Interaction of metal(III)-adenosine 5'-triphosphate complexes with yeast hexokinase

Neurological study on the effect of CeNPs and/or La Cl3 on adult male albino rats

Lanthanides are a group of 15 elements (8 heavy and 7 light) grouped for their proximity in the chemical and physical properties. Recently, this group of elements has received great attention because of their importance, and their entrance into many industrial technologies making the probability of the living organisms' exposure to it increase. The present study aims to study ability of cerium nanoparticles (CeNPs) or lanthanum (LaCl3) to cross the blood brain barrier also, investigate their neuro effect separately or together on some parameters in six brain areas (cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, striatum, midbrain, and hypothalamus) of the adult male albino rats. The results showed the ability of both elements to distribute and accumulate in the different brain areas. Also, the results of CeNPs or LaCl3 treatment were in the same line where each element caused a significant decrease in norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and GABA accompanied with a significant increase in 5- hydroxyl indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) glucose level. On the other hand, GSH and MDA showed a significant decrease after CeNPs treatment while, with LaCl3 treatment, MDA showed a significant increase in the different brain areas after 3 weeks of treatment. The coadministration of CeNPs and La Cl3 caused an ameliorating effect in all the tested parameters. In conclusion, from the previous studies the effects of lanthanides in the present study may be in part due to its effect on the release or turnover of neurotransmitters and insulin secretion. Finally, the ameliorative effect of CeNPs may be regarded as its high activity to scavenge the free radicals.

Bioaccumulation and subcellular partitioning of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in the freshwater green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Chromium occurs in aquatic environments under two main redox forms, namely Cr(III) and Cr(VI), with different geochemical and biochemical properties. Cr(VI) readily crosses biological membranes of living organisms and once inside the cells it undergoes a rapid reduction to Cr(III). The route of entry for the latter form is, however, poorly known. Using the radioactive tracer ⁵¹Cr we compared the accumulation (absorption and adsorption) of the two Cr forms by the green unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardii after 1h and 72h of exposure to 100nM of either Cr(III) or Cr(VI) at pH 7. Both Cr forms had similar accumulation, with a major part in the extracellular (adsorbed) fraction after 1h and a major part of total accumulated Cr in the intracellular (absorbed) fraction after 72h. We also investigated the intracellular partitioning of Cr using an operational fractionation scheme and found that both Cr forms had similar distributions among fractions: Cr was mostly associated with organelles (23±12% after 1h and 37±7% after 72h) and cytosolic heat-stable proteins and peptides (39±18% after 1h and 35±3% after 72h) fractions. Further investigations using a metallomic approach (SEC-ICP-MS) were performed with the heat-stable proteins and peptides fraction to compare the distribution of the two Cr forms among various biomolecules of this fraction. One Cr-binding biomolecule (∼28kDa) appeared after 1h of exposure for both Cr species. After 72h another biomolecule of lower molecular weight (∼0.7kDa) was involved in binding Cr and higher signal intensities were observed for Cr(VI) than for Cr(III). We show, for the first time, that both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) have similar fate within algal cells, supporting the tenet that a unique redox form occurs within cells.

Molecular structure of tetraaqua adenosine 5'-triphosphate aluminium(III) complex: a study involving Raman spectroscopy, theoretical DFT and potentiometry

The Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases that affect elderly population, due to the formation of β-amyloid protein aggregate and several symptoms, especially progressive cognitive decline. The result is a decrease in capture of glucose by cells leading to obliteration, meddling in the Krebs cycle, the principal biochemical route to the energy production leading to a decline in the levels of adenosine 5'-triphosphate. Aluminium(III) is connected to Alzheimer's and its ion provides raise fluidity of the plasma membrane, decrease cell viability and aggregation of amyloid plaques. Studies reveal that AlATP complex promotes the formation of reactive fibrils of β-amyloid protein and independent amyloidogenic peptides, suggesting the action of the complex as a chaperone in the role pathogenic process. In this research, one of complexes formed by Al(III) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate in aqueous solution is analyzed by potentiometry, Raman spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. The value of the logK(AlATP) found was 9.21±0.01 and adenosine 5'-triphosphate should act as a bidentate ligand in the complex. Raman spectroscopy and potentiometry indicate that donor atoms are the oxygen of the phosphate β and the oxygen of the phosphate γ, the terminal phosphates. Computational calculations using Density Functional Theory, with hybrid functions B3LYP and 6-311++G(d,p) basis set regarding water solvent effects, have confirmed the results. Frontier molecular orbitals, electrostatic potential contour surface, electrostatic potential mapped and Mulliken charges of the title molecule were also investigated.

