Activation of 2-5A-dependent RNase by analogs of 2-5A (5'-O-triphosphoryladenylyl(2'----5')adenylyl(2'----5')adenosine ) using 2',5'-tetraadenylate (core)-cellulose

A variety of 2-5A (px(A2'p)nA; x = 2 or 3, n greater than or equal to 2) analogs were assayed for their abilities to activate murine 2-5A-dependent RNase (subsequently "the nuclease") using a recently developed method. This technique consists of immobilizing and partially purifying the nuclease using core-cellulose [A2'p)3A-cellulose) and then monitoring the breakdown of poly(U)-3'-[32P]Cp into acid-soluble fragments. Several 5'-adenosinecapped analogs of 2-5A (containing a tetra-, tri-, or diphosphate) were analyzed, and it was found that reducing the number of phosphoryl groups between the 5' to 5'-diadenosine linkages resulted in a progressive loss of activity. Because A5' pppp(A2'p)3A was a potent activator of the nuclease yet stable during the assay these results suggested that a free 5'-phosphoryl group may not be required for the activation of the nuclease. A number of 8-bromoadenosine-substituted analogs of 2-5A were also studied. Curiously, the brominations decreased the activities of the 5'-di- and triphosphorylated molecules while substantially increasing the activities of the 5'-monophosphorylated species. The results indicated that a tri- or diphosphate moiety on the 5'-end of 2-5A or the presence of ATP is not absolutely required for the nuclease to be active. Furthermore, the ATP analog, beta, gamma-methylene ATP, did not inhibit the activity of the nuclease. Finally, a 3',5'-phosphodiester linkage isomer of 2-5A and a 3'-deoxy (cordycepin) analog of 2-5A were tested, and both were found to be completely without activity.     

Deamination of 2',3'-O-isopropylideneadenosine-5'- carboxylic acid catalyzed by adenosine deaminase (ADA) and adenylate deaminase (AMPDA): influence of substrate ionization on the activity of the enzymes

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) and adenylate deaminase (AMPDA) catalyze the deamination of 2 ',3 '-O-isopropylideneadenosine-5'-carboxylic acid to the corresponding inosine derivative and dependence of the rate of enzymatic reaction on the ionization degree of the substrate has been studied at different pH values.     

Adenosine deaminase: physical and chemical properties of partially purified mitochondrial and cytosol enzyme from rat liver.

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) was partially purified 486- and 994-fold from rat liver mitochondria and cytosol, respectively. Relative molecular mass of the enzymes from both fractions was 34,000. Km for adenosine and 2'-deoxy-adenosine were 3.08 x 10(-5) M and 3.03 x 10(-5) M for mitochondrial ADA and 3.12 x 10(-5) M and 2.87 x 10(-5) M for cytosolic ADA. The enzyme from both subcellular fractions had the maximum activity at pH 7.5-8.0, and pI 5.2 and 4.2 for mitochondrial and cytosolic enzyme, respectively. The enzyme was inhibited by erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine and 2'-deoxycoformycin with Ki 4.4 x 10(-7) M and 3.2 x 10(-7) M for mitochondrial ADA and 4.9 x 10(-7) M 2.8 x 10(-7) M for cytosolic ADA. Among the natural nucleoside and deoxynucleotide derivatives tested, deoxy-GTP and UTP inhibited only cytosolic adenosine deaminase by 60% and 40%, respectively.     

Angiotensin II stimulation of 5'-adenylic acid deaminase.

Angiotensin II has been found to stimulate 5'-adenylic acid deaminase from rabbit skeletal muscle. Stimulation was discernible around 10(-9) M and peak stimulation of about threefold was seen at 10(-7) M, concentrations approximating those required for stimulation of vascular smooth muscle or adrenal glomerulosa cells. Higher concentrations produced less stimulation. Adenosine triphosphate stimulated to the same degree, but a concentration of 10(-5) M was required for maximum stimulation, while maximum stimulation with sodium or potassium required 0.5 M and 0.75 M, respectively. Although the physiologic significance of these observations has not been established, these data suggest an intracellular role for angiotensin II.     

