Inhibition of beta-lactamases by monocyclic acyl phosph(on)ates

The cyclic acyl phosph(on)ates, 1-hydroxy-5-phenyl-2,6-dioxaphosphorinone(3)-1-oxide, its 4-phenyl isomer, and the phosphonate (2-oxo) analogue of the latter inhibited typical class A (TEM-2) and class C (Enterobacter cloacae P99) beta-lactamases in a time-dependent fashion. No enzyme-catalyzed turnover was detected in any case. The interactions occurring were interpreted in terms of the reaction scheme E + I left arrow over right arrow EI left arrow over right arrow EI', where EI is a reversibly formed noncovalent complex, and EI' is a covalent complex. Reactions of the cyclic phosphates with the P99 beta-lactamase were effectively irreversible, while that of the 4-phenyl cyclic phosphate with the TEM beta-lactamase was slowly reversible. The 4-phenyl cyclic phosphate was generally the most effective inhibitor, both kinetically and thermodynamically, with second-order rate constants of inactivation of both enzymes around 10(4) s(-1) M(-1). This compound also bound noncovalently to both enzymes, with dissociation constants of 25 microM from the P99 enzyme and 100 microM from the TEM. It is unusual to find an inhibitor equally effective against the TEM and P99 enzymes; the beta-lactamase inhibitors currently employed in medical practice (e.g., clavulanic acid) are significantly more effective against class A enzymes. The results of lysinoalanine analysis after hydroxide treatment of the inhibited enzymes and of a (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of one such complex were interpreted as favoring a mechanism of inactivation by enzyme acylation rather than phosphylation. Molecular modeling of the enzyme complexes of the 4-phenyl phosphate revealed bound conformations where recyclization and thus reactivation of the enzyme would be difficult. The compounds studied were turned over slowly or not at all by acetylcholinesterase and phosphodiesterase I.     

Inhibition of serine beta-lactamases by vanadate-catechol complexes

All three classes of serine beta-lactamases are inhibited at micromolar levels by 1:1 complexes of catechols with vanadate. Vanadate reacts with catechols at submillimolar concentrations in aqueous buffer at neutral pH in several steps, initially forming 1:1, 1:2, and, possibly, 1:3 complexes. Formation of these complexes is followed by the slower reduction of vanadate (V (V)) to vanadyl (V (IV)) and oxidation of the catechol. Vanadyl-catechol complexes, however, do not inhibit the beta-lactamases. Rate and equilibrium constants of formation of the 1:1 and 1:2 complexes of vanadate with catechol itself and with 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene were measured by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. Typical examples of all three classes of serine beta-lactamases (the class A TEM-2, class C P99, and class D OXA-1 enzymes) were competitively inhibited by the 1:1 vanadate-catechol complexes. The inhibition was modestly enhanced by hydrophobic substituents on the catechol. The 1:1 vanadate complexes are considerably better inhibitors of the P99 beta-lactamase than 1:1 complexes of catechol with boric acid and are likely to contain penta- or hexacoordinated vanadium rather than tetracooordinated. Molecular modeling showed that a pentacoordinated 1:1 vanadate-catechol complex readily fits into the class C beta-lactamase active site with coordination to the nucleophilic serine hydroxyl oxygen. Such complexes may resemble the pentacoordinated transition states of phosphyl transfer, a reaction also catalyzed by beta-lactamases.     

Inhibition kinetics of three R-factor-mediated beta-lactamases by a new beta-lactam sulfone (CP 45899)

A new beta-lactam sulfone, CP 45899, has been proved to be a time-dependent irreversible inhibitor of three R-factor-mediated beta-lactamases (penicillin amido-beta-lactamhydrolase, EC 3.5.2.6): TEM-1 (pI = 5.4), TEM-2 (pI = 5.6) and Pitton's type 2 (pI = 7.7). This inhibition occurs in two principal steps: (1) formation of a reversible enzyme-inhibitor complex (characterized by a Ki); (2) evolution of this complex into one, or more, inactive protein(s) (kinact). With the three beta-lactamases CP 45899 shows, respectively, Ki of 0.9, 0.8 and 1.8 microM and kinact of 1.2 . 10(-3), 0.8 . 10(-3) and 1 . 10(-3) s-1; the turnover numbers are: 525, 2280 and 1220. These results are compared to those previously obtained with clavulanic acid.     

