Methionine metabolism in mammals: synthesis of S-adenosylhomocysteine in rat tissues

Altered one-carbon metabolism in posttraumatic stress disorder

BACKGROUND

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality through somatic conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease. The one-carbon metabolism in connection with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis may be an important mediator of this increased cardiovascular risk.

METHODS

In a mixed-gender sample of 49 PTSD patients and 45 healthy controls we therefore investigated: (1) alterations in the one-carbon metabolism as reflected in fasting plasma concentrations of homocysteine, folate, vitamins B6 and B12, and (2) associations of these one-carbon metabolites with the HPA-axis hormones cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEA-S).

RESULTS

After correction for confounders, PTSD patients had significantly elevated homocysteine (z = 2.963, p = .003) compared to controls, but normal levels of folate, vitamin B6 and B12. Comorbid depression did not explain the observed higher homocysteine levels. Patients showed increased risk for moderate hyperhomocysteinemia (OR = 7.0, χ(2) = 7.436, p = .006). Additionally, homocysteine was associated with PTSD severity (z = 2.281, p = .005). Moreover, all HPA-axis hormones were associated with folate in both patients and controls (all p's ≤ .011), while DHEA-S influenced folate in patients (z = 2.089, p = .037).

LIMITATIONS

Our clinical sample is relatively small and therefore small-sized effects may have remained undetected.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that: (1) the one-carbon metabolism is altered in PTSD patients, (2) earlier findings of higher homocysteine in male PTSD patients are generalized to female patients, (3) homocysteine is negatively associated with PTSD severity, and (4) HPA-axis alterations are associated with the one-carbon metabolism. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether elevated homocysteine levels reflect preexisting risk factors and/or consequences of psychological trauma.

Characterization, expression and localization of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase from amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtaunese

A cDNA clone encoding AmphiSAHH [amphioxus SAHH (S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase)] protein was isolated from a cDNA library from the gut of Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtaunese. It contained a 1305 bp open reading frame corresponding to a deduced protein of 434 amino acid residues, with a predicted molecular mass of approx. 47.8 kDa. Phylogenetic analysis showed that AmphiSAHH and sea-urchin SAHH joined together and positioned at the base of the vertebrate SAHH clade, suggesting that both AmphiSAHH and sea-urchin SAHH might share some characteristics of the archetype of vertebrate SAHH proteins. The genomic DNA sequence of AmphiSAHH contained eight exons and seven introns, which was similar to B. floridae and sea-urchin SAHH exon/intron organization. Sequence comparison suggested the evolutionary appearance of the ten exon/nine intron organization of SAHH genes after the split of invertebrates and vertebrates, after which it has been highly conserved. AmphiSAHH has been successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Western blotting confirmed that the enzyme has a native molecular mass of approx. 48 kDa, and the catalytic activities and NAD(+)/NADH binding affinity of recombinant AmphiSAHH were measured. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that SAHH was strongly expressed in hepatic caecum, gill, spermary and ovary of amphioxus.

Expression and localization of S-adenosylhomocysteine-hydrolase in the rat kidney following carbon monoxide induced hypoxia

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Tissue hypoxia induces a variety of functional changes including enhanced transcriptional activity associated with high transmethylation activity (e.g. mRNA cap methylation) in the nucleus. It is well known that the kidney responds to hypoxia with enhanced transcription of erythropoietin (EPO) in the interstitial cells. Since S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy)-hydrolase regulates most S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) dependent transmethylation reactions by hydrolyzing the potent feedback inhibitor AdoHcy to adenosine and homocysteine we studied the effect of hypoxia by carbon monoxide (CO) inhalation (1200 ppm) on AdoHcy-hydrolase gene expression and its localization in rat kidneys.

