Reactive Phosphonic Acids as Prebiotic Carriers of Phosphorus

Phosphonic acids are the only phosphorus-containing organic compounds detected in the Murchison meteorite. We earlier described the synthesis of methyl-, hydroxymethyl-, and 1-hydroxyethyl phosphonic acids using sodium phosphite as a source of phosphite radicals. We now show that ultraviolet irradiation of dilute aqueous solutions of acetylene in the presence of sodium phosphite leads to the synthesis of vinyl phosphonic acid. At neutral to basic pH, vinyl phosphonic acid reacts under photochemical conditions to produce phosphonoacetaldehyde and 2-hydroxyethyl phosphonic acid as the major products, as well as smaller yields of 1-hydroxyethyl phosphonic acid, phosphonoacetic acid, and ethyl phosphonic acid. Of these products, phosphonoacetaldehyde is particularly interesting as a potential precursor of prebiotic carbohydrate derivatives. Received: 22 July 1996 / Accepted: 13 September 1996     

1‐Aminobenzocyclobutene‐1‐phosphonic Acid and Related Compounds as Inhibitors of Phenylalanine Ammonia‐Lyase

Five new geminal aminocycloalkanephosphonic acids ( 4 – 8 ) containing both an aromatic ring and a cycloalkane ring were synthesized and evaluated as potential inhibitors of buckwheat phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL). Within the set of compounds which are related to 2‐aminoindane‐2‐phosphonic acid (AIP, 3 ), a known powerful inhibitor of PAL, racemic 1‐aminobenzocyclobutene‐1‐phosphonic acid ( 4 ), was six times weaker than AIP as an in vitro inhibitor of buckwheat PAL, but six times stronger than AIP as an in vivo inhibitor of phenylalanine‐derived anthocyanin synthesis in buckwheat.     

Identification by high-performance liquid chromatography of tyrosine ammonia-lyase activity in purified fractions of Phaseolus vulgaris phenylalanine ammonia-lyase

Activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) were assessed at each stage of a three-step purification of PAL. Assays were performed by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation and ultraviolet detection of reaction products. Use of HPLC permitted assay of low activities of PAL and TAL for periods up to approximately four and two days, respectively. HPLC also facilitated the accurate quantitation of the product of the TAL reaction, trans-p-coumaric acid, which was observed to isomerize readily under experimental conditions. PAL and TAL were associated throughout the purification procedure, with TAL activity at 0.6–1.3% of PAL activity. It was concluded that, contrary to previous reports, TAL and PAL activities are mediated by the same enzyme, or else by chromatographically very similar enzymes.     

Changes in the phenolic metabolism of suspension cultures of Acer pseudoplatanus L. Caused by the addition of 2-(chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (CEPA)

Summary 2-(Chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (CEPA) inhibited the rise in tannin production and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase EC 4.1.1.5 (PAL) activity shown by Acer cells in media containing 9.0×10^–7 M 2,4-D for a period of 2–3 days after its addtion.Abbreviation 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid     

Enzyme-catalized Evolution of Lenthionine from Lentinic Acid

Protein fraction, prepared from fresh fruiting bodies of shiitake mushroom, is found capable of converting lentinic acid to lenthionine, the principal aroma-bearing substance of the mushroom. A simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics is also valid for the reaction. The reaction products identified, besides lenthionine and unidentified compounds, are glutamic acid, pyrubic acid, acetaldehyde, ammonia, and formaldehyde. Two different kinds of enzyme are envisaged to participate in the reaction; γ-glutamyl transpeptidase removing glutamyl moiety from lentinic acid, and pyridoxal phosphate dependent s-alkyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide lyase acting next on the resultant intermediate to produce an unstable intermediate which is then converted spontaneously to polythiepanes. A reaction pathway is proposed for lenthionine evolution from lentinic acid based on the experimental evidences obtained in this and other papers.     