Inhibition of class D beta-lactamases by diaroyl phosphates

The production of beta-lactamases is an important component of bacterial resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. These enzymes catalyze the hydrolytic destruction of beta-lactams. The class D serine beta-lactamases have, in recent years, been expanding in sequence space and substrate spectrum under the challenge of currently dispensed beta-lactams. Further, the beta-lactamase inhibitors now employed in medicine are not generally effective against class D enzymes. In this paper, we show that diaroyl phosphates are very effective inhibitory substrates of these enzymes. Reaction of the OXA-1 beta-lactamase, a typical class D enzyme, with diaroyl phosphates involves acylation of the active site with departure of an aroyl phosphate leaving group. The interaction of the latter with polar active-site residues is most likely responsible for the general reactivity of these molecules with the enzyme. The rate of acylation of the OXA-1 beta-lactamase by diaroyl phosphates is not greatly affected by the electronic effects of substituents, probably because of compensation phenomena, but is greatly enhanced by hydrophobic substituents; the second-order rate constant for acylation of the OXA-1 beta-lactamase by bis(4-phenylbenzoyl) phosphate, for example, is 1.1 x 10(7) s(-)(1) M(-)(1). This acylation reactivity correlates with the hydrophobic nature of the beta-lactam side-chain binding site of class D beta-lactamases. Deacylation of the enzyme is slow, e.g., 1.24 x 10(-)(3) s(-)(1) for the above-mentioned phosphate and directly influenced by the electronic effects of substituents. The effective steady-state inhibition constants, K(i), are nanomolar, e.g., 0.11 nM for the above-mentioned phosphate. The diaroyl phosphates, which have now been shown to be inhibitory substrates of all serine beta-lactamases, represent an intriguing new platform for the design of beta-lactamase inhibitors.     

Inhibition of class C beta-lactamases by (1''R,6R)-6-(1''-hydroxy)benzylpenicillanic acid SS-dioxide.

beta-Lactamases, enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of the beta-lactam ring in beta-lactam antibiotics, are divided into three classes, A, B and C, on the basis of the structures so far determined. There are relatively few effective inhibitors of class C beta-lactamases. A beta-lactam sulphone with a hydroxybenzyl side chain, namely (1'R,6R)-6-(1'-hydroxy)benzylpenicillanic acid SS-dioxide (I), has now been studied. The sulphone is a good mechanism-based inhibitor of class C beta-lactamases. At pH8, the inhibition of a Pseudomonas beta-lactamase is irreversible, and proceeds at a rate that is about one-tenth the rate of concurrent hydrolysis. The labelled enzyme has enhanced u.v. absorption and is probably an enamine. At a lower pH, however, inhibition is transitory.     

Inhibition of Hill Reaction and Photophosphorylation by l,l,l-Trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane

The effect of DDT on DCIP and Fe(CN)₆^3– photoreductions,and cyclic and non-cyclic photo-phosphorylations, in some 30varieties of barley from widely different parts of the worldis reported. Whereas resistant barleys were not affected byDDT treatment, chloroplasts from treated susceptible barleysshowed parallel inhibitions of all the investigated aspectsof photosynthesis. However, in a few susceptible varieties inhibitionsof Fe(CN)₆^3– photoreduction or non-cyclic photophosphorylationwere not so pronounced. Possible reasons for these anomaliesare discussed; in particular earlier reports that DDT had noeffect on these latter photosynthetic activities may have beendue to the use of hypotonic media during chloroplast isolation.     

The breakdown of 2,3-bis(phospho)-D-glycerate by Fe(III)-haemoglobin.

Fe(III)-haemoglobin is shown to catalyse the hydrolysis of 2,3-bis(phospho)-D-glycerate to Pi and 3-phosphoglycerate, although the rate is slow, even when the protein is present at concentrations in the millimolar range. The rate of hydrolysis is proportional to the subtrate concentration up to at least 10 mM, so if the process is enzymic, the Km must be high.     

Studies on the Sites of Inhibition of Photosynthetic Electron Transport in Barley by DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane)

The effect of DDT in resistant and susceptible barley on variousphotosynthetic electron transport activities involving photosystems1 and 2 functioning alone and in series is reported. Whereasnone of the measured activities in resistant barleys were affectedby DDT treatment, in susceptible barley two sites of interactionof DDT with the photosynthetic electron transport chain weredemonstrated. The first site of inhibition was located beforephotosystem 2, between the sites of electron donation from diphenylcarbazideat pH 6·0 and 8·0, and on the oxidizing side ofthe inhibitions resulting from tris washing or heat treatment.Mn²⁺ ions, which can act as donor before photesystem 2, appearedto donate electrons on the H₂O side of the site of inhibitionby DDT. The second site of DDT inhibition was located in thepath of electron flow from photosystem 2 to NADP⁺ or diquat,and was demonstrated by using dichlorophenolindophenol and phenylenediaminesas electron donors.     

Inhibition of pea ferredoxin-NADP(H) reductase by Zn-ferrocyanide.

