Electrochemical and enzymatic activity of flavin adenine dinucleotide and glucose oxidase immobilized by adsorption on carbon

Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and glucose oxidase were adsorbed on medium porosity spectroscopic graphite (SG) and on low porosity glassy carbon (GC) with retention of electrochemical activity, as measured by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. Adsorption on the SG was very strong, while that on GC was much weaker. Enzyme activity could be partially restored by the addition of the apoenzyme of glucose oxidase to the SG-adsorbed FAD preparation. The holoenzyme of glucose oxidase also was adsorbed on SG with retention of enzyme activity. The mechanism for the reconstitution of active enzyme from adsorbed FAD and soluble apoenzyme is not clear. The data suggest that the reconstituted enzyme stays adsorbed to the SG, but it is not clear whether the FAD or protein portions (or both) are adsorbed after reconstitution. The data also indicate that substrate mass transfer resistance may be important with the reconstituted-adsorbed enzyme.     

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase activity and H2O2 formation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Cell-free extracts of Mycoplasma pneumoniae showed two distinct reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH(2)) oxidase activities in the supernatant fraction. By ammonium sulfate fractionation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, one activity not requiring flavine co-factors was precipitated by 50 to 70% ammonium sulfate concentration and identified with a slower-moving band on acrylamide gel electrophoresis; a second NADH(2) oxidase activity was flavine mononucleotide (FMN) dependent and associated with a more rapidly moving band; it could only be partially precipitated by ammonium sulfate concentrations ranging from 50 to 100%. Studies with alternate electron acceptors indicated the presence of a menadione, a 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol and a very weak ferricyanide oxido-reductase activity, but no cytochrome c oxido-reductase, in the cell-free preparations. The NADH(2) oxidase activities of all fractions were relatively cyanide insensitive and were only minimally inhibited by flavoprotein and other respiratory chain inhibitors. H(2)O(2) formation was negligible unless FMN, but not flavine adenine dinucleotide (FAD), was added to the crude NADH(2) oxidase system; upon fractionation and electrophoresis, the H(2)O(2) formation was associated with the FMN-dependent, more rapidly moving NADH(2) oxidase band. This FMN-dependent NADH(2) oxidase-H(2)O(2) generating system may be a mechanism for the H(2)O(2) formation observed during glucose oxidation in the intact organism.     

Covalent immobilization of FAD and glucose oxidase on carbon electrodes

The effectiveness of attaching flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) via a C bridge to Teflon-bonded carbon black (CB), and the subsequent immobilization of glucose oxidase on the FAD-modified electrodes has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. When FAD alone is bound to the electrode, it undergoes reduction and oxidation at -0.62 and -0.5 V, respectively-values similar to those obtained with free FAD. Compared to the free enzyme, the reduction of FAD as part of the immobilized enzyme is 200 mV more cathodic, while the oxidation potential remains the same in both cases.     

Analysis of interaction between the Arthrobacter sarcosine oxidase and the coenzyme flavin adenine dinucleotide by site-directed mutagenesis.

Sarcosine oxidase from Arthrobacter sp. TE1826 (SoxA) tightly binds with the coenzyme flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). The amino-terminal region of this enzyme was recognized as a part of the FAD-binding domain by homology search analysis. Comparison with other structurally well-known flavoproteins suggested that the aspartate residue at position 35 (D-35) and the motif sequence (six residues at positions 12 to 17) were important for the interaction with FAD. Site-directed mutagenesis of each position was performed, and mutant SoxAs were purified and characterized. When D-35 was substituted with glutamate, asparagine, and alanine, it was indicated that the carboxyl group of the side chain interacted with FAD. Changes in the enzyme-bound FAD were also observed from the altered spectral profiles. Thirteen mutant SoxAs were obtained by replacing amino acids in the motif sequence. Most of them showed inhibited or remarkably decreased sarcosine oxidase activity, and their spectral profiles were altered. However, some of them were reactivated by chloride ion. Their spectral profiles also became close to that of wild type in the presence of chloride ion. These results strongly suggest that the inhibition of interaction of enzyme with FAD was caused by the substitution in the motif and that it could be recovered under different conditions.     

Formation of Hydrogen Peroxide by Group N Streptococci and Its Effect on Their Growth and Metabolism

The formation of hydrogen peroxide by group N streptococci was found to occur through the action of a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidase which catalyzed the oxidation of NADH by molecular oxygen. The enzyme was activated by flavine adenine dinucleotide. Whereas some of the hydrogen peroxide formed was removed through the action of an NADH peroxidase, sufficient accumulated in media to inhibit the growth, respiration, and viability of these organisms. The amount of hydrogen peroxide which accumulated varied among strains, and this variation could be related to differences in the properties of the NADH oxidase present.     

