Effect of the side chain structure of coenzyme Q on the steady state kinetics of bovine heart NADH: coenzyme Q oxidoreductase

Steady state kinetics of bovine heart NADH: coenzyme Q oxidoreductase using coenzyme Q with two isoprenoid unit (Q₂) or with a decyl group (DQ) show an ordered sequential mechanism in which the order of substrate binding and product release is NADH-Q₂ (DQ) -Q₂H₂ (DQH₂)-NAD⁺ in contrast to the order determined using Q₁ (Q₁-NADH-NAD⁺-Q₁H₂) (Nakashima et al., J. Bioenerg. Biomembr. 34, 11–19, 2002). The effect of the side chain structure of coenzyme Q suggests that NADH binding to the enzyme results in a conformational change, in the coenzyme Q binding site, which enables the site to accept coenzyme Q with a side chain significantly larger than one isoprenoid unit. The side chains of Q₂ and DQ bound to the enzyme induce a conformational change in the binding site to stabilize the substrate binding, while the side chain of Q₁ (one isoprenoid unit) is too short to induce the conformational change.     

Vanadate-stimulated NADH oxidation in microsomes

Addition of vanadate, stimulated oxidation of NADH by rat liver microsomes. The products were NAD⁺ and H₂O₂. High rates of this reaction were obtained in the presence of phosphate buffer and at low pH values. The yellow-orange colored polymeric form of vanadate appears to be the active species and both ortho- and meta-vanadate gave poor activities even at mM concentrations.The activity as measured by oxygen uptake was inhibited by cyanide, EDTA, mannitol, histidine, ascorbate, noradrenaline, adriamycin, cytochrome c, Mn²⁺, superoxide dismutase, horseradish peroxidase and catalase. Mitochondrial outer membranes possess a similar activity of vanadate-stimulated NADH oxidation. But addition of mitochondria and some of its derivative particles abolished the microsomal activity. In the absence of oxygen, disappearance of NADH measured by decrease in absorbance at 340 nm continued at nearly the same rate since vanadate served as an electron acceptor in the microsomal system. Addition of excess catalase or SOD abolished the oxygen uptake while retaining significant rates of NADH disappearance indicating that the two activities are delinked. A mechanism is proposed wherein oxygen receives the first electron from NAD radical generated by oxidation of NADH by phosphovanadate and the consequent reduced species of vanadate (V^iv) gives the second electron to superoxide to reduce it H₂O₂. This is applicable to all membranes whereas microsomes have the additional capability of reducing vanadate.     

Oxidations of various substrates and effects of the inhibitors on purified mitochondria isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kalanchoë pinnata</Emphasis>

Kalanchoë pinnata mitochondria readily oxidized succinate, malate, NADH, and NADPH at high rates and coupling. The highest respiration rates usually were observed in the presence of succinate. The high rate of malate oxidation was observed at pH 6.8 with thiamine pyrophosphate where both malic enzyme (ME) and pyruvate dehydrogenase were activated. In CAM phase III of K. pinnata mitochondria, both ME and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) simultaneously contributed to metabolism of malate. However, ME played a main function: malate was oxidized via ME to produce pyruvate and CO₂ rather than via MDH to produce oxalacetate (OAA). Cooperative oxidation of two or three substrates was accompanied with the dramatic increase in the total respiration rates. Our results showed that the alternative (Alt) pathway was more active in malate oxidation at pH 6.8 with CoA and NAD⁺ where ME operated and was stimulated, indicating that both ME and Alt pathway were related to malate decarboxylation during the light. In K. pinnata mitochondria, NADH and NADPH oxidations were more sensitive with KCN than that with succinate and malate oxidations, suggesting that these oxidations were engaged to cytochrome pathway rather than to Alt pathway and these capacities would be desirable to supply enough energy for cytosol pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase activity.     