Ferredoxin-NADP(H) reductases (FNRs) represent a prototype of enzymes involved in numerous metabolic pathways. We found that pea FNR ferricyanide diaphorase activity was inhibited by Zn2+ (Ki 1.57 microM). Dichlorophenolindophenol diaphorase activity was also inhibited by Zn2+ (Ki 1.80 microM), but the addition of ferrocyanide was required, indicating that the inhibitor is an arrangement of both ions. Escherichia coli FNR was also inhibited by Zn-ferrocyanide, suggesting that inhibition is a consequence of common structural features of these flavoenzymes. The inhibitor behaves in a noncompetitive manner for NADPH and for artificial electron acceptors. Analysis of the oxidation state of the flavin during catalysis in the presence of the inhibitor suggests that the electron-transfer process between NADPH and the flavin is not significantly altered, and that the transfer between the flavin and the second substrate is mainly affected. Zn-ferrocyanide interacts with the reductase, probably increasing the accessibility of the prosthetic group to the solvent. Ferredoxin reduction was also inhibited by Zn-ferrocyanide in a noncompetitive manner, but the observed Ki was about nine times higher than those for the diaphorase reactions. The electron transfer to Anabaena flavodoxin was not affected by Zn-ferrocyanide. Binding of the apoflavodoxin to the reductase was sufficient to overcome the inhibition by Zn-ferrocyanide, suggesting that the interaction of FNRs with their proteinaceous electron partners may induce a conformational change in the reductase that alters or completely prevents the inhibitory effect.     

Apparent degradation of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) by a Cladosporium sp.

Cladosporium sp. strain AJR³18,501 was isolated from DDT-contaminated soil by its ability to decolourise the polymeric dye, Poly R-478. When inoculated into potato/dextrose broth containing 100 mg of DDT l^–1, a 21% decrease in DDT concentration was observed 12 days after its addition, however, no transformation products were detected by gas chromatography. TLC of culture medium and mycelia extracts revealed 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane and five unknown transformation products associated with the mycelia.     

Inhibition by glycosaminoglycans of CaCO3 (calcite) crystallization.

Of a range of glycosaminoglycans, heparin and heparan sulphate were the most effective inhibitors in vitro of CaCO3 (calcite) crystallization as assayed by conductimetric measurements. The possible role of such glycosaminoglycans in modulating calcium-salt crystallizations in vivo is discussed.     

Preparation and photophysical studies of copper(I) and ruthenium(II) complexes of 4,4′-bis(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine

We report the synthesis of a new ligand, 4,4′-bis(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, optimised for binding to copper(I) and with pendant functionality that can eventually be developed into metallodendritic structures. The synthesis and photophysical properties of complexes with copper(I) and ruthenium(II) are reported. The solid state structure of the complex [Cu(1)₂][PF₆] · MeCN (1 = 4,4′-bis(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-6,6′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine) is also described.     

Inhibition of transketolase by hexacyanoferrate(III)

The effect of hexacyanoferrate(III) on the catalytic activity of transketolase has been studied. This oxidant inactivates only one of two active sites of the enzyme, the one with a higher affinity to the coenzyme (thiamine diphosphate). The second active site does not lose its catalytic activity. These observations indicate that the active sites of holotransketolase, being indiscernible by data of X-ray analysis, exhibit functional nonequivalence.     

Inhibition of phosphofructokinases by copper(II)

The biochemical inhibition by Cu2+ on eight phylogenetically and biochemically different phosphofructokinases (PFKs) was investigated. The enzymes screened included representatives from thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria, a hyperthermophilic archaeon and a eukaryote, covering all three phosphoryl donor subtypes (ATP, ADP and pyrophosphate). The sensitivities of the enzymes to Cu2+ varied greatly, with the archaeal ADP-PFK being the least and the eukaryote ATP-PFK being the most sensitive. The bacterial ATP- and pyrophosphate-dependent PFKs showed intermediate sensitivity with the exception of the Spirochaeta thermophila enzyme (pyrophosphate-dependent) which was relatively resistant.     

Inhibition by thiols of copper(II)-induced oxidation of oxyhemoglobin.

The ability of thiols, 2-imidazolethiones and uric acid to protect bovine oxyhemoglobin from copper(II)-induced oxidation to methemoglobin was investigated. The oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by Cu(II) proceeded in two phases: (1) an initial rapid reaction (less than 30 s) followed by (2) a slower reaction that carried it to completion. Thiols, including N-acetyl-L-cysteine, DL-dithiothreitol, reduced glutathione, DL-homocysteine, 2-mercaptoethanol and 2- and 3-mercaptopropionic acid, whose sulfhydryl groups were slowly oxidized by Cu(II) (with the exception of 2-mercaptopropionic acid), protected oxyhemoglobin in both phases of the reaction. Other thiols, including L-cysteine, cysteamine, and D-penicillamine, whose sulfhydryl groups were readily oxidized by Cu(II), protected hemoglobin initially, but within 2-4 min, the rate of methemoglobin formation was the same as Cu(II)-treated oxyhemoglobin. 2-Mercaptoimidazole and 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole, which complex Cu(II) and inhibit Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidation of ascorbic acid, also protected hemoglobin in the initial phase, but not in the second phase. Uric acid, L-ergothioneine, and thiourea did not protect oxyhemoglobin in either the fast or slow phase. Cu(II) may have a coordination site involved in the oxidation of hemoglobin that is not blocked by the 2-imidazolethiones, uric acid, or the oxidized thiols. It is concluded that certain thiols that complex Cu(II) and are not rapidly oxidized will protect oxyhemoglobin from Cu(II)-induced oxidation, but the thiols are no longer effective once they are oxidized.