Crystal structure of Bacillus subtilis guanine deaminase: the first domain-swapped structure in the cytidine deaminase superfamily

Guanine deaminase, a key enzyme in the nucleotide metabolism, catalyzes the hydrolytic deamination of guanine into xanthine. The crystal structure of the 156-residue guanine deaminase from Bacillus subtilis has been solved at 1.17-A resolution. Unexpectedly, the C-terminal segment is swapped to form an intersubunit active site and an intertwined dimer with an extensive interface of 3900 A(2) per monomer. The essential zinc ion is ligated by a water molecule together with His(53), Cys(83), and Cys(86). A transition state analog was modeled into the active site cavity based on the tightly bound imidazole and water molecules, allowing identification of the conserved deamination mechanism and specific substrate recognition by Asp(114) and Tyr(156'). The closed conformation also reveals that substrate binding seals the active site entrance, which is controlled by the C-terminal tail. Therefore, the domain swapping has not only facilitated the dimerization but has also ensured specific substrate recognition. Finally, a detailed structural comparison of the cytidine deaminase superfamily illustrates the functional versatility of the divergent active sites found in the guanine, cytosine, and cytidine deaminases and suggests putative specific substrate-interacting residues for other members such as dCMP deaminases.     

Phorbol esters and cyclic AMP activate AMP deaminase in adult rat cardiac myocytes.

Using rapid deenergization as a probe for adenylate deaminase activity in intact adult rat cardiac myocytes, we have previously established that IMP formation is enhanced by alpha-adrenergic agonists. In the present study, the effect of adrenergic agents on adenylate deaminase was further characterized. Phenylephrine (PE)3 increased IMP production in a dose-dependent fashion with an EC50 of 8 x 10(-7) M. The response to PE was reversed within 10 min by the alpha 1-antagonist, prazosin. Likewise, adenylate deaminase was also activated in ventricular myocytes challenged with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, EC50 = 5 nM); cardiac cells presented with 100 nM PMA increased IMP production from 4.4 +/- 0.5 (control) to 15.7 +/- 0.9 nmol/mg protein when subsequently deenergized. The effects of PMA and PE were attenuated 85 +/- 5% and 96 +/- 4%, respectively, by pretreatment of cells with 150 nM staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C. Furthermore, incubation of cardiac cells with 1 microM PMA for 24 h blunted the response to both PMA and phenylephrine 85-90%. Elevating cyclic AMP (cAMP) content to greater than 15 pmol/mg by treatment with forskolin or isoproterenol plus isobutylmethylxanthine also resulted in enhanced adenylate deaminase activity, but this stimulatory effect was not abolished by 24 h incubation with 5 microM PMA. Forskolin and PMA-induced increases in IMP production appeared to be additive. However, 0.5 microM isoproterenol inhibited the cellular response to phenylephrine by about 30% but did not affect PMA-stimulated adenylate deaminase activity. We conclude that both cAMP and protein kinase C stimulate adenylate deaminase, perhaps through selective activation of different isoforms. However, cAMP also exerts partial inhibition on alpha-adrenoreceptor-mediated increases in IMP production.     

Cytidine deaminase from Escherichia coli B. Purification and enzymatic and molecular properties

Cytidine deaminase (cytidine aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.5) from Escherichia coli has been purified to homogeneity through a rapid and efficient two-step procedure consisting of anion-exchange chromatography followed by preparative electrophoresis. The final preparation is homogeneous, as judged by a single band obtained by disc gel electrophoresis performed in the absence and presence of denaturing agents. The native protein molecular weight determined by gel filtration is 56 000. Sodium dodecyl sulfate disc gel electrophoresis experiments conducted upon previous incubation of the enzyme with dimethyl suberimidate suggest an oligomeric structure of two identical subunits of 33 000 molecular weight. The absorption spectrum of the protein reveals a maximum at 277 nm and a minimum at 255 nm. The isoelectric point is at pH 4.35. Amino acid analysis indicates an excess of acidic amino acid residues as well as six half-cystine residues. No interchain disulfide groups have been evidenced. According to Cleland's nomenclature, kinetic analysis shows a rapid-equilibrium random Uni-Bi mechanism. Cytidine deaminase is competitively inhibited by various nucleosides. Km values for cytidine, deoxycytidine, and 5-methylcytidine are 1.8 X 10(-4), 0.9 X 10(-4), and 12.5 X 10(-4) M, respectively.     

On the interaction of 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrouridine with human liver cytidine deaminase.

