Inhibition of carnitine acetyltransferase by mildronate,a regulator of energy metabolism

Carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT; EC 2.3.1.7) catalyzes the reversible transfer of acetyl groups between acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) and L-carnitine; it also regulates the cellular pool of CoA and the availability of activated acetyl groups. In this study, biochemical measurements, saturation transfer difference (STD) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and molecular docking were applied to give insights into the CrAT binding of a synthetic inhibitor, the cardioprotective drug mildronate (3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium)-propionate). The obtained results show that mildronate inhibits CrAT in a competitive manner through binding to the carnitine binding site, not the acetyl-CoA binding site. The bound conformation of mildronate closely resembles that of carnitine except for the orientation of the trimethylammonium group, which in the mildronate molecule is exposed to the solvent. The dissociation constant of the mildronate CrAT complex is approximately 0.1?mM, and the K_i is 1.6?mM. The results suggest that the cardioprotective effect of mildronate might be partially mediated by CrAT inhibition and concomitant regulation of cellular energy metabolism pathways.     

Inhibition of carnitine acetyltransferase by bile acids: implications for carnitine analysis

Carnitine acetyltransferase is used in a radioenzymatic assay to measure the concentration of carnitine. While determining the concentration of carnitine in rat bile, we found that the apparent concentration increased as bile was diluted (6.7 +/- 1.0 and 66.6 +/- 9.4 nmol/ml in undiluted and 20-fold diluted bile, respectively). The present study was designed to investigate whether a component of bile inhibited carnitine acetyltransferase. Inhibition was evaluated by measuring carnitine concentration in bile or by determining the recovery of a known amount of carnitine in the presence of bile. Inhibitory activity was extractable in organic solvents, stable to heat and base treatments, resistant to trypsin and lipase digestions, and removable by cholestyramine, a bile acid-binding resin. These results suggested that the inhibitory activity was associated with bile acids. Direct evidence was obtained by showing a reduced detectability of carnitine in the presence of individual bile acids. Chenodeoxycholic acid was the most potent inhibitor. Inhibition was unrelated to the detergent properties of bile acids. Kinetic studies revealed that carnitine acetyltransferase was inhibited competitively by chenodeoxycholic acid with a Ki of 520 microM. Bile acids also interfered in the quantitation of carnitine in cholestatic plasma. Carnitine concentration in such plasma was underestimated (17.5 +/- 2.1 mmol/ml). Reduction of bile acid concentration by a 20-fold dilution of cholestatic plasma resulted in a 3-fold higher carnitine concentration (54.6 +/- 9.0 nmol/ml). Results demonstrate that, because of the inhibition of carnitine acetyltransferase by bile acids, the radioenzymatic assay will underestimate carnitine concentration in bile or in cholestatic plasma. Accurate measurement requires either the removal of bile acids or a marked reduction in their concentration.     

Inhibition of carnitine acetyltransferase by metabolites of 4-pentenoic acid

The inhibition of carnitine acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.7) by metabolites of 4-pentenoic acid was studied. 3-Keto-4-pentenoyl-CoA, a beta-oxidation metabolite of 4-pentenoic acid, was found to be an effective inhibitor of the enzyme in the presence, but not in the absence of L-carnitine. Since acetyl-CoA protects the enzyme against this inhibition, 3-keto-4-pentenoyl-CoA seems to be an active site-directed inhibitor. 3-Keto-4-pentenoyl-CoA, which is a substrate of carnitine acetyltransferase, causes the irreversible inactivation of the enzyme. All observations together lead to the suggestion that 3-keto-4-pentenoyl-CoA is a mechanism-based inhibitor of carnitine acetyltransferase.     

Induction of carnitine acetyltransferase by clofibrate in rat liver.

Administration of the anti-hypercholesterolaemic drug clofibrate to the rat increases the activity of carnitine acetyltransferase (acetyl-CoA-carnitine O-acetyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.7) in liver and kidney. The drug-mediated increase in enzyme activity in hepatic mitochondria shows a time lag during which the activity increases in the microsomal and peroxisomal fractions. The enzyme induced in the particulate fractions is identical with one normally present in mitochondria. The increase in enzyme activity is prevented by inhibitors of RNA and general protein synthesis. Mitochondrial protein-synthetic machinery does not appear to be involved in the process. Immunoprecipitation shows increased concentration of the enzyme protein in hepatic mitochondria isolated from drug-treated animals. In these animals, the rate of synthesis of the enzyme is increased 7-fold.     

