GTP cyclohydrolase I feedback regulatory protein-dependent and -independent inhibitors of GTP cyclohydrolase I

GTP cyclohydrolase I feedback regulatory protein (GFRP) mediates the feedback inhibition of GTP cyclohydrolase I activity by (6R)-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) through protein complex formation. Since guanine and BH4 have a common pyrimidine ring structure, we examined the inhibitory effect of guanine and its analogs on the enzyme activity. Guanine, 8-hydroxyguanine, 8-methylguanine, and 8-bromoguanine inhibited the enzyme activity in a GFRP-dependent and pH-dependent manner and induced complex formation between GTP cyclohydrolase I and GFRP. The type of inhibition by this group is a mixed type. All these properties were shared with BH4. In striking contrast, inhibition by 8-azaguanine and 8-mercaptoguanine was GFRP-independent and pH-independent. The type of inhibition by 8-azaguanine and 8-mercaptoguanine was a competitive type. The two compounds did not induce complex formation between the enzyme and GFRP. These results demonstrate that guanine compounds of the first group bind to the BH4-binding site of the GTP cyclohydrolase I/GFRP complex, whereas 8-azaguanine and 8-mercaptoguanine bind to the active site of the enzyme. Finally, the possible implications in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and Parkinson diseases of the inhibition of GTP cyclohydrolase I by guanine and 8-hydroxyguanine are discussed.     

Ligand binding to the inhibitory and stimulatory GTP cyclohydrolase I/GTP cyclohydrolase I feedback regulatory protein complexes

GTP cyclohydrolase I feedback regulatory protein (GFRP) mediates feedback inhibition of GTP cyclohydrolase I activity by 6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), which is an essential cofactor for key enzymes producing catecholamines, serotonin, and nitric oxide as well as phenylalanine hydroxylase. GFRP also mediates feed-forward stimulation of GTP cyclohydrolase I activity by phenylalanine at subsaturating GTP levels. These ligands, BH4 and phenylalanine, induce complex formation between one molecule of GTP cyclohydrolase I and two molecules of GFRP. Here, we report the analysis of ligand binding using the gel filtration method of Hummel and Dreyer. BH4 binds to the GTP cyclohydrolase I/GFRP complex with a Kd of 4 microM, and phenylalanine binds to the protein complex with a Kd of 94 microM. The binding of BH4 is enhanced by dGTP. The binding stoichiometrics of BH4 and phenylalanine were estimated to be 10 molecules of each per protein complex, in other words, one molecule per subunit of protein, because GTP cyclohydrolase I is a decamer and GFRP is a pentamer. These findings were corroborated by data from equilibrium dialysis experiments. Regarding ligand binding to free proteins, BH4 binds weakly to GTP cyclohydrolase I but not to GFRP, and phenylalanine binds weakly to GFRP but not to GTP cyclohydrolase I. These results suggest that the overall structure of the protein complex contributes to binding of BH4 and phenylalanine but also that each binding site of BH4 and phenylalanine may be primarily composed of residues of GTP cyclohydrolase I and GFRP, respectively.     

Structural basis of biopterin-induced inhibition of GTP cyclohydrolase I by GFRP, its feedback regulatory protein

GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCHI) is the rate-limiting enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin, a key cofactor necessary for nitric oxide synthase and for the hydroxylases that are involved in the production of catecholamines and serotonin. In animals, the GTPCHI feedback regulatory protein (GFRP) binds GTPCHI to mediate feed-forward activation of GTPCHI activity in the presence of phenylalanine, whereas it induces feedback inhibition of enzyme activity in the presence of biopterin. Here, we have reported the crystal structure of the biopterin-induced inhibitory complex of GTPCHI and GFRP and compared it with the previously reported phenylalanine-induced stimulatory complex. The structure reveals five biopterin molecules located at each interface between GTPCHI and GFRP. Induced fitting structural changes by the biopterin binding expand large conformational changes in GTPCHI peptide segments forming the active site, resulting in inhibition of the activity. By locating 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylalanine-responsive dystonia mutations in the complex structure, we found mutations that may possibly disturb the GFRP-mediated regulation of GTPCHI.     

