiological pH (7.4). The main inhibitory action of Diprivan could be attributed to its HOCl scavenging property.General significancePropofol can act as a reversible MPO inhibitor at clinical concentrations. This property could, in addition to other previously proven anti-inflammatory actions, induce an immunomodulatory action, beneficial during clinical use, particularly in the treatment of systemic inflammation response syndrome.     

Influence of chloride on modification of unsaturated phosphatidylcholines by the myeloperoxidase/hydrogen peroxide/bromide system

The leukocyte enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of chloride and bromide ions, at physiological concentrations of these substrates, by hydrogen peroxide, generating hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypobromous acid (HOBr), respectively. Our previous results showed that the hypohalous acids formed react with double bonds in phosphatidylcholines (PCs) to produce chloro- and bromohydrins. Lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC) is additionally formed in PCs with two or more double bonds. This study was conducted to determine the effect physiological chloride concentration (140 mM) has on the formation of bromohydrins and lyso-PC from unsaturated PC upon treatment with the myeloperoxidase/hydrogen peroxide/bromide (MPO/H2O2/Br-) system using physiological bromide concentrations (20-100 microM). The composition of reaction products was analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). With monounsaturated PC, we demonstrated that the rate and extent of mono-bromohydrin formation were higher in the samples with 140 mM chloride compared to those with no added chloride. Moreover, mono-bromohydrin came to be the major product and no mono-chlorohydrin was observed already at 60 microM bromide. We attributed these effects to the involvement of HOBr arising from the reaction of MPO-derived HOCl with bromide rather than to the exchange of bromide with chlorine atoms of chlorohydrins or direct formation of HOBr by MPO. The presence of chloride shifted the pH optimum for mono-bromohydrin formation (pH 5.0) toward neutral values, and a significant yield of mono-bromohydrin was detected at physiological pH values (7.0-7.4). For polyunsaturated PC, chloride enhanced also lyso-PC production, the effect being pronounced at bromide concentrations below 40 microM. The results indicate that at physiological levels of chloride and bromide, chloride promotes MPO-mediated formation of bromohydrins and lyso-PC in unsaturated phospholipids.     

Myeloperoxidase-catalyzed iodination and coupling.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), which displays considerable amino acid sequence homology with thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and lactoperoxidase (LPO), was tested for its ability to catalyze iodination of thyroglobulin and coupling of two diiodotyrosyl residues within thyroglobulin to form thyroxine. After 1 min of incubation in a system containing goiter thyroglobulin, I-, and H2O2, the pH optimum of MPO-catalyzed iodination was markedly acidic (approximately 4.0), compared to LPO (approximately 5.4) and TPO (approximately 6.6). The presence of 0.1 N Cl- or Br- shifted the pH optimum for MPO to about 5.4 but had little or no effect on TPO- or LPO-catalyzed iodination. At pH 5.4, 0.1 N Cl- and 0.1 N Br- had a marked stimulatory effect on MPO-catalyzed iodination. At pH 4.0, however, iodinating activity of MPO was almost completely inhibited by 0.1 N Cl- or Br-. Inhibition of chlorinating activity of MPO by Cl- at pH 4.0 has been previously described. When iodination of goiter thyroglobulin was performed with MPO plus the H2O2 generating system, glucose-glucose oxidase, at pH 7.0, the iodinating activity was markedly increased by 0.1 N Cl-. Under these conditions iodination and thyroxine formation were comparable to values observed with TPO. MPO and TPO were also compared for coupling activity in a system that measures coupling of diiodotyrosyl residues in thyroglobulin in the absence of iodination. MPO displayed very significant coupling activity, and, like TPO, this activity was stimulated by a low concentration of free diiodotyrosine (1 microM). The thioureylene drugs, propylthiouracil and methimazole, inhibited MPO-catalyzed iodination both reversibly and irreversibly, in a manner similar to that previously described for TPO-catalyzed iodination.     

Inhibition and activation of porcine squalene epoxidase.

