Differences between tissues in response of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase to administration of polyamines.

Different reduced forms of xanthine oxidase, labelled specifically in the cyanide-labile site with 33S, were prepared and examined by electron paramagnetic resonance. Coupling of this isotope to molybdenum(V) was quantified with the help of computer simulations and found to differ markedly from one reduced form to another. The xanthine Very Rapid signal shows strong, highly anisotropic, coupling with A(33S)av. 1.27 mT. For this signal, axes of the g- and A(33S)-tensors are rotated relative to one another. One axis of the A-tensor is in the plane of gxx ang gyy, but rotated by 40 degrees relative to the gxx axis, whereas the direction of weakest coupling to sulphur deviates by 10 degrees from the gzz axis. In contrast with this signal, only rather weaker coupling was observed in different types of Rapid signal [A(33S)av. 0.3--0.4 mT], and in the Inhibited signal coupling was weaker still [A(33S)av. 0.1--0.2 mT]. Clearly, there must be substantial differences in the structures of the molybdenum centre in the different signal-giving species, with the sulphur atom perhaps in an equatorial type of ligand position in the Very Rapid species but in a more axial one in the other species. Structures are discussed in relation to the mechanism of action of the enzyme and the nature of the proton-accepting group that participates in turnover.     

Studies by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of xanthine oxidase enriched with molybdenum-95 and with molybdenum-97

Investigations have been carried out on the nature of the species from the enzyme xanthine oxidase that give rise to two molybdenum (V) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals. Isotopic enrichment with 95Mo, 97Mo, 33S, and 17O was employed. Computer simulations of the EPR spectra recorded at 9- and 35-GHz microwave frequencies were used to evaluate the various hyperfine couplings and angular relations between the principal axes of g and A, as well as the nuclear electric quadrupole interaction for 97Mo. The results support the presence of an oxo ligand in the Rapid and of both an oxo and a sulfido ligand in the Very Rapid signal-giving species.     

The structure of the inhibitory complex of alloxanthine (1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,6-diol) with the molybdenum centre of xanthine oxidase from electron-paramagnetic-resonance spectroscopy.

Studies were carried out on the inhibitory complex of alloxanthine (1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,5-diol) with xanthine oxidase, in extension of the work of Williams & Bray [Biochem. J. (1981) 195, 753-760]. By suitable regulation of the reaction conditions, up to 10% of the functional enzyme could be converted into the complex in the Mo(V) oxidation state. The e.p.r. spectrum of the complex was investigated in detail with the help of computer simulation and substitution with stable isotopes. Close structural analogy of the signal-giving species to that of the Very Rapid intermediate in enzyme turnover is shown by g-values (2.0279, 1.9593 and 1.9442) and by coupling to 33S in the cyanide-labile site of the enzyme [A(33S) 0.30, 3.10 and 0.70mT]. However, whereas in the Very Rapid signal there is strong coupling to 17O [Gutteridge & Bray, Biochem. J. (1980) 189, 615-623], instead, in the Alloxanthine signal there is strong coupling to a single nitrogen atom [A(14N) 0.35, 0.35, 0.32 mT]. This is presumed to originate from the 2-position of the heterocyclic ring system. From this work and from earlier kinetic studies it is concluded that alloxanthine, after being bound reversibly at the active centre, reacts slowly with it, in a specific manner, distinct from that in the normal catalytic reaction with substrates. This reaction involves elimination of an oxygen ligand of molybdenum and co-ordination, in this site, of alloxanthine via the N-2 nitrogen atom, to give a complex that is structurally but not chemically closely analogous to that of the Very Rapid species.     

Electron-paramagnetic-resonance studies on the molybdenum of nitrate reductase from Escherichia coli K12.

Studies on the respiratory nitrate reductase (EC 1.7.99.4) from Escherichia coli K12 by electron-paramagnetic-resonance spectroscopy indicate that its molybdenum centre is comparable with that in other molybdenum-containing enzymes. Two Mo(V) signals may be observed; one shows interaction of Mo(V) with a proton exchangeable with the solvent and has: A (1H) 0.9-1.2mT; g1 = 1.999; g2=1.985; g3 = 1.964; gav. = 1.983. Molybdenum of both signal-giving species may be reduced with dithionite and reoxidized with nitrate.     

Investigation by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of the molybdenum centre of respiratory nitrate reductase from Paracoccus denitrificans.

