Inhibiting effects of nicotinamide on urethane-induced malformations and tumors in mice

The antipellagratic vitamin, nicotinamide, significantly suppressed urethane-induced malformations, when it was given intraperitoneally to pregnant JCL:ICR mice immediately after a single subcutaneous injection of urethane (1.0 mg/g) on the 9th day of gestation. The level of inhibition increased with the doses of nicotinamide: 33.0, 55.8, and 70.0% at doses of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mg/g, respectively. Polydactyly and tail anomalies were markedly suppressed by the post-treatment with nicotinamide, while cleft palates were less effectively suppressed. Nicotinamide was still effective, when it was given during the period of 24-48 h after urethane treatment. Furthermore, dietary administration of nicotinamide also reduced urethane-induced malformations. The level of inhibition was 39.4 and 61.1% at 0.5 and 1.0% of nicotinamide in the diet, respectively. Higher doses of nicotinamide (3 and 5% in diet) also inhibited urethane-induced malformations, but not so effectively as lower doses. The inhibiting effects of nicotinamide on the spontaneous incidence of cleft lips and palates in CL/Fr mice were significant at a low dose (0.5% in diet), but not at a higher dose (1.0%). When [carbonyl-14C]nicotinamide was given to pregnant mice, nicotinamide and small amounts of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), but not nicotinic acid, were detected chromatographically in the fetus and placenta, indicating that nicotinamide or NAD+ acts directly on the fetus to suppress urethane-induced malformations. A preliminary study revealed that urethane-induced lung tumorigenesis in JCL:ICR mice was also inhibited by post-treatment with nicotinamide in the diet. The level of inhibition was proportional to the dose of nicotinamide, that is, 35.0 and 62.8% at 1.0 and 2.5% of nicotinamide in the diet, respectively.     

Pyridine nucleotide metabolism by extracts derived from Haemophilus parasuis and H. pleuropneumoniae

A variety of biologically important pyridine nucleotides and precursors were examined for their capacities to serve as substrates for the synthesis of NAD by cell fractions derived from Haemophilus parasuis and H. pleuropneumoniae. Of the compounds tested, only NMN and nicotinamide riboside were converted to NAD. These reactions required ATP as co-substrate, and fractions from both organisms could also catalyze the ATP-dependent synthesis of NADP from NAD. In the absence of ATP, and depending on the pyridine compound under study, NAD, NMN, nicotinamide riboside, and also nicotinamide, were detected as products of catabolism. It is concluded that these haemophili possess either three-membered pyridine nucleotide cycles or two-membered cycles with synthetic branches originating with nicotinamide riboside. It is also possible that the pyridine nucleotide cycles of both organisms have nonrecycling branches resulting in the "waste" of usable pyridine compound in the form of nicotinamide.     

Effects of hyperthermia and nicotinamide on DNA repair synthesis, ADP-ribosyl transferase activity, NAD+ and ATP pools, and cytotoxicity in gamma-irradiated human mononuclear leukocytes

Effects of hyperthermia and nicotinamide on ADP-ribosyl transferase activity (ADPRT), unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS), NAD+- and ATP-pools and cytotoxicity were investigated in gamma-irradiated human mononuclear leukocytes. A significant decrease in radiation-induced UDS after heat treatment for 45 min was found. Nicotinamide increased the UDS levels in irradiated cells, but no effect of hyperthermia on these increased UDS values was observed. In the presence of 2 mM nicotinamide radiation-induced ADPRT activity was reduced to about 50 per cent. However, hyperthermia for 45 min was found to have no effect on the enzyme activity for temperatures below 46 degrees C. Nicotinamide increased the NAD+ pool in unirradiated cells. Damaging the cells with gamma-radiation leads to a severe depletion of the NAD+ pool. The NAD+ pool is restored, however, if the cells repair for 5 h at 37 degrees C. When radiation-damaged cells were treated with hyperthermia, exogenously supplied nicotinamide could not be converted to NAD+ in sufficient amounts to prevent NAD+ depletion. These data indicate that the radiosensitizing effect of heat and nicotinamide could both be explained by effects on the enzyme ADPRT, i.e. nicotinamide by directly blocking the enzyme and hyperthermia by limiting the co-substrate (NAD+).     

