Aldehyde Dehydrogenases in Rat Brain. Subcellular Distribution and Properties

Abstract: Kinetic studies suggested the presence of several forms of NAD-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in rat brain. A subcellular distribution study showed that low- and high- K _m activities with acetaldehyde as well as the substrate-specific enzyme succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase were located mainly in the mitochondrial compartment. The low- K _m activity was also present in the cytosol (<20%). The low- K _m activity in the homogenate was only 10–15% of the total activity with acetaldehyde as the substrate. Two K _m values were obtained with both acetaldehyde (0.2 and 2000 μ m ) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL) (0.3 and 31 μ m ), and one K _m value with succinate semialdehyde (5 μ m ). The main part of the aldehyde dehydrogenase activities with acetaldehyde, DOPAL, and succinate semialdehyde, but only little activity of the marker enzyme for the outer membrane (monoamine oxidase, MAO), was released from a purified mitochondrial fraction subjected to sonication. Only small amounts of the ALDH activities were released from mitochondria subjected to swelling in a hypotonic buffer, whereas the main part of the marker enzyme for the intermembrane space (adenylate kinase) was released. These results indicate that the ALDH activities with acetaldehyde, DOPAL and succinate semialdehyde are located in the matrix compartment. The low- K _m activity with acetaldehyde and DOPAL, but not the high- K _m activities and succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, was markedly stimulated by Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ in phosphate buffer. The low- and high- K _m activities with acetaldehyde showed different pH optima in pyrophosphate buffer.     

Inhibition of Aldehyde Dehydrogenases in Rat Brain and Liver by Disulfiram and Coprine

Abstract: Rats were treated with either coprine or disulfiram and the inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in liver and brain mitochondria was measured with acetaldehyde, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL), and succinate semialdehyde at different concentrations. The inhibition pattern was similar for both inhibitors, but the degree of inhibition was lower with disulfiram. The ALDH activity both in the liver and the brain was inhibited at low concentrations of acetaldehyde and DOPAL, but not with succinate semialdehyde. The high- K _m enzyme activities with acetaldehyde were not inhibited in liver and brain. The activity at high concentration of DOPAL was inhibited in the liver, but only slightly affected in the brain, suggesting the presence of a brain enzyme with an intermediate K _m value for DOPAL. In contrast with the results observed in viva, it was found that the high- K _m activities with acetaldehyde and DOPAL in brain mitochondrial preparations were more sensitive to the inhibitors in vitro than the low- K _m activities. Kinetic studies on ALDH preparations from brain and liver mitochondria suggested that acetaldehyde and DOPAL are metabolized by the same low- K _m ALDH.     

Reaction of Muscimol with 4-Aminobutyrate Aminotransferase

Abstract: The reaction of muscimol as amino donor substrate for GABA transaminase (GABA-T) has been studied using enzyme purified from rabbit brain. Enzyme activity was assayed by measuring the glutamate produced using glutamate dehydrogenase. Kinetic parameters determined at 37°C were for GABA, K _m (app) = 1.92 ± 0.24 m M , specific activity = 7.33 ± 0.27 μmol/min/mg ( k _cat= 13.7s⁻¹), and for muscimol, K _m (app) = 1.27 ± 0.15 m M , specific activity = 0.101 ± 0.009 μmol/min/mg ( k _cat= 0.19s⁻¹). Addition of muscimol to the enzyme caused the spectral changes associated with conversion of the pyridoxaldimine form to the pyridoxamine form, and the first-order rate constant for the reaction showed a dependence on muscimol concentration that followed saturation kinetics, with a K = 1.1 ±0.18 m M and k _max= 0.065 ± 0.004 s⁻¹ (19°C). The rate of spectral change observed on addition of muscimol to ornithine transaminase was extremely slow—at least an order of magnitude slower than that seen with GABA-T.     

A Bioluminescent γ-Aminobutyrate Assay for Monitoring Its Release from Inhibitory Nerve Endings

Abstract: A bioluminescent GABA assay is described. The principle of the procedure is based on the action of GABASE (GABA-aminotransferase plus succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase), coupled to the detection of succinic semialdehyde and NADH, using Photobacterium luciferase. The method was used for monitoring GABA release from depolarized brain slices.     

