NAD glycohydrolases: a possible function in calcium homeostasis

Vitamin B supplementation for sickle cell disease

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To assess the effectiveness of vitamin B supplementation in children and adults with sickle cell disease (SCD), compared to no intervention or an alternative vitamin B supplementation given as part of standard care.

The N-terminus of Paenibacillus larvae C3larvinA modulates catalytic efficiency

C3larvinA was recently described as a mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase (mART) toxin from the enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) III genotype of the agricultural pathogen, Paenibacillus larvae. It was shown to be the full-length, functional version of the previously described C3larvin_trunc toxin, due to a 33-residue extension of the N-terminus of the protein. In the present study, a series of deletions and substitutions were made to the N-terminus of C3larvinA to assess the contribution of the α₁-helix to toxin structure and function. Catalytic characterization of these variants identified Asp²³ and Ala³¹ residues as supportive to enzymatic function. A third residue, Lys³⁶, was also found to contribute to the catalytic activity of the enzyme. Analysis of the C3larvinA homology model revealed that these three residues were participating in a series of interactions to properly orient both the Q-X-E and S-T-S motifs. Ala³¹ and Lys³⁶ were found to associate with a structural network of residues previously identified in silico, whereas Asp²³ forms novel interactions not previously described. At last, the membrane translocation activity into host target cells of each variant was assessed, highlighting a possible relationship between protein dipole and target cell entry.

Supplementation of nicotinic acid to prepartum Holstein cows increases colostral immunoglobulin G, excretion of urinary purine derivatives, and feed efficiency in calves

We evaluated the effects of incremental levels of unprotected nicotinic acid (NA) supplementation prepartum (0, 16, 32, or 48 g/d; CON, 16NA, 32NA, and 48NA, respectively) on colostrum yield and composition and cow and calf performance. Previous research indicated that 48 g/d of NA prepartum increased colostrum IgG concentration. Exact mechanisms for this increase are not clear. The effects of NA supplementation to prepartum cows on growth and performance of their calves have not been studied. Thirty-six multiparous Holstein cows housed in a tie-stall barn were blocked by expected calving date and randomly assigned to treatments at 4 wk prepartum. Blood samples were collected 3 times weekly for analysis of nonesterified fatty acids, ketones, and IgG. Urine samples were also collected 3 times weekly for analysis of creatinine and purine derivatives. Colostrum was collected within 90 min after parturition. Calves were removed from their dams before suckling, weighed within 30 min of birth, and received 4 L of maternal colostrum. The 38 calves born were blocked based on treatments of dams. All calves were fed 449 g dry matter (DM) of milk replacer (19.3% crude protein, 19.5% fat, DM basis) and a textured starter (41% starch, DM basis) at 2 d of age until weaning at 42 d, with water available ad libitum. Feeding NA resulted in linear decreases in DM intake in cows, but colostrum yield was not affected. Yield of metabolizable energy (ME) tended to change cubically, decreasing from control (CON) to 16NA, increasing from 16NA to 32NA, and decreasing from 32NA to 48NA. Concentration of IgG, protein, ash, and solids increased linearly with NA. Concentration of ME showed a tendency to increase quadratically with NA. Yield of IgG, fat, protein, and solids content increased quadratically with NA, while allantoin and total purine derivatives increased linearly. Calf 24-h IgG and apparent efficiency of absorption were not affected by NA. Calf ME intake from colostrum tended to increase quadratically with NA, but calf starter intake was not affected. Feed efficiency of calves increased quadratically with NA. Calf average daily gain changed cubically with NA, decreasing from CON to 16NA, increasing from 16NA to 32NA, and decreasing from 32NA to 48NA. Hip width gain, body length gain, and final body length changed cubically with NA, decreasing from CON to 16NA, increasing from 16NA to 32NA, and decreasing from 32NA to 48NA. Calf blood concentrations of ketones increased quadratically with NA. These data suggest that increasing levels of NA can be fed prepartum to increase colostral components and 32 g/d NA can improve calf performance.