Reactivation of NAD(H) biosynthetic pathway by exogenous NAD+ in Nil cells severely depleted of NAD(H)

The culture of Nil hamster fibroblasts in MEM lacking nicotinamide (NAm-MEM) leads to: (1) the rapid loss of intracellular total nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(H)) content in these cells from a level of 150-200 pmoles/10(5) cells to less than 20 pmoles/10(5) cells; (2) the cessation of cell division and inhibition of DNA synthesis; and (3) a reduction of glucose consumption and lactic acid production. In most situations, following nicotinamide starvation, the restoration of intracellular NAD(H) follows rapidly the readdition of NAD+ (oxidized), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), nicotinamide, or nicotinic acid. Resumption of cell division occurs after only a lag of about 24 hours. Nil cells subcultured for three consecutive times in the absence of nicotinamide (3(0) NAm- cells) exhibit different behavior. These severely starved cells are incapable of quickly restoring their intracellular NAD(H) content to normal levels when provided with any pyridine ring compound except NAD+. One-hour exposure of such cells to NAD+ allows utilization of nicotinamide to rapidly restore intracellular NAD(H). This short incubation with NAD+ does not result in any significant restoration of intracellular NAD(H) or lead to the accumulation of an intracellular pool of some precursor. This function of NAD+ as a stimulatory signal to the NAD(H)-biosynthetic pathway in severely starved Nil cells is a previously unreported role of NAD+, and does not require protein synthesis.     

Metabolism of nicotinamide, adenine and inosine in developing microspore-derived canola (Brassica napus) embryos

The metabolic fate of [carbonyl-(14)C]nicotinamide, [8-(14)C]adenine and [8-(14)C]inosine was examined in microspore-derived canola (Brassica napus) embryos at different developmental stages: globular stage (day 10, stage 1), early cotyledonary stage (day 20, stage 2), late cotyledonary stage (day 25, stage 3), and fully developed stage (day 35, stage 4). Uptake of [8-(14)C]nicotinamide by the embryos was always rapid. A lower uptake rate was found for [8-(14)C]adenine and [8-(14)C]inosine, especially at stages 1 and 2. [Carbonyl-(14)C]nicotinamide was converted to nicotinic acid and further metabolized to pyridine nucleotides (NAD/NADP). Some radioactivity was also associated to nicotinic acid glucoside. [8-(14)C]adenine was efficiently utilized for the synthesis of adenine nucleotides and RNA. A small fraction of adenine was degraded to CO(2) via ureides. Up to 40% of [8-(14)C]inosine was salvaged to nucleotides and RNA, although degradation of [8-(14)C]inosine to CO(2) was pronounced. At stage 1, highest salvage activities of nicotinamide, adenine and inosine were observed. In contrast, the lowest purine salvage and highest purine catabolism were found in stage 3 embryos. These results suggest that both nicotinamide and purine salvage for NAD/NADP and purine nucleotides synthesis are extremely high in the globular stage (stage 1). These activities decrease gradually until the late cotyledonary stage (stage 3), before increasing again in the fully developed embryos (stage 4). Overall it appears that nicotinamide and purine salvage are required in support of active growth during the initial phases of embryogenesis and at the end of the maturation period, in preparation for post-embryonic growth.     

Nicotinamide nucleotide synthesis in regenerating rat liver

1. The concentrations and total content of the nicotinamide nucleotides were measured in the livers of rats at various times after partial hepatectomy and laparotomy (sham hepatectomy) and correlated with other events in the regeneration process. 2. The NAD content and concentration in rat liver were relatively unaffected by laparotomy, but fell to a minimum, 25 and 33% below control values respectively, 24h after partial hepatectomy. NADP content and concentration were affected similarly by both laparotomy and partial hepatectomy, falling rapidly and remaining depressed for up to 48h. 3. The effect of injecting various doses of nicotinamide on the liver DNA and NAD 18h after partial hepatectomy was studied and revealed an inverse correlation between NAD content and DNA content. 4. Injections of nicotinamide at various times after partial hepatectomy revealed that the ability to synthesize NAD from nicotinamide was impaired during the first 12h, rose to a peak at 26h and fell again by 48h after partial hepatectomy. 5. The total liver activity of NAD pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.1) remained at or slightly above the initial value for 12h after partial hepatectomy and then rose continuously until 48h after operation. The activity of NMN pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.12) showed a similar pattern of change after partial hepatectomy, but was at no time greater than 5% of the activity of NAD pyrophosphorylase. 6. The results are discussed with reference to the control of NAD synthesis in rapidly dividing tissue. It is suggested that the availability of cofactors and substrates for NAD synthesis is more important as a controlling factor than the maximum enzyme activities. It is concluded that the low concentrations of nicotinamide nucleotides in rapidly dividing tissues are the result of competition between NAD synthesis and nucleic acid synthesis for common precursor and cofactors.     