Redesign of carnitine acetyltransferase specificity by protein engineering

In eukaryotes, L-carnitine is involved in energy metabolism by facilitating beta-oxidation of fatty acids. Carnitine acetyltransferases (CrAT) catalyze the reversible conversion of acetyl-CoA and carnitine to acetylcarnitine and free CoA. To redesign the specificity of rat CrAT toward its substrates, we mutated Met564. The M564G mutated CrAT showed higher activity toward longer chain acyl-CoAs: activity toward myristoyl-CoA was 1250-fold higher than that of the wild-type CrAT, and lower activity toward its natural substrate, acetyl-CoA. Kinetic constants of the mutant CrAT showed modification in favor of longer acyl-CoAs as substrates. In the reverse case, mutation of the orthologous glycine (Gly553) to methionine in carnitine octanoyltransferase (COT) decreased activity toward its natural substrates, medium- and long-chain acyl-CoAs, and increased activity toward short-chain acyl-CoAs. Another CrAT mutant, M564A, was prepared and tested in the same way, with similar results. We conclude that Met564 blocks the entry of medium- and long-chain acyl-CoAs to the catalytic site of CrAT. Three-dimensional models of wild-type and mutated CrAT and COT support this hypothesis. We show for the first time that a single amino acid is able to determine the substrate specificity of CrAT and COT.     

Specific alkylation of a histidine residue in carnitine acetyltransferase by bromoacetyl-l-carnitine

Incubation of carnitine acetyltransferase with low concentrations of bromoacetyl-l-carnitine causes a rapid and irreversible loss of enzyme activity; one mol of inhibitor can inactivate one mol of enzyme. Bromoacetyl-d-carnitine, iodoacetate or iodoacetamide are ineffective. l-Carnitine protects the transferase from bromoacetyl-l-carnitine. Investigation shows that the enzyme first reversibly binds bromoacetyl-l-carnitine with an affinity similar to that shown for the normal substrate acetyl-l-carnitine; this binding is followed by an alkylation reaction, forming the carnitine ester of a monocarboxymethyl-protein, which is catalytically inactive. The carnitine is released at an appreciable rate by spontaneous hydrolysis, and the resulting carboxymethyl-enzyme is also inactive. Total acid hydrolysis of enzyme after treatment with 2-[(14)C]bromoacetyl-l-carnitine yields N-3-carboxy[(14)C]methylhistidine as the only labelled amino acid. These findings, taken in conjunction with previous work, suggest that the single active centre of carnitine acetyltransferase contains a histidine residue.     

Localization and solubilization of a rat liver microsomal carnitine acetyltransferase.

Carnitine acetyltransferase activity had been previously shown to occur in peroxisomes, mitochondria, and a membranous fraction of rat and pig hepatocytes. When components of this third subcellular fraction (plasma membranes, components of the Golgi apparatus, and microsomes) were further separated, carnitine acetyltransferase fractionated with the microsomes. Microsomes isolated by three different methods (isopycnic sucrose density zonal centrifugation, high-speed differential centrifugation, and aggregation with Ca²⁺ followed by low-speed differential centrifugation) all contained carnitine acetyltransferase activity. The lability of carnitine acetyltransferase in microsomes isolated by different methods and in different isolation media is reported.When total microsomes were subfractionated into rough and smooth components, carnitine acetyltransferase activity was found to the same extent in both and was tightly associated with the microsomal membrane. The microsomal enzyme was rapidly inactivated in 0.25 m sucrose or 0.1 m phosphate, but was stable for at least 2 weeks in 0.4 m KCl. Extensive treatment with high ionic strength salt solutions, 1% Triton X-100, or a combination of the two was used to solubilize microsomal carnitine acetyltransferase activity.Carnitine octanoyltransferase activity was also found in the microsomal fractions isolated by three different methods, but no carnitine palmitoyltransferase was detected in the microsomal fractions. It is proposed that microsomal carnitine acetyl- and octanoyltransferases could be involved in the transfer of acyl groups across the microsomal membrane, thereby providing a source of acetyl and other acyl CoA's at sites of acetylation reactions and synthesis.     

Equilibrium constants of the reactions of choline acetyltransferase, carnitine acetyltransferase, and acetylcholinesterase under physiological conditions.

