Glutathione stability and oxidative stress in P. falciparum infection in vitro: Responses of normal and G6PD deficient cells

Red cell oxidative stress in P. falciparum infection in vitro was investigated in relation to the G6PD-Malaria hypothesis. Glutathione stability was enhanced in infected red cells; glucose consumption and pentose pathway activity were not different in normal and G6PD deficient cells, although parasite growth was impaired in G6PD deficiency. Evidence for a response to oxidative stress was not found. Infected red cells have glutamate dehydrogenase activity which was not found in uninfected cells. This enzyme provides a separate pathway for the generation of NADPH independent from the pentose shunt. The data suggest that a significant oxidative stress is not present in falciparum malaria and that another mechanism may be operative in G6PD deficiency.     

A model of the pentose phosphate pathway in rat liver cells

A mathematical model based on kinetic data taken from the literature is presented for the pentose phosphate pathway in fasted rat liver steady-state. Since the oxidative and non oxidative pentose phosphate pathway can act independently, the complete (oxidative + non oxidative) and the non oxidative pentose pathway were simulated.Sensitivity analyses are reported which show that the fluxes are mainly regulated by D-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (for the oxidative pathway) and by transketolase (for the non oxidative pathway). The most influent metabolites were the group ATP, ADP, P₁ and the group NADPH, NADP⁺ (for the non oxidative pathway).Abbreviations GK Glucokinase, (E.C. 2.7.1.2.) - G6PDH D-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, (E.C. 1.1.1.49) - PLase 6-Phosphogluconelactonase, (E.C. 3.1.1.31.) - PGIcDH 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, (E.C. 1.1.1.44) - RPI D-ribose-5-phosphate keto-isomerase, (E.C. 5.3.1.6) - TK D-sedoheptulose-7-phosphate: D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate glycol-aldehyde transferase, (E.C. 2.2.1.1.) - TA D-sedoheptulose-7-phosphate: D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dihydroxyacetone transferase, (E.C. 2.2.1.2) - EP D-ribulose-5-phosphate-3-epimerase, (E.C. 5.1.3.1) - PGI D-glucose-6-phosphate keto-isomerase, (E.C. 5.3.1.9) - TPI D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate keto-isomerase, (E.C.5.3.1.1)     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and the oxidative pentose phosphate cycle protect cells against apoptosis induced by low doses of ionizing radiation

The initial and rate-limiting enzyme of the oxidative pentose phosphate shunt, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), is inhibited by NADPH and stimulated by NADP(+). Hence, under normal growth conditions, where NADPH levels exceed NADP(+) levels by as much as 100-fold, the activity of the pentose phosphate cycle is extremely low. However, during oxidant stress, pentose phosphate cycle activity can increase by as much as 200-fold over basal levels, to maintain the cytosolic reducing environment. G6PD-deficient (G6PD(-)) cell lines are sensitive to toxicity induced by chemical oxidants and ionizing radiation. Compared to wild-type CHO cells, enhanced sensitivity to ionizing radiation was observed for G6PD(-) cells exposed to single-dose or fractionated radiation. Fitting the single-dose radiation response data to the linear-quadratic model of radiation-induced cytotoxicity, we found that the G6PD(-) cells exhibited a significant enhancement in the alpha component of radiation-induced cell killing, while the values obtained for the beta component were similar in both the G6PD(-) and wild-type CHO cell lines. Here we report that the enhanced alpha component of radiation-induced cell killing is associated with a significant increase in the incidence of ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis in the G6PD(-) cells. These data suggest that G6PD and the oxidative pentose phosphate shunt protect cells from ionizing radiation-induced cell killing by limiting the incidence of radiation-induced apoptosis. The sensitivity to radiation-induced apoptosis was lost when the cDNA for wild-type G6PD was transfected into the G6PD(-) cell lines. Depleting GSH with l-BSO enhanced apoptosis of K1 cells while having no effect in the G6PD(-) cell line     

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.     

