Pyruvate,orthophosphate dikinase from Acetobacter aceti

A pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (EC 2.7.9.1) has been isolated from Acetobacter aceti grown on pyruvate as the only source of carbon and energy. The enzyme was purified 65-fold, and its molecular weight was determined to be about 330,000 by gel filtration.The optimum pH was 8.0 in the forward direction [phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) formation] and 7.1 for the backward reaction (pyruvate production). In both directions Mg²⁺ was required (forward K _m 1.70 mM; reverse K _m 0.87 mM) and no other divalent cation was able to replace it. The K _m values for pyruvate, ATP, and P_i were 27 M, 0.20 mM, and 0.83 mM, respectively, in the forward direction. The K _m values for PEP, AMP, and PP_i were 0.13 mM, 6 M, and 62 M, respectively, for the reverse reaction. The substrate-product pairs pyruvate-PEP, ATP-AMP, P_i-PP_i were competitive inhibitors to each other in both directions. These product inhibition studies suggest for the enzyme from A. aceti nonclassical three-site Tri (Uni Uni) Ping-Pong kinetics.Abbreviations PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - OAA oxaloacetate - MW molecular weight - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate - TEMG buffer 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 1 mM EDTA, 5 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM glutathione     

Purification and some properties of two polyphenol oxidases from bartlett pears

Two polyphenol oxidases (enzymes A and B) from Bartlett pear (Pyrus communis) peelings were purified to electrophoretic homogeneity according to polyacrylamide gel by a combination of Sephadex gel filtration, diethylaminoethyl cellulose chromatography and hydroxyl apatite chromatography. While the two enzymes differ electrophoretically at pH 9.3, chromatographically on hydroxyl apatite, and in the effect of ionic strength on activity, they are similar with respect to chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose, substrate specificity, pH activity relations, inhibition by p-coumaric and benzoic acids, and heat stability. The two enzymes are o-diphenol oxidases with no detectable monophenolase or laccase activities. Pyrocatechol, 4-methyl catechol, chlorogenic acid, and d-catechin are good substrates of the enzymes with K_m values in the range of 2 to 20 mm. Dependences of activity on oxygen and chlorogenic acid concentrations indicate a sequential mechanism for binding of these substrates to enzyme B. V_max and K_m values for oxygen and chlorogenic acid were 103 μmoles O₂ uptake per minute per milligram of enzyme, 0.11 mm and 7.2 mm, respectively, for enzyme B at pH 4.0. Both enzymes had maximum activity at pH 4.0 on chlorogenic acid. K_m values for chlorogenic acid were independent of pH from 3 to 7; the V_max values for both enzymes gave bell-shaped curves as a function of pH. p-Coumaric acid is a simple, linear noncompetitive inhibitor with respect to chlorogenic acid at pH 6.2 with K_i values of 0.38 and 0.50 mm for enzymes A and B, respectively. Benzoic acid is a linear competitive inhibitor with respect to chlorogenic acid at pH 4.0 with K_i values of 0.04 and 0.11 mm for enzymes A and B, respectively.     

Comprehensive kinetic and structural studies of different flavonoids inhibiting diphenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase

The effect of 4 flavonoids on the diphenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase was studied using spectroscopic approach. Analysis of kinetic data demonstrated that flavonoids cause a reversible inhibition of the enzyme activity. Further study showed that gallic acid acted as noncompetitive inhibitor, whereas chrysin, naringin and quercetin inhibited the diphenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase in a competitive fashion. Comparison of the inhibition constants revealed that the strength with which the inhibitors acted on the enzyme activity was ranking as follows: chrysin (K_i 7.90 mM) < quercetin (K_i 7.44 mM) < naringin (K_i 3.04 mM) < gallic acid (K_i 1.5 mM). These data, therefore, suggest that gallic acid is the most potent inhibitor of the enzyme compared to the other flavonoids used.     