In contrast to the rapid inhibition of bacterial cytidine deaminase by 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrouridine, the onset of inhibition of the enzyme from human liver was found to be relatively slow. Inhibition was found to be reversible, and the corrected rate constants for binding (kon = 2.4 x 10(4) M-1 sec-1) and release (koff = 5.6 x 10(-4) sec-1) were in reasonable agreement with a Ki value (2.9 x 10(-8) M) measured separately under steady-state conditions, which was several orders of magnitude lower than estimates previously reported in the literature. Rates of binding and release of this potential transition state analogue were not appreciably affected by the substitution of deuterium oxide for solvent water. The slow onset of inhibition, which was also observed for cytidine deaminase from HeLa cells, suggests that structural reorganization precedes the formation of a stable enzyme-inhibitor complex. 6-Azacytidine, which favors a "high-anti" configuration at the glycosidic bond, was found to be active as a substrate for cytidine deaminase, with a turnover number exceeding that of cytidine. 2,2'-Anhydro-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, which is restricted to the "syn" configuration, was found to be without activity as a substrate or an inhibitor.     

9-[(Hydroxymethyl)phenyl]adenines: new aryladenine substrates of adenosine deaminase

New phenyl adenine compounds 5-7 were synthesized as analogues of adenosine and studied for their adenosine deaminase (ADA) substrate activity. The 9-[(o-hydroxymethyl)phenyl]methyl]adenine 5 and 9-[(m-hydroxymethyl)phenyl]adenine 7 were deaminated by ADA, and 9-[(o-hydroxyethyl)phenyl]adenine 6 was not deaminated up to 7 days. The ADA substrates 5 and 7 were deaminated quantitatively to their inosine analogues in 10 and 6h, respectively.     

Inhibition of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide transformylase, adenosine deaminase and 5''-adenylate deaminase by polyglutamates of methotrexate and oxidized folates and by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside and ribotide.

With the use of a continuous spectrophotometric assay and initial rates determined by the method of Waley [Biochem. J. (1981) 193, 1009-1012] methotrexate was found to be a non-competitive inhibitor, with Ki(intercept) = 72 microM and Ki(slope) = 41 microM, of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide transformylase, whereas a polyglutamate of methotrexate containing three gamma-linked glutamate residues was a competitive inhibitor, with Ki = 3.15 microM. Pentaglutamates of folic acid and 10-formylfolic acid were also competitive inhibitors of the transformylase, with Ki values of 0.088 and 1.37 microM respectively. Unexpectedly, the pentaglutamate of 10-formyldihydrofolic acid was a good substrate for the transformylase, with a Km of 0.51 microM and a relative Vmax. of 0.72, which compared favourably with a Km of 0.23 microM and relative Vmax. of 1.0 for the tetrahydro analogue. An analysis of the progress curve of the transformylase-catalysed reaction with the above dihydro coenzyme revealed that the pentaglutamate of dihydrofolic acid was a competitive product inhibitor, with Ki = 0.14 microM. The continuous spectrophotometric assay for adenosine deaminase based on change in the absorbance at 265 nm was shown to be valid with adenosine concentrations above 100 microM, which contradicts a previous report [Murphy, Baker, Behling & Turner (1982) Anal. Biochem. 122, 328-337] that this assay was invalid above this concentration. With the spectrophotometric assay, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside was found to be a competitive inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, with (Ki = 362 microM), whereas the ribotide was a competitive inhibitor of 5'-adenylate deaminase, with Ki = 1.01 mM. Methotrexate treatment of susceptible cells results in (1) its conversion into polyglutamates, (2) the accumulation of oxidized folate polyglutamates, and (3) the accumulation of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside and ribotide. The above metabolic events may be integral elements producing the cytotoxic effect of this drug by (1) producing tighter binding of methotrexate to folate-dependent enzymes, (2) producing inhibitors of folate-dependent enzymes from their tetrahydrofolate coenzymes, and (3) trapping toxic amounts of adenine nucleosides and nucleotides as a result of inhibition of adenosine deaminase and 5'-adenylate deaminase respectively.     

Structure of adenosine deaminase mRNAs from normal and adenosine deaminase-deficient human cell lines.

