Occurrence of the enzymes effecting the conversion of acetyl CoA to squalene in homogenates of hog aorta

Homogenates and subcellular fractions of the intimamedia of hog aorta have been prepared and examined for the presence of the enzymes catalyzing the conversion of acetyl CoA to squalene. Enzyme activities effecting the conversion of acetyl CoA to 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarate (HMG); HMG CoA to mevalonic acid; mevalonic acid to 5-phosphomevalonic acid, 5-pyrophosphomevalonic acid, and isopentenyl pyrophosphate; isopentenyl pyrophosphate to farnesyl pyrophosphate; and farnesyl pyrophosphate to squalene have been demonstrated in these homogenates. The overall conversion of mevalonate to squalene has also been demonstrated with recombined fractions of hog aorta homogenates. Data are also presented that suggest that phosphatases present in the crude homogenates act to cleave farnesyl pyrophosphate to farnesol, and phospho- and pyrophosphomevalonate to mevalonate.     

Evidence from cell-free systems for differences in the sterol biosynthetic pathway of Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora cinnamomi.

Cell-free preparations of both Rhizoctonia solani, a sterol-synthesizing fungus, and Phytophthora cinnamomi, a non-sterol-synthesizing fungus, incubated in the presence of [2(-14)C]mevalonate and iodacetamide, converted the mevalonate into labelled mevalonate 5-phosphate, mevalonate 5-pyrophosphate and isopentenyl pyrophosphate. In the absence of iodoacetamide, but under anaerobic conditions, the same preparations converted the mevalonate into labelled geraniol, farnesol and squalene, the first two compounds presumably as their pyrophosphates. When cell-free preparations of both organisms were incubated aerobically in the presence of [1(-14)C]isopentenyl pyrophosphate, only labelled geraniol, farnesol and squalene were recovered from the P. cinnamomi reaction mixture, whereas labelled geraniol, farnesol, squalene, squalene epoxide, lanosterol and ergosterol were present in the R. solani reaction mixture. When these same preparations were incubated in the presence of 14C-labelled squalene, labelled squalene epoxide, lanosterol and ergosterol were recovered from the R. solani reaction mixture. In contrast, the P. cinnamomi preparation was unable to convert the squalene into products further along the sterol pathway; instead, a portion of the labelled squalene was converted into water-soluble products, indicating the possible existence of a squalene-degradation process in this organism. It appears that the block in the sterol biosynthetic pathway of P. cinnamomi occurs at the level of squalene epoxidation.     

Isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase and prenyltransferase from tomato fruit plastids

Isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase has been isolated from an extract of tomato fruit plastids and purified 245-fold by fractionation with ammonium sulfate, gel filtration on Bio-Gel A 1.5m, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, and chromatofocusing. Gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 separated the isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase from a prenyltransferase fraction that catalyzed the conversion of isopentenyl pyrophosphate to acid-labile compounds in the presence of dimethylallyl, geranyl, or farnesyl pyrophosphates. The molecular weights of the isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase and prenyltransferase were determined to be 34,000 and 64,000, respectively, by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The only cofactor required by either the isomerase or the prenyltransferase was a divalent cation, either Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺. Isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase could also be totally inactivated by 1 × 10^?3m iodoacetamide, and this property was utilized in the assay of prenyltransferase activity in the presence of contaminating isomerase. The inactivation of isomerase by iodoacetamide is consistent with the stabilization of isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase by dithiothreitol. The K_m of isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase for isopentenyl pyrophosphate was found to be 5.7 × 10^?6.     

Structure, mechanism and function of prenyltransferases.

In this review, we summarize recent progress in studying three main classes of prenyltransferases: (a) isoprenyl pyrophosphate synthases (IPPSs), which catalyze chain elongation of allylic pyrophosphate substrates via consecutive condensation reactions with isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) to generate linear polymers with defined chain lengths; (b) protein prenyltransferases, which catalyze the transfer of an isoprenyl pyrophosphate (e.g. farnesyl pyrophosphate) to a protein or a peptide; (c) prenyltransferases, which catalyze the cyclization of isoprenyl pyrophosphates. The prenyltransferase products are widely distributed in nature and serve a variety of important biological functions. The catalytic mechanism deduced from the 3D structure and other biochemical studies of these prenyltransferases as well as how the protein functions are related to their reaction mechanism and structure are discussed. In the IPPS reaction, we focus on the mechanism that controls product chain length and the reaction kinetics of IPP condensation in the cis-type and trans-type enzymes. For protein prenyltransferases, the structures of Ras farnesyltransferase and Rab geranylgeranyltransferase are used to elucidate the reaction mechanism of this group of enzymes. For the enzymes involved in cyclic terpene biosynthesis, the structures and mechanisms of squalene cyclase, 5-epi-aristolochene synthase, pentalenene synthase, and trichodiene synthase are summarized.     

Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins induce an entire pathway of cholesterol synthesis

To evaluate the effects of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) on the expression of the individual enzymes in the cholesterol synthetic pathway, we examined expression of these genes in the livers from wild-type and transgenic mice overexpressing nuclear SREBP-1a or -2. As estimated by a Northern blot analysis, overexpression of nuclear SREBP-1a or -2 caused marked increases in mRNA levels of the whole battery of cholesterogenic genes. This SREBP activation covers not only rate-limiting enzymes such as HMG CoA synthase and reductase that have been well established as SREBP targets, but also all the enzyme genes in the cholesterol synthetic pathway tested here. The activated genes include mevalonate kinase, mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase, isopentenyl phosphate isomerase, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, squalene synthase, squalene epoxidase, lanosterol synthase, lanosterol demethylase, and 7-dehydro-cholesterol reductase. These results demonstrate that SREBPs activate every step of cholesterol synthetic pathway, contributing to an efficient cholesterol synthesis.     

Statistical Experimental Design Guided Optimization of a One-Pot Biphasic Multienzyme Total Synthesis of Amorpha-4,11-diene

In vitro synthesis of chemicals and pharmaceuticals using enzymes is of considerable interest as these biocatalysts facilitate a wide variety of reactions under mild conditions with excellent regio-, chemo- and stereoselectivities. A significant challenge in a multi-enzymatic reaction is the need to optimize the various steps involved simultaneously so as to obtain high-yield of a product. In this study, statistical experimental design was used to guide the optimization of a total synthesis of amorpha-4,11-diene (AD) using multienzymes in the mevalonate pathway. A combinatorial approach guided by Taguchi orthogonal array design identified the local optimum enzymatic activity ratio for Erg12:Erg8:Erg19:Idi:IspA to be 100∶100∶1∶25∶5, with a constant concentration of amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (Ads, 100 mg/L). The model also identified an unexpected inhibitory effect of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (IspA), where the activity was negatively correlated with AD yield. This was due to the precipitation of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), the product of IspA. Response surface methodology was then used to optimize IspA and Ads activities simultaneously so as to minimize the accumulation of FPP and the result showed that Ads to be a critical factor. By increasing the concentration of Ads, a complete conversion (∼100%) of mevalonic acid (MVA) to AD was achieved. Monovalent ions and pH were effective means of enhancing the specific Ads activity and specific AD yield significantly. The results from this study represent the first in vitro reconstitution of the mevalonate pathway for the production of an isoprenoid and the approaches developed herein may be used to produce other isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP)/dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) based products.     

Substrate Binding of avian liver prenyltransferase.

Prenyltransferase (farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase) was purified from avian liver and characterized by Sephadex and sodium dodecyl sulfate gel chromatography, peptide mapping, and end-group analysis. The enzyme is 85 800 +/- 4280 daltons and consists of two identical subunits as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, peptide mapping, and end-group analysis. Chemical analysis of the protein revealed no lipid or carbohydrate components. Avian prenyltransferase synthesizes farnesyl pyrophosphate from either dimethylallyl or geranyl pyrophosphate and isopentenyl pyrophosphate. A lower rate of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthesis from farnesyl pyrophosphate and isopentenyl pyrophosphate was also demonstrated. Michaelis constants for farnesyl pyrophosphate synthesis are 0.5 muM for both isopentenyl pyrophosphate and geranyl pyrophosphate. The V max for the reaction is 1990 nmol min-1 mg-1 (170 mol min-1 mol-1 enzyme). Substrate inhibition by isopentenyl pyrophosphate is evident at high isopentenyl pyrophosphate and low geranyl pyrophosphate concentrations. Michaelis constants for geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthesis are 9 muM for farnesyl pyrophosphate and 20 muM for isopentenyl pyrophosphate. The Vmax is 16 nmol min-1 mg-1 (1.4 mol min-1 mol-1 enzyme). Two moles of each of the allylic substrates is bound per mol of enzyme. The apparent dissociation constants for dimethylallyl, geranyl, and farnesyl pyrophosphates are 1.8, 0.17, and 0.73 muM, respectively. Dimethylallyl and geranyl pyrophosphates bound competitively to prenyltransferase with one-for-one displacement. Four moles of isopentenyl pyrophosphate was bound per mole of enzyme. Citronellyl pyrophosphate, an analogue of geranyl pyrophosphate, was competitive with the binding of 2 of the 4 mol of isopentenyl pyrophosphate bound. The data are interpreted to indicate that each subunit of avian liver prenyltransferase has a single allylic binding site accommodating dimethylallyl, geranyl, and farnesyl pyrophosphates, and one binding site for isopentenyl pyrophosphate. In the absence of an allylic pyrophosphate or analogue, isopentenyl pyrophosphate also can bind to the allylic site.     