Pig liver squalene epoxidase (SE) has been partially purified from solubilized microsomes by DEAE-Sephacel and Blue Sepharose 4B chromatography. This stable and reproducible preparation was used to investigate the mechanism of several substrate-like inhibitors of SE and to study the effects of pH, metals, detergents, and cofactors on enzyme activity. Most divalent (1 mM) and trivalent (0.1 mM) metal cations had little effect on SE at pH 7.4; only ferrous and cupric ions showed ca. 50% reduction in SE activity. Interestingly, at pH 8.8, EDTA (10 mM) shows 1.8-fold enhancement of enzyme activity. Among the detergents, Triton X-100 was clearly superior for solubilization and purification of porcine SE; Tween 80, Lubrol-PX, 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]propanesulfonic acid, octyl beta-glucoside, and three different Zwittergents were much less effective for SE solubilization. Partially purified pig liver SE showed maximal activity at pH 8.8-9.0. Trisnorsqualene alcohol and trisnorsqualene cyclopropylamine were noncompetitive inhibitors at pH 8.8, with Ki values of 4 microM and 180 nM, respectively; these two inhibitors were not substrates for SE. In contrast, 26-hydroxysqualene was both a competitive inhibitor with a Ki value of 4 microM at pH 8.8 and a substrate for SE. An unexpected enhancement (up to 350%) of SE activity was observed at pH 7.4 following preincubation with selected nonpolar derivatives of farnesol and farnesoic acid. At pH 8.8, this effect was less dramatic but still evident.     

Properties of peroxidases from tobacco cell suspension culture

An enzyme preparation from suspension cultured tobacco cells oxidized IAA only in the presence of added cofactors, Mn²⁺ and 2,4-dichlorophenol, and showed two pH optima for the oxidation at pH 4·5 and 5·5. Effects of various phenolic compounds and metal ions on IAA oxidase activity were examined. The properties of seven peroxidase fractions separated by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and CM-Sephadex, were compared. The peroxidases were different in relative activity toward o-dianisidine and guaiacol. All the peroxidases catalysed IAA oxidation in the presence of added cofactors. The pH optima for guaiacol peroxidation were very similar among the seven isozymes, but the optima for IAA oxidation were different. The anionic and neutral fractions showed pH optima near pH 5·5, but the cationic isozymes showed optima near pH 4·5. With guaiacol as hydrogen donor, an anionic peroxidase (A-1) and a cationic peroxidase (C-4) were very different in H₂O₂ concentration requirements for their activity. Peroxidase A-1 was active at a wide range of H₂O₂ concentrations, while peroxidase C-4 showed a more restricted H₂O₂ requirement. Gel filtration and polyacrylamide gel studies indicated that the three cationic peroxidases have the same molecular weight.     

Biochemical characteristics of alveolar macrophage-specific peroxidase activities in the rat.

The biochemical characteristics of endogenous macrophage peroxidases (Po), and their relationship to myeloperoxidase (MPO), have heretofore been poorly understood and were examined in the current study. Rat alveolar macrophages (AM) were homogenized and fractionated by differential centrifugation into lysosomal and microsomal fractions. The Po activities in both fractions were separated using HPLC gel-filtration and two main activities were detected. One, in the lysosomal fraction, had a relative molecular mass (Mr) of 58,000, while the other, associated with the microsomal fraction corresponded to Mr 74,000. By comparison, MPO from rat polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) had Mr 140,000. The 58- and 74-kDa Po activities also differed from MPO with respect to their apparent Km for H2O2 and optimum pH of activity. Using o-dianisidine as a substrate, the Km for H2O2 of the 58- and 74-kDa Po species was 0.4 and 0.19 mM, respectively, compared to 0.011 mM for MPO. Using monochlorodimedon, the corresponding values were 0.22 and 0.195 mM for the 58- and 74-kDa activities and 0.026 mM for MPO. With either substrate, MPO exhibited optimum activity at pH 5.4, compared to 5.2 for the 58-kDa activity and 4.8 for the 74-kDa species. Thus, rat AM contain two endogenous Po activities with biochemical characteristics distinct from those of MPO. Our findings suggest that these activities represent novel peroxidases that may play an important role in the oxidative metabolism of AM.     

A neutral phospholipase D activity from rat brain synaptic plasma membranes. Identification and partial characterization

