Electrophoretic analyses of alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, sorbitol dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase from mouse tissues.

1. Cellulose acetate zymograms of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, "phenazine" oxidase and xanthine oxidase extracted from tissues of inbred mice were examined. 2. ADH isozymes were differentially distributed in mouse tissues: A2--liver, kidney, adrenals and intestine; B2--all tissues examined; C2--stomach, adrenals, epididymis, ovary, uterus, lung. 3. Two NAD+-specific aldehyde dehydrogenase isozymes were observed in liver and kidney and differentially distributed in other tissues. Alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, "phenazine" oxidase and xanthine oxidase were also stained when aldehyde dehydrogenase was being examined. 4. Two aldehyde oxidase isozymes exhibited highest activities in liver. 5. "Phenazine oxidase" was widely distributed in mouse tissues whereas xanthine oxidase exhibited highest activity in intestine and liver extracts. 6. Genetic variants for ADH-C2 established its identity with a second form of sorbitol dehydrogenase observed in stomach and other tissues. The major sorbitol dehydrogenase was found in high activity in liver, kidney, pancreas and male reproductive tissues.     

Glycerol dehydrogenase. structure, specificity, and mechanism of a family III polyol dehydrogenase

BACKGROUND: Bacillus stearothermophilus glycerol dehydrogenase (GlyDH) (glycerol:NAD(+) 2-oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.6) catalyzes the oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone (1,3-dihydroxypropanone) with concomitant reduction of NAD(+) to NADH. Analysis of the sequence of this enzyme indicates that it is a member of the so-called iron-containing alcohol dehydrogenase family. Despite this sequence similarity, GlyDH shows a strict dependence on zinc for activity. On the basis of this, we propose to rename this group the family III metal-dependent polyol dehydrogenases. To date, no structural data have been reported for any enzyme in this group. RESULTS: The crystal structure of B. stearothermophilus glycerol dehydrogenase has been determined at 1.7 A resolution to provide structural insights into the mechanistic features of this family. The enzyme has 370 amino acid residues, has a molecular mass of 39.5 kDa, and is a homooctamer in solution. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the crystal structures of the free enzyme and of the binary complexes with NAD(+) and glycerol show that the active site of GlyDH lies in the cleft between the enzyme's two domains, with the catalytic zinc ion playing a role in stabilizing an alkoxide intermediate. In addition, the specificity of this enzyme for a range of diols can be understood, as both hydroxyls of the glycerol form ligands to the enzyme-bound Zn(2+) ion at the active site. The structure further reveals a previously unsuspected similarity to dehydroquinate synthase, an enzyme whose more complex chemistry shares a common chemical step with that catalyzed by glycerol dehydrogenase, providing a striking example of divergent evolution. Finally, the structure suggests that the NAD(+) binding domain of GlyDH may be related to that of the classical Rossmann fold by switching the sequence order of the two mononucleotide binding folds that make up this domain.     

NAD-linked, factor-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase or trimeric, zinc-containing, long-chain alcohol dehydrogenase from Amycolatopsis methanolica.