Alum application to improve water quality in a municipal wastewater treatment wetland: effects on macrophyte growth and nutrient uptake

Application of low doses of alum to treatment wetlands to reduce elevated outflow winter phosphorus concentrations were tested in mesocosms vegetated with either Typhadomingensis, Schoenoplectus californicus, or submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) (Najas guadalupensis-dominated). Alum was pumped to experimental units at a rate of 0.91 g Al m(-2) d(-1) and water quality monitored for 3 months. The alum application significantly improved the outflow water quality and overall the growth of the plants was unaffected by the alum application. Biomass and growth varied between species and through time, but no significant effects of alum application were detected. The concentrations of nutrients and mineral elements in the aboveground tissues differed between species and over time, but only the concentration of Al in plant tissue was increased by alum additions. The concentration of Al was 50-fold higher in alum-treated SAV as compared to the control, and in Typha and Schoenoplectus the concentrations were 4- and 2-fold, higher, respectively. The N/P ratios in the plant tissues were low (<10) suggesting that their growth and biomass was limited by nitrogen. The research suggests that a continuous or seasonal low-dosage alum application to treatment wetlands provides an effective tool to maintain discharge concentrations within permitted values during the inefficient winter treatment times. We suggest that the use of alum should be restricted to treatment wetland areas dominated by emergent vegetation as the effects of the elevated Al concentrations in SAV needs further study.

Theory of Polymer Entrapped Enzyme Ultramicroelectrodes: Application to Glucose and Adenosine Triphosphate Detection

We validate, by comparison with experimental data, a theoretical description of the amperometric response of microbiosensors formed via enzyme entrapment. The utility of the theory is further illustrated with two relevant examples supported by experiments: (1) quantitative detection of glucose and (2) quantitative detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

The interrelationship between silicon and aluminium in the biological effects of aluminium

It is well established that aluminium is toxic at the cellular level and that pathological symptoms follow its entry into organisms (plants, fish, humans) when the normal exclusion mechanisms fail or are bypassed, as for example in renal dialysis. The present debate concerns the availability of environmental aluminium and the possible impact of its slow and insidious absorption and accumulation in vulnerable individuals. Silicon is considered as essential element but the mechanisms underlying its essentiality remain unknown and binding of the element (through oxygen) with biomolecules has not been demonstrated. There is, however, a unique affinity between aluminium and silicon, not only in solid state chemistry ([AlO4]5- and [SiO4]4- are isostructural), but also in aqueous solution chemistry as illustrated by the synthesis of zeolite from aluminate and silicate anions at high pH and under hydrothermal conditions. This affinity exists also in very dilute solution (< 10(-5) M) at near-neutral pH when hydroxyalumino-silicate species form. These species mediate the bioavailability and cellular toxicity of aluminium. The observed effects of silicon deficiency can be attributed to consequential aluminium availability. There are important implications for the epidemiology and biochemistry of aluminium-induced disorders and any consideration of one element must include the other.

Neurotoxic effects of dietary aluminium

Neurochemical responses to chronic oral aluminium administration have been studied in rats. Aluminium (0.3%) was added to drinking water of adult rats for four weeks or longer and weanling rats were given aluminium for eight weeks. Selective cognitive impairment was demonstrated in the adult rats. Aluminium inhibited calcium flux and phosphoinositide metabolism, one product of which (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate) modulates intracellular calcium levels. In weanling rats aluminium decreased the in vivo concentration of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in the hippocampus. An increase in cyclic AMP concentrations by 30-70% in various brain regions in adult and weanling rats was found. Aluminium enhanced agonist-stimulated but not basal cyclic AMP production in vitro. It was postulated that aluminium inhibits the GTPase activity of the stimulatory G protein, Gs, leading to prolonged activation of Gs after receptor stimulation and increased cyclic AMP production. Aluminium treatment also increased the phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) and the 200 kDa neurofilament protein (NF-H) but several other phosphoproteins were unaffected. Concentrations of seven structural proteins--MAP-2, tau, NF-H, NF-M (150 kDa), NF-L (68 kDa), tubulin and spectrin--were measured in rat brain regions by immunoblot methods. MAP-2 was most consistently decreased. These studies show that chronic oral aluminium administration to rats has significant neurochemical consequences. Three sites of action are implicated: altered calcium homeostasis, enhanced cyclic AMP production, and changes in cytoskeletal protein phosphorylation states and concentrations.

Intracellular effects of aluminium on receptor-activated cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals in pancreatic acinar cells

The hypothesis that intracellular aluminium may interfere with cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals evoked by the activation of receptors linked to inositol lipid hydrolysis has been tested. Single mouse pancreatic acinar cells were used, because there is much information in this system on the mechanism by which acetylcholine (ACh) evokes cytoplasmic Ca2+ oscillations (spiking) and these spikes can be monitored in internally perfused cells by measuring the Ca(2+)-dependent chloride current. ACh normally evokes repetitive Ca2+ spikes, but when aluminium (1 microM-1 mM) is present in the internal perfusion solution the responses are reduced or absent. When aluminium is acutely infused into the internal perfusion solution the ACh-evoked Ca2+ signals quickly disappear. Aluminium also inhibits Ca2+ signals evoked by the Ca2+ releasing agent caffeine. Preliminary results suggest that silicic acid may protect against the toxic effects of aluminium. Silicic acid and citrate, in the absence of added Al3+, have the effect of enhancing the ACh-evoked Ca2+ signals. This could be due to binding of traces of Al3+ in the solutions. We conclude that aluminium can disrupt receptor-activated cytosolic Ca2+ signals when present inside cells.

