Glucosylceramidase from calf spleen. Characterization of its active site with 4-n-alkylumbelliferyl beta-glucosides and N-alkyl derivatives of 1-deoxynojirimycin

The beta-glucosides of 4-heptyl-, -nonyl-, and -undecylumbelliferone were synthesized and their substrate properties studied with calf spleen glucosylceramidase. Self-association of the free long chain alkylumbelliferones in aqueous buffer was inferred from their low fluorescence in the absence and strongly enhanced fluorescence in the presence of detergents. Association of the higher alkylumbelliferyl glucosides with detergent micelles was indicated by the influence of detergent on solubility and on enzyme activity which differed markedly between the methyl and the higher alkyl substrates. Compared to 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-glucoside their Km was 14 to 23 times smaller and Vmax/Km 20 to 30 times larger with no significant difference between the nonyl and undecyl derivatives. The enzyme was inhibited by 1-deoxynojirimycin (1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol, dNM) and a series of its N-alkyl derivatives with Ki-values that ranged from 390 microM for the parent compound to 330 microM for the butyl derivative and 0.08 microM for the tetradecyl derivative. The biphasic linear plot of - RT X 1n [Ki/Ki (dNM)] vs. chain length is interpreted in terms of an aglycon binding site that has an extended hydrophobic region starting at about 5 carbon atoms from the catalytic site. dNM inhibited greater than or equal to 10(3) times better than D-glucose, and N-decanoyl-dNM was a very weak inhibitor compared to N-decyl-dNM. It is concluded that the formation of an ion pair consisting of the protonated dNM derivative and an essential carboxylate at the catalytic site makes a large contribution to the binding energy. Strong shielding of this site from the aqueous environment is indicated by identical effects of ionic strength on Km and Ki.     

Inhibition of mammalian glyoxalase I (lactoylglutathione lyase) by N-acylated S-blocked glutathione derivatives as a probe for the role of the N-site of glutathione in glyoxalase I mechanism

A series of twelve S-blocked and N,S-blocked glutathione derivatives has been studied as inhibitors of glyoxalase I [R)-S-lactoylglutathione methylglyoxal-lyase (isomerising), EC 4.4.1.5) from human erythrocytes. A number of new N,S-blocked glutathiones have been synthesised. Inhibition at pH 7.0, 25 degrees C was linear-competitive in all cases and the Ki values were interpreted in terms of the absence of a specific binding interaction for the N-site of the inhibitor and the absence of coupling between binding processes at N- and S-sites (the regions around the NH2 and HS groups, respectively, of GSH analogues bound to enzyme). These observations are in strong contrast to previous results with the yeast enzyme. Some Ki values were measured for yeast glyoxalase I. A special binding interaction of the phenyl groups with enzyme from both species was found for glutathione derivatives with N-acyl groups of structure -NH X CO X X X Y X Ph but not for -NH X COPh, where X and Y were variously -CH2-, -NH- and -O-. Studies were made of the range of stability of human erythrocyte glyoxalase I to pH. The pH profiles for the Ki values of S-p-bromobenzyl)glutathione and N-acetyl-S-(p-bromobenzyl)glutathione indicated no pH dependence for the latter and little, if any, for the former inhibitor. The mean Ki over the pH range 5-8.5 for S-(p-bromobenzyl)glutathione was 1.21 +/- 0.37 microM and for N-acetyl-S-(p-bromobenzyl)glutathione in the same pH range, Ki decreased from 1.45 +/- 0.26 microM to 0.88 +/- 0.11 M.     

Inhibition of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide transformylase, adenosine deaminase and 5''-adenylate deaminase by polyglutamates of methotrexate and oxidized folates and by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside and ribotide.