The observed equilibrium constant (Kobs) for the reaction of choline acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.6) has been determined under physiological conditions. Using sigma and square brackets to indicate total concentrations of all ionic species present: (see article). The value of Kobs has been determined to be 12.3 plus or minus 0.6 at 38 degrees, pH 7.0 and ionic strength 0.25 M. The value at 25 degrees is not significantly different, and the constant has been found to be insensitive to variations in ionic strength (0.03 to 0.375 M), pH (6.5 TO 7.5) OR FREE [Mg-2+] (0 to 5 mM). The Kobs of this reaction reflects the difference between the observed standard free energy change (delta G-oobs) for the hydrolysis of acetylcholine and the delta G-oobs for the hydrolysis of acetyl-CoA. Since the delta G-oobs for the hydrolysis of acetyl-CoA has been previously determined to be minus 8.54 kcal/mol (minus 35.75 kJ/mol under the same physiological conditions, the delta G-oobs for the reaction of acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7): (SEE ARTICLE). Can be calculated to be minus 6.99 kcal/mol (minus 29.26 kJ/mol) at pH ionic strength 0.25 M and 38 degrees, taking the standard state of liquid water to have unit activity ([H2O] equals 1). The pKa for acetic acid under the same conditions, has been determined to be 4.60 plus or minus 0.01, allowing the Kobs for the pH-independent reaction (see article). To be calculated to be 3.28 times 10-2 M. Choline and carnitine are chemical analogues. The Kobs for the corresponding reaction of carnitine acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.7). (SEE ARTICLE). Under the same physiological conditions of pH (7.0), ionic strength (0.25 M), and temperature (38 degrees) has been determined to be 1.73 plus or minus 0.05, making the delta G-oobs for the hydrolysis of acetylcholine only 1.21 kcal/mol (5.06 kJ) less negative than that for the hydrolysis of acetylcarnitine.     

Involvement of carnitine acyltransferases in peroxisomal fatty acid metabolism by the yeast Pichia guilliermondii.

This article provides information about peroxisomal fatty acid metabolism in the yeast Pichia guilliermondii. The existence of inducible mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase and peroxisomal carnitine octanoyl-transferase activities was demonstrated after culture of this yeast in a medium containing methyl oleate. The subcellular sites and induction patterns were studied. The inhibition of carnitine octanoyl- and palmitoyl-transferases by chlorpromazine to a large extent prevented the otherwise observed metabolism-dependent inactivation of thiolase by 2-bromofatty acids in vivo. We concluded that the metabolism of long- and medium-chain fatty acids in the peroxisome of this yeast involved carnitine intermediates.     

Characterization of a soluble carnitine acetyltransferase from Candida tropicalis

Carnitine acetyltransferase was purified from the cytoplasmic fraction of Candida tropicalis grown on alkanes in continuous culture. By ion-exchange chromatography the enzyme was resolved in two fractions with the same specific activity of 80 U/mg. The molecular mass of both enzyme forms, determined by non-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, was 540 kDa. After SDS electrophoresis only one band of 64 kDa was detected indicating that both enzymes are oligomers each containing eight subunits. Isoelectric focusing in agarose under non-denaturing conditions demonstrated the presence of at least four different charged species in the pH range between 5.6 and 6.7. After isoelectric focusing in 9 M urea/1% Nonidet P-40 gels, both enzyme forms were resolved into four bands. Peptide mapping, performed by cyanogen bromide cleavage of polypeptides separated by denaturing isoelectric focusing followed by second-dimension SDS electrophoresis, revealed a very high degree of homology between these polypeptides. The presence of the octameric form of carnitine acetyltransferase already in the starting material was demonstrated by non-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Antibodies against carnitine acetyltransferase from C. tropicalis ATCC 32113 formed precipitation lines with extracts from several Candida species but not with extracts of Candida utilis, Candida ethanothermophilum and an another strain of C. tropicalis.     

DL-aminocarnitine and acetyl-DL-aminocarnitine. Potent inhibitors of carnitine acyltransferases and hepatic triglyceride catabolism

DL-Aminocarnitine (3-amino-4-trimethylaminobutyric acid) and acetyl-DL-aminocarnitine (3-acetamido-4-trimethylaminobutyric acid) have been synthesized and the interactions of these compounds with carnitine acetyltransferase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase investigated. As anticipated from the low group transfer potential of amides, carnitine acetyltransferase catalyzes the transfer of acetyl groups from CoASAc to aminocarnitine (Km = 3.8 mM) but does not catalyze detectable transfer from acetylaminocarnitine to CoASH. Acetyl-DL-aminocarnitine is, however, a potent competitive inhibitor of carnitine acetyltransferase (Ki = 24 microM) and is bound to carnitine acetyltransferase about 13-fold more tightly than is acetylcarnitine, with which it is isosteric. DL-Aminocarnitine and, to a lesser extent, acetyl-DL-aminocarnitine are also inhibitors of the carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity of detergent-lysed rat liver mitochondria; in the presence of 1 mM L-carnitine, 5 microM aminocarnitine inhibits palmitoyl transfer by 64%. Significant acylation of aminocarnitine by palmitoyl-CoA was not observed. Neither aminocarnitine nor acetylaminocarnitine is significantly catabolized by mice; aminocarnitine is converted to acetylaminocarnitine in vivo. Both compounds are excreted in the urine. Mice given acetylaminocarnitine catabolize [14C]acetyl-L-carnitine and [14C]palmitate to 14CO2 more slowly than do control animals. Mice given acetylaminocarnitine and then starved are found to reversibly accumulate triglycerides in their livers; mice given the inhibitor but not starved do not show this effect.     

