Unusual features in EPR and M?ssbauer spectra of the 2[4Fe-4Se]+ ferredoxin from Clostridium pasteurianum

The electronic and magnetic properties of the selenium-substituted 2[4Fe-4Se]2+/+ ferredoxin (Fd) from Clostridium pasteurianum have been investigated by EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopy. The [4Fe-4Se]2+ clusters of oxidized Fd are diamagnetic and the M?ssbauer spectra are nearly identical to those of oxidized 2[4Fe-4S]2+ Fd. The addition of 2e- per molecule of Se-substituted Fd causes the simultaneous appearance of three EPR signals: one (g1,2,3 = 2.103, 1.940, 1.888) is reminiscent of [4Fe-4S]+ EPR spectra and accounts for 0.7 to 0.8 spin/molecule. The two others consist of a broad signal with g = 4.5, 3.5, and approximately 2 (0.7 to 0.8 spin/molecule) and of a narrow peak at g = 5.172 which is observed up to 60 K. Peculiar features are also present in the M?ssbauer spectra of 2[4Fe-4Se]+ Fd below 20 K: a subcomponent with lines near to +/- 4 mm/s and accounting for 20% of the total iron corresponds to two antiferromagnetically coupled sites in approximately a 3:1 ratio and displays fully developed paramagnetic hyperfine interactions at 4.2 K without any applied field. At 77 K, however, the reduced Se-substituted Fd yields a M?ssbauer spectrum similar to that of 2[4Fe-4S]+ Fd. The new EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopic features of the 2[4Fe-4Se]+ Fd are attributed to S = 3/2 and S = 7/2 spin states which accompany the classical S = 1/2 state of [4Fe-4X]+ (X = S, Se) structures.     

PBPK models in risk assessment--A focus on chloroprene

Mathematical models are increasingly being used to simulate events in the exposure-response continuum, and to support quantitative predictions of risks to human health. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models address that portion of the continuum from an external chemical exposure to an internal dose at a target site. Essential data needed to develop a PBPK model include values of key physiological parameters (e.g., tissue volumes, blood flow rates) and chemical specific parameters (rate of chemical absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination) for the species of interest. PBPK models are commonly used to: (1) predict concentrations of an internal dose over time at a target site following external exposure via different routes and/or durations; (2) predict human internal concentration at a target site based on animal data by accounting for toxicokinetic and physiological differences; and (3) estimate variability in the internal dose within a human population resulting from differences in individual pharmacokinetics. Himmelstein et al. [M.W. Himmelstein, S.C. Carpenter, P.M. Hinderliter, Kinetic modeling of beta-chloroprene metabolism. I. In vitro rates in liver and lung tissue fractions from mice, rats, hamsters, and humans, Toxicol. Sci. 79 (1) (2004) 18-27; M.W. Himmelstein, S.C. Carpenter, M.V. Evans, P.M. Hinderliter, E.M. Kenyon, Kinetic modeling of beta-chloroprene metabolism. II. The application of physiologically based modeling for cancer dose response analysis, Toxicol. Sci. 79 (1) (2004) 28-37] developed a PBPK model for chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3-butadiene; CD) that simulates chloroprene disposition in rats, mice, hamsters, or humans following an inhalation exposure. Values for the CD-PBPK model metabolic parameters were obtained from in vitro studies, and model simulations compared to data from in vivo gas uptake studies in rats, hamsters, and mice. The model estimate for total amount of metabolite in lung correlated better with rodent tumor incidence than did the external dose. Based on this PBPK model analytical approach, Himmelstein et al. [M.W. Himmelstein, S.C. Carpenter, M.V. Evans, P.M. Hinderliter, E.M. Kenyon, Kinetic modeling of beta-chloroprene metabolism. II. The application of physiologically based modeling for cancer dose response analysis, Toxicol. Sci. 79 (1) (2004) 28-37; M.W. Himmelstein, R. Leonard, R. Valentine, Kinetic modeling of beta-chloroprene metabolism: default and physiologically-based modeling approaches for cancer dose response, in: IISRP Symposium on Evaluation of Butadiene & Chloroprene Health Effects, September 21, 2005, TBD--reference in this proceedings issue of Chemical-Biological Interactions] propose that observed species differences in the lung tumor dose-response result from differences in CD metabolic rates. The CD-PBPK model has not yet been submitted to EPA for use in developing the IRIS assessment for chloroprene, but is sufficiently developed to be considered. The process that EPA uses to evaluate PBPK models is discussed, as well as potential applications for the CD-PBPK model in an IRIS assessment.     

