Effect of high tyrosine content on the determination of tryptophan in protein by the acidic ninhydrin method. Application to chicken ovoinhibitor

Colorimetric determination of tryptophan in intact proteins by the acidic ninhydrin method of Gaitonde & Dovey (1970) gives high apparent tryptophan contents for proteins having high tyrosine/tryptophan ratios. Correction for this interference by tyrosine can be achieved by plotting the ratio of observed to expected tryptophan content as a function of tyrosine/tryptophan ratio for proteins of known composition. The equation of the line is: [Formula: see text] Application of this correction to chicken ovoinhibitor, which contains 17 tyrosine residues per molecule, gave results that agree with tryptophan content determined by other methods.     

EFFECTS OF CHRONIC PORTO-CAVAL ANASTOMOSIS ON BRAIN TRYPTOPHAN, TYROSINE AND 5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE

—Three weeks after porto-caval anastomosis, tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindolylacetic acid concentrations were-greatly increased in rat brain regions. 5-Hydroxytryptamine showed smaller increases. Midbrain tyrosine and muscle tyrosine and tryptophan concentrations were also increased. Striatal dopa-mine concentration was not significantly changed. Unlike previous results from acute liver failure, brain tryptophan changes in this chronic study did not simply reflect plasma-free tryptophan changes. Midbrain tryptophan/plasma-free tryptophan ratio and midbrain tyrosine/plasma tyrosine ratio both rose, suggesting increased effectiveness of uptake of these amino acids from plasma by brain. Corresponding muscle/plasma ratios were unaltered by the porto-caval anastomosis. Uptake of tryptophan from buffer by cerebral cortex slices was unaffected. Results on control animals illustrate the importance of plasma-free tryptophan in the normal physiological control of brain tryptophan.     

Spectrophotometric determination of tryptophan and tyrosine in peptides and proteins based on new color reactions

A new spectrophotometric method for quantitative determination of tryptophan and tyrosine in peptides and proteins is described. It is based on two specific color reactions, the reaction of tryptophan with formaldehyde and the reaction of tyrosine and tryptophan with hydroxylamine and ceric cations. By combination of these two reactions both tyrosine and tryptophan can be determined simultaneously. Tyrosine and/or tryptophan bound in peptides and/or proteins react independently of the rest of the peptide or protein molecule. The method is simple, accurate, and sensitive. Hydrolysis is not necessary.     

Role of tryptophan hydroxylase phe313 in determining substrate specificity

The active site residue phenylalanine 313 is conserved in the sequences of all known tryptophan hydroxylases. The tryptophan hydroxylase F313W mutant protein no longer shows a preference for tryptophan over phenylalanine as a substrate, consistent with a role of this residue in substrate specificity. A tryptophan residue occupies the homologous position in tyrosine hydroxylase. The tyrosine hydroxylase W372F mutant enzyme does not show an increased preference for tryptophan over tyrosine or phenylalanine, so that this residue cannot be considered the dominant factor in substrate specificity in this family of enzymes.     

A rare protein fluorescence behavior where the emission is dominated by tyrosine: case of the 33-kDa protein from spinach photosystem II

An abnormal fluorescence emission of protein was observed in the 33-kDa protein which is one component of the three extrinsic proteins in spinach photosystem II particle (PS II). This protein contains one tryptophan and eight tyrosine residues, belonging to a "B type protein". It was found that the 33-kDa protein fluorescence is very different from most B type proteins containing both tryptophan and tyrosine residues. For most B type proteins studied so far, the fluorescence emission is dominated by the tryptophan emission, with the tyrosine emission hardly being detected when excited at 280 nm. However, for the present 33-kDa protein, both tyrosine and tryptophan fluorescence emissions were observed, the fluorescence emission being dominated by the tyrosine residue emission upon a 280 nm excitation. The maximum emission wavelength of the 33-kDa protein tryptophan fluorescence was at 317 nm, indicating that the single tryptophan residue is buried in a very strong hydrophobic region. Such a strong hydrophobic environment is rarely observed in proteins when using tryptophan fluorescence experiments. All parameters of the protein tryptophan fluorescence such as quantum yield, fluorescence decay, and absorption spectrum including the fourth derivative spectrum were explored both in the native and pressure-denatured forms.     