Isolation and characterization of carnitine acetyltransferase from S. cerevisiae

Carnitine acetyltransferase was isolated from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with an apparent molecular weight of 400,000. The enzyme contains identical subunits of 65,000 Da. The Km values of the isolated enzyme for acetyl-CoA and for carnitine were 17.7 microM and 180 microM, respectively. Carnitine acetyltransferase is an inducible enzyme, a 15-fold increase in the enzyme activity was found when the cells were grown on glycerol instead of glucose. Carnitine acetyltransferase, similarly to citrate synthase, has a double localization (approx. 80% of the enzyme is mitochondrial), while acetyl-CoA synthetase was found only in the cytosol. In the mitochondria carnitine acetyltransferase is located in the matrix space. The incorporation of 14C into CO2 and in lipids showed a similar ratio, 2.9 and 2.6, when the substrate was [1-14C]acetate and [1-14C]acetylcarnitine, respectively. Based on these results carnitine acetyltransferase can be considered as an enzyme necessary for acetate metabolism by transporting the activated acetyl group from the cytosol into the mitochondrial matrix.     

Inhibition of histone acetyltransferase by glycosaminoglycans

Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are a class of enzymes that participate in modulating chromatin structure and gene expression. Altered HAT activity has been implicated in a number of diseases, yet little is known about the regulation of HATs. In this study, we report that glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are potent inhibitors of p300 and pCAF HAT activities in vitro, with heparin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) being the most potent inhibitors. The mechanism of inhibition by heparin was investigated. The ability of heparin to inhibit HAT activity was in part dependent upon its size and structure, as small heparin-derived oligosaccharides (>8 sugars) and N-desulfated or O-desulfated heparin showed reduced inhibitory activity. Heparin was shown to bind to pCAF; and enzyme assays indicated that heparin shows the characteristics of a competitive-like inhibitor causing an approximately 50-fold increase in the apparent Km of pCAF for histone H4. HSPGs isolated from corneal and pulmonary fibroblasts inhibited HAT activity with similar effectiveness as heparin. As evidence that endogenous GAGs might be involved in modulating histone acetylation, the direct addition of heparin to pulmonary fibroblasts resulted in an approximately 50% reduction of histone H3 acetylation after 6 h of treatment. In addition, Chinese hamster ovary cells deficient in GAG synthesis showed increased levels of acetylated histone H3 compared to wild-type parent cells. GAGs represent a new class of HAT inhibitors that might participate in modulating cell function by regulating histone acetylation.     

Inhibition of type I and type II phosphomannose isomerases by the reaction intermediate analogue 5-phospho-D-arabinonohydroxamic acid supports a catalytic role for the metal cofactor

The phosphomannose isomerases (PMI) comprise three families of proteins: type I, type II, and type III PMIs. Members of all three families catalyze the reversible isomerization of D-mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) and D-fructose 6-phosphate (F6P) but share little or no sequence identity. Because (1) PMIs are essential for the survival of several microorganisms, including yeasts and bacteria, and (2) the PMI enzymes from several pathogens do not share significant sequence identity to the human protein, PMIs have been considered as potential therapeutic targets. Elucidation of the catalytic and regulatory mechanisms of the different types of PMIs is strongly needed for rational species-specific drug design. To date, inhibition and crystallographic studies of all PMIs are still largely unexplored. As part of our research program on aldose-ketose isomerases, we report in this paper the evaluation of two new inhibitors of type I and type II PMIs from baker's yeast and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. We found that 5-phospho-D-arabinonohydroxamic acid (5PAH), which is the most potent inhibitor of phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI), is by far the best inhibitor ever reported of both type I and type II PMI-catalyzed isomerization of M6P to F6P. 5PAH, which has an inhibition constant at least 3 orders of magnitude smaller than that of previously reported PMI inhibitors, may be the first high-energy intermediate analogue inhibitor of the enzymes. We also tested the related molecule 5-phospho-D-arabinonate (5PAA), which is a strong competitive inhibitor of PGI, and found that it does not inhibit either PMI. All together, our results are consistent with a catalytic role for the metal cofactor in PMI activity.