Estimation of kinetic cell-cycle-related gene expression in G1 and G2 phases from immunofluorescence flow cytometry data

BACKGROUND: Flow cytometry of immunofluorescence and DNA content provides measures of cell-cycle-related gene expression (protein and/or epitope levels) for asynchronously growing cells. From these data, time-related expression through S phase can be directly measured. However, for G1, G2, and M phases, this information is unavailable. We present an objective method to model G1 and G2 kinetic expression from an estimate of a minimum biological unit of positive immunofluorescence derived from the distribution of specific immunofluorescence of mitotic cells. METHODS: DU 145 cells were stained for DNA, cyclin B1, and a mitotic marker (p105) and analyzed by flow cytometry. The cyclin B1 immunofluorescence (B1) distribution of p105-positive cells was used to model the B1 distribution of G2 and G1 cells. The G1/S and S/G2 interface measurements were used to calculate expression in S phase and test the validity of the approach. RESULTS: B1 at S/G2 closely matched the earliest modeled estimate of B1 in G2. B1 increased linearly through G1 and S but exponentially through G2; mitotic levels were equivalent to the highest G2 levels. G1 modeling of B1 was less certain than that of G2 due to low levels of expression but demonstrated general feasibility. CONCLUSIONS: By this method, the upper and lower bounds of cyclin B1 expression could be estimated and kinetic expression through G1, G2, and M modeled. Together with direct measurements in S phase, expression of B1 throughout the entire cell cycle of DU 145 cells could be modeled. The method should be generally applicable given model-specific assumptions.     

Structural models of the MscL gating mechanism.

Three-dimensional structural models of the mechanosensitive channel of large conductance, MscL, from the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Escherichia coli were developed for closed, intermediate, and open conformations. The modeling began with the crystal structure of M. tuberculosis MscL, a homopentamer with two transmembrane alpha-helices, M1 and M2, per subunit. The first 12 N-terminal residues, not resolved in the crystal structure, were modeled as an amphipathic alpha-helix, called S1. A bundle of five parallel S1 helices are postulated to form a cytoplasmic gate. As membrane tension induces expansion, the tilts of M1 and M2 are postulated to increase as they move away from the axis of the pore. Substantial expansion is postulated to occur before the increased stress in the S1 to M1 linkers pulls the S1 bundle apart. During the opening transition, the S1 helices and C-terminus amphipathic alpha-helices, S3, are postulated to dock parallel to the membrane surface on the perimeter of the complex. The proposed gating mechanism reveals critical spatial relationships between the expandable transmembrane barrel formed by M1 and M2, the gate formed by S1 helices, and "strings" that link S1s to M1s. These models are consistent with numerous experimental results and modeling criteria.     

Cell-cycle studies by multiparametric automatic scanning of topographically preserved cells in culture

The authors have developed a new methodology for characterizing in situ the cell cycle of human mammary epithelial cell lines. Using a SAMBA 200 cell image processor (scanning cytometry), 15 densitometric and textural parameters were computed on each Feulgen-stained nucleus. Parameters computed from the grey level cooccurrence and run-length section matrices allowed assessment of the chromatin pattern. Multiparametric analysis of data defined: 1) the relative position of each cell; 2) the relative positions of groups of cells, each group corresponding to a definite phase of the cell cycle; and 3) the function of these parameters best separating these phases. Files then were constructed for each phase: G0/G1, S, G2/ and M. Using these three files as a reference to classify cells, it was possible to ascertain the phase of the cell cycle for each cell of a population. The MDA AG human cell line synchronized by mitotic selection was used as a model to develop this method. The criteria used to assign cells to G0/G1, S, or G2 was DNA content. Classification in M phase was achieved by visual identification of mitotic cells. This method was checked on unsynchronized MDA AG and then applied to other human cell lines (MDA MB231, MCF-7, T47D C111). Comparison of results obtained by scanning cytometry and flow cytometry showed the proportion of cells assigned to G0/G1, S, and G2/M by the two methods to be similar. This new method removes some of the limitations of flow cytometry by 1) allowing visual verification of each cell analyzed; 2) lowering the number of cells required for study; 3) discriminating between G2 and M; and 4) preserving cell topography.     

