Involvement of the L-cysteine biosynthetic pathway in azide-induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium

L-Cystine and L-cysteine specifically reverse the mutagenic action of azide in Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. To establish whether the L-cysteine biosynthetic pathway is involved in azide-induced mutagenesis, several derivatives of a mutagen tester-strain of S. typhimurium bearing mutations in different cys genes were isolated. No mutagenic effect of azide was observed in a strain carrying mutation in the cysE gene, unless the incubation medium was supplemented with exogenous O-acetylserine. Out of 16 cysK mutants 14 were mutagenized by azide very poorly or not at all. These results indicate that the activity of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase A, and the availability of O-acetylserine, one of the two co-substrates of the enzyme, are essential for the mutagenic action of azide in S. typhimurium     

In vitro synthesis of a mutagenic azide metabolite by cell-free bacterial extracts

Cell-free extracts of Salmonella typhimurium synthesize a mutagenic azide metabolite from sodium azide and O-acetylserine. S. typhimurium mutant DW379 (O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-deficient) extracts were neither able to carry out this reaction nor produce the mutagenic azide metabolite in vivo. The in vitro reaction was inhibited by sulfide but not by l-cysteine. The catalytic activity responsible for the mutagenic metabolite synthesis was stable to brief heating up to 55°C and had a pH optimum between 7–7.4. These results suggest that the enzyme O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase catalyzes the reaction of azide with O-acetylserine to form a mutagenic azide metabolite.     

Chain elongation by a seemingly stereospecific cyanohydrin synthesis: the preparation and configurational assignment of 3,7-anhydro-d-threo-l-talo- and -l-galacto-octose

2,6-Anhydro-d-glycero-l-manno-heptose (1) is converted by the cyanohydrin reaction into crystalline d-threo-l-talo-octononitrile (3), which shows mutarotation in water. The equilibrium mixture, as measured by ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy, contains about equal amounts of 3 and its epimer, d-threo-l-galacto-octononitrile. On evaporation of the aqueous mixture, pure, crystalline 3 is again obtained. Labelling experiments in ³H₂O proved that epimerization proceeds through reversible deprotonation. Stabilization of 3 in the solid state is explained by intramolecular hydrogen-bonding. In pyridine, rapid isomerization of 3 occurs. When acetylation of 3 is conducted in this solvent, the yield of 2,4,5,6,8-penta-O-acetyl-3,7-anhydro-d-threo-l-talo-octono-nitrile (4) depends strongly on the conditions of acetylation. Acetylation after equilibration produces an equimolar mixture of 4 and its isomer 2,4,5,6,8-penta-O-acetyl-3,7-anhydro-d-threo-l-galacto-octononitrile. Structural assignment for both was achieved by 360-Mhz, ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. Reduction of 4 in pyridine-acetic acid-water in the presence of N,N-diphenylethylenediamine yields a 1:2.36 mixture of 2,4,5,6,8-penta-O-acetyl-3,7-anhydro-d-threo-l-talo-octose N,N-diphenylimidazolidine (6) and 2,4,5,6,8-penta-O-acetyl-3,7-anhydro-d-threo-l-galacto-octose N,N-diphenylimidazolidine (8). Compounds 6 and 8 could be separated and obtained as crystalline solids, and their structure proved by ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. Hydrolysis of 6 and 8 gave 2,4,5,6,8-penta-O-acetyl-3,7-anhydro-d-threo-l-galacto-octose and -d-threo-l-talo-octose.     

Pyrrolizidine alkaloid biosynthesis: Derivation of retronecine from l-arginine and l-ornithine

The relative retention of ³H and ¹⁴C on incorporation of d-, l- and dl-isomers of [¹⁴C]arginine and [¹⁴C]ornithine into retrorsine using L-[5-³H]arginine as an internal standard has been measured. The retronecine portion of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid retrorsine, present in Senecio isatideus plants, is shown to be derived from l-arginine and l-ornithine.     

salmonella typhimurium/enzymol.

