Analysis of the Cu, Fe, and Zn contents in cytochrome C oxidases from different species and tissues by proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE)

The Cu, Fe and Zn contents in isolated cytochrome c oxidase preparations from heart, liver, diaphragm or kidney of bovine, pig and rat was measured by proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). The average Cu/2Fe ratio was 2.73 and Zn/2Fe ratio 0.98. Correspondingly a Cu/Zn ratio of 2.76 was found. Dialysis of the bovine heart enzyme against increasing EDTA concentrations up to 30 mM did not change this result. It is concluded that all isozymes of mammalian cytochrome c oxidase contain 3 Cu, 2 Fe and 1 Zn per monomeric catalytic unit.     

Metals and activity of bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase are independent of polypeptide subunits III, VII, a, and b

Bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase, depleted of polypeptide subunits by alkaline detergent treatment, was characterized with respect to metal content, optical spectral properties, and oxidase activity. Treatment with 1.0% Triton X-100 at pH 9.5 followed by anion-exchange chromatography caused removal of subunit III, subunit VII, and polypeptides a and b. The metal atom stoichiometries of the control and the polypeptide-depleted enzyme were in both cases 2.5Cu/2Fe/1Zn/1Mg with metal-to-protein ratios significantly greater in the latter. The treated enzyme exhibited a red shifted oxidized Soret maximum and bound carbon monoxide upon reduction. Activity was markedly decreased by the treatment but was restored to control levels by incubation with 0.3% Tween 80 at pH 6.0. Therefore, subunit III, subunit VII, polypeptide a, and polypeptide b do not contain Cu, Fe, Zn, or Mg and are not essential for reduction of O2 by ferrocytochrome c.     

Infrared evidence of cyanide binding to iron and copper sites in bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase. Implications regarding oxygen reduction

Cyanide binding to bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase at five redox levels has been investigated by use of infrared and visible-Soret spectra. A C-N stretch band permits identification of the metal ion to which the CN- is bound and the oxidation state of the metal. Non-intrinsic Cu, if present, is detected as a cyanide complex. Bands can be assigned to Cu+CN at 2093 cm-1, Cu2+CN at 2151 or 2165 cm-1, Fe3+CN at 2131 cm-1, and Fe2+CN at 2058 cm-1. Fe2+CN is found only when the enzyme is fully reduced whereas the reduced Cu+CN occurs in 2-, 3-, and 4-electron reduced species. A band for Fe3+CN is not found for the complex of fully oxidized enzyme but is for all partially reduced species. Cu2+CN occurs in both fully oxidized and 1-electron-reduced oxidase. CO displaces the CN- at Fe2+ to give a C-O band at 1963.5 cm-1 but does not displace the CN- at Cu+. Another metal site, noted by a band at 2042 cm-1, is accessible only in fully reduced enzyme and may represent Zn2+ or another Cu+. Binding of either CN- or CO may induce electron redistribution among metal centers. The extraordinary narrowness of ligand infrared bands indicates very little mobility of the components that line the O2 reduction site, a property of potential advantage for enzyme catalysis. The infrared evidence that CN- can bind to both Fe and Cu supports the possibility of an O2 reduction mechanism in which an intermediate with a mu-peroxo bridge between Fe and Cu is formed. On the other hand, the apparent independence of Fe and Cu ligand-binding sites makes a heme hydroperoxide (Fe-O-O-H) intermediate an attractive alternative to the formation an Fe-O-O-Cu linkage.     

Modeling and analysis of soybean (Glycine max. L) Cu/Zn,Mn and Fe superoxide dismutases

Superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) is an important metal-containing antioxidant enzyme that provides the first line of defense against toxic superoxide radicals by catalyzing their dismutation to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. SOD is classified into four metalloprotein isoforms, namely, Cu/Zn SOD, Mn SOD, Ni SOD and Fe SOD. The structural models of soybean SOD isoforms have not yet been solved. In this study, we describe structural models for soybean Cu/Zn SOD, Mn SOD and Fe SOD and provide insights into the molecular function of this metal-binding enzyme in improving tolerance to oxidative stress in plants.     