Flavensomycin, an inhibitor of enzyme reactions involving hydrogen transfer

The antifungal antibiotic flavensomycin inhibited the oxidation of amino acids and of glucose by Penicillium oxalicum. The compound inhibited l-amino acid oxidase (EC 1.4.3.2) activity for l-leucine and l-phenylalanine, and also d-amino acid oxidase (EC 1.4.3.3) in the oxidation for dl-alanine. The addition of flavin adenine dinucleotide, which is a cofactor for this enzyme, antagonized the action of the antibiotic. Glucose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.4) was also inhibited. The antibiotic inhibited the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH(2)) cytochrome c reductase (EC 1.6.2.1) as well as the much slower nonenzymatic reduction of this cytochrome by the nucleotide. Reduced cytochrome c was also oxidized nonenzymatically by flavensomycin. The antibiotic completely inhibited the action of rabbit muscle lactic dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) in promoting the reduction of pyruvate by NADH(2) but only slightly affected the reverse reaction. Alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) was also similarly inhibited. Flavensomycin prevented the reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate by isocitrate in the presence of isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.42). The hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.1)-catalyzed phosphorylation of glucose, in which the adenosine triphosphate acts as a phosphate donor, was only slightly affected. Flavensomycin also inhibited the action of yeast lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.2.3) on the reduction of cytochrome c. High concentrations of cytochrome c were antagonistic to this reaction. The results point to an interference with enzymatically controlled hydrogen or electron transfer as the mechanism of the antifungal activity of flavensomycin.     

Regulation of flavin biosynthesis in the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha

Under various conditions of growth of the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha, a tight correlation was observed between the levels of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-containing alcohol oxidase, and the levels of intracellularly bound FAD and flavin biosynthetic enzymes. Adaptation of the organism to changes in the physiological requirement for FAD was by adjustment of the levels of the enzymes catalyzing the last three steps in flavin biosynthesis, riboflavin synthetase, riboflavin kinase and flavin mononucleotide adenylyltransferase. The regulation of the synthesis of the latter enzymes in relation to that of alcohol oxidase synthesis was studied in experiments involving addition of glucose to cells of H. polymorpha growing on methanol in batch cultures or in carbon-limited continuous cultures. This resulted not only in selective inactivation of alcohol oxidase and release of FAD, as previously reported, but invariably also in repression/inactivation of the flavin biosynthetic enzymes. In further experiments involving addition of FAD to the same type of cultures it became clear that inactivation of the latter enzymes was not caused directly by glucose, but rather by free FAD that accumulated intracellularly. In these experiments no repression or inactivation of alcohol oxidase occurred and it is therefore concluded that the synthesis of this enzyme and the flavin biosynthetic enzymes is under separate control, the former by glucose (and possibly methanol) and the latter by intracellular levels of free FAD.Abbreviations FAD Flavin adenine dinucleotide - FMN riboflavin-5-phosphate; flavin mononucleotide - Rf riboflavin     

α-α′-Dipyridyl or Ortho-Phenanthroline Stimulation of the Soluble Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Oxidase from Bacillus subtilis Spores and Dipicolinic Acid Inhibition of the Stimulated Enzyme

Soluble reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase activity in extracts of Bacillus subtilis spores was stimulated by the addition of not only flavine mononucleotide (FMN) or flavine adenine dinucleotide (FAD) but also alpha-alpha'-dipyridyl or o-phenanthroline. These chelating agents showed stronger effect on the enzyme from spores than on that from vegetative cells. Activity stimulated by alpha-alpha'-dipyridyl or o-phenanthroline was inhibited by atabrine or dipicolinic acid, whereas FMN or FAD stimulation was inhibited only by atabrine.     

A mutant sarcosine oxidase in which activity depends on flavin adenine dinucleotide

The covalent flavin attachment site in the Arthrobacter sarcosine oxidase (cysteine at position 318) was replaced with serine, and the mutational effect of C318S was analyzed. Wild type and C318S with a C-terminal 6-histidine tag were constructed and homogeneously purified by the single step. The covalently binding to flavin was not essential to the enzyme activity because the C318S mutant exhibited extremely weak activity. Moreover, the activity of the mutant was recovered in the presence of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), and significantly increased as the concentration of FAD increased. This dependence of the mutant on FAD indicates that the noncovalent binding of free FAD to the mutant enzyme is reversible.     

Interfacial electron transfer of glucose oxidase on poly(glutamic acid)-modified glassy carbon electrode and glucose sensing

The interfacial electron transfer of glucose oxidase (GOx) on a poly(glutamic acid)-modified glassy carbon electrode (PGA/GCE) was investigated. The redox peaks measured for GOx and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) are similar, and the anodic peak of GOx does not increase in the presence of glucose in a mediator-free solution. These indicate that the electroactivity of GOx is not the direct electron transfer (DET) between GOx and PGA/GCE and that the observed electroactivity of GOx is ascribed to free FAD that is released from GOx. However, efficient electron transfer occurred if an appropriate mediator was placed in solution, suggesting that GOx is active. The PGA/GCE-based biosensor showed wide linear response in the range of 0.5–5.5 mM with a low detection limit of 0.12 mM and high sensitivity and selectivity for measuring glucose.     