The molybdenum centre of respiratory nitrate reductase from Paracoccus denitrificans has been investigated by e.p.r. spectroscopy of Mo(V). In common with the centres of the analogous enzymes from Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, it undergoes a pH- and anion-dependent transition between two different e.p.r. signal-giving species. Comparison of the relevant e.p.r. parameters extracted with the help of computer simulations reveals ligation of the metal in the active centres of the three enzymes to be identical.     

Formamide as a substrate of xanthine oxidase.

Formamide is a substrate of xanthine oxidase. At pH 8.2 and 1.14 mM-O2, Vmax.(app.) is 3.1 s-1 and Km (app.) is 0.7 M. Mo(V) e.p.r. signals obtained by treating the enzyme with formamide were studied, and these provide new information about the ligation of molybdenum in the enzyme and about the enzymic mechanism. The substrate is the first compound that is not a nitrogen-containing heterocycle to give a Very Rapid signal. This supports the hypothesis that the Very Rapid signal, though it is not detectable with all substrates, represents an essential intermediate in turnover. Formamide also gives the Inhibited signal and is the first non-aldehyde substrate to do so. The Rapid type 1 signal obtained in the presence of formamide was examined in H2O enriched with 2H or with 17O. The single oxygen atom detectable in the signal is shown to be strongly and anisotropically coupled. This indicates that this atom remains as an oxo ligand of molybdenum in this signal-giving species. Other structural features of this species are discussed.     

`Rapidly Appearing'' molybdenum electron-paramagnetic-resonance signals from reduced xanthine oxidase

Further electron-paramagnetic-resonance studies relating to the role of molybdenum in the enzymic mechanisms of xanthine oxidase were carried out. The classification of the various molybdenum signals obtained on reducing the enzyme is briefly discussed. The group of `Rapidly appearing'' signals, which are obtained with all substrates within the turnover time and which show interaction with exchangeable protons, were studied in detail. Signals with salicylaldehyde, purine and xanthine in H₂O and in 95% D₂O were examined at 9 and 35GHz and interpreted with the help of computer simulation. Molybdenum atoms in a number of different chemical environments are involved, each substrate giving rise to two superimposed spectra with slightly different parameters; g values and proton splittings were determined. The spectrum with salicylaldehyde is believed to represent the reduced enzyme alone not in the form of a complex with substrate and its two constituents are believed to represent the two molybdenum atoms bonded slightly differently within the enzyme molecule. With purine and xanthine the spectra are thought to represent complexes of reduced enzyme with substrate molecules. With xanthine one signal-giving species shows coupling to two equivalent protons, whereas in all the other species observed two non-equivalent protons are involved. The origin of the protons is discussed in the light of the direct hydrogen-transfer mechanism implicated earlier for the enzyme. It is concluded that the proton derived from the substrate is located at least 3å from the molybdenum atom with which it interacts.     

Transfer of exogenous cholesterol to microsomes of hepatocytes investigated with [3H]desmosterol tracer.

The molybdenum centre of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) nitrate reductase has been investigated by e.p.r. spectroscopy of molybdenum(V) in reduced forms of the enzyme. The resting enzyme gives no signals attributable to Mo(V). However, on reduction with NADH, Mo(V) signals appeared at relatively short reaction times but decreased again on prolonged exposure to excess of the substrate as the enzyme was further reduced. On brief treatment of such samples with nitrate, Mo(V) signals reappeared but disappeared again on longer exposure to excess nitrate as the enzyme became fully reoxidized. Detailed investigation of the signals carried out in both 1H2O and 2H2O revealed the presence of two signal-giving species, referred to as 'signal A' and 'signal B', analogous to corresponding signals from nitrate reductase from Escherichia coli and from liver sulphite oxidase. Signal A has gav. 1.9767 and shows coupling to a single proton, exchangeable with the solvent, with A(1H)av. 1.3mT, whereas signal B shows no more than weak coupling to protons. Investigation of interconversion between the two species indicated that decreasing the pH from 8.0 to 6.7 had little effect, but that signal A was favoured by the presence of Cl-. This suggests, by analogy with recent work on sulphite oxidase by Bray, Gutteridge, Lamy & Wilkinson [Biochem. J. (1983) 211, 227-236] that Cl- is a ligand of molybdenum in the species giving signal A.     

Conservation of transfer ribonucleic acid and 5S ribonucleic acid cistrons in Enterobacteriaceae.