Cysteine synthetase from Salmonella typhimurium LT-2 displays a saturation curve for sulfide identical to that obtained with uncomplexed O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase, indicating substrate inhibition with a K_m of 0.1 ± 0.017 mm and a K₁ of 0.303 ± 0.194 mm. With both l-serine and acetyl CoA, however, cysteine synthetase exhibits two intermediary plateaus in the respective saturation curves. The time course of cysteine synthetase activity when the reaction is started by adding enzyme displays a pronounced lag phase. This lag is explained as being due to the buildup of a sufficient concentration of O-acetyl-l-serine to permit binding to O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase. This conclusion is substantiated by the fact that plots of $\text{1}\text{τ}$ against concentrations of both l-serine and acetyl CoA reflect the saturation curves for these substrates. In addition, the incubation of the complex with l-serine and acetyl CoA results in the accumulation of the intermediate products of the reaction sequence, CoA and O-acetyl-l-serine. Dissociation of the multienzyme complex under these conditions was ruled out by Sephadex G-200 chromatography of the complex after incubation with assay levels of the substrates of the reaction. Aggregation of cysteine synthetase was detected using disc gel electrophoresis and confirms earlier reports [Kredich, N. M., and Tomkins, G. M. (1966) J. Biol. Chem.241, 4955–4965]. Aggregation of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase was also detected using the same technique.     

2-O-(p-Coumaroyl)-l-Malate, 2-O-Caffeoyl-l-Malate and 2-O-Feruloyl-l-Malate in Raphanus sativus

The cotyledons, leaves and inflorescences of the radish, Raphanus sativus, have been examined for their content of hydroxylated cinnamic acid malate esters. 2-O-(p-coumaroyl)-l-malate, 2-O-caffeoyl-l-malate and 2-O-feruloyl-l-malate were found to be quantitatively predominating compounds in the fraction of carboxylic acids isolated from radish leaves and inflorescences. Identifications were based on PC, TLC, HVE, GC, HPLC, UV and NMR spectroscopy. The l- or (2S)-configuration of malic acid released by hydrolysis from the esters was determined by using l-malate dehydrogenase. A combined column chromatography technique applied prior to HVE, HPLC and GC was useful for separating the malate esters from most other low MW plant constituents. The significance of the present investigation is briefly discussed in relation to the metabolism of phenolic constituents of glucosinolate-containing plants, and the effects of these compounds in relation to insect feeding behaviour.     

Structure of l-arabino-d-galactan-containing glycoproteins from radish leaves

Two l-arabino-d-galactan-containing glycoproteins having a potent inhibitory activity against eel anti-H agglutinin were isolated from the hot saline extracts of mature radish leaves and characterized to have a similar monosaccharide composition that consists of l-arabinose, d-galactose, l-fucose, 4-O-methyl-d-glucuronic acid, and d-glucuronic acid residues. The chemical structure features of the carbohydrate components were investigated by carboxyl group reduction, methylation, periodate oxidation, partial acid hydrolysis, and digestion with exo- and endo-glycosidases, which indicated a backbone chain of (1→3)-linked β-d-galactosyl residues, to which side chains consisting of α-(1→6)-linked d-galactosyl residues were attached. The α-l-arabinofuranosyl residues were attached as single nonreducing groups and as O-2- or O-3-linked residues to O-3 of the β-d-galactosyl residues of the side chains. Single α-l-fucopyranosyl end groups were linked to O-2 of the l-arabinofuranosyl residues, and the 4-O-methyl-β-d-glucopyranosyluronic acid end groups were linked to d-galactosyl residues. The O-α-l-fucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabinofuranosyl end-groups were shown to be responsible for the serological, H-like activity of the l-arabino-d-galactan glycoproteins. Reductive alkaline degradation of the glycoconjugates showed that a large proportion of the polysaccharide chains is conjugated with the polypeptide backbone through a 3-O-d-galactosylserine linkage.     

Involvement of the L-cysteine biosynthetic pathway in azide-induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium

L-Cystine and L-cysteine specifically reverse the mutagenic action of azide in Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. To establish whether the L-cysteine biosynthetic pathway is involved in azide-induced mutagenesis, several derivatives of a mutagen tester-strain of S. typhimurium bearing mutations in different cys genes were isolated. No mutagenic effect of azide was observed in a strain carrying mutation in the cysE gene, unless the incubation medium was supplemented with exogenous O-acetylserine. Out of 16 cysK mutants 14 were mutagenized by azide very poorly or not at all. These results indicate that the activity of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase A, and the availability of O-acetylserine, one of the two co-substrates of the enzyme, are essential for the mutagenic action of azide in S. typhimurium     