With the use of a continuous spectrophotometric assay and initial rates determined by the method of Waley [Biochem. J. (1981) 193, 1009-1012] methotrexate was found to be a non-competitive inhibitor, with Ki(intercept) = 72 microM and Ki(slope) = 41 microM, of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribotide transformylase, whereas a polyglutamate of methotrexate containing three gamma-linked glutamate residues was a competitive inhibitor, with Ki = 3.15 microM. Pentaglutamates of folic acid and 10-formylfolic acid were also competitive inhibitors of the transformylase, with Ki values of 0.088 and 1.37 microM respectively. Unexpectedly, the pentaglutamate of 10-formyldihydrofolic acid was a good substrate for the transformylase, with a Km of 0.51 microM and a relative Vmax. of 0.72, which compared favourably with a Km of 0.23 microM and relative Vmax. of 1.0 for the tetrahydro analogue. An analysis of the progress curve of the transformylase-catalysed reaction with the above dihydro coenzyme revealed that the pentaglutamate of dihydrofolic acid was a competitive product inhibitor, with Ki = 0.14 microM. The continuous spectrophotometric assay for adenosine deaminase based on change in the absorbance at 265 nm was shown to be valid with adenosine concentrations above 100 microM, which contradicts a previous report [Murphy, Baker, Behling & Turner (1982) Anal. Biochem. 122, 328-337] that this assay was invalid above this concentration. With the spectrophotometric assay, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside was found to be a competitive inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, with (Ki = 362 microM), whereas the ribotide was a competitive inhibitor of 5'-adenylate deaminase, with Ki = 1.01 mM. Methotrexate treatment of susceptible cells results in (1) its conversion into polyglutamates, (2) the accumulation of oxidized folate polyglutamates, and (3) the accumulation of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside and ribotide. The above metabolic events may be integral elements producing the cytotoxic effect of this drug by (1) producing tighter binding of methotrexate to folate-dependent enzymes, (2) producing inhibitors of folate-dependent enzymes from their tetrahydrofolate coenzymes, and (3) trapping toxic amounts of adenine nucleosides and nucleotides as a result of inhibition of adenosine deaminase and 5'-adenylate deaminase respectively.     

4-pregnene-3-one-20 beta-carboxaldehyde: a potent inhibitor of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase and of 5 alpha-reductase.

The pregnene derivative, 4-pregnene-3-one-20 beta-carboxaldehyde (22-A) was evaluated as an inhibitor of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase in rat testicular microsomes and of 5 alpha-reductase in human prostatic homogenates. The effect of the compound in vivo was studied in adult male rats. The 22-A demonstrated potent and competitive inhibition of 17 alpha-hydroxylase and C17,20-lyase with Ki values 8.48 and 0.41 microM, respectively, significantly below the Km values for these two enzymes (33.75 and 4.55 microM). This compound also showed potent inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase with a Ki value of 15.6 nM (Km for this enzyme is 50 nM). By comparison, ketoconazole, a currently studied 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase inhibitor for the treatment of prostatic cancer, showed less potent inhibition of 17 alpha-hydroxylase (Ki 39.5 microM) and C17,20-lyase (Ki 3.6 microM) and did not inhibit 5 alpha-reductase. Progesterone which has been reported to inhibit the 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase, did not significantly reduce the production of testosterone by rat testes in vitro in comparison to controls, while the same concentration of 22-A demonstrated a 42% reduction of testosterone biosynthesis. When the adult male rats were injected s.c. with 22-A at 50 mg/day/kg for a 2 week period, the testosterone concentrations in the rat sera were significantly lower than control values (P less than 0.05), whereas serum corticosterone levels did not change. These results suggest that 22-A is a selective potent inhibitor for 17 alpha-hydroxylase and C17,20-lyase, but is more potent for the C17,20-lyase. The compound also inhibits 5 alpha-reductase, and therefore may reduce biosynthesis of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone effectively. Thus, 22-A may be useful in the treatment of problems associated with the androgen excess and prostatic cancer.     