RESULTS

CO lowered renal AdoHcy-hydrolase mRNA expression by 64% whereas AdoHcy-hydrolase activity was not changed during 4h of CO exposure 0.7+/-0.04 mU/mg (control) vs. 0.75+/-0.06 mU/mg protein. Using two-channel immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscope AdoHcy-hydrolase was visualized in different cells of the hypoxic rat kidney. A very bright immunofluorescence of AdoHcy-hydrolase was observed in the nuclei of single interstitial cells of renal cortex and outer medulla which respond to hypoxia with increased EPO secretion indicating translocation of AdoHcy-hydrolase from the cytosol to the nucleus.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that AdoHcy-hydrolase accumulation in the nucleus of adult mammalian cells is involved in maintaining efficient transmethylation reactions in transcriptionally active cells by removing the product inhibitor AdoHcy.

Effect of vitamin B6 deficiency on S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase activity as a target point for methionine metabolic regulation

The objective of this study was to clarify the relationship between the accumulation of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and the change in the SAH hydrolase activity in vitamin B6 (B6). Male Wistar rats were fed a control diet (control and pair-fed groups) or B6-free diet (B6-deficient group) for 5 wk. Although the SAH-synthetic activity of SAH hydrolase significantly increased in the B6-deficient group, SAH-hydrolytic activity of SAH hydrolase showed no significant difference in the liver among the three groups. On the other hand, SAH hydrolase mRNA in the liver did not show any significant change. Thus, the accumulation of SAH would be due to the increased SAH-synthetic activity of SAH hydrolase. The disturbed methionine metabolism by B6-deficiency, such as a significant increase of plasma homocysteine, might induce the activation of SAH hydrolase in the direction of SAH synthesis.

Methionine flux to transsulfuration is enhanced in the long living Ames dwarf mouse

Long-lived Ames dwarf mice lack growth hormone, prolactin, and thyroid stimulating hormone. Additionally the dwarf mice have enzyme activities and levels that combat oxidative stress more efficiently than those of normal mice. We have shown that methionine metabolism in Ames mice is markedly different than in their wild type littermates. In our previous work we hypothesized that the flux of methionine to the transsulfuration pathway is enhanced in the dwarf mice. The current study was designed to determine whether the flux of methionine to the transsulfuration pathway is increased. We did this by injecting either l-[methyl-(3)H]-methionine or l-[(35)S]-methionine into dwarf or normal mice and then determined retained label (in form of S-adenosylmethionine) 45 min later. The amount of retained hepatic (3)H and (35)S label was significantly reduced in the dwarf mice; at 45 min the specific radioactivity of SAM (pCi/nmol SAM) was 56% lower (p < 0.05) for (3)H-label and 64% lower (p < 0.005) for (35)S-label in dwarf than wild type mice. Retention of (35)S was significantly lower in the brain (37%, p < .04) and kidney (47%, p < 0.02) of the dwarf compared to wild type mice; there was no statistical difference in retained (3)H-label in either brain or kidney. This suggests that both the methyl-moiety and the carbon chain of methionine are lost much faster in the dwarf compared to the wild type mouse, implying that both transmethylation in the liver and transsulfuration in the liver, brain, and kidney are increased in the dwarf mice. As further support, we determined by real-time RT PCR the expression of methionine metabolism genes in livers of mice. Compared to wild type, the Ames dwarf had increased expression of methionine adenosyltransferase 1a (2.3-fold, p = 0.013), glycine N-methyltransferase (3.8-fold, p = 0.023), betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (5.5-fold, p = 0.0006), S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (3.8-fold, p = 0.0005), and cystathionase (2.6-fold; tended to be increased, p = 0.055). Methionine synthase expression was significantly decreased in dwarf compared to wild type (0.48-fold, p = 0.023). These results confirm that the flux of methionine to transsulfuration is enhanced in the Ames dwarf. This, along with data from previous studies support the hypothesis that altered methionine metabolism plays a significant role in the oxidative defense of the dwarf mouse and that the mechanism for the enhanced oxidative defense may be through altered GSH metabolism as a result of the distinctive methionine metabolism.

