Microbial synthesis of L-[15N]leucine L-[15N]isoleucine, and L-[3-13C]-and L-[3'-13C]isoleucines studied by nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The preparation of leucine and isoleucine labeled with 15N and of site-specific 13C-labeled isoleucines is described. This method is based on the induction of the biosynthetic pathways specific for branched chain amino acids in glutamic acid producing bacteria, and controlled provision of stable isotope labeled precursors. Corynebacterium glutamicum (ATCC 13032), a glutamic acid overproducer, was incubated in leucine production medium which consisted of a basal medium supplemented with [15N]ammonium sulfate, glucose, and sodium alpha-ketoisocaproate. production of L-[15N]leucine reached 138 mumol/ml at an isotopic efficiency of 90%. It was purified and checked by proton NMR and GC-MS. The electron impact (EI) spectrum showed 95 atom% enrichment. The cultivation of C. glutamicum in a similar medium containing alpha-ketobutyrate yielded L-[15N]isoleucine at a concentration of 120 mumol/ml. The GC-MS EI and chemical ionization (CI) spectra confirmed enrichment of 96 atom% 15N as that of the labeled precursors. The biosynthesis of L-[13C]isoleucine was carried out by induced cells which were transferred to a similar medium in which [2-13C]- or [3-13C]pyruvic acid replaced glucose. 13C NMR of the product isoleucine revealed single-site enrichment at C-3 or at C-3' respective to the precursor [13C]pyruvate; i.e., C-3 was labeled from [2-13C]pyruvate and C-3' from [3-13C]pyruvate. Mass spectrometric analysis confirmed that all molecules were labeled only in one carbon. This site-specific incorporation of [13C]pyruvate is contrasted with the labeling pattern obtained when producing cells were supplied with [2-13C]acetate, instead of pyruvate, when most label was incorporated into carbons 3 and 3' of the same isoleucine molecule.     

Uniform 13C isotope labeling of proteins with sodium acetate for NMR studies: application to human carbonic anhydrase II

Uniform double labeling of proteins for NMR studies can be prohibitively expensive, even with an efficient expression and purification scheme, due largely to the high cost of [13C6, 99%]glucose. We demonstrate here that uniformly (greater than 95%) 13C and 15N double-labeled proteins can be prepared for NMR structure/function studies by growing cells in defined media containing sodium [1,2-13C2, 99%]acetate as the sole carbon source and [15N, 99%]ammonium chloride as the sole nitrogen source. In addition, we demonstrate that this labeling scheme can be extended to include uniform carbon isotope labeling to any desired level (below 50%) by utilizing media containing equal amounts of sodium [1-13C, 99%]acetate and sodium [2-13C, 99%]acetate in conjunction with unlabeled sodium acetate. This technique is less labor intensive and more straightforward than labeling using isotope-enriched algal hydrolysates. These labeling schemes have been used to successfully prepare NMR quantities of isotopically enriched human carbonic anhydrase II. The activity and the 1H NMR spectra of the protein labeled by this technique are the same as those obtained from the protein produced from media containing labeled glucose; however, the cost of the sodium [1,2-13C2, 99%]acetate growth media is considerably less than the cost of the [13C6, 99%]glucose growth media. We report here the first published 13C and 15N NMR spectra of human carbonic anhydrase II as an important step leading to the assignment of this 29-kDa zinc metalloenzyme.     

Utilization of an Escherichia coli mutant for carbon-13 enrichment of tRNA for NMR studies.

The enrichment of tRNA at specific sites with carbon-13 has been accomplished in vivo using a mutant of Escherichia coli. A relaxed strain of E. coli auxotrophic for methionine was grown in a specifically defined medium supplemented with either [14C] or [13C]-methyl labeled methionine. Cells were collected at the end of the log-phase of growth and tRNA was extracted. Analysis of the radioactivity of the [14C]-labeled tRNA established an incorporation ratio of three labeled carbons per tRNA molecule. Incorporation of the [14C]-label in vivo was confined to the methylation of nucleotides as determined by thin layer chromatography of nucleotides resulting from a ribonuclease digestion of [14C]-labeled tRNA. The carbon-13 NMR spectrum of [13C]-enriched tRNA indicated a similar degree of incorporation into the methylated nucleotides by the substantial enhancement of [13C]-methyl NMR signals only. Assignment of signals has been made for the methyl groups of ribothymidine and N7-methylguanosine in E. coli tRNA.     