Oxidation of NADH by plant mitochondria: Kinetics and effects of calcium ions

The kinetics of NADH oxidation by the outer membrane electron transport system of intact beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) mitochondria were investigated. Very different values for V_max and the K_m for NADH were obtained when either antimycin A-insensitive NADH-cytochrome c activity (V_max= 31 ± 2.5 nmol cytochrome c (mg protein)^?1 min^?1; K_m= 3.1 ± 0.8 μM) or antimycin A-insensitive NADH-ferricyanide activity (V_max= 1.7 ± 0.7 μmol ferricyanide (mg protein)^?1 min^?1; K_m= 83 ± 20 μM) were measured. As ferricyanide is believed to accept electrons closer to the NADH binding site than cytochrome c, it was concluded that 83 ± 20 μM NADH represented a more accurate estimate of the binding affinity of the outer membrane dehydrogenase for NADH. The low K_m determined with NADH-cytochrome c activity may be due to a limitation in electron flow through the components of the outer membrane electron transport chain. The K_m for NADH of the externally-facing inner membrane NADH dehydrogenase of pea leaf (Pisum sativum L. cv. Massey Gem) mitochondria was 26.7 ± 4.3 μM when oxygen was the electron acceptor. At an NADH concentration at which the inner membrane dehydrogenase should predominate, the Ca²⁺ chelator, ethyleneglycol-(β-aminoethylether)-N,N,-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), inhibited the oxidation of NADH through to oxygen and to the ubiquinone-10 analogues, duroquinone and ubiquinone-1, but had no effect on the antimycin A-insensitive ferricyanide reduction. It is concluded that the site of action of Ca²⁺ involves the interaction of the enzyme with ubiquinone and not with NADH.     

Peculiarities of cyanide binding to the <Emphasis Type="Italic">ba</Emphasis><Subscript>3</Subscript>-type cytochrome oxidase from the thermophilic bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermus thermophilus</Emphasis>

Cytochrome c oxidase of the ba ₃-type from Thermus thermophilus does not interact with cyanide in the oxidized state and acquires the ability to bind heme iron ligands only upon reduction. Cyanide complexes of the reduced heme a ₃ in cytochrome ba ₃ and in mitochondrial aa ₃-type cytochrome oxidase are similar spectroscopically, but the a ₃²⁺-CN complex of cytochrome ba ₃ is strikingly tight. Experiments have shown that the K _d value of the cytochrome ba ₃ complex with cyanide in the presence of reductants of the enzyme binuclear center does not exceed 10⁻⁸ M, which is four to five orders of magnitude less than the K _d of the cyanide complex of the reduced heme a ₃ of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase. The tightness of the cytochrome ba ₃ complex with cyanide is mainly associated with an extremely slow rate of the ligand dissociation (k _off ≤ 10⁻⁷ sec⁻¹), while the rate of binding (k _on ∼ 10² M⁻¹·sec⁻¹) is similar to the rate observed for the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase. It is proposed that cyanide dissociation from the cytochrome ba ₃ binuclear center might be hindered sterically by the presence of the second ligand molecule in the coordination sphere of Cu_B²⁺. The rate of cyanide binding with the reduced heme a ₃ does not depend on pH in the neutral area, but it approaches linear dependence on H⁺ activity in the alkaline region. Cyanide binding appears to be controlled by protonation of an enzyme group with pK _a = 8.75.     

Vanadate stimulates oxidation of NADH to generate hydrogen peroxide

Vanadate in the polymeric form of decavanadate, but not other forms, stimulated oxidation of NADH to NAD⁺ NADPH was also oxidized with comparable rates. This oxidation of NADH was accompanied by uptake of oxygen and generated hydrogen peroxide with the following stoichiometry: NADH + H⁺ + O₂ → NAD⁺ + H₂O₂. The reaction followed second-order kinetics. The rate was dependent on the concentration of both NADH and vanadate and increased with decreasing pH. The reaction had an obligatory requirement for phosphate ions. Esr studies in the presence of the spin trap dimethyl pyrroline N oxide indicated the involvement of Superoxide anion as an intermediate. The reaction was sensitive to Superoxide dismutase and other scavengers of superoxide anions.     