Tolerance and prospection of phytoremediator woody species of Cd, Pb, Cu and Cr

High concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu and Cr can cause harmful effects to the environment. These highly toxic pollutants constitute a risk for aquatic and terrestrial life. They are associated with diverse bioavailable geochemical fractions, like the water-soluble fraction and the exchangeable fraction, and non-available fractions like those associated with the crystalline net of clays and silica minerals. Depending upon their chemical and physical properties we can distinguish different mechanisms of metal toxicity in plants, such as production of reactive oxygen species from auto-oxidation, blocking and/or displacement of essential functional groups or metallic ions of biomolecules, changes in the permeability of cellular membranes, reactions of sulphydryl groups with cations, affinity for reactions with phosphate groups and active groups of ADP or ATP, substitution of essential ions, induction of chromosomal anomalies and decrease of the cellular division rate. However, some plant species have developed tolerance or resistance to these metals naturally. Such evolution of ecotypes is a classic example of local adaptation and microevolution, restricted to species with appropriate genetic variability. Phytoremediator woody species, with (i) high biomass production, (ii) a deep root system, (iii) high growth rate, (iv) high capacity to grow in impoverished soils, and (v) high capacity to allocate metals in the trunk, can be an alternative for the recovery of degraded soils due to excess of metallic elements. Phytoremediation using woody species presents advantageous characteristics as an economic and ecologically viable system, making it an appropriate, practical and successful technology.

Application of kinetic-based biospecific affinity chromatographic systems to ATP-dependent enzymes: studies with yeast hexokinase

This study is concerned with the development of kinetic-based bioaffinity chromatographic systems for purification of ATP-dependent kinases, with a particular focus on the allosteric yeast hexokinase enzyme (EC 2.7.1.1). Synthesis and characterization of highly substituted N(6)-linked and S(6)-linked immobilized ATP derivatives are described using a rapid solid-phase modular approach. Evaluation of the new immobilized ATP derivatives has been carried out using model chromatographic studies with yeast hexokinase, employing specific substrate analogues (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and suramin) to promote biospecific adsorption, in the presence and absence of citrate (a so-called allosteric activator of hexokinase activity). In this paper, successful bioaffinity chromatography systems were developed for yeast hexokinase and, as a result, interesting binding and catalytic properties of the enzyme were highlighted and explored. The overall results confirm the potential for extrapolation of the kinetic locking-on tactic, a general kinetic-based bioaffinity approach already developed for the NAD(P)(+)-dependent dehydrogenases, to ATP/ADP-dependent enzymes. However, in view of the enhancement of the intrinsic ATPase activity of hexokinase with glucosamine derivatives, and the coincidental hydrolysis of immobilized ATP to immobilized ADP, future developments necessary to support adaptation of the approach to ATP-dependent enzymes are discussed.

Aluminum inhibition of hexokinase activity in vitro: a study in biological availability

We have used the HK/G6PDH coupled enzyme assay to determine the biological availability of aluminum in mixed-ligand media of biological interest. The biological availability of aluminum was measured as the inhibition of the activity rate of the assay and was shown to be dependent upon the equilibration state of the aluminum stock solutions (prior to their addition to the assay) and the comparative reaction kinetics of competitive aluminum equilibria in the assays. Aluminum was found to inhibit the assay, however, the inhibition by aluminum was abolished when silicic acid was present in both the aluminum stock solution and the assay medium. The assay is proposed as a model system for investigating the biological availability of aluminum in heterogenous media of biochemical significance.

Hematological effects of aluminum on living organisms

1. Aluminum has been of great interest for many researchers over a number of years; its biochemical and physiological role is not yet fully clear. There are few papers describing the hematological consequences of its excess in living organisms and most of their data are cited in this paper. 2. Aluminum reduced the deformability of erythrocytes, and such cells are rather frequently retained in the reticuloendothelial system of the spleen and eliminated faster from the blood stream. 3. Aluminum produces peroxidative changes in the erythrocytes membrane, leading to hemolysis. Therefore, the depressed erythrocyte count in animals intoxicated with aluminum may be the consequence of both the hemolytic action of aluminum and the shortened time of survival of erythrocytes. 4. It was demonstrated that aluminum inhibits heme biosynthesis in vitro. This problem requires, however, further studies and observation. 5. Changes occurring under the influence of Al3+ on the leukocyte system of animals suggest the influence of this element on the resistance of the organism, but the mechanism of the action of Al3+ still requires elucidation. 6. Cell metabolism including blood cells may be affected by aluminum in many ways, the more so as the element may combine in vitro with amino acids, peptides, proteins, enzymes, substrates, cofactors, nucleotides and carbohydrates. Aluminum stimulates NADPH oxidation and takes part in the process of free radical formation.