S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase is necessary for aldosterone-induced activity of epithelial Na(+) channels

The A6 cell line was used to study the role of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHHase) in the aldosterone-induced activation of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC). Because aldosterone increases methylation of several different molecules, and because this methylation is associated with increased Na(+) reabsorption, we tested the hypothesis that aldosterone increases the expression and activity of SAHHase protein. The rationale for this work is that general methylation may be promoted by activation of SAHHase, the only enzyme known to metabolize SAH, a potent end-product inhibitor of methylation. Although aldosterone increased SAHHase activity, steroid did not affect SAHHase expression. Antisense SAHHase oligonucleotide decreased SAHHase expression and activity. Moreover, this oligonucleotide, as well as a pharmacological inhibitor of SAHHase, decreased aldosterone-induced activity of ENaC via a decrease in ENaC open probability. The kinetics of ENaC in cells treated with antisense plus aldosterone were similar to those reported previously for the channel in the absence of steroid. This is the first report showing that active SAHHase, in part, increases ENaC open probability by reducing the transition rate from open states in response to aldosterone. Thus aldosterone-induced SAHHase activity plays a critical role in shifting ENaC from a gating mode with short open and closed times to one with longer open and closed times.

Localization of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase in the rat kidney

S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) hydrolase is a cytosolic enzyme present in the kidney. Enzyme activities of SAH hydrolase were measured in the kidney in isolated glomeruli and tubules. SAH hydrolase activity was 0.62 +/- 0.02 mU/mg in the kidney, 0.32 +/- 0.03 mU/mg in the glomeruli, and 0.50 +/- 0.02 mU/mg in isolated tubules. Using immunohistochemical methods, we describe the localization of the enzyme SAH hydrolase in rat kidney with a highly specific antibody raised in rabbits against purified SAH hydrolase from bovine kidney. This antibody crossreacts to almost the same extent with the SAH hydrolase from different species such as rat, pig, and human. Using light microscopy, SAH hydrolase was visualized by the biotin-streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase immunohistochemical procedure. SAH hydrolase immunostaining was observed in glomeruli and in the epithelium of the proximal and distal tubules. The collecting ducts of the cortex and medulla were homogeneously stained. By using double immunofluorescence staining and two-channel immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy, we differentiated the glomerular cells (endothelium, mesangium, podocytes) and found intensive staining of podocytes. Our results show that the enzyme SAH hydrolase is found ubiquitously in the rat kidney. The prominent staining of SAH hydrolase in the podocytes may reflect high rates of transmethylation. (J Histochem Cytochem 48:211-218, 2000)

S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase regulates aldosterone-induced Na+ transport

Aldosterone-induced Na+ reabsorption, in part, is regulated by a critical methyl esterification; however, the signal transduction pathway regulating this methylation remains unclear. The A6 cell line was used as a model epithelia to investigate regulation of aldosterone-induced Na+ transport by S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHHase), the only enzyme in vertebrates known to catabolize S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH), an end product inhibitor of methyl esterification. Sodium reabsorption was decreased within 2 h by 3-deazaadenosine, a competitive inhibitor of SAHHase, with a half inhibitory concentration between 40 and 50 microM. Aldosterone increased SAH catabolism by activating SAHHase. Increased SAH catabolism was associated with a concomitant increase in S-adenosylmethionine catabolism. Moreover, SAH decreased substrate methylation. Antisense oligonucleotide complementary to SAHHase mRNA decreased SAHHase activity and Na+ current by approximately 50%. Overexpression of SAHHase increased SAHHase activity and dependent substrate methyl esterification. Whereas basal Na+ current was not affected by overexpression of SAHHase, aldosterone-induced current in SAHHase-overexpressing cells was significantly potentiated. These results demonstrate that aldosterone induction of SAHHase activity is necessary for a concomitant relief of the methylation reaction from end product inhibition by SAH and the subsequent increase in Na+ reabsorption. Thus, regulation of SAHHase activity is a control point for aldosterone signal transduction, but SAHHase is not an aldosterone-induced protein.