Rapid activation of phospholipase D (PLD) in response to cell stimulation was recently demonstrated in many systems, raising the hypothesis that PLD participates in transduction of extracellular signals across the plasma membrane. In the present study, we describe the identification of a neutral PLD activity in purified rat brain synaptic plasma membranes, and the in vitro conditions required to assay its catalytic activity with exogenous [3H]phosphatidylcholine as substrate. Production of [3H]phosphatidic acid, the natural lipid product of PLD and of [3H]phosphatidylethanol, catalyzed by PLD in the presence of ethanol via transphosphatidylation, were measured. The synaptic membrane PLD exhibited its highest activity at pH 7.2 and was thus defined as a neutral PLD. Enzyme activity was absolutely dependent on the presence of sodium oleate and was strongly activated by Mg2+ ions (at 1 mM). Ca2+ at concentrations up to 0.25 mM was as stimulatory as Mg2+, but at 2 mM it completely inhibited enzyme activity. Mg2+ extended the linear phase of PLD activity from 2 to 15 min, suggesting that it may stabilize the enzyme under our assay conditions. The production of [3H]phosphatidylethanol was a saturable function of ethanol concentration. Production of [3H] phosphatidic acid was inversely related to the concentration of ethanol and to the accumulation of phosphatidylethanol, indicating that the two phospholipids are indeed produced by the competing hydrolase and transferase activities of the same enzyme. beta,beta-Dimethylglutaric acid, utilized previously as a buffer in studies of rat brain PLD, inhibited enzyme activity at neutral pH but not at acidic pH. The properties of the neutral synaptic membrane PLD and its relationships with other in vitro, acid, and neutral PLD activities, as well as with the signal-dependent PLD detected in intact cells, are discussed.     

Spectral similarities and kinetic differences of two tomato plant peroxidase isoenzymes

The kinetic and spectral properties of peroxidases A and B from the dwarf tomato plant were compared. The absolute absorption spectra were essentially the same for peroxidases A and B and their derivatives. Peroxidases A and B had different pH optima with guaiacol as the hydrogen donor but essentially the same optimum when pyrogallol was the substrate. The substrate concentrations required for optimum activity were different not only for the different substrates but also for each isoenzyme. When pyrogallol was used as the substrate, peroxidases A and B were 80% active when assayed under conditions optimal for the other isoenzyme. When guaiacol was used as the substrate, peroxidase A was completely inactive when assayed under conditions optimal for peroxidase B. In this case the pH was not optimum and the H₂O₂ concentration was inhibitory. Similarly, peroxidase B retained only 9% of its peroxidase activity toward guaiacol when assayed under conditions optimum for peroxidase A. In this case the pH was not optimum and the H₂O₂ was limiting. A possible role for peroxidase isoenzymes is discussed.     

Chlorination of N-acetyltyrosine with HOCl, chloramines, and myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system.

N-acetyl-L-tyrosine (N-acTyr), with the alpha amine residue blocked by acetylation, can mimic the reactivity of exposed tyrosyl residues incorporated into polypeptides. In this study chlorination of N-acTyr residue at positions 3 and 5 in reactions with NaOCl, chloramines and the myeloperoxidase (MPO)-H2O2-Cl- chlorinating system were invesigated. The reaction of N-acTyr with HOCl/OCl- depends on the reactant concentration ratio employed. At the OCl-/N-acTyr (molar) ratio 1:4 and pH 5.0 the chlorination reaction yield is about 96% and 3-chlorotyrosine is the predominant reaction product. At the OCl-/N-acTyr molar ratio 1:1.1 both 3-chlorotyrosine and 3,5-dichlorotyrosine are formed. The yield of tyrosine chlorination depends also on pH, amounting to 100% at pH 5.5, 91% at pH 4.5 and 66% at pH 3.0. Replacing HOCl/OCl- by leucine/chloramine or alanine/chloramine in the reaction system, at pH 4.5 and 7.4, produces trace amount of 3-chlorotyrosine with the reaction yield of about 2% only. Employing the MPO-H2O2-Cl- chlorinating system at pH 5.4, production of a small amount of N-acTyr 3-chloroderivative was observed, but the reaction yield was low due to the rapid inactivation of MPO in the reaction system. The study results indicate that direct chlorination of tyrosyl residues which are not incorporated into the polypeptide structure occurs with excess HOCl/OCl- in acidic media. Due to the inability of the myeloperoxidase-H2O2-Cl- system to produce high enough HOCl concentrations, the MPO-mediated tyrosyl residue chlorination is not effective. Semistable amino-acid chloramines also appeared not effective as chlorine donors in direct tyrosyl chlorination.     

Purification of the o-dianisidine peroxidase from Escherichia coli B. Physicochemical characterization and analysis of its dual catalatic and peroxidatic activities.