Emissive Synthetic Cofactors: A Highly Responsive NAD+ Analogue Reveals Biomolecular Recognition Features

Apart from its vital function as a redox cofactor, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺ ) has emerged as a crucial substrate for NAD⁺ -consuming enzymes, including poly(ADP-ribosyl)transferase 1 (PARP1) and CD38/CD157. Their association with severe diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and depressions, necessitates the development of new analytical tools based on traceable NAD⁺ surrogates. Here, the synthesis, photophysics and biochemical utilization of an emissive, thieno[3,4-d]pyrimidine-based NAD⁺ surrogate, termed N^th AD⁺ , are described. Its preparation was accomplished by enzymatic conversion of synthetic ^th ATP by nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 (NMNAT1). The new NAD⁺ analogue possesses useful photophysical features including redshifted absorption and emission maxima as well as a relatively high quantum yield. Serving as a versatile substrate, N^th AD⁺ was reduced by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) to N^th ADH and afforded ^th ADP-ribose (^th ADPr) upon hydrolysis by NAD⁺ -nucleosidase (NADase). Furthermore, N^th AD⁺ was engaged in cholera toxin A (CTA)-catalyzed mono(^th ADP-ribosyl)ation, but was found incapable in promoting PARP1-mediated poly(^th ADP-ribosyl)ation. Due to its high photophysical responsiveness, N^th AD⁺ is suited for spectroscopic real-time monitoring. Intriguingly, and as an N7-lacking NAD⁺ surrogate, the thieno-based cofactor showed reduced compatibility (i.e., functional similarity compared to native NAD⁺ ) relative to its isothiazolo-based analogue. The distinct tolerance, displayed by diverse NAD⁺ producing and consuming enzymes, suggests unique biological recognition features and dependency on the purine N7 moiety, which is found to be of importance, if not essential, for PARP1-mediated reactions.

Involvement of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in paraptotic cell death of D. discoideum

Paraptosis is mediated by several proteins, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase being one of them. D. discoideum lacks caspases thus providing a better system to dissect out the role of PARP in paraptosis. The cell death phenotype in unicellular eukaryote, D. discoideum is similar to the programmed cell death phenotype of multicellular animals. However, the events downstream to the death signal of PCD in D. discoideum are yet to be understood. Our results emphasize that oxidative stress in D. discoideum lacking caspases leads to PARP activation, mitochondrial membrane potential changes, followed by the release of apoptosis inducing factor from mitochondria. AIF causes large scale DNA fragmentation, a hallmark feature of paraptosis. The role of PARP in paraptosis is reiterated via PARP inhibition by benzamide, PARG inhibition by gallotannin and PARP down-regulation, which delays paraptosis. PARP, PARG and AIF interplay is quintessential in paraptosis of D. discoideum. This is the first report to establish the involvement of PARP in the absence of caspase activity in D. discoideum which could be of evolutionary significance and gives a lead to understand the caspase independent paraptotic mechanism in higher organisms.

A novel fluorescent probe for NAD-consuming enzymes

A novel, fluorescent NAD derivative is processed as substrate by three different NAD-consuming enzymes. The new probe has been used to monitor enzymatic activity in a continuous format by changes in fluorescence and, in one case, to directly visualize alternative reaction pathways.

Identification of an unusual AT(D)Pase-like activity in multifunctional NAD glycohydrolase from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus

NAD-glycohydrolases (NADases) are ubiquitous enzymes that possess NAD glycohydrolase, ADPR cyclase or cADPR hydrolase activity. All these activities are attributed to the NADase-catalyzed cleavage of C-N glycosyl bond. AA-NADase purified from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus is different from the known NADases, for it consists of two chains linked with disulfide-bond(s) and contains one Cu(2+) ion. Here, we show that AA-NADase is not only able to cleave the C-N glycosyl bond of NAD to produce ADPR and nicotinamide, but also able to cleave the phosphoanhydride linkages of ATP, ADP and AMP-PNP to yield AMP. AA-NADase selectively cleaves the P-O-P bond of ATP, ADP and AMP-PNP without the cleavage of P-O-P bond of NAD. The hydrolysis reactions of NAD, ATP and ADP catalyzed by AA-NADase are mutually competitive. ATP is the excellent substrate for AA-NADase with the highest specificity constant k(cat)/K(m) of 293+/-7mM(-1)s(-1). AA-NADase catalyzes the hydrolysis of ATP to produce AMP with an intermediate ADP. AA-NADase binds with one AMP with high affinity determined by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). AMP is an efficient inhibitor against NAD. AA-NADase has so far been identified as the first unique multicatalytic enzyme with both NADase and AT(D)Pase-like activities.

Characterization of oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) analogues using a high-pressure-liquid-chromatography-based NAD(+)-glycohydrolase assay and comparison with fluorescence-based measurements

A high-pressure-liquid-chromatography (HPLC)-based technique was developed to assess the oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+))-glycohydrolase activity of the catalytic domain of Pseudomonas exotoxin A containing a hexa-His tag. The assay employs reverse-phase chromatography to separate the substrate (NAD(+)) and products (adenosine 5'-diphosphate-ribose and nicotinamide) produced over the reaction time course, whereby the peak area of nicotinamide is correlated using a standard curve. This technique was used to determine whether the NAD(+) analogue, 2'-F-ribo-NAD(+), was a competing substrate or a competitive inhibitor for this toxin. This NAD(+) analogue was hydrolyzed at a rate of 0.2% that of NAD(+) yet retained the same binding affinity for the toxin as the parent compound. Finally, the rate that a fluorescent NAD(+) analogue, epsilon-NAD(+), is hydrolyzed by the toxin was also investigated. This analogue was hydrolyzed six times slower than NAD(+) as determined using HPLC. The rate of hydrolysis of epsilon-NAD(+) calculated using the fluorometric version of the assay shows a sixfold increase in reaction rate compared to that determined by HPLC. This HPLC-based assay is adaptable to any affinity-tagged enzyme that possesses NAD(+)-glycohydrolase activity and offers the advantage of directly measuring the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolytic rate of NAD(+) and its analogues.

A cellular survival switch: poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation stimulates DNA repair and silences transcription

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is a post-translational modification occurring in the nucleus. The most abundant and best-characterized enzyme catalyzing this reaction, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), participates in fundamental nuclear events. The enzyme functions as molecular "nick sensor". It binds with high affinity to DNA single-strand breaks resulting in the initiation of its catalytic activity. Activated PARP1 promotes base excision repair. In addition, PARP1 modifies several transcription factors and thereby precludes their binding to DNA. We propose that a major function of PARP1 includes the silencing of transcription preventing expression of damaged genes. Concomitant stimulation of DNA repair suggests that PARP1 acts as a switch between transcription and DNA repair. Another PARP-type enzyme, tankyrase, is involved in the regulation of telomere elongation. Tankyrase modifies a telomere-associated protein and thereby prevents it masking telomeric repeats providing access of telomerase for telomere elongation. Therefore, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation reactions may act as molecular switches in DNA metabolism.

Pathophysiological relevance of mitochondria in NAD(+) metabolism

Pyridine nucleotides are mostly stored within mitochondria where they are involved in different functions ranging from energy metabolism to cellular signaling. Here we discuss the mechanisms of mitochondrial NAD(+) metabolism and release that may contribute to the crucial roles played by these organelles as triggers or amplifiers of physiological and pathological events.