Crystal structure of rat GTP cyclohydrolase I feedback regulatory protein, GFRP

Tetrahydrobiopterin, the cofactor required for hydroxylation of aromatic amino acids regulates its own synthesis in mammals through feedback inhibition of GTP cyclohydrolase I. This mechanism is mediated by a regulatory subunit called GTP cyclohydrolase I feedback regulatory protein (GFRP). The 2.6 A resolution crystal structure of rat GFRP shows that the protein forms a pentamer. This indicates a model for the interaction of mammalian GTP cyclohydrolase I with its regulator, GFRP. Kinetic investigations of human GTP cyclohydrolase I in complex with rat and human GFRP showed similar regulatory effects of both GFRP proteins.     

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide down-regulates expression of GTP cyclohydrolase I feedback regulatory protein.

GTP cyclohydrolase I feedback regulatory protein (GFRP) is a 9.7-kDa protein regulating GTP cyclohydrolase I activity in dependence of tetrahydrobiopterin and phenylalanine concentrations, thus enabling stimulation of tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis by phenylalanine to ensure its efficient metabolism by phenylalanine hydroxylase. Here, we were interested in regulation of GFRP expression by proinflammatory cytokines and stimuli, which are known to induce GTP cyclohydrolase I expression. Recombinant human GFRP stimulated recombinant human GTP cyclohydrolase I in the presence of phenylalanine and mediated feedback inhibition by tetrahydrobiopterin. Levels of GFRP mRNA in human myelomonocytoma (THP-1) cells remained unaltered by treatment of cells with interferon-gamma or interleukin-1beta, but were significantly down-regulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 microg/ml), without or with cotreatment by interferon-gamma, which strongly up-regulated GTP cyclohydrolase I expression and activity. GFRP expression was also suppressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with 1 microg/ml LPS, as well as in rat tissues 7 h post intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg LPS. THP-1 cells stimulated with interferon-gamma alone showed increased pteridine synthesis by addition of phenylalanine to the culture medium. Cells stimulated with interferon-gamma plus LPS, in contrast, showed phenylalanine-independent pteridine synthesis. These results demonstrate that LPS down-regulates expression of GFRP, thus rendering pteridine synthesis independent of metabolic control by phenylalanine.     

The protein partners of GTP cyclohydrolase I in rat organs

Objective

GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) is the rate-limiting enzyme for tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis and has been shown to be a promising therapeutic target in ischemic heart disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis and diabetes. The endogenous GCH1-interacting partners have not been identified. Here, we determined endogenous GCH1-interacting proteins in rat.

Methods and Results

A pulldown and proteomics approach were used to identify GCH1 interacting proteins in rat liver, brain, heart and kidney. We demonstrated that GCH1 interacts with at least 17 proteins including GTP cyclohydrolase I feedback regulatory protein (GFRP) in rat liver by affinity purification followed by proteomics and validated six protein partners in liver, brain, heart and kidney by immunoblotting. GCH1 interacts with GFRP and very long-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in the liver, tubulin beta-2A chain in the liver and brain, DnaJ homolog subfamily A member 1 and fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase in the liver, heart and kidney and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit I (EIF3I) in all organs tested. Furthermore, GCH1 associates with mitochondrial proteins and GCH1 itself locates in mitochondria.

Conclusion

GCH1 interacts with proteins in an organ dependant manner and EIF3I might be a general regulator of GCH1. Our finding indicates GCH1 might have broader functions beyond tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis.     