Identification of formaldehyde-induced modifications in proteins: reactions with model peptides

Formaldehyde is a well known cross-linking agent that can inactivate, stabilize, or immobilize proteins. The purpose of this study was to map the chemical modifications occurring on each natural amino acid residue caused by formaldehyde. Therefore, model peptides were treated with excess formaldehyde, and the reaction products were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Formaldehyde was shown to react with the amino group of the N-terminal amino acid residue and the side-chains of arginine, cysteine, histidine, and lysine residues. Depending on the peptide sequence, methylol groups, Schiff-bases, and methylene bridges were formed. To study intermolecular cross-linking in more detail, cyanoborohydride or glycine was added to the reaction solution. The use of cyanoborohydride could easily distinguish between peptides containing a Schiff-base or a methylene bridge. Formaldehyde and glycine formed a Schiff-base adduct, which was rapidly attached to primary N-terminal amino groups, arginine and tyrosine residues, and, to a lesser degree, asparagine, glutamine, histidine, and tryptophan residues. Unexpected modifications were found in peptides containing a free N-terminal amino group or an arginine residue. Formaldehyde-glycine adducts reacted with the N terminus by means of two steps: the N terminus formed an imidazolidinone, and then the glycine was attached via a methylene bridge. Two covalent modifications occurred on an arginine-containing peptide: (i) the attachment of one glycine molecule to the arginine residue via two methylene bridges, and (ii) the coupling of two glycine molecules via four methylene bridges. Remarkably, formaldehyde did not generate intermolecular cross-links between two primary amino groups. In conclusion, the use of model peptides enabled us to determine the reactivity of each particular cross-link reaction as a function of the reaction conditions and to identify new reaction products after incubation with formaldehyde.     

Binding of phosphonate chelating agents and pyrophosphate to apotransferrin.

Difference ultraviolet spectroscopy has been used to monitor the binding of a series of phosphonate ligands to human apotransferrin. The ligands consist of pyrophosphate as well as the phosphonic acids (aminomethyl)phosphonic acid (AMPA), (hydroxymethyl)phosphonic acid (HMP), (phosphonomethyl)-iminodiacetic acid (PIDA), N,N-bis(phosphonomethyl)glycine (DPG), and nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (NTP). Equilibrium constants have been measured for the sequential binding of two ligands per molecule of apotransferrin. In addition, site-specific equilibrium constants have been measured for the binding of AMPA, HMP, and PIDA to the vacant binding site of both forms of monoferric transferrin. Since titrations of diferric transferrin produce no difference UV spectrum, it is proposed that the primary binding site for phosphonic acids includes the protein groups that bind the synergistic bicarbonate anion that is required for formation of a stable ferric transferrin complex. It is further proposed that those ligands with two phosphonate groups can simultaneously bind to cationic amino acid side chains that extend into the cleft between the two domains of each lobe of transferrin. From an inspection of the ferric transferrin crystal structure, the most likely anion binding residues in the cleft are Arg-632 and Lys-534 in the C-terminal lobe and Lys-206 and Lys-296 in the N-terminal lobe.     

Production of p-hydroxycinnamic acid from glucose in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli by expression of heterologous genes from plants and fungi

Biological production of p-hydroxycinnamic acid (pHCA) from glucose can be achieved via deamination of the aromatic amino acids l-tyrosine or l-phenylalanine. Deamination of l-phenylalanine produces trans-cinnamic acid (CA) which is further hydroxylated in the para position to produce pHCA. However, when tyrosine is used as the substrate, trans-pHCA is produced in one step. This reaction is accomplished by phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL)/tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL). Various bacteria and eukaryotic microorganisms were screened for their ability to produce a PAL/TAL enzyme with high TAL activity. Cell-free extracts of the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis possessed the highest level of TAL activity (0.0143U/mg protein) and the lowest PAL/TAL ratio (1.68) amongst species examined. The gene for this enzyme was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and the kinetics of the purified PAL/TAL determined. The recombinant PAL/TAL possessed characteristics similar to those of the wild-type enzyme. Functional expression of R. glutinis PAL/TAL enzyme in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells containing the plant C4H P-450 and P-450 reductase enzymes from Helianthus tuberosus allowed conversion of glucose to pHCA. Addition of l-phenylalanine to these cultures increased pHCA production confirming its production via the PAL route. When R. glutinis PAL/TAL was synthesized in an E. colil-phenylalanine producing strain (ATCC 31882) and grown on glucose, pHCA was formed in the absence of the Cytochrome P-450 and the P-450 reductase enzymes underlining its production via the TAL route without CA intermediacy.     

Determination of methionine sulfoxide content of intact protein based on rearrangement of sulfoxide with acetic anhydride

Since formaldehyde is easily hydrolyzed from the products of the rearrangement reaction between methionine sulfoxide and acetic anhydride, we have developed an analytical method that allows the determination of sulfoxide in the intact protein. The formaldehyde liberated can be determined colorimetrically using chromotropic acid.     

Redox reaction between amino-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methyl phosphonic acid and dopaquinone is responsible for the apparent inhibitory effect on tyrosinase.

