Demethylation and degradation of phenylmethylethers by the sulfide-methylating homoacetogenic bacterium strain TMBS 4

Biochemical studies on anaerobic phenylme-thylether cleavage by homoacetogenic bacteria have been hampered so far by the complexity of the reaction chain involving methyl transfer to acetyl-CoA synthase and subsequent methyl group carbonylation to acetyl-CoA. Strain TMBS 4 differs from other demethylating homoacetogenic bacteria in using sulfide as a methyl acceptor, thereby forming methanethiol and dimethylsulfide. Growing and resting cells of strain TMBS 4 used alternatitively CO₂ as a precursor of the methyl acceptor CO for homoacetogenic acetate formation. Demethylation was inhibited by propyl iodide and reactivated by light, indicating involvement of a corrinoid-dependent methyltransferase. Strain TMBS 4 contained ca. 750 nmol g dry mass^-1 of a corrinoid tentatively identified as 5-hydroxybenzimidazolyl cobamide. A photometric assay for measuring the demethylation activity in cell extracts was developed based on the formation of a yellow complex of Ti³⁺ with 5-hydroxyvanillate produced from syringate by demethylation. In cell extracts, the methyltransfer reaction from methoxylated aromatic compounds to sulfide or methanethiol depended on reductive activation by Ti³⁺. ATP and Mg²⁺ together greatly stimulated this reductive activation without being necessary for the demethylation reaction itself. The specific activity of the transmethylating enzyme system increased proportionally with protein concentration up to 3 mg ml^-1 reaching a constant level of 20 nmol min^-1 mg^-1 at protein concentrations 10 mg ml^-1. The specific rate of activation increased in a non-linear manner with protein concentration. Strain TMBS 4 degraded gallate, the product of sequential demethylations, to 3 acetate through the phloroglucinol pathway as found earlier with Pelobacter acidigallici.Abbreviations BV benzyl viologen - CTAB cetyltrimethylammonium bromide - H₄folate tetrahydrofolate - MOPS 3-[N-morpholino]propanesulfonic acid - MV methyl viologen - NTA nitrilotriacetate - t_d doubling time - TMB 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate     

Biotransformation of dichloroaromatic compounds in nonadapted and adapted freshwater sediment slurries

Nonadapted freshwater sediment slurries and sediment slurries adapted to dechlorinate 2,3-dichloropyridine (2,3-Cl₂Pyd), 2,3-dichloroaniline (2,3-Cl₂Anl), 2,3-dichlorophenol (2,3-Cl₂PhOH), 3,5-dichloropyridine (3,5-Cl₂Pyd), 3,5-dichloroaniline (3,5-Cl₂Anl) and 3,5-dichlorophenol (3,5-Cl₂PhOH) were studied to determine the rate, range and extent of biotransformation of structurally related compounds under anaerobic conditions. 2,3-dichloroanisole (2,3-Cl₂Ans) and 3,5-dichloroanisole (3,5-Cl₂Ans) were initially demethylated, producing 2,3-Cl₂PhOH and 3,5-Cl₂PhOH as intermediate transformation products. All other dichloroaromatic compounds examined were initially dechlorinated. The rates of dechlorination of 2,3-Cl₂PhOH, 2,3-Cl₂Anl, and 2,3-Cl₂Pyd were significantly lower (5–15 times) in nonadapted sediment slurries compared to sediment slurries adapted to 2,3-Cl₂Anl or 2,3-Cl₂Pyd. In 2,3-Cl₂PhOH adapted sediment, the rate of dechlorination of 2,3-Cl₂PhOH was 15 times greater than in nonadapted sediment; however, the rates of dechlorination of 2,3-Cl₂Anl and 2,3-Cl₂Pyd were similar for 2,3-Cl₂PhOH-adapted and nonadapted sediment slurries. In adapted and nonadapted sediment slurries, 2,3-Cl₂PhOH, 2,3-Cl₂Anl, and 2,3-Cl₂Pyd were preferentially dechlorinated at the ortho, meta, and meta positions, respectively. Additionally, 2,3-Cl₂Pyd adapted sediment slurries dechlorinated 2,3-Cl₂PhOH and 2,3-Cl₂Pyd at both ortho and meta positions.Rates of dechlorination of 3,5-Cl₂PhOH, 3,5-Cl₂Anl, and 3,5-Cl₂Pyd were lower (2–4 times) in nonadapted sediment slurries compared to sediment slurries adapted to 3,5-Cl₂Anl or 3,5-Cl₂Pyd. In 3,5-Cl₂PhOH adapted sediment, the rate of dechlorination of 3,5-Cl₂PhOH was approximately 10 times greater than in nonadapted sediment. In contrast, rates of dechlorination of 3,5-Cl₂Anl and 3,5-Cl₂Pyd were similar in 3,5-Cl₂PhOH-adapted and nonadapted sediment slurries. A single meta chlorine was removed for all 3,5-dichloroaromatic compounds tested except 3,5-Cl₂Ans, which was initially demethylated. These results illustrate differences in the specificity and cross-reactivity of microbial populations adapted to structurally related dichloroaromatic compounds.     