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from Acetobacter aceti

In Acetobacter aceti growing on pyruvate as the only source of carbon and energy, oxaloacetate (OAA) is produced by a phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31). The enzyme was purified 122-fold and a molecular weight of about 380,000 was estimated by gel filtration.The optimum pH was 7.5 and the K _m values for PEP and NaHCO₃ were 0.49 mM and about 3 mM, respectively. The enzyme needed a divalent cation; the K _m for Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were 0.12, 0.26 and 0.77 mM, respectively. Maximal activity was only obtained with Mg²⁺. Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ became inhibitory at high concentrations.The activity was inhibited by succinate and, to a lesser extent, by fumarate, citrate, -ketoglutarate, aspartate and glutamate.As compared with the corresponding enzyme from A. xylinum, the PEP carboxylase of A. aceti showed the following differences: a) It had an absolute requirement for acetyl CoA (K _a 0.18 mM) or propionyl CoA (K _a 0.2 mM). b) It was not affected by ADP. c) It was sensitive to thiol blocking agents.Abbreviations PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - OAA oxaloacetate - MW molecular weight - TEMG buffer 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 1 mM EDTA, 5 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM glutathione - HEPES N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-ethanesulfonic acid     

Properties of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in rapidly prepared,desalted leaf extracts of the Crassulacean acid metabolism plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.

Properties of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase, obtained from leaves of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. performing Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), were determined at frequent time points during a 12-h light/12-h dark cycle. Leaf extracts were rapidly desalted and PEP carboxylase activity as a function of PEP concentration, malate concentration, and pH was measured within 2 min after homogenization of the tissue. Maximum velocity of PEP carboxylase was similar in the light and dark at pH 7.5 and pH 8.0. However, PEP carboxylase had as much as a 12-fold lower K _m for PEP and as much as a 20-fold higher K _i for malate during the dark than during the light periods, the magnitude of these differences being dependent on the assay pH. Assuming that enzyme properties immediately after isolation reflect the approximate state of the enzyme in vivo, these differences in enzyme properties reduce the potential for CO₂ fixation via PEP carboxylase in the light. A small decrease in cytoplasmic pH in the light would greatly magnify the above differences in day/night properties of PEP carboxylase, because the sensitivity of PEP carboxylase to inhibition by malate increased with decreasing pH. Properties of PEP carboxylase were also studied in plants exposed to short-term perturbations of the normal 12-h light/12-h dark cycle (e.g., prolonged light period, prolonged dark period). Under all light/dark regimes, there was a close correlation between change in properties of PEP carboxylase and changes of the tissue from acidification to deacidification, and vice versa. Changes in properties of PEP carboxylase were not merely light/dark phenomena because they were also observed in plants exposed to continuous light or dark. the data indicate that, during CAM, PEP carboxylase exists in two stages which differ in their capacity for net malate synthesis. The physiologically-active state is distinguished by a low K _m for PEP and a high K _i for malate and favors malate synthesis. The physiologically-inactive state has a high K _m for PEP and a low K _i for malate and exists during periods of deacidification and other periods lacking synthesis of malic acid.Abbreviations CAM Crassulacean acid metabolism - PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - PEPC PEP carboxylase - RuBP ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate - RH relative humidity     

1-Hydroxycyclopropane carboxylic acid phosphate: A potent inhibitor of enzymes metabolizing phosphoenolpyruvate

1-Hydroxycyclopropane carboxylic acid phosphate has been synthesized from diethyl succinate by acyloin condensation followed by ring contraction and phosphorylation. This compound is a potent competitive inhibitor of enzymes utilizing phosphoenolpyruvate. For phosphoenolpyruvate from maize, K_i = 7.3 μM at pH 8.0 in the presence of Mg²⁺. For pyruvate kinase, K_i = 2.0 mM at pH 7.0. For enolase, K_i = 8.0 μM at pH 8.0. In each case, this compound is a substantially better inhibitor than the commonly used phosphoenolpyruvate analogs phosphoglycolate and phospholactate, presumably because of the similarity in geometric and electronic structure between the cyclopropane compound and phosphoenolpyruvate.     