Tissue-specific rescue suggests that placental adenosine deaminase is important for fetal development in mice

Adenosine deaminase (ADA, EC 3.5.4.4) is an essential enzyme of purine metabolism that is expressed at very high levels in the murine placenta where it accounts for over 95% of the ADA present at the fetal gestation site. We have recently shown that ADA-deficient fetuses, which also lack ADA in their adjoining placentas, die during late fetal development in association with profound purine metabolic disturbances and hepatocellular impairment. We have now investigated the potential importance of placental ADA by genetically restoring the enzyme to placentas of ADA-deficient fetuses. This genetic engineering strategy corrected most of the purine metabolic disturbances, prevented serious fetal liver damage, and rescued the fetuses from perinatal lethality. Our findings suggest that placental ADA is important for murine fetal development and illustrate a general strategy for the tissue specific correction of phenotypes associated with null mutations in mice.

Copper binding to mouse liver S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase and the effects of copper on its levels

The dissociation constant and stoichiometry of copper binding to mouse liver S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) was determined as part of characterizing the possible roles of SAHH in copper metabolism. Copper (64Cu(II)) binding was measured by an ultrafiltration method in the presence of EDTA as a competing ligand. The KD was 3.9 +/- 0.7 x 10(-16) M, and the stoichiometry was one g atom of copper per 48-kDa subunit. Western blots indicated that the liver contains approximately 12 times more SAHH than the kidney, which in turn contains approximately 5 times more SAHH than the brain. The high concentration and copper affinity of SAHH in the liver may contribute to the liver's ability to preferentially accumulate copper, and the low levels of SAHH in the brain may contribute to the sensitivity of the brain to copper deficiency. The effects of genetic defects of copper metabolism and copper deficiency on SAHH were also determined. Normal SAHH levels were detected in brindled mouse liver, kidney, and brain. However, SAHH from brindled mouse liver eluted abnormally from phenyl Superose columns implying an effect of the brindled mouse defect on SAHH protein structure. Hepatic cytosols from the toxic milk mouse contained approximately 42% the amount of SAHH detected in controls, and hepatic levels of SAHH were also decreased by approximately 45% in copper-deficient mice. The binding properties of SAHH and the effects of abnormal states of copper metabolism on its levels are consistent with significant roles for SAHH in normal and abnormal copper metabolism. SAHH may have roles in regulating tissue copper levels and the distribution of intracellular copper.

Protein carboxyl methylation in synaptic membrane of rat brain: the possible presence of adenosine-bound S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase in the membrane

The effects of some neurotransmitters, adenosine (Ad), and homocysteine (Hcys) on protein carboxyl methylation in synaptic plasma membranes from rat cerebral cortex were examined. Neither any of the neurotransmitters nor Ad had a detectable effect. Incubation of membrane with DL-Hcys alone (5 X 10(-5) M), the combination of both Ad (5 X 10(-5)) and DL-Hcys (5 X 10(-5)), or S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) (1 X 10(-6)) strongly decreased the methyl ester formation. The inhibitory effect of the combination of both compounds may be interpreted in terms of the increased SAH concentration due to the presence of SAH hydrolase in the membrane. The inhibitory effect of Hcys alone was blocked by preincubation with Ad deaminase or Neplanocin A, a potent inhibitor of SAH hydrolase, suggesting the presence of Ad-bound SAH hydrolase in the synaptic membrane. Ad-bound SAH hydrolase activity estimated by the inhibition of methylation in the presence of Hcys was located in the membrane fractions including synaptosomes, myelin, and microsomes (about 70%), but the SAH hydrolase activity estimated on the basis of the inhibitory effect of the combination of both Ad and Hcys was localized exclusively in the soluble fraction (about 90%). The distribution of the latter activity is coincident with that of SAH hydrolase reported to date. Incubation of the synaptic membrane with Hcys markedly increased the SAH concentration. The stimulatory effect of Hcys alone was blocked by Ad deaminase.