The key role of phloroglucinol O-methyltransferase in the biosynthesis of Rosa chinensis volatile 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene

1,3,5-Trimethoxybenzene is a key component of the Chinese rose odor. This compound is synthesized in three successive methylation steps from phloroglucinol, the initial precursor. A novel, to our knowledge, phloroglucinol O-methyltransferase (POMT) characterized here methylates the first step to produce the intermediate 3,5-dihydroxyanisole, while two previously described orcinol O-methyltransferases catalyze the subsequent steps. We isolated POMT from rose petals and determined partial amino acid sequences of the purified enzyme. The full-length POMT cDNA was isolated and expressed in Escherichia coli. Both the native and recombinant POMT exhibited substrate specificity for phloroglucinol. POMT was expressed specifically in floral organs, in accordance with its role as a key enzyme in the synthesis of rose floral scent compounds.     

Crystallization of the bifunctional methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase/methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase domain of the human trifunctional enzyme

Methylenetetrahydrofolate([H₄] folate) dehydrogenase (D) and methenyl[H₄] folate cyclohydrolase (C) coexist as a bifunctional enzyme (DC) or as the amino-terminal domain of a trifunctional enzyme (DCS) where the third activity is 10-formyl[H₄]lfolate synthetase (S). Two crystal forms of the DC domain of the human cytosolic DCS enzyme have been grown from polyethyleneglycol solution. The monoclinic P2₁ crystals diffract to 2.8 Å with a = 72.5 Å, b = 68.5 Å, c = 125.2 Å, and β = 91.8° but were found to be twinned. The orthorhombic P2₁2₁2₁ crystals diffract to 2.5 Å with a = 67.7 Å, b = 135.9 Å, c = 61.6 Å, and contain two molecules per asymmetric unit. Proteins 26:479–480 © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Utilization of aromatic compounds as carbon and energy sources during growth and N2-fixation by free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria

Six species of free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria, Azomonas agilis, Azospirillum brasilense, Azospirillum lipoferum, Azotobacter chroococcum, Azotobacter vinelandii, and Beijerinckia mobilis, were surveyed for their ability to grow and fix N₂ using aromatic compounds as sole carbon and energy source. All six species grew and expressed nitrogenase activity on benzoate, catechol, 4-hydroxybenzoate, naphthalene, protocatechuate, and 4-toluate. In many cases, growth rates on one or more aromatic compounds were comparable to or greater than those on the non-aromatic substrates routinely used for cultivation of the organisms. Specific activity of nitrogenase in extracts of aromatic-grown cells often exceeded that in cells grown on non-aromatic substrates. All six species growing on substrates typically converted to catechol expressed inducible catechol 1,2-dioxygenase and/or catechol 2,3-dioxygenase. When grown on substrates typically converted to protocatechuate, inducible protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase and/or protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase was expressed. A. chroococcum expressed only ortho cleavage dioxygenases during growth on naphthalene and 4-toluate and only meta cleavage dioxygenases on the other aromatics. B. mobilis expressed only ortho cleavage dioxygenases. The other four species examined expressed both ortho and meta cleavage enzymes.A preliminary account of this work was presented at the 91st General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Dallas, TX, 1991     

Aerobic and Anaerobic Catabolism of Vanillic Acid and Some Other Methoxy-Aromatic Compounds by Pseudomonas sp. Strain PN-1