Biochemistry of terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT): characterization and mechanism of inhibition of TdT by P1, P5-bis(5'-adenosyl) pentaphosphate

The catalysis of DNA synthesis by calf thymus terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT) is strongly inhibited in the presence of Ap5A, while replicative DNA polymerases from mammalian, bacterial, and oncornaviral sources are totally insensitive to Ap5A addition. The Ap5A-mediated inhibition of TdT seems to occur via its interaction at both the substrate binding and primer binding domains as judged by classical competitive inhibition plots with respect to both substrate deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) and DNA primer and inhibition of ultraviolet light mediated cross-linking of substrate dNTP and oligomeric DNA primer to their respective binding sites. Further kinetic analyses of Ap5A inhibition revealed that the dissociation constant of the Ap5A-enzyme complex, with either substrate binding or primer binding domain participating in the complex formation, is approximately 6 times higher (Ki = 1.5 microM) compared to the dissociation constant (Ki = 0.25 microM) of the Ap5A-TdT complex when both domains are available for binding. In order to study the binding stoichiometry of Ap5A to TdT, an oxidized derivative of Ap5A, which exhibited identical inhibitory properties as its parent compound, was employed. The oxidation product of Ap5A, presumably a tetraaldehyde derivative, binds irreversibly to TdT when the inhibitor-enzyme complex is subjected to borohydride reduction. The presence of aldehyde groups in the oxidized Ap5A appeared essential for inhibitory activity since its reduction to alcohol via borohydride reduction or its linkage to free amino acids prior to use as an inhibitor rendered it completely ineffective.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of calf liver glucosidase I and its inhibition by basic sugar analogs

Glucosidase I, the enzyme catalyzing the first step of N-linked oligosaccharide processing, has been purified from calf liver crude membranes [H. Hettkamp, G. Legler, and E. Bause, (1984) Eur. J. Biochem. 142, 85-90]. Binding experiments with concanavalin A-Sepharose suggest that glucosidase I is a glycoprotein with high-mannose carbohydrate chain(s). The enzyme has a subunit molecular mass of approximately 83 kDa and specifically hydrolyzes the terminal alpha-1,2-linked glucose residue from the natural Glc3-Man9-GlcNAc2 oligosaccharide. Studies with a variety of substrates modified in the aglycon moiety suggest that the Glc2 branch rather than the more distant domains of the substrate molecule are important for binding and hydrolysis. Glucosidase I does not require metal ions for activity and is strongly inhibited by 1-deoxynojirimycin (dNM) and its N-alkyl derivatives. Ki values range from 0.07 microM for N-methyl-dNM to 1.0 microM for dNM, measured at the pH-optimum of enzyme activity. The pH dependence of inhibition indicates that the cationic form of the inhibitors is the active species. Comparison of the Ki for N-decanoyl-dNM (approximately 70 microM) with that of N-decyl-dNM (approximately 0.4 microM) suggests that electrostatic interactions at the catalytic site of the enzyme are important for inhibitor binding. 1-Deoxymannojirimycin, previously assumed to be a specific mannosidase inhibitor, as well as its N-methyl and N-5-carboxypentyl derivatives, inhibit glucosidase I with Ki values around 190, 17, and 100 microM, respectively. This apparent lack of specificity shows that in vivo experiments on N-glycoprotein processing as well as the interpretation of results with these mannosidase inhibitors may give misleading results when these compounds are used in the millimolar range.     

5'-Haloacetamido-5'-deoxythymidines: novel inhibitors of thymidylate synthase

5'-Bromoacetamido-5'-deoxythymidine (BAT), 5'-iodoacetamido-5'-deoxythymidine (IAT), 5'-chloroacetamido-5'-deoxythymidine (CAT) and [14C]BAT were synthesized and their interactions with thymidylate synthase purified from L1210 cells were investigated. The inhibitory effects of these compounds on thymidylate synthase were in the order BAT greater than IAT greater than CAT, which is in agreement with their cytotoxic effects in L1210 cells. In the presence of substrate during preincubation, the concentration required for 50% inhibition of the enzyme activity by these inhibitors was 4-8-fold higher than it was in the absence of dUMP. The I50 values for BAT were 1 X 10(-5) M and 1.2 X 10(-6) M in the presence and absence, respectively, of dUMP during preincubation. These results were in agreement with the observed inhibition of thymidylate synthase by BAT in intact L1210 cells. A Lineweaver-Burk plot revealed that BAT behaved as a competitive inhibitor. The Km for the enzyme was 9.2 microM, and the Ki determined for competitive inhibition by BAT was 5.4 microM. Formation of a tight, irreversible complex is inferred from the finding that BAT-inactivation of thymidylate synthase was not reversible on prolonged dialysis and that the enzyme-BAT complex was nondissociable by gel filtration through a Sephadex G-25 column or by TSK-125 column chromatography. Incubation of thymidylate synthase with BAT resulted in time-dependent, irreversible loss of enzyme activity by first-order kinetics. The rate constant for inactivation was 0.4 min-1, and the steady-state constant of inactivation, Ki, was estimated to be 6.6 microM. The 5'-haloacetamido-5'-deoxythymidines provide specific inhibitors of thymidylate synthase that may also serve as reagents for studying the enzyme mechanism.     