Modification of (Na+ + K+)-dependent ATPase by fluorescein isothiocyanate: evidence for the involvement of different amino groups at different PH values

Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) reactivity with the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase was studied at pH 6.5 and 9.0. Reaction with FITC is nearly complete in 30 min and is irreversible at both pH values. Differential inhibition of enzyme activity is observed at the two pH values as follows: at pH 6.5 the maximal inhibition reached is only 35–45% of the ATPase or p-nitrophenylphosphatase activities, whereas at pH 9.0 ATPase activity can be completely inhibited while maximal phosphatase inhibition is ca. 50%. At all concentrations of FITC tested, more FITC is incorporated into the enzyme at pH 9.0 than at 6.5. At both pH values NaCl increases the inhibition due to FITC while KCl protects against the inhibition. ATP protects the enzyme at both pH values with a K_0.5 in the range of 8–20 μm. Enzyme that is partially inactivated at either pH shows no significant change in the K_0.5 values for Na⁺ or K⁺ or in the K_{m app} for ATP or p-nitrophenylphosphate for the remaining activity. The binding of ⁴⁸VO₄ is not changed by reaction with FITC at either pH, while [³H]ouabain binding is inhibited after reaction at pH 9.0 only in the presence of Mg⁺² + Na⁺ + ATP. [³H]Ouabain binding in the presence of Mg⁺² + inorganic phosphate is not inhibited by FITC reaction. Enzyme reacted at both pH values exhibits the expected fluorescein fluorescence (λ_ex = 490, λ_em = 520) but only with enzyme reacted at pH 9.0 is fluorescence quenching by K⁺ or reversal by Na⁺ observed. These results suggest that different classes of amino groups react with FITC at the two pH values tested, and that these groups have distinct roles in the different activities of the enzyme.     

Kinetic mechanism of mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase interaction with nucleotide substrates of the transhydrogenase reaction

The effects of Tinopals (cationic benzoxazoles) AMS-GX and 5BM-GX on NADH-oxidase, NADH:ferricyanide reductase, and NADH APAD⁺ transhydrogenase reactions and energy-linked NAD⁺ reduction by succinate, catalyzed by NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I) in submitochondrial particles (SMP), were investigated. AMS-GX competes with NADH in NADH-oxidase and NADH:ferricyanide reductase reactions (K _i = 1 M). 5BM-GX inhibits those reactions with mixed type with respect to NADH (K _i = 5 M) mechanism. Neither compound affects reverse electron transfer from succinate to NAD⁺. The type of the Tinopals' effect on the NADH APAD⁺ transhydrogenase reaction, occurring with formation of a ternary complex, suggests the ordered binding of nucleotides by the enzyme during the reaction: AMS-GX and 5BM-GX inhibit this reaction uncompetitively just with respect to one of the substrates (APAD⁺ and NADH, correspondingly). The competition between 5BM-GX and APAD⁺ confirms that NADH is the first substrate bound by the enzyme. Direct and reverse electron transfer reactions demonstrate different specificity for NADH and NAD⁺ analogs: the nicotinamide part of the molecule is significant for reduced nucleotide binding. The data confirm the model suggesting that during NADH APAD⁺ reaction, occurring with ternary complex formation, reduced nucleotide interacts with the center participating in NADH oxidation, whereas oxidized nucleotide reacts with the center binding NAD⁺ in the reverse electron transfer reaction.     

External Pathway of NADH Oxidation in the Liver of the River Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis

A possibility of exogenous NADH oxidation via the external pathway has been shown on homogenates and isolated liver cells of the lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis in the presence of rotenone and antimycin A. The homogenates were incubated in isotonic and hypotonic sucrose media, while cells, in isotonic salt medium. At incubating the tissue preparations in isotonic media, digitonin was used to enhance membrane permeability to NADH and cytochrome c. In homogenates, the maximal rate of NADH oxidation via the external pathway in the presence of cytochrome c and digitonin was 5.3 nmol O₂/min/10 mg wet weight. This value in the cells amounted to 12.6, while without addition of exogenous NADH and cytochrome c, to 11.0 nmol O₂/min/10 million cells. Cyanide inhibited completely the NADH oxidation via the external pathway both in homogenates and in cells. The intact lamprey hepatocytes, unlike homogenates, are suggested to contain sufficient concentrations of cytochrome c and extramitochondrial NADH to provide maximal NADH oxidation rate in mitochondria through external pathway. This allows thinking that potential possibilities of NADH oxidation via the external pathway in Cyclostomata and mammals are qualitatively and quantitatively close.     