Vanillic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid) supported the anaerobic (nitrate respiration) but not the aerobic growth of Pseudomonas sp. strain PN-1. Cells grown anaerobically on vanillate oxidized vanillate, p-hydroxybenzoate, and protocatechuic acid (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid) with O₂ or nitrate. Veratric acid (3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid) but not isovanillic acid (3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid) induced cells for the oxic and anoxic utilization of vanillate, and protocatechuate was detected as an intermediate of vanillate breakdown under either condition. Aerobic catabolism of protocatechuate proceeded via 4,5-meta cleavage, whereas anaerobically it was probably dehydroxylated to benzoic acid. Formaldehyde was identified as a product of aerobic demethylation, indicating a monooxygenase mechanism, but was not detected during anaerobic demethylation. The aerobic and anaerobic systems had similar but not identical substrate specificities. Both utilized m-anisic acid (3-methoxybenzoic acid) and veratrate but not o- or p-anisate and isovanillate. Syringic acid (4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid), 3-O-methylgallic acid (3-methoxy-4,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid), and 3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid were attacked under either condition, and formaldehyde was liberated from these substrates in the presence of O₂. The anaerobic demethylating system but not the aerobic enzyme was also active upon guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol), ferulic acid (3-[4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl]-2-propenoic acid), 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid (3-[3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl]-2-propenoic acid), and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid. The broad specificity of the anaerobic demethylation system suggests that it probably is significant in the degradation of lignoaromatic molecules in anaerobic environments.     

Aerobic degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls by Alcaligenes sp. JB1: metabolites and enzymes

In contrast to the degradation of penta-and hexachlorobiphenyls in chemostat cultures, the metabolism of PCBs by Alcaligenes sp. JB1 was shown to be restricted to PCBs with up to four chlorine substituents in resting-cell assays. Among these, the PCB congeners containing ortho chlorine substituents on both phenyl rings were found to be least degraded. Monochloro-benzoates and dichlorobenzoates were detected as metabolites. Resting cell assays with chlorobenzoates showed that JB1 could metabolize all three monochlorobenzoates and dichlorobenzoates containing only meta and para chlorine substituents, but not dichlorobenzoates possessing an ortho chlorine substituent. In enzyme activity assays, meta cleaving 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl 1,2-dioxygenase and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activities were constitutive, whereas benzoate dioxygenase and ortho cleaving catechol 1,2-dioxygenase activities were induced by their substrates. No activity was found for pyrocatechase II, the enzyme that is specific for chlorocatechols. The data suggest that complete mineralization of PCBs with three or more chlorine substituents by Alcaligenes sp. JB1 is unlikely.Abbreviations PCB polychlorinated biphenyls - CBA chlorobenzoate - D di - Tr tri - Te tetra - Pe penta- - H hexa     

Mechanism of dihydrofolate reductase downregulation in melanoma by 3‐O‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxybenzoyl)‐(−)‐epicatechin

In our search to improve the stability and cellular absorption of tea polyphenols, we synthesized 3‐O‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxybenzoyl)‐(?)‐epicatechin (TMECG), which showed high antiproliferative activity against melanoma. TMECG downregulates dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) expression in melanoma cells and we detail the sequential mechanisms that result from this even. TMECG is specifically activated in melanoma cells to form a stable quinone methide (TMECG‐QM). TMECG‐QM has a dual action on these cells. First, it acts as a potent antifolate compound, disrupting folate metabolism and increasing intracellular oxidized folate coenzymes, such as dihydrofolate, which is a non‐competitive inhibitor of dihydropterine reductase, an enzyme essential for tetrahydrobiopterin (H₄B) recycling. Such inhibition results in H₄B deficiency, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling and superoxide production. Second, TMECG‐QM acts as an efficient superoxide scavenger and promotes intra‐cellular H₂O₂ accumulation. Here, we present evidence that TMECG markedly reduces melanoma H₄B and NO bioavailability and that TMECG action is abolished by the eNOS inhibitor N_ω‐nitro‐L ‐arginine methyl ester or the H₂O₂ scavenger catalase, which strongly suggests H₂O₂‐dependent DHFR downregulation. In addition, the data presented here indicate that the simultaneous targeting of important pathways for melanoma survival, such as the folate cycle, H₄B recycling, and the eNOS reaction, could represent an attractive strategy for fighting this malignant skin pathology. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 1399–1409, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Cooxidation of chloro- and methylphenols by Alcaligenes xylosoxidans JH1