Inhibition of GTP cyclohydrolase I by pterins

Pterins inhibit rat liver GTP cyclohydrolase I activity noncompetitively. Reduced pterins, such as 7,8-dihydro-D-neopterin, (6R,S)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-D-neopterin, 7,8-dihydro-L-biopterin, (6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin, L-sepiapterin, and DL-6-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterin are approximately 12-times more potent as inhibitors than are oxidized pterins, such as D-neopterin, L-biopterin, and isoxanthopterin. They are also 12-times more potent than folates, such as folic acid, dihydrofolic acid, (+/-)-L-tetrahydrofolic acid, and aminopterin. The Ki values for 7,8-dihydro-D-neopterin, 7,8-dihydro-L-biopterin, and (6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin are 12.7 microM, 14.4 microM, and 15.7 microM, respectively. These results suggest that mammalian GTP cyclohydrolase I may be regulated by its metabolic end products.     

Biosynthesis of pteridines. Reaction mechanism of GTP cyclohydrolase I

GTP cyclohydrolase I catalyses the hydrolytic release of formate from GTP followed by cyclization to dihydroneopterin triphosphate. The enzymes from bacteria and animals are homodecamers containing one zinc ion per subunit. Replacement of Cys110, Cys181, His112 or His113 of the enzyme from Escherichia coli by serine affords catalytically inactive mutant proteins with reduced capacity to bind zinc. These mutant proteins are unable to convert GTP or the committed reaction intermediate, 2-amino-5-formylamino-6-(beta-ribosylamino)-4(3H)-pyrimidinone 5'-triphosphate, to dihydroneopterin triphosphate. The crystal structures of GTP complexes of the His113Ser, His112Ser and Cys181Ser mutant proteins determined at resolutions of 2.5A, 2.8A and 3.2A, respectively, revealed the conformation of substrate GTP in the active site cavity. The carboxylic group of the highly conserved residue Glu152 anchors the substrate GTP, by hydrogen bonding to N-3 and to the position 2 amino group. Several basic amino acid residues interact with the triphosphate moiety of the substrate. The structure of the His112Ser mutant in complex with an undefined mixture of nucleotides determined at a resolution of 2.1A afforded additional details of the peptide folding. Comparison between the wild-type and mutant enzyme structures indicates that the catalytically active zinc ion is directly coordinated to Cys110, Cys181 and His113. Moreover, the zinc ion is complexed to a water molecule, which is in close hydrogen bond contact to His112. In close analogy to zinc proteases, the zinc-coordinated water molecule is suggested to attack C-8 of the substrate affording a zinc-bound 8R hydrate of GTP. Opening of the hydrated imidazole ring affords a formamide derivative, which remains coordinated to zinc. The subsequent hydrolysis of the formamide motif has an absolute requirement for zinc ion catalysis. The hydrolysis of the formamide bond shows close mechanistic similarity with peptide hydrolysis by zinc proteases.     

Kinetic characterization of human glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase I: potent feedback inhibition by glucosamine 6-phosphate

Glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT) catalyzes the first committed step in the pathway for biosynthesis of hexosamines in mammals. A member of the N-terminal nucleophile class of amidotransferases, GFAT transfers the amino group from the L-glutamine amide to D-fructose 6-phosphate, producing glutamic acid and glucosamine 6-phosphate. The kinetic constants reported previously for mammalian GFAT implicate a relatively low affinity for the acceptor substrate, fructose 6-phosphate (Fru-6-P, K(m) 0.2-1 mm). Utilizing a new sensitive assay that measures the production of glucosamine 6-phosphate (GlcN-6-P), purified recombinant human GFAT1 (hGFAT1) exhibited a K(m) for Fru-6-P of 7 microm, and was highly sensitive to product inhibition by GlcN-6-P. In a second assay method that measures the stimulation of glutaminase activity, a K(d) of 2 microm was measured for Fru-6-P binding to hGFAT1. Further, we report that the product, GlcN-6-P, is a potent competitive inhibitor for the Fru-6-P site, with a K(i) measured of 6 microm. Unlike other members of the amidotransferase family, where glutamate production is loosely coupled to amide transfer, we have demonstrated that hGFAT1 production of glutamate and GlcN-6-P are strictly coupled in the absence of inhibitors. Similar to other amidotransferases, competitive inhibitors that bind at the synthase site may inhibit the synthase activity without inhibiting the glutaminase activity at the hydrolase domain. GlcN-6-P, for example, inhibited the transfer reaction while fully activating the glutaminase activity at the hydrolase domain. Inhibition of hGFAT1 by the end product of the pathway, UDP-GlcNAc, was competitive with a K(i) of 4 microm. These data suggest that hGFAT1 is fully active at physiological levels of Fru-6-P and may be regulated by its product GlcN-6-P in addition to the pathway end product, UDP-GlcNAc.     