Utilization and metabolism of NAD by Haemophilus parainfluenzae

The utilization of exogenous nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) by Haemophilus parainfluenzae was studied in suspensions of whole cells using radiolabelled NAD, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), and nicotinamide ribonucleoside (NR). The utilization of these compounds by H. parainfluenzae has the following characteristics. (1) NAD is not taken up intact, but rather is degraded to NMN or NR prior to internalization. (2) Uptake is carrier-mediated and energy-dependent with saturation kinetics. (3) There is specificity for the beta-configuration of the glycopyridine linkage. (4) An intact carboxamide groups is required on the pyridine ring. The intracellular metabolism of NAD was studied in crude cell extracts and in whole cells using carbonyl-14C-labelled NR, NMN, NAD, nicotinamide, and nicotinic acid as substrates in separate experiments. A synthetic pathway from NR through NMN to NAD that requires Mg2+ and ATP was demonstrated. Nicotinamide was found as an end-product of NAD degradation. Nicotinic acid mononucleotide and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide were not found as intermediates. The NAD synthetic pathway in H. parainfluenzae differs from the Preiss-Handler pathway and the pyridine nucleotide cycles described in other bacteria.     

Autoradiographic studies of nicotinic acid utilization in human-mouse heterokaryons and inhibition of utilization in newly-formed hybrid cells

Although most mammalian cell lines can utilize either nicotinic acid or nicotinamide for the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), thymidine kinase-deficient, mouse 3T3–4F cells are unable to utilize nicotinic acid. When 3T3–4E cells were fused with human D98/AH2 cells, autoradiography showed that the resultant heterokaryons synthesized NAD from nicotinic acid at rates comparable to the human parental cell. The rate of nicotinic acid utilization in heterokaryons remained unchanged over the fourday period of study following cell fusion. In contrast to the results observed with heterokaryons, nicotinic acid utilization was markedly reduced in hybrid cells. Of 100 hybrid clones examined at four or five days following cell fusion, 60 utilized nicotinic acid at rates less than one tenth that of the parental human cell. Similar results were observed in hybrid clones at nine or ten days following fusion. Uniformly high rates of NAD biosynthesis were observed in hybrid clones with nicotinamide as the precursor. This excludes the possibility that the reduction in nicotinic acid utilization in hybrid cells is due to a general metabolic dysfunction. The biochemical mechanism by which nicotinic acid utilization is markedly reduced has not been determined with certainty, however, several observations suggest genetic suppression.     

Coupling of NAD+ biosynthesis and nicotinamide ribosyl transport: characterization of NadR ribonucleotide kinase mutants of Haemophilus influenzae

Previously, we characterized a pathway necessary for the processing of NAD+ and for uptake of nicotinamide riboside (NR) in Haemophilus influenzae. Here we report on the role of NadR, which is essential for NAD+ utilization in this organism. Different NadR variants with a deleted ribonucleotide kinase domain or with a single amino acid change were characterized in vitro and in vivo with respect to cell viability, ribonucleotide kinase activity, and NR transport. The ribonucleotide kinase mutants were viable only in a nadV+ (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase) background, indicating that the ribonucleotide kinase domain is essential for cell viability in H. influenzae. Mutations located in the Walker A and B motifs and the LID region resulted in deficiencies in both NR phosphorylation and NR uptake. The ribonucleotide kinase function of NadR was found to be feedback controlled by NAD+ under in vitro conditions and by NAD+ utilization in vivo. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the NR phosphorylation step is essential for both NR uptake across the inner membrane and NAD+ synthesis and is also involved in controlling the NAD+ biosynthesis rate.     

Teratogenic effects of nigericin, a carboxylic ionophore

Nigericin (Na+ salt) was given intraperitoneally at doses of 5.0 or 7.0 mg/kg on one of gestation days 7-12 to pregnant CD-1 mice. Additional mice were injected ip with 2.5 mg/kg on day 11 or 12 only. Injections on single gestation days reduced fetal growth and increased prenatal deaths. Additional signs of toxicity to the conceptus included treatment-related extra ribs and delayed ossification. Treatment was also associated with gross and skeletal malformations, such as median facial cleft, exencephaly, encephalocele, fused ribs, and anomalous vertebrae and exoccipitals. With the possible exception of the 5.0 mg/kg dose given on gestation day 8, nigericin doses associated with gross or skeletal malformations also resulted in observable maternal toxicity.     