Changes of pentose phosphate pathway flux in vivo in Corynebacterium glutamicum during leucine-limited batch cultivation as determined from intracellular metabolite concentration measurements

Corynebacterium glutamicum is an important organism for the industrial production of amino acids such as lysine. In the present study time-dependent changes in the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway activity, an important site of NADPH regeneration in C. glutamicum, are investigated, whereby intracellular metabolite concentrations and specific enzyme activities in two isogenic leucine auxotrophic strains differing only in the regulation of their aspartate kinases were compared. After leucine limitation only the strain with a feedback-resistant aspartate kinase began to excrete lysine into the culture medium. Concomitantly, the intracellular NADPH to NADP concentration ratio increased from 2 to 4 in the non-producing strain, whereas it remained constant at about 1.2 in the lysine-producing strain. From these data the in'vivo flux through the pentose phosphate pathway was calculated. These results were used to approximate the total NADPH regeneration by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase, which agreed fairly well with the calculated demands for biomass formation and lysine biosynthesis. The analysis allowed to conclude that NADPH regeneration in the pentose phosphate pathway is essential for lysine biosynthesis in C. glutamicum.     

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.     

Specific accumulation of GFP in a non-acidic vacuolar compartment via a C-terminal propeptide-mediated sorting pathway

The aim of this work was to examine the extent to which the oxidative steps of the pentose phosphate pathway in the cytosol contribute to the provision of reductant for biosynthetic reactions. Maize (Zea mays L.) contains at least two loci (pgd1 and pgd2) that encode 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. Ten genotypic combinations of wild-type (Pgd1+3.8;Pgd2+5) and null alleles of pgd1 and pgd2 were constructed in the B73 background. The maximum catalytic activity of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in the roots of seedlings of these lines correlated with the number of functional pgd1 and pgd2 alleles. Enzyme activity in the double-null homozygote (pgd1-null;pgd2-null) was 32% of that in B73 wild-type suggesting the presence of at least one other isozyme of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in maize. Subcellular fractionation studies and latency measurements confirmed that the products of pgd1 and pgd2 are responsible for the vast majority, if not all, of the cytosolic 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity in maize roots. Essentially, all of the residual activity in the double-null homozygote was confined to the plastids. Low concentrations (0.1–0.5 mM) of sodium nitrite stimulated ¹⁴CO₂ production by detached root tips of both wild-type and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase-deficient maize seedlings fed [U-¹⁴C]glucose. Analysis of the ratio of ¹⁴CO₂ released from [1–¹⁴C]glucose relative to [6–¹⁴C]glucose (C1/C6 ratio) showed that stimulation of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway by nitrite correlated with the dosage of wild-type alleles of pgd1 and pgd2. The failure of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase-deficient lines to respond to nitrite indicates that perturbation of the cytosolic oxidative pentose phosphate pathway can influence the provision of reductant in the plastid. We conclude that the plastidic and cytosolic oxidative pentose phosphate pathways are able to co-operate in the provision of NADPH for biosynthesis.     

Kinetic properties of the glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases from Corynebacterium glutamicum and their application for predicting pentose phosphate pathway flux in vivo.

The glucose-6-phosphate (Glc6P) and 6-phosphogluconate (6PG) dehydrogenases of the amino-acid-producing bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum were purified to homogeneity and kinetically characterized. The Glc6P dehydrogenase was a heteromultimeric complex, which consists of Zwf and OpcA subunits. The product inhibition pattern of the Glc6P dehydrogenase was consistent with an ordered bi-bi mechanism. The 6PG dehydrogenase was found to operate according to a Theorell-Chance ordered bi-ter mechanism. Both enzymes were inhibited by NADPH and the 6PG dehydrogenase additionally by ATP, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (Fru1,6P2), D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (Gra3P), erythrose 4-phosphate and ribulose 5-phosphate (Rib5P). The inhibition by NADPH was considered to be most important, with inhibition constants of around 25 microM for both enzymes. Intracellular metabolite concentrations were determined in two isogenic strains of C. glutamicum with plasmid-encoded NAD- and NADP-dependent glutamate dehydrogenases. NADP+ and NADPH levels were between 130 microM and 290 microM, which is very much higher than the respective Km and Ki values. The Glc6P concentration was around 500 microM in both strains. The in vivo fluxes through the oxidative part of the pentose phosphate pathway calculated on the basis of intracellular metabolite concentrations and the kinetic constants of the purified enzymes determined in vitro were in agreement with the same fluxes determined by NMR after 13C-labelling. From the derived kinetic model thus validated, it is concluded that the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway in C. glutamicum is mainly regulated by the ratio of NADPH and NADP+ concentrations and the specific enzyme activities of both dehydrogenases.     