Cycloheximide causes increased accumulation of translatable mRNA for tyrosine aminotransferase and tryptophan oxygenase in livers of cortisol-treated rats.

Messenger RNA activities for two cortisol-inducible enzymes, tyrosine aminotransferase and tryptophan oxygenase, have been determined by translation in a wheat germ system. The effects of cycloheximide on the two mRNA activities have been evaluated. Cortisol leads to an increase of the translatable mRNAs for tyrosine aminotransferase and tryptophan oxygenase with a maximum at approximately 6 h. Cycloheximide was administered 4 h after treatment with cortisol; 2 h later, the activities of tyrosine aminotransferase and tryptophan oxygenase mRNA had increased five-fold and two-fold, respectively, compared to the activities reached with cortisol alone. Thereafter the amount of the two translatable mRNAs declined, though 14 h after cortisol administration the mRNA activities were still several fold higher than in control animals. Application of alpha-amanitin together with cycloheximide did not prevent an increased accumulation of specific translatable mRNAs. The increase in tyrosine aminotransferase and tryptophan oxygenase activity by cortisol was immediately blocked by cycloheximide. Whereas tryptophan oxygenase activity rapidly declined after cycloheximide application, tyrosine aminotransferase activity remained at the same level. Approximately 4 h thereafter, both enzyme activities increased again.     

Large neutral amino acids: dietary effects on brain neurochemistry and function

The ingestion of large neutral amino acids (LNAA), notably tryptophan, tyrosine and the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), modifies tryptophan and tyrosine uptake into brain and their conversion to serotonin and catecholamines, respectively. The particular effect reflects the competitive nature of the transporter for LNAA at the blood–brain barrier. For example, raising blood tryptophan or tyrosine levels raises their uptake into brain, while raising blood BCAA levels lowers tryptophan and tyrosine uptake; serotonin and catecholamine synthesis in brain parallel the tryptophan and tyrosine changes. By changing blood LNAA levels, the ingestion of particular proteins causes surprisingly large variations in brain tryptophan uptake and serotonin synthesis, with minimal effects on tyrosine uptake and catecholamine synthesis. Such variations elicit predictable effects on mood, cognition and hormone secretion (prolactin, cortisol). The ingestion of mixtures of LNAA, particularly BCAA, lowers brain tryptophan uptake and serotonin synthesis. Though argued to improve physical performance by reducing serotonin function, such effects are generally considered modest at best. However, BCAA ingestion also lowers tyrosine uptake, and dopamine synthesis in brain. Increasing dopamine function in brain improves performance, suggesting that BCAA may fail to increase performance because dopamine is reduced. Conceivably, BCAA administered with tyrosine could prevent the decline in dopamine, while still eliciting a drop in serotonin. Such an LNAA mixture might thus prove an effective enhancer of physical performance. The thoughtful development and application of dietary proteins and LNAA mixtures may thus produce treatments with predictable and useful functional effects.     

Tertiary structure of tRNAPhe. A possible correlation between the structural functional unit of this tRNA and its exonic sequence.

By using an antiserum raised against rat liver tyrosine aminotransferase, it was shown that about 60% of tryptophan aminotransferase activity in rat liver extracts is catalysed by this enzyme. Induction of tryptophan aminotransferase activity by intraperitoneal injections of tryptophan or triamcinolone can be entirely attributed to the effects of these agents on tyrosine aminotransferase. The origin of the other 40% of tryptophan aminotransferase activity remains to be established. This activity increases after starvation for 48 h. It is unlikely that tryptophan transamination plays a quantitatively important role in the metabolism of tryptophan by the liver.     

NAD metabolism and induction of tyrosine aminotransferase in the rat

The relationship between the NAD-metabolism and the induction of the tyrosine aminotransferase was studied. The content of NAD+ + NADH differs markedly from organ to organ. The highest values can be found in the liver. In intact animals tryptophan leads to an increase of NAD in liver and kidney, but not in brain and spleen. Nicotinamide, on the other hand, induces NAD synthesis in all the organs tested. In adrenalectomized animals, however, there is practically no rise of the NAD content after application of tryptophan contrary to the effect of nicotinamide. The enzyme tyrosine aminotransferase can be induced in intact animals by nicotinamide and tryptophan. This effect is much less pronounced in adrenalectomized animals. In adrenalectomized animals the induction of the tyrosine aminotransferase by tryptophan is markedly elevated by caffeine and theophylline. Under these conditions there is a significant increase of the NAD content as well. The tryptophan promoted induction of the tyrosine aminotransferase is influenced by inhibitors of the ADPR-transferase. The data presented give further evidence that the NAD adenoribosylation metabolism is involved in the induction of the tyrosine aminotransferase.     