[15N]aspartate metabolism in cultured astrocytes. Studies with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The metabolism of 2.5 mM-[15N]aspartate in cultured astrocytes was studied with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Three primary metabolic pathways of aspartate nitrogen disposition were identified: transamination with 2-oxoglutarate to form [15N]glutamate, the nitrogen of which subsequently was transferred to glutamine, alanine, serine and ornithine; condensation with IMP in the first step of the purine nucleotide cycle, the aspartate nitrogen appearing as [6-amino-15N]adenine nucleotides; condensation with citrulline to form argininosuccinate, which is cleaved to yield [15N]arginine. Of these three pathways, the formation of arginine was quantitatively the most important, and net nitrogen flux to arginine was greater than flux to other amino acids, including glutamine. Notwithstanding the large amount of [15N]arginine produced, essentially no [15N]urea was measured. Addition of NaH13CO3 to the astrocyte culture medium was associated with the formation of [13C]citrulline, thus confirming that these cells are capable of citrulline synthesis de novo. When astrocytes were incubated with a lower (0.05 mM) concentration of [15N]aspartate, most 15N was recovered in alanine, glutamine and arginine. Formation of [6-amino-15N]adenine nucleotides was diminished markedly compared with results obtained in the presence of 2.5 mM-[15N]aspartate.

The regional concentrations of S-adenosyl-L-methionine, S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine, and adenosine in rat brain

The concentrations of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH), and adenosine (Ado) were determined in whole brain and rat brain regions by HPLC. The whole brain contains, respectively, 22 nmol, 1 nmol, and 65 nmol of SAM, SAH, and Ado per g of wet tissue. Their distribution indicated that SAM and SAH levels are highest in brainstem, whereas the Ado level is highest in cortex. With aging the SAM concentrations decrease in whole brain, brainstem, and hypothalamus (-25%) and SAH levels increase by 90% in striatum and by 160% in cerebellum, while Ado levels are increased in all regions by 100--180%.

S-Adenosylhomocysteinase from mouse liver. Inactivation of the enzyme in the presence of metabolites

1. S-Adenosylhomocysteinase (S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, EC 3.3.1.1) was slowly inactivated in the presence of adenine and adenine nucleotides (Ueland & Saebø, 1979b). 2. The enzyme was stabilized by 2-mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol, and was slowly inactivated at 37 degrees C in the absence of reducing agents and rapidly inactivated in the presence of 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB). The inactivation (both in the absence and presence of DTNB) was partly prevented by adenine, AMP and ADP. 3. A slow decrease in enzyme activity was observed in the presence of AMP, ADP and ATP, and this process was enhanced by sulfhydryl compounds like L-homocysteine, L-cysteine, 2-mercapthoethanol and dithiothreitol. 4. Inactivation of the enzyme by adenine was independent of sulfhydryl compounds, and was characterized by an initial phase showing first-order kinetics and saturability with respect to adenine. 5. Inorganic phosphate nearly abolished the inactivation of S-adenosylhomocysteinase induced by both adenine nucleotides and adenine. 6. The enzyme activity was recovered when adenine was removed by dilution or gel filtration. Attempts to reverse the effect of adenine nucleotides on the enzyme were not successful. 7. The effect of adenine nucleotides was a Vmax-effect, and the inactivation was not associated with dissociation or polymerization of the enzyme or dissociation of enzyme-bound NAD.

