FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ENZYMIC ACTIVITIES OF BACTERIA

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS): More than an inducible enzyme? Rethinking the classification of NOS isoforms

Nitric oxide (NO) is a critical signaling molecule synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The three NOS isoforms-neuronal NOS (nNOS; NOS1), inducible NOS (iNOS; NOS2), and endothelial NOS (eNOS; NOS3)-have traditionally been classified as either constitutive (nNOS and eNOS) or inducible (iNOS). However, this binary classification oversimplifies their functions, particularly by neglecting the physiological roles of iNOS and misrepresenting its involvement in pathological processes. Increasing evidence demonstrates that all three isoforms can exhibit both constitutive and inducible expression. Notably, iNOS is constitutively expressed at low levels in several tissues, including blood, heart, bone marrow, lung, brain, spinal cord, retina, colonic mucosa, liver, ileum, skeletal muscle, epidermis, adipose tissue, endometrium, ovary, and kidney under normal physiological conditions, a form we refer to as constitutive iNOS (ciNOS). This basal expression contributes to essential functions such as heart rate regulation, respiratory exchange, and microbiome balance in the gut. Moreover, in certain pathological contexts, iNOS may exert protective rather than harmful effects, challenging the prevailing view that it is solely a pro-inflammatory mediator. Current drug development strategies targeting NOS are largely based on the outdated dichotomy of constitutive "physiologic" versus inducible "pathologic" isoforms, focusing primarily on iNOS inhibition. The failure of iNOS inhibitors in most clinical trials highlights the limitations of this approach. To address these gaps, we propose a revised nomenclature that incorporates both gene expression mode (constitutive vs. inducible) and discovery order, offering a more nuanced framework for understanding NOS isoforms in both health and disease.

Characterization of metabolites in intact Streptomyces citricolor culture supernatants using high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance and directly coupled high-pressure liquid chromatography-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

A novel NMR spectroscopic approach to the direct biochemical characterization of bacterial culture broths is presented. A variety of one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopic methods were used to characterize low-molecular-weight organic components of broth supernatants from cultures of Streptomyces citricolor. By applying 1H NMR spectroscopy to analyze whole, untreated culture supernatants, it was possible to identify and monitor simultaneously a range of media substrates and excreted metabolites. Identified metabolites include 2-phenylethylamine, trehalose, succinate, acetate, uridine, and aristeromycin, a secondary metabolite with antibiotic properties. Directly coupled HPLC-NMR spectroscopy was also applied to the analysis of broth supernatants for the first time, to aid spectral assignments, especially where signals were extensively overlapped in the 1H NMR spectra of the whole broth mixtures. Two-dimensional NMR methods such as 1H-1H correlation spectroscopy, 1H-13C heteronuclear single quantum correlation, and 1H-13C heteronuclear multiple bond correlation aided the structure elucidation and peak assignments of individual components in the mixtures by providing information on 1H-1H coupling networks and 13C chemical shifts. This work shows that high-resolution NMR spectroscopic methods provide a rapid and efficient means of investigating microbial metabolism directly without invasive or destructive sample pretreatment.

Inorganic cation transport and energy transduction in Enterococcus hirae and other streptococci

Energy metabolism by bacteria is well understood from the chemiosmotic viewpoint. We know that bacteria extrude protons across the plasma membrane, establishing an electrochemical potential that provides the driving force for various kinds of physiological work. Among these are the uptake of sugars, amino acids, and other nutrients with the aid of secondary porters and the regulation of the cytoplasmic pH and of the cytoplasmic concentration of potassium and other ions. Bacteria live in diverse habitats and are often exposed to severe conditions. In some circumstances, a proton circulation cannot satisfy their requirements and must be supplemented with a complement of primary transport systems. This review is concerned with cation transport in the fermentative streptococci, particularly Enterococcus hirae. Streptococci lack respiratory chains, relying on glycolysis or arginine fermentation for the production of ATP. One of the major findings with E. hirae and other streptococci is that ATP plays a much more important role in transmembrane transport than it does in nonfermentative organisms, probably due to the inability of this organism to generate a large proton potential. The movements of cations in streptococci illustrate the interplay between a variety of primary and secondary modes of transport.