Amino-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methyl phosphonic acid, the phosphonic analog of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycine, had been previously reported as a potent inhibitor of tyrosinase. The mechanism of the apparent enzyme inhibition by this compound has now been established. Amino-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methyl phosphonic acid turned out to be a substrate and was oxidized to o-quinone, which evolved to a final product identified as 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, the same as for 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycine. Monohydroxylated compounds (amino-(3-hydroxyphenyl)methyl phosphonic acid and amino-(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl phosphonic acid) were not oxidized, neither was 4-hydroxy-l-phenylglycine. However, the relatively high Km for amino-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methyl phosphonic acid (0.52 mm) indicated that competitive inhibition could not entirely explain the previously reported strong inhibitory effect (Ki = 50 and 97 micro m for tyrosine and 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)alanine (Dopa) as substrates, respectively). Neither was the enzyme covalently inactivated to a significant degree. Spectroscopic and electrochemical analysis of the oxidation of a mixture of Dopa and the inhibitor demonstrated that the phosphonic compound reduced dopaquinone back to Dopa, thus diminishing and delaying the formation of dopachrome. This produces an apparent strong inhibitory effect when the reaction is monitored spectrophotometrically at 475 nm. In this peculiar case Dopa acts as a redox shuttle mediating the oxidation of the shorter phosphonic homolog. Decomposition of the phosphonic o-quinone to 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde drives the reaction against the slightly unfavorable difference in redox potentials.     

Regulation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and growth in lettuce by light and gibberellic acid

Abstract The effects of light and gibberellic acid (GA3) on growth and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity were studied in seedlings of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Using an in vivo assay for PAL it was shown that wounding caused by excising hypocotyls results in an increase in PAL activity with time that can mask the effect of light on the activity of this enzyme. When hypocotyl sections were excised from light-treated seedlings immediately prior to the in vivo assay of PAL, light was shown to cause a marked increase in PAL activity. Experiments with an inhibitor of PAL activity, α-aminooxy-β-phenylpropionic acid (AOPP), confirmed that the volatile radioactive products measured in the in vivo assay resulted from the activity of PAL. Gibberellic acid suppresses the light-induced increase in PAL activity and there is an inverse relationship between GA₃-induced growth and the activity of PAL. Over a wide range of GA₃ concentrations, the activity of PAL is also inversely correlated with growth rate along the length of the hypocotyl section; the upper halves of sections elongate more rapidly and have lower levels of PAL than the lower halves. Despite the strong correlation between growth and PAL activity, experiments with AOPP and t-cinnamic acid show that it is unlikely that elongation is regulated directly by products of PAL activity.     

Further studies on the side reactions associated with use of N(pi)-benzyloxymethylhistidine

The use of N(alpha)-tert.-butyloxycarbonyl-N(pi)-benzyloxymethylhistidine [Boc-His(Bom)] in peptide synthesis results in a serious level of side products arising from the generation of formaldehyde during the HF cleavage reaction. In particular, when treating a His(Bom)-containing peptide having Cys at the N-terminus by HF, this leads to almost complete conversion of the Cys-peptide to thiazolidyl (Thz)-peptide unless precautions are taken. Also, the reaction of formaldehyde with the N-terminal Trp and the N-methylanthranyl (Nma) group was found to produce tetrahydro-beta-carboline and dihydroquinazolin derivatives, respectively, upon isolation from HF mixtures. The addition of cysteine as a scavenger in HF proved to be effective for suppressing modification arising from the generation of formaldehyde.     

反应条件下苯丙氨酸解氨酶的活力稳定性

在苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)的作用下由肉桂酸和氨合成L-苯丙氨酸(L-Phe)是酶法合成该氨基酸的重要途径,国外已利用该途径进行L-苯丙氨酸的工业生产,但是该过程仍存在着转化率低和酶活力稳定性差的问题。为解决这些问题,有必要在现有基础上开展提高酶活力稳定性的研究。     

Maize phenylalanine ammonia-lyase has tyrosine ammonia-lyase activity.