NAD-linked, factor-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FD-FA1DH) of the Gram-positive methylotrophic bacterium, Amycolatopsis methanolica, was purified to homogeneity. It is a trimeric enzyme with identical subunits (molecular mass 40 kDa) containing 6 atoms Zn/enzyme molecule. The factor is a heat-stable, low-molecular-mass compound, which showed retention on an Aminex HPX-87H column. Inactivation of the factor occurred during manipulation, but activity could be restored by incubation with dithiothreitol. The identity of the factor is still unknown. It could not be replaced by thiol compounds or cofactors known to be involved in metabolism of C1 compounds. Of the aldehydes tested, only formaldehyde was a substrate. However, the enzyme showed also activity with higher aliphatic alcohols and the presence of the factor was not required for this reaction. Methanol was not a substrate, but high concentrations of it could replace the factor in the conversion of formaldehyde. Presumably, a hemiacetal of formaldehyde is the genuine substrate, which, in the case of methanol, acts as a factor leading to methylformate as the product. This view is supported by the fact that formate could only be detected in the reaction mixture after acidification. Inhibition studies revealed that the enzyme contains a reactive thiol group, being protected by the binding of NAD against attack by heavy-metal ions and aldehydes. Studies on the effect of the order of addition of coenzyme and substrate suggested that optimal catalysis required NAD as the first binding component. Substrate specificity and the induction pattern clearly indicate a role of the enzyme in formaldehyde oxidation. However, since FD-FA1DH was also found in A. methanolica grown on n-butanol, but not on ethanol, it may have a role in the oxidation of higher aliphatic alcohols as well. FD-FA1DH and the factor from A. methanolica are very similar to a combination already described for Rhodococcus erythropolis [Eggeling, L. & Sahm, H. (1985) Eur. J. Biochem. 150, 129-134]. NAD-linked, glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase (GD-FA1DH) resembles FD-FA1DH in many respects. Since glutathione has so far not been detected in Gram-positive bacteria, FD-FA1DH could be the counterpart of this enzyme in Gram-positive bacteria. Alignment of the N-terminal sequence (31 residues) of FD-FA1DH with that of GD-FA1DH from rat liver indeed showed similarity (30% identical positions). However, comparable similarity was found with class I alcohol dehydrogenase from this organism and with cytosolic alcohol dehydrogenase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, isozyme 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Differential energetic metabolism during Trypanosoma cruzi differentiation. I. Citrate synthase, NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase, and succinate dehydrogenase

The activities of the mitochondrial enzymes citrate synthase (citrate oxaloacetatelyase, EC 4.1.3.7), NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (threo-Ds-isocitrate:NADP+ oxidoreductase (decarboxylating), EC 1.1.1.42), and succinate dehydrogenase (succinate: FAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.3.99.1) as well as their kinetic behavior in the two developmental forms of Trypanosoma cruzi at insect vector stage, epimastigotes and infective metacyclic trypomastigotes, were studied. The results presented in this work clearly demonstrate a higher mitochondrial metabolism in the metacyclic forms as is shown by the extraordinary enhanced activities of metacyclic citrate synthase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and succinate dehydrogenase. In epimastigotes, the specific activities of citrate synthase at variable concentrations of oxalacetate and acetyl-CoA were 24.6 and 26.6 mU/mg of protein, respectively, and the Michaelis constants were 7.88 and 6.84 microM for both substrates. The metacyclic enzyme exhibited the following kinetic parameters: a specific activity of 228.4 mU/mg and Km of 3.18 microM for oxalacetate and 248.5 mU/mg and 2.75 microM, respectively, for acetyl-CoA. NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase specific activities for epimastigotes and metacyclics were 110.2 and 210.3 mU/mg, whereas the apparent Km's were 47.9 and 12.5 microM, respectively. No activity for the NAD-dependent isozyme was found in any form of T. cruzi differentiation. The particulated succinate dehydrogenase showed specific activities of 8.2 and 39.1 mU/mg for epimastigotes and metacyclic trypomastigotes, respectively, although no significant changes in the Km (0.46 and 0.48 mM) were found. The cellular role and the molecular mechanism that probably take place during this significant shift in the mitochondrial metabolism during the T. cruzi differentiation have been discussed.     

CoA-dependent methylmalonate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, a unique member of the aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily. cDNA cloning, evolutionary relationships, and tissue distribution.