Oral branched-chain amino acid supplements that reduce brain serotonin during exercise in rats also lower brain catecholamines

Exercise raises brain serotonin release and is postulated to cause fatigue in athletes; ingestion of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), by competitively inhibiting tryptophan transport into brain, lowers brain tryptophan uptake and serotonin synthesis and release in rats, and reputedly in humans prevents exercise-induced increases in serotonin and fatigue. This latter effect in humans is disputed. But BCAA also competitively inhibit tyrosine uptake into brain, and thus catecholamine synthesis and release. Since increasing brain catecholamines enhances physical performance, BCAA ingestion could lower catecholamines, reduce performance and thus negate any serotonin-linked benefit. We therefore examined in rats whether BCAA would reduce both brain tryptophan and tyrosine concentrations and serotonin and catecholamine synthesis. Sedentary and exercising rats received BCAA or vehicle orally; tryptophan and tyrosine concentrations and serotonin and catecholamine synthesis rates were measured 1 h later in brain. BCAA reduced brain tryptophan and tyrosine concentrations, and serotonin and catecholamine synthesis. These reductions in tyrosine concentrations and catecholamine synthesis, but not tryptophan or serotonin synthesis, could be prevented by co-administering tyrosine with BCAA. Complete essential amino acid mixtures, used to maintain or build muscle mass, were also studied, and produced different effects on brain tryptophan and tyrosine concentrations and serotonin and catecholamine synthesis. Since pharmacologically increasing brain catecholamine function improves physical performance, the finding that BCAA reduce catecholamine synthesis may explain why this treatment does not enhance physical performance in humans, despite reducing serotonin synthesis. If so, adding tyrosine to BCAA supplements might allow a positive action on performance to emerge.     

Effects of imipramine on tyrosine and tryptophan are mediated by beta-adrenoceptor stimulation

Imipramine (IMI; 20 mg/kg) in rats decreased the plasma tyrosine concentration by 21% (90 min), whereas norepinephrine (NE; 1.25 mg/kg) raised it by 72% (40 min). Since NE raised plasma tyrosine by stimulating alpha-adrenoceptors, as shown by phenoxybenzamine (PB) completely abolishing this increase, an experiment was done to find out whether IMI lowered plasma tyrosine by blocking alpha-adrenoceptors. In contrast to PB, IMI pretreatment failed to alter the NE-induced elevation in plasma tyrosine, suggesting that at this dose IMI is not an effective alpha-adrenergic antagonist in vivo. Thus, IMI would not appear to reduce plasma tyrosine by blocking alpha-adrenoceptors. In a separate experiment, propranolol blocked the ability of IMI to lower plasma tyrosine. Propranolol also prevented a 17% elevation in brain tryptophan levels induced by IMI but did not alter the 29% decrease in plasma tryptophan. PB by itself decreased plasma tyrosine, but this decrease was not greater by additionally treating with IMI. Salbutamol (10 mg/kg), a beta 2 agonist, lowered plasma tyrosine to 76% and raised brain tryptophan to 143% of control. These results suggest that IMI decreases tyrosine concentrations in plasma and raises tryptophan in brain by stimulating beta-adrenoceptors.     

Altered tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism during hypothermic hibernation in the 13-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus)

(1) Tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism in brain and peripheral tissues were studied in hypothermic hibernating and normothermic nonhibernating 13-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus). (2) In the hypothermic hibernating state, there were significant elevations of brain stem tyrosine, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels; forebrain norepinephrine and dopamine levels; and cerebellum norepinephrine and tyrosine levels. (3) On the other hand, plasma norepinephrine levels were significantly decreased in hypothermic hibernating squirrels while plasma tyrosine levels were increased. Kidney norepinephrine levels were significantly increased in hypothermic hibernating squirrels, while kidney tyrosine levels were decreased. Total plasma tryptophan and free plasma tryptophan were significantly reduced in hypothermic hibernating squirrels. Hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase Km and Vmax were decreased in hypothermic hibernating squirrels, while tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase activity was not altered. Plasma and liver albumin were increased in hypothermic hibernating squirrels, while plasma and liver total protein were not altered. (4) These results demonstrate that significant changes in tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism occur in both central and peripheral tissues with concomitant alterations in metabolites during hypothermic hibernation in 13-lined ground squirrels.     