Nrt1 and Tna1-independent export of NAD+ precursor vitamins promotes NAD+ homeostasis and allows engineering of vitamin production

NAD(+) is both a co-enzyme for hydride transfer enzymes and a substrate of sirtuins and other NAD(+) consuming enzymes. NAD(+) biosynthesis is required for two different regimens that extend lifespan in yeast. NAD(+) is synthesized from tryptophan and the three vitamin precursors of NAD(+): nicotinic acid, nicotinamide and nicotinamide riboside. Supplementation of yeast cells with NAD(+) precursors increases intracellular NAD(+) levels and extends replicative lifespan. Here we show that both nicotinamide riboside and nicotinic acid are not only vitamins but are also exported metabolites. We found that the deletion of the nicotinamide riboside transporter, Nrt1, leads to increased export of nicotinamide riboside. This discovery was exploited to engineer a strain to produce high levels of extracellular nicotinamide riboside, which was recovered in purified form. We further demonstrate that extracellular nicotinamide is readily converted to extracellular nicotinic acid in a manner that requires intracellular nicotinamidase activity. Like nicotinamide riboside, export of nicotinic acid is elevated by the deletion of the nicotinic acid transporter, Tna1. The data indicate that NAD(+) metabolism has a critical extracellular element in the yeast system and suggest that cells regulate intracellular NAD(+) metabolism by balancing import and export of NAD(+) precursor vitamins.     

The control of nucleic acid and nicotinamide nucleotide synthesis in regenerating rat liver

1. The effect of injecting nicotinamide on the incorporation of [(14)C]orotate into the hepatic nucleic acids of rats after partial hepatectomy was investigated. 2. At 3h after partial hepatectomy the rapid incorporation of [(14)C]orotate into RNA, and at 20h after partial hepatectomy the incorporation of [(14)C]orotate into both RNA and DNA, were inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by the previous injection of nicotinamide. 3. The injection of nicotinamide at various times before the injection of [(14)C]orotate at 20h after partial hepatectomy revealed an inhibition of the incorporation of orotate into RNA and DNA which was non-linear with respect to the duration of nicotinamide pretreatment. 4. The induction of a hepatic ATP depletion by ethionine demonstrated that the synthesis of hepatic NAD and NADP in partially hepatectomized rats was more susceptible to an ATP deficiency than in control rats. 5. The total hepatic activity of ribose phosphate pyrophosphokinase (EC 2.7.6.1) was assayed at various times after partial hepatectomy and found to be only marginally greater than the maximum rate of hepatic NAD synthesis induced in vivo by nicotinamide injection between 12 and 24h after partial hepatectomy. 6. It is suggested that a competition exists between NAD synthesis and purine and pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis for available ATP and particularly 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate. In regenerating liver the competition is normally in favour of the synthesis of nucleic acid precursors, at the expense of NAD synthesis. This situation may be reversed by the injection of nicotinamide with a subsequent inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis.     

Cyclophosphamide teratogenesis: evidence for compensatory responses to induced cellular toxicity

Cyclophosphamide (CP) administered ip to pregnant mice on day 10 of gestation (day of plug = day 0) is teratogenic (exencephaly, cleft palate, and limb malformations) at 20 mg/kg and embryolethal at higher doses. In the present study, CP was administered at 1, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg on day 10 of gestation. Embryos were removed at 8 and 28 hr postdosing, and two embryos from each litter were immediately stained with Nile blue sulfate (NBS) to identify areas of cell death. The remaining embryos were frozen and forelimb buds subsequently removed for flow cytometric (FCM) analysis of the cellular DNA synthetic cycle. Additional litters were examined near term (day 17) for morphological abnormalities; these data were correlated with embryonic toxicity as detected by NBS staining and FCM analysis. Only the highest dose produced malformations. In marked contrast, a dose-related increase in the percentage of limb bud cells in the S (DNA synthetic) phase of the cell cycle was detectable at all doses. Inhibition of DNA synthesis was detected at all doses 8 hr post exposure and persisted through 28 hr for doses greater than or equal to 10 mg/kg. NBS staining indicated increased cell death in the alar plate of the neural tube 28 hr after exposure to 10 mg/kg CP and generally increased cell death in areas of rapid cell proliferation throughout the embryo at 20 mg/kg. The absence of an overt teratogenic response at dose levels that produced significant perturbation of the cell cycle indicates that a measure of embryonic damage can be compensated for or repaired. The implications of these findings for the existence of thresholds in developmental toxicity are discussed.     

