Regulatory calcium effect on adenylyl cyclase functional activity in the infusorian Dileptus anser

Earlier we have shown that some non-hormonal activators of adenylyl cyclase (AC) and hormones of higher vertebrate animals are able to affect functional activity of the AC system in the infusorian Dileptus anser. In the present work, sensitivity of this infusorian AC to Ca2+ was studied and it was found that calcium cations at concentrations of 0.5-10 microM stimulated significantly the enzyme activity in D. anser partially purified membranes. An increase of Ca2+ concentrations to 100 microM and higher led to the complete block of their stimulatory effect. In the EDTA-treated membranes the enzyme activity was reduced markedly, but it was restored significantly by addition of Ca2+. Calmodulin antagonists--chlorpromazine, W-7, and W-5--caused a dose-dependent decrease of the enzyme activity stimulated by 5 microM Ca2+ with IC50 values of 35, 137, and 174 microM, respectively. The AC-stimulating effects of biogenic amines (serotonin and octopamine) were completely retained in the presence of 2.5 and 100 microM Ca2+, whereas effects of peptide hormones (relaxine and EGF) were hardly changed in the presence of 2.5 microM calcium ions, but were markedly inhibited by 100 microM Ca2+. In the EDTA-treated membranes, the AC effects of biogenic amines were reduced, while the effects of peptide hormones were not revealed. On addition of Ca2+, the AC effects of biogenic amines were completely restored, whereas the effects of peptide hormones were not detected or were restored to a non-significant degree. Calmodulin antagonists slightly affected the AC effects of peptide hormones at concentrations efficient in the case of vertebrate AC, but decreased them markedly at higher concentrations. The AC effects of biogenic amines were little sensitive even to high antagonist concentrations. The obtained data show that targets of action of peptide hormones in the infusorian D. anser cell culture are the AC forms whose activity does not D. depends on calcium cations and possibly is regulated by Ca2+/calmodulin, whereas targets of action of biogenic amines are calcium-independent enzyme forms.     

Polymer-bound 1-aryl-3-alkyltriazenes as modular ligands for catalysis. Part 1: synthesis and metal coordination

A range of di- and tri-substituted triazenes have been synthesized from a polymer-supported diazonium salt and various primary and secondary amines. The triazenes obtained were treated with transition metal salts to form polymer-supported metal complexes in firstly a general screen and then in a specific manner.     

Amine metabolite profile of normal and uremic urine using gas chromatography—mass spectrometry

A method for the simultaneous analysis of phenolic amines and aliphatic amines in human urine is described. The amine metabolites in urine were extracted using Dowex 50W-X8 cationic resin, derivatized and analyzed by a gas chromatographic—mass spectrometric—computer system. The amine metabolites profile of 5 ml of urine was obtained with good gas chromatographic separation. The gas chromatographic method described here separates urinary phenolic amines, di- and polyamines and methylguanidine in a single chromatographic separation. The urinary levels of methylguanidine, putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, p-tyramine, dopamine, and 3-methoxytyramine were quantitated by using a mass spectrometric technique. In uremic patients, only the urinary excretion of methylguanidine was increased in comparison with normal subjects, although the urinary excretion of other amines was decreased in uremic patients.     

Dinitrophenol, dicoumarol and pentachlorophenol as inhibitors and parasite substrates in the ATP phosphoribosyltransferase reaction.

Adenosine-triphosphate phosphoribosyltransferase from Escherichia coli is inhibited by dicoumarol and pentachlorophenol in competition with ATP. Ki was approximately 60 muM for dicoumarol and 50 muM for pentachlorophenol. Carbonylcyanide m-chlorphenylhydrazine did not seem to have any kinetic effect. Dicoumarol is bound to the extent of 6 sites per enzyme hexamer with a dissociation constant Kd of 50 muM. Dicoumarol and pentachlorophenol partly prevent the binding of ATP and AMP to the transferase. The reverse reaction is inhibited by dicoumarol and pentachlorophenol without changes in [s]0.5 for phosphoribostladenosine trophosphate. Dicumarol, dinitrophenol and pentachlorophenol diminish the yield of phosphoribosyladenosine triphosphate in the transferase reaction apparently by acting as parasite substrates; carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone had no effect.     