Chemical replacement of P1' arginine residue at the first reactive site of peanut protease inhibitor B-III

The contribution of the P1' residue at the first reactive site of peanut protease inhibitor B-III to the inhibition was analyzed by replacement of the P1' Arg(11) with other amino acids (Arg, Ser, Ala, Leu, Phe, Asp) after selective modification of the second reactive site. The Arg derivative had the same trypsin inhibitory activity as the native inhibitor (Ki = 2 X 10(-9) M). The Ser derivative inhibited more weakly (Ki = 2 X 10(-8) M). The Ala and Leu derivatives inhibited trypsin very weakly (Ki = 2 X 10(-7) M and 4 X 10(-7) M, respectively), and the Phe and Asp derivatives not at all. These results suggest that the P1' arginine residue is best for inhibitory activity at the first reactive site of B-III, although it has been suggested that a P1' serine residue at the reactive site is best for inhibitory activity of Bowman-Birk type inhibitors.     

The interaction of mitochondrial transhydrogenase with derivatives of coenzyme A

The 2,4-dinitrophenyl derivative of dephospho-CoA and the 7-nitrobenzofurazan-4-yl derivative of CoA are competitive inhibitors (Ki 3 microM and 2.6 microM respectively) of mitochondrial transhydrogenase with regard to NAD+ and NADPH respectively. The 7-nitrobenzofurazan-4-yl derivative of dephospho-CoA is a competitive inhibitor with regard to both transhydrogenase substrates with the same Ki equal to 0.3 microM. The pattern of transhydrogenase inhibition with the 7-nitrobenzofurazan-4-yl derivative of dephospho-CoA indicates that one molecule of the inhibitor binds simultaneously to both the NADP(H) and the NAD(H) binding sites of the enzyme. This result is evidence of the short distance between the NADP(H) and the NAD(H) binding sites.     

The isolation of a peptide from the catalytic domain of Bacillus stearothermophilus tryptophyl-tRNA synthetase. The interaction of Brown MX-5BR with tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase.

Tryptophyl-tRNA synthetase is irreversibly inactivated by Procion Brown MX-5BR with an apparent dissociation constant (KD) of 8.8 microM and maximum rate of inactivation k3 0.192 s-1. The specificity of the interaction is supported by two previously reported observations. Firstly, Brown MX-5BR inactivation of tryptophyl-tRNA synthetase is inhibited by substrates, and secondly, the animated derivative of Brown MX-5BR is a competitive inhibitor of tryptophyl-tRNA synthetase with a Ki of 2 X 10(-4) M with respect to both tryptophan and ATP. Tryptic digestion of the dye-affinity-labelled enzyme and subsequent resolution of the peptides by h.p.l.c. yielded one major dye-peptide peak. Amino acid sequence analysis resulted in the identification of the dye-binding domain centred on lysine-178. Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase is also inactivated by Procion Brown MX-5BR, and this inactivation is prevented by ATP but not by tyrosine. The interaction of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase with hydroxylated Brown MX-5BR exhibited non-competitive kinetics with respect to the amino acid-binding site and competitive kinetics against ATP with a Ki of 6 X 10(-6) M.     

