Kinetic alpha-deuterium isotope effects for enzymatic and nonenzymatic hydrolysis of nicotinamide-beta-riboside.

The kinetic α-secondary deuterium isotope effect, $\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{H}}\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{D}}$, for the pH-independent hydrolysis of nicotinamide riboside, yielding nicotinamide and ribose, in water at 25 ° is 1.14, establishing that this reaction proceeds with unimolecular substrate decomposition to yield a carboxonium ion, or related species, in the rate-determining step. Surprisingly, the corresponding isotope effect for the base-catalyzed decomposition of the same substrate is 1.12, a value indicating considerable sp² character at the Cl′ position in the transition state for this reaction. A similar result, $\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{H}}\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{D}}\text{= 1.15}$, was obtained for base-catalyzed hydrolysis of NAD⁺. The kinetic alpha deuterium isotope effect for the pig brain NAD glycohydrolasecatalyzed hydrolysis of nicotinamide riboside is 1.08. This value suggests that CN bond cleavage to form an intermediate carboxonium ion, or structurally related species, is at least partially rate-determining. In contrast, the corresponding value for the hydrolysis of this substrate catalyzed by Escherichia coli nicotinamide ribonucleotide glycohydrolase is very near unity, a result consistent with several interpretations including a rate-determining enzyme isomerization reaction.     

Catalysis of ester hydrolysis by N-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)acetohydroxamic acid (I)

N-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)acetohydroxamic acid was synthesized. This compound, which incorporates a dimethylamino group as a second functionality into the hydroxamic acid molecule, catalyzes the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate faster than acetohydroxamic acid itself does. The function of the dimethylamino group is to labilize the intermediate formed in the reaction, thus assisting deacylation intramolecularly. The dimethylamino group carries out this function by intramolecular general base catalysis. Nucleophilic catalysis is ruled out by the sizable deuterium oxide solvent isotope effect () found. General acid-hydroxide ion catalysis is ruled out by determination of the lack of reaction with azide ion, which does not possess a dissociable proton, with the intermediate in this reaction. The deuterium oxide solvent isotope effect on the azide ion reaction of the intermediate also rules out a general acid-hydroxide ion reaction.     

Anomerization of glucose 6-phosphate. pH dependence and solvent isotope effects.

The anomerization of α-d-glucose 6-phosphate has been examined using a spectrophotometric coupled enzyme assay. The pH-rate profile for spontaneous d-glucose 6-phosphate anomerization reveals that the d-glucose 6-phosphate dianion is the species giving rise to the much higher rate of d-glucose 6-phosphate anomerization over that of d-glucose. A deuterium solvent isotope effect of is consistent with the postulated intramolecular general-base catalysis by the phosphate.     

Intramolecular determination of primary kinetic isotope effects in hydroxylations catalyzed by cytochrome P-450

Isotope effects for hydroxylation reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 have usually been measured by comparing the overall reaction velocities of deuterated and nondeuterated substrates. Since the rate-limiting step is probably not the single reaction involving covalent bond cleavage, such an approach does not yield information about the primary isotope effect. We measured the primary kinetic isotope effect for benzylic hydroxylation by a method utilizing intramolecular competition, using the symmetrical substrate 1,3-diphenylpropane-1,1-d₂. These experiments yield a value of $\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{D}}\text{= 11}$, a larger effect than has previously been reported for benzylic hydroxylations.     

Enhanced rates of acyl transfer to a neighboring hydroxyl group

2-Hydroxymethyl-4-nitrophenyl trimethylacetate is rapidly converted, by an intramolecular pathway, to its benzyl ester counterpart in aqueous solutions of dilute buffers. Intramolecular acyl migration is favored by a factor of 10⁵ over intermolecular transfer of the trimethylacetyl group to surrounding water molecules. The activation parameters of the reaction demonstrate that the rate acceleration is primarily entropic in origin. At constant pH, the apparent first-order rate constant for intramolecular acyl migration displays a linear dependence on the concentration of the basic component of the buffer. For catalysis by imidazole, a solvent deuterium isotope effect of $\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>D</mtext>}}\text{= 2.4}$ is observed, in accord with a general base-catalyzed pathway. Similarities between intramolecular and intracomplex transacylations are discussed with the conclusion that the migration of a trimethylacetyl group from the phenolic oxygen atom of a 2-hydroxymethyl-4-nitrophenol to the adjacent benzylic oxygen atom provides an accurate model for acylation of the serine hydroxyl group at the active site of α-chymotrypsin by nitrophenyl esters.     