Regulatory calcium effect on adenylyl cyclase functional activity in the infusorian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dileptis anser</Emphasis>

Earlier we have shown that some non-hormonal activators of adenylyl cyclase (AC) and hormones of higher vertebrate animals are able to affect functional activity of the AC system in the infusorian Dileptus anser. In the present work, sensitivity of this infusorian AC to Ca²⁺ was studied and it was found that calcium cations at concentrations of 0.5–10 μM stimulated significantly the enzyme activity in D. anser partially purified membranes. An increase of Ca²⁺ concentrations to 100 μM and higher led to the complete block of their stimulatory effect. In the EDTA-treated membranes the enzyme activity was reduced markedly, but it was restored significantly by addition of Ca²⁺. Calmodulin antagonists—chlorpromazine, W-7, and W-5—caused a dose-dependent decrease of the enzyme activity stimulated by 5 μM Ca²⁺ with IC₅₀ values of 35, 137, and 174 M, respectively. The AC-stimulating effects of biogenic amines (serotonin and octopamine) were completely retained in the presence of 2.5 and 100 μM Ca²⁺, whereas effects of peptide hormones (relaxine and EGF) were hardly changed in the presence of 2.5 μM calcium ions, but were markedly inhibited by 100 μM Ca²⁺. In the EDTA-treated membranes, the AC effects of biogenic amines were reduced, while the effects of peptide hormones were not revealed. On addition of Ca²⁺, the AC effects of biogenic amines were completely restored, whereas the effects of peptide hormones were not detected or restored to a non-significant degree. Calmodulin antagonists slightly affected the AC effects of peptide hormones at concentrations efficient in the case of vertebrate AC, but decreased them markedly at higher concentrations. The AC effects of biogenic amines were little sensitive even to high antagonist concentrations. The obtained data show that targets of action of peptide hormones in the infusorian D. anser cell culture are the AC forms whose activity depends on calcium cations and possibly is regulated by Ca²⁺/calmodulin, whereas targets of action of biogenic amines are calcium-independent enzyme forms.     

Evolution of a metabolic pathway for degradation of a toxic xenobiotic: the patchwork approach

The pathway for degradation of the xenobiotic pesticide pentachlorophenol in Sphingomonas chlorophenolica probably evolved in the past few decades by the recruitment of enzymes from two other catabolic pathways. The first and third enzymes in the pathway, pentachlorophenol hydroxylase and 2,6-dichlorohydroquinone dioxygenase, may have originated from enzymes in a pathway for degradation of a naturally occurring chlorinated phenol. The second enzyme, a reductive dehalogenase, may have evolved from a maleylacetoacetate isomerase normally involved in degradation of tyrosine. This apparently recently assembled pathway does not function very well: pentachlorophenol hydroxylase is quite slow, and tetrachlorohydroquinone dehalogenase is subject to severe substrate inhibition.     

Bacterial Methylation of Chlorinated Phenols and Guaiacols: Formation of Veratroles from Guaiacols and High-Molecular-Weight Chlorinated Lignin

Two strains of bacteria, provisionally assigned to the genus Arthrobacter, were shown to metabolize mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrachloroguaiacols and pentachlorophenol to the corresponding O-methyl compounds. Hydroxylated intermediates were formed only transiently, except for the synthesis by one strain of 3,4,5-trichlorosyringol from 3,4,5-trichloroguaiacol. Two isomeric trichloroveratroles and tetrachloroveratrole were formed by three of the strains from a high-molecular-weight chlorinated lignin isolated from kraft pulp mill bleach plant. The concentrations of methylated metabolites varied widely and did not appear to be correlated with degradation. The possible environmental consequences resulting from synthesis of these highly lipophilic substances are discussed briefly.     

N-hydroxyarylamine O-acetyltransferase-deficient Escherichia coli strains are resistant to the mutagenicity of nitro compounds

In Salmonella typhimurium, a single enzyme catalyzes both the acetyl CoA-dependent O-acetylation of hydroxylamines (a key step in the activation of mutagenic nitroaromatic compounds and related aromatic and heterocyclic amines) and the N-acetylation of aromatic amines. S. typhimurium Ames test mutants lacking this activity are highly resistant to the genotoxic effects of nitro compounds. However, such mutants have not yet been obtained in Escherichia coli. We used a PCR-based method to engineer a null mutation (deletion) of the nhoA gene encoding the enzyme in E. coli and we transduced this mutation into a lacZ strain background suitable for use in mutation assays. In E. coli, as in S. typhimurium, nhoA mutants show marked resistance to nitro compound mutagenicity. The new strains provide a clean background for expression of recombinant N-acetyltransferases.     

Methylamine dehydrogenase of Pseudomonas sp. J. Purification and properties.