Isotopic determination of amino acid-urea interactions in exercise in humans

We recently reported that in light exercise (30% VO2max) the oxidation of [1-13C]leucine was significantly increased but the rate of urea production was unchanged (J. Appl. Physiol: Respirat. Environ. Exercise Physiol. 52: 458-466, 1982). We have therefore tested three possible explanations for this apparent incongruity. 1) We infused NaH13CO3 throughout rest and exercise and found that, although altered bicarbonate kinetics in exercise resulted in greater recovery of 13CO2, the difference between rest and recovery was small compared with the increase in the rate of 13CO2 excretion during exercise when [1-13C]leucine was infused. 2) We infused [15N]leucine and isolated plasma urea N to determine directly the rate of incorporation of the 15N. During exercise there was no increase in the rate of 15N incorporation. Simultaneously, we infused [2,3-13C]alanine and quantified the rate of incorporation of 15N in alanine. We found that [15N]alanine production from [15N] leucine more than doubled in exercise, and by deduction, alanine production from other amino acids also doubled. 3) We tested our previous assumption that [1-13C]leucine metabolism in exercise was representative of the metabolism of other essential amino acids by infusing [1-13C] and [alpha-15N]lysine throughout rest and exercise. We found that the rate of breakdown of lysine during exercise was not increased in a manner comparable to that of leucine. Thus, these data confirm our original findings that leucine decarboxylation is enhanced in light exercise but urea production is unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Two-dimensional NMR studies of staphylococcal nuclease. 2. Sequence-specific assignments of carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 signals from the nuclease H124L-thymidine 3',5'-bisphosphate-Ca2+ ternary complex

Samples of staphylococcal nuclease H124L (cloned protein overproduced in Escherichia coli whose sequence is identical with that of the nuclease isolated from the V8 strain of Staphylococcus aureus) were labeled uniformly with carbon-13 (26% ul 13C), uniformly with nitrogen-15 (95% ul 15N), and specifically by incorporating nitrogen-15-labeled leucine ([98% 15N]Leu) or carbon-13-labeled lysine ([26% ul 13C]Lys), arginine ([26% ul 13C]Arg), or methionine ([26% ul 13C]Met). Solutions of the ternary complexes of these analogues (nuclease H124L-pdTp-Ca2+) at pH 5.1 (H2O) or pH* 5.5 (2H2O) at 45 degrees C were analyzed as appropriate to the labeling pattern by multinuclear two-dimensional (2D) NMR experiments at spectrometer fields of 14.09 and 11.74 T: 1H-13C single-bond correlation (1H[13C]SBC); 1H-13C single-bond correlation with NOE relay (1H[13C]SBC-NOE); 1H-13C single-bond correlation with Hartmann-Hahn relay (1H-[13C]SBC-HH); 1H-13C multiple-bond correlation (1H[13C]MBC); 1H-15N single-bond correlation (1H-[15N]SBC); 1H-15N single-bond correlation with NOE relay (1H[15N]SBC-NOE). The results have assisted in spin system assignments and in identification of secondary structural elements. Nuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOE's) characteristic of antiparallel beta-sheet (d alpha alpha NOE's) were observed in the 1H [13C]-SBC-NOE spectrum of the nuclease ternary complex labeled uniformly with 13C. NOE's characteristic of alpha-helix (dNN NOE's) were observed in the 1H[15N]SBC-NOE spectrum of the complex prepared from protein labeled uniformly with 15N. The assignments obtained from these multinuclear NMR studies have confirmed and extended assignments based on 1H[1H] 2D NMR experiments [Wang, J., LeMaster, D. M., & Markley, J. L. (1990) Biochemistry (preceding paper in this issue)].     