The genes for tranfer ribonucleic acid (tDNA) and 5S ribonucleic acid (5SDNA) were isolated from the total deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of Escherichia coli. The relatedness of tDNA and 5S from E. coli and other species of Enterobacteriaceae was determined by reassociation of the isolated genes labeled with 32PO4 to unlabeled, unfractionated DNA. Double-stranded DNA was separated from unreacted DNA by hydroxyapatite chromatography. Thermal elution profiles were done to determine the amount of unpaired bases present in related DNA sequences. Relative to total DNA, both 5S DNA and tDNA were highly conserved throughout the Enterobacteriaceae, including the genera Yersinia and Proteus.     

Numbers and exchangeability with water of oxygen-17 atoms coupled to molybdenum (V) in different reduced forms of xanthine oxidase

The effect of using [17O]water (24-50% enriched) as solvent on the Mo(V) electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of different reduced forms of xanthine oxidase has been investigated. All the Mo(V) signals are affected. Procedures are described, based on the use of difference spectral techniques, that facilitate interpretation of such spectra. The number of coupled oxygen atoms may be determined by estimation of the fraction of the spectrum that remains unchanged by the isotope at a known enrichment. For a species having two coupled oxygen atoms, the use of two different isotope enrichments permits elimination from the difference spectra of the contribution of the two singly substituted species. From the application of these methods, it is concluded that not only the strength of the hyperfine coupling of oxygen ligands of molybdenum but also their number and their exchangeability with the solvent vary from one reduced form of the enzyme to another. The inhibited species from active xanthine oxidase has been studied in the most detail. It has two weakly coupled oxygen atoms [A(17O)av = 0.1-0.2 mT] that do not exchange with the solvent. A cyclic structure is proposed for this species in which two oxygen ligands of molybdenum are bonded to the carbon of the formaldehyde or other alcohol or aldehyde molecule that reacted in producing the signal. Structures of the other signal-giving species from active xanthine oxidase (Very Rapid and Rapid types 1 and 2) are discussed, as is corresponding information on species from the desulfo enzyme and from sulfite oxidase.     

Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by various aldehydes

The inactivation of bovine milk xanthine oxidase by various aldehydes has been investigated. For each aldehyde, the inactivation reaction gives rise to a unique molybdenum(V) electron paramagnetic resonance signal from xanthine oxidase (the Inhibited signal). Of the aldehydes tested, only a few (mainly aromatic) failed to undergo this reaction. The g values of the Inhibited signals vary systematically from one aldehyde to another. As the substituents of the alpha-carbon atom become more electron withdrawing, so the gav increases. The inactivation rate depends on both enzyme and aldehyde concentration. Oxygen or another oxidizing substrate is also required for inhibition by 3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and butyraldehyde but not formaldehyde. Reactivation of xanthine oxidase inhibited by an aldehyde occurs spontaneously after removal of excess aldehyde. For butyraldehyde or 3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, greater than 95% recovery of activity was observed. The rate of reactivation is dependent both on the nature of the molecule bearing the aldehyde group and on a pK (6.6) of the complex with the enzyme. Evidence is presented that the modifying aldehyde in the Inhibited signal-giving species has (contrary to earlier assumptions) not been oxidized. These results are discussed in relation to the structure of the molybdenum center, and a mechanism for the inhibiting reaction is suggested.     

Ribosomal ribonucleic acid maturation in synchronous strain l cells

Summary The incorporation of [³H]-5-uridine into cytoplasmic 18S and 28S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) was examined in Colcemid-synchronized strain L cells during G1 and S phases of the cell cycle in the presence of 5×10⁻⁵ m uridine, which was determined to be the saturating concentration for this system. The data show that in S phase a significant increase occurs in the level of [³H]-5-uridine incorporation into each rRNA species. During a 90-min exposure period, S phase cells incorporate 3.4 times as much [³H]-5-uridine into 18S rRNA and 1.9 times as much into 28S rRNA as do G1 cells. The time required for maturation of the ribosomal RNA species during G1 and during S phase is the same, with 18S rRNA appearing in the cytoplasm in 20 min and 28S rRNA in 40 min.     

Complexes with halide and other anions of the molybdenum centre of nitrate reductase from Escherichia coli.