Methylamine dehydrogenase was purified in a homogeneous form from methylamine-grown Pseudomonas sp. J. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 5.19 at 19 degrees C. The molecular weight was estimated to be 105 000, and the enzyme was composed of two kinds of subunit with molecular weights of 40 000 and 13 000, respectively. The enzyme contained little phosphorus, iron and copper. The enzyme had absorption maxima at 278, 330, 430 and 460 nm (shoulder). On addition of methylamine, the peaks at 430 and 460 nm decreased, while that at 330 nm increased. Primary amines served as substrates, but secondary and tertiary amines did not. Phenazine methosulfate was the most effective electron acceptor and oxygen was ineffective. The enzyme was inhibited by carbonyl reagents, cuprizone and HgCl2 but not by other chelators or sulfhydryl reagents. Some of other physical and biochemical properties of the enzyme were studied. These results show that the enzyme purified from Pseudomonas sp. J is essentially similar to the enzyme obtained from Pseudomonas AM1, although it differs slightly in some properties.     

Degradation and O-methylation of chlorinated phenolic compounds by Rhodococcus and Mycobacterium strains.

Three polychlorophenol-degrading Rhodococcus and Mycobacterium strains were isolated independently from soil contaminated with chlorophenol wood preservative and from sludge of a wastewater treatment facility of a kraft pulp bleaching plant. Rhodococcus sp. strain CG-1 and Mycobacterium sp. strain CG-2, isolated from tetrachloroguaiacol enrichment, and Rhodococcus sp. strain CP-2, isolated from pentachlorophenol enrichment, mineralized pentachlorophenol and degraded several other polychlorinated phenols, guaiacols (2-methoxyphenols), and syringols (2,6-dimethoxyphenols) at micromolar concentrations and were sensitive to the toxic effects of pentachlorophenol. All three strains initiated degradation of the chlorophenols by para-hydroxylation, producing chlorinated para-hydroquinones, which were then further degraded. Parallel to degradation, strains CG-1, CG-2, and CP-2 also O-methylated nearly all chlorinated phenols, guaiacols, syringols, and hydroquinones. O-methylation of chlorophenols was a slow reaction compared with degradation. The preferred substrates of the O-methylating enzyme(s) were those with the hydroxyl group flanked by two chlorine substituents. O-methylation was constitutively expressed, whereas degradation of chlorinated phenolic compounds was inducible.     

Degradation and O-methylation of chlorinated phenolic compounds by Rhodococcus and Mycobacterium strains

Three polychlorophenol-degrading Rhodococcus and Mycobacterium strains were isolated independently from soil contaminated with chlorophenol wood preservative and from sludge of a wastewater treatment facility of a kraft pulp bleaching plant. Rhodococcus sp. strain CG-1 and Mycobacterium sp. strain CG-2, isolated from tetrachloroguaiacol enrichment, and Rhodococcus sp. strain CP-2, isolated from pentachlorophenol enrichment, mineralized pentachlorophenol and degraded several other polychlorinated phenols, guaiacols (2-methoxyphenols), and syringols (2,6-dimethoxyphenols) at micromolar concentrations and were sensitive to the toxic effects of pentachlorophenol. All three strains initiated degradation of the chlorophenols by para-hydroxylation, producing chlorinated para-hydroquinones, which were then further degraded. Parallel to degradation, strains CG-1, CG-2, and CP-2 also O-methylated nearly all chlorinated phenols, guaiacols, syringols, and hydroquinones. O-methylation of chlorophenols was a slow reaction compared with degradation. The preferred substrates of the O-methylating enzyme(s) were those with the hydroxyl group flanked by two chlorine substituents. O-methylation was constitutively expressed, whereas degradation of chlorinated phenolic compounds was inducible.     

Kinetics of microbial growth on mixtures of pentachlorophenol and chlorinated aromatic compounds

Batch experiments were conducted to examine the effects of several substrate analogs on the degradation of pentachlorophenol by an enrichment culture of pentachlorophenol-utilizing bacteria. The presence of substrate analogs which were unable to serve as a carbon source for growth of the culture (e.g., 3,5,6,-trichloro-2-pyridinol, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) decreased the rate of pentachlorophenol degradation. The presence of a utilizable substrate analog (e.g., phenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol) also inhibited the initial rate of pentachlorophenol degradation; however, the overall removal rate was accelerated due to an increase in cell mass concentration as a result of simultaneous growth on both substrates. These effects were shown to be predicted by a mathematical model based on a modified Monod equation. Kinetic parameters obtained from the results of laboratory studies can be used for further process analysis to define the optimal conditions for the biological treatment of complex mixtures of phenolic compounds.     