Inhibition of delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity by aluminum

1. Studies were performed regarding the effects of aluminum chloride and aluminum nitrate in concentrations of 5 mg/kg of body weight on the delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity, iron level and hematological parameters. Wistar rats were exposed to these pollutants for 10, 20, 40 and 80 days. 2. The results demonstrated that aluminum chloride was more toxic than aluminum nitrate and both treatments brought about significant changes in these parameters in Wistar rats bone marrow. 3. The toxic effects of aluminum chloride and aluminum nitrate are manifested by a significant decrease of delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity in the bone marrow of rats. 4. The iron level in bone marrow with aluminum chloride and aluminum nitrate gradually dropped after 10, 20, 40 and 80 days of intoxication. 5. In the peripheral blood a significant decrease in the erythrocyte count, hemoglobin level, hematocrit value and an increase in mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were also found in experimental animals.

Activation and inhibition of protein kinase C isozymes alpha and beta by Gd3+

Gd3+ was evaluated as a probe for Ca2+ sites on protein kinase C (PKC) by studying its ability to replace Ca2+ in activation of PKC isozymes II (beta) and III (alpha) in the lipid systems phosphatidylserine/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol (PS/DO) and diheptanoylphosphatidylcholine (PC7)/DO. PKC beta was stimulated by Ca2+ or Gd3+ in PS/DO whereas activity in PC7/DO was independent of these metals. Thus, it is suggested that Gd3+ replaces Ca2+ at a site involving metal-lipid interactions. High concentrations of Ca2+ or Gd3+ inhibited activity in both lipid systems. Analysis of the Gd3+ inhibition in the PC7/DO system suggests that it is due to formation of GdATP, which competes at the MgATP site. Activity of PKC alpha was dependent on low concentrations of Ca2+ in both lipid systems. The ability of Gd3+ to substitute for Ca2+ could not be evaluated in the PS system due to the inability to completely remove contaminating Ca2+ without chelating buffers. Successful reduction of contaminating Ca2+ was achieved in the PC7 system but Gd3+ failed to substitute for Ca2+ in activating PKC alpha and only caused inhibition. This is consistent with binding of Gd3+ to a Ca2+ site at or near the active site of the enzyme rather than to a site on the lipid. These results indicate that interactions between PKC and Gd3+ are complex, involving occupation of more than one class of sites. Conditions for separately evaluating the individual sites can be manipulated by selection of isozyme and lipid system.

The ability and inability of ATP to stop aluminum from reducing the sodium efflux in unpoisoned barnacle muscle fibers

A study has been made in single barnacle muscle fibers with the object of determining whether ATP is able to protect the resting Na efflux from the effects of injected aluminum (Al) and whether Al is able to reduce or abolish the stimulatory action of ATP on the efflux. The results of the experiments show that neither ATPMg nor ATPNa2 preinjection stops Al from reducing the basal Na efflux in unpoisoned fibers which undergo a large fall (hypersensitive fibers). Preinjection of Al into such fibers reduces or abolishes the stimulatory response of the Na efflux to ATP injection. In less hypersensitive fibers, however, ATPMg is protective. This is also true of ATPNa2 preinjection in both classes of fibers showing stimulation. Injection of a mixture of AlCl3-ATPNa2 into unpoisoned fibers causes less inhibition than AlCl3 injection. The hypothesis that both ATPMg and ATPNa2 are protective is also supported by the results obtained with ouabain-poisoned fibers: (i) Al injection after ATP fails to reverse the stimulatory response to ATP, while ATP injection after Al exerts only a small or no effect. (ii) Mg2+ injection fails to reverse the stimulatory response to Al injection in poisoned fibers. And (iii) Anti-proteolysis agents e.g. leupeptin and pepstatin, upon preinjection, do not alter the kinetic results obtained by injecting Al into unpoisoned and ouabain-poisoned fibers.