A yeast 2-hybrid analysis of human GTP cyclohydrolase I protein interactions

The yeast 2-hybrid system was used to identify protein domains involved in the oligomerization of human guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) Cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) and the interaction of GCH1 with its regulatory partner, GCH1 feedback regulatory protein (GFRP). When interpreted within the structural framework derived from crystallography, our results indicate that the GCH1 N-terminal alpha-helices are not the only domains involved in the formation of dimers from monomers and also suggest an important role for the C-terminal alpha-helix in the assembly of dimers to form decamers. Moreover, a previously unknown role of the extended N-terminal alpha-helix in the interaction of GCH1 and GFRP was revealed. To discover novel GCH1 protein binding partners, we used the yeast 2-hybrid system to screen a human brain library with GCH1 N-terminal amino acids 1-96 as prey. This protruding extension of GCH1 contains two canonical Type-I Src homology-3 (SH3) ligand domains located within amino acids 1-42. Our screen yielded seven unique clones that were subsequently shown to require amino acids 1-42 for binding to GCH1. The interaction of one of these clones, Activator of Heat Shock 90 kDa Protein (Aha1), with GCH1 was validated by glutathione-s-transferase (GST) pull-down assay. Although the physiological relevance of the Aha1-GCH1 interaction requires further study, Aha1 may recruit GCH1 into the endothelial nitric oxide synthase/heat shock protein (eNOS/Hsp90) complex to support changes in endothelial nitric oxide production through the local synthesis of BH4.     

The N-terminal peptide of mammalian GTP cyclohydrolase I is an autoinhibitory control element and contributes to binding the allosteric regulatory protein GFRP

GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH) is the rate-limiting enzyme for biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an obligate cofactor for NO synthases and aromatic amino acid hydroxylases. BH4 can limit its own synthesis by triggering decameric GTPCH to assemble in an inhibitory complex with two GTPCH feedback regulatory protein (GFRP) pentamers. Subsequent phenylalanine binding to the GTPCH·GFRP inhibitory complex converts it to a stimulatory complex. An N-terminal inhibitory peptide in GTPCH may also contribute to autoregulation of GTPCH activity, but mechanisms are undefined. To characterize potential regulatory actions of the N-terminal peptide in rat GTPCH, we expressed, purified, and characterized a truncation mutant, devoid of 45 N-terminal amino acids (Δ45-GTPCH) and contrasted its catalytic and GFRP binding properties to wild type GTPCH (wt-GTPCH). Contrary to prior reports, we show that GFRP binds wt-GTPCH in the absence of any small molecule effector, resulting in allosteric stimulation of GTPCH activity: a 20% increase in Vmax, 50% decrease in KmGTP, and increase in Hill coefficient to 1.6, from 1.0. These features of GFRP-stimulated wt-GTPCH activity were phenocopied by Δ45-GTPCH in the absence of bound GFRP. Addition of GFRP to Δ45-GTPCH failed to elicit complex formation or a substantial further increase in GTPCH catalytic activity. Expression of Δ45-GTPCH in HEK-293 cells elicited 3-fold greater BH4 accumulation than an equivalent of wt-GTPCH. Together, results indicate that the N-terminal peptide exerts autoinhibitory control over rat GTPCH and is required for GFRP binding on its own. Displacement of the autoinhibitory peptide provides a molecular mechanism for physiological up-regulation of GTPCH activity.     