In vitro effects of alloxan/copper combinations on lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and antioxidant enzymes

The in vitro effects of alloxan and the product of its reduction dialuric acid (alone or in combination with copper ions) on lipid peroxidation, carbonyl content, GSH level and antioxidant enzyme activities in rat liver and kidney have been studied. The effects of Cu2+/alloxan and Cu2+/dialuric acid were compared with those of Fe3+/alloxan and Fe3+/dialuric acid. Unlike alloxan, dialuric acid increased liver and kidney lipid peroxidation; similar effects were registered in the presence of Fe3+. In the presence of Cu2+/dialuric acid, the lipid peroxidation was strongly inhibited and vice versa--the liver protein oxidation was increased. Alloxan and dialuric acid, as well as their combinations with Fe3+ had no effect on the total GSH level. Both substances did not affect the Cu2+-induced changes in GSH level, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and gluthatione reductase activities. In contrast, Cu2+ had no effect on dialuric-acid induced changes in gluthatione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities. The present in vitro results, concerning the metal dependence of the effects of alloxan and dialuric acid, are a premise for in vivo study of alloxan effects in metal-loaded animals.     

Effect of cyanide binding on the copper sites of cytochrome c oxidase: an X-ray absorption spectroscopic study

Cu x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been used to investigate the effect of cyanide treatment on the structures of the copper sites in beef heart cytochrome c oxidase. The Cu K-edge spectrum changes significantly upon cyanide binding to resting state enzyme, as does the Cu extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectrum. The Cu EXAFS Fourier transfer (FT) exhibits an enhanced peak for the cyanide-treated enzyme in the region containing the Cu...Fe peak in the resting state FT (at R' approximately equal to 2.6-2.7 A). This peak in the cyanide-treated sample is hypothesized to arise from "outer shell" scattering from a linear Cu-cyanide moiety, suggesting cyanide binding to CuB only (CuB 2+-CN-) or cyanide bridging between the Fe of heme a3 and CuB (Fe3+-(CN-)-CuB 2+).     

Exposure of Mn and FeSODs, but not Cu/ZnSOD, to NO leads to nitrosonium and nitroxyl ions generation which cause enzyme modification and inactivation: an in vitro study

The effect of NO treatment in vitro on structural and functional alterations of Cu/Zn, Mn, and Fe type of SODs was studied. Significant difference in response to NO of Cu/ZnSOD compared to the Mn and Fe types was demonstrated. Cu/ZnSOD was shown to be stable with respect to NO: even on prolonged exposure, NO produced negligible effect on its structure and activity. In contrast, both Mn and Fe types were found to be NO-sensitive: exposure to NO led to their fast and extensive inactivation, which was accompanied by extensive structural alterations, including (in some of the samples tested) the cleavage of enzyme polypeptide chains, presumably at His residues of the enzyme metal binding sites. The generation of nitrosonium (NO+) and nitroxyl (NO-) ions in NO treated Mn and FeSODs, which produce enzyme modifications and inactivation, was demonstrated. The physiological and biomedical significance of described findings is briefly discussed.     

Effects of metal ions on 15-hydroxy prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity in rabbit kidney cortex

The effects of Cu2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+ on 15-hydroxy prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity in rabbit kidney cortex were examined. Cu2+ and Zn2+ (0.05-0.5 mM) inhibited the activity of this enzyme in a dose-dependent manner. The concentration required for 50% inhibition was approximately 0.1 mM for Cu2+ and 0.15 mM for Zn2+. The inhibition by both metals was uncompetitive and non-competitive with regard to NAD+ and prostaglandin E2, respectively, indicating that the mechanisms of the inhibition on the enzyme of both metals may be the same. Fe2+ had no effect on the activity of this enzyme. These results suggest that Cu2+ and Zn2+ have the potential to modulate the catabolism of prostaglandins by the kidney cortex.     

Effects of copper, iron, and ascorbic acid on manganese availability to rats.