Sensitivity of the sodium efflux in single barnacle muscle fibers to the microinjection of aluminum

A study has been made of the behavior of the Na efflux in single muscle fibers from the barnacle, Balanus nubilus, toward the microinjection of AlCl3. The effect of microinjecting AlCl3 is either biphasic with inhibition following transitory stimulation, or monophasic with inhibition occurring promptly and taking about 1 hr to reach a maximum. The magnitude of the inhibition is dose dependent and the minimally effective concentration is 10 mM. This is diluted by the myoplasm by a factor of roughly 100. Fibers injected with 1 M AlCl3 are found to be insensitive to 10(-4) M ouabain, whereas fibers injected with 0.5 M AlCl3 show a further fall in Na efflux, which is smaller than that seen in control fibers. The response of the ouabain-insensitive Na efflux to the injection of 0.5 M AlCl3 is biphasic: stimulation is followed by inhibition. The stimulatory phase is largely dependent on the presence of external Ca2+ and is reversed by the sudden omission of Ca2+ from the bathing medium. Fibers also injected with 0.5 M AlCl3 show a marked reduction in the response of the Na efflux to high external K. Injection of ATPMg before or after the injection of AlCl3 fails in most instances to abolish or reverse the inhibitory effect. By contrast, fibers preinjected with deferoxamine show little or no effect following the injection of AlCl3. However, external application of deferoxamine is ineffective.

The determination of the Mg2+.ATP dissociation constant by competition with Eu3+ ion using laser-induced Eu3+ ion luminescence spectroscopy

A direct spectroscopic method for the determination of the submicromolar dissociation constant of Eu3+. ATP using laser-induced Eu3+ ion luminescence spectroscopy is described. The dissociation constant of Mg2+.ATP is then determined by the competition of Mg2+ with Eu3+ for the binding of ATP. The experiments were performed in 2H2O to mitigate the significant quenching of the Eu3+ luminescence that occurs in 1H2O. Values for the effective dissociation constants of the 1:1 ATP metal ion complexes of 1.2 +/- 0.3 X 10(-7) and 2.7 +/- 0.7 X 10(-4) M are obtained for Eu3+ and Mg2+, respectively, at p2H 5.8.

Synergistic binding of glucose and aluminium ATP to hexokinase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The binding of glucose, AlATP and AlADP to the monomeric and dimeric forms of the native yeast hexokinase PII isoenzyme and to the proteolytically modified SII monomeric form was monitored at pH 6.7 by the concomitant quenching of intrinsic protein fluorescence. No fluorescence changes were observed when free enzyme was mixed with AlATP at concentrations up to 7500 microM. In the presence of saturating concentrations of glucose, the maximal quenching of fluorescence induced by AlATP was between 1.5 and 3.5% depending on species, and the average value of [L]0.5, the concentration of ligand at half-saturation, over all monomeric species was 0.9 +/- 0.4 microM. The presence of saturating concentrations of AlATP diminished [L]0.5 for glucose binding by between 260- and 670-fold for hexokinase PII and SII monomers, respectively (dependent on the ionic strength), and by almost 4000-fold for PII dimer. The data demonstrate extremely strong synergistic interactions in the binding of glucose and AlATP to yeast hexokinase, arising as a consequence of conformational changes in the free enzyme induced by glucose and in enzyme-glucose complex induced by AlATP. The synergistic interactions of glucose and AlATP are related to their kinetic synergism and to the ability of AlATP to act as a powerful inhibitor of the hexokinase reaction.

Aluminum and bone disorders: with specific reference to aluminum contamination of infant nutrients

Aluminum (Al) impairment of bone matrix formation and mineralization may be mediated by its direct effect on bone cells or indirectly by its effect on parathyroid hormone and calcium metabolism. Its toxic effects are proportional to tissue Al load. Al contamination of nutrients depends on the amount of Al present naturally in chemicals or from the manufacturing process. Intravenous calcium, phosphorus, and albumin solutions have high Al (greater than 500 micrograms/L), whereas crystalline amino acid, sterile water, and dextrose water have low Al (less than 50 micrograms/L) content. Enteral nutrients including human and whole cow milk have low Al, whereas highly processed infant formulas with multiple additives, such as soy formula, preterm infant formula, and formulas for specific disorders are heavily contaminated with Al. Healthy adults are in zero balance for Al. The gastrointestinal tract excludes greater than 95% of dietary Al, and kidney is the dominant organ for Al excretion. However, even with normal renal function, only 30-60% of an Al load from parenteral nutrition is excreted in the urine, resulting in tissue accumulation of Al. The risk for Al toxicity is greatest in infants with chronic renal insufficiency, recipients of long term parenteral nutrition, i.e., no gut barrier to Al loading, and preterm infants with low Al binding capacity. The rapid growth of the infant would theoretically potentiate Al toxicity in all infants, although the critical level of Al loading causing bone disorders is not known. To minimize tissue burden, Al content of infant nutrients should be similar to "background" levels, i.e., similar to whole milk (less than 50 micrograms/L).