The influence of starvation and tryptophan administration on the metabolism of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan in isolated rat liver cells.

Liver cells from fed Sprague-Dawley rats metabolized phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan at rates consistent with the known kinetic properties of the first enzymes of each pathway. Starvation of rats for 48 h did not increase the maximal activities of phenylalanine hydroxylase, tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase and tyrosine aminotransferase in liver cell extracts, when results were expressed in terms of cellular DNA. Catabolic flux through the first two enzymes was unchanged; that through the aminotransferase was elevated relatively to enzyme activity. This is interpreted in terms of changes in the concentrations of 2-oxoglutarate and glutamate. Cells from tryptophan-treated animals exhibited significant increases in the catabolism of tyrosine and tryptophan, but not of phenylalanine. The activities of tyrosine aminotransferase and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase were also increased, although the changes in flux and enzyme activity did not correspond exactly. These results are discussed with reference to the control of aromatic amino acid catabolism in liver; the role of substrate concentration is emphasized.     

Regulation of tryptophan and tyrosine hydroxylase

The synthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and the dopamine is regulated by the initial amino acid hydroxylases. Little is known about the factors that regulate the level of tryptophan hydroxylase in tissue. However, the level of tyrosine hydroxylase is regulated by transsynaptic induction. Acute regulation of in vivo hydroxylase activity appears to be by substrate availability in the case of tryptophan hydroxylase and possibly by feedback inhibition with tyrosine hydroxylase. A newly described phenomenon which has been termed “receptor mediated feedback inhibition” involving neuronal feedback regulation of the activity of both tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylase may also have an important role.     

A possible biological role of the electron transfer between tyrosine and tryptophan. Gating of ion channels.

Experiments have demonstrated that four tryptophan residues are located near the tetrodotoxin binding site in Na+ channels, and that conserved tyrosine and tryptophan residues are located in the pore-forming region of voltage-sensitive K+ channels. This paper proposes an activation mechanism involving electron transfer between these residues. The K+ channel may be closed by four tyrosine residues forming hydrogen bonds with each other. After electron transfer, these hydrogen bonds will be broken, thereby opening the channel. The Na+ channel could be activated by a similar mechanism. This idea can be tested directly by observing tyrosine or tryptophan radicals when the channels are in the open state.     

A study of subtilisin types Novo and Carlsberg by circular polarization of fluorescence.

The circular polarization of the luminescence of a chromophore, in addition to its circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion, is a manifestation of its asymmetry. In the study of proteins, the circular polarization of luminescence yields more specific information than circular dichroism or optical rotatory dispersion since nonfluorescent chromophores do not contribute, and the spectra of the tyrosine and the tryptophan residues are much better resolved in emission than in absorption. The circular polarization of the fluorescence of the tyrosine and tryptophan residues in derivatives of subtilisin Carlsberg and subtilisin Novo were indeed resolved in this study. The tyrosine residues in the Carlsberg protein, and both tyrosine and tryptophan residues in the Novo protein, were found to be heterogeneous with respect to their optical activity and emission spectra. Changes in the environment of the emitting tyrosine residues in both proteins and in the tryptophan residues in the Novo protein were found on changing the pH from 5.0 to 8.3. The pH dependence of the enzymatic activity of these proteins may thus be due, at least in part, to conformational changes in the molecules. Fluorescence circular polarization also revealed that covalently bound inhibitors at the active site of subtilisin Novo affect the environment of the emitting aromatic side chains, presumably via changes in conformation.     