Four experiments were done to characterize the interactions of copper, iron, and ascorbic acid with manganese in rats. All experiments were factorially arranged Dietary Mn concentrations were less than 1 micrograms/g (Mn0) and 50 micrograms/g (Mn+). Dietary Cu was less than 1 mg/g (Cu0) and 5 micrograms/g (Cu+); dietary Fe was 10 micrograms/g (Fe10) and 140 micrograms/g (Fe140). Ascorbic acid (Asc) was not added to the diet or added at a concentration of 10 g/kg diet. Experiment 1 had two variables, Mn and Cu; in Experiment 2, the variables were Mn and Asc. In Experiment 3, the variables were Mn, Cu, and Asc; in Experiment 4, they were Mn, Cu, and Fe. Definite interactions between Mn and Cu were observed, but they tended to be less pronounced than interactions between Mn and Fe. Cu depressed absorption of 54Mn and accelerated its turnover. In addition, adequate Cu (Cu+), compared with Cu0, depressed liver, plasma, and whole blood Mn of rats. Absorption of 67Cu was higher in animals fed Mn0 diets than in those fed Mn+. Ascorbic acid depressed Mn superoxide dismutase activity and increased Cu superoxide dismutase activity in the heart. The addition of ascorbic acid to the diet did not affect Mn concentration in the liver or blood. Absorption of 54Mn was depressed in rats fed Fe140 compared with those fed Fe10. Interactions among Fe, Cu, and Mn resulted in a tendency for Mn superoxide dismutase activity to be lower in rats fed Fe140 than in rats fed Fe10. Within the physiologic range of dietary concentrations, Mn and Cu have opposite effects on many factors that tend to balance one another. The effects of ascorbic acid on Mn metabolism are much less pronounced than effects of dietary Cu, which in turn affects Mn metabolism less than does Fe.     

酿脓链球菌Cas9核酸酶的重组表达、分离纯化及酶学特性

【背景】Cas9核酸酶是一种RNA引导的核酸内切酶,可与单链向导RNA (single-guide RNA,sgRNA)形成稳定的核糖核蛋白复合物,识别和切割特定的核苷酸片段。由于其具备高灵活性和高效率的特点,目前已经成为基础科学研究领域和临床治疗方法中使用最广泛的基因编辑工具。【目的】为Cas9核酸酶的合理开发和利用提供理论依据。【方法】利用大肠杆菌表达系统表达野生型酿脓链球菌(Streptococcus pyogenes) Cas9核酸酶,经硫酸铵沉淀和镍柱亲和层析两步纯化获得较高纯度表达产物,并对其热稳定性、pH稳定性、金属离子的影响等酶学特性进行研究。【结果】经高密度发酵后,大肠杆菌湿菌重达191.0 g/L。纯化后酿脓链球菌Cas9核酸酶的比酶活达641.29 U/mg,纯化倍数为16.02,收率为46.40%。Cas9核酸酶在25-42°C保温2 h后剩余酶活保持在65%以上,而在45°C保温15 min后全部失活;其在pH 6.0-10.0范围内稳定性较高,剩余酶活大于68%,在pH9.0时稳定性最高;0.5-20.0mmol/L浓度范围内的Mg²⁺...     

Oxidative stress in mice

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of high dietary Fe on liver antioxidant status in mice fed a corn-oil-enriched diet. Male Balb/c mice were fed for 3 wk with a standard diet enriched with 5% by weight of corn oil with adequate Fe (FCO diet) or supplemented with 1% carbonyl Fe (FCOFe diet). The control group was fed a standard diet. The high-Fe diet induced a twofold increase of hepatic Fe level. However, an increase of thymic Fe level has been induced solely by dietary fat. The hepatic copper (Cu) level slightly decreased in the FCO diet. In the spleen, the high-Fe diet-induced increase of Fe level was negatively correlated with the Cu level. The antioxidant status was influenced by both dietary fat and Fe. Mice fed corn-oil-enriched diets had a higher concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), with a greater increase in the FCOFe diet. Fatty acid analysis showed decreased n−3 and n−6/n−3 ratio, particularly in the FCOFe diet. Hepatic Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) activity was decreased in FCO diet, and Fe supplementation caused a further decrease in the enzyme activity. These results suggest that feeding with corn oil-enriched diet increases oxidative damage by decreasing antioxidant enzyme defense. The high-Fe diet additionally affects the antioxidant defense system, further increasing the tissue's susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Additionally, both corn-oil- and Fe-enriched diets have increased the Cu requirement in mice.     