The interconversion of nitrate reductase from Escherichia coli between low-pH and high-pH Mo(V) e.p.r. signal-giving species was re-investigated [cf. Vincent & Bray (1978) Biochem. J. 171, 639-647]. The process cannot be described by a single pK value, since the apparent pK for interconversion is raised by the presence of various anions. The low-pH form of the enzyme exists as a series of complexes with different anion ligands of molybdenum. Each complex has specific and slightly different e.p.r. parameters, but all show strong coupling of Mo(V) to a single proton, exchangeable with the solvent, having A(1H)av. 1.0 to 1.3 mT. Complexes with Cl-, F- [A(19F)av. 0.7 mT], NO3- and NO2- give particularly well-defined spectra. The high-pH form of the enzyme is now shown to bear a coupled proton. Like that in the low-pH species, this proton is exchangeable with the solvent, but the coupling is much weaker, with A(1H)av. 0.3 mT. Thus, contrary to earlier assumptions, the proton detectable by e.p.r. is probably not identical with the proton whose dissociation controls interconversion between the two species; the latter proton could be located in the protein rather than on a ligand of molybdenum. Treatment of the enzyme with trypsin [Morpeth & Boxer (1985) Biochemistry 24, 40-46] did not affect its Mo(V) e.p.r. signals.     

Low-molecular-weight (4.5S) ribonucleic acid in higher-plant chloroplast ribosomes.

A species of RNA that migrates on 10% (w/v) polyacrylamide gels between 5S and 4S RNA was detected in spinach chloroplasts. This RNA (referred to as 4.5 S RNA) was present in amounts equimolar to the 5S RNA and its molecular weight was estimated to be approx. 33 000. Fractionation of the chloroplast components showed that the 4.5S RNA was associated with the 50 S ribosomal subunit and that it could be removed by washing the ribosomes with a buffer containing 0.01 M-EDTA and 0.5 M-KCl. It did not appear to be a cleavage product of the labile 23 S RNA of spinach chloroplast ribosomes. When 125I-labelled 4.5 S RNA was hybridized to fragments of spinach chloroplast DNA produced by SmaI restriction endonuclease, a single fragment (mol.wt. 1.15 times 10(6)) became labelled. The same DNA fragment also hybridized to chloroplast 5 S RNA and part of the 23 S RNA. It was concluded that the coding sequence for 4.5 S RNA was part of, or immediately adjacent to, the rRNA-gene region in chloroplast DNA . A comparable RNA species was observed in chloroplasts of tobacco and pea leaves.     

Ribosomal ribonucleic acid synthesis in Bacillus subtilis

The mode of biosynthesis of the 16S and 23S ribosomal ribonucleic acids (rRNA) was studied in Bacillus subtilis 168thy(-). Three criteria were used to define the characteristics of the rRNA species: (i) the time required at 37 degrees C to synthesize 16S and 23S rRNA chains de novo in growing cultures; (ii) the degree of reactivity of the 3'-terminal groups of the rRNA molecules with periodate and [carbonyl-(14)C]isonicotinic acid hydrazide; and (iii) the reactivity of the 5'-terminal regions of the rRNA molecules with the bacterial exonuclease purified by Riley (1969). The 16S and 23S chains of B. subtilis were synthesized at rates of 22+/-2 and 21+/-2 nucleotides added/s. The periodate-[(14)C]isonicotinic acid hydrazide and the exonuclease techniques for estimating apparent chain lengths of RNA indicated that the chain length of the 23S rRNA was 1.8 times that of the 16S fraction. The apparent chain lengths of each rRNA species were: 16S rRNA, 1650+/-50 nucleotide residues; 23S rRNA, 3050+/-90 nucleotide residues. It appears that, the 16S and 23S rRNA molecules in B. subtilis are synthesized in the expected manner, by simple polymerization of the final products on independent cistrons.     

Maturation pathway for Novikoff ascites hepatoma 5.8 S ribosomal ribonucleic acid. Evidence for its presence in 32 S nuclear ribonucleic acid.

Evidence that 32 S nRNA contains 5.8 S rRNA was provided by studies on specific oligonucleotide sequences of these RNA species. Purified 32P-labeled 5.8 and 28 S rRNA and 32 S RNA were digested with T-1 ribonuclease, and the products were fractionated according to chain length by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 at neutral pH. The oligonucleotides in Peak 8 were treated with alkaline phosphatase and the products were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis on cellulose acetate at pH 3.5 and DEAE-paper in 7% formic acid. Seven unique oligonucleotide markers for 5.8 S rRNA including the methylated octanucleotide A-A-U-U-Gm-G-A-Gp were present in 32 S RNA but were not found in 28 S rRNA, indicating that 5.8 S rRNA is directly derived from the 32 S nucleolar precursor. These studies confirm a maturation pathway for rRNA species in which 32 S nucleolar RNA is a precursor of 5.8 S rRNA as well as 28 S rRNA.     