Increased NADPH concentration obtained by metabolic engineering of the pentose phosphate pathway in Aspergillus niger

Many biosynthetic reactions and bioconversions are limited by low availability of NADPH. With the purpose of increasing the NADPH concentration and/or the flux through the pentose phosphate pathway in Aspergillus niger, the genes encoding glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (gsdA), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (gndA) and transketolase (tktA) were cloned and overexpressed in separate strains. Intracellular NADPH concentration was increased two- to ninefold as a result of 13-fold overproduction of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. Although overproduction of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and transketolase changed the concentration of several metabolites it did not result in increased NADPH concentration. To establish the effects of overexpression of the three genes, wild-type and overexpressing strains were characterized in detail in exponential and stationary phase of bioreactor cultures containing minimal media, with glucose as the carbon source and ammonium or nitrate as the nitrogen source and final cell density limiting substrate. Enzymes, intermediary metabolites, polyol pools (intra- and extracellular), organic acids, growth rates and rate constant of induction of acid production in postexponential phase were measured. None of the modified strains had a changed growth rate. Partial least square regressions showed the correlations between NADPH and up to 40 other variables (concentration of enzymes and metabolites) and it was possible to predict the intracellular NADPH concentration from relatively easily obtainable data (the concentration of enzymes, polyols and oxalate). This prediction might be used in screening for high NADPH levels in engineered strains or mutants of other organisms.     

Effectors of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase of rat liver.

Summary The lower Vmax of 6PGDH with respect to G6PDH and its higher sensitivity to inhibition by NADPH, suggest the existence of an imbalance between the two dehydrogenases of the pentose phosphate pathway in rat liver. Possible modulators of these activities, particularly in relation with the inhibition by NADPH in physiological conditions, have been investigated. The results suggest that in both cases the inhibition by NADPH is strictly isosteric and that the relative affinities for the reduced and oxidized forms of the pyridine nucleotide are unaffected by glutathion, the intermediates of the pentose phosphate shunt or some divalent ions.Abbreviations G6PDH glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) - 6PGDH 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.44) On leave from the Instituto de Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 567, Valdivia, Chile.     

Plasmodium falciparum carbohydrate metabolism: a connection between host cell and parasite

Selected aspects of the metabolism of Plasmodium falciparum are reviewed, but conclusions based on the study of other species of plasmodia are intentionally not included since these may not be applicable. The parasites increase glucose consumption 50-100 fold as compared to uninfected red cells; most of the glucose is metabolized to lactic acid. The parasite contains a complete set of glycolytic enzymes. Some enzymes such a hexokinase, enolase and pyruvate kinase are vastly increased over corresponding levels in uninfected red cells. However, the pathway for synthesizing 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) is absent. Parasitized red cells show a decline in the concentration of 2,3-DPG which may function as an inhibitor for certain essential enzyme pathways. Pentose shunt activity is increased in absolute terms, but as a percent of total glucose consumption, there is a decrease during parasite infection of the red cell. The parasite contains a gene for G6PD and can produce a small quantity of parasite-encoded enzyme. It is not clear if the production of this enzyme can be up-regulated in G6PG deficient host red cells. The NADPH normally produced by the pentose shunt can be obtained from other parasite pathways (such as glutamate dehydrogenase). NADPH may subserve additional needs in the infected red cell such as driving diribonucleotide reductase activity--a rate limiting enzyme in DNA synthesis. The role of NADPH in protecting the parasite-red cell system against oxidative stress (via glutathione reduction) remains controversial. Parasitized red cells contain about 10 times more NAD(H) than uninfected red cells, but the NADP(H) content is unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The role of the pentose phosphate shunt in glucose-induced insulin release: In vitro studies with 6-aminonicotinamide, methylene blue, NAD, NADH, NADP, NADPH and nicotinamide on isolated pancreatic rat islets