(R)-Mevalonate 3-Phosphate Is an Intermediate of the Mevalonate Pathway in Thermoplasma acidophilum

The lack of a few conserved enzymes in the classical mevalonate pathway and the widespread existence of isopentenyl phosphate kinase suggest the presence of a partly modified mevalonate pathway in most archaea and in some bacteria. In the pathway, (R)-mevalonate 5-phosphate is thought to be metabolized to isopentenyl diphosphate via isopentenyl phosphate. The long anticipated enzyme that catalyzes the reaction from (R)-mevalonate 5-phosphate to isopentenyl phosphate was recently identified in a Cloroflexi bacterium, Roseiflexus castenholzii, and in a halophilic archaeon, Haloferax volcanii. However, our trial to convert the intermediates of the classical and modified mevalonate pathways into isopentenyl diphosphate using cell-free extract from a thermophilic archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum implied that the branch point intermediate of these known pathways, i.e. (R)-mevalonate 5-phosphate, is unlikely to be the precursor of isoprenoid. Through the process of characterizing the recombinant homologs of mevalonate pathway-related enzymes from the archaeon, a distant homolog of diphosphomevalonate decarboxylase was found to catalyze the phosphorylation of (R)-mevalonate to yield (R)-mevalonate 3-phosphate. The product could be converted into isopentenyl phosphate, probably through (R)-mevalonate 3,5-bisphosphate, by the action of unidentified T. acidophilum enzymes fractionated by anion-exchange chromatography. These findings demonstrate the presence of a third alternative “Thermoplasma-type” mevalonate pathway, which involves (R)-mevalonate 3-phosphotransferase and probably both (R)-mevalonate 3-phosphate 5-phosphotransferase and (R)-mevalonate 3,5-bisphosphate decarboxylase, in addition to isopentenyl phosphate kinase.     

Determination of isopentenyl diphosphate and farnesyl diphosphate in tissue samples with a comment on secondary regulation of polyisoprenoid biosynthesis

A double-isotope dilution procedure is described for the determination of two isoprenoid precursors, isopentenyl and farnesyl diphosphate. Recovery of each is determined by the addition of the appropriate radioactive diphosphate to the tissue sample. After partial purification, each is coupled by a prenyltransferase with a cosubstrate of known specific activity. The products, doubly labeled farnesyl and geranylgeranyl diphosphates, are cleaved to the parent alcohols by alkaline phosphatase. The resulting polyprenols are isolated by reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography and their radioisotopic content is determined. The levels of these precursors have been measured in livers of rats and mice that have been maintained on several different diets. The concentration of each was about 0.5 mumol/g wet tissue and varied as much as 10-fold under the different test conditions. The levels of isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase, farnesyl diphosphate synthetase, and squalene synthetase were also measured in these animals. The changes in levels of these enzymes, in conjunction with the variation in substrate concentrations, are such that they could substantially influence the rate of cholesterol synthesis in liver.     

Artificial substrates for prenyltransferase

Four out of 16 new allylic pyrophosphates synthesized were found to be artificial substrates for liver prenyltransferase (EC 2.5.1.1). These were the trans-and the cis-3-ethyl-3-methylallyl, the 3,3-diethylallyl and the (mixture of cis and trans) 3-methyl-3-n-propylallyl pyrophosphates. The products synthesized from these substrates and isopentenyl pyrophosphate were the appropriate homo- and bishomo-farnesyl pyrophosphates. Substitution of 3,3-dimethylallyl pyrophosphate at C-2 with a methyl group destroyed its reactivity with the enzyme. Neither the unsubstituted allyl pyrophosphate nor the cis- or trans-3-methylallyl pyrophosphate could be condensed with isopentenyl pyrophosphate. Thus the simplest allylic substrate for prenyltransferase is 3,3-dimethylallyl pyrophosphate.     