Cytochrome c oxidase: the mechanistic significance of structural H+ in energy transduction

Changes in the bulk-phase concentration of O₂ and H⁺ associated with the reduction of O₂ to water are simultaneously determined in reactions catalyzed by fully reduced cytochrome c oxidase both isolated and embedded in liposomes. Consistent with the polyphasic kinetics of electron transfer through the oxidase, the time course of O₂ consumption and H⁺ translocation exhibit the following novel characteristics: (1) The uptake of scalar protons (H_m ⁺), the ejection of vectorial protons (H⁺ _v), and the consumption of O₂, all proceed in a kinetically polyphasic process. (2) During the first phase of the reaction the rates of O₂ uptake and H⁺ transfer are extremely fast and compatible with the rates of electron flow through the oxidase. (3) The K_m of the oxidase for O₂ is close to 75 M, the same for O₂ consumption and scalar H⁺ uptake. The V_max of O₂ reduction to water in reactions catalyzed by the isolated enzyme is, at least, 0.5 × 10⁴ s^–1. (4) The extent of vectorial H⁺ ejection by cytochrome c oxidase embedded in liposomes is an exponential function dependent on both enzyme concentration and extent of O₂ consumption. (5) The H⁺/O stoichiometry of H⁺ ejection is a variable that may reach a maximum value of 4.0 only when the enzyme undergoes net oxidation at extremely high enzyme/O₂ molar ratios. It is postulated that the generation of useful energy at the level of cytochrome c oxidase depends not only on the number of molecules of O₂ reduced to water but also on the extent and state of reduction and/or protonation of the enzyme.     

Proton Inhibition of Sodium Channels: Mechanism of Gating Shifts and Reduced Conductance

Extracellular acidosis affects both permeation and gating of the expressed rat skeletal muscle Na⁺ channel (μ1). Reduction of the extracellular pH produced a progressive decrease in the maximal whole-cell conductance and a depolarizing shift in the whole-cell current-voltage relationship. A smaller depolarizing shift in the steady-state inactivation curve was observed. The pK of the reduction of maximal conductance was 6.1 over the pH range studied. An upper limit estimate of the pK of the shift of the half-activation voltage was 6.1. The relative reduction in the maximal whole-cell conductance did not change with higher [Na⁺] _o . The conductance of single fenvalerate-modified Na⁺ channels was reduced by extracellular protons. Although the single-channel conductance increased with higher [Na⁺] _o , the maximal conductances at pH 7.6, 7.0 and 6.0 did not converge at [Na⁺] _o up to 280 mm, inconsistent with a simple electrostatic effect. A model incorporating both Na⁺ and H⁺ binding in the pore and cation binding to a Gouy-Chapman surface charge provided a robust fit to the single-channel conductance data with an estimated surface charge density of 1e⁻/439?². Neither surface charge nor proton block alone suffices to explain the effects of extracellular acidosis on Na⁺ channel permeation; both effects play major roles in mediating the response to extracellular pH. Received: 14 May 1996/Revised: 19 September 1996     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paracoccus denitrificans</Emphasis> proton-translocating ATPase: Kinetics of oxidative phosphorylation