Cross-peptide bond 13C--15N coupling constants by 13C and J cross-polarization 15N NMR

Comparative 13C--15N coupling constants are reported for the linear dipeptide tBoc-L-[U-13C]Ala-[15N]GlyOMe and the corresponding cyclic diketopiperazine, both in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and, upon removal of the tBoc group, in water solutions. Spectra were obtained by 13C NMR and by the first application of J cross-polarization (JCP) 15N NMR, which greatly reduces the time required to accumulate 15N NMR spectra. In DMSO there was evidence for the formation of complexed species which were not present in water. The values obtained for the cross-peptide bond coupling constant 2J13C alpha--15N were consistently less (by 2.2 Hz in DMSO, 4.3 Hz in water) for the cyclic than for the linear peptide, which may be related to the cross-peptide bond conformation. The 15N resonance for the cyclic peptide was shifted only 2 ppm downfield from the linear peptide chemical shift value in both solvents.     

13C NMR study of the biosynthesis of toxins by Fusarium graminearum

13C NMR spectroscopic investigations on the biosynthesis of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium graminearum (M69) were carried out through the incorporation of [1-13C]- and [2-13C]acetate precursors. The major secondary metabolites produced by this species in still culture were deoxynivalenol (3,7,15-trihydroxy-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-en-one), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and butenolide. [1-13C]- and [2-13C]acetate were incorporated in alternate carbon atoms in zearalenone, consistent with the head to tail condensation of nine acetate units. The trichothecenes were enriched in a manner consistent with the condensation of three mevalonate units. 13C/13C couplings, observed between C-5 and C-12, as well as between C-6 and C-15 of 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, confirms the current hypothesis of formation of the trichothecene ring system by cyclization of farnesyl pyrophosphate. The incorporation pattern in ergosterol is also consistent with a mevalonate origin, while the adjacent incorporation of acetate methyl groups in butenolide suggests a glutamate precursor. The degree of enrichment in the secondary metabolites, which ranged from 3 to 10% at each carbon site, was observed in the 13C NMR spectra of the crude fungal extracts to be dependent on the timing of acetate addition to the culture. The specific toxins produced together with the quantity of each, were also found to be dependent on the timing of acetate addition. Competition between the three biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolism, i.e. polyketide, mevalonate, and amino acid for the labeled acetate in this organism is a complex function of culture conditions.     

15N and 13C NMR studies of ligands bound to the 280,000-dalton protein porphobilinogen synthase elucidate the structures of enzyme-bound product and a Schiff base intermediate

Porphobilinogen synthase (PBGS) catalyzes the asymmetric condensation of two molecules of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Despite the 280,000-dalton size of PBGS, much can be learned about the reaction mechanism through 13C and 15N NMR. To our knowledge, these studies represent the largest protein complex for which individual nuclei have been characterized by 13C or 15N NMR. Here we extend our 13C NMR studies to PBGS complexes with [3,3-2H2,3-13C]ALA and report 15N NMR studies of [15N]ALA bound to PBGS. As in our previous 13C NMR studies, observation of enzyme-bound 15N-labeled species was facilitated by deuteration at nitrogens that are attached to slowly exchanging hydrogens. For holo-PBGS at neutral pH, the NMR spectra reflect the structure of the enzyme-bound product porphobilinogen (PBG), whose chemical shifts are uniformly consistent with deprotonation of the amino group whose solution pKa is 11. Despite this local environment, the protons of the amino group are in rapid exchange with solvent (kexchange greater than 10(2) s-1). For methyl methanethiosulfonate (MMTS) modified PBGS, the NMR spectra reflect the chemistry of an enzyme-bound Schiff base intermediate that is formed between C4 of ALA and an active-site lysine. The 13C chemical shift of [3,3-2H2,3-13C]ALA confirms that the Schiff base is an imine of E stereochemistry. By comparison to model imines formed between [15N]ALA and hydrazine or hydroxylamine, the 15N chemical shift of the enzyme-bound Schiff base suggests that the free amino group is an environment resembling partial deprotonation; again the protons are in rapid exchange with solvent. Deprotonation of the amino group would facilitate formation of a Schiff base between the amino group of the enzyme-bound Schiff base and C4 of the second ALA substrate. This is the first evidence supporting carbon-nitrogen bond formation as the initial site of interaction between the two substrate molecules.     