NadN and e (P4) are essential for utilization of NAD and nicotinamide mononucleotide but not nicotinamide riboside in Haemophilus influenzae

Haemophilus influenzae has an absolute requirement for NAD (factor V) because it lacks almost all the biosynthetic enzymes necessary for the de novo synthesis of that cofactor. Factor V can be provided as either nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), or nicotinamide riboside (NR) in vitro, but little is known about the source or the mechanism of uptake of these substrates in vivo. As shown by us earlier, at least two gene products are involved in the uptake of NAD, the outer membrane lipoprotein e (P4), which has phosphatase activity and is encoded by hel, and a periplasmic NAD nucleotidase, encoded by nadN. It has also been observed that the latter gene product is essential for H. influenzae growth on media supplemented with NAD. In this report, we describe the functions and substrates of these two proteins as they act together in an NAD utilization pathway. Data are provided which indicate that NadN harbors not only NAD pyrophosphatase but also NMN 5'-nucleotidase activity. The e (P4) protein is also shown to have NMN 5'-nucleotidase activity, recognizing NMN as a substrate and releasing NR as its product. Insertion mutants of nadN or deletion and site-directed mutants of hel had attenuated growth and a reduced uptake phenotype when NMN served as substrate. A hel and nadN double mutant was only able to grow in the presence of NR, whereas no uptake of NMN was observed.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae YOR071C encodes the high affinity nicotinamide riboside transporter Nrt1

NAD(+) is an essential coenzyme for hydride transfer enzymes and a substrate of sirtuins and other NAD(+)-consuming enzymes. Nicotinamide riboside is a recently discovered eukaryotic NAD(+) precursor converted to NAD(+) via the nicotinamide riboside kinase pathway and by nucleosidase activity and nicotinamide salvage. Nicotinamide riboside supplementation of yeast extends replicative life span on high glucose medium. The molecular basis for nicotinamide riboside uptake was unknown in any eukaryote. Here, we show that deletion of a single gene, YOR071C, abrogates nicotinamide riboside uptake without altering nicotinic acid or nicotinamide import. The gene, which is negatively regulated by Sum1, Hst1, and Rfm1, fully restores nicotinamide riboside import and utilization when resupplied to mutant yeast cells. The encoded polypeptide, Nrt1, is a predicted deca-spanning membrane protein related to the thiamine transporter, which functions as a pH-dependent facilitator with a K(m) for nicotinamide riboside of 22 microm. Nrt1-related molecules are conserved in particular fungi, suggesting a similar basis for nicotinamide riboside uptake.     

Pyridine nucleotide cycle of Salmonella typhimurium: isolation and characterization of pncA, pncB, and pncC mutants and utilization of exogenous nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.

Mutants of Salmonella typhimurium LT-2 deficient in nicotinamidase activity (pncA) or nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase activity (pncB) were isolated as resistant to analogs of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Information obtained from interrupted mating experiments placed the pncA gene at 27 units and the pncB gene at 25 units on the S. typhimurium LT-2 linkage map. A major difference in the location of the pncA gene was found between the S. typhimurium and Escherichia coli linkage maps. The pncA gene is located in a region in which there is a major inversion of the gene order in S. typhimurium as compared to that in E. coli. Growth experiments using double mutants blocked in the de novo pathway to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) (nad) and in the pyridine nucleotide cycle (pnc) at either the pncA or pncB locus, or both, have provided evidence for the existence of an alternate recycling pathway in this organism. Mutants lacking this alternate cycle, pncC, have been isolated and mapped via cotransduction at 0 units. Utilization of exogenous NAD was examined through the use of [14C]carbonyl-labeled NAD and [14C]adenine-labeled NAD. The results of these experiments suggest that NAD is degraded to nicotinamide mononucleotide at the cell surface. A portion of this extracellular nicotinamide mononucleotide is then transported across the cell membrane by nicotinamide mononucleotide glycohydrolase and degraded to nicotinamide in the process. The remaining nicotinamide mononucleotide accumulates extracellularly and will support the growth of nadA pncB mutants which cannot utilize the nicotinamide resulting from the major pathway of NAD degradation. A model is presented for the utilization of exogenous NAD by S. typhimurium LT-2.     