The possible role of the pentose phosphate shunt in insulin release was investigated in vitro with collagenase isolated pancreatic islets of rats. Parameters measured were insulin released into the medium and measured by an immunoassay and formation of ¹⁴CO₂ from glucose labeled either in the C-1 or C-6 position. The in vitro effect of the following substances was studied:

1. 1. 6-Aminonicotinamide, an antimetabolite in the synthesis of pyridine nucleotides. In islets of animals pretreated with 6-amino nicotinamide 6 h previously and in the presence of 3 mg/ml glucose in the incubation medium, 6-aminonicotinamide markedly reduced oxidation of [1-¹⁴C]glucose but did not affect that of glucose labeled in C-6. Concomitantly there was a marked decrease in insulin release. This action of 6-aminonicotinamide did not take place when it was added only to the incubation medium. Pretreatment with 6-aminonicotinamide did not change the insulin concentration of the islets, making it unlikely that it interfered with insulin synthesis. The effect of 6-aminonicotinamide is consistent with partial inhibition of the pentose shunt.

2. 2. Methylene blue: this agent was selected because it is known from studies with red blood cells that it will oxidize NADPH and thus stimulate activity of the pentose shunt. In concentrations of 0.5 and 2 μg/ml, methylene blue markedly stimulated oxidation of [1-¹⁴C]glucose but not that of C-6. Simultaneously there was a dose related decrease of insulin released.

3. 3. Pyridine nucleotides: in the absence of glucose only NADPH exhibited a significant effect of insulin release. If glucose (3 mg/ml) was present 1 or 10 mM of NAD⁺ or NADH exhibited a significant effect, NADP⁺ or NADPH were less effective. If the pentose shunt was blocked by pretreatment with 6-aminonicotinamide, all 4 pyridine nucleotides stimulated insulin release. Similarly there was an increase in oxidation of [1-¹⁴C]glucose, consitent with restimulation of the pentose shunt.

4. 4. Nicotinamide by itself exhibited a small effect; however, it was much less than the one produced by equimolar concentrations of the pyridine nucleotides.

Conclusion: Restricted availability of NADPH either less production or by fast removal leads to a decrease in glucose-induced insulin release. Pyridine nucleotides will restimulate 6-aminonicotinamide blockade insulin release and glucose oxidation by the pentose shunt. Recently it has been proposed by others that the polyol pathway may play a key role in insulin release, our data are consistent with such a hypothesis. Furthermore they do support a major role of the pentose shunt in insulin release.     

Regulation of G6PD acetylation by SIRT2 and KAT9 modulates NADPH homeostasis and cell survival during oxidative stress

Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a key enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and plays an essential role in the oxidative stress response by producing NADPH, the main intracellular reductant. G6PD deficiency is the most common human enzyme defect, affecting more than 400 million people worldwide. Here, we show that G6PD is negatively regulated by acetylation on lysine 403 (K403), an evolutionarily conserved residue. The K403 acetylated G6PD is incapable of forming active dimers and displays a complete loss of activity. Knockdown of G6PD sensitizes cells to oxidative stress, and re‐expression of wild‐type G6PD, but not the K403 acetylation mimetic mutant, rescues cells from oxidative injury. Moreover, we show that cells sense extracellular oxidative stimuli to decrease G6PD acetylation in a SIRT2‐dependent manner. The SIRT2‐mediated deacetylation and activation of G6PD stimulates PPP to supply cytosolic NADPH to counteract oxidative damage and protect mouse erythrocytes. We also identified KAT9/ELP3 as a potential acetyltransferase of G6PD. Our study uncovers a previously unknown mechanism by which acetylation negatively regulates G6PD activity to maintain cellular NADPH homeostasis during oxidative stress.     