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase: Mirror-image packing of d- and l-phenylalanine and d- and l-transition state analogs into the active site

The binding of substrate and product analogs to phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) from maize has been studied by a protection method. The ligand dissociation constants, K_L, were estimated from the variation with [L] of the pseudo-first-order rate constants for enzyme inactivation by nitromethane. The phenylalanine analogs d- and l-2-aminooxy-3-phenylpropionic acid showed K_L, values over 20,000-fold lower than the K_m for l-phenylalanine. From these and other K_L values it is deduced that when the enzyme binds l-phenylalanine the structural free energy stored in the protein is higher than when it binds the superinhibitors. Models for binding d- and l-phenylalanine and the superinhibitors are described. The enantiomeric pairs are considered to have similar K_L values because they pack into the active site in a mirror-image relationship. If the elimination reaction approximates to the least-motion course deduced on stereoelectronic grounds, the mirror-image packing of the superinhibitors into the active site mimics the conformation inferred for a transition state in the elimination. It appears, therefore, that structural changes take place in the enzyme as the transition state conformation is approached causing stored free energy to be released. This lowers the activation free energy for the elimination reaction and accounts for the strong binding by the above analogs.     

Solvolysis of charged active esters of carboxylic acids with cyclo (l- or d-Glu-l-His)

Cyclic dipeptide cyclo(l- or d-Glu-l-His) carrying an anionic site and a nucleophilic site has been synthesized and used as a catalyst for the solvolysis of cationic esters in aqueous alcohols. In the solvolysis of 3-acyloxy-N-trimethylanilinium iodide (S⁺_n, n = 2 and 10) and Cl^?H₃N⁺(CH₂)₁₁COOPh(NO₂), no efficient nucleophilic catalysis was observed. On the other hand, in the solvolysis of Gly-OPh(NO₂)·HCl, Val-OPh(NO₂)·HCl and Leu-OPh(NO₂)·HCl a very efficient general base-type catalysis by cyclo(l-Glu-l-His) was observed. In particular, with the latter two substrates the catalysis by cyclo(l-Glul-His) was more efficient than that by imidazole, although the catalysis was not enantiomer-selective. The diastereomeric cyclic dipeptide cyclo(d-Glu-l-His) was almost inactive under the same conditions. Confomation of cyclo(l- or d-Glu-l-His) in aqueous solution was investigated and the structure/catalysis relationship is discussed.     

Synthesis of 3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-d-ribo- and -l-lyxo-hexofuranoses suitable for nucleoside synthesis

N-Acetylepidaunosamine (3-acetamido-2,3,6-trideoxy-d-ribo-hexopyranose) was converted into the diethyl dithioacetal and this was cyclized with HgCi₂, HgO, and MeOH, to give methyl 3-acetamido-2,3,6-trideoxy-α- and -β-d-ribo-hexofuranoside (4 and 5). These anomers were acetylated or (p-nitrobenzoyl)ated, and the esters were subjected to acetolysis, to afford 3-acetamido-1,5-di-O-acetyl-2,3,6-trideoxy-d-ribo-hexofuranose and 3-acetamido-1-O-acetyl-2,3,6-trideoxy-5-O-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-d-ribo-hexofuranose, respectively. Alternatively, compounds 4 and 5 were hydrolyzed to the free bases with barium hydroxide, and these were converted into the trifluoroacetamido derivatives which, on (p-nitrobenzoyl)ation and acetolysis, afforded 1-O-acetyl-2,3,6-trideoxy-5-O-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-3-(trifluoroacetamido)-d-ribo-hexofuranose. To prepare the corresponding daunosamine derivative, 2,3,6-trideoxy-3-(trifluoroacetamido)-l-lyxo-hexopyranose was converted into the diethyl dithioacetal, and this was cyclized in the same way, to afford methyl 2,3,6-trideoxy-3-(trifluoroacetamido)-α- and -β-l-lyxo-hexofuranoside. On (p-nitrobenzoyl)ation and acetolysis, both afforded 1-O-acetyl-2,3,6-trideoxy-5-O-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-3-(trifluoroacetamido)-l-lyxo-hexofuranose.     