Nicotinamide riboside promotes Sir2 silencing and extends lifespan via Nrk and Urh1/Pnp1/Meu1 pathways to NAD+

Although NAD(+) biosynthesis is required for Sir2 functions and replicative lifespan in yeast, alterations in NAD(+) precursors have been reported to accelerate aging but not to extend lifespan. In eukaryotes, nicotinamide riboside is a newly discovered NAD(+) precursor that is converted to nicotinamide mononucleotide by specific nicotinamide riboside kinases, Nrk1 and Nrk2. In this study, we discovered that exogenous nicotinamide riboside promotes Sir2-dependent repression of recombination, improves gene silencing, and extends lifespan without calorie restriction. The mechanism of action of nicotinamide riboside is totally dependent on increased net NAD(+) synthesis through two pathways, the Nrk1 pathway and the Urh1/Pnp1/Meu1 pathway, which is Nrk1 independent. Additionally, the two nicotinamide riboside salvage pathways contribute to NAD(+) metabolism in the absence of nicotinamide-riboside supplementation. Thus, like calorie restriction in the mouse, nicotinamide riboside elevates NAD(+) and increases Sir2 function.     

Action of the phenothiazine derivative methophenazine on prenatal development in rats.

Single doses of 100-400 mg/kg or multiple doses of 10 or 50 mg/kg of the phenothiazine derivative methophenzaine were given per osto Wistar rats at various times on the 7th-14th days fo gestation and the fetuses examined near term. Results indicated that methophenazine was mainly embryolethal when administered on the 8th-11th days, and was teratogenic at later times, producing types of malformations that depended on the day of treatment, the most susceptible period being the 13th and 14th days of gestation. Teratogenicity occurred only when the dosages were highly toxic to the pregnant rats. Ribovlavin given ip on the 14th day significantly reduced the embryolethal but not the teratogenic action of methophenazine.     

Inhibition of anticonvulsant action of carbamazepine by aminophylline and caffeine in rats

Interaction of two well known methyl xanthines, aminophylline--an antiasthmatic agent--and caffeine--commonly present in beverages, on the seizure protective ability of carbamazepine (CBZ) against electrically and chemically induced seizures in rats was investigated. Aminophylline (75 mg/kg, ip) did not alter the activity of CBZ (10 mg/kg, ip; ED100) on maximal electroshock seizures while dose dependent antagonism of CBZ efficacy was seen at 100 and 150 mg/kg, ip. Similar effects were observed with caffeine (200 and 250 mg/kg, ip). At the highest tolerated doses, aminophylline (150 mg/kg, ip) and caffeine (250 mg/kg, ip) produced antagonism of CBZ protection against pentylenetetrazole seizures. These observations support the possibility that the antagonism due to the interaction of these drugs could be related to their action at adenosine receptor sites in the brain.     

Profiles of the biosynthesis and metabolism of pyridine nucleotides in potatoes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum tuberosum</Emphasis> L.)

As part of a research program on nucleotide metabolism in potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.), profiles of pyridine (nicotinamide) metabolism were examined based on the in situ metabolic fate of radio-labelled precursors and the in vitro activities of enzymes. In potato tubers, [³H]quinolinic acid, which is an intermediate of de novo pyridine nucleotide synthesis, and [¹⁴C]nicotinamide, a catabolite of NAD, were utilised for pyridine nucleotide synthesis. The in situ tracer experiments and in vitro enzyme assays suggest the operation of multiple pyridine nucleotide cycles. In addition to the previously proposed cycle consisting of seven metabolites, we found a new cycle that includes newly discovered nicotinamide riboside deaminase which is also functional in potato tubers. This cycle bypasses nicotinamide and nicotinic acid; it is NAD → nicotinamide mononucleotide → nicotinamide riboside → nicotinic acid riboside → nicotinic acid mononucleotide → nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide → NAD. Degradation of the pyridine ring was extremely low in potato tubers. Nicotinic acid glucoside is formed from nicotinic acid in potato tubers. Comparative studies of [carboxyl-¹⁴C]nicotinic acid metabolism indicate that nicotinic acid is converted to nicotinic acid glucoside in all organs of potato plants. Trigonelline synthesis from [carboxyl-¹⁴C]nicotinic acid was also found. Conversion was greater in green parts of plants, such as leaves and stem, than in underground parts of potato plants. Nicotinic acid utilised for the biosynthesis of these conjugates seems to be derived not only from the pyridine nucleotide cycle, but also from the de novo synthesis of nicotinic acid mononucleotide.