Regulation of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in the ribulose monophosphate cycle methylotroph Nocardia sp. 239

The regulation of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in Nocardia sp. 239 was studied. In cell-free extracts 3-deoxy-D-arabinoheptulosonate 7-phosphate (DAHP) synthase activity was inhibited in a cumulative manner by tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine. Chorismate mutase was inhibited by both phenylalanine and tyrosine, whereas prephenate dehydratase was very sensitive to inhibition by phenylalanine. Tyrosine was a strong activator of the latter enzyme, whereas anthranilate synthase was inhibited effectively by tryptophan. No clear repression of the synthesis of these enzymes was observed during growth of the organism in the presence of the aromatic amino acids. It is therefore concluded that in Nocardia sp. 239 synthesis of these amino acids is mainly regulated by feedback inhibition. The molecular organization and kinetic properties of DAHP synthase were studied in more detail following its purification. The molecular weight of the native enzyme and its single subunit species were estimated to be 168,000 and 41,000, respectively, suggesting that the enzyme is a tetramer. Apparent K _m values for phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and erythrose-4-phosphate (E4P) were 45 and 370 M, respectively. Tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine inhibited DAHP synthase in a competitive manner with respect to E4P, with apparent K _i values of 3, 160 and 180 M, respectively. In addition, tryptophan and E4P (apparent K _i values of 11 and 530 M, respectively) were found to exert an uncompetitive and competitive inhibition, respectively, towards PEP.Abbreviations DAHP 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate - E4P erythrose-4-phosphate - PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - RuMP ribulose monophosphate - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - FPLC fast protein liquid chromatography - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate     

Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum (strain ΔH) contains a membrane-bound cyclic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate hydrolase

Cyclic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (cDPG) hydrolase activity was demonstrated in cofactor-free extract of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum (strain H), but not in crude extract. Only after ultrafiltration or dialysis of crude extract cDPG hydrolase activity could be shown. cCPG hydrolysis was optimal at pH 6.0 and 60°C. Hydrolysis of cDPG occurred under nitrogen or hydrogen atmosphere and was completely inhibited by oxygen. Phosphate and potassium chloride were also strong inhibitors: 50% inhibition occurred at 0.6–0.7 mM phosphate or 0.2 M KCl. The enzyme was localized in the membrane fraction and could be solubilized for approximately 60% by treatment with 25 mM of the detergent CHAPS. The K _m and the V _max for cDPG were determined at 60°C and were 59 mM and 216 mU/mg, respectively. Furthermore, cDPG hydrolase was dependent on the presence of Co²⁺. The role of cDPG and cDPG hydrolase is discussed.Abbreviations cDPG cyclic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate - 2,3-DPG 2,3-diphosphoglycerate - 2-PG 2-phosphoglycerate - 3-PG 3-phosphoglycerate - PG phosphoglycerate - PEP phosphoenolpyruvate - TES N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethanesulfonate - TRIS tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane - DTT dithiothreitol - CHAPS 3-([3-cholamidopropyl]-dimethylammonio)-1-propanesulfonate - MOPS 3-(N-morpholino) propanesulfonic acid     

Determination of the warfarin inhibition constant Ki for vitamin K 2,3-epoxide reductase complex subunit-1 (VKORC1) using an in vitro DTT-driven assay

Background

Warfarin directly inhibits vitamin K 2,3-epoxide reductase (VKOR) enzymes. Since the early 1970s, warfarin inhibition of vitamin K 2,3-epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1), an essential enzyme for proper function of blood coagulation in higher vertebrates, has been studied using an in vitro dithiothreitol (DTT) driven enzymatic assay. However, various studies based on this assay have reported warfarin dose–response data, usually summarized as half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀), that vary over orders of magnitude and reflect the broad range of conditions used to obtain VKOR assay data.