(S)-Carboxy-3-Hydroxyphenylglycine, an Antagonist of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor (mGluR)1a and an Agonist of mGluR2, Protects Against Audiogenic Seizures in DBA/2 Mice

Abstract: The in vivo anticonvulsant effects and in vitro metabo-tropic glutamate receptor selectivity of ( S )-4-carboxy-3-hydroxy-phenylglycine [(S)-4C3HPG] were examined. Intracerebroventricular injection of (S)-4C3HPG dose-dependently antagonized audiogenic-induced clonic and tonic convulsions in DBA/2 mice with ED₆₀ values of 76 and 110-nmol per mouse, respectively. (S)-4C3HPG dose-dependently inhibited the spontaneously evoked epileptic spikes in a cingulate cortex-corpus callosum slice preparation. (SJ-4C3HPG displaced the binding of [³H]glutamate in membranes prepared from baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells expressing the metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR1a with an EC₅₀ of 5 β 1 u M. ( S )-4C3HPG dose-dependently antagonized glutamate-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in BHK cells expressing mGluR 1a with an IC₅₀ of 15 β 3 μ M. ( S )-4C3HPG was, however, an agonist at mGluR2 with an EC₆₀ of 21 β 4 μ M for inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP formation in BHK cells expressing the mGluR2. ( S )-4C3HPG had no effects at mGluR4a. These data suggest that the anticonvulsant action of ( S )-4C3HPG is mediated by combined antagonism of mGluRIa and agonism of mGluR2. These results suggest the importance of mGluR1a and/or mGluR2 in the control of epileptic activity.     

Characterization of a sulfite reductase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris. Evidence for the presence of a low-spin siroheme and an exchange-coupled siroheme-[4Fe-4S] unit

We have studied a low-molecular-weight (Mr = 27,200) sulfite reductase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenborough, NCIB 8303) with M?ssbauer, EPR, and chemical techniques. This sulfite reductase was found to contain one siroheme and one [4Fe-4S] cluster. As purified, the siroheme is low-spin ferric (S = 1/2) which exhibits characteristic EPR resonances at g = 2.44, 2.36, and 1.77. At 150 K, the observed M?ssbauer parameters, delta EQ = 2.49 +/- 0.02 mm/s and delta = 0.31 +/- 0.02 mm/s, for the siroheme are typical for low-spin ferric complexes. The [4Fe-4S] cluster is in the 2+ state. The M?ssbauer parameters, delta EQ = 0.95 +/- 0.02 mm/s and delta = 0.38 +/- 0.02 mm/s, for the cluster are almost identical to those observed for the [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster in the hemoprotein subunit of the sulfite reductase from Escherichia coli. Similar to the hemoprotein subunit of E. coli sulfite reductase, low-temperature M?ssbauer spectra of D. vulgaris sulfite reductase recorded with weak and strong applied fields also show evidence for an exchange-coupled siroheme-[4Fe-4S] unit.     

Improving the efficiency of dot-matrix similarity searches through use of an oligomer table.

Dot-matrix sequence similarity searches can be greatly speeded up through use of a table listing all locations of short oligomers in one of the sequences to find potential similarities with a second sequence. The algorithm described finds similarities between two sequences of lengths M and N, comparing L residues at a time, with an efficiency of L X M X N/(SK) where S is the alphabet size, and k is the length of the oligomer. For nucleic acids, in which S = 4, use of a tetranucleotide table results in an efficiency of L X M X N/256. The simplicity of the approach allows for a straightforward calculation of the level of similarities expected to be found for given search parameters. Furthermore, the storage required is minimal, allowing for even large sequences to be compared on small microcomputers. Theoretical considerations regarding the use of this search are discussed.     