Alcaligenes xylosoxidans subspecies denitrificans JH1 was enriched with 2-chlorophenol from a mixed culture degrading different chloro- and methylphenols. The strain used all monochloro- and monomethylphenols apart from 2-methylphenol as sole source of energy and carbon with stoichiometric release of chloride. 4-Chlorophenol was mineralized up to a concentration of 1.3 mM. Degradation of mixtures of monochloro- and monomethylphenols occurred at least partially except for the mixture of 2-chlorophenol and 3-methylphenol. Depending upon the growth substrates used, enzymes of the ortho and/or meta cleavage pathway catalysed the degradation of the phenols. The transformation of chlorophenols was concluded to occur exclusively via the ortho cleavage pathway because no chlorocatechol 2,3-dioxygenase activity was found in chlorophenol-grown cells. Degradation of 4-methylphenol in strain JH1 occurred both by the ortho and meta cleavage pathway as indicated by the finding that the ortho- and meta-cleaving dioxygenases were expressed in 4-methylphenol-grown cells. Transformation of methylphenols by the ortho cleavage pathway led to the accumulation of methyllactones as dead-end products. Mixtures of methyl- and chlorophenols were metabolized mainly by the ortho cleavage pathway because chlorocatechols formed inactivated the constitutive catechol 2,3-dioxygenase which caused channelling of methylphenols into the ortho cleavage pathway.     

Evaluation of cytotoxicity and efficiency of antioxidant protection of hydrophilic derivatives of 2,4,6-trialkylphenols in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> cells

The effects of five new derivatives of 2,6-dialkyl-4-propylphenol containing different ionogenic groups (-SO₃Na, -S-SO₃Na, -S-(NH₂)₂Cl) in the para position on survival of the E. coli AB1157 strain and its isogenic strain deficient in repair enzyme genes have been investigated in the presence and in the absence of hydrogen peroxide. Survival of cells treated with hydrogen peroxide was markedly increased in the presence of sodium (3-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propyl)-1-sulphonate (C1). Replacement of methyl substituents at ortho-position of C1 for tert-butyl or cyclohexyl groups decreased cell protection against exogenous hydrogen peroxide. Among 2,6-di-tert-buthylphenol the compound with the thiosulphonate group demonstrated properties similar to its sulphonate analog, whereas 3 mM isothiuronium chloride completely suppressed cell growth both in the absence and in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Thus, among the tested compounds C1 may be considered as the most promising antioxidant.     

Hydroquinone degradation via reductive dehydroxylation of gentisyl-CoA by a strictly anaerobic fermenting bacterium

Anaerobic degradation of hydroquinone was studied with the fermenting bacterium strain HQGö1. The rate of hydroquinone degradation by dense cell suspensions was dramatically accelerated by addition of NaHCO₃. During fermentation of hydroquinone in the presence of ¹⁴C-Na₂CO₃ benzoate was formed as a labelled product, indicating an initial ortho-carboxylation of hydroquinone to gentisate. Gentisate was activated to the corresponding CoA-ester in a CoA ligase reaction at a specific activity of 0.15 mol x min^–1 x mg protein^–1. Gentisyl-CoA was reduced to benzoyl-CoA with reduced methyl viologen as electron donor by simultaneous reductive elimination of both the ortho and meta hydroxyl group. The specific activity of this novel gentisyl-CoA reductase was 17 nmol x min^–1 x mg protein^–1. Further degradation to acetate was catalyzed by enzymes which occur also in other bacteria degrading aromatic compounds via benzoyl-CoA.     

The utilization of formate by human erythrocytes

The incorporation of radioactive formate into an acid-stable non-volatile form by human erythrocytes is dependent upon the addition of 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside. The formate-incorporating activity of human erythrocytes varies widely among normal individuals and the values obtained are characteristic of the erythrocytes obtained from these individuals. The variation is unrelated to the total folate levels of the erythrocytes as measured by the growth response of Lactobacillus casei but is roughly correlated with the quantity of folate forms in the erythrocytes which support the growth of Steptococcus faecalis. The activities of several enzymes involved in the metabolism of the folate coenzymes has also been measured in extracts of erythrocytes. Extracts from all the individuals contained 10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthase, 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide ribotide transformylase, and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase. None of the extracts contained detectable quantities of either 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase. These data support the conclusion that 5-methyltetrahydrofolate is not in metabolic equilibrium with the other forms of folate in the erythrocyte and the uptake of formate by intact erythrocytes is a function of those forms of the folate coenzymes which can be converted to tetrahydrofolate.     