Characterization of Serotonin N-Acetyltransferase in the Lateral Eye of the Green Frog Rana perezi: Protective Action of EGTA

Abstract: The kinetics of seRotonin N -acetyltransferase (NAT) from the lateral eye of Rana perezi have been characterized. NAT from ocular tissue reached maximal activity at a phosphate buffer concentration of 250 m M and a pH of 6.5. Reaction linearity was highly conserved within the homogenate fraction range tested (0.033-0.33). The time course of ocular NAT reaction showed a high linearity at 25 and 35°C. K _m and V_max estimations for acetyl-CoA at a 10 m M tryptamine concentration were 63.3 μ M and 4.42 nmol/h per eye, respectively. Regardless of the acceptor amine (tryptamine or serotonin), the K _m was not affected by the acetyl-CoA concentration (50 or 250 μ M ), whereas the V _max was significantly increased at a 250 μ M acetyl-CoA concentration. Ocular NAT showed a higher affinity for serotonin ( K _m= 20.7 μ M ) than for tryptamine ( K _m= 48-60 μ M ); V _max however, was similar for both substrates. Acetyl-CoA does not protect ocular NAT; in contrast, the use of EGTA (4 m M ) in the assay is essential to protect the enzyme because NAT in ocular crude homogenate shows rapid inactivation. This result suggests that intracellular calcium levels are involved in the NAT inactivation mechanisms in frog ocular tissue.     

Purification and properties of l-lactate dehydrogenase from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

Abstract Membrane-bound l -lactate dehydrogenase has been purified almost to homogeneity from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus . The enzyme is an oligomeric protein of sub-unit M _r 40 000 containing non-covalently bound FMN as a prosthetic group. Purified l -lactate dehydrogenase has an apparent K _m of 83 μM for l -lactate but has no activity with, and is not inhibited by, d -lactate. The enzyme is strongly inhibited by HgCl₂, but other thiol reagents and metal-chelating compounds have little or no effect upon its activity.     

THE CEREBELLAR GLOMERULUS: ISOLATION AND METABOLIC PROPERTIES OF A PURIFIED FRACTION

Abstract— A method is described for large scale isolation of glomerular complexes from rabbit cerebellum. The purity of the fraction is 90–95%, measured by quantitative electron microscopy. In addition biochemical markers indicate a high degree of particle integrity. The glomeruli occur as mechanically separable units at 20–40 days of animal age and the amount of protein per particle is 15–20 × 10⁻¹¹ g. The glomeruli accumulate [³H]GABA, and exhibit both high ( K _m 15μM) and low ( K _m 0.5 mM) affinity uptake properties. Glomeruli oxidize α-glycerophosphate and succinate particularly well, while glutamate, pyruvate and α-ketoglutarate are less effective as respiratory substrates.     

γ-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID RECEPTOR BINDING and UPTAKE IN MEMBRANE FRACTIONS OF CRAYFISH MUSCLE

Abstract— The uptake and binding of [³H]GABA and the binding of [³H]muscimol were measured in cell-free fractions of crayfish muscle. The uptake of GABA was saturable, of high affinity ( K _m= 0.5μ m ), and inhibited by low concentrations of compounds believed to block GABA uptake specifically, such as nipecotic acid and 2,4,diaminobutyric acid. The GABA uptake activity was localized to sucrose gradient fractions enriched in sarcolemma as demonstrated by marker enzymes and electron microscopy. The binding of the potent GABAergic agonist muscimol was also localized to the sarcolemma. The binding was saturable, of high affinity (K _D = 9 n m ), and inhibited by GABA (K ₁ = 125 n m ) and by low concentrations of receptor-specific GABA analogues, such as isoguvacine, imidazole acetic acid, and 3-aminopropane sulfonic acid. The rank order for inhibition by GABA analogues of [³H]muscimol binding sites correlated very well with activity on GABA synapses in invertebrates, consistent with specific postsynaptic receptor labeling.     