Enhancement of xylitol production in Candida tropicalis by co-expression of two genes involved in pentose phosphate pathway

The yeast Candida tropicalis produces xylitol, a natural, low-calorie sweetener whose metabolism does not require insulin, by catalytic activity of NADPH-dependent xylose reductase. The oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is a major basis for NADPH biosynthesis in C. tropicalis. In order to increase xylitol production rate, xylitol dehydrogenase gene (XYL2)disrupted C. tropicalis strain BSXDH-3 was engineered to co-express zwf and gnd genes which, respectively encodes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGDH), under the control of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) promoter. NADPH-dependent xylitol production was higher in the engineered strain, termed "PP", than in BSXDH-3. In fermentation experiments using glycerol as a co-substrate with xylose, strain PP showed volumetric xylitol productivity of 1.25 g l(-1) h(-1), 21% higher than the rate (1.04 g l(-1) h(-1)) in BSXDH-3. This is the first report of increased metabolic flux toward PPP in C. tropicalis for NADPH regeneration and enhanced xylitol production.     

Engineering redox cofactor regeneration for improved pentose fermentation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Pentose fermentation to ethanol with recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae is slow and has a low yield. A likely reason for this is that the catabolism of the pentoses D-xylose and L-arabinose through the corresponding fungal pathways creates an imbalance of redox cofactors. The process, although redox neutral, requires NADPH and NAD+, which have to be regenerated in separate processes. NADPH is normally generated through the oxidative part of the pentose phosphate pathway by the action of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (ZWF1). To facilitate NADPH regeneration, we expressed the recently discovered gene GDP1, which codes for a fungal NADP+-dependent D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NADP-GAPDH) (EC 1.2.1.13), in an S. cerevisiae strain with the D-xylose pathway. NADPH regeneration through an NADP-GAPDH is not linked to CO2 production. The resulting strain fermented D-xylose to ethanol with a higher rate and yield than the corresponding strain without GDP1; i.e., the levels of the unwanted side products xylitol and CO2 were lowered. The oxidative part of the pentose phosphate pathway is the main natural path for NADPH regeneration. However, use of this pathway causes wasteful CO2 production and creates a redox imbalance on the path of anaerobic pentose fermentation to ethanol because it does not regenerate NAD+. The deletion of the gene ZWF1 (which codes for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), in combination with overexpression of GDP1 further stimulated D-xylose fermentation with respect to rate and yield. Through genetic engineering of the redox reactions, the yeast strain was converted from a strain that produced mainly xylitol and CO2 from D-xylose to a strain that produced mainly ethanol under anaerobic conditions.     

Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase is posttranslationally regulated in the larvae of the freeze‐tolerant gall fly,Eurosta solidaginis,in response to freezing

The freeze‐tolerant larvae of the goldenrod gall fly (Eurosta solidaginis) undergo substantial alterations to their molecular physiology during the winter including the production of elevated quantities of glycerol and sorbitol, which function as cryoprotectants to survive whole body freezing. Production of these cryoprotectants depends on cytosolic pools of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate H (NADPH), a major source being the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) mediates the rate‐limiting and committed step of the PPP and therefore its molecular properties were explored in larvae sampled from control versus frozen states. G6PDH was purified from control (5°C) and frozen (?15°C) E. solidaginis larvae by a single‐step chromatography method utilizing 2′,5′‐ADP agarose and analyzed to determine its enzymatic parameters. Studies revealed a decrease in K_m for G6P in the frozen animals (to 50% of control values) suggesting an increased flux through the PPP. Immunoblotting of the purified enzyme showed differences in the relative extent of several posttranslational modifications, notably ubiquitination (95% decrease in frozen larvae), cysteine nitrosylation (61% decrease), threonine (4.1 fold increase), and serine phosphorylation (59% decrease). Together these data suggested that the increased flux through the PPP needed to generate NADPH for cryoprotectants synthesis is regulated, at least in part, through posttranslational alterations of G6PDH.     