The binding of glucose and nucleotides to hexokinase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The binding of glucose, ADP and AdoPP[NH]P, to the native PII dimer and PII monomer and the proteolytically-modified SII monomer of hexokinase (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was monitored at pH 6.7 by the concomitant quenching of protein fluorescence. The data were analysed in terms of Qmax, the maximal quenching of fluorescence at saturating concentrations of ligand, and [L]0.5, the concentration of ligand at half-maximal quenching. No changes in fluorescence were observed with free enzyme and nucleotide alone. In the presence of saturating levels of glucose, Qmax induced by nucleotide was between 2 and 7%, and [L]0.5 was between 0.12 and 0.56 mM, depending on the nucleotide and enzyme species. Qmax induced by glucose alone was between 22 and 25%, while [L]0.5 was approx. 0.4 mM for either of the monomeric hexokinase forms and 3.4 for PII dimer. In the presence of 6 mM ADP or 2 mM AdoPP[NH]P, Qmax for glucose was increased by up to 4% and [L]0.5 was diminished 3-fold for hexokinase PII monomer, 6-fold for SII monomer, and 15-fold for PII dimer. The results are interpreted in terms of nucleotide-induced conformational change of hexokinase in the presence of glucose and synergistic binding interactions between glucose and nucleotide.

Aluminum induced encephalopathy in the rat

Aluminum tartrate (AlT) but not sodium tartrate (NaT) produces a progressive encephalopathy when injected intracerebroventricularly in the rat. This syndrome, lethal within 30-35 days, is characterized by progressively deranged behavior. An early startle reaction (day 14), later joined by locomotor discoordination (day 19) is followed by locomotor and electrocorticographic (ECoG) seizures (day 21) in chronically instrumented AlT rats. There is early dissociation between ECoG and locomotor aspects. When tested in the shuttlebox for estimation of learning and memory function 7-8 days after AlT injection, marked impairment of both active and passive avoidance was observed. Glucose uptake capacity of synaptosomes from brain areas of AlT and NaT animals was indexed by the 2-deoxy-D-glucose method. Striatal and cortical synaptosomes showed reduced uptake activity 7 days following AlT injection. By day 14, hypothalamic areas also became affected, striatal uptake was further inhibited, and cortical uptake was reduced to 57% of control. The ECoG background rhythm remained unchanged until days 20-23, when the mean peak frequency was reduced. The model may be useful in the study of central aluminum toxicity and may have predictive validity in the testing of procedures to counter aluminum-associated encephalopathies in man.

Voltage gating in VDAC is markedly inhibited by micromolar quantities of aluminum

The mitochondrial outer membrane contains voltage-gated channels called VDAC that are responsible for the flux of metabolic substrates and metal ions across this membrane. The addition of micromolar quantities of aluminum chloride to phospholipid membranes containing VDAC channels greatly inhibits the voltage dependence of the channels' permeability. The channels remain in their high conducting (open) state even at high membrane potentials. An analysis of the change in the voltage-dependence parameters revealed that the steepness of the voltage dependence decreased while the voltage needed to close half the channels increased. The energy difference between the open and closed states in the absence of an applied potential did not change. Therefore, the results are consistent with aluminum neutralizing the voltage sensor of the channel. pH shift experiments showed that positively charged aluminum species in solution were not involved. The active form was identified as being either (or both) the aluminum hydroxide or the tetrahydroxoaluminate form. Both of these could reasonably be expected to neutralize a positively charged voltage sensor. Aluminum had no detectable effect on either single-channel conductance or selectivity, indicating that the sensor is probably not located in the channel proper and is distinct from the selectivity filter.

Promotion of tubulin assembly by aluminum ion in vitro

It has been proposed that aluminum ion is a contributing factor in a variety of neurological diseases. In many of these diseases, aberrations in the cytoskeleton have been noted. The effects of aluminum ion on the in vitro assembly of tubulin into microtubules has been examined by determining the association constants for the metal ion-guanosine triphosphate-tubulin ternary complex required for polymerization. The association constant for aluminum ion was approximately 10(7) times that of magnesium ion, the physiological mediator of microtubule assembly. In addition, aluminum ion at 4.0 X 10(-10) mole per liter competed effectively with magnesium ion for support of tubulin polymerization when magnesium ion falls below 1.0 millimole per liter. The microtubules produced by aluminum ion were indistinguishable from those produced by magnesium ion when viewed by electron microscopy, and they showed identical critical tubulin concentrations for assembly and sensitivities to cold-induced depolymerization. However, the rate of guanosine triphosphate hydrolysis and the sensitivity to calcium ion-induced depolymerization, critical regulatory processes of microtubules in vivo, were markedly lower for aluminum ion microtubules than for magnesium ion microtubules.