Control of Aromatic Amino Acid Biosynthesis in Cultured Plant Tissues: Effect of Intermediates and Aromatic Amino Acids on Free Levels

Shikimate, anthranilate, indole, l -tryptophan, phenylpyruvate, l -p henylalanine, p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate or l -tyrosine were added to suspension-cultured Nicotiana tabacum (tabacco) and Daucus carota (carrot) tissues and incubated for 24 hours. Uptake of each compound was substantial as measured by its decrease in the medium. The levels of free tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine were determined in the tissues after the 24 hours incubation. Shikimate did not change the aromatic animo acid levels in carrot tissue, but did increase all three in tobacco (3-fold or more), indicating a less stringent feedback control in tobacco. Anthranilate and indole increased the tissue tryptophan levels in both species by at least 17-fold, showing that the flow from anthranilate and indole to tryptophan was apparently unhindered by enzymatic control mechanisms. When tryptophan levels were elevated in both carrot and tobaccotissues by anthranilate, indole or tryptophan addition, there was also an increase in free phyenylalanine and tyrosine. This might be due to the reversal of phenylalanine and tyrosine feedback inhibition of chorismate mutase by the high tryptophan in the tissue. Chorismate mutase activity in tobacco crude extracts could be inhibited by 66–90% by 1 mM phenylalanine and /or tyrosine. Tryptophan at 1 mM stimulated the enzyme activity by 1/3 and completely reversed the phenylalanine and/or tyrosine inhibition of enzyme activity. Chorsimate mutase activity amino acids under a variety of conditions. Phenylpyruvate increased the phenylalanine levels and p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate increased the tyrosine levels in carrot and tobacco tissues indicating that there was no feedback control of the last step in phenylalanine and tyrosine biosynthesis.     

X-ray crystal structure of the YM210W mutant reaction centre from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

The X-ray crystal structure of a reaction centre from Rhodobacter sphaeroides with a mutation of tyrosine M210 to tryptophan (YM210W) has been determined to a resolution of 2.5 A. Structural conservation is very good throughout the body of the protein, with the tryptophan side chain adopting a position in the mutant complex closely resembling that of the tyrosine in the wild-type complex. The spectroscopic properties of the YM210W reaction centre are discussed with reference to the structural data, with particular focus on evidence that the introduction of the bulkier tryptophan in place of the native tyrosine may cause a small tilt of the macrocycle of the B(L) monomeric bacteriochlorophyll.     

Exposure and electronic interaction of tyrosine and tryptophan residues in human apolipoprotein A-IV

We have investigated the exposure and electronic interaction of tyrosine and tryptophan residues in human apolipoprotein A-IV (apo A-IV). Differential absorption spectroscopy and chemical titration demonstrated that human apo A-IV contains six tyrosine residues, four of which are buried in the hydrophobic interior of the protein and two of which are exposed on the protein surface. Denaturation of the protein by guanidinium chloride caused progressive exposure of the buried tyrosines. The fluorescence emission spectra of apo A-IV were characterized by a blue-shifted tryptophan emission with a low relative quantum yield of 0.37 and a tyrosine emission with a relative quantum yield of 0.62. Fluorescence quenching studies demonstrated a low fractional exposure of tryptophan in the native state. Denaturation of apo A-IV was accompanied by an increase in the relative quantum yield which peaked at the denaturation midpoint. Fluorescence excitation techniques demonstrated energy transfer from tyrosine residues with a transfer efficiency of 0.40 in the native state; the efficiency was conformation dependent and decreased with protein unfolding. Fluorescence studies of tetranitromethane-modified apo A-IV suggested that a significant fraction of energy transfer proceeds from the exposed tyrosine residues. These data demonstrate the existence of intramolecular fluorescence energy transfer and tryptophan quenching in human apolipoprotein A-IV and suggest that the amino terminus of this protein is situated in a hydrophobic domain within energy-transfer range of nonvicinal tyrosine residues.     

Transport of Aromatic Amino Acids by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Kinetic studies of the transport of aromatic amino acids by Pseudomonas aeruginosa revealed the existence of two high-affinity transport systems which recognized the three aromatic amino acids. From competition data and studies on the exchange of preformed aromatic amino acid pools, the first transport system was found to be functional with phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan (in order of decreasing activity), whereas the second system was active with tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine. The two systems also transported a number of aromatic amino acid analogues but not other amino acids. Mutants defective in each of the two and in both transport systems were isolated and described. When the amino acids were added at low external concentrations to cells growing logarithmically in glucose minimal medium, the tryptophan pool very quickly became saturated. Under identical conditions, phenylalanine and tyrosine each accumulated in the intracellular pool of P. aeruginosa at a concentration which was 10 times greater than that of tryptophan.