Extracts of aerobically grown Escherichia coli B exhibit both catalase and dianisidine peroxidase activities. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrates two distinct catalases which have been designated hydroperoxidases I and II (HP-I and HP-II) in order of increasing anodic mobility. HP-I has been purified to essential homogeneity and found to be composed of four subunits of equal size. Its molecular weight is 337,000, and it contains two molecules of protoheme IX per tetramer. Its amino acid composition is unusual, for so large a protein, in lacking half-cystine. HP-I is a very efficient catalase with an activity optimum at pH 7.5, a Km for H2O2 of 3.9 mM, and a turnover number of 9.8 x 10(5) per min. It is also a broad specificity peroxidase capable of acting upon dianisidine, guaiacol, p-phenylenediamine, and pyrogallol. Dianisidine acted as a powerful reversible inhibitor of the catalatic activity of HP-I and as a suicide substrate when HP-I functioned in its peroxidatic mode.     

Myeloperoxidase-catalyzed taurine chlorination: initial versus equilibrium rate

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) catalyzes the two-electron oxidation of chloride, thereby producing hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Taurine (2-aminoethane-sulfonic acid, Tau) is thought to act as a trap of HOCl forming the long-lived oxidant monochlorotaurine [(N-Cl)-Tau], which participates in pathogen defense. Here, we amend and extend previous studies by following initial and equilibrium rate of formation of (N-Cl)-Tau mediated by MPO at pH 4.0-7.0, varying H(2)O(2) concentration. Initial rate studies show no saturation of the active site under assay conditions (i.e. [H(2)O(2)] > or = 2000 [MPO]). Deceleration of Tau chlorination under equilibrium is quantitatively described by the redox equilibrium established by H(2)O(2)-mediated reduction of compound I to compound II. At equilibrium regime the maximum chlorination rate is obtained at [H(2)O(2)] and pH values around 0.4mM and pH 5. The proposed mechanism includes known acid-base and binding equilibria taking place at the working conditions. Kinetic data ruled out the currently accepted mechanism in which a proton participates in the molecular step (MPO-I+Cl(-)) leading to the formation of the chlorinating agent. Results support the formation of a chlorinating compound I-Cl(-) complex (MPO-I-Cl) and/or of ClO(-), through the former or even independently of it. ClO(-) diffuses away and rapidly protonates to HOCl outside the heme pocket. Smaller substrates will be chlorinated inside the enzyme by MPO-I-Cl and outside by HOCl, whereas bulkier ones can only react with the latter.     

Effects of pH on the interaction of ligands with the (H+ + K+)-ATPase purified from pig gastric mucosa

The effects of K+, Na+ and ATP on the gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase were investigated at various pH. The enzyme was phosphorylated by ATP with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 3650 min-1 at pH 7.4. This rate constant increased to a maximal value of about 7900 min-1 when pH was decreased to 6.0. Alkalinization decreased the rate constant. At pH 8.0 it was 1290 min-1. Additions of 5 mM K+ or Na+, did not change the rate constant at acidic pH, while at neutral or alkaline pH a decrease was observed. Dephosphorylation of phosphoenzyme in lyophilized vesicles was dependent on K+, but not on Na+. Alkaline pH increased the rate of dephosphorylation. K+ stimulated the ATPase and p-nitrophenylphosphatase activities. At high concentrations K+ was inhibitory. Below pH 7.0 Na+ had little or no effect on the ATPase and p-nitrophenylphosphatase, while at alkaline pH, Na+ inhibited both activities. The effect of extravesicular pH on transport of H+ was investigated. At pH 6.5 the apparent Km for ATP was 2.7 microM and increased little when K+ was added extravesicularly. At pH 7.5, millimolar concentrations of K+ increased the apparent Km for ATP. Extravesicular K+ and Na+ inhibited the transport of H+. The inhibition was strongest at alkaline pH and only slight at neutral or acidic pH, suggesting a competition between the alkali metal ions and hydrogen ions at a common binding site on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. Two H+-producing reactions as possible candidates as physiological regulators of (H+ + K+)-ATPase were investigated. Firstly, the hydrolysis of ATP per se, and secondly, the hydration of CO2 and the subsequent formation of H+ and HCO3-. The amount of hydrogen ions formed in the ATPase reaction was highest at alkaline pH. The H+/ATP ratio was about 1 at pH 8.0. When CO2 was added to the reaction medium there was no change in the rate of hydrogen ion transport at pH 7.0, but at pH 8.0 the rate increased 4-times upon the addition of 0.4 mM CO2. The results indicate a possible co-operation in the production of acid between the H+ + K+-ATPase and a carbonic anhydrase associated with the vesicular membrane.