Inhibition of thymidine kinase by P1-(adenosine-5')-P5-(thymidine-5')-pentaphosphate

Potential bisubstrate analogs, with adenosine and thymidine joined at their 5' positions by polyphosphoryl linkages of varying lengths (ApndT, where n = the number of phosphoryl groups), were examined as inhibitors of cytosolic thymidine kinase from blast cells of patients with acute myelocytic leukemia. Ki values were 1.2 microM for Ap3dT, 0.31 microM for Ap4dT, 0.12 microM for Ap5dT, and 0.19 microM for Ap6dT. The best inhibitor of the cytosolic enzyme, Ap5dT, was somewhat less effective as an inhibitor of the mitochondrial enzyme (Ki = 0.50 microM). In addition to their inhibitory modes of binding by the cytosolic enzyme, these compounds were bound at considerably lower concentrations (Kd = 0.029 microM for Ap4dT, 0.0025 microM for Ap5dT, and 0.0027 microM for Ap4dT), in such a way as to protect the cytosolic enzyme from thermal inactivation at 37 degrees C in the absence of substrates.     

Purification and characterization of mannitol dehydrogenase from Aspergillus parasiticus.

Mannitol dehydrogenase, NADP specific (EC 1.1.1.138), was purified from mycelium of Aspergillus parasiticus (1-11-105 Whl). The enzyme had a molecular weight of 1.4 X 10(5) and was composed of four subunits of apparently equal size. The substrate specificity was limited to D-mannitol, D-glucitol, D-arabinitol, 1-deoxy-D-mannitol, and 1-deoxy-D-glucitol. Zinc ion was a powerful inhibitor of the enzyme, inhibition being competitive with respect to mannitol, with Ki and 1 microM. It is proposed that the stimulation of polyketide synthesis by zinc ion may be mediated in part by inhibition of mannitol dehydrogenase.     

Inhibition of the binding and activation of the first component of human complement. The effect of synthetic peptides, immunoglobulin fragments and various proteins

A study has been carried out on the inhibition of the subcomponent Clq binding to sensitized sheep erythrocytes (EA) by the following synthetic peptides mimicking the structure of a putative complement binding site of immunoglobulin G: Boc-Trp-Tyr, Boc-Tyr-Trp, Trp-Tyr, Boc-Trp-Phe, Boc-D-Trp-D-Tyr, Boc-D-Tyr-D-Trp, Boc-Leu-Leu, Ac-Phe-Tyr, and commercial Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg (tuftsin). Boc-Trp-Tyr was found to be the most potent inhibitor of Clq binding to EA (Ki 2.86 X 10(-4) M), tuftsin ranking second with Ki 6 X 10(-4) M. The D,D-dipeptides failed to inhibit the Clq binding at the investigated concentrations. Insoluble Z-Trp-Tyr-OMe activated a classical pathway of complement system, as monitored by consumption of C4, C2 and C3 components. Synthetic octapeptide Boc-Glu-Val-Asp-Leu-Leu-Lys-Asp-Glu-OMe (corresponding to the sequence 36-43 of beta 2-microglobulin) inhibited the Clq binding with Ki 4.7 X 10(-4) M, which gave grounds for localizing the complement binding site in beta 2-microglobulin. The finding in the Clq structure of the peptide sequence homologous to than of the pepsin active site, as well as the close similarity in the specificity of these proteins towards hydrophobic amino acid residues justified the assumption on the same structural bases of their specificity. The results of the present study, along with the literature data, underlie the hypothesis on the involvement in the complement binding of the following IgG residues: Trp277, Tyr278, Lys320, Lys322, Glu318 and Lys290. The enlisted residues are closely located in the three-dimensional structure of the CH2 domain of IgG. Lysozyme and lactalbumin having the sequences homologous to Trp277-Tyr278 of IgG inhibited Clq binding to EA with Ki 3 and 1.5 microM respectively.     

Inhibition of D-3-aminoisobutyrate-pyruvate aminotransferase by 5-fluorouracil and alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine.

Among pyrimidine derivatives, we found that 5-fluorouracil potently inhibited purified rat liver D-3-aminoisobutyrate-pyruvate aminotransferase, whereas 5-fluorouridine did so to a much lesser extent. 5-Fluorouracil acted as a competitive inhibitor against beta-alanine with a Ki of 56 microM, and was uncompetitive against pyruvic acid, with a Ki of 73 microM. alpha-Fluoro-beta-alanine, a metabolite of 5-fluorouracil, was also a competitive inhibitor with respect to beta-alanine with a Ki of 8.0 mM. 5-Fluorouracil acted also as a competitive inhibitor of 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase with respect to beta-alanine with a Ki value of 1.9 mM, and was uncompetitive against 2-oxoglutaric acid, with a Ki of 1.8 mM.     