Co-operativity in monomeric enzymes

It has been known for at least 20 years that monomeric enzymes can in principle show kinetic behaviour similar in appearance to the binding of ligands to oligomeric proteins in which there are co-operative interactions between multiple binding sites. However, the initial lack of experimental examples of kinetic co-operativity suggested that in nature co-operativity always arose from interactions between binding sites. Now, however, several examples are known, most of which cannot be explained in terms of multiple binding sites on one polypeptide chain. All current theoretical models for monomeric co-operativity postulate that it arises from the presence in the mechanism of parallel pathways for substrate binding that are slow compared with the possible rate of the catalytic reaction. Rapid removal of the intermediates produced in the slow steps prevents them from approaching equilibrium and allows the appearance of kinetic properties that would not be possible in systems at equilibrium.

Kinetics of phospholipid transfer between liposomes (neutral or negatively charged) and high-density lipoproteins: a spin-label study of early events

The kinetics of spin-labeled phosphatidylcholine transfer between vesicles and HDL particles exhibited a two-phase process, as seen by ESR spectroscopy. The results were analyzed by considering several possible steps in the overall transfer, whose aspects were also studied: (i) micellar complex formation after HDL apolipoprotein-vesicle mixture, (ii) the rate of PC transfer from the micellar complex to HDL, (iii) the rate of the reverse reaction between overloaded HDL particles and other particles such as HDLs, LDLs, and lipid vesicles. The results agree most convincingly with a mechanism in which the diffusion of phospholipids into the HDL-endogenous lipids is the limiting step, occurring as a two-step process. In addition, we observed a negative charge effect on the lipid transfer rates and yields.

Glucose repression and hexokinase isoenzymes in yeast. Isolation and characterization of a modified hexokinase PII isoenzyme

Hexokinase PII, but not isoenzyme PI, has a unique role in glucose repression in yeasts [Entian, K.-D. (1980) Mol. Gen. Genet. 178, 633-637; Entian, K.-D. and Mecke, D. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 870-874; Entian, K.-D. and Fröhlich, K.-U. (1984) J. Bacteriol. 158, 29-35]. The number of hexokinase isoenzymes in crude extracts was re-examined by chromatofocusing. In addition to the known isoenzymes PI and PII, a third isoenzyme, PIIM, was detected. The activity of this enzyme was only about 5-10% of that of hexokinase PII and was independent of growth conditions. Experiments with hexokinase transformants and purified hexokinase isoenzymes clearly indicated that the PIIM form is also present in vivo. Fingerprint mapping of purified hexokinases showed that hexokinase PIIM is closely related to PII. Hybridization experiments between totally restricted yeast DNA and the previously isolated PII gene clearly indicated that PIIM is also coded by one of the two known hexokinase genes. No mRNA specific for hexokinase PIIM was detected after hybridization experiments with the previously cloned hexokinase PII gene [Fröhlich et al. (1984) Mol. Gen. Genet. 194, 144-148]. Hexokinase PIIM appears to be derived from hexokinase PII by a posttranslational event. The Km values of each of the purified isoenzymes, PII and PIIM, were identical for glucose, fructose and ATP. Both isoenzymes were strongly inhibited by high physiological concentrations for ATP; such inhibition has not been described previously. The possible role of hexokinase PIIM in glucose repression is discussed.

Investigation of the role of the substrate metal ion in the yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase reaction

The substrate activities of a series of tripositive metal ion-pyrophosphate complexes with yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase were examined. While the Michaelis constants for these complexes were shown to be between one and two orders of magnitude greater than that of the natural substrate, [Mg(H2O)4PPi]2-, the turnover numbers were in general comparable to that of [Mg(H2O)4PPi]2-. These data suggest that the nature of the metal ion cofactor effects substrate binding but in most cases not catalysis. Thus, the role of the metal ion in catalysis is probably restricted to that of an electron sink.

Effects of 2-formylpyridine monothiosemicarbazonato copper II on red cell components

1-Formylpyridine monothiosemicarbazonato copper II (CuL+) is readily taken up by red cells and is initially bound to glutathione and hemoglobin. Glutathione was depleted within 5 hr of incubation, presumably by oxidation mediated by CuL+ and O2 with concomitant generation of toxic oxygen species. Cupric ion was slowly transferred from CuL+ to hemoglobin within about 7 hr and hemoglobin was oxidized until the major form prevailing after 10 hr was alpha 2 beta 2+. Little increase in hemolysis due to addition of CuL+ dissolved in the radical scavenger dimethyl sulfoxide was observed with prolonged incubation. Strong inhibition of red cell hexokinase by CuL+ was observed when the enzymes in red cell lysates and hemoglobin-free red cell lysates were examined. CuL+ was also an effective inhibitor of yeast hexokinase. However, the inhibitory effect of CuL+ within the red cells was less pronounced. It is suggested that even though intracellular accumulation of CuL+ creates an oxidizing environment and is potentially capable of inhibiting thiol enzymes such as hexokinase, protective effects are exerted in the red cell by the presence of hemoglobin, of radical scavengers, and of high levels of enzymes that detoxify toxic oxygen species.