The design and pharmacology of novel selective muscarinic agonists and antagonists

The muscarinic pharmacology of C1-methyl-substituted chiral compounds related to McN-A-343 and of (R)- and (S)-dimethindene has been studied. Among the McN-A-343 analogues, the (S)-enantiomers were more potent and had higher affinity than the (R)-isomers. The quaternary compound (S)-BN 228 was found to be the most potent M1-selective agonist known today (pEC50: M1/rabbit vas deferens = 7.83; M2/guinea-pig atria = 6.35; M3/guinea-pig ileum = 6.29). In both the atria and ileum the tertiary carbamate, (S)-4-F-MePyMcN, was a competitive antagonist (pA2 value = 7.39 and 6.82, respectively). In contrast, in rabbit vas deferens (S)-4-F-MePyMcN was a potent partial agonist (pEC50 = 7.22; apparent efficacy = 0.83). These results indicate that (S)-4-F-MePyMcN might be a useful tool to study M1 receptor-mediated effects involved in central cholinergic function. (S)-Dimethindene was a potent M2-selective antagonist (pA2 = 7.86/atria; pKi = 7.8/rat heart) with lower affinities for the M1 (pA2 = 6.36/rat duodenum; pKi = 7.1/NB-OK 1 cells), M3 (pA2 = 6.92/guinea-pig ileum; pKi = 6.7/rat pancreas) and M4 receptors (pKi = 7.0/rat striatum). It was more potent (up to 41-fold) than the (R)-isomer. In contrast, the stereoselectivity was inverse at ileal H1 receptors (pA2: (R)-isomer = 9.42; (S)-isomer = 7.48). Thus, (S)-dimethindene could be a valuable agent to test the hypothesis that M2 antagonists show beneficial effects in the treatment of cognitive disorders. It might also become the starting point for the development of diagnostic tools for quantifying M2 receptors in the CNS with PET imaging.     

Dissociation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from spinach by urea

The dissociation of D-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from spinach, which consists of eight large subunits (L, 53 kDa) and eight small subunits (S, 14 kDa) and thus has a quarternary structure L8S8, has been investigated using a variety of physical techniques. Gel chromatography using Sephadex G-100 indicates the quantitative dissociation of the small subunit S from the complex at 3-4 M urea (50 mM Tris/Cl pH 8.0, 0.5 mM EDTA, 1 mM dithiothreitol and 5 mM 2-mercaptoethanol). The dissociated S is monomeric. Analytical ultracentrifuge studies show that the core of large subunits, L, remaining at 3-4 M urea sediments with S20, w = 15.0 S, whereas the intact enzyme (L8S8) sediments with S20, w = 17.7S. The observed value is consistent with a quarternary structure L8. The dissociation reaction in 3-4 M urea can thus be represented by L8S8----L8 + 8S. At urea concentrations c greater than 5 M the L8 core dissociates into monomeric, unfolded large subunits. A large decrease in fluorescence emission intensity accompanies the dissociation of the small subunit S. This change is completed at 4 M urea. No changes are observed upon dissociating the L8 core. The kinetics of dissociation of the small subunit, as monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy, closely follow the kinetics of loss of carboxylase activity of the enzyme. Studies of the circular dichroism of D-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase in the wavelength region 200-260 nm indicate two conformational transitions. The first one ([0]220 from -8000 to -3500 deg cm2 dmol-1) is completed at 4 M urea and corresponds to the dissociation of the small subunit and coupled conformational changes. The second one ([0]220 from -3500 to -1200 deg cm2 dmol-1) is completed at 6 M urea and reflects the dissociation and unfolding of large subunits from the core. The effect of activation of the enzyme by addition of MgCl2 (10 mM) and NaHCO3 (10 mM) on these conformational transitions was investigated. The first conformational transition is then shifted to higher urea concentrations: a single transition ([0]220 from -8000 to -1200 deg cm2 dmol-1) is observed for the activated enzyme. From the urea dissociation experiments we conclude that both large (L) and small (S) subunits are important for carboxylase activity of spinach D-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase: the L-S subunit interactions tighten upon activation and dissociation of S leads to a coupled, proportional loss of enzyme activity.     