An improved rapid assay for S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase

A coupled enzyme system was devised to assay S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase activity spectrophotometrically and to stain the hydrolase selectively in polyacrylamide gels. The assay procedure monitors the formation of uric acid derived from the catabolism of the adenosine moiety of S-adenosylhomocysteine. The staining procedure allows the determination of the molecular weight of the hydrolase when extracts are electrophoresed on polyacrylamide gradient gels and compared to standard of known molecular weight. The specificity of the enzyme for the homocysteine moiety was also investigated by testing modified compounds as substrates. All the analogs tested were inactive as substrates for hydrolysis, indicating a strict specificity.

Decreased transmethylation of biogenic amines after in vivo elevation of brain S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine

The ability of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) to inhibit biologic transmethylation reactions in vitro has led us to explore the possibility of pharmacologically manipulating AdoHcy levels in vivo and examining the consequences of these alterations on the transmethylation of some biogenic amines. Swiss-Webster mice were injected intraperitoneally with different doses of adenosine (Ado) and D, L-homocysteine thiolactone (Hcy) and were killed at various times thereafter. S-Adenosyl-methionine (AdoMet) and AdoHcy concentrations were determined by using a modified isotope dilution-ion exchange chromatography-high pressure liquid chromatography technique sensitive to less than 10 pmol. Increasing doses of Ado + Hcy (50-1000 mg/kg of each) produced a dose-related increase in blood, liver, and brain AdoHcy levels. At a dose level of 200 mg/kg Ado + Hcy, AdoHcy levels were markedly elevated, with minimal concomitant perturbations of AdoMet. This elevation was maximal 40 min after giving Ado + Hcy, returning to control values within 6 h. Ado + Hcy treatment resulted in decreased activities of catechol-O-methyltransferase, histamine-N-methyltransferase, and AdoHcy hydrolase in vitro. The cerebral catabolism of intraventricularly administered [(3)H]histamine (HA) was decreased in a dose-related manner by Ado + Hcy treatment as evidenced by higher amounts of nonutilized [(3)H]HA in brain, concurrent decreases in [(3)H]methylhistamine formation, and decreases in the transmethylation conversion index. Steady state levels of HA also showed dose-related increases after Ado + Hcy treatment. It is concluded that injections of Ado + Hcy can markedly elevate AdoHcy levels in vivo, which can, in turn, decrease the rate of transmethylation reactions.

Regional and subcellular distribution of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase in the adult rat brain

The regional distribution of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase was determined in the rat brain. Small variations in enzyme activity between different regions were observed. Highest activity was was found in hypothalamus and bulbus olfactorius, the least in pons and medulla. About 70% of the enzyme activity was recovered on the soluble fraction of the tissue homogenate and 25% was localized to the crude mitochondrial fraction. The corresponding values for lactate dehydrogenase were 40% and 50%, respectively. The small amount of enzyme (5%) sedimenting with the nuclear fraction could be explained by contamination of this fraction with soluble proteins and synaptosomes. Further separation of the crude mitochondrial fraction by discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation showed that most of the enzyme activity was localized to the synaptosomes, but a substantial amount was found in the top layer of the gradient. The relative specific activity of lactate dehydrogenase in the top layer was less than that of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase. No time-dependent leakage of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase from the synaptosomes could be demonstrated. After hypoosmotic treatment of the crude mitochondrial fraction and separation of this fraction on a discontinuous sucrose gradient, S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase and DOPA decarboxylase showed the same distribution in the gradient and were recovered in the cytoplasmic fraction.