Role of mevalonate-5-pyrophosphate decarboxylase in the regulation of chick intestinal cholesterogenesis

The response to different dietary conditions of the enzymes responsible for the transformation of mevalonic acid to isopentenyl pyrophosphate has been studied for the first time in the small bowel of the chick to elucidate the role of these enzymes in the regulation of intestinal cholesterogenesis. Feeding a 2% cholesterol diet from hatching resulted in a small but significant inhibition of mevalonate-5-pyrophosphate decarboxylase, while mevalonate kinase and mevalonate-5-phosphate kinase remained unaltered. Similar results were obtained for the three enzymes when 13-day-old chicks fed a standard fat-free diet were switched to a 5% cholesterol diet. Starved chicks exhibited lower intestinal decarboxylase activity than chicks fed a standard diet, while refeeding resulted in levels of activity similar or slightly greater than controls. None of the enzymes effecting the conversion of mevalonate to isopentenyl pyrophosphate in the small intestine presented diurnal variations. Results obtained suggest that mevalonate-5-pyrophosphate decarboxylase may play a significant role in the regulation of cholesterol synthesis in the small intestine.     

Influence of cholestyramine feeding on mevalonate-activating enzymes

Phosphorylation and decarboxylation of mevalonic acid have been measured in different tissues of chicks fed a cholestyramine diet from hatching until 18 days of age. Hepatic and intestinal phosphorylation and decarboxylation of mevalonate were slightly although significantly increased from 15 days of treatment. Direct measurements of 5-pyrophosphomevalonate decarboxylase activity using the specific substrate of this enzyme corroborated these data. Brain enzymatic activities remained unaltered with respect to controls. These results suggest that enzymes responsible for the conversion of mevalonate to isopentenyl pyrophosphate from neonatal chick liver and intestine alter their activities in a coordinate fashion and may play an important role in the regulation of cholesterogenesis in these tissues.     

Prenyltransferase: the mechanism of the reaction.

The enzyme, prenyltransferase, which normally catalyzes the addition of an allylic pyrophosphate to isopentenyl pyrophosphate, has been found to catalyze the hydrolysis of its allylic substrate. The rate of this hydrolysis is markedly stimulated by inorganic pyrophosphate. Competition experiments with 2-fluoroisopentenyl pyrophosphate and inorganic pyrophosphate demonstrated that inorganic pyrophosphate stimulated hydrolysis by binding at the isopentenyl pyrophosphate site. Hydrolysis carried out in H218O or with (1S)-[1-3H]geranyl pyrophosphate show the C-O bond is broken and the C1 carbon of geranyl pyrophosphate is inverted in the process. These results are interpreted to favor a carbonium ion mechanism for the prenyltransferase reaction.     

Biosynthesis of squalene and other triterpenes in Mentha piperita from mevalonate-2-14C

Unlike mono- and sesqui-terpenes, squalene and other triterpenes in peppermint readily incorporate mevalonate-2-¹⁴C label (greater than 30% incorporation of R-mevalonate in 4 hr). The labelled squalene produced turns over rapidly. Squalene derived from mevalonate-2-¹⁴C in incorporation times of 1, 4 and 7 hr was degraded chemically and shown to be equivalently labelled, according to theory, in the isopentenyl pyrophosphate-derived and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate-derived portions of the molecule. This contrasts with earlier studies on the biosynthesis of mono- and sesqui-terpenes in peppermint from ¹⁴C-precursors, in which the isopentenyl pyrophosphate-derived portions of the terpene molecules were found to be preferentially labelled, suggesting the presence of endogenous dimethylallyl pyrophosphate pools. The kinetics of squalene biosynthesis, and the labelling pattern of squalene, suggest that sites of triterpene biosynthesis are readily accessible to exogenous mevalonate and that endogenous dimethylallyl pyrophosphate pools do not participate in triterpene biosynthesis to any appreciable extent. The triterpene biosynthetic sites in peppermint thus appear to differ significantly from the monoterpene and sesquiterpene biosynthetic sites.     

Characterization of a feedback-resistant mevalonate kinase from the archaeon Methanosarcina mazei

The mevalonate pathway is utilized for the biosynthesis of isoprenoids in many bacterial, eukaryotic, and archaeal organisms. Based on previous reports of its feedback inhibition, mevalonate kinase (MVK) may play an important regulatory role in the biosynthesis of mevalonate pathway-derived compounds. Here we report the purification, kinetic characterization, and inhibition analysis of the MVK from the archaeon Methanosarcina mazei. The inhibition of the M. mazei MVK by the following metabolites derived from the mevalonate pathway was explored: dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP), farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), isopentenyl monophosphate (IP), and diphosphomevalonate. M. mazei MVK was not inhibited by DMAPP, GPP, FPP, diphosphomevalonate, or IP, a proposed intermediate in an alternative isoprenoid pathway present in archaea. Our findings suggest that the M. mazei MVK represents a distinct class of mevalonate kinases that can be differentiated from previously characterized MVKs based on its inhibition profile.     