Theoretical and Experimental Considerations Related to Reaction-Based Modeling: A Case Study Using Iron(III) Oxide Bioreduction

The kinetics of reductive dissolution of hematite ( f -Fe 2 O 3 ) by the dissimilatory iron-reducing bacterium Shewanella putrefaciens strain CN32 under nongrowth conditions with H 2 as the electron donor was measured and then modeled using a reaction-based biogeochemical model. Minimum data needs and a reaction matrix decomposition procedure are presented from a reaction-based modeling perspective and used to design subsequent experiments. Detailed step-by-step modeling methodology is presented. Independent experiments were performed to determine if Fe 2+ sorption to S. putrefaciens CN32 or hematite could be described as either kinetic or equilibrium reactions (i.e., slow or fast, respectively, relative to the time-scale of the bioreduction experiments). Fe 2+ sorption to S. putrefaciens CN32 was an equilibrium reaction and a linear adsorption isotherm was used to determine the associated equilibrium constant. Fe 2+ sorption to hematite was a kinetic reaction and an elementary rate formulation was independently determined from abiotic experiments. The ratio of the forward rate divided by the backward rate [log(k f /k b )] for the sorption of Fe 2+ to hematite was 6.33 - 0.14 (n = 2) and the corresponding log(k f ) was 6.66 - 0.28 (n = 2, M -1 h -1 ). Three different kinetic reaction rate formulations were used to model hematite bioreduction, an elementary rate law for the overall reaction, an empirical rate law physically based on hematite "free" surface sites, and an empirical rate law physically based on hematite free surface sites and bacterial inhibition caused by Fe(II) biosorption. All rate formulations modeled the measured results reasonably well (R 2 values ranged from 0.83 to 0.99). For the elementary rate formulation, log(k f /k b ) was 24.37 - 0.15 (n = 4) and the corresponding forward rate [log(k f )] was 26.46 - 0.27 (n = 4, M -4 h -1 ). These results demonstrate that independently determined reaction-based rate formulations were applicable in another experimental system, as theoretically expected. Therefore, the simulation and prediction of complex biogeochemical systems may eventually be able to be performed using reaction-based models.     

Extent of metal ion-sulfur binding in complexes of thiouracil nucleosides and nucleotides in aqueous solution

Previously published stability constants of several metal ion (M2+) complexes formed with thiouridines and their 5'-monophosphates, together with recently obtained log K(M(U))(M) versus pK(U)(H) plots for M2+ complexes of uridinate derivatives (U-) allowed now a quantitative evaluation of the effect that the exchange of a (C)O by a (C)S group has on the stability of the corresponding complexes. For example, the stability of the Ni2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ complexes of 2-thiouridinate is increased by about 1.6, 2.3, and 1.3 log units, respectively, by the indicated exchange of groups. Similar results were obtained for other thiouridinates, including 4-thiouridinate. The structure of these complexes and the types of chelates formed (involving (N3)- and (C)S) are discussed. A recently advanced method for the quantification of the chelate effect allows now also an evaluation of several complexes of thiouridinate 5'-monophosphates. In most instances the thiouracilate coordination dominates the systems, allowing only the formation of small amounts of phosphate-bound isomers. Among the complexes studied only the one formed by Cu2+ with 2-thiouridinate 5'-monophosphate leads to significant amounts of the macrochelated isomer, which means that in this case Cu2+ is able to force the nucleotide from the anti to the syn conformation, allowing thus metal ion binding to both potential sites and this results in the formation of about 58% of the macrochelated isomer. The remaining 42% are species in which Cu2+ is overwhelmingly coordinated to the thiouracilate residue; Cu2+ binding to the phosphate group occurs in this case only in trace amounts.     