The structure of human adenosine deaminase mRNA from normal and mutant lymphoblasts was examined by sequence analysis of a cDNA for normal mRNA and electrophoretic analyses of DNA fragments generated by S1 endonuclease cleavage of mRNA-cDNA hybrids. The 1,533-base sequence of the cloned cDNA represents the complete mRNA sequence with the possible exception of some of the 5' untranslated region. S1 nuclease analyses of hybrids between cloned cDNA and normal adenosine deaminase mRNA confirmed that a 76-base sequence in a previously examined adenosine deaminase cDNA is an intron. S1 nuclease analyses of mRNAs from seven mutant cell lines demonstrated that four of the mutants, those in the GM-2471, GM-2756, GM-4258, and GM-2606 cells, contain small defects, such as single-base changes, that are not detectable by the S1 nuclease technique. Three of the mRNAs, those in GM-3043, GM-2294, and GM-2825A cells, do contain defects detectable with S1 nuclease. These defects differ from each other and have been mapped to specific regions of the mRNA. Some or all of these defective mRNAs are postulated to result from anomalous RNA processing.     

Catalysis by entropic effects: the action of cytidine deaminase on 5,6-dihydrocytidine

In neutral solution, 5,6-dihydrocytidine undergoes spontaneous deamination (k25 approximately 3.2 x 10(-5) s(-1)) much more rapidly than does cytidine (k25 approximately 3.0 x 10(-10) s(-1)), with a more favorable enthalpy of activation (DeltaDeltaH# = -8.7 kcal/mol) compensated by a less favorable entropy of activation (TDeltaDeltaS# = -1.8 kcal/mol at 25 degrees C). E. coli cytidine deaminase enhances the rate of deamination of 5,6-dihydrocytidine (kcat/k(non) = 4.4 x 10(5)) by enhancing the entropy of activation (DeltaDeltaH# = 0 kcal/mol; TDeltaDeltaS# = +7.6 kcal/mol, at 25 degrees C). Binding of the competitive inhibitor 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrouridine (THU), a stable analogue of 5,6-dihydrocytidine in the transition state for its deamination, is accompanied by a release of enthalpy (DeltaH = -7.1 kcal/mol, TDeltaDeltaS = +2.2 kcal/mol) that approaches the estimated enthalpy of binding of the actual substrate in the transition state for deamination of 5,6-dihydrocytidine (DeltaH = -8.1 kcal/mol, TDeltaDeltaS = +6.0 kcal/mol). Thus, the shortcomings of THU in capturing all of the binding affinity expected of an ideal transition-state analogue reflect a less favorable entropy of association. That difference may arise from the analogue's inability to displace a water molecule from the "leaving group site" at which ammonia is generated in the normal reaction. The effect on binding of removing the 4-OH group from the transition-state analogue THU, to form 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrozebularine (THZ) (DeltaDeltaH = -2.1 kcal/mol, TDeltaDeltaS = -4.4 kcal/mol), is mainly entropic, consistent with the inability of THZ to displace water from the "attacking group site". These results are consistent with earlier indications [Snider, M. J., and Wolfenden, R. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 11364] that site-bound water plays a prominent role in substrate activation and inhibitor binding by cytidine deaminase.     

RNA template-dependent 5' nuclease activity of Thermus aquaticus and Thermus thermophilus DNA polymerases

DNA replication and repair require a specific mechanism to join the 3'- and 5'-ends of two strands to maintain DNA continuity. In order to understand the details of this process, we studied the activity of the 5' nucleases with substrates containing an RNA template strand. By comparing the eubacterial and archaeal 5' nucleases, we show that the polymerase domain of the eubacterial enzymes is critical for the activity of the 5' nuclease domain on RNA containing substrates. Analysis of the activity of chimeric enzymes between the DNA polymerases from Thermus aquaticus (TaqPol) and Thermus thermophilus (TthPol) reveals two regions, in the "thumb" and in the "palm" subdomains, critical for RNA-dependent 5' nuclease activity. There are two critical amino acids in those regions that are responsible for the high activity of TthPol on RNA containing substrates. Mutating glycine 418 and glutamic acid 507 of TaqPol to lysine and glutamine, respectively, increases its RNA-dependent 5' nuclease activity 4-10-fold. Furthermore, the RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity is controlled by a completely different region of TaqPol and TthPol, and mutations in this region do not affect the 5' nuclease activity. The results presented here suggest a novel substrate binding mode of the eubacterial DNA polymerase enzymes, called a 5' nuclease mode, that is distinct from the polymerizing and editing modes described previously. The application of the enzymes with improved RNA-dependent 5' nuclease activity for RNA detection using the invasive signal amplification assay is discussed.     