Purification and characterization of malate dehydrogenase from the syntrophic propionate-oxidizing bacterium strain MPOB

Abstract Malate dehydrogenase from the syntrophic propionate-oxidizing bacterium strain MPOB was purified 42-fold. The native enzyme had an apparent molecular mass of 68 kDa and consisted of two subunits of 35 kDa. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity with oxaloacetate at pH 8.5 and 60 °C. The K _m for oxaloacetate was 50 μM and for NADH 30 μM. The K _m values for l-malate and NAD were 4 and 1.1 mM, respectively. Substrate inhibition was found at oxaloacetate concentrations higher than 250 μM. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme was similar to the sequences of a variety of other malate dehydrogenases from plants, animals and micro-organisms.     

Enzymatic and Immunologic Identification of Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase in Rat and Human Neural and Nonneural Tissues

Abstract: We have identified succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase protein in rat and human neural and nonneural tissues. Tissue localization was determined by enzymatic assay and by western immunoblotting using polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbit against the purified rat brain protein. Although brain shows the highest level of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase activity, substantial amounts of enzyme activity occur in mammalian liver, pituitary, heart, and ovary. We further demonstrate the absence of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase enzyme activity and protein in brain, liver, and kidney tissue samples from an individual affected with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency, thereby verifying the specificity of our antibodies.     

Purification and properties of two succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenases from Klebsiella pneumoniae

Two forms of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase have been isolated in Klebsiella pneumoniae M5a1. The two enzymes could be separated by filtration on Sephacryl S-300 and their apparent molecular weights were approx. 275,000 and 300,000. The large enzyme is specific for NADP. The smaller enzyme, which is induced by growth on 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and gamma-aminobutyrate, has been purified to 96% homogeneity by affinity chromatography. The NAD-linked succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase was able to use NADP as cofactor. Its induction is coordinated with 3- and 4-hydroxylase, the enzymes which initiate degradation of 3- and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. The NAD-linked form is also induced by exogenous succinic semialdehyde. The large enzyme is specific for NADP and has been isolated from a defective mutant which lacked the activity of the NAD-linked succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase. Activity and stability conditions and true K m values for substrates and cosubstrates of the two enzymes were determined. Some aspects of the induction of the NAD-linked enzyme participating in the metabolism of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic and gamma-aminobutyrate were studied.     

Half reduction potentials and oxygen affinity of the cytochromes of Pseudomonas carboxydovorans

Abstract The midpoint redox potentials (E'₀) of the cytochromes of Pseudomonas carboxydovorans have been studied by means of coupled spectrum deconvolution and potentiometric analysis. Membranes of cells grown on different substrates (CO; H₂+ CO₂; or pyruvate) contained cytochromes with similar absorption peaks and redox potentials. The cytochromes of the CO-sensitive main electron pathway of the respiratory chain revealed redox potentials in the same range as mitochondrial cytochromes (cytochrome b -555, about −20 mV; cytochrome c and cytochrome a , about +220 mV). For the cytochromes of the CO-insensitive alternative electron pathway, which allows uninhibited growth and respiration in the presence of high concentrations of CO, redox potentials of approx. +50 mV (cytochrome b -558) and −11 to −215 mV (cytochrome b -561) were determined. Cytochrome [ib-561], earlier proposed as the alternative terminal oxidase o in this organism, was shown to possess the lowest half reduction potential of all the cytochromes present in the cells. Measurements of the apparent K _m value for oxygen revealed a low affinity of cytochrome a ( K _m/ 5 υ M O₂) and a very high affinity of the CO-insensitive oxidase ( K _m < 0.5 μ M O₂). The high affinity to oxygen might be responsible for the CO-insensitivity of this unusual cytochrome o .     

L-GLUTAMIC ACID DECARBOXYLASE IN NON-NEURAL TISSUES OF THE MOUSE

Abstract— Low levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity have been detected in mouse kidney, liver, spleen and pancreas. Quantitation of both ¹⁴CO₂ and [¹⁴C]GABA produced in radiometric assays from [U-¹⁴CJglutamic acid has shown that measurement of ¹⁴CO₂ evolution alone is not, in all cases, a valid estimate of true GAD activity. As evidenced by increased ^,14CO₂ production upon addition of NAD and CoA to assay mixtures, radiometric assay of GAD activity in crude homogenates may yield ¹⁴CO₂ via the coupled reactions of glutamic acid dehydrogenase and a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. The addition of 1 mM aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) to assays of kidney homogenates inhibited [^,14C]GABA production 92 per cent while ¹⁴CO₂ production was inhibited only 53 per cent. No evidence was found to confirm the reported existence of a second form of the enzyme, GAD II. previously described by Haber el al. (H aber B., K uriyama K. & R oberts E. (1970) Biochem. Pharmac. 19, 1119-1136). Based on sensitivity-to AOAA and chloride inhibition, the GAD activity in mouse kidney is. apparently, indistinguishable from that of neural origin.     