The initial rates of ATP synthesis catalyzed by tightly coupled Paracoccus denitrificans plasma membrane were measured. The reaction rate was hyperbolically dependent on the substrates, ADP and inorganic phosphate (P_i). Apparent K _m values for ADP and P_i were 7–11 and 60–120 μM, respectively, at saturating concentration of the second substrate (pH 8.0, saturating Mg²⁺). These values were dependent on coupling efficiency. The substrate binding in the ATP synthesis reaction proceeds randomly: K _m value for a given substrate was independent of the concentration of the other one. A decrease of electrochemical proton gradient by the addition of malonate (when succinate served as the respiratory substrate) or by a decrease of steady-state level of NADH (when NADH served as the respiratory substrate) resulted in a proportional decrease of the maximal rates and apparent K _m values for ADP and P_i (double substitution, ping-pong mechanism). The kinetic scheme for ATP synthesis was compared with that described previously for the proton-translocating ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by the same enzyme preparation (T. V. Zharova and A. D. Vinogradov (2006) Biochemistry, 45, 14552–14558).     

Purification and characterization of malate dehydrogenase from the phototrophic bacterium,Rhodopseudomonas capsulata

Malate dehydrogenase (l-malate:NAD⁺ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.37) has been purified about 480-fold from crude extract of the facultative phototrophic bacterium, Rhodopseudomonas capsulata by only two purification steps, involving Red-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The enzyme has a molecular mass of about 80 kDa and consists of two subunits with identical molecular mass (35 kDa). The enzyme is susceptible to heat inactivation and loses its activity completely upon incubation at 40°C for 10 min. Addition of NAD⁺, NADH and oxaloacetate, but not l-malate, to the enzyme solution stabilized the enzyme. The enzyme catalyzes exclusively the oxidation of l-malate, and the reduction of oxaloacetate and ketomalonate in the presence of NAD⁺ and NADH, respectively, as the coenzyme. The pH optima are around 9.5 for the l-malate oxidation, and 7.75–8.5 and 4.3–7.0 for the reduction of oxaloacetate and ketomalonate, respectively. The K_m values were determined to be 2.1 mM for l-malate, 48 μM for NAD⁺, 85 μM for oxaloacetate, 25 μM for NADH and 2.2 mM for ketomalonate. Initial velocity and product inhibition patterns of the enzyme reactions indicate a random binding of the substrates, NAD⁺ and l-malate, to the enzyme and a sequential release of the products: NADH is the last product released from the enzyme in the l-malate oxidation.     

Allosteric inhibition of the Ca2+-activated hydrophilic channel of the mitochondrial inner membrane by nucleotides

Summary The control by nucleotides of the Ca²⁺-activated channel which regulates the nonspecific permeability of the mitochondrial inner membrane has been investigated quantitatively. The cooperative binding of two molecules of ADP to the internal (matrix) side of the channel causes a mixed-type inhibition of channel activity. ATP, AMP, cAMP and GDP are all ineffective. NADH shows a pattern of inhibition similar to that of ADP, though the apparentK _I is higher by a factor of 200. NADPH relieves the inhibition by NADH. NAD⁺ also inhibits, but its affinity is a factor of 10 less than that of NADH. When ADP and NADH are added together, they act synergistically to inhibit the Ca²⁺-activated channel. It is concluded that the concept of the modification of enzyme activity by the allosteric binding of nucleotides, which is well established for soluble enzyme systems, also has application to the regulation of channels that control membrane permeability.     

Anaerobic dissimilatory phosphite oxidation,an extremely efficient concept of microbial electron economy

Phosphite is a stable phosphorus compound that, together with phosphate, made up a substantial part of the total phosphorus content of the prebiotic Earth's crust. Oxidation of phosphite to phosphate releases electrons at an unusually low redox potential (−690 mV at pH 7.0). Numerous aerobic and anaerobic bacteria use phosphite as a phosphorus source and oxidise it to phosphate for synthesis of nucleotides and other phosphorus-containing cell constituents. Only two pure cultures of strictly anaerobic bacteria have been isolated so far that use phosphite as an electron donor in their energy metabolism, the Gram-positive Phosphitispora fastidiosa and the Gram-negative Desulfotignum phosphitoxidans. The key enzyme of this metabolism is an NAD⁺-dependent phosphite dehydrogenase enzyme that phosphorylates AMP to ADP. These phosphorylating phosphite dehydrogenases were found to be related to nucleoside diphosphate sugar epimerases. The produced NADH is channelled into autotrophic CO₂ fixation via the Wood-Ljungdahl (CO-DH) pathway, thus allowing for nearly complete assimilation of the substrate electrons into bacterial biomass. This extremely efficient type of electron flow connects energy and carbon metabolism directly through NADH and might have been important in the early evolution of life when phosphite was easily available on Earth.     