Methods

We standardized the implementation of the DTT-driven VKOR activity assay to measure enzymatic Michaelis constants (K_m) and warfarin IC₅₀ for human VKORC1. A data transformation is defined, based on the previously confirmed bi bi ping-pong mechanism for VKORC1, that relates assay condition-dependent IC₅₀ to condition-independent K_i.

Results

Determination of the warfarin K_i specifically depends on measuring both substrate concentrations, both Michaelis constants for the VKORC1 enzyme, and pH in the assay.

Conclusion

The K_i is not equal to the IC₅₀ value directly measured using the DTT-driven VKOR assay.

General significance

In contrast to warfarin IC₅₀ values determined in previous studies, warfarin inhibition expressed as K_i can now be compared between studies, even when the specific DTT-driven VKOR assay conditions differ. This implies that warfarin inhibition reported for wild-type and variant VKORC1 enzymes from previous reports should be reassessed and new determinations of K_i are required to accurately report and compare in vitro warfarin inhibition results.     

Affinity labeling of oxaloacetate decarboxylase by novel dichlorotriazine linked alpha-ketoacids

The 4-aminophenyloxanilic acid and -mercaptopyruvic acid linked to the reactive diclorotriazine ring, were studied as active site-direct affinity labels towards oxaloacetate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.3, OXAD). Oxaloacetate decarboxylase when incubated with 4-aminophenyloxanilic-diclorotriazine (APOD) or -mercaptopyruvic-diclorotriazine (MPD) at pH 7.0 and 25°C shows a time-dependent and concentration-dependent loss of enzyme activity. The inhibition was irreversible and activity cannot be recovered either by extensive dialysis or gel-filtration chromatography. The enzyme inactivation following the Kitz & Wilson kinetics for time-dependent irreversible inhibition. The observed rate of enzyme inactivation (k _obs) exhibits a non-linear dependence on APOD or MPD concentration with maximum rate of inactivation (k ₃) of 0.013 min^–1 and 0.0046 min^–1 and K _D equal to 20.3 and 156 M respectively. The inactivation of oxaloacetate decarboxylase by APOD and MPD is competitively inhibited by OXAD substrate and inhibitors, such as oxaloacetate, ADP and oxalic acid whereas Mn⁺² enhances the rate of inactivation. The rate of inactivation of OXAD by APOD shows a pH dependence with an inflection point at 6.8, indicating a possible histidine derivatization by the label. These results show that APOD and MPD demonstrate the characteristics of an active-site probe towards the oxaloacetate binding site of oxaloacetate decarboxylase.     

Ammonium heptamolybdate,an inhibitor of plant invertases

Ammonium heptamolybdate was an inhibitor of plant invertases. The inhibition was a linear mixed type and the constants K_i and aK_i were determined. α- and β-glycerophosphate, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, glucose-1-phosphate, phosphoenolpyruvate, pyruvate and malate suppressed the inhibition. The curves of enzyme recovery against the concentrations of these activators were sigmoid. UV spectrophotometry showed complex formation between inhibitor and each activator, and indicated that sucrose did not form a complex with the inhibitor. Consequently, heptamolybdate is postulated to act by a reversible binding to the enzyme.     

Mammalian and avian liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Alternate substrates and inhibition by analogues of oxaloacetate