The addition of bisulfite to 5-fluorouracil. Evidence for a change in rate determining step

The kinetics of bisulfite addition to 5-fluorouracil were studied as a function of increasing concentrations of potential general acids. Values of $\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{obsd}}\text{[}\text{SO}{}_3{}^{\mathrm{=}}\text{]}$ measured at 25°C and ionic strength 1.0 M increased linearly and then became invariant with increasing concentrations of either HSO₃^? or (OHCH₂CH₂)₂N⁺C(CH₂OH)₃ HCl (BisTris⁺HCl). A small kinetic hydrogen-deuterium isotope effect ($\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{HS}}\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{DS}}\text{= 1.10}$) was observed for the general acid catalysed portion of the addition reaction. The kinetics of bisulfite elimination from 5-fluoro-5,6-dihydrouracil-6-sulfonate were studied in ethanolamine buffers. As previously observed with 1,3-dimethyl-5,6-dihydrouracil-6-sulfonate, this reaction is subject to general base catalysis and exhibits a large kinetic hydrogen-deuterium isotope effect (). The kinetic results for the addition reaction are consistent with a multistep reaction pathway involving the initial formation of an oxyanion sulfite addition intermediate (II) which subsequently adds a proton and undergoes tautomerization to yield the final 5-fluoro-5,6-dihydrouracil-6-sulfonate product. Thus the elimination of bisulfite from 5-fluoro-5,6-dihydrouracil-6-sulfonate probably proceeds by an ElcB mechanism which involves, at relatively low concentrations of general base, rate determining general base catalyzed proton abstraction from carbon 5 to yield intermediate II followed by the rapid elimination of sulfite to yield 5-fluorouracil. These results may be related to both the enzymatically catalyzed dehalogenation of bromoand iodouracil and the methylation of deoxyuridylate by thymidylate synthetase.     

Solvent isotope effects on the structure and function of mitochondrial membranes in aqueous media

The structural stability of mitochondrial membranes and the enzyme complexes of the electron transport system, and the solubility of a small molecular-weight nonelectrolyte (2-methylnaphthoquinone), have been studied as a function of water structure. D₂O, which is considered to be more structured than ordinary water, and H₂O were used as solvents in conjunction with chaotropic ions which have been shown to break down water structure. Assays for membrane stability were (a) resolution with respect to solubilization of at least one constituent enzyme, and (b) chaotrope-induced lipid autoxidation, which is a measure of structural destabilization. Solvent isotope effects expressed as the quotient of chaotrope (NaClO₄) concentration ($\text{C}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>D</mtext>}}\text{C}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}$) necessary to elicit the same effect were found to be (a) essentially constant for each system over a wide range of NaClO₄ concentration, and (b) limited to the narrow range of 1.2–1.8 in all tests despite significant differences in the systems studied and the measurements used. The magnitude and the constancy of the isotope effects indicate that increased membrane stability (i.e., the increased strength of hydrophobic interactions in membranes), and decreased water-solubility of nonelectrolytes in D₂O are mainly due to the higher degree of order of the deuterated solvent. Thus, in the mitochondrial electron transport chain and many other enzyme systems where solvent isotope effects have been observed, the isotope effect appears to be more a consequence of conformational changes imposed on the enzymes by D₂O, because it is a more structured solvent, rather than an indication of direct involvement of protons or the water molecule in the reaction mechanisms.     

Anomerization of glucose 6-phosphate: catalysis by phosphoglucose isomerase.

The anomerase (1-epimerase) activity of phosphoglucose isomerase (d-glucose 6-phosphate ketol-isomerase EC 5.3.1.9) has been studied. The pH-V_max profile, assayed by two different methods, shows a dependence on two ionizable groups in the enzyme with pK values of 7.0 and 9.3 at 0 °C. Additionally, an unusual reversal of the basic leg of the normal profile to yield a large increase in V_max is observed above pH 9.5. Deuterium solvent isotope effects of are observed for isomerase and anomerase activities respectively. An anomerase mechanism similar to noncatalyzed anomerization is postulated with a discussion of the catalytic groups involved.     

Malate dehydrogenase. Kinetic studies with meso-tartrate and 2-keto-3-hydroxysuccinate, comparison of the mitochondrial and supernatant pig heart enzymes.