Biosynthesis of riboflavin: studies on the mechanism of GTP cyclohydrolase II

GTP cyclohydrolase II catalyzes the first committed reaction in the biosynthesis of the vitamin riboflavin. The recombinant enzyme from Escherichia coli is shown to produce 2,5-diamino-6-beta-ribosylamino-4(3H)-pyrimidinone 5'-phosphate and GMP at an approximate molar ratio of 10:1. The main product is subject to spontaneous isomerization affording the alpha-anomer. (18)O from solvent water is incorporated by the enzyme into the phosphate group of the 5-aminopyrimidine derivative as well as GMP. These data are consistent with the transient formation of a covalent phosphoguanosyl derivative of the enzyme. Subsequent ring opening of the covalently bound nucleotide followed by hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bond could then afford the pyrimidine type product. The hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bond without prior ring opening could afford GMP. The enzyme reaction is cooperative with a Hill coefficient of 1.3. Inhibition by pyrophosphate is competitive. Inhibition by orthophosphate is partially uncompetitive at low concentration and competitive at concentrations above 6 mm.     

Reaction mechanism of GTP cyclohydrolase I: single turnover experiments using a kinetically competent reaction intermediate

GTP cyclohydrolase I catalyses the transformation of GTP into dihydroneopterin 3'-triphosphate, which is the first committed precursor of tetrahydrofolate and tetrahydrobiopterin. The kinetically competent reaction intermediate, 2-amino-5-formylamino-6-ribosylamino-4(3H)-pyrimidinone, was used as substrate for single turnover experiments monitored by multiwavelength photometry. The early reaction phase is characterized by the rapid appearance of an optical transient with an absorption maximum centred at 320. This species is likely to represent a Schiff base intermediate at the initial stage of the Amadori rearrangement of the carbohydrate side-chain. Deconvolution of the optical spectra suggested four linearly independent processes. A fifth reaction step was attributed to photodecomposition of the enzyme product. Pre-steady state experiments were also performed with the H179A mutant which can catalyse a reversible conversion of GTP to 2-amino-5-formylamino-6-ribosylamino-4(3H)-pyrimidinone but is unable to form the final product, dihydroneopterin triphosphate. Optical spectroscopy failed to detect any intermediate in the reversible reaction sequence catalysed by the mutant protein. The data obtained with the wild-type and mutant protein in conjunction with earlier quenched flow studies show that the enzyme-catalysed opening of the imidazole ring of GTP and the hydrolytic release of formate from the resulting formamide type intermediate are both rapid reactions by comparison with the subsequent rearrangement of the carbohydrate side-chain which precedes the formation of the dihydropyrazine ring of dihydroneopterin triphosphate.     

Preserving mitochondrial function prevents the proteasomal degradation of GTP cyclohydrolase I

The development of pulmonary hypertension is a common accompaniment of congenital heart disease (CHD) with increased pulmonary blood flow. Our recent evidence suggests that asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction causes endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling secondary to a proteasome-dependent degradation of GTP cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) that results in a decrease in the NOS cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)). Decreases in NO signaling are thought to be an early hallmark of endothelial dysfunction. As l-carnitine plays an important role in maintaining mitochondrial function, in this study we examined the protective mechanisms and the therapeutic potential of l-carnitine on NO signaling in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells and in a lamb model of CHD and increased pulmonary blood flow (Shunt). Acetyl-l-carnitine attenuated the ADMA-mediated proteasomal degradation of GCH1. This preservation was associated with a decrease in the association of GCH1 with Hsp70 and the C-terminus of Hsp70-interacting protein (CHIP) and a decrease in its ubiquitination. This in turn prevented the decrease in BH(4) levels induced by ADMA and preserved NO signaling. Treatment of Shunt lambs with l-carnitine also reduced GCH1/CHIP interactions, attenuated the ubiquitination and degradation of GCH1, and increased BH(4) levels compared to vehicle-treated Shunt lambs. The increases in BH(4) were associated with decreased NOS uncoupling and enhanced NO generation. Thus, we conclude that L-carnitine may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in children with CHD with increased pulmonary blood flow.     