Stable isotope resolved metabolomics analysis of ribonucleotide and RNA metabolism in human lung cancer cells

We have developed a simple NMR-based method to determine the turnover of nucleotides and incorporation into RNA by stable isotope resolved metabolomics (SIRM) in A549 lung cancer cells. This method requires no chemical degradation of the nucleotides or chromatography. During cell growth, the free ribonucleotide pool is rapidly replaced by de novo synthesized nucleotides. Using [U-¹³C]-glucose and [U-¹³C,¹⁵N]-glutamine as tracers, we showed that virtually all of the carbons in the nucleotide riboses were derived from glucose, whereas glutamine was preferentially utilized over glucose for pyrimidine ring biosynthesis, via the synthesis of Asp through the Krebs cycle. Incorporation of the glutamine amido nitrogen into the N3 and N9 positions of the purine rings was also demonstrated by proton-detected ¹⁵N NMR. The incorporation of ¹³C from glucose into total RNA was measured and shown to be a major sink for the nucleotides during cell proliferation. This method was applied to determine the metabolic action of an anti-cancer selenium agent (methylseleninic acid or MSA) on A549 cells. We found that MSA inhibited nucleotide turnover and incorporation into RNA, implicating an important role of nucleotide metabolism in the toxic action of MSA on cancer cells.     

Tracer studies with 13C-labeled carbohydrates in cultured plant cells. Retrobiosynthetic analysis of chelidonic acid biosynthesis

The biosynthesis of chelidonic acid was studied in cell suspension cultures of Leucojum aestivum. Cell cultures were supplied with [U-13C]glucose, [l-13C]glucose or [U-13Cs]ribose/ribulose in standard medium containing unlabeled glucose. 13C labeling patterns of amino acids obtained by hydrolysis of biomass were determined by NMR spectroscopy and compared to the labeling pattern of chelidonic acid. The data document the incorporation of a contiguous 4-carbon fragment derived from the pentose phosphate pool into chelidonic acid. This suggests a biosynthetic pathway involving the condensation of phosphoenolpyruvate with a pentose phosphate followed by dehydration, dehydrogenation, ring closure and decarboxylation conducive to the loss of C-5 of the pentose precursor.     

Pathways of glutamine metabolism in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells: evidence for the presence of the nitrogen assimilation system, and a metabolic switch by 1H/15N NMR

1H/15N and 13C NMR were used to investigate metabolism in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells. Labelled substrates ([2-15N]glutamine, [5-15N]glutamine, [2-15N]glutamate, 15NH4Cl, [2-15N]alanine, and [1-13C]glucose) were added to batch cultures and the concentration of labelled excreted metabolites (alanine, NH4+, glutamine, glycerol, and lactate) were quantified. Cultures with excess glucose and glutamine produce alanine as the main metabolic by-product while no ammonium ions are released. 1H/15N NMR data showed that both the amide and amine-nitrogen of glutamine was incorporated into alanine in these cultures. The amide-nitrogen of glutamine was not transferred to the amine-position in glutamate (for further transamination to alanine) via free NH4+ but directly via an azaserine inhibitable amido-transfer reaction. In glutamine-free media 15NH4+ was consumed and incorporated into alanine. 15NH4+ was also incorporated into the amide-position of glutamine synthesised by the cells. These data suggest that the nitrogen assimilation system, glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase (NADH-GOGAT), is active in glutamine-deprived cells. In cultures devoid of glucose, ammonium is the main metabolic by-product while no alanine is formed. The ammonium ions stem both from the amide and amine-nitrogen of glutamine, most likely via glutaminase and glutamate dehydrogenase. 13C NMR revealed that the [1-13C] label from glucose appeared in glycerol, alanine, lactate, and in extracellular glutamine. Labelling data also showed that intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle were recycled to glycolysis and that carbon sources, other than glucose-derived acetylCoA, entered the cycle. Furthermore, Sf9 cell cultures excreted significant amounts glycerol (1.9-3.2 mM) and ethanol (6 mM), thus highlighting the importance of sinks for reducing equivalents in maintaining the cytosolic redox balance.     

Characterization of cross-linking of cell walls of Bacillus subtilis by a combination of magic-angle spinning NMR and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of both intact and hydrolyzed 13C- and 15N-labeled cell-wall peptidoglycan.