Biochemical characterisation of an aldoxime-forming flavoprotein involved in 2-phenylethylglucosinolate biosynthesis in Brassica species

L-Homophenylalanine (L-HPhe) is the precursor of 2-phenylethylglucosinolate, a secondary metabolite present in some Brassica and related species. A key step in its biosynthesis is the oxidative decarboxylation of L-HPhe to its aldoxime. The enzyme catalysing this reaction has been shown to be a NADPH- and O₂-dependent microsomal flavoprotein (L-HPhe FP; EC unclassified). Inhibition studies using Phe homologs and HPhe analogs (α-amino-, α-carboxyl- and ring-substituted), and specific amino acid modifications, were carried out to determine the possible active site structure and catalytic mechanism of L-HPhe FP. Activity with L-HPhe was inhibited by the two higher homologs, but not by L-Phe. Methylation of the substrate α-amino group, or replacement of the α-carboxyl group with a phosphonic acid group, significantly reduced the inhibition. Ring substitutions had varying effects: single methyl substitutions had only minor effects on binding to the active site, whereas di- or tri-methyl, methoxy or halide substitutions significantly reduced inhibition. Simple amines had no significant effect on L-HPhe FP activity. Binding to the active site of the enzyme appears to require a minimum chain length, plus an aromatic ring at one end of the molecule and unmodified α-amino acid moiety at the other. Chemical modification of amino acids on the protein implied there was no requirement for thiol groups (-SH), Ser/Thr hydroxyl groups, or L-Arg in the active site of L-HPhe FP. However, there was evidence for the presence of essential His and Tyr residues, and the involvement of Glu or Asp residues at or near the active site.     

Metabolic conversion of IQ and MeIQ to bacterial mutagens

The metabolic conversion of 2-amino-3-methyl- and 2-amino-3,4-dimethyl-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ and MeIQ respectively) to bacterial mutagens was studied using a bacterial mutation assay. Studies were performed using S9 fractions derived from either corn oil (uninduced) or Aroclor-1254-treated Sprague-Dawley rats. Aroclor 1254 treatment lowered the S9 protein concentration required for optimum levels of mutagenesis, enhanced the numbers of mutants observed and altered the effects of metabolic inhibitors and cofactors added to the assay. Studies with uninduced preparations revealed that IQ and MeIQ exhibited similar responses to the effects of metabolic inhibitors and cofactors involved in detoxication reactions. Both IQ and MeIQ activation appeared to be inhibited by the biogenic amines tryptamine and tyramine and inactivated by conjugation with either acetyl coenzyme A or glutathione.     

Oxidation of dimethylamine and trimethylamine in methazotrophic yeasts by microsomal mono-oxygenases sensitive to carbon monoxide

Whole cells of Candida boidinii grown on di- or tri-methylamine as sole nitrogen source readily oxidized both amines. The oxidation was potently inhibited by carbon monoxide. Cell-free extracts required the presence of 20 μM FAD before mono-oxygenase activity with both amines could be demonstrated. NADH was a better electron donor than NADPH. Activity was present in cells grown on secondary and tertiary amines but not on primary amines, and was detected in a number of different yeasts. Enzyme activity could be sedimented at 187 000 x g, and was associated with NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. It is thus probably microsomal. Activity was inhibited by cyanide, mercaptoethanol, carbon monoxide and proadifen hydrochloride (SKF 525-A).     

Stimulus-response coupling in human platelets. Changes evoked by platelet-activating factor in cytoplasmic free calcium monitored with the fluorescent calcium indicator quin2.

Rat pancreatic islets contain a Ca2+-activated and thiol-dependent transglutaminase (EC 2.3.2.13) comparable in activity with that found in rat liver, lung and spleen. The Ca2+-dependence of this enzyme is such that half-maximal velocity was obtained in the region of 40 microM. Preincubation of rat islets with primary-amine substrates of transglutaminase (monodansylcadaverine, methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine and cystamine) led to an inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin release by these amines. Kinetic analysis of the competitive substrates methylamine, monodansylcadaverine, propylamine and ethylamine for their ability to inhibit islet transglutaminase activity indicated a potency that matched their ability to inhibit glucose-stimulated insulin release. When these amines were tested for their effects on glucose-stimulated protein synthesis and glucose utilization, the most potent inhibitor of insulin release, monodansylcadaverine, had no effect on either process at 100 microM. The amines cystamine, ethylamine, methylamine and propylamine had variable effects on these metabolic processes. For ethylamine, methylamine and propylamine, concentrations were found which inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin release in a manner which was found to be independent of their effects on either glucose oxidation or protein synthesis. Primary amines may therefore inhibit insulin release through their incorporation by islet transglutaminase into normal cross-linking sites. A role for protein cross-linking in the secretory mechanism is suggested.     