Oxidative inactivation of an extramitochondrial acetyl-CoA hydrolase by autoxidation of L-ascorbic acid

The activity of acetyl-CoA hydrolase (dimeric form) purified from the supernatant fraction of rat liver was shown to have a half-life (t1/2) of 3 min at 0 degree C, but to stable at 37 degrees C (t1/2 = 34 h) [Isohashi, F., Nakanishi, Y. & Sakamoto, Y. (1983) Biochemistry 22, 584-590]. Incubation of the purified enzyme with L-ascorbic acid (AsA) at 37 degrees C resulted in inactivation of the enzyme (t1/2 = 90 min at 2 mM AsA). The extent of inactivation was greatly enhanced by addition of transition metal ions (Cu2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+). Thiol reducing agents, such as reduced glutathione and DL-dithiothreitol, protected the hydrolase from inactivation by AsA. However, these materials did not restore the catalytic activity of the enzyme inactivated by AsA. When AsA solution containing Cu2+ was preincubated under aerobic conditions at 37 degrees C for various times in the absence of enzyme, and then aliquots were incubated with the enzyme solution for 20 min, remaining activity was found to decrease with increase in the preincubation time, reaching a minimum at 60 min. However, further preincubation reduced the potential for inactivation. Catalase, a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenger, almost completely prevented inactivation of the enzyme by AsA plus Cu2+. Superoxide dismutase and tiron, which are both superoxide (O2-) scavengers, also prevented inactivation of the enzyme. A high concentration of mannitol, a hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenger, partially protected the enzyme from inactivation. These results suggest that inactivation of the enzyme by AsA in the presence of Cu2+ was due to the effect of active oxygen species (H2O2, O2-, OH) that are known to be autoxidation products of AsA. Valeryl-CoA, a competitive inhibitor of acetyl-CoA hydrolase, greatly protected the enzyme from inactivation by AsA plus Cu2+, but ATP and ADP, which are both effectors of this enzyme, had only slight protective effects. These results suggest that inactivation of this enzyme by addition of AsA plus Cu2+ was mainly due to attack on its active site.     

Placental ceruloplasmin homolog is regulated by iron and copper and is implicated in iron metabolism

We previously reported an endogenous, membrane-bound Cu oxidase with homology to ceruloplasmin in BeWo cells, a placental choriocarcinoma cell line. In this previous study, ceruloplasmin immunoreactivity was localized to the perinuclear region and non-brush-border membranes. Here, we show that azide-sensitive oxidase activity is enriched in the same fractions, correlating subcellular localization of enzyme activity with ceruloplasmin immunoreactivity. Expression of the placental Cu oxidase is inversely proportional to Fe status and directly proportional to Cu status at enzyme and protein levels. To identify a role for the Cu oxidase, cells were exposed to (59)Fe-transferrin for 18 h in an environment of 20% O(2) or 5% O(2). At 5% O(2), Cu-deficient cells retain significantly more (59)Fe than control cells. This excess in (59)Fe accumulation is caused by a significant decrease in (59)Fe release. These results indicate that downregulation of the placental Cu oxidase in BeWo cells impairs Fe release. This effect is only apparent in an environment of limited O(2).     

Mechanism and Atomic Structure of Superoxide Dismutase

The active site Cu ion in Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase is alternately oxidized and reduced during the enzymatic dismutation of superoxide to hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. For oxidized Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase, an atomic structure has been determined for the human enzyme at 2.5 A resolution. The resolution of the bovine enzyme structure has been extended to 1.8 A. Atomic resolution data has been, collected for reduced and inhibitor-bound Cu,Zn superoxide dismutases. and the interpretation of the' electron density difference maps is in progress. The geometry and molecular surfaces of the active sites in these structures, together with biochemical data, suggest a specific model for the enzyme mechanism. Similarities in the active site geometry of the Mn and Fe superoxide dismutases with the Cu.Zn enzyme suggest that dismutation in these enzymes may follow a similar mechanism.     