Modification of flavin adenine dinucleotide in alcohol oxidase of the yeast Hansenula polymorpha.

Alcohol oxidase, a major peroxisomal protein of methanol-utilizing yeasts, may possess two different forms of flavin adenine dinucleotide, classical FAD and so-called modified FAD (mFAD). Conversion of FAD into mFAD was observed both in purified preparations of the enzyme and in cells grown in batch and continuous culture. The relative amount of mFAD in the enzyme varied from 5 to 95%, depending on the growth or storage conditions. The presence of mFAD led to a slight decrease in Vmax and a significant (about one order) decrease in the Km of alcohol oxidase with respect to methanol. The kinetics of modification measured in purified preparations of the enzyme obeyed first-order kinetics (k = 0.78 h-1). The modification process was strongly inhibited by methanol, formaldehyde or hydroxylamine. Modification observed in continuous culture under steady state conditions depended on the dilution rate and could also be described as a spontaneous first-order reaction (kapp = 0.27 h-1). FAD modification could only be detected in alcohol oxidase and not in other yeast peroxisomal flavoenzymes, such as D-amino acid oxidase from Candida boidinii.     

Deflavination of flavo-oxidases by nucleophilic reagents

Using spectroscopic techniques we studied the effect of the nucleophilic reagents cyanide, cyanate and thiocyanate on three flavo-oxidases namely alcohol oxidase (AO), glucose oxidase (GOX) and D-amino acid oxidase (DAOX). All three ions, added at concentrations in the mM range, caused release of the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) co-factors from the enzyme molecules. In the case of AO this was accompanied by significant conformational perturbations, which was not observed for GOX and DAOX. As suggested from fluorescence, absorption and circular dichroism spectral changes at least one phenolic hydroxyl group became ionized upon FAD release from AO and a new class of Trp residues, fluorescent only in apo-AO protein, was demasked.     

Characterisation of the flavin adenine dinucleotide binding region of Myxococcus xanthus protoporphyrinogen oxidase

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX), the penultimate enzyme in the haem biosynthetic pathway catalysers the six electron oxidation of protoporphyrinogen-IX to protoporphyrin-IX, in the presence of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and oxygen. In humans, partial defects in PPOX result in variegate porphyria. In this study, the FAD binding region in Myxococcus xanthus PPOX was analysed by engineering and characterising a selection of mutant proteins. Amino acid residues which interact with FAD via their side chains were selected for study. Mutants were characterised and compared with wild type protein. Characterisation included FAD quantitation, analysis of FAD spectra and kinetic assay. Results revealed that Serine 20 mutants could still bind FAD, but polarity in this position is favourable, yet not essential for the integrity of FAD binding. Study of Glutamate 39 mutants suggest that a negative charge at position 39 is clearly favoured for interaction with the ribose ring of FAD, as all non-conservative replacements could not bind sufficient FAD. Asparagine 441 appears not to be directly involved in FAD binding but rather in stabilizing the FAD, and polarity in this position appears important. Tryptophan 408 may play a role in orientating or stabilizing the bound substrate during catalysis, and a non-polar (or slightly polar) residue is favoured at this position; however, aromaticity in this position appears not to be critical. Overall this study sheds further light on how M. xanthus PPOX interacts with FAD.     

Determination of glucose oxidase immobilised as monolayer onto a flat surface

An assay to estimate the amount of glucose oxidase immobilised as a monolayer onto a flat surface is reported. This method is based on the electrochemical detection of the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor released by the immobilised enzyme in acid solutions. FAD concentration in the acid solution was measured by amperometry, using a flow injection analysis (FIA) system equipped with a wall-jet electrode, and with a sensitivity of (9.2+/-2.0)x10(-2) nA/nM. By this method, the amount of glucose oxidase molecules present in a monolayer deposited on a silanised glass slide was easily detected, in which the detection limit is more than one order of magnitude lower than the maximum loading of the surface with an ordered monolayer of glucose oxidase.     