Initial rate, product inhibition, and isotope rate kinetic studies of pig heart mitochondrial and supernatant malate dehydrogenases, acting upon the nonphysiological substrates, meso-tartrate and 2-keto-3-hydroxysuccinate, are reported. The measured spontaneous keto-enol equilibrium for 2-keto-3-hydroxysuccinate in 0.05 m Tris-acetate (pH 8.0) at 25 °C favors the enol form, dihydroxyfumarate, with an apparent equilibrium constant of 0.036. The enzyme-catalyzed reaction favors meso-tartrate with an apparent equilibrium constant of 1.25 × 10^?6, M^?1 at pH 8.0. The mechanism apparently remains ordered bi bi for both enzymes when these nonphysiological substrates are used, and the chemical-converting hydride transfer step becomes more rate limiting for both enzymes. This conclusion is supported by $\text{V}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}\text{V}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>D</mtext>}}$ and $\text{(}\text{V}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}\text{)}\text{V}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>D</mtext>}}\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>D</mtext>}}$ values of 2.6 and 3.1, respectively, for the mitochondrial enzyme and 1.9 and 2.9, respectively, for the supernatant enzyme.     

H/2H isotope effect in redox reactions of cytochrome c

The rate of reaction of ferro- and ferricytochrome c (C(II) and C(III)) with ferri- and ferrocyanide and of C(III) with O₂^? and CO₂^? was determined in H₂O and in ²H₂O in the temperature range 5–35 °C. No isotope effect was evident in any of the reductions of C(III); the apparent energy of activation was identical in H₂O and ²H₂O. An isotope effect with , depending on pH for instance was observed in the oxidation of C(II), in the slow phase of oxidation which involves conformational changes. An interpretation (supported by evidence from previous work) involving water molecules in the close vicinity of the reaction site on the protein is discussed.     

Reactivity of chemically generated superoxide radical anion with peroxides as determined by competition kinetics

A steady-state competition system has been developed to investigate the reactions of the superoxide radical anion ($\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?</mtext>}}$) with various peroxides, including the so-called Haber-Weiss reaction. Potassium superoxide dissolved in an oxygen-free solution of DMSO containing 18-dicyclohexyl-6-crown, is the source of $\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?</mtext>}}$. High pressure liquid chromatography is used as an assay system for $\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?</mtext>}}$ reactivity, to detect and quantitate the yield of anthracene, formed as a major product in the reaction between $\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?</mtext>}}$ and 9,10-dihydroanthrancene. Decrease in anthracene yields, in the presence of peroxide, may be used to indicate a possible competing reaction between $\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?</mtext>}}$ and added peroxide. Complications involving peroxide-stimulated formation of anthraquinone derivatives are discussed. No evidence for a competing reaction between $\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?</mtext>}}$ and peroxide can be detected up to a 10-fold excess of peroxide over 9,10-dihydroanthracene.     

The diffusion-concentration product of oxygen in lipid bilayers using the spin-label T1 method

A method is described to measure the oxygen diffusion-concentration product, $\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>o</mtext>}}\text{[}\text{O}{}_2\text{]}$, at any locus that can be probed or labeled using nitroxide radicals. The method is based on the dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation time $\text{T}{}_1$ of the spin label on the bimolecular collision rate with oxygen. Strong Heisenberg exchange between spin label and oxygen contributes directly to $\text{T}{}_1$ of the spin label, while dipolar interactions are negligible. Both time-domain and continuous wave saturation methods for studying $\text{T}{}_1$ are considered. The method has been applied to phospholipid liposomes using fatty acid spin labels. A discontinuity in $\text{D}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>o</mtext>}}\text{[}\text{O}{}_2\text{]}$ at the main phase transition was observed.     

Mechanistic studies of epoxide hydrolase utilizing a continuous spectophotometric assay

A precise continuous photometric assay has been devised and utilized for mechanistic studies of chicken and rat liver microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EH). The assay is based on monitoring the hydration of p-nitrostyrene oxide (PNSO) at 310 nm. Rat liver EH hydrates S-(+)- and R-(?)-PNSO differentially, the K_m and V values for the former being ca. four times those for the latter; in contrast, enantiomeric differences are negligible with chicken liver EH. With rat EH V increases slightly from pH 7 to 8 and then falls rapidly from pH 8 to 9.5; K_m remains constant from pH 7 to 8 and then increases steadily from pH 8 to 9.5. In 86 mol% D₂O the solvent isotope effect on V ($\text{H}{}_2\text{O}\text{D}{}_2\text{O}$) is 1.103 ± 0.015. Both rat and chicken EH show a 3% inverse isotope effect for the hydration of [7-²H]PNSO and a 4% normal isotope effect for the hydration of [8-²H₂]PNSO. These observations are discussed in terms of the possible participation of acid as well as base catalysis in the enzymatic mechanism.     