Identification of a Ca(2+)-pectate binding site on an apoplastic peroxidase

An apoplastic isoperoxidase from zucchini (APRX) was shown to bind strongly to polygalacturonic acid in their Ca(2)+-induced conformation. By homology modeling, we were able to identify a motif of four clustered arginines (positions 117, 262, 268, and 271) that could be responsible for this binding. To verify the role of these arginine residues in the binding process, we prepared three mutants of APRX (M1, R117S; M2, R262Q/R268S; and M3, R262Q/R268S/R271Q). APRX and the three mutants were expressed as recombinant glycoproteins by the baculovirus-insect cell system. This procedure yielded four active enzymes with similar molecular masses that were tested for their ability to bind Ca(2)+-pectate. Recombinant wild-type APRX exhibited an affinity for the pectic structure comparable to that of the native plant isoperoxidase. The mutations impaired binding depending on the number of arginine residues that were replaced. M1 and M2 showed intermediate affinities, whereas M3 did not bind at all. This was demonstrated using an in vitro binding test and on cell walls of hypocotyl cross-sections. It can be concluded that APRX bears a Ca(2)+-pectate binding site formed by four clustered arginines. This site could ensure that APRX is properly positioned in cell walls, using unesterified domains of pectins as a scaffold.     

Expression of p60v-src in Saccharomyces cerevisiae results in elevation of p34CDC28 kinase activity and release of the dependence of DNA replication on mitosis.

Expression of the oncogenic protein tyrosine kinase p60v-src in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been shown to result in rapid cell death (J. S. Brugge, G. Jarosik, J. Andersen, A. Queral-Lustig, M. Fedor-Chaiken, and J. R. Broach, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:2180-2187, 1987). Work described here demonstrates that v-Src expression results in accumulation of large-budded cells and a nuclear division block without blocking cytokinesis. Flow-cytometric analysis indicates that the DNA content of these cells is elevated beyond the G2 DNA content, and genetic studies indicate that v-Src expression causes aneuploidy. The activity of Cdc28 kinase, which controls the G1/S and G2/M transitions in S. cerevisiae, increases during galactose induction in a Src+ strain but not in an isogenic Src- strain. These observations indicate that v-Src expression disrupts p34CDC28 kinase regulation, allowing DNA replication to proceed in the absence of a prior mitotic event.     

Subunit interaction: A molecular basis of heterosis

Acid phosphatase, a dimeric enzyme, in Drosophila malerkotliana was studied in isogenic flies to explore the molecular basis of heterosis. As the enzyme activity in heterozygotes is 34% more than that in the better parent (S/S), heterosis is indicated. Vmax, Km, and Ki values are 14.60, 3.6 X 10(-4) M, and 0.45 X 10(-4) M, respectively, for the enzyme from F/S flies and 11.80, 4.0 X 10(-4) M, and 0.37 X 10(-4) M, respectively, for the enzyme from S/S flies. Thus heterosis for enzyme activity results from a better enzyme in F/S flies. The higher efficiency and better quality of the enzyme in F/S flies were traced to the heterodimeric allozyme, present only in heterozygotes. Enzyme activity, Vmax, Km, and Ki values are 0.739, 42.1; 3.6 X 10(-4) M, and 0.50 X 10(-4) M, respectively, for the heterodimeric and 0.513, 36.8; 4.1 X 10(-4) M, and 0.37 X 10(-4) M, respectively, for the better parental homodimeric allozyme. On an equimolar basis the enzyme activity of the heterodimer is 44% higher than that of the better homodimer. The better performance of the heterodimer is probably a reflection of superior conformation resulting from interaction between component subunits (F and S polypeptides).     

M?ssbauer, EPR, and optical studies of the corrinoid/iron-sulfur protein involved in the synthesis of acetyl coenzyme A by Clostridium thermoaceticum

