Energetic aspects of CO oxidation in desulfovibrio desulfuricans

In cell suspension of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans B-1388, oxidation of CO as the only energy source is associated with reduction of SO42-. After a 2-h incubation of cells in 8% CO, 81% of the gas is converted. Oxidation of 1 mole CO results in formation of 0.23 mole H2S. Intracellular ATP content increases from 2.5 (control) to 8.3 nmoles/mg (during CO conversion). Dinitrophenol inhibits sulfate reduction and CO oxidation. CO dehydrogenase was detected in cytoplasmic and membrane cell fractions (59 and 34%, respectively).     

Relationship of eNOS gene variants to diseases that have in common an endothelial cell dysfunction

The endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is a common characteristic of various pathologies that include atherosclerosis, hypertension, and Fabry's disease. Aware of the role of eNO and ACE in EC dysfunction, we questioned whether polymorphism of eNOS and/or ACE gene may be a common denominator in these pathologies. Patients with CHD (108), HT (109), Fabry's disease (37) and healthy subjects (control, 141) were genotyped for the eNOSG894T by RFLP-PCR technique and for eNOS4b/a, and ACEI/D polymorphisms by PCR amplification. The results of these studies were statistically evaluated. Compared to controls, the frequency of the eNOSG894T (T allele) was higher in CHD (P=0.03) and Fabry (P=0.01), while the eNOS4b/a (a allele) in CHD (P=0.01) and HT patients (P=0.01). The proportion of the ACEI/D was similar in all subjects. In CHD patients at "low risk" of atherogenic factors, the frequency of the T and a alleles of eNOS gene was high (P=0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Carriers of the T allele of eNOSG894T were over-represented (P=0.04) in Fabry subgroup with renal failure. Compared to women, the eNOS894T alleles were more frequent (P=0.03) in men with CHD and HT, whereas ACE I/D in men (P=0.03) with HT. These findings suggest: (i) the frequency of eNOSG894T and/or eNOS4b/a is significantly associated with coronary dysfunction; (ii) eNOS4b/a confers a relatively high risk of hypertension in subjects with atherogenic risk factors; (iii) the frequency of eNOSG894T is high in Fabry hemizygotes with renal complications. Therefore, eNOS gene polymorphism represent a frequent risk factor for vascular abnormalities in CHD, HT and Fabry's disease, afflictions which have in common, the endothelial dysfunction.