Additivity of isotope effects for successive deuteration in the deacetylation of acetyl-α-chymotrypsin

α-Chymotrypsin, converted to the acetyl enzyme by the p-nitrophenyl esters of CH₃COOH, CH₂DCOOH, CHD₂COOH, and CD₃COOH, undergoes deacetylation at pH 7.6 (phosphate buffer) and 25°C with secondary isotope effects of $\text{k(}\text{CH}{}_3\text{)}\text{k(}\text{CH}{}_2\text{D}\text{)}\text{= 0.985 ± 0.006}$, $\text{k(}\text{CH}{}_3\text{)}\text{k(}\text{CHD}{}_2\text{)}\text{= 0.971 ± 0.010}$, and $\text{k(}\text{CH}{}_3\text{)}\text{k(}\text{CD}{}_3\text{)}\text{= 0.956 ± 0.008}$. These isotope effects obey the simple additivity rule (“Rule of the Geometric Mean”) to within 20 J/mol, corresponding to about 5–6% of the maximum isotope effect for carbonyl addition. Thus, to this level, the three hydrogenic sites of the acetyl group are not rendered distinct in their contributions to the overall isotope effect even in the chiral environment of the chymotrypsin active site.     

The accumulation of superoxide radical during the aerobic action of xanthine oxidase A requiem for H2O4−

The action of xanthine oxidase upon acetaldehyde or xanthine at pH 10.2 has been shown to be accompanied by substantial accumulation of O₂^? during the first few minutes of the reaction. H₂O₂ decreases this accumulation of O₂^? presumably because of the Haber-Weiss reaction ($\text{H}{}_2\text{O}{}_2\text{+}\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{→}\text{OH}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{+}\text{OH}\text{+}\text{O}{}_2$) and very small amounts of superoxide dismutase eliminate it. This accumulation of O₂^? was demonstrated in terms of a burst of reduction of cytochrome $\text{c}$, seen when the latter compound was added after aerobic preincubation of xanthine oxidase with its substrate. The kinetic peculiarities of the luminescence seen in the presence of luminol, which previously led to the proposal of H₂O₄^?, can now be satisfactorily explained entirely on the basis of known radical intermediates.     

Influence of ionic strength upon the proton inventory for the water-catalyzed hydrolysis of N-acetylbenzotriazole

Proton inventory investigations of the hydrolysis N-acetylbenzotriazole at pH 3.0 (or the equivalent point on the pD rate profile) have been conducted at two different temperatures and at ionic strengths ranging from 0 to 3.0 M. The solvent deuterium isotope effects and proton inventories are remarkably similar over this wide range of conditions. The proton inventories suggest a cyclic transition state involving four protons contributing to the solvent deuterium isotope effect for the water-catalyzed hydrolysis. The hydrolysis data are described by the equation $\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{n}}\text{= k}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>o</mtext>}}\text{(1 ? n + nπ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}{}^1\text{)}{}^4$ with $\text{π}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}{}^1\text{～ 0.74}$, where k_o is the observed first-order rate constant in protium oxide, n is the atom fraction of deuterium in the solvent, k_n is the rate constant in a protium oxide-deuterium oxide mixture, and $\text{π}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}{}^1$ is the isotopic fractionation factor.     

The dehalogenation of iodouracil by cysteine. Intramolecular general-acid catalysis of cysteine addition to 5-iodouracil

The rate-determining step of the cysteine-catalyzed deiodination of 5-iodouracil is the formation of 5-iodo-6-cysteinyl-5,6-dihydrouracil. The rate of the reaction depends upon the concentration of un-ionized 5-iodouracil and the following ionic species of cysteine; ^?OOC(NH₃⁺)CHCH₂S^?. Unlike the reaction of 2-mercapto-ethanol with 5-iodouracil, the cysteine reaction is not subject to catalysis by imidazolium ion and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride. When the rates of cysteine reacting with 5-iodouracil are measured in both H₂O and D₂O, a large kinetic isotope effect is observed ($\text{k}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext><mtext>20</mtext>}}\text{k}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>D</mtext><mtext>20</mtext>}}\text{= 4.10}$), thus implicating the protonated α amino group of cysteine as an intramolecular general acid catalyst for the reaction. These results and possible mechanisms for the actual dehalogenation of the intermediate 5-iodo-6-cysteinyl-5,6-dihydrouracil are discussed in terms of a possible mechanism for enzymatic halopyrimidine dehalogenation.     