Three overlapping cDNA clones encoding methylmalonate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (MMSDH; 2-methyl-3-oxopropanoate:NAD+ oxidoreductase (CoA-propanoylating); EC 1.2.1.27) have been isolated by screening a rat liver lambda gt 11 library with nondegenerate oligonucleotide probes synthesized according to polymerase chain reaction-amplified portions coding for the N-terminal amino acid sequence of rat liver MMSDH. The three clones cover a total of 1942 base pairs of cDNA, with an open reading frame of 1569 base pairs. The authenticity of the composite cDNA was confirmed by a perfect match of 43 amino acids known from protein sequencing. The composite cDNA predicts a 503 amino acid mature protein with M(r) = 55,330, consistent with previous estimates. Polymerase chain reaction was used to obtain the sequence of the 32 amino acids corresponding to the mitochondrial entry peptide. Northern blot analysis of total RNA from several rat tissues showed a single mRNA band of 3.8 kilobases. Relative mRNA levels were: kidney greater than liver greater than heart greater than muscle greater than brain, which differed somewhat from relative MMSDH protein levels determined by Western blot analysis: liver = kidney greater than heart greater than muscle greater than brain. A 1423-base pair cDNA clone encoding human MMSDH was isolated from a human liver lambda gt 11 library. The human MMSDH cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1293 base pairs that encodes the protein from Leu-74 to the C terminus. Human and rat MMSDH share 89.6 and 97.7% identity in nucleotide and protein sequence, respectively. MMSDH clearly belongs to a superfamily of aldehyde dehydrogenases and is closely related to betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase, 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, and class 1 and 2 aldehyde dehydrogenases.     

Influence of L-thyroxine upon enzymatic activity in the renal tubular epithelium of the rat under normal conditions and mercury-induced lesions. II. Histochemical studies of lactate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, unspecific esterase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Mercury-induced renal tubular lesions in the rat present histochemically with a decrease of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), and unspecific esterase (UE), but with an increase of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), indicating a drop of energy supply as well as a switch from oxidative to glycolytic energy production. L-thyroxine has the same effect on SDH, G-6-PD, and LDH, but an inverse effect on MDH and UE, pointing to stimulation of gluconeogenesis. However, administration of L-thyroxine to animals which have been submitted to sublimate intoxication even further decreases the MDH and UE activity while raising or partly restoring the activity of LDH, SDH, and G-6-PD. This observation is interpreted as an attempt of the damaged epithelial cell, as the gluconeogenesis ceases, to gain relatively more energy supply for the benefit of the vitally indispensable tubular Na+ reabsorption.     

Chlorpropamide-alcohol flushing,aldehyde dehydrogenase activity,and diabetic complications.

Many diabetics who take chlorpropamide (a sulphonylurea compound) experience facial flushing after drinking even small amounts of alcohol. These flushers have a noticeably lower prevalence of late complications of diabetes (microangiopathy, macroangiopathy, and neuropathy) than non-flushers. This flush reaction is accompanied by increased blood acetaldehyde concentrations, suggesting an inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. In the present study the activity of this enzyme in erythrocytes was assessed in the absence of chlorpropamide. Erythrocyte homogenates obtained from flushers and non-flushers were incubated with acetaldehyde and the rate of metabolism studies. Flushers eliminated acetaldehyde more slowly at a low range of concentrations (0--30 mumol/l), suggesting a difference in aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of this enzyme in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications.     

Distribution of aldehyde dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase in summer-acclimatized crucian carp, Carassius carassius L.

The tissue distribution of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in summer-acclimatized crucian carp showed almost the same exceptional pattern as previously found in winter-acclimatized specimens. There was a nearly complete spatial separation of ALDH and ADH; in other vertebrates these enzymes occur together. This exceptional enzyme distribution is probably an adaptation to the extraordinary ability of Carassius to produce ethanol as the major metabolic end product during anoxia. Since the crucian carp is less likely to encounter anoxia during the summer, the present results suggest that the crucian carp is unable to switch over to a 'normal' ALDH and ADH distribution in the summer. However, it is also possible that there is an advantage for the summer-acclimatized crucian carp in keeping ALDH and ADH separate, because of occasional anoxic periods.     

A transition state analogue for two pyruvate metabolizing enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase and alanine dehydrogenase.