Enzymes involved in ammonia assimilation in the fungus Acremonium persicinum

Abstract Acremonium persicinum grown in batch culture with ammonium tartrate as the nitrogen source possessed an NADP⁺-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase and a glutamine synthetase. Glutamate synthase was not detected under the culture conditions used. Kinetic studies of the NADP⁺-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase at 25°C and pH 7.6 revealed an apparent K _m of 3.2 × 10⁻⁴ M for 2-oxoglutarate and an apparent K _m of 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ M for ammonium ions, with corresponding apparent V _max values of 0.089 and 0.13 μmol substrate converted/min/mg of protein, respectively. Glutamine synthetase was measured by the γ-glutamyl transferase reaction at 30°C and pH 7.55. This transferase reaction of glutamine synthetase had a higher rate at 30°C than at 25°C or 37°C.     

Purification and characterization of cellulolytic enzymes produced by Aspergillus nidulans

Three exo-glucanases, two endo-glucanases and two β-glucosidases were separated and purified from the culture medium of Aspergillus nidulans. The optimal assay conditions for all forms of cellulase components ranged from pH 5.0 to 6.0 and 50°C and 65°C for exo-glucanases and endo-glucanases but 35°C and 65°C for β-glucosidases. A close relation of enzyme stability to their optimal pH range was observed. All the cellulase components were stable for 10 min at 40–50°C. Exo-II and Exo-III ( K _m, 38.46 and 37.71 mg/ml) had greater affinity for the substrate than Exo-I ( K _m, 50.00 mg/ml). The K _m values of Endo-I and Endo-II (5.0 and 4.0 mg/ml) and their maximum reaction velocities ( V _max, 12.0 and 10.0 IU/mg protein) were comparable. β-Glucosidases exhibited K _m values of 0.24 and 0.12 mmol and V _max values of 8.00 and 0.67 IU/mg protein. The molecular weights recorded for various enzyme forms were: Exo-I, 29000; Exo-II, 72500; Exo-III, 138000; Endo-I, 25000; Endo-II, 32500; β-Gluco-I, 14000 and β-Gluco-II, 26000. Exo- and endo-glucanases were found to require some metal ions as co-factors for their catalytic activities whereas β-glucosidases did not. Hg²⁺ inhibited the activity of all the cellulase components. The saccharification studies demonstrated a high degree of synergism among all the three cellulase components for hydrolysis of dewaxed cotton.     

4-Aminobutyraldehyde Dehydrogenase Activity in Rat Brain

Abstract: An enzyme with NAD⁺-dependent 4-aminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase activity was purified about 360-fold from rat brain extract. AMP-Sepharose chromatography was effective in separating the enzyme from other NAD⁺-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenases included in the extract. The K _ms for the substrates NAD⁺ and 4-aminobutyraldehyde were 4.8 × 10⁻⁴ and 8.3 × 10⁻⁵ M , respectively. The pH optimum for the enzyme was about 8.0. The ratio of activities toward 4-aminobutyraldehyde, propionaldehyde, succinate semialdehyde, and benzaldehyde was 1.00:0.17:0.24:0.09:0.03 when the activity toward 4-aminobutyraldehyde was set equal to 1.00. The enzyme activity in subcellular fractions of rat brain was localized in cytosol.     