We have purified to homogeneity the 88-kDa corrinoid protein from Clostridium thermoaceticum which acts as a methyl carrier in the synthesis of acetyl-CoA. As shown here, this protein contains a [4Fe-4S]1+/2+ cluster in addition to a corrinoid. The corrinoid is 5-methoxybenzimidazolylcobamide, with an OH- group probably present as the upper axial ligand. Co+ is present in the reduced form, Co2+ in the as-isolated form, and Co3+ in the methylated form of the protein. The as-isolated corrinoid/Fe-S protein exhibits a Co2+ EPR signal lacking nitrogen superhyperfine splittings, indicating that the benzimidazole base is uncoordinated ("base-off") in the Co2+ state. Optical studies suggest that the Co3+-CH3 corrinoid is also base-off. In the as-isolated and methylated forms, the iron-sulfur cluster is diamagnetic, with quadrupole splittings and isomer shifts characteristic of [4Fe-4S]2+ clusters. The protein can be reduced by CO and CO dehydrogenase in the absence of ferredoxin. The EPR spectra of the reduced cluster exhibit two components: one with principal g-values at 2.07, 1.93, and 1.82 and the other at 2.02, 1.94, and 1.86. The M?ssbauer data show that these signals result from [4Fe-4S]1+ clusters. Chemical analysis shows that the iron:cobalt atomic ratio is close to 4:1, suggesting that a single [4Fe-4S]1+ cluster occurs in two distinct S = 1/2 spin states in the reduced state. Treatment with 1-2.5 M urea converts the two cluster forms into a single one, with EPR and M?ssbauer spectra of typical [4Fe-4S]1+ clusters. A 27-kDa corrinoid protein (Ljungdahl, L.G., LeGall, J., and Lee, J.P. (1973) Biochemistry 12, 1802-1808) also was purified and found to be inactive in the synthesis of acetyl-CoA, contrary to the suggestion of Ljungdahl et al. (1973).     

Unifying principles in homodimeric type I photosynthetic reaction centers: properties of PscB and the FA, FB and FX iron-sulfur clusters in green sulfur bacteria

The photosynthetic reaction center from the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium tepidum (CbRC) was solubilized from membranes using Triton X-100 and isolated by sucrose density ultra-centrifugation. The CbRC complexes were subsequently treated with 0.5 M NaCl and ultrafiltered over a 100 kDa cutoff membrane. The resulting CbRC cores did not exhibit the low-temperature EPR resonances from FA- and FB- and were unable to reduce NADP+. SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometric analysis showed that the PscB subunit, which harbors the FA and FB clusters, had become dissociated, and was now present in the filtrate. Attempts to rebind PscB onto CbRC cores were unsuccessful. M?ssbauer spectroscopy showed that recombinant PscB contains a heterogeneous mixture of [4Fe-4S]2+,1+ and other types of Fe/S clusters tentatively identified as [2Fe-2S]2+,1+ clusters and rubredoxin-like Fe3+,2+ centers, and that the [4Fe-4S]2+,1+ clusters which were present were degraded at high ionic strength. Quantitative analysis confirmed that the amount of iron and sulfide in the recombinant protein was sub-stoichiometric. A heme-staining assay indicated that cytochrome c551 remained firmly attached to the CbRC cores. Low-temperature EPR spectroscopy of photoaccumulated CbRC complexes and CbRC cores showed resonances between g=5.4 and 4.4 assigned to a S=3/2 ground spin state [4Fe-4S]1+ cluster and at g=1.77 assigned to a S=1/2 ground spin state [4Fe-4S]1+ cluster, both from FX-. These results unify the properties of the acceptor side of the Type I homodimeric reaction centers found in green sulfur bacteria and heliobacteria: in both, the FA and FB iron-sulfur clusters are present on a salt-dissociable subunit, and FX is present as an interpolypeptide [4Fe-4S]2+,1+ cluster with a significant population in a S=3/2 ground spin state.     

M?ssbauer, EPR, and magnetization studies of the Azotobacter vinelandii Fe protein. Evidence for a [4Fe-4S]1+ cluster with spin S = 3/2

We have studied the Fe protein (Av2) of the Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase system with M?ssbauer and EPR spectroscopies and magnetic susceptometry. In the oxidized state the protein exhibits M?ssbauer spectra typical of diamagnetic [4Fe-4S]2+ clusters. Addition of Mg.ATP or Mg.ADP causes a pronounced decline in the quadrupole splitting of the M?ssbauer spectra of the oxidized protein. Our studies show that reduced Av2 in the native state is heterogeneous. Approximately half of the molecules contain a [4Fe-4S]1+ cluster with electronic spin S = 1/2 and half contain a [4Fe-4S]1+ cluster with spin S = 3/2. The former yields the characteristic g = 1.94 EPR signal whereas the latter exhibits signals around g = 5. The magnetization of reduced Av2 is dominated by the spin S = 3/2 form of its [4Fe-4S]1+ clusters. These results explain a long standing puzzle, namely why the integrated spin intensity of the g = 1.94 EPR signal is substantially less than 1 spin/4 Fe atoms. In 50% ethylene glycol, 90% of the clusters are in the spin S = 1/2 form whereas, in 0.4 M urea, 85% are in the S = 3/2 form. In 0.4 M urea, the EPR spectrum of reduced Av2 exhibits well defined resonances at g = 5.8 and 5.15, which we assign to the S = 3/2 system. The EPR and M?ssbauer studies yield a zero-field splitting of 2D approximately equal to -5 cm-1 for this S = 3/2 state.     