The enzymic and non-enzymic degradation of colneleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid ether intermediate in the lipoxygenase pathway of linoleic acid oxidation in potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers

Colneleic acid is an unsaturated ether fatty acid derived from linoleic acid via a lipoxygenase-mediated enzyme pathway. It is degraded (a) by an enzyme in potato tubers which is heat-labile and non-dialysable and (b) by a model system containing catalytic amounts of Fe(2+) ions. Both enzyme- and Fe(2+)-catalysed systems have similar properties with respect to pH optima (pH5.0-5.5), oxygen requirement (0.6-0.7 mol of O(2) consumed/mol of ether degraded), inhibitors and reaction products. An unstable product breaks down to C(8) and C(9) carbonyl fragments. Both systems are inhibited by low concentrations of antioxidants (e.g. 5mum-butylated hydroxytoluene) and some chelating agents (e.g. 5mum-diethyldithio-carbamate). The model system is strongly inhibited by metal ions, particularly Cu(2+) and Fe(3+), at 20mum. Hydrogen peroxide and haemoproteins do not substitute for the enzyme or Fe(2+) ions but the non-haem iron protein, ferredoxin, does catalyse the degradation.     

A role for iron in an ancient carbonic anhydrase

Since 1933, carbonic anhydrase research has focused on enzymes from mammals (alpha class) and plants (beta class); however, two additional classes (gamma and delta) were discovered recently. Cam, from the procaryote Methanosarcina thermophila, is the prototype of the gamma class and the first carbonic anhydrase to be characterized from either an anaerobic organism or the Archaea domain. All of the enzymes characterized from the four classes have been purified aerobically and are reported to contain a catalytic zinc. Herein, we report the anaerobic reconstitution of apo-Cam with Fe2+, which yielded Cam with an effective kcat that exceeded that for the Zn2+-reconstituted enzyme. M?ssbauer spectroscopy showed that the Fe2+-reconstituted enzyme contained high spin Fe2+ that, when oxidized to Fe3+, inactivated the enzyme. Reconstitution with Fe3+ was unsuccessful. Reconstitution with Cu2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, or Cd2+ yielded enzymes with effective kcat values that were 10% or less than the value for the Zn2+-reconstituted Cam. Cam produced in Escherichia coli and purified anaerobically contained iron with effective kcat and kcat/Km values exceeding the values for Zn2+-reconstituted Cam. The results identify a previously unrecognized biological function for iron.     

Effects of iron,copper, zinc,calcium, and magnesium on human lymphocytes in culture

The effects of simultaneous changes of calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc concentrations were evaluated in normal human T and B lymphocytes, cultured in cation-depleted media. Optimal concentrations for thymidine incorporation (TI) in both cell populations were Fe and Zn 15 μM and Cu 5 μM; for t cells Ca 2 mM and Mg 4 mM; for B cells Ca 4 mM and Mg 6 mM. TI decreased with increasing molarity of cations and the decrease was particularly apparent with Cu. Minimal amounts of Ca and Mg (0.5 mM) were necessary for growth, even in presence of optimal concentrations of Fe, Cu, and Zn. Fe and Cu showed synergistic stimulatory effects at low concentrations and synergistic inhibitory effects at high concentrations. Antagonism between Fe and Zn, Cu and Zn, and Ca and Zn was also demonstrated. CD4/CD8 increased with PHA stimulation in presence of Zn, and decreased with ConA stimulation in presence of Zn or Fe. The results demonstrate: (1) the relationship and interdependence of Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations in modulating the growth of normal lymphocytes; (2) the stimulatory effects of Fe on B cells and Zn on CD8 positive cells; (3) the inhibitory effect of Cu at concentrations lower than those of Fe and Zn; (4) the requirement of Ca and Mg in certain concentration and ratio for the action of the other cations; and (5) the Ca and Mg requirement for the growth of B cells higher than T cells.     