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from chicken liver mitochondria and rat liver cytosol catalyzes the phosphorylation of alpha-substituted carboxylic acids such as glycolate, thioglycolate, and DL-beta-chlorolactate in reactions with absolute requirements for divalent cation activators. 31P NMR analysis of the reaction products indicates that phosphorylation occurs at the alpha-position to generate the corresponding O- or S-bridged phosphate monoesters. In addition, the enzymes catalyze the bicarbonate-dependent phosphorylation of hydroxylamine. The chicken liver enzyme also catalyze the bicarbonate-dependent phosphorylation of hydroxylamine. The chicken liver enzyme also catalyzes the bicarbonate-dependent phosphorylation of fluoride ion. The kappa cat values for these substrates are 20-1000-fold slower than the kappa cat for oxaloacetate. Pyruvate and beta-hydroxypyruvate are not phosphorylated, since the enzyme does not catalyze the enolization of these compounds. Oxalate, a structural analogue of the enolate of pyruvate, is a competitive inhibitor of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Ki of 5 microM) in the direction of phosphoenolpyruvate formation. Oxalate is also an inhibitor of the chicken liver enzyme in the direction of oxaloacetate formation and in the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate. The chicken liver enzyme is inhibited by beta-sulfopyruvate, an isoelectronic analogue of oxaloacetate. The extensive homologies between the reactions catalyzed by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and pyruvate kinase suggest that the divalent cation activators in these reactions may have similar functions. The substrate specificity indicates that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase decarboxylates oxaloacetate to form the enolate of pyruvate which is then phosphorylated by MgGTP on the enzyme.     

NADP+-dependent acetaldehyde dehydrogenase from Zymomonas mobilis

An NADP⁺-linked acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.4) from the ethanol producing bacterium Zymomonas mobilis was purified 180-fold to homogeneity. The enzyme is a cytosolic protein with an isoelectric point of 8.0 and has an apparent molecular weight of 210000. It showed a single band in sodium dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis with a molecular weight of 55000, which indicates that it consists of four probably identical subunits. The apparent K _m values for the substrate acetaldehyde were 57 M and for the cosubstrate NADP⁺ 579 M. The enzyme was almost inactive with NAD⁺ as cofactor. Several other aldehydes besides acetaldehyde were accepted as a substrate but not formaldehyde or trichloroacetaldehyde. In anaerobically grown cells of Zymomonas mobilis the enzyme showed a specific activity of 0.035 U/mg protein but its specific activity could be increased up to 0.132 U/mg protein by adding acetaldehyde to the medium during the exponential growth phase or up to 0.284 U/mg protein when cells were grown under aeration. The physiological role of the enzyme is discussed.Abbreviations ALD-DH acetaldehyde dehydrogenases from Z. mobilis - DTT dithiothreitol - MES 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid - MOPS 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid - SDS sodium dodecylsulfate Dedicated to Prof. Dr. H.-G. Schlegel, Universität Göttingen, on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Activity of maize leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in relation to tautomerization and nonenzymatic decarboxylation of oxaloacetate

The keto form of oxaloacetate (OAA), a product of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) activity, can undergo various nonenzymatic conversions which make conventional methods of assaying the enzyme difficult, because the products may either act as inhibitors or go undetected. In studies with PEPC isolated from leaves of maize, an assay coupled with reduction of OAA to malate was compared with product analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography and an assay based on Pi release. The results show that activity of the enzyme in the assay coupled to malate dehydrogenase is underestimated, to varying extents, depending on magnesium concentration, buffer, and pH. In the assay coupled to malate dehydrogenase, inaccuracies occur due to conversion of the keto form of OAA to the enol form, which is not utilized as a substrate, and due to loss of OAA by decarboxylation to pyruvate. The assay based on Pi formation is considered to give the true rate of catalysis. With this assay the pH optimum is 7.8, compared to 8.3-8.5 for the assay coupled to malate dehydrogenase. The metal enol complex of oxaloacetate (M-OAAenol) is an inhibitor of PEPC and conditions which are favorable for forming this tautomer, high pH with divalent metal ions or high concentrations of Tris buffer at a pH below its pKa value, limit catalysis. Glycine stimulates enzyme activity, and it may have its effect by preventing the formation of the hydrated M-OAAenol complex and maintaining more of the OAA in the keto form. This interpretation is consistent with glycine stimulation of malate synthesis in the assay of PEPC coupled to malate dehydrogenase, with glycine stimulation of the decarboxylation of OAA, and with a reduction in the level of the M-OAAenol complex in the presence of glycine.     