Phenylpyruvic Acid decreases glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in rat brain

Phenylketonuria is a recessive autosomal disorder that is caused by a deficiency in the activity of phenylalanine-4-hydroxylase, which converts phenylalanine to tyrosine, leading to the accumulation of phenylalanine and its metabolites phenyllactic acid, phenylacetic acid, and phenylpyruvic acid in the blood and tissues of patients. Phenylketonuria is characterized by severe neurological symptoms, but the mechanisms underlying brain damage have not been clarified. Recent studies have shown the involvement of oxidative stress in the neuropathology of hyperphenylalaninemia. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase plays an important role in antioxidant defense because it is the main source of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), providing a reducing power that is essential in protecting cells against oxidative stress. Therefore, the present study investigated the in vitro effect of phenylalanine (0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5?mM) and its metabolites phenyllactic acid, phenylacetic acid, and phenylpyruvic acid (0.2, 0.6, and 1.2?mM) on the activity of enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway, which is involved in the oxidative phase in rat brain homogenates. 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity was not altered by any of the substances tested. Phenylalanine, phenyllactic acid, and phenylacetic acid had no effect on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Phenylpyruvic acid significantly reduced glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity without pre-incubation and after 1?h of pre-incubation with the homogenates. The inhibition of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity caused by phenylpyruvic acid could elicit an impairment of NADPH production and might eventually alter the cellular redox status. The role of phenylpyruvic acid in the pathophysiological mechanisms of phenylketonuria remains unknown.     

The pentose phosphate pathway of glucose metabolism. Enzyme profiles and transient and steady-state content of intermediates of alternative pathways of glucose metabolism in Krebs ascites cells

1. The pentose phosphate pathway in Krebs ascites cells was investigated for regulatory reactions. For comparison, the glycolytic pathway was studied simultaneously. 2. Activities of the pentose phosphate pathway enzymes were low in contrast with those of the enzymes of glycolysis. The K(m) values of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase for both substrate and cofactor were about four times the reported upper limit for the enzyme from normal tissues. Fructose 1,6-diphosphate and NADPH competitively inhibited 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. 3. About 28% of the hexokinase activity was in the particulate fraction of the cells. The soluble enzyme was inhibited by fructose 1,6-diphosphate and ribose 5-phosphate, but not by 3-phosphoglycerate. The behaviour of the partially purified soluble enzyme in vitro in a system simulating the concentrations of ATP, glucose 6-phosphate and P(i) found in vivo is reported. 4. Kinetics of metabolite accumulation during the transient state after the addition of glucose to the cells indicated two phases of glucose phosphorylation, an initial rapid phase followed abruptly by a slow phase extending into the steady state. 5. Of the pentose phosphate pathway intermediates, accumulation of 6-phosphogluconate, sedoheptulose 7-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate paralleled the accumulation of glucose 6-phosphate. Erythrose 4-phosphate reached the steady-state concentration by 2min., whereas the pentose phosphates accumulated linearly. 6. The mass-action ratios of the pentose phosphate pathway reactions were calculated. The transketolase reaction was at equilibrium by 30sec. and then progressively shifted away from equilibrium towards the steady-state ratio. The glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase was far from equilibrium at all times. 7. Investigation of the flux of [(14)C]glucose carbon confirmed the existence of an operative pentose phosphate pathway in ascites cells, contributing 1% of the total flux in control cells and 10% in cells treated with phenazine methosulphate. 8. The pentose phosphate formed by way of the direct oxidative route and estimated from the (14)CO(2) yields represented 20% of the total accumulated pentose phosphate, the other 80% being formed by the non-oxidative reactions of the pentose phosphate pathway. 9. The pentose phosphate pathway appears to function as two separate pathways, both operating towards pentose phosphate formation. Control of the two pathways is discussed.