GTP cyclohydrolase I from Tetrahymena pyriformis: cloning of cDNA and expression

A full-length cDNA clone for GTP cyclohydrolase I (EC 3.5.4.16) was isolated from a Tetrahymena pyriformis cDNA library by plaque hybridization. The nucleotide sequence determination revealed that the length of the cDNA insert was 1516 bp. The coding region encoded a protein of 223 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 25 416 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of Tetrahrymena GTP cyclohydrolase I showed sequence identity with that of Escherichia coli (55%). The identity of T. pyriformis GTP cyclohydrolase I with sequences of Dictyostelium discoideum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Drosophila melanogaster, mouse, rat, and human enzymes was less marked and was 30, 30, 25, 28, 28, and 27%, respectively. RNA blot analysis showed a single mRNA species of 2.1 kb in this protozoan. The mRNA level of GTP cyclohydrolase I increased during synchronous cell division induced by intermittent heat treatment. The results suggest that the mRNA expression is associated with the cell cycle of T. pyriformis.     

Production of sepiapterin in Escherichia coli by coexpression of cyanobacterial GTP cyclohydrolase I and human 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase

Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 GTP cyclohydrolase I and human 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase were coexpressed in Escherichia coli. The E. coli transformant produced sepiapterin, which was identified by high-performance liquid chromatography and enzymatically converted to dihydrobiopterin by sepiapterin reductase. Aldose reductase, another indispensable enzyme for sepiapterin production, may be endogenous in E. coli.     

GTP cyclohydrolase I: purification, characterization, and effects of inhibition on nitric oxide synthase in nocardia species

GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH) catalyzes the first step in pteridine biosynthesis in Nocardia sp. strain NRRL 5646. This enzyme is important in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a reducing cofactor required for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and other enzyme systems in this organism. GTPCH was purified more than 5,000-fold to apparent homogeneity by a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation, GTP-agarose, DEAE Sepharose, and Ultragel AcA 34 chromatography. The purified enzyme gave a single band for a protein estimated to be 32 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular mass of the native enzyme was estimated to be 253 kDa by gel filtration, indicating that the active enzyme is a homo-octamer. The enzyme follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with a Km for GTP of 6.5 micromoles. Nocardia GTPCH possessed a unique N-terminal amino acid sequence. The pH and temperature optima for the enzyme were 7.8 and 56 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme was heat stable and slightly activated by potassium ion but was inhibited by calcium, copper, zinc, and mercury, but not magnesium. BH4 inhibited enzyme activity by 25% at a concentration of 100 micromoles. 2,4-Diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine (DAHP) appeared to competitively inhibit the enzyme, with a Ki of 0.23 mM. With Nocardia cultures, DAHP decreased medium levels of NO2- plus NO3-. Results suggest that in Nocardia cells, NOS synthesis of nitric oxide is indirectly decreased by reducing the biosynthesis of an essential reducing cofactor, BH4.     

Purification and characterization of rat liver GTP cyclohydrolase I. Cooperative binding of GTP to the enzyme

GTP cyclohydrolase I, an enzyme that catalyzes the first step in the biosynthetic pathway of tetrahydrobiopterin, has been purified about 38,000-fold to apparent homogeneity from rat liver extract with a yield of 5%. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 300,000 by gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 34. The purified enzyme gave a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at a position corresponding to a molecular weight of 30,000. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis gave a single amino acid at every step of the Edman degradation up to residue 10. These results suggest that the enzyme is probably a homopolymer. The enzyme showed positive cooperativity with a Hill coefficient of 2.4 at a substrate (GTP) concentration of 10-50 microM. The Vmax value of the enzyme was 45 nmol/min.mg protein. The GTP concentration producing half-maximal velocity was 30 microM at a KCl concentration of 0.1 M. This value increased as the KCl concentration rose, without any change in Vmax or Hill number. Biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin may be controlled by the intracellular level of GTP.