The synthesis of polyadenylic acid-containing ribonucleic acid by isolated mitochondria from Ehrlich ascites cells.

The synthesis of poly(A)-containing RNA by isolated mitochondria from Ehrlich ascites cells was studied. Isolated mitochondria incorporate [3H]AMP or [3H]UTP into an RNA species that adsorbs on oligo (dT)-cellulose columns or Millipore filters. Hydrolysis of the poly(A)-containing RNA with pancreatic and T1 ribonucleases released a poly(A) sequence that had an electrophoretic mobility slightly faster than 4SE. In comparison, ascites-cell cytosolic poly(A)-containing RNA had a poly(A) tail that had an electrophoretic mobility of about 7SE. Sensitivity of the incorporation of [3H]AMP into poly(A)-containing RNA to ethidium bromide and to atractyloside and lack of sensitivity to immobilized ribonuclease added to the mitochondria after incubation indicated that the site of incorporation was mitochondrial. The poly(A)-containing RNA sedimented with a peak of about 18S, with much material of higher s value. After denaturation at 70 degrees C for 5 min the poly(A)-containing RNA separated into two components of 12S and 16S on a 5-20% (w/v) sucrose density gradient at 4 degrees C, or at 4 degrees and 25 degrees C in the presence of formaldehyde. Poly(A)-containing RNA synthesized in the presence of ethidium bromide sedimented at 5-10S in a 15-33% (w/v) sucrose density gradient at 24 degrees C. The poly(A) tail of this RNA was smaller than that synthesized in the absence of ethidium bromide. The size of the poly(A)-containing RNA (approx. 1300 nucleotides) is about the length necessary for that of mRNA species for the products of mitochondrial protein synthesis observed by ourselves and others.     

Comparison of mammalian mitochondrial ribosomal ribonucleic acid from different species

Mitochondrial ribosomal RNA species from mouse L cells, rat liver, rat hepatoma, hamster BHK-21 cells and human KB cells were examined by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide-agarose gels and sedimentation in sucrose density gradients. The S(E) (electrophoretic mobility) and S values of mitochondrial rRNA of all species were highly dependent on temperature and ionic strength of the medium; the S(E) values increased and the S values decreased with an increase in temperature at a low ionic strength. At an ionic strength of 0.3 at 23-25 degrees C or an ionic strength of 0.01 at 3-4 degrees C the S and S(E) values were almost the same being about 16.2-18.0 and 12.3-13.6 for human and mouse mitochondrial rRNA. The molecular weights under these conditions were calculated to be 3.8x10(5)-4.3x10(5) and 5.9x10(5)-6.8x10(5), depending on the technique used. At 25 degrees C in buffers of low ionic strength mouse mitochondrial rRNA species had a lower electrophoretic mobility than those of human and hamster. Under these conditions the smaller mitochondrial rRNA species of hamster had a lower electrophoretic mobility than that of human but the larger component had an identical mobility. Mouse and rat mitochondrial rRNA species had identical electrophoretic mobilities. Complex differences between human and mouse mitochondrial rRNA species were observed on sedimentation in sucrose density gradients under various conditions of temperature and ionic strength. Mouse L-cell mitochondrial rRNA was eluted after cytoplasmic rRNA on a column of methylated albumin-kieselguhr.     

Characterization of 5.8S ribosomal ribonucleic acid in Neurospora crassa.

Neurospora crassa ribosomes contain a species of ribonucleic acid (RNA) of molecular weight 54,000, similar to 5.8S ribosomal RNA previously described for other eukaryotic organisms. The 5.8S RNA from N. crassa was found to be released by heat treatment at 60 C from 25S ribosomal RNA but not from 18S ribosomal RNA. The base composition of N. crassa 5.8S RNA was similar to that of 5.8S RNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but differed from animal 5.8S RNA. During the course of this study, it was discovered that N. crassa 25S ribosomal RNA had a number of internal cleavages that may exist in vivo.