Sequestration of adenosine in crude extract from mouse liver and other tissues

Adenosine (1 microM) was incubated in the presence of dialyzed crude tissue extract from mouse liver and its degradation determined. At high concentration of tissue extract, a fraction of adenosine was not metabolized. This phenomenon, termed sequestration of adenosine, was shown to be affected in the same way by the same factors (pH, salt, reducing agent and adenine) as those affecting the protection of adenosine against deamination in the presence of the purified cyclic AMP-adenosine binding protein/S-adenosylhomocysteinase from mouse liver (Saebø, J. and Ueland, P.M. (1979) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 587, 333--340). These data point to a role of this protein in the sequestration of adenosine in crude extract. The sequestration potency in crude extract could be determined by diluting the extract in the presence of a constant amount of adenosine deaminase added to the tissue extract. Under these conditions there was linearity of adenosine not available for degradation versus the concentration of tissue extract, and a total recovery of the sequestration potency of purified binding protein added to the crude extract was observed. The tissue level of the cyclic AMP-adenosine binding protein/S-adenosylhomocysteinase in mouse liver was determined by two independent procedures based on the sequestration of adenosine and the hydrolysis of S-adenosylhomocysteine, respectively. The intracellular concentration was calculated to be 10 microM. The sequestration of adenosine in crude extract from mouse, rat, rabbit and bovine tissues was determined and showed requirements similar to those of the sequestration in mouse liver extract. The ability to sequester adenosine was high in liver and decreased in the following order: liver, kidney, adrenal cortex, brain, uterus, cardiac and skeletal muscle.

[Rat liver S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase purification by affinity column chromatography (author's transl)]

S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (EC 3.3.1.1) has been purified 240-fold from rat liver by affinity column chromatography on aminohexyl sepharose bound 6-mercaptopurine 9 D-riboside. The purified enzyme was homogeneous by gel electrophoresis.

Identification of some metabolic products of 5' -deoxy-5' -S-isobutylthioadenosine, an inhibitor of virus-induced cell transformation

5' -Deoxy-5' -S-isobutylthioadenosine (iBuS)5' Ado has been shown to be rapidly degraded to 5-deoxy-5-S-isobutylthioribose and adenine in procaryotes. In chick embryo fibroblasts there are two metabolic pathways for (iBuS)5' Ado degradation: (a) oxidative deamination into 5' -deoxy-5'-S-isobutylthioinosine (the main product) and (b) hydrolysis into 5-deoxy-5-S-isobutylthioribose plus adenine. The latter reaction is not due to bacterial contamination, since the same results were obtained under sterile conditions and in chick embryo fibroblasts in culture. The inhibition of the virus-induced cell transformation reported by us previously was due to (iBuS)5' Ado rather than to the main metabolic product of this molecule in chick embryo fibroblasts.

S-adenosylmethionine metabolism and its relation to polyamine synthesis in rat liver. Effect of nutritional state, adrenal function, some drugs and partial hepatectomy

S-Adenosylmethionine metabolism and its relation to the synthesis and accumulation of polyamines was studied in rat liver under various nutritional conditions, in adrenalectomized or partially hepatectomized animals and after treatment with cortisol, thioacetamide or methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) {1,1'-[(methylethanediylidine)dinitrilo]diguanidine}. Starvation for 2 days only slightly affected S-adenosylmethionine metabolism. The ratio of spermidine/spermine decreased markedly, but the concentration of total polyamines did not change significantly. The activity of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase initially decreased and then increased during prolonged starvation. This increase was dependent on intact adrenals. Re-feeding of starved animals caused a rapid but transient stimulation of polyamine synthesis and also increased the concentrations of S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine. Similarly, cortisol treatment enhanced the synthesis of polyamines, S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine. Feeding with a methionine-deficient diet for 7-14 days profoundly increased the concentration of spermidine, whereas the concentrations of total polyamines and of S-adenosylmethionine showed no significant changes. The results show that nutritional state and adrenal function play a significant role in the regulation of hepatic metabolism of S-adenosylmethionine and polyamines. They further indicate that under a variety of physiological and experimental conditions the concentrations of S-adenosylmethionine and of total polyamines remain fairly constant and that changes in polyamine metabolism are not primarily connected with changes in the accumulation of S-adenosylmethionine or S-adenosylhomocysteine.