Rat brain hexokinase: further studies on the specificity of the hexose and hexose 6-phosphate binding sites

Based on the lack of correlation between the ability of various hexoses to serve as substrate and the ability of the corresponding hexose 6-phosphates to inhibit brain hexokinase (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1), R. K. Crane and A. Sols (1954, J. Biol. Chem. 210, 597-606) proposed that this enzyme possesses two discrete sites capable of binding hexose moieties, one serving as the substrate binding site and a second, regulatory in function, to which inhibitory 6-phosphates bind. Subsequent work has provided further experimental support for this proposal. The pioneering work by Crane and Sols focused primarily on the specificity of these sites with respect to requirements for orientation of hydroxyl substituents at the various positions of the pyranose ring. The present study explores additional aspects of the specificity of these sites, namely, the effect of substitution of a sulfur atom in place of the oxygen in the pyranose ring on ability to serve as substrate or inhibitor, and the effect of modification in charge of the substituent at the 6-position on inhibitory effectiveness. 5-Thioglucose is a linear competitive (versus glucose) inhibitor of rat brain hexokinase, with a Ki of about 0.2 mM, and is a linear mixed inhibitor (versus ATP), with Ki values in this same range. 5-Thioglucose is not, however, readily phosphorylated by brain hexokinase. Thus, although 5-thioglucose binds with moderate affinity to the glucose binding site, it is not effectively used as a substrate of the enzyme. Inhibition of brain hexokinase by glucose 6-phosphate or its analogs has been found to require a dianionic substituent at the 6-position. The 6-fluorophosphate derivative and glucose 6-sulfate are poor inhibitors of the enzyme, and the Ki for inhibition by 1,5-anhydroglucitol 6-phosphate increases markedly at pH values below the pK of the 6-phosphate group, indicating that the monoanionic form is ineffective as an inhibitor. In contrast to the detrimental effect that substitution of the oxygen atom in the pyranose ring with a sulfur has on ability to serve as substrate, 5-thio analogs are considerably more effective as inhibitors, the Ki for inhibition by 5-thioglucose 6-phosphate being 10-fold lower than that seen with glucose 6-phosphate. This effect of the heteroatom substitution can partially offset the decreased inhibition resulting from monoanionic character at the 6-position, but the 6-fluorophosphate derivative of 5-thioglucose 6-phosphate still inhibits with a Ki about 1000-fold greater than that seen with 5-thioglucose 6-phosphate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Pyridoxal(5')diphospho(1)-alpha-D-glucose. A potent R-state inhibitor of glycogen phosphorylase

Pyridoxal(5')diphospho(1)-alpha-D-glucose has been tested as an inhibitor of native glycogen phosphorylases a and b. Its inhibition patterns with respect to substrate, glucose 1-phosphate, and activator, adenosine monophosphate, show it to be a potent (Ki = 40 microM) R-state inhibitor of phosphorylase b, mimicking the binding of glucose-1-phosphate, and, as predicted for an R-state inhibitor, its binding to AMP-activated phosphorylase a is even tighter (Ki = 10 microM). Moreover, it is demonstrated that its binding does not involve covalent imine formation from the pyridoxal aldehyde to an active-site lysine residue. It thus represents the tightest binding R-state inhibitor reported to date, and a 31P NMR study of the effects of binding of this inhibitor upon 31P resonances for the coenzyme phosphate and that of the nucleotide activator is presented. Results obtained are essentially identical to those obtained previously using glucose cyclic 1,2-phosphate, corroborating the previous conclusions. A rationale for the tightness of the binding is presented, as are other possible uses of this compound in studies on glycogen phosphorylase and other similar enzymes.     

Methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase prevents the inhibition of phosphoribosyl 5-aminoimidazole 4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase by 5-formyltetrahydrofolate polyglutamates

Methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (EC 6.3.3.2) catalyzes the irreversible ATP and Mg2+-dependent transformation of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (N5-HCO-H4-pteroylglutamic acid (PteGlu] to 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate. The physiological function of this reaction remains unknown even though it is potentially involved in the intracellular metabolism of the large doses of N5-HCO-H4-PteGlu (leucovorin) administered to cancer patients. We have tried to elucidate methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase's physiological role by examining the consequences of its inhibition in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by the folate analog 5-formyltetrahydrohomofolate (fTHHF), a potent competitive inhibitor with a Ki of 1.4 microM. fTHHF inhibited MCF-7 cell growth with an IC50 of 2.0 microM during 72-h exposures, and this effect was fully reversible by hypoxanthine but not thymidine, indicating specific inhibition of de novo purine synthesis. A correlation was observed between increases in intracellular N5-HCO-H4-PteGlu concentrations following fTHHF and cell growth inhibition. De novo purine synthesis was inhibited at the second folate-dependent enzyme, phosphoribosyl aminoimidazole-carboxamide formyltransferase (AICAR transferase; EC 2.1.2.3), as determined by aminoimidazole carboxamide rescue and azaserine inhibition studies. N5-HCO-H4-PteGlu pentaglutamate was a potent inhibitor of purified MCF-7 cell AICAR transferase with a Ki of 3.0 microM while the monoglutamate was not an inhibitor up to 10 microM and fTHHF was only weakly inhibitory with a Ki of 16 microM. These findings suggest that methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase activity is needed to prevent de novo purine synthesis inhibition by N5-HCO-H4-PteGlu polyglutamates.     

Reversible inhibitors of beta-glucosidase

A variety of reversible inhibitors of sweet almond beta-glucosidase were examined. These included simple sugars and sugar derivatives, amines and phenols. With respect to the sugar inhibitors and, indeed, the various glycoside substrates, the enzyme has what can be considered a "relaxed specificity". No single substituent on glucose, for example, is essential for binding. Replacement of a hydroxyl group with an anionic substituent reduces the affinity while substitution with a cationic (amine) substituent enhances the affinity. Amines, in general, are good inhibitors, binding more tightly than the corresponding alcohols: pKiRNH3+ = 0.645pKiROH + 1.77 (n = 9, r = 0.97). The affinity of a series of 10 primary amines was found to be strongly influenced by substituent hydrophobicity: pKi = 0.52 pi + 1.32 (r = 0.95). The major binding determinant of the glycoside substrates is the aglycon moiety. Thus, the Ki values of phenols are similar in magnitude to the Ks values of the corresponding aryl beta-glucoside. The pH dependence for the inhibition by various phenols indicates that it is the un-ionized phenol which binds to the enzyme when an enzymic group of pKa = 6.8 (+/- 0.1) is protonated. The affinity of the phenol inhibitor is dependent on its basicity with a Br?nsted coefficient for binding of beta = -0.26 (n = 14, r = 0.98). The pH dependence of the binding of two particularly potent beta-glucosidase inhibitors was also examined. 1-Deoxynojirimycin (1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-glucitol) has a pH-corrected Ki = 6.5 microM, and D-glucono-1,5-lactam has a pH-corrected Ki = 29 microM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Inhibition of urease by cyclic beta-triketones and fluoride ions

Competitive inhibition of soybean urease by 11 cyclic beta-triketones was studied in aqueous solutions at pH 7.4 and 36 degrees C. This process was characterized quantitatively by the inhibition constant (Ki), which showed a strong dependence on the structure of organic chelating agents (nickel atoms in urease) and varied from 58.4 to 847 microM. Under similar conditions, the substrate analogue (hydroxyurea) acted as a weak urease inhibitor (Ki = 6.47 mM). At 20 degrees C, competitive inhibition of urease with the ligand of nickel atoms (fluoride anion) was pH-dependent. At pH 3.85-6.45, the value of Ki for the process ranged from 36.5 to 4060 microM. Three nontoxic cyclic beta-triketones with Ki values of 58.4, 71.4, and 88.0 microM (36 degrees C) were the most potent inhibitors of urease. Their efficacy was determined by the presence of three >C=O- groups in the molecule and minimum steric hindrances to binding with metal sites in soybean urease.