Quantitative analysis of tissue folate using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The tissue distribution of folate in its numerous coenzyme forms may influence the development of disease at different sites. For instance, the susceptibility of human colonic mucosa to localized folate deficiency may predispose to the development of colorectal cancer. We report a sensitive and robust ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) tandem mass spectrometry method for quantifying tissue H₄folate, 5-CH₃-H₄folate, 5-CHO-H₄folate, folic acid, and 5,10-CH⁺-H₄folate concentration. Human colonic mucosa (20–100 mg) was extracted using lipase and conjugase enzyme digestion. Rapid separation of analytes was achieved on a UHPLC 1.9-μm C18 column over 7 min. Accurate quantitation was performed using stable isotopically labeled (¹³C₅) internal standards. The instrument response was linear over physiological concentrations of tissue folate (R² > 0.99). Limits of detection and quantitation were less than 20 and 30 fmol on column, respectively, and within- and between-run imprecision values were 6–16%. In colonic mucosal samples from 73 individuals, the average molar distribution of folate coenzymes was 58% 5-CH₃-H₄folate, 20% H₄folate, 18% formyl-H₄folate (sum of 5-CHO-H₄folate and 5,10-CH⁺-H₄folate), and 4% folic acid. This assay would be useful in characterizing folate distribution in human and animal tissues as well as the role of deregulated folate homeostasis on disease pathogenesis.     

The effect of nitrous oxide-induced vitamin B12 deficiency on in vivo folate metabolism

The effect of N₂O-induced vitamin B₁₂ deficiency on $\text{in}\text{vivo}$ folate metabolism was studied in an animal model previously developed for studies of the folate enterohepatic cycle, and in rats with localized, subcutaneous tumor nodules. While N₂O inhibited liver folate polyglutamate formation, it did not affect the absorption of (³H)PteGlu₁ from the gut, its reduction, methylation, and transport to the liver, or the subsequent secretion of CH₃H₄(³H)PteGlu₁ into bile—the folate enterohepatic cyle. In addition, N₂O did not impair folate polyglutamate formation in the fibrosarcoma tumor nodule suggesting that tumor tissue can either demethylate CH₃H₄PteGlu₁ by an alternate pathway or can utilize it as a substrate for polyglutamate formation without demethylation.     

Cerebral and peripheral demethylation of psychotomimetics measured by expired 14CO2

Demethylation of psychotomimetic compounds was measured by labeling each methyl and methoxy substitutent separately with ¹⁴C and injecting it into rats, intravenously and intracerebrally. Expired [¹⁴C]CO₂ was measured continuously and the resultant multi-exponential curves yielded rates and integral demethylation. 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine was not demethylated, eliminating one proposed metabolic pathway. 2,4,5-Trimethoxyphenalkylamines were demethylated less in the brain than peripherally, markedly so at the p-methoxy position, suggesting a possible biochemical site for endogenous induction of psychosis.     

Folylpolyglutamate synthetase activities of Neurospora

The folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) activities of Neurospora crassa, wild type (FGSC 853) and two polyglutamate-deficient mutants, met-6,35809 (FGSC 1330) and mac, 65108 (FGSC 3609), were examined after growth in defined media. Extracts of the wild type produced H₄PteGlu₆ (60 %), H₄PteGlu₃ (35 %) and H₄PteGlu₂ (15 %). Met-6 extracts formed H₄PteGlu₂ but lacked the ability to utilize H₄PteGlu₄ or H₄PteGlu₅. The mac mutant failed to catalyse glutamate addition to H₄PteGlu but H₄PteGlu₂ was an effective substrate for tri- and hexaglutamate synthesis. These polyglutamates were also formed by reaction systems containing mixtures of met-6 and mac protein or heterokaryon protein derived from mycelial fusions of met-6 and mac. Extract fractionations and heat treatments provided evidence for more than one FPGS activity in the wild type. A mitochondrial FPGS catalysed the H₄PteGlu₂ → H₄PteGlu₃ reaction but a cytosolic fraction synthesized di-, tri- and hexaglutamates when incubated with H₄PteGlu and glutamate. The latter system contained a temperature-sensitive diglutamate-forming activity and a relatively stable H₄PteGlu₂ → H₄PteGlu₆ activity. Polyglutamate synthesis in N. crassa appears to involve more than one step, H₄PteGlu → H₄PteGlu₂ followed by H₄PteGlu₂ → H₄PteGlu₆, in addition to the mitochondrial activity. These partial activities are lacking in mac and met-6 respectively. Consequently, these mutants are unable to form the folylhexaglutamates that predominate the folate pool of the wild type.     