The RAD2 domain of human exonuclease 1 exhibits 5' to 3' exonuclease and flap structure-specific endonuclease activities

The RAD2 family of nucleases includes human XPG (Class I), FEN1 (Class II), and HEX1/hEXO1 (Class III) products gene. These proteins exhibit a blend of substrate specific exo- and endonuclease activities and contribute to repair, recombination, and/or replication. To date, the substrate preferences of the EXO1-like Class III proteins have not been thoroughly defined. We report here that the RAD2 domain of human exonuclease 1 (HEX1-N2) exhibits both a robust 5' to 3' exonuclease activity on single- and double-stranded DNA substrates as well as a flap structure-specific endonuclease activity but does not show specific endonuclease activity at 10-base pair bubble-like structures, G:T mismatches, or uracil residues. Both the 5' to 3' exonuclease and flap endonuclease activities require a divalent metal cofactor, with Mg(2+) being the preferred metal ion. HEX1-N2 is approximately 3-fold less active in Mn(2+)-containing buffers and exhibits <5% activity in the presence of Co(2+), Zn(2+), or Ca(2+). The optimal pH range for the nuclease activities of HEX1-N2 is 7.2-8.2. The specific activity of its 5' to 3' exonuclease function is 2.5-7-fold higher on blunt end and 5'-recessed double-stranded DNA substrates compared with duplex 5'-overhang or single-stranded DNAs. The flap endonuclease activity of HEX1-N2 is similar to that of human flap endonuclease-1, both in terms of turnover efficiency (k(cat)) and site of incision, and is as efficient (k(cat)/K(m)) as its exonuclease function. The nuclease activities of HEX1-N2 described here indicate functions for the EXO1-like proteins in replication, repair, and/or recombination that may overlap with human flap endonuclease-1.     

A guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate-sensitive nuclease from Bacillus brevis.

In toluene-treated cells of Bacillus brevis, newly synthesized RNA is rapidly degraded in a reaction that is inhibited by cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cGMP) and by 1,10-phenanthroline. This appears to be due to a ribonuclease found in cell-free extracts of B. brevis which is inhibited by cGMP and related compounds as well as by 1,10-phenanthroline. The cGMP-sensitive nuclease hydrolyzes synthetic polynucleotides, yielding nucleoside 5'-monophosphates as the sole products, even during the early stages of hydrolysis. Synthetic polynucleotides terminated by a 3'-phosphate are resistant to hydrolysis. While with 3'-hydrolysis of the polymer. The enzyme is therefore an exonuclease that degrades polynucleotides from the 3' end to product 5'-mononucleotides. It also acts on denatured but not on native DNA. Activity is greatest in the presence of Mn2+ and is not affected by the presence of monovalent cations. 1,10-Phenanthroline, but not 1,7-phenanthroline, inhibits the nuclease even when Mn2+ is present in excess. The inhibition of the enzyme by cGMP is noncompetitive, and cGMP itself is not hydrolyzed. The sensitivity of the nuclease to inhibition depends strikingly on the nature of the substrate and is lost when the enzyme is assayed at high pH. These observations suggest that cGMP inhibits the nuclease by combining with an allosteric site on the enzyme. Although cGMP was found to be the most effective inhibitor, other nucleoside 3':5'-monophosphates and derivatives of 5'-GMP can also inhibit the nuclease. Since measurements of cGMP in B. brevis have not revealed detectable amounts (less than 5 times 10-8 M), the substance that modulates the activity of the nuclease under physiological conditions remains to be identified.     

Inhibition of adenosine deaminase from several sources by deaza derivatives of adenosine and EHNA

Deaza analogues of adenosine and EHNA were tested as inhibitors of the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA) obtained from several sources including human erythrocytes, calf intestine, Saccaromices cerevisiae, Escherichia coli and Takadiastase. Ki values of the inhibitors suggest differences among the enzymes both at purine and erythro-nonyl binding site. Among the ribofuranosyl derivatives, 1-deazaadenosine is the best inhibitor, its Ki ranging between 3.5 x 10(-7) and 4 x 10(-5) M for ADA from erythrocytes and Takadiastase respectively. Only ADA from erythrocytes and calf intestine bind EHNA and some of deazaEHNA analogues; 3-deazaEHNA behaves very similarly to EHNA both in affinity and slow binding mechanism, whereas 1-deazaEHNA, though less potent, is a good inhibitor.     