Influence of salts and pH on the growth as well as NADH oxidase of the halotolerant bacterium A505

Growth yield of the halotolerant bacterium A505 was increased by the supplement of Na⁺, K⁺, or Rb⁺ into the culture media with pH 7.5, and inhibited by Li⁺ or Cs⁺. In the presence of less than 0.1 M NaCl or KCl alkaline growth media, pH 9.2 to 9.7, afforded optimal growth of this strain. Intracellular ion content of this microbe changed reflecting on the Na⁺ or K⁺ concentration in the media, although it tended to accumulate K⁺ and extrude Na⁺ in the media without NaCl supplemented. A 1.2 to 1.4-fold stimulation of in vitro NADH oxidase activity was obtained by supplement of salts, except for LiCl. The rate of NADH oxidation in the absence of salts correlated with the pH and showed clear maxima at pH about 8, irrespective of growth conditions. In the presence of 0.5 M NaCl or KCl, on the other hand, pH dependence was less significant and showed only a flat maximum at pH around 7. Effects of anions on NADH oxidase were realized following the lyotropic series: SO ₄ ^2- >F^->CH₃COO^->Cl^->I^->SCN^-, aside from NO ₃ ^- , which exhibited the largest stimulation on enzyme activity in all the anions examined.Abbreviations HEPES 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazine-ethanesulfonic acid - HQNO 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide - MES 4-morpholineethanesulfonic acid - Tris tris(hydroxy-methyl)methylamine     

Solvent effects on ouabain binding to the (Na+,K+)-ATPase of rat brain

The effects of the solvents deuterated water (²H₂O) and dimethyl sulfoxide (Me₂SO) on [³H]ouabain binding to (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase under different ligand conditions were examined. These solvents inhibited the type I ouabain binding to the enzyme (i.e., in the presence of Mg²⁺+ATP+Na⁺). In contrast, both solvents stimulated type II (i.e., Mg²⁺+P_i-, or Mn²⁺-dependent) binding of the drug. The solvent effects were not due to pH changes in the reaction. However, pH did influence ouabain binding in a differential manner, depending on the ligands present. For example, changes in pH from 7.05 to 7.86 caused a drop in the rate of binding by about 15% in the presence of Mg²⁺+Na⁺+ATP, 75% in the Mg²⁺+P_i system, and in the presence of Mn²⁺ an increase by 24% under similar conditions. Inhibitory or stimulatory effects of solvents were modified as various ligands, and their order of addition, were altered. Thus, ²H₂O inhibition of type I ouabain binding was dependent on Na⁺ concentration in the reaction and was reduced as Na⁺ was elevated. Contact of the enzyme with Me₂SO, prior to ligands for type I binding, resulted in a greater inhibition of ouabain binding than that when enzyme was exposed to Na⁺+ATP first and then to Me₂SO. Likewise, the stimulation of type II binding was greater when appropriate ligands acted on enzyme prior to addition of the solvent. Since Me₂SO and ²H₂O inhibit type I ouabain binding, it is proposed that this reaction is favored under conditions which promote loss of H₂O, and E₁ enzyme conformation; the stimulation of type II ouabain binding in the presence of the solvents suggests that this type of binding is favored under conditions which promote the presence of H₂O at the active enzyme center and E₂ enzyme conformation. This postulation of a role of H₂O in modulating enzyme conformations and ouabain interaction with them is in concordance with previous observations.     