Interrelationship of extracellular enzymes and pseudocapsulation in a strain of Staphylococcus aureus

Sall, Theodore (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.). Interrelationship of extracellular enzymes and pseudocapsulation in a strain of Staphylococcus aureus. J. Bacteriol. 83:1238-1243. 1962.-A pathogenic strain of Staphylococcus aureus, grown in the presence of a high concentration of lactose, mannitol, and gelatin, produces a great deal of soluble coagulase and a comparatively small amount of gelatinase. Owing to the nature of the growth conditions, the soluble coagulase may be prevented from diffusing into the medium. This results in the formation of a capsulelike structure, which has been termed "pseudocapsule." Presence of soluble coagulase about the cells in vivo might offer some protection to the staphylococci against the humoral and cellular defenses of the host.

The effect of exogenous energy sources on the synthesis of beta-galactosidase in resting-cell suspensions of Escherichia coli

Using methyl-1-thio-β-D-galactoside as the inducer, the biosynthesis of β-galactosidase was observed in Escherichia coli B with only endogenous sources of nitrogen and energy available. The addition of glucose, ribose, xylose, or glycerol as exogenous energy sources to nitrogen-deficient media blocked enzyme formation. Preinduction of the resting cells failed to overcome inhibition by the added energy sources. With limited quantities of glucose, ribose, xylose, or glycerol, synthesis of β-galactosidase resumed abruptly and continued at the rate normal for cells in nitrogen-deficient media. Comparison of enzyme activities with oxygen uptake data revealed a reduction in the rate of oxygen uptake at the time enzyme synthesis resumed in media originally containing small amounts of energy sources. This change corresponded to only a fraction of the oxygen required for complete oxidation of one of the exogenous substrates. It is suggested that inhibition by these particular exogenous substrates involves metabolism to a common repressor or interference with an energy-transfer system.

Tryptophanase-tryptophan synthetase systems in Escherichia coli. II. Effect of glucose

Freundlich, Martin (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis) and Herman C. Lichstein. Tryptophanase-tryptophan synthetase systems in Escherichia coli. II. Effect of glucose. J. Bacteriol. 84:988-995. 1962.-The effect of glucose and other compounds on the formation of tryptophanase and tryptophan synthetase in Escherichia coli was examined. Although most of these compounds were potent inhibitors of the synthesis of tryptophanase, they invariably increased the formation of tryptophan synthetase. The severity of tryptophanase inhibition depended upon the degree of utilization of the compound by the growing bacterial cells. It was found that high levels of tryptophan overcame by 40% the repression caused by glucose. The stimulatory effect of glucose on tryptophan synthetase formation in E. coli 9723E could be duplicated by indole-3-propionic acid. A study of the amino acid pool of E. coli 9723E revealed no free tryptophan in cells harvested from the basal medium containing glucose. In contrast, cells grown in the absence of glucose possessed a measurable amount of this amino acid. The possible mechanisms of the effect of glucose and related compounds on tryptophanase and tryptophan synthetase formation, as well as the relationship of these effects to the metabolic control of tryptophan metabolism, are discussed.

Effect of nutrition on the respiratory virulence of Listeria monocytogenes

Friedman, Mischa E. (U. S. Army Chemical Corps, Frederick, Md.) and Donald A. Kautter, Effect of nutrition on the respiratory virulence of Listeria monocytogenes. J. Bacteriol. 83:456-462. 1962.-The respiratory virulence for the mouse and guinea pig of two strains of Listeria monocytogenes grown in a rich nonsynthetic medium may be increased four to ninefold by decreasing the glucose concentration from 1.0 to 0.6% or by including 0.1% l-cysteine in the medium. This effect, not observed in intraperitoneal challenge of mice, is not due to selection of a more virulent population. Cultures demonstrating lowered virulence at 16 hr increase in virulence if incubated beyond 50 hr. The presence of 1.0% fructose or cellobiose results in the same growth and virulence characteristics as when glucose is used; however, cultures in media with 1.0% maltose are of decreased cell yield but increased virulence. Strain A4413 grown in media of low glucose concentration or in the presence of cysteine has greater oxidative activity than when grown in a medium of high glucose content. Other strains of lesser respiratory virulence, when grown in a low concentration of glucose, contain glucose dehydrogenase systems equal in activity with that of strain A4413.