Complete stoichiometry of free NADPH oxidation in liver microsomes

The stoichiometry of free NADPH oxidation in phenobarbital induced rabbit liver microsomes was measured by means of registering the rates of NADPH, H⁺ and O₂ consumption and $\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?</mtext>}}$ and H₂O₂ production. $\text{ΔO}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?</mtext>}}\text{:ΔH}{}_2\text{O}{}_2$ ratio is approximately I indicating that about half H₂O₂ results from $\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>?</mtext>}}$ dismutation, the second half being formed directly. ΔNADPH:ΔH₂O₂ and ΔO₂:ΔH₂O₂ ratios exceed I and therefore another product of the reaction is water. The fact that the ratio (ΔNADPH-ΔH₂O₂):(ΔO₂-ΔH₂O₂) is 2 allows one to consider direct 4-electron O₂ reduction as the major way of water formation rather than endogenous substrate hydroxylation.     

Oxidation of anionic nitroalkanes by flavoenzymes,and participation of superoxide anion in the catalysis

The reactivities of anionic nitroalkanes with 2-nitropropane dioxygenase of Hansenula mrakii, glucose oxidase of Aspergillus niger, and mammalian d-amino acid oxidase have been compared kinetically. 2-Nitropropane dioxygenase is 1200 and 4800 times more active with anionic 2-nitropropane than d-amino acid oxidase and glucose oxidase, respectively. The apparent K_m values for anionic 2-nitropropane are as follows: 2-nitropropane dioxygenase, 1.61 mm; glucose oxidase, 16.7 mm; and d-amino acid oxidase, 11.1 mm. Anionic 2-nitropropane undergoes an oxygenase reaction with 2-nitropropane dioxygenase and glucose oxidase, and an oxidase reaction with d-amino acid oxidase. In contrast, anionic nitroethane is oxidized through an oxygenase reaction by 2-nitropropane dioxygenase, and through an oxidase reaction by glucose oxidase. All nitroalkane oxidations by these three flavoenzymes are inhibited by Cu and Zn-superoxide dismutase of bovine blood, Mn-superoxide dismutases of bacilli, Fe-superoxide dismutase of Serratia marcescens, and other $\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ scavengers such as cytochrome c and NADH, but are not affected by hydroxyl radical scavengers such as mannitol. None of the $\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ scavengers tested affected the inherent substrate oxidation by glucose oxidase and d-amino acid oxidase. Furthermore, the generation of $\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ in the oxidation of anionic 2-nitropropane by 2-nitropropane dioxygenase was revealed by ESR spectroscoy. The ESR spectrum of anionic 2-nitropropane plus 2-nitropropane dioxygenase shows signals at g₁ = 2.007 and g₁₁ = 2.051, which are characteristic of $\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{?}}$. The $\text{O}{}_2{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ generated is a catalytically essential intermediate in the oxidation of anionic nitroalkanes by the enzymes.     

Fluorine NMR studies of fluorocinnamoylchymotrypsins

Three monofluorocinnamoylchymotrypsins have been examined at pH 4 by fluorine NMR spectroscopy. Protein-induced fluorine chemical shifts are quite large (~7 ppm) when fluorine is present at the para position but nearly zero for ortho fluorine. The shifts roughly parallel those observed in complexes formed between the enzyme and the analogous N-acetylfluorophenylalanines, suggesting a similarity in molecular environment for the aromatic ring in both systems. Little correlation is found, however, between the shifts for the acylenzymes and those of the corresponding enzyme-cinnamate complexes, indicating that the environment for the aromatic ring in the complexes is dissimilar from that experienced by the aromatic group in the acylated enzyme. Solvent isotope effects ($\text{H}{}_2\text{O}\text{D}{}_2\text{O}$) on the fluorine chemical shifts for the fluorocinnamoylchymotrypsins are small and downfield. Fluorine NMR observations suggest that the presence of the fluorocinnamoyl group greatly stabilizes the enzyme toward denaturation in 8 m urea.