Unidirectional inhibition of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from Rhodospirillum rubrum by ATP

The kinetic and regulatory properties of partially purified phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32) from Rhodospirillum rubrum were studied. The enzyme was active with guanosine-and inosinephosphates and must thus be classified as GTP (ITP): oxaloacetate carboxylyase (transphosphorylating). In the direction of oxaloacetate-formation, the enzyme was strongly inhibited by ATP (K_i=0.03 mM). ITP, UTP, CTP and GTP were less inhibitory. The inhibition was competitive with respect to GDP or IDP, but not with respect to PEP. In the direction of PEP-synthesis, the enzyme was not inhibited, but rather activated by ATP.     

Malic enzyme of Chromatium vinosum

Malic enzyme of the phototrophic bacterium Chromatium vinosum strain D that lacks malate dehydrogenase was partially purified yielding a specific activity of 55 units/mg protein. The constitutive enzyme with a molecular weight of 110,000 and a pH optimum of 8.0 was absolutely dependent on the presence of a monovalent cation (NH ₄ ⁺ , K⁺, Cs⁺, or Rb⁺) as well as a divalent cation (Mn²⁺, or Mg²⁺). The enzyme was inhibited by oxaloacetate, glyoxylate, and NADPH. The K _0.5 value for L-malate and the inhibition constants for oxaloacetate and glyoxylate are dependent on the concentration of the monovalent cation, whereas the K _m value for NADP (18 M) and the K ₁ value for NADPH (42 M) are independent. Throughout all kinetic measurements hyperbolic saturation curves and linear double reciprocal plots were obtained.Abbreviations OAA oxaloacetate - OD optical density     

Characterization of a malate dehydrogenase in the cyanobacterium Coccochloris peniocystis

A malate dehydrogenase (MDH) was characterized from the cyanobacterium Coccochloris peniocystis. The enzyme was purified approximately 180-fold and had a molecular weight of about 90000. The enzyme had a pH optimum of pH 6.7 to 7.5; a K_m (malate) of 5.6 mM and K_ms for NAD and NADP of 24 M and 178 M, respectively, although similar V_max were obtained with either pyridine nucleotide. Enzyme activity was inhibited by ATP, citrate, oxalacetate, acetyl CoA and CoA. Enzyme assays with uniformly ¹⁴C-labelled malate caused no ¹⁴CO₂ release, indicating this MDH is not a malic enzyme. Electrophoresis and S-200 gel filtration of the partially purified enzyme indicated a single MDH was present in this preparation. A second, less abundant, MDH was present in crude extracts. The presence of MDH in this organism is consistent with the operation of a glyoxylate cycle which, in the absence of a TCA cycle, would provide organic acids required in secondary carbon metabolism. ATP inhibition of MDH may allow for light regulation of MDH activity since, in the light, oxaloacetic acid is generated by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity.Abbreviations MDH malate dehydrogenase - PEPcase phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase - MOPS 3-[N-Morpholino] propane sulfonic acid - TRIS Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane - EDTA Disodium Ethylenadiamine Tetraacetate - MES 2[N-Morpholino]-ethane Sulfonic Acid - EPPS N-2-Hydroxyethylpiperazine Propane - MW Molecular weight - OAA Oxaloacetic acid     

The effect of some glycolytic intermediates and long-chain acyl-CoA esters on rat skeletal muscle mitochondrial α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase

Summary -Glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (sn-glycerol-3-phosphate: acceptor oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.99.5) activity in mitochondria isolated from rat skeletal muscle has been studied. The pH optimum of the enzyme activity was about 7.4 and the apparent K_m value for DL--glycerophosphate was approxinately 1.6mm. The activity of this enzyme was found to be inhibited by DL-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, phosphoenolpyruvate and 3-phosphoglycerate in a competitive manner: the apparent K_i values at pH 7.4 being 0.3mm, 1.5mm and 4.0mm respectively. The enzyme was found to be more sensitive to phosphoenolpyruvate at pH 7.0 than 7.6.The activity of -glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in rat skeletal muscle was also inhibited by palmitoyl-CoA and stearoyl-CoA in a competitive manner. The K_i values being about 9.0 m for both metabolites. This inhibition was partly reversed by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions. Palmitoylcarnitine also exerted inhibitory effect on -glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity but palmitate, carnitine and CoA added alone was without effect. It is proposed that the activity of -glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in rat skeletal muscle mitochondria may be controlled by changes of the cytosolic levels of some glycolytic intermediates and long-chain acyl-CoA esters. These results are discussed with respect to the regulation of -glycerophosphate shuttle activity in skeletal muscle.     

Purification and Properties of the Constitutive Arginase of Evernia prunastri

Constitutive arginase (molecular weight 330,000) 920-fold purified from Evernia prunastri thallus, is activated by putrescine, l-ornithine, and agmatine with K_a values of 2.7, 1.1, and 5.8 millimolar, respectively. Constitutive arginase is also activated by endogenous l-arginine, reaching its maximum activity at 16 hours of incubation on Tris-HCl (pH 9.15) with a subsequent decrease. Urea behaves as a mixed inhibitor of the enzyme with a K_i value of 2.6 millimolar. Atranorin and evernic acid behave as in vitro activators of the enzyme; usnic acid does not have any significant effect as activator.     

Kinetic properties of pig pyruvate kinases type A from kidney and type M from muscle.

Kinetic properties of homogeneous preparations of pig kidney and pig muscle pyruvate kinases (EC 2.7.1.40) were studied. Both isozymes showed a hyperbolic relationship to ADP with an apparent K_m of 0.3 mm. K⁺ and Mg²⁺ were necessary for the activity of both isozymes, and their dependences on these cations were similar. The muscle isozyme expressed Michaelis-Menten type of kinetics with respect to phosphoenolpyruvate, and the apparent K_m was the same (0.03 mm) from pH 5.5 to pH 8.0. In contrast, the dependence on phosphoenolpyruvate changed with pH for the kidney isozyme. It showed similar properties to the muscle isozyme at pH 5.5–7.0 (apparent K_m of 0.08 mm), while two apparent K_m values for this substrate were present at pH 7.5–8.0, one low (0.1 mm) and one high (0.3–0.6 mm). At pH 7.5, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate converted the kidney isozyme to a kinetical form where only the lower apparent K_m for phosphoenolpyruvate was detected. On the other hand, in the presence of alanine or phenylalanine the kidney pyruvate kinase showed only the higher K_m for this substrate. At low phosphoenolpyruvate levels both isozymes were inhibited by phenylalanine, and half-maximal inhibition was found at 0.3 and 2.2 mm for the kidney and muscle isozymes, respectively. At a 5 mm concentration of the substrate only the kidney isozyme was inhibited, the apparent K_i being the same. Alanine inhibited the kidney isozyme (apparent K_i at 0.3 mm, irrespective of substrate concentration). No effect was seen on the muscle isozyme. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate was an activator of the kidney isozyme at phosphoenolpyruvate concentrations below 1.0 mm It also counteracted the inhibition by alanine or phenylalanine of this isozyme. ATP inhibited both isozymes, and this inhibition was not counteracted by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. The kidney isozyme showed both a high and a low apparent K_m for phosphoenolpyruvate in the presence of ATP. The influence of the effectors on the activity of both isozymes varied markedly with pH, except for the action of ATP. At low substrate concentrations, however, the inhibitor action of ATP on the muscle enzyme was diminished around pH 7.5, in contrast to higher or lower pH values. Alanine or phenylalanine were more effective as inhibitors at higher pH values, and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate stimulated the kidney isozyme only at pH levels above pH 6.5. The influence of activators and inhibitors on the regulation of the kidney and muscle pyruvate kinases is discussed.