NAD(P)(+)-glycohydrolase from human spleen: a multicatalytic enzyme

NAD(P)(+)-glycohydrolase (NADase, EC 3.2.2.6) was partially purified from microsomal membranes of human spleen after solubilization with Triton X-100. In addition to NAD+ and NADP+, the enzyme catalyzed the hydrolysis of several NAD+ analogues and the pyridine base exchange reaction with conversion of NAD+ into 3-acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide. The enzyme also catalyzed the synthesis of cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) from NAD+ and the hydrolysis of cADPR to adenosine diphosphoribose (ADPR). Therefore, this enzyme is a new member of multicatalytic NADases recently identified from mammals, involved in the regulation of intracellular cADPR concentration. Human spleen NADase showed a subunit molecular mass of 45 kDa, a pI of 4.9 and a Km value for NAD+ of 26 microM. High activation of ADPR cyclase activity was observed in the presence of Ag+ ions, corresponding to NADase inhibition.

Terminal diols as efficient substrates for transglycosylational activity of NAD glycohydrolase

Linear terminal alkane-diols have been shown to function as more efficient substrates of the transglycosylational activity of NAD+ glycohydrolase (NADase) than the corresponding respective 1-alkanols. A series of eight alkane-diols from ethane-1,2- to nonane-1,9-diols underwent an O-ADP-ribosylation in the incubation reaction with NAD/NADase to provide the corresponding ribosylated products. The structural properties of these products were characterized by 1H NMR and MS spectrometries. No substantial double ADP-ribosylation of the two hydroxy functions was observed which was initially expected in the diols of higher carbon number.

Extracellular synthesis of cADP-ribose from nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide by rat cortical astrocytes in culture

cADPR is an endogenous calcium-mobilizing agent that in vertebrates is synthesized from nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD) by bifunctional enzymes with ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase activity. ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase activity have been reported in the brain, but the cellular localization of these activities has not been determined previously. In the present study, selective culturing techniques were employed to localize ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity and cADPR hydrolase activity to astrocytes or neurons in cultures derived from rat embryonic cerebral cortex. ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity was determined by incubating cultures with 1 mM NAD in the extracellular medium for 60 min at 37 degrees C and measuring formation of cADPR by bioassay and by HPLC. Astrocyte cultures and mixed cultures of astrocytes and neurons had mean specific activities of 0.84 +/- 0.06 and 0.9 +/- 0.18 nmol cADPR produced/mg protein/hr, respectively. No detectable ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity was found in neuron-enriched/ astrocyte-poor cultures. cADPR hydrolase activity was detectable by incubating cultures with 300 microM cADPR for 60 min at 37 degrees C and assaying loss of cADPR or accumulation of ADPR. The demonstration of extracellular ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase activities associated with astrocytes may have important implications for the role of extracellular cADPR in signal transduction and in intercellular communication in the nervous system.

Nicotinamide inhibits cyclic ADP-ribose-mediated calcium signalling in sea urchin eggs

Cyclic ADP ribose (cADPR) is a potent Ca(2+)-releasing agent, and putative second messenger, the endogenous levels of which are tightly regulated by synthetic (ADP-ribosyl cyclases) and degradative (cADPR hydrolase) enzymes. These enzymes have been characterized in a number of mammalian and invertebrate tissues and their activities are often found on a single polypeptide. beta-NAD+, cGMP and nitric oxide (NO) have been reported to mobilize Ca2+ in the sea urchin egg via the cADPR-mediated pathway. We now report that in sea urchin egg homogenates, nicotinamide inhibits the Ca(2+)-mobilizing action of beta-NAD+, cGMP and NO, but has no effect on cADPR-induced Ca2+ release. Moreover, nicotinamide inhibits cGMP-induced regenerative Ca2+ waves in the intact sea urchin egg. By successfully separating the cADPR-metabolizing machinery from that which releases Ca2+, we have shown that nicotinamide inhibits cADPR-mediated Ca2+ signalling at the level of cADPR generation. Importantly, nicotinamide had no effect upon the hydrolysis of cADPR, and its selective action on cyclase activity was supported by its inhibition of purified Aplysia ADP-ribosyl cyclase, which does not exhibit detectable hydrolytic activity. The action of nicotinamide in blocking Ca2+ release by beta-NAD+, cGMP and NO strongly suggests that these agents act as modulators of cADPR synthesis rather than to sensitize calcium release channels to cADPR.