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase of wheat grain

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.16) was purified 74-fold from wheat grain (Triticum durum Desf.). The enzyme appears quite specific for succinic semialdehyde (SSA). Both NAD and NADP support the oxidation of the substrate, but the former is 7-fold more active than the latter. The optimum pH for activity is around 9; the enzyme is stable in the pH range 6–9 and retains its whole activity up to 40°C. The enzyme activity is strongly dependent on the presence of mercaptoethanol, other thiol compounds being much less effective. Kinetic data support the formation of a ternary complex between enzyme, substrate and coenzyme. The K _m for SSA and for NAD are 7.4x10^-6 M and 2x10^-4 M, respectively. The molecular weight of the enzyme protein was estimated by gel-filtration to be about 130,000.Abbreviations GABA -aminobutyric acid - GABA-T -aminobutyric acid transaminase - ME mercaptoethanol - SSA succinic semialdehyde - SSA-DH succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase     

Inhibition of aconitase in citrus fruit callus results in a metabolic shift towards amino acid biosynthesis

Citrate, a major determinant of citrus fruit quality, accumulates early in fruit development and declines towards maturation. The isomerization of citrate to isocitrate, catalyzed by aconitase is a key step in acid metabolism. Inhibition of mitochondrial aconitase activity early in fruit development contributes to acid accumulation, whereas increased cytosolic activity of aconitase causes citrate decline. It was previously hypothesized that the block in mitochondrial aconitase activity, inducing acid accumulation, is caused by citramalate. Here, we investigated the effect of citramalate and of another aconitase inhibitor, oxalomalate, on aconitase activity and regulation in callus originated from juice sacs. These compounds significantly increased citrate content and reduced the enzyme’s activity, while slightly inducing its protein level. Citramalate inhibited the mitochondrial, but not cytosolic form of the enzyme. Its external application to mandarin fruits resulted in inhibition of aconitase activity, with a transient increase in fruit acidity detected a few weeks later. The endogenous level of citramalate was analyzed in five citrus varieties: its pattern of accumulation challenged the notion of its action as an endogenous inhibitor of mitochondrial aconitase. Metabolite profiling of oxalomalate-treated cells showed significant increases in a few amino acids and organic acids. The activities of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and aspartate kinase, as well as these of two γ-aminobutyrate (GABA)-shunt enzymes, succinic semialdehyde reductase (SSAR) and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSAD) were significantly induced in oxalomalate-treated cells. It is suggested that the increase in citrate, caused by aconitase inhibition, induces amino acid synthesis and the GABA shunt, in accordance with the suggested fate of citrate during the acid decline stage in citrus fruit.     

Tyrosine hydroxylase activity is regulated by two distinct dopamine-binding sites

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of the catecholamines dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline, is regulated acutely by feedback inhibition by the catecholamines and relief of this inhibition by phosphorylation of serine 40 (Ser40). Phosphorylation of serine 40 abolishes the binding of dopamine to a high affinity ( K _D < 4 nM) site on TH, thereby increasing the activity of the enzyme. We have found that TH also contains a second low affinity ( K _D = 90 nM) dopamine-binding site, which is present in both the non-phosphorylated and the Ser40-phosphorylated forms of the enzyme. Binding of dopamine to the high-affinity site decreases V _max and increases the K _m for the cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin, while binding of dopamine to the low-affinity site regulates TH activity by increasing the K _m for tetrahydrobiopterin. Kinetic analysis indicates that both sites are present in each of the four human TH isoforms. Dissociation of dopamine from the low-affinity site increases TH activity 12-fold for the non-phosphorylated enzyme and 9-fold for the Ser40-phosphorylated enzyme. The low-affinity dopamine-binding site has the potential to be the primary mechanism responsible for the regulation of catecholamine synthesis under most conditions.     

THE INHIBITION OF PHENYLALANINE AND TYROSINE HYDROXYLASES BY HIGH OXYGEN LEVELS

Abstract— The K _m for oxygen for rat liver phenylalanine hydroxylase depended on the structure of the reduced pterin cofactor. When the synthetic cofactor, 6,7-dimethyltetrahydropterin, was employed, the apparent K _m for oxygen was 20%. When the natural cofactor, tetrahydrobiopterin, was used, the apparent K _m for oxygen was 0.35 %. Substrate inhibition (40 per cent inhibition at 43% oxygen) was observed with the natural cofactor but not with the synthetic cofactor. Oxygen also caused substrate inhibition with bovine adrenal medulla and brain tyrosine hydroxylases. The inhibition was more dramatic in the presence of the natural cofactor than with the synthetic cofactor. Substrate inhibition by oxygen of brain tyrosine hydroxylase may explain the lowered brain levels of norepinephrine and dopamine observed after treatment of animals with hyperbaric oxygen.