Cross-polarization magic-angle spinning 13C and 15N NMR, rotational-echo double resonance 13C NMR, and delays alternating with nutation for tailored excitation-difference 13C NMR spectra have been obtained from lyophilized cell walls of Bacillus subtilis grown on a synthetic medium containing D,L-[2-13C, 15N]aspartate and D-[1-13C]alanine. Label from aspartate is incorporated into D-glutamic acid and m-diaminopimelic acid of cell-wall peptidoglycan, while label from alanine appears in the C-1 positions of both D- and L-alanyl residues. The cross-link index (the fraction of peptide stems joined by an isopeptide covalent bond) is obtained directly from analysis of the results of the 13C NMR experiments. However, specific isotopic enrichments of cell-wall components cannot be obtained from NMR data alone. The latter are determined either from a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the amino acids derived from hydrolysis of cell-wall peptidoglycan, or from a combination of NMR and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric results. The combined analysis is overdetermined and so involves the least error for evaluations of both the cross-link index and the isotopic enrichments. The cross-link index is 0.33 +/- 0.03 for cell walls of B. subtilis grown in the presence of the antibiotic, cephalothin.     

Biosynthetic uniform 13C,15N-labelling of zervamicin IIB. Complete 13C and 15N NMR assignment.

Zervamicin IIB is a member of the alpha-aminoisobutyric acid containing peptaibol antibiotics. A new procedure for the biosynthetic preparation of the uniformly 13C- and 15N-enriched peptaibol is described This compound was isolated from the biomass of the fungus-producer Emericellopsis salmosynnemata strain 336 IMI 58330 obtained upon cultivation in the totally 13C, 15N-labelled complete medium. To prepare such a medium the autolysed biomass and the exopolysaccharides of the obligate methylotrophic bacterium Methylobacillus flagellatus KT were used. This microorganism was grown in totally 13C, 15N-labelled minimal medium containing 13C-methanol and 15N-ammonium chloride as the only carbon and nitrogen sources. Preliminary NMR spectroscopic analysis indicated a high extent of isotope incorporation (> 90%) and led to the complete 13C- and 15N-NMR assignment including the stereospecific assignment of Aib residues methyl groups. The observed pattern of the structurally important secondary chemical shifts of 1H(alpha), 13C=O and 13C(alpha) agrees well with the previously determined structure of zervamicin IIB in methanol solution.     

Incorporation of Label from 13C-, 2H-, and 15N-Labeled Methionine Molecules during the Biosynthesis of 2[prime]-Deoxymugineic Acid in Roots of Wheat

The biosynthetic pathway of 2[prime]-deoxymugineic acid, a key phytosiderophore, was investigated by feeding 13C-, 2H-, and 15N-labeled methionine, the first precursor, to the roots of hydroponically cultured wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Minori). The incorporation of label from each methionine species was observed during their conversion to 2[prime]-deoxymugineic acid, using 2H-, 15N-, and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). L-[1-13C]Methionine (99% 13C) was efficiently incorporated, resulting in 13C enrichment of the three carboxyl groups of 2[prime]-deoxymugineic acid. Use of D,L-[15N]methionine (95% 15N) resulted in 15N enrichment of 2[prime]-deoxymugineic acid at the azetidine ring nitrogen and the secondary amino nitrogen. When D,L-[2,3,3,-2H3-S-methyl-2H3]methionine (98.2% 2H) was fed to the roots, 2H-NMR results indicated that only six deuterium atoms were incorporated, and that the deuterium atom from the C-2 position of each methionine was almost completely lost. [2,2,3,3-2H4]1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (98% 2H) was not incorporated into 2[prime]-deoxymugineic acid. These data and our previous findings demonstrated that only the deuterium atom from the C-2 position of L-methionine was lost, and that other atoms were completely incorporated when three molecules of methionine were converted to 2[prime]-deoxymugineic acid. These observations are consistent with the conversion of L-methionine to azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, suggesting that L-methionine is first converted to azetidine-2-carboxylic acid during biosynthesis leading to 2[prime]-deoxymugineic acid. Based on these results, a hypothetical pathway from L-methionine to 2[prime]-deoxymugineic acid was postulated.     