Interaction of nitrogenase with nucleotide analogs of ATP and ADP and the effect of metal ions on ADP inhibition

The interaction of a large number of ATP and ADP analogs with nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Clostridium pasteurianum has been examined. Only 1,N6-etheno-ATP and 2'-deoxy-ATP served as substrates for acetylene reduction. Other triphosphates including GTP, ITP, 8-Br-ATP, alpha,beta-methylene ATP, beta,gamma-methylene ATP, 6-chloropurine riboside triphosphate, and AMP-PNP were inert, showing less than 50% inhibition at levels up to two- to fivefold greater than ATP. Xanthosine triphosphate behaved simply as a chelator of magnesium, activating the enzyme at low levels but strongly inhibiting at high levels. When nucleotide diphosphates were tested as inhibitors with enzyme from A. vinelandii, GDP, dGDP, and 6-chloropurine riboside diphosphate were ineffective, XDP was three- to fivefold less effective, and dADP and 1,N6-etheno-ADP were about equally as effective as ADP. With enzyme from C. pasteurianum, dADP was twofold less effective than ADP, XDP was fivefold less effective, and IDP and 1,N6-etheno-ADP appeared to be ineffective. Results with enzyme from K. pneumoniae were very similar to those obtained with A. vinelandii. Different metal ions were tested in the presence of both ATP and ADP to determine whether preferential binding to one nucleotide or the other might alter the ADP/ATP ratio needed for 50% inhibition of activity. Magnesium and manganese gave the same ratio, while with Fe and Co, slightly less ADP was required for equivalent inhibition. Nickel appeared to reduce the sensitivity of A. vinelandii nitrogenase to ADP inhibition while increasing that of C. pasteurianum, but both effects were less than twofold. Calcium, strontium, and aluminum ions were inert with enzymes from these organisms. Cd and Zn were also ineffective with K. pneumoniae. Two isomers of ATP beta S were prepared by enzymatic synthesis from ADP beta S. The A form was a more potent inhibitor of A. vinelandii nitrogenase.

Solvent isotope effects on the reaction catalyzed by yeast hexokinase

The pH dependence of the maximum velocity (V) for the phosphorylation of glucose, the V/Kglucose and the V/KMgATP have been obtained in H2O and 2H2O. In H2O, V decreases below a pK of 5.8, V/Kglucose decreases below a pK of 6.1 and V/KMgATP decreases below a pK of 6.7. In 2H2O, complex behavior is observed for these parameters as a function of pD. The ratios of the parameters in H2O and 2H2O above their respective pK values give solvent deuterium isotope effects of about 1.5-1.7 for all three parameters. When 1,5-anhydromannitol is used as an alternative substrate, an isotope effect different than unity is obtained only for V/K1,5-anhydromannitol which gives a value of about 0.7. Both the complex pH profiles and the relative magnitude of the isotope effects are interpreted in terms of a pH-dependent change in the E X glucose complex.

Quantitation of metal cations bound to membranes and extracted lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli

Inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy was used to quantitate the metal cations bound to outer and cytoplasmic membranes and to extracted lipopolysaccharide from several Escherichia coli K12 strains. The outer membrane was found to be enriched in both calcium and magnesium relative to the cytoplasmic membrane. Both membranes contained significant levels of iron, aluminum, and zinc. The multivalent cation content of the lipopolysaccharide resembled that of the intact outer membrane. Lipopolysaccharide extracted from wild-type k12 strains contained higher levels of Mg than Ca regardless of the growth medium, but the medium used for growth did affect the relative amounts of bound Mg as well as the levels of the minor cations iron, aluminum, and zinc. In contrast, lipopolysaccharide isolated from a deep rough mutant strain, D21f2, contained more Ca than Mg. Electrodialysis of lipopolysaccharide from wild-type k12 strains removed 1 mol of Mg per mol of lipopolysaccharide but did not significantly affect the level of other bound metal ions. Dialysis of lipopolysaccharide against sodium (ethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetate removed most of the Mg and Ca, resulting in a sodium salt. The equimolar replacement of divalent cations with sodium in the sodium salt resulted in a net loss of counterion change. The sodium salt was dialyzed against either tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride, CaCl2, MgCl2, or TbCl3, and the resulting lipopolysaccharide salts were analyzed for their ionic composition. It was shown that tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and Ca can replace some but not all of the Na bound to the sodium salt, but all of the other multivalent cations tested replaced Na, resulting in uniform lipopolysaccharide salts. Lipopolysaccharide isolated from the deep rough mutant strain D21f2 was also converted into a sodium salt. Relative to the wild-type lipopolysaccharide, Na was able to neutralize the anionic charge to a greater extent in the mutant lipopolysaccharide. Our results suggest that the loss of specific groups in the core region of the lipopolysaccharide from the mutant strain results in a more open structure that allows the binding of larger cations and of more monovalent cations.