Identification of the covalent flavin adenine dinucleotide-binding region in pyranose 2-oxidase from Trametes multicolor

We present the first report on characterization of the covalent flavinylation site in flavoprotein pyranose 2-oxidase. Pyranose 2-oxidase from the basidiomycete fungus Trametes multicolor, catalyzing C-2/C-3 oxidation of several monosaccharides, shows typical absorption maxima of flavoproteins at 456, 345, and 275 nm. No release of flavin was observed after protein denaturation, indicating covalent attachment of the cofactor. The flavopeptide fragment resulting from tryptic/chymotryptic digestion of the purified enzyme was isolated by anion-exchange and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The flavin type, attachment site, and mode of its linkage were determined by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the intact flavopeptide, without its prior enzymatic degradation to the central aminoacyl moiety. Mass spectrometry identified the attached flavin as flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). Post-source decay analysis revealed that the flavin is covalently bound to histidine residue in the peptide STHW, consistent with the results of N-terminal amino acid sequencing by Edman degradation. The type of the aminoacyl flavin covalent link was determined by NMR spectroscopy, resulting in the structure 8alpha-(N(3)-histidyl)-FAD.     

The role of the [2Fe-2s] cluster centers in xanthine oxidoreductase

Xanthine oxidoreductases (XOR), xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH, EC1.1.1.204) and xanthine oxidase (XO, EC1.2.3.2), are the best-studied molybdenum-containing iron-sulfur flavoproteins. The mammalian enzymes exist originally as the dehydrogenase form (XDH) but can be converted to the oxidase form (XO) either reversibly by oxidation of sulfhydryl residues of the protein molecule or irreversibly by proteolysis. The active form of the enzyme is a homodimer of molecular mass 290 kDa. Each subunit contains one molybdopterin group, two non-identical [2Fe-2S] centers, and one flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor. This review focuses mainly on the role of the two iron-sulfur centers in catalysis, as recently elucidated by means of X-ray crystal structure and site-directed mutagenesis studies. The arrangements of cofactors indicate that the two iron-sulfur centers provide an electron transfer pathway from molybdenum to FAD. However, kinetic and thermodynamic studies suggest that these two iron-sulfur centers have roles not only in the pathway of electron flow, but also as an electron sink to provide electrons to the FAD center so that the reactivity of FAD with the electron acceptor substrate might be thermodynamically controlled by way of one-electron-reduced or fully reduced state.     

Interaction of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) with a glassy carbon electrode surface

The interaction of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) with a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface was investigated in terms of the FAD adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics, the subsequent electroreduction mechanism, and the corresponding electron-transfer rate. The kinetics of FAD electroreduction at the GCE was found to be an adsorption-controlled process. A set of electroreduction kinetic parameters was calculated: the true number of electrons involved in the FAD reduction, n=1.76, the apparent transfer coefficient, alpha(app)=0.41, and the apparent heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constant, k(app)=1.4 s(-1). The deviation of the number of exchanged electrons from the theoretical value for the complete reduction of FAD to FADH(2) (n=2) indicates that a small portion of FAD goes to a semiquinone state during the redox process. The FAD adsorption was well described by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The large negative apparent Gibbs energy of adsorption (DeltaG(ads)=-39.7 +/-0.4 kJ mol(-1)) indicated a highly spontaneous and strong adsorption of FAD on the GCE. The energetics of the adsorption process was found to be independent of the electrode surface charge in the electrochemical double-layer region. The kinetics of FAD adsorption was modeled using a pseudo-first-order kinetic model.     

Pyruvate oxidase activity dependent on thiamine pyrophosphate, flavin adenine dinucleotide and orthophosphate in Streptococcus sanguis

Abstract Oxygen uptake by Streptococcus sanguis ATCC10556 in the presence of pyruvate was studied. In permeabilized cells pyruvate oxidase activity dependent on thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and orthophosphate was demonstrated. The activity was ten times higher in cells grown aerobically than in cells grown anaerobically. Acetyl phosphate was a product, and 1.1 mol of acetyl phosphate was formed per mol of oxygen taken up. No pyruvate dehydrogenase activity dependent on NAD, coenzyme A (CoA) and TPP was detected.     

Masking of Bacillus megaterium KM membrane reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase and solubilization studies

Solubilization of a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-2,6 dichlorophenol indophenol (DCIP) oxidoreductase associated with the membrane NADH oxidase system of Bacillus megaterium KM was effected by treatment with 0.2% sodium deoxycholate, 8 m urea, or buffer (pH 9.0) in the presence of ethyl-enediaminetetraacetate. These treatments inactivated membrane NADH oxidase. It was found that membrane NADH oxidase and NADH-DCIP oxidoreductase were masked in membranes. Several procedures, including brief sonic oscillation, treatment with 0.05% deoxycholate, prolonged stirring at 4 C with 10% glycerol, and washing in the absence of Mg(2+), unmasked the oxidase and oxidoreductase activities. It was necessary to study the masking and unmasking of these activities to quantitate adequately the effects of solubilization procedures. Further information on the localization of oxidase and oxidoreductase in subcellular fractions and the effects of electron transport inhibitors on NADH oxidation was also obtained.