Effects of hormone and glucose administration on hepatic glucose and glycogen metabolism in vivo. A 13C NMR study

Effects of peripheral venous injection of glucagon and insulin on [1-13C]glucose incorporation into hepatic glycogen of rats were studied by 13C NMR in vivo. Each animal was given a continuous somatostatin infusion and a 100-mg intravenous injection of [1-13C] glucose in NMR experiments or unlabeled glucose in parallel experiments for determination of serum glucose. Insulin administration caused serum glucose to fall below basal levels and accelerated the loss of hepatic [1-13C]glucose; these effects were counteracted by the addition of glucagon. Glucagon administration alone did not affect serum glucose or hepatic [1-13C] glucose but caused the loss of [1-13C]glucose from glycogen and inhibited [1-13C]glucose incorporation into glycogen. Insulin did not alter [1-13C]glucose incorporation into glycogen when given alone or in combination with glucagon. The data are consistent with a model in which liver glycogen synthesis increases linearly with hepatic glucose concentration above a threshold glucose concentration. Insulin did not alter the rate constant or the threshold for synthesis.     

Two-dimensional NMR studies of staphylococcal nuclease: evidence for conformational heterogeneity from hydrogen-1, carbon-13, and nitrogen-15 spin system assignments of the aromatic amino acids in the nuclease H124L-thymidine 3',5'-bisphosphate-Ca2+ ternary complex

A combination of multinuclear two-dimensional NMR experiments served to identify and assign the combined 1H, 13C, and 15N spin systems of the single tryptophan, three phenylalanines, three histidines, and seven tyrosines of staphylococcal nuclease H124L in its ternary complex with calcium and thymidine 3',5'-bisphosphate at pH 5.1 (H2O) or pH 5.5 (2H2O). Samples of recombinant nuclease were labeled with 13C or 15N as appropriate to individual NMR experiments: uniformly with 15N (all sites to greater than 95%), uniformly with 13C (all sites to 26%), selectively with 13C (single amino acids uniformly labeled to 26%), or selectively with 15N (single amino acids uniformly labeled to greater than 95%). NMR data used in the analysis included single-bond and multiple-bond 1H-13C and multiple-bond 1H-15N correlations, 1H-13C single-bond correlation with Hartmann-Hahn relay (1H[13C]SBC-HH), and 1H-13C single-bond correlation with NOE relay (1H[13C]SBC-NOE). The aromatic protons of the spin systems were identified from 1H[13C]SBC-HH data, and the nonprotonated aromatic ring carbons were identified from 1H-13C multiple-bond correlations. Sequence-specific assignments were made on the basis of observed NOE relay connectivities between assigned 1H alpha-13C alpha or 1H beta-13C beta direct cross peaks in the aliphatic region [Wang, J., LeMaster, D. M., & Markley, J. L. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 88-101] and 1H delta-13C delta direct cross peaks in the aromatic region of the 1H[13C]SBC-NOE spectrum. The His121 1H delta 2 resonance, which has an unusual upfield shift (at 4.3 ppm in the aliphatic region), was assigned from 1H[13C]SBC, 1H[13C]MBC, and 1H[15N]MBC data. Evidence for local structural heterogeneity in the ternary complex was provided by doubled peaks assigned to His46, one tyrosine, and one phenylalanine. Measurement of NOE buildup rates between protons on different aromatic residues of the major ternary complex species yielded a number of interproton distances that could be compared with those from X-ray structures of the wild-type nuclease ternary complex with calcium and thymidine 3',5'-bisphosphate [Cotton, F. A., Hazen, E. E., Jr., & Legg, M. J. (1979) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 76, 2551-2555; Loll, P. J., & Lattman, E. E. (1989) Proteins: Struct., Funct., Genet. 5, 183-201]. The unusual chemical shift of His121 1H delta 2 is consistent with ring current calculations from either X-ray structure.     