Conceptual Error in Determination of NAD-Malic Enzyme in Extracts Containing NAD-Malic Dehydrogenase

The typical procedure for determining NAD⁺-malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.39) is to calculate the enzyme rate to be ΔA₃₄₀/Δ time after the endogenous NAD⁺-malic dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37) catalyzed reaction has reached equilibrium. This ignores the equilibrium shift of oxaloacetic acid and NADH during the course of the NAD⁺-malic enzyme reaction and causes an error that varies depending on the reagent [malate], [NAD⁺], pH and final [NADH]. For a ΔA₃₄₀ of 0.02, the error is about 80% and for a ΔA₃₄₀ of 0.30, 20%. We develop this argument, give supportive data and present a simple method to circumvent the error.     

Exogenous Ubiquinol Analogues Affect the Fluorescence of NCD-4 Bound to Aspartate-160 of Yeast Cytochrome b

Previously, we reported that the carboxyl-reacting reagent DCCD, and its fluorescent derivative NCD-4 binds covalently to aspartate-160 localized in amphipathic helix cd of the CD loop connecting membrane-spanning helices C and D of cytochrome b (Wang et al., 1995). We have investigated the fluorescent properties of NCD-4 to probe possible changes in the cd helix resulting from the binding of exogenous ubiquinol analogues to the bc ₁ complex. Preincubation of the bc ₁ complex with the reduced substrate analogues, DQH₂, DBH₂, and Q₆H₂ resulted in 20–40% increase in the fluorescence emission intensity of NCD-4 and a 10–20% increase in the binding of [¹⁴C]DCCD to the bc ₁ complex. By contrast, preincubation with the oxidized analogues DQ, DB, and Q₆ resulted in a 20–40% decrease in the fluorescence emission intensity of NCD-4 and a 20–40% decrease in the binding of [¹⁴C]DCCD to the bc ₁ complex. Moreover, addition of the reduced ubiquinols to the bc ₁ complex preincubated with NCD-4 resulted in a blue shift in the fluorescence emission spectrum. In addition, incubation of the cytochrome bc ₁ complex reconstituted into proteoliposomes with both reduced and oxidized ubiquinol analogues resulted in changes in the quenching of NCD-4 fluorescence by CAT-16, the spin-label probe that intercalates at the membrane surface. These results indicate that the addition of exogenous ubiquinol to the bc ₁ complex may result in changes in the cd helix leading to a more hydrophobic environment surrounding the NCD-4 binding site. By contrast, preincubation with the inhibitors of electron transfer through the bc ₁ complex had no effect on the binding of NCD-4 to the bc ₁ complex or on the fluorescent emission spectra, which suggests that the binding of the inhibitors does not result in changes in the environment of the NCD-4 binding site.     

The alpha beta epimerization of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.

The proton magnetic resonance spectra of the dihydronicotinamide ring of αNADH³ and the nicotinamide ring of αNAD⁺ are reported and the proton absorptions assigned. The absolute assignment of the C4 methylene protons of αNADH is based on the generation of specifically deuterium-labeled (pro-S) B-deuterio-αNADH from enzymatically prepared B-deuterio-βNADH. The C4 proton absorption of αNAD⁺ is assigned by oxidation of B-deuterio-αNADH by the A specific, yeast alcohol dehydrogenase to yield 4-deuterio-αNAD⁺.The epimerization of either αNADH or βNADH yields an equilibrium ratio of approximately 9:1 βNADH to αNADH. The rate of epimerization of αNADH to βNADH at 38 °C in 0.05, pH 7.5, phosphate buffer is 3.1 × 10^?3 min^?1, corresponding to a half-life of 4 hr. Four related dehydrogenases, yeast and horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase and chicken M₄ and H₄ lactate dehydrogenase, are shown to oxidize αNADH to αNAD⁺ at rates three to four orders of magnitude slower than for βNADH. By using specifically labeled B-deuterio-αNADH the enzymatic oxidation by yeast alcohol dehydrogenase has been shown to occur with the identical stereospecificity as the oxidation of βNADH. The nonenzymatic epimerization of αNADH to βNADH and the enzymatic oxidation αNADH are discussed as a possible source of αNAD⁺in vivo.