Tissue distribution of S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine in the rat. Effect of age, sex and methionine administration on the metabolism of S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine and polyamines

The tissue distribution of S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, methionine adenosyltransferase and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase was explored in the rat. Also the effects of methionine administration on the accumulation of S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine and polyamines were studied in rat liver, brain and kidney. The tissue distribution of S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine, methionine adenosyltransferase and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase was similar in both sexes, and was only slightly changed with age. The specific activity of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase greatly exceeded that of methionine adenosyltransferase, and the concentration of S-adenosylmethionine was higher than that of S-adenosylhomocysteine in all tissues examined. However, the hepatic S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine ratio was dependent on food supply and on the age of the animal. No correlation was noticed between the activity of methionine adenosyltransferase and the concentrations of the adenosyl compounds in different tissues. Intraperitoneal administration of methionine resulted in a profound but transient increase in the hepatic concentrations of S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine. The concentration of S-adenosylmethionine was elevated also in the brain during the first 2h after methionine injection. The rise of S-adenosylmethionine concentration after methionine treatment could be diminished by simultaneous glycine administration. The results support the view that the rate-limiting factor of S-adenosylmethionine synthesis is the tissue concentration of methionine. They further suggest that glycine N-methyltransferase may have a regulatory role in the utilization of S-adenosylmethionine in the liver.

The transsulfuration pathway in Tetrahymena pyriformis

Four enzymes necessary for the metabolism of methionine by the trans-sulfuration pathway, methionine adenosyltransferase (EC 2.5.1.6), adenosylhomocysteinase (EC 3.3.1.1), cystathionine beta-synthase (EC 4.2.1.22) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (EC 4.4.1.1) were identified in Tetrahymean pyriformis. The ability of these cells to transfer 35S from E135S]methionine to form [35S] cysteine was also observed and taken as direct evidence for the functional existence of this pathway in Tetrahymena. An intermediate in the pathway and an active methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine, was qualitatively identified in Tetrahymena and its concentration was found to be greater in late stationary phase cells than in early stationary phase cells.

Monitoring of the specific radioactivity of S-adenosylmethionine in kidney in vivo

The specific radioactivity of S-adenosylmethionine was followed in the cat kidney during the infusion of L-[Me-3H]methionine into the corresponding renal artery. For this purpose 14C-labelled 4-(2-aminoethyl)pyrocatechol([14C]dopamine) as methyl acceptor was injected locally every 15 min and the 3H and 14C activity of the methylation product homovanillic acid, isolated from urine, was measured. Approximately 5% of the 14C label is excreted during the first renal passage as [14C]homovanillic acid. The specific activity of S-adenosy[Me-3H]methionine in the kidney was calculated from the known specific radioactivity of [14C]dopamine injected and the measured radioactivity ratio, 3H: 14C, of homovanillic acid isolated from urine. The specific activity of S-adenosyl[Me-3H]methionine reaches a constant value in kidney about 30-60 min after the beginning of the L-[Me-3H]methionine infusion. This plateau value was 28% +/- 14% (n = 5) lower than the specific activity of L-[Me-3H]methionine in the venous blood from the corresponding kidney. The difference between the specific radioactivity of S-adenosyl[Me-3H]methionine in kidney and of free methionine in plasma is explained by the existence of a methionine source of minor specific activity in the kidney. The average life span of S-adenosylmethionine in the kidney is 19.5 +/- 8.7 min (n = 5).

A sensitive isotopic assay method for S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase. Some properties of the enzyme from rat liver

A rapid and sensitive isotopic method is presented for the assay of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (EC 3.3.1.1) activity, based on the formation of radioactive S-adenosylhomocysteine labelled in the adenosine portion. The radioactive product is separated either by low-voltage paper electrophoresis or by using phosphocellulose ion-exchange paper. Some kinetic properties of the enzyme from rat liver have shown to be clearly different from those reported earlier for this enzyme. The use of erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine, a potent inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, makes it possible to measure the S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase activity in tissues with a high adenosine deaminase activity, e.g. in intestinal mucosa.