Labeling DNA with stable isotopes: economical and practical considerations

Labeling DNA with stable isotopes to measure cell proliferation can be a technique as effective as 3H-thymidine labeling without the limitations imposed by using radioisotopes. Here, we investigated the relative efficiency of four nonradioactive precursors to DNA: [1-13C]-glycine, [1,2-13C2]-glycine, [U-13C]-glucose, and [U-13C, 15N]-thymidine. The efficiency of incorporation for each of these labeled precursors in HEP G2 cells in culture has been studied. When considering the actual costs of in vivo experiments in which large doses of labeled material are needed, economical constraints may play an important role in defining a practical method. Therefore, the economics of this process were also considered. Using the enrichment per dollar for whichever nucleoside had the highest incorporation in a given experiment, glycine is about five times more economical as a label than thymidine and eight times more economical than glucose in these cells.     

Biosynthesis of violacein: intact incorporation of the tryptophan molecule on the oxindole side, with intramolecular rearrangement of the indole ring on the 5-hydroxyindole side

Feeding experiments with a mixture of [2-13C]- and [indole-3-13C]tryptophans, of [3-13C]- and [indole-3-13 C]tryptophans (1:1 molar ratio) and of others have proved that the 1,2-shift of the indole ring occurred via an intramolecular process for formation of the left part (5-hydroxyindole side) of the violacein skeleton and demonstrated that the C-C bond from C2 of the indole ring to C2 of the side chain was completely retained for formation of the right part (oxindole side) during the entire biosynthetic process. Due to the involvement of transaminase, it has remained unresolved whether indolylpyruvic acid is the biosynthetic intermediate and/or from where the nitrogen atom of the pyrrolidone ring originates. An incorporation experiment with a mixture of [2-13C]- and [alpha-15N]tryptophans (1:1 molar ratio) verified that the nitrogen atom in the central ring was exclusively derived from the right-side tryptophan. Thus, all the carbon and nitrogen atoms in the right part of the violacein skeleton were constructed by intact incorporation of the tryptophan molecule, with decarboxylation probably occurring at a later biosynthetic stage.     

NMR study of the metabolic 15N isotopic enrichment of cyanophycin synthesized by the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6308

1H, 13C and 15N nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been used to characterize cyanophycin, a multi-l-arginyl-poly-[l-aspartic acid] polypeptide from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6308. 1H, 13C and 15N chemical shifts and 1JHN and 1JCN coupling constants were measured in isolated 15N-labeled cyanophycin, and showed chemical shift values and J-couplings consistent with the reported polypeptide structure. 15N enrichment levels were determined from the extent of 1H-15N J-coupling in 1H NMR spectra of cyanophycin. Similar experiments using 13C-15N coupling in 13C NMR spectra were not useful in determining enrichment levels.     

In vivo fluxes in the ammonium-assimilatory pathways in corynebacterium glutamicum studied by 15N nuclear magnetic resonance

Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and glutamine synthetase (GS)-glutamine 2-oxoglutarate-aminotransferase (GOGAT) represent the two main pathways of ammonium assimilation in Corynebacterium glutamicum. In this study, the ammonium assimilating fluxes in vivo in the wild-type ATCC 13032 strain and its GDH mutant were quantitated in continuous cultures. To do this, the incorporation of 15N label from [15N]ammonium in glutamate and glutamine was monitored with a time resolution of about 10 min with in vivo 15N nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) used in combination with a recently developed high-cell-density membrane-cyclone NMR bioreactor system. The data were used to tune a standard differential equation model of ammonium assimilation that comprised ammonia transmembrane diffusion, GDH, GS, GOGAT, and glutamine amidotransferases, as well as the anabolic incorporation of glutamate and glutamine into biomass. The results provided a detailed picture of the fluxes involved in ammonium assimilation in the two different C. glutamicum strains in vivo. In both strains, transmembrane equilibration of 100 mM [15N]ammonium took less than 2 min. In the wild type, an unexpectedly high fraction of 28% of the NH4+ was assimilated via the GS reaction in glutamine, while 72% were assimilated by the reversible GDH reaction via glutamate. GOGAT was inactive. The analysis identified glutamine as an important nitrogen donor in amidotransferase reactions. The experimentally determined amount of 28% of nitrogen assimilated via glutamine is close to a theoretical 21% calculated from the high peptidoglycan content of C. glutamicum. In the GDH mutant, glutamate was exclusively synthesized over the GS/GOGAT pathway. Its level was threefold reduced compared to the wild type.