Isoprenoid metabolism in Plasmodium falciparum during the intraerythrocytic phase of malaria

Products of the isoprenoid metabolism were identified upon incubations of extracts from Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cells with [14C] mevalonate. Uninfected erythrocytes and wild type yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae extracts were used as controls. In parasitized red blood cells as well as in yeast extracts, mevalonate was converted into the biosynthetic isoprenoid precursors of sterol pathway until farnesyl pyrophosphate. In contrast, no mevalonate conversion was observed in uninfected erythrocyte extracts. The isoprenoid metabolism appeared stage-dependent as shown by the increase of radiolabelled farnesyl pyrophosphate amount at the beginning of the schizogonic phase (30-36 hours).     

Biosynthesis of the Macrocyclic Diterpene Casbene in Castor Bean (Ricinus communis L.) Seedlings : Changes in Enzyme Levels Induced by Fungal Infection and Intracellular Localization of the Pathway

Casbene is a macrocyclic diterpene hydrocarbon that is produced in young castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) seedlings after they are exposed to Rhizopus stolonifer or other fungi. The activities of enzymes that participate in casbene biosynthesis were measured in cell-free extracts of 67-hour castor bean seedlings (a) that had been exposed to R. stolonifer spores 18 hours prior to the preparation of extracts, and (b) that were maintained under aseptic conditions throughout. Activity for the conversion of mevalonate to isopentenyl pyrophosphate does not change significantly after infection. On the other hand, the activities of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase (geranyl transferase), geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthetase (farnesyl transferase), and casbene synthetase are all substantially greater in infected tissues in comparison with control seedlings maintained under sterile conditions. The subcellular localization of these enzymes of casbene biosynthesis was investigated in preparations of microsomes, mitochondria, glyoxysomes, and proplastids that were resolved by centrifugation in linear and step sucrose density gradients of homogenates of castor bean endosperm tissue from both infected and sterile castor bean seedlings. Isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase and geranyl transferase activities are associated with proplastids from both infected and sterile seedlings. Significant levels of farnesyl transferase and casbene synthetase are found only in association with the proplastids of infected tissues and not in the proplastids of sterile tissues. From these results, it appears that at least the last two steps of casbene biosynthesis, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthetase and casbene synthetase, are induced during the process of infection, and that the enzymes responsible for the conversion of isopentenyl pyrophosphate to casbene are localized in proplastids.     

Regulation of Glyoxysomal Enzyme Expression in Maize

The activity levels of three glyoxysomal enzymes (catalase, isocitric lyase, and malate synthase) were measured in the scutellum following germination of the inbred lines W64A, R6-67, and A16. In W64A, as in most maize lines examined, germination was accompanied by a rapid and synchronous increase in the activities of all three enzymes, and reached a peak at about day 4 and declined thereafter. In R6-67, catalase activity continues to increase past day 4 and reaches its highest activity level on later days. In A16, catalase activity is very low due to the lack of expression of the Cat2 gene. Despite these significant differences in catalase expression, the levels of the other two glyoxysomal enzymes did not differ in these inbred lines. Artificial inhibition of catalase in W64A by exogenous application of 10^–4 M aminotriazole did not inhibit germination, nor did it alter the levels of the other two glyoxysomal enzymes. Similarly, application of 10^–4 M itaconate to W64A seeds inhibited the appearance of isocitric lyase, but did not inhibit germination or alter the levels of malate synthase or catalase. Comparative cell fractionation and immunological studies were conducted with W64A and A16 and their microbodies were observed under the electron microscope. Cell fractionation studies were also conducted with W64A seeds germinated in the presence of aminotriazole or itaconate. Thus, our results suggest that the expression of these three glyoxysomal enzymes is not regulated coordinately in the maize scutellum.     

Induction of Furano-terpene Production and Formation of the Enzyme System from Mevalonate to Isopentenyl Pyrophosphate in Sweet Potato Root Tissue Injured by Ceratocystis fimbriata and by Toxic Chemicals

When sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) root tissue was infected by Ceratocystis fimbriata, activity of the enzyme system from mevalonate to isopentenyl pyrophosphate, especially of pyrophosphomevalonate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.33), was increased in the noninfected tissue adjacent to the infected region, preceding the furano-terpene production in the infected region. Cutting and incubation of sweet potato slices did not produce furano-terpenes, and only slightly increased the activity of the enzyme system from mevalonate to isopentenyl pyrophosphate. The enzymic activity in diseased tissue was localized in the soluble fraction, and was higher in the tissue from the surface to a depth of about 5 mm with gradual decrease toward the inner part.