Synthesis of crystalline derivatives of 6-deoxy-d-allo- and -l-talo-furanosyl bromide suitable for nucleoside synthesis

6-Deoxy-2,3,5-tri-O-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-β-d-allo- and -α-l-talo-furanosyl bromide (6 and 11) have been synthesized from methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-ribo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanoside (1). Treatment of 1 with methyl Grignard reagent, followed by (p-nitrobenzoyl)ation, afforded two 5-epimers, methyl 6-deoxy-2,3-O-isopropylidene-5-O-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-β-d-allo- and -α-l-talo-furanosides (3 and 8) which were fractionally recrystallized. The l-talo isomer (8) separated first, and was treated with acid to remove the isopropylidene group, the product (p-nitrobenzoyl)ated, and the ester reacted with hydrogen bromide in acetic acid, to afford crystalline compound 11. The mother liquor from the fractional recrystallization was treated with acid, whereby methyl 6-deoxy-5-O-p-nitrobenzoyl)-d-allofuranoside was isolated. It was (p-nitrobenzoyl)ated, and the ester treated with hydrogen bromide in acetic acid, to afford crystalline bromide 6.     

Silk fibroin model,poly(l-alanylglycyl-l-alanylglycyl-l-alanylglycyl-l-seryglycine)

l-Alanylglycyl-l-alanylglycyl-l-alanylglycyl-l-serylglycine and its pentachlorophenyl ester methanesulphonate have been synthesized as monomers for the preparation of silk fibroin model polypeptide. The former octapeptide was polymerized with diphenylphosphorylazide (DPPA) and triethylamine in DMSO or in HMPA—pyridine, and the latter octapeptide pentachlorophenylester was polymerized by adding triethylamine in DMSO to give poly(l-alanylglycyl-l-alanylglycyl-l-alanylglycyl-l-serylglycine). This sequential polypeptide gave a similar i.r. pattern to the crystalline part of Bombyx mori silk fibroin, which indicated antiparallel β-conformation. Dialysis of the solution of this polymer in 60%, aqueous LiBr against water gave mainly the polymer of α-form. O.r.d. measurements suggest that this polypeptide exists as a random structure in dichloroacetic acid on in 60% aqueous LiBr.     

Isozyme-Specific Ligands for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase,a Novel Antibiotic Target

The last step of cysteine biosynthesis in bacteria and plants is catalyzed by O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase. In bacteria, two isozymes, O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-A and O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B, have been identified that share similar binding sites, although the respective specific functions are still debated. O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase plays a key role in the adaptation of bacteria to the host environment, in the defense mechanisms to oxidative stress and in antibiotic resistance. Because mammals synthesize cysteine from methionine and lack O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase, the enzyme is a potential target for antimicrobials. With this aim, we first identified potential inhibitors of the two isozymes via a ligand- and structure-based in silico screening of a subset of the ZINC library using FLAP. The binding affinities of the most promising candidates were measured in vitro on purified O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-A and O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B from Salmonella typhimurium by a direct method that exploits the change in the cofactor fluorescence. Two molecules were identified with dissociation constants of 3.7 and 33 µM for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-A and O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B, respectively. Because GRID analysis of the two isoenzymes indicates the presence of a few common pharmacophoric features, cross binding titrations were carried out. It was found that the best binder for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B exhibits a dissociation constant of 29 µM for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-A, thus displaying a limited selectivity, whereas the best binder for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-A exhibits a dissociation constant of 50 µM for O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B and is thus 8-fold selective towards the former isozyme. Therefore, isoform-specific and isoform-independent ligands allow to either selectively target the isozyme that predominantly supports bacteria during infection and long-term survival or to completely block bacterial cysteine biosynthesis.     

Reaction of methyl β-d-glycero-l-manno-heptopyranoside with cyclohexanone: Synthesis of the 4- and 6-methyl ethers of d-glycero-l-manno-heptitol

Acid-catalysed condensation of methyl β-d-glycero-l-manno-heptopyranoside with cyclohexanone yielded an approximately 3:1 mixture of the 2,3:6,7- and 2,3:4,7-di-O-cyclohexylideneheptosides (1 and 2), which could be separated either as their benzoates (3 and 4) or as their methyl ethers (5 and 6). The latter compounds afforded the 4- and 6-methyl ethers (7 and 8) of d-glycero-l-manno-heptitol.     