A full-length cDNA encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) from Zea mays L. was isolated and the coding region was expressed in Escherichia coli as a C-terminal fusion to glutathione S-transferase. After purification by glutathione-Sepharose chromatography, the glutathione S-transferase moiety was cleaved off and the resulting PAL enzyme analyzed. In contrast to PAL from dicots, this maize PAL isozyme catalyzed the deamination of both L-phenylalanine (PAL activity) and L-tyrosine (tyrosine ammonia-lyase activity). These results provide unequivocal proof that PAL and tyrosine ammonia-lyase activities reside in the same polypeptide. In spite of large differences in the Michaelis constant and turnover number of the two activities, their catalytic efficiencies are very similar. Also, both activities have the same pH and temperature optima. These results imply that maize can produce p-coumaric acid from both phenylalanine and tyrosine.     

Reaction of bis(diethylenetriamine)cobalt(III) with formaldehyde and ammonia

Condensation reactions of three isomers of bis(diethylenetriamine)cobalt(III) with formaldehyde and ammonia were studied. The s-fac isomer gave a main product containing two molecules of the cyclic amine, 1,3,5,8-tetraazacyclodecane. It was unstable in acidic solution to give several decomposition products. The encapsulated complex in which all the nitrogens were attacked by formaldehyde could not be obtained. The main product of the u-fac isomer was a half encapsulated complex, i.e., three of the four primary amino groups reacted with formaldehyde and ammonia to produce a cobalt(III) complex of 3-(7-amino-2,5-diazaheptyl)-1,3,5,8-tetraazacyclodecane. The mer isomer gave a complex of 1,4,7,9,11,14,17-heptaazaheptadecane, together with the same reaction product as the one from the u-fac isomer.     

Interactions of Hydroxyl Radicals with Tris (Hydroxymethyl) Aminomethane and Good's Buffers Containing Hydroxymethyl or Hydroxyethyl Residues Produce Formaldehyde

The production of formaldehyde from tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane(Tris) by interaction with hydroxyl radicals(.OH) was studied, since the reaction mixture from the Fenton reaction performed in Tris/HCl buffer was found to be color-developed by colorimetric determination of formaldehyde. The absorption spectrum of chromogens was identical to that of authentic formaldehyde. Color development, which required the presence of Tris, hydrogen peroxide and cupric ions in the Fenton reaction mixture, was inhibited by the addition of hydroxyl radical scavengers such as glucose or hyaluronic acid. These results indicated that formaldehyde was produced when Tris interacted with ·OH. With structures similar to Tris, Good's buffers were also found to produce formaldehyde by interaction with ·OH. Analysis of formaldehyde derived from these buffers may provide a simple and convenient assay for detecting ·OH generation. In evaluating effects of ·OH on the biological system in Tris/HCl buffer or certain Good's Buffers, ·OH loss may be due to interactions of ·OH with these buffers. The formaldehyde produced as a result of such interactions may affect biological systems.     

Synthesis of derivatives of phosphonic glutathione analogs

Five analogs of S-t-butyl glutathione containing phosphonic analogs of glycine and glutamic acid were obtained by standard procedures of MA activation in solution. Simultaneous deprotection of phosphonic, carboxylic and amino groups was achieved in the silylation reaction.     

Mechanism of formaldehyde biodegradation by Pseudomonas putida

Summary Formaldehyde biodegradation by a strain of Pseudomonas putida has been studied. The results indicate that this biodegradation is initiated by a dismutation reaction, yielding as products formic acid and methanol. The degradation of methanol and formic acid begins after exhaustion of formaldehyde in the medium, and presents a diauxic pattern: first formic acid is consumed followed by methanol. Moreover, cell viability, which is affected by the amount of added formaldehyde, has been determined. Offprint requests to: N. Adroer     

Synthesis and in vitro properties of trimethylamine- and phosphonate-substituted carboranylporphyrins for application in BNCT

A series of carboranylporphyrins containing either amine or phosphonic acid functionalities and two to six closo-carborane clusters have been synthesized via a [2+2] condensation of a dimethylamino- or diethylphosphonate-substituted dipyrromethane with a dicarboranylmethyl-benzaldehyde. The X-ray structures of four key reaction intermediates (1, 2, 3, and 4a) and of two target porphyrins, the diphosphonate ester- and the diamino-tetracarboranylporphyrins 5b and 6a, are presented and discussed. In vitro studies using human carcinoma HEp2 and human glioblastoma T98G cells show that these porphyrins are non-toxic in the dark up to 100 microM concentrations, and that a tetracarboranylporphyrin bearing two quaternary ammonium groups is the most efficiently taken up by cells at short times (up to 8 h), followed by a dicarboranylporphyrin bearing three phosphonic acid substituents. All carboranylporphyrins delivered therapeutic amounts of boron to T98G cells and localized mainly within the cell lysosomes.