The synthesis of 5-(2-oxalylethyl)-NADH, a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) derivate with pyruvate covalently attached to the 5 position of the dihydronicotinamide ring over an additional methylene group has been described previously (Trommer, W.E., Blume, H., and Kapmeyer, H. (1976) Justus Liebigs Ann. Chem., 848). In the presence of lactate dehydrogenase, the dihydropyridine ring of this coenzyme-substrate analogue is oxidized and the carbonyl function of the side chain is reduced to the corresponding L-hydroxy derivative with a maximum velocity of 1/3000 of the natural reaction. This reaction is intramolecular as shown by competition experiments with pyruvate. 5-(2-oxalylethyl)-NADH (pyr-NADH) appears to be a true transition state analogue, proving its postulated structure. Pyr-NADH is high specific for this enzyme as demonstrated by the facts that (1) D-lactate dehydrogenase does not catalyze the intramolecular redox reaction, although the substrate moiety of pyr-NADH is reduced in the presence of NADH; (2) when tested with malate dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase,glycerate dehydrogenase, and glycerol dehydrogenase pyr-NADH is not even oxidized in the presence of the corresponding substrates. However, a great similarity between the transition states of the reduction of pyruvate catalyzed by lactate dehydrogenase and alanine dehydrogenase could be shown. Alanine dehydrogenase catalyzes the intramolecular redox reaction as well. In the presence of ammonium ions, pyr-NADH is transformed to 5-(3-carboxyl-3-aminopropyl)-NAD+.     

Sorbitol dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis. Purification, characterization, and gene cloning.

Cloning of the sorbitol dehydrogenase gene (gutB) from Bacillus subtilis offers an excellent system for studying zinc binding, substrate specificity, and catalytic mechanism of this enzyme through protein engineering. As a first step to clone gutB, B. subtilis sorbitol dehydrogenase has been purified to homogeneity and characterized. It is a tetrameric enzyme with a molecular mass of 38 kDa for each subunit. Atomic absorption analysis shows the presence of 1 mol of zinc atom/subunit. Substrate specificity and stereospecificity of the enzyme toward C-2 and C-4 of hexitols were established. Sequence of the first 31 amino acids was determined, and a set of oligonucleotide probes was designed for gene cloning. A positive clone carrying a 5-kilobase pair HindIII insert was isolated and sequenced. Sequence alignment indicated that the deduced amino acid sequence of B. subtilis sorbitol dehydrogenase shows 36% identity in sequence with the liver sorbitol dehydrogenase from sheep, rat, and human. In reference to the sequence of alcohol dehydrogenase, two potential zinc binding sites were identified. Sequence information related to the structure-function relationships of the enzyme is discussed.     

Steady-state kinetics of formaldehyde dehydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase from a methanol-utilizing yeast, Candida boidinii.

Initial velocity studies and product inhibition studies were conducted for the forward and reverse reactions of formaldehyde dehydrogenase (formaldehyde: NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.1.1) isolated from a methanol-utilizing yeast Candida boidinii. The data were consistent with an ordered Bi-Bi mechanism for this reaction in which NAD+ is bound first to the enzyme and NADH released last. Kinetic studies indicated that the nucleoside phosphates ATP, ADP and AMP are competitive inhibitors with respect to NAD and noncompetitive inhibitors with respect to S-hydroxymethylglutathione. The inhibitions of the enzyme activity by ATP and ADP are greater at pH 6.0 and 6.5 than at neutral or alkaline pH values. The kinetic studies of formate dehydrogenase (formate:NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.1.2) from the methanol grown C. boidinii suggested also an ordered Bi-Bi mechanism with NAD being the first substrate and NADH the last product. Formate dehydrogenase the last enzyme of the dissimilatory pathway of the methanol metabolism is also inhibited by adenosine phosphates. Since the intracellular concentrations of NADH and ATP are in the range of the Ki values for formaldehyde dehydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase the activities of these main enzymes of the dissimilatory pathway of methanol metabolism in this yeast may be regulated by these compounds.