Taxonomic revision of the land snail genera Macrochlamys Gray, 1847 and Sarika Godwin-Austen, 1907 (Eupulmonata: Ariophantidae) from south-eastern Myanmar,with descriptions of three new species

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of Myanmar land snails is based on the late eighteenth to early twentieth century literature and many species need to be re-investigated, especially in the genera Macrochlamys Gray, 1847 and Sarika Godwin-Austen, 1907. In order to update this knowledge, this paper presents information on these two related genera based on new materials from south-eastern Myanmar. Fifteen species are recognised in the south-east of Myanmar. Of these, live material was available for eight Macrochlamys and Sarika species and these are described in full herein, based on data from the shell, external morphology and genitalia, including three species new to science (M. brachystia n. sp., S. concavata n. sp. and S. lopa n. sp.) and five species redescribed (M. aspides, M. kelantanensis, M. petasus, S. consepta and S. obesior). The remaining five species are known only from their shell morphology (M. cauisa, M. perpaula, M. poongee, M. salwinensis and S. birmana) and two species are known from genitalia (S. dugasti and S. resplendens). For these species the shells are figured and some taxonomic remarks are provided.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:58D2A9E7-50FD-49C2-B2F4-4D00457EA331     

Redox intermediates of Desulfovibrio gigas [NiFe] hydrogenase generated under hydrogen. M?ssbauer and EPR characterization of the metal centers

The hydrogenase (EC 1.2.2.1) of Desulfovibrio gigas is a complex enzyme containing one nickel center, one [3Fe-4S] and two [4Fe-4S] clusters. Redox intermediates of this enzyme were generated under hydrogen (the natural substrate) using a redox-titration technique and were studied by EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopy. In the oxidized states, the two [4Fe-4S]2+ clusters exhibit a broad quadrupole doublet with parameters (apparent delta EQ = 1.10 mm/s and delta = 0.35 mm/s) typical for this type of cluster. Upon reduction, the two [4Fe-4S]1+ clusters are spectroscopically distinguishable, allowing the determination of their midpoint redox potentials. The cluster with higher midpoint potential (-290 +/- 20 mV) was labeled Fe-S center I and the other with lower potential (-340 +/- 20 mV), Fe-S center II. Both reduced clusters show atypical magnetic hyperfine coupling constants, suggesting structural differences from the clusters of bacterial ferredoxins. Also, an unusually broad EPR signal, labeled Fe-S signal B', extending from approximately 150 to approximately 450 mT was observed concomitantly with the reduction of the [4Fe-4S] clusters. The following two EPR signals observed at the weak-field region were tentatively attributed to the reduced [3Fe-4S] cluster: (i) a signal with crossover point at g approximately 12, labeled the g = 12 signal, and (ii) a broad signal at the very weak-field region (approximately 3 mT), labeled the Fe-S signal B. The midpoint redox potential associated with the appearance of the g = 12 signal was determined to be -70 +/- 10 mV. At potentials below -250 mV, the g = 12 signal began to decrease in intensity, and simultaneously, the Fe-S signal B appeared. The transformation of the g = 12 signal into the Fe-S signal B was found to parallel the reduction of the two [4Fe-4S] clusters indicating that the [3Fe-4S]o cluster is sensitive to the redox state of the [4Fe-4S] clusters. Detailed redox profiles for the previously reported Ni-signal C and the g = 2.21 signal were obtained in this study, and evidence was found to indicate that these two signals represent two different oxidation states of the enzyme. Finally, the mechanistic implications of our results are discussed.