Adenosine-5'-phosphate deaminase. A novel herbicide target.

The isolation of carbocyclic coformycin as the herbicidally active component from a fermentation of Saccharothrix species was described previously (B.D. Bush, G.V. Fitchett, D.A. Gates, D. Langley [1993] Phytochemistry 32: 737-739). Here we report that the primary mode of action of carbocyclic coformycin has been identified as inhibition of the enzyme AMP deaminase (EC 3.5.4.6) following phosphorylation at the 5' hydroxyl on the carbocyclic ring in vivo. When pea (Pisum sativum L. var Onward) seedlings are treated with carbocyclic coformycin, there is a very rapid and dramatic increase in ATP levels, indicating a perturbation in purine metabolism. Investigation of the enzymes of purine metabolism showed a decrease in the extractable activity of AMP deaminase that correlates with a strong, noncovalent association of the phosphorylated natural product with the protein. The 5'-phosphate analog of the carbocyclic coformycin was synthesized and shown to be a potent, tight binding inhibitor of AMP deaminase isolated from pea seedlings. Through the use of a synthetic radiolabeled marker, rapid conversion of carbocyclic coformycin to the 5'-phosphate analog could be demonstrated in vivo. It is proposed that inhibition of AMP deaminase leads to the death of the plant through perturbation of the intracellular ATP pool.     

A unique ring-expanded acyclic nucleoside analogue that inhibits both adenosine deaminase (ADA) and guanine deaminase (GDA; guanase): synthesis and enzyme inhibition studies of 4,6-diamino-8H-1-hydroxyethoxymethyl-8-iminoimidazo[4,5-e][1,3]diazepine.

The synthesis and enzyme inhibition studies of a novel ring-expanded acyclic nucleoside analogue are reported. Compound has been found to be a competitive inhibitor of both adenosine deaminase (ADA) and guanine deaminase (GDA; guanase) with K(i)'s equal to 1.52+/-0.34 x 10(-4) M and 2.97+/-0.25 x 10(-5) M, respectively. Inhibition of two enzymes of purine metabolism may bear beneficial implications in antiviral therapy.     

Purification and properties of the adenosine deaminase from the midgut gland of a marine bivalved mollusc, Atrina spp.

1. The adenosine deaminase has an approximate molecular weight of 130,000-140,000 and the composition of two polypeptide units (mol. wt about 68,000) is suggested, by means of SDS disc electrophoresis. 2. Both the alpha (Vm/Km) and beta (Vm) parameters were varied with pH and temperature. RSS (relative substrate specificity) adenosine and deoxyadenosine values for alpha and beta were 1.2 and 1.1, respectively. 3. Adenine, 2'-, 3', 5'-AMP, 5'-deoxyAMP, ADP and ATP were not deaminated by the enzyme. 4. Inhibition by Mg2+ was found in reaction with adenosine at pH 8 but not with deoxyadenosine at the same pH. Mn2+, which did not affect the reaction rate at pH 4 and 5, showed competitive inhibitory effects at pH 6, 7 and 8.     

Adenosine deaminase from bovine brain: purification and partial characterization.

Bovine brain adenosine deaminase cytoplasmatic form was purified about 450 fold by salt fractionation, column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, octyl-sepharose 4B and affinity chromatography on CH-sepharose 4B 9-(p-aminobenzyl)adenine. The purified enzyme was homogeneous on disc gel electrophoresis; the enzyme had a molecular mass of about 65 kDa with an isoelectric point at pH 4.87. The Km values for adenosine and 2'-deoxyadenosine were 4 x 10(-5) and 5.2 x 10(-5) M, respectively. The enzyme showed a great stability to temperature with a half life of 15 hours at 53 degrees C significantly different compared to that known for other mammalian forms of this enzyme. Aza and deaza analogs of adenosine and erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine were good inhibitors of the bovine brain enzyme with little difference with respect to those reported for the adenosine deaminases purified from other sources. Kinetic constants for the association and dissociation of coformycin and 2'-deoxycoformycin with the bovine brain adenosine deaminase are reported.