The regulation of one-carbon oxidation in the rat by nitrous oxide and methionine

Formate is oxidized to CO₂ in the rat by folate-dependent reactions. Nitrous oxide treatment inhibited hepatic methionine synthetase activity, reduced hepatic S-adenosyl-l-methionine (Ado-Met) and tetrahydrofolate (H₄ folate) concentrations and decreased the rate of formate oxidation in the rat. The administration of methionine to nitrous oxide-treated rats increased hepatic Ado-Met concentrations and restored hepatic H₄folate levels and formate oxidation to control values but did not reverse the inhibition of methionine synthetase. Positive correlations were observed between hepatic Ado-Met levels and H₄folate concentrations and between hepatic H₄folate concentrations and formate oxidation. These results suggest that alterations in hepatic H₄folate concentrations may profoundly influence the oxidation of one-carbon compounds. They confirm the importance of the methionine synthetase reaction as a major source of regeneration of H₄folate. These findings also indicate that methionine acts at a site other than the methionine synthetase reaction to restore hepatic H₄folate concentrations and formate oxidation to control values in nitrous oxide-treated rats.     

Propionate oxidation in Escherichia coli: evidence for operation of a methylcitrate cycle in bacteria

Escherichia coli grew in a minimal medium on propionate as the sole carbon and energy source. Initially a lag phase of 4–7 days was observed. Cells adapted to propionate still required 1–2 days before growth commenced. Incorporation of (2-¹³C), (3-¹³C) or (²H₃)propionate into alanine revealed by NMR that propionate was oxidized to pyruvate without randomisation of the carbon skeleton and excluded pathways in which the methyl group was transiently converted to a methylene group. Extracts of propionate-grown cells contained a specific enzyme that catalyses the condensation of propionyl-CoA with oxaloacetate, most probably to methylcitrate. The enzyme was purified and identified as the already-known citrate synthase II. By 2-D gel electrophoresis, the formation of a second propionate-specific enzyme with sequence similarities to isocitrate lyases was detected. The genes of both enzymes were located in a putative operon with high identities (at least 76% on the protein level) with the very recently discovered prp operon from Salmonella typhimurium. The results indicate that E. coli oxidises propionate to pyruvate via the methylcitrate cycle known from yeast. The ¹³C patterns of aspartate and glutamate are consistent with the further oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA. Oxaloacetate is predominantly generated via the glyoxylate cycle rather than by carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate. Received: 28 April 1997 / Accepted: 4 July 1997     

Covalent binding of folic acid to dimethylglycine dehydrogenase

Dimethylglycine dehydrogenase (EC 1.5.99.2) carries out the oxidative demethylation of dimethylglycine to sarcosine in liver mitochondria. In vivo, the enzyme uses tightly bound tetrahydropteroyl pentaglutamate (H₄PteGlu₅) as an acceptor of the one-carbon group generated during the reaction. The purified enzyme can use, but does not require, H₄PteGluB and under these conditions formaldehyde is the one-carbon unit produced. It is reported that folic acid may be covalently linked to dimethylglycine dehydrogenase in a specific and saturable manner so that only 1 mole of folic acid is bound per mole of enzyme. Covalently bound folic acid blocks the subsequent binding of H₄PteGlu, and does not inhibit the rate of dimethylglycine dehydrogenase activity in vitro.     

Enzymatic decolorization of sulfonphthalein dyes

The white rot fungus (WRF) Pleurotus ostreatus produced manganese peroxidase (MnP) and manganese-independent peroxidase (MIP) activities during solid state fermentation of wheat straw, a natural lignocellulosic substrate. Most of the sulfonphthalein (SP) dyes were decolorized by MnP at pH 4.0. The higher K_m for meta-cresol purple (40 μM) and lower K_m for ortho-cresol red (26 μM) for MnP activities explained the preference for the position of methyl group at ortho than at meta on chromophore. Bromophenol blue decolorizing activity was higher at pH 3.5 and decreased as the concentration of Mn^II was increased. SP-decolorizing activity was associated not only with MnP but also with MIP. Additional bromine group along with the methyl group on SP chromophores decreases the rate of decolorization. Bromination of sulfonphthalein chromophore makes them the poorer substrate for MnP. This is evident from the higher K_m for bromocresol green (117 μM) when compared to bromocresol purple (36 μM) and bromophenol blue (78 μM). The order of preference for the SP dyes as substrate for the MnP-catalyzed decolorizing activity is phenol red > ortho-cresol red > meta-cresol purple > bromophenol red > bromocresol purple > bromophenol blue > bromocresol green and the order of preference for the SP dyes as substrate for the MIP-catalyzed decolorizing activity is bromocresol green > bromophenol blue > bromocresol purple > bromophenol red > meta-cresol purple > ortho-cresol red > phenol red. Inhibition of PR decolorizing activity by NaN₃ provided the evidence of decolorizing activity as an oxidative process.