Separate binding sites in rat brain synaptic membranes for l-cysteine sulfinate and for l-glutamate

Binding of l-[³H]cysteine sulfinic acid (CSA) and l-[³H]glutamate were compared in various subcellular fractions and in the presence of a variety of pharmacological and ionic manipulations in order to test the possibility that the two amino acids possessed separate binding sites.The specific l-[³H]cysteine sulfinate binding was found to be enriched maximally in medium and high density synaptic membranes, while the crude mitochondrial synaptosomal fraction displayed the highest l-[³H]glutamate binding. The ratio of l-[³H]cysteine sulfinate binding/l-[³H]glutamate binding was variable across brain regions. Several compounds differentially affected l-[³H]cysteine sulfinate and l-[³H]glutamate binding. l-cysteine sulfinate was the most potent displacer regardless of the binding considered. Finally, while cations produced qualitatively similar effects on the binding of the two amino acids, quantitative differences were evident.In sum, these data revealed the complexity of l-[³H]cysteine sulfinate and l-[³H]glutamate binding. They suggest the existence of several binding sites and that some of these are shared by both substances. However, the results also indicate that separate binding sites for the two amino acids exist in synaptic membrane, giving further support to the hypothesis that cysteine sulfinate serves a neurotransmitter role in the central nervous system.     

A stereospecific synthesis of l-dendroketose derivatives

The 3,4-O- and 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene derivatives (7 and 8) of l-dendroketose [4-C-(hydroxymethyl)-l-glycero-pentulose] (1) have been synthesized stereo-specifically from 4-C-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-l-erythro-pentitol (2).     

A new fluorescence assay for dipeptidyleptidase IV using tripeptide l-prolyl-l-prolyl-l-alanine as substrate

We have developed a new fluorescence assay for dipeptidylpeptidase IV using a tripeptide, l-prolyl-l-prolyl-l-alanine, which might be one of the potential natural substrates. The principle of the assay is based on the measurement of fluorescent adduct between alanine liberated from the tripeptide by enzymatic hydrolosis and o-phthaldialdehyde in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol in aqueous alkaline medium. This new assay is sensitive enough to measure the enzyme activity in as little as 0.01 μl of human serum and in crevicular fluid obtained from human gingival sulcus. The K_m value for the tripeptide was 1.7 · 10^?5 M which is less than one-tenth of that obtained with other chromogenic or fluorogenic substrates. The interference by serum was overcome by simply incorporating the same amount of serum in the standards.     

Synthesis of derivatives of 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-l-hexoses related to daunosamine (3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-l-lyxo-hexose)

The synthesis is described of 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-l-arabino-hexose (10), methyl 2,3-dideoxy-3-trifluoroacetamido-α-l-lyxo-hexopyranoside (17), methyl 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-α-l-ribo-hexopyranoside (21), methyl 2,3-dideoxy-3-trifluoroacetamido-α-l-xylo-hexopyranoside (26), and certain derivatives from methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α-l-arabino-hexopyranoside (3). Conversion of 2-deoxy-l-arabino-hexose into 3 by modified, standard procedures, and on a large scale, gave a 75% yield.     

1,6-diamino-2,5-anhydro-1,6-dideoxy-l-iditol and some derivatives thereof

1,6-Diamino-2,5-anhydro-1,6-dideoxy-l-iditol (31) and its derivatives were synthesized, starting from 2,4-O-benzylidene-1,6-di-O-tosyl-d-glucitol. The 1,6-bis-(acetamido)-l-talo epoxide was readily hydrolyzed to the corresponding l-iditol derivative under anchimeric assistance of the 1-acetamido group. On treatment with formaldehyde-formic acid, diamine 31 gave a tricyclic, 1,4:3,6-bis(N,O-methylene) derivative which was stable under acidic conditions but, according to ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy, was readily hydrolyzed to an equilibrium mixture in neutral, aqueous solution. The corresponding 1,6-bis(dimethylamino) derivative could be obtained by reducing this equilibrium mixture with borohydride. The different, quaternary salts obtained on methylation of the corresponding 1,6-bis(dimethylamino) derivatives with methyl iodide (aiming at the structure of epi-allo-muscarine) showed no muscarine-like, biological activity.