Evidence that pcpA encodes 2,6-dichlorohydroquinone dioxygenase, the ring cleavage enzyme required for pentachlorophenol degradation in Sphingomonas chlorophenolica strain ATCC 39723.

An enzyme that catalyzes an Fe2+-dependent reaction of 2, 6-dichlorohydroquinone with O2 has been isolated from Sphingomonas chlorophenolica sp. strain ATCC 39723, a soil microorganism capable of complete mineralization of pentachlorophenol. The product of the reaction is too unstable to allow spectroscopic characterization, but is apparently negatively charged and retains the two chlorine atoms of the substrate. The enzyme was partially sequenced using electrospray LC-MS, and one peptide was used to search the NCBInr database. This peptide matched a part of PcpA, a protein of unknown function that is induced in S. chlorophenolica in response to pentachlorophenol. Several other peptides could also be mapped onto the sequence of PcpA, suggesting that the enzyme is encoded by pcpA. PcpA has low but significant sequence similarity to an unusual class of extradiol dioxygenases. On the basis of the sequence analysis, the Fe2+ and O2 dependence of the enzyme, and the characteristics of the product, the enzyme is proposed to be a 2,6-dichlorohydroquinone dioxygenase. The position of ring cleavage has not yet been identified.     

Heterocyclic aromatic amines, food-derived mutagens: metabolism and relevance to cancer susceptibility

It is estimated that diet contributes to as much as one-third of cancer incidents. Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) are well-known mutagens/carcinogens found in thermal-processed meat and fish. HCAs require metabolic activation to exert their carcinogenic potential. First step in HCAs activation--the generation of N-hydroxy-HCA derivatives--is catalyzed by cytochrome P450, mainly isoenzyme CYP1A2. Further activation is carried out by N-acetyltransferases and sulfotransferases, which catalyze esterification of N-hydroxy-HCAs. The products of these reactions are highly genotoxic, capable of direct interaction with DNA by adduct formation. HCA-DNA adducts may cause errors in DNA replication and the generation of mutations, which, when not repaired, may contribute to cancer development. On the other hand, among enzymes involved in HCAs detoxication, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases and glutathione S-transferases can be mentioned. Balance between activation and detoxication processes of HCAs, together with genetically determined differences in HCA metabolism are crucial for the assessment of HCA-dependent cancer risk among individuals.     

Kinetic properties of a nucleoside phosphotransferase of chick embryo

1. A nonspecific nucleoside phosphotransferase (nucleotide : 3'-deoxynucleotide 5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.77), purified from chick embryos, catalyzes the transfer of phosphate ester from a nucleotide donor to a nucleoside acceptor. 2. The enzyme exhibits sigmoidal kinetics with respect to nucleoside monophosphate donors, but with respect to nucleoside di- or triphosphate donors and nucleoside acceptors hyperbolic kinetics were obtained. 3. The nucleoside phosphotransferase of chick embryo is unstable to heat and is protected from inactivation by a large number of nucleosides. 4. Nucleoside di- and triphosphates lower both the concentration of nucleoside monophosphates required for half-maximal velocity and the kinetic order of reaction measured with these phosphate donors. On the contrary, nucleoside di- or triphosphate do not modify the kinetic parameters evaluated for nucleoside acceptors. 5. We suggest that the nucleoside phosphotransferase contains both substrate and regulatory sites. It seems that the free apoenzyme is converted, by means of cooperative interactions between regulatory sites, into an enzyme-nucleotide complex, which is particularly stable at 37 degrees C.     

Effects of pentachlorophenol and some of its known and possible metabolites on fungi.

The fungicidal activity of pentachlorophenol and its derivatives against 16 species of fungi representing 14 genera was tested. In relation to pentachlorophenol, no increase in fungistatic activity was found for pentachloroanisole, pentachloronitrobenzene, hexachlorobenzene, pentachlorophenyl acetate, o- and p-chloranil, the three isomeric chlorophenols, 2,6-dichlorophenol, the three isomeric tetrachlorobenzenediols, the three isomeric tetrachlorodimethoxybenzenes, the three isomeric tetrachlorobenzenediol diacetates, and all of the isomeric mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrachloroanisoles, except for 2,3,5-trichloroanisole with Geotrichum candidadum PC 67 and for 2,3,5,6-tetrachloroanisole with Mucor circinelloides PC 1. Increasing fungistatic activities were seen with 3,5-dichlorophenol, four trichlorophenols, and 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol for all of the strains, with four dichlorophenols, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and two tetrachlorophenols for some strains, and with 2,3,6-trichlorophenol for only one strain (M. circinelloides PC 1).