Irreversible inactivation of purple acid phosphatase by hydrogen peroxide and ascorbate.

Treatment of the Cu(II)-Fe(III) derivative of pig allantoic fluid acid phosphatase with hydrogen peroxide caused irreversible inactivation of the enzyme and loss of half of the intensity of the visible absorption spectrum. Phosphate, a competitive inhibitor, protected against this inactivation, suggesting that it occurred as a result of a reaction at the active site. The native Fe(II)-Fe(III) enzyme was irreversibly inactivated by H2O2 to a much smaller extent than the Cu(II)-Fe(III) derivative, whereas the Zn(II)-Fe(III) derivative was stable to H2O2 treatment. The rates of inactivation of the Cu(II)-Fe(III) and Fe(II)-Fe(III) enzymes in the presence of H2O2 were increased by addition of ascorbate. These results suggest involvement of a Fenton-type reaction, generating hydroxyl radicals which react with essential active site groups. Experiments carried out on the Fe(II)-Fe(III) enzyme showed that irreversible inactivation by H2O2 in the presence of ascorbate obeyed pseudo first-order kinetics. A plot of kobs for this reaction against H2O2 concentration (at saturating ascorbate) was hyperbolic, giving kobs(max) = 0.41 +/- 0.025 min-1 and S0.5(H2O2) = 1.16 +/- 0.18 mM. A kinetic scheme is presented to describe the irreversible inactivation, involving hydroxyl radical generation by reaction of H2O2 with Fe(II)-Fe(III) enzyme, reduction of the product Fe(III)-Fe(III) enzyme by ascorbate and reaction of hydroxyl radical with an essential group in the enzyme.     

Changes in Growth Performance,Metabolic Enzyme Activities,and Content of Fe,Cu, and Zn in Liver and Kidney of Tilapia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>) Exposed to Dietary Pb

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed to 0, 100, 400, and 800 μg/g concentrations of Pb in diet for 60 days, and changes in growth performance, metabolic enzyme activities, and essential trace elements (Fe, Cu, and Zn) content in liver and kidney were investigated. Daily weight gain, feed conversation ratio, and survival of tilapia were not significantly affected by dietary Pb. Alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in liver and kidney were affected by dietary Pb in a dissimilar way: Pb concentration-related decreases in ALT, AST, and LDH activities were observed in kidney, while these enzyme activities in liver were stimulated in a Pb concentration-dependent manner. It was demonstrated that the inhibitory effects of dietary Pb on alkaline phosphatase, Na, K-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), Ca, and Mg-ATPase activities in both liver and kidney were Pb concentration-dependent. It was also indicated that the content of Fe, Cu, and Zn in liver and kidney decreased with the increasing dietary Pb concentrations. The results suggested that long-term dietary Pb exposure could affect metabolic enzyme activities and the content of Fe, Cu, and Zn in liver and kidney, whereas growth impairment was not observed in tilapia.     

产木聚糖酶白地霉培养特性及部分纯化的酶学特性

本文对白地霉Ref1的培养特性、产酶条件和酶学特性进行了初步研究。结果表明:该菌为低温型菌株,其最佳生长条件为pH6、20℃和酵母膏作为氮源;最佳产酶条件为pH3-7、15℃及以酵母膏氮源;条件优化后产酶可达118.7U/mL,可溶蛋白含量可达到60μg/mL,酶溶液的比活可达到1250U/mg蛋白质;该木聚糖酶的最适反应温度和pH分别为50℃和5,金属离子Mg2+、Na+和8mmol/L的Fe2+、Cu2+、Zn2+等对木聚糖酶的活性有抑制作用,而Ca2+、4mmol/L的Fe2+、Cu2+、Zn2+和8mmol/L的Mn2+等对该酶反应则有促进作用;该木聚糖酶在保温2h后在15-40℃范围内能保持80%以上的酶活性,在50℃时能保持68%的酶活性;用lineweaver-Burk作图法(双倒数作图法)求得该酶的最大反应速度Vmax和Km值分别为163.38mmol/mg/min和0.75mg/mL。