Cooperative binding of lactose and the phosphorylated phosphocarrier protein HPr(Ser-P) to the lactose/H+ symport permease of Lactobacillus brevis

Lactobacillus brevis accumulates lactose and nonmetabolizable lactose analogues via sugar/H+ symport, but addition of glucose to the extracellular medium results in rapid efflux of the free sugar from the cells due to the uncoupling of sugar transport from proton transport. By using vesicles of L. brevis cells, we recently showed that these regulatory/effects could be attributed to the metabolite-activated ATP-dependent protein kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of serine-46 in the phosphocarrier protein HPr [HPr(Ser-P)] of the phosphotransferase system and that a mutant form of HPr with the serine-46-->aspartate replacement ([S46D]HPr) is apparently locked in the seryl phosphorylated conformation. We here demonstrate that [S46D]HPr binds directly to inside-out membrane vesicles of L. brevis that contain the lactose permease. Sugar substrates of the permease markedly and specifically stimulate binding of [S46D]HPr to the membranes while certain transport inhibitors such as N-ethylmaleimide block binding. The pH dependency for binding follows that for transport. Wild-type HPr and the [S46A]HPr mutant protein did not appreciably compete with [S46D]HPr for binding to the permease. These results provide evidence for the direct interaction of HPr(Ser-P) with an allosteric site on the lactose/proton symporter of L. brevis for the purpose of regulating sugar accumulation in response to the metabolic needs of the cell.

Protein phosphorylation and allosteric control of inducer exclusion and catabolite repression by the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system

The bacterial phosphotransferase system (PTS) functions in a variety of regulatory capacities. One of the best characterized of these is the process by which the PTS regulates inducer uptake and catabolite repression. Early genetic and physiological evidence supported a mechanism whereby the phosphorylation state of an enzyme of the PTS, the enzyme III specific for glucose (IIIGlc), allosterically inhibits the activities of a number of permeases and catabolic enzymes, the lactose, galactose, melibiose, and maltose permeases, as well as glycerol kinase. Extensive biochemical evidence now supports this model. Evidence is also available showing that substrate binding to those target proteins enhances their affinities for IIIGlc. In the case of the lactose permease, this positively cooperative interaction represents a well documented example of transmembrane signaling, demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro. Although the PTS-mediated regulation of cyclic AMP synthesis (catabolite repression) is not as well defined from a mechanistic standpoint, a model involving allosteric activation of adenylate cyclase by phospho-IIIGlc, together with the evidence supporting it, is presented. These regulatory mechanisms may prove to be operative in gram-positive as well as gram-negative bacteria, but the former organisms may have introduced variations on the theme by covalently attaching IIIGlc-like moieties to some of the target permeases and catabolic enzymes. It appears likely that the general process of PTS-catalyzed protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation will prove to be important to the regulation of numerous bacterial physiological processes, including chemotaxis, intermediary metabolism, gene transcription, and virulence.

Cooperative binding of the sugar substrates and allosteric regulatory protein (enzyme IIIGlc of the phosphotransferase system) to the lactose and melibiose permeases in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium

An Escherichia coli strain which overproduces the lactose permease was used to investigate the mechanism of allosteric regulation of this permease and those specific for melibiose, glycerol, and maltose by the phosphoenolpyruvate-sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS). Thio-beta-digalactoside, a high affinity substrate of the lactose permease, released the glycerol and maltose permeases from inhibition by methyl-alpha-d-glucoside. Resumption of glycerol uptake occurred immediately upon addition of the galactoside. The effect was not observed in a strain which lacked or contained normal levels of the lactose permease, but growth of wild-type E. coli in the presence of isopropyl-beta-thiogalactoside plus cyclic AMP resulted in enhanced synthesis of the lactose permease so that galactosides relieved inhibition of glycerol uptake. Thiodigalactoside also relieved the inhibition of glycerol uptake caused by the presence of other PTS substrates such as fructose, mannitol, glucose, 2-deoxyglucose, and 5-thioglucose. Inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity by methyl-alpha-glucoside was also relieved by thiodigalactoside in E. coli T52RT provided that the lactose permease protein was induced to high levels. Cooperative binding of sugar and enzyme III(Glc) to the melibiose permease in Salmonella typhimurium was demonstrated, but no cooperativity was noted with the glycerol and maltose permeases. These results are consistent with a mechanism of PTS-mediated regulation of the lactose and melibiose permeases involving a fixed number of allosteric regulatory proteins (enzyme III(Glc)) which may be titrated by the increased number of substrate-activated permease proteins. This work suggests that the cooperativity in the binding of sugar substrate and enzyme III(Glc) to the permease, demonstrated previously in in vitro experiments, has mechanistic significance in vivo. It substantiates the conclusion that PTS-mediated regulation of non-PTS permease activities involves direct allosteric interaction between the permeases and enzyme III(Glc), the postulated regulatory protein of the PTS.

Regulation of lactose permease activity by the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system: evidence for direct binding of the glucose-specific enzyme III to the lactose permease

Interaction between the glucose-specific enzyme III (enzyme IIIglc) of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system and the lactose permease was studied with membrane fragments from an Escherichia coli strain that overproduces the lactose permease. Substrates of the permease markedly and specifically stimulated binding of enzyme IIIglc to the membranes. The sugar-stimulated binding of enzyme IIIglc was concluded to the specific to the lactose permease because it (i) was dependent on the amount of the permease, (ii) was promoted only by sugar substrates of the permease, and (iii) was completely eliminated by treatment of the membranes with N-ethylmaleimide in the absence (but not the presence) of thio-beta-D-digalactoside. The pH dependence of binding was similar to that reported for the binding of thio-beta-D-digalactoside to the permease. Phosphoenolpyruvate prevented the binding of enzyme IIIglc to the lactose permease in the presence (but not the absence) of the other phosphate transfer components of the phosphotransferase system. These results support the hypothesis that enzyme IIIglc, in its dephosphorylated form, modulates the activity of the lactose permease by a direct protein-protein interaction.

Regulation of lac operon expression: reappraisal of the theory of catabolite repression

The physiological state of Escherichia coli with respect to (permanent) catabolite repression was assessed by measuring the steady-state level of beta-galactosidase in induced or in constitutive cells under a variety of growth conditions. Four results were obtained. (i) Catabolite repression had a major effect on fully induced or constitutive expression of the lac gene, and the magnitude of this effect was found to be dependent on the promoter structure; cells with a wild-type lac promoter showed an 18-fold variation in lac expression, and cells with the lacP37 (formerly lac-L37) promoter exhibited several hundred-fold variation. (ii) Exogenous adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphoric acid (cAMP) could not abolish catabolite repression, even though several controls demonstrated that cAMP was entering the cells in significant amounts. (Rapid intracellular degradation of cAMP could not be ruled out.) (iii) Neither the growth rate nor the presence of biosynthetic products altered the degree of catabolite repression; all variation could be related to the catabolites present in the growth medium. (iv) Slowing by imposing an amino acid restriction decreased the differential rate of beta-galactosidase synthesis from the wild-type lac promoter when bacteria were cultured in either the absence or presence of cAMP; this decreased lac expression also occurred when the bacteria harbored the catabolite-insensitive lacP5 (formerly lacUV5) promoter mutation. These findings support the idea that (permanent) catabolite repression is set by the catabolites in the growth medium and may not be related to an imbalance between catabolism and anabolism.

Regulation of breakdown and synthesis of L-glutamate decarboxylase in Clostridium perfringens

L-Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity of Clostridium perfringens (ATCC 8009) cells grown in various culture conditions was investigated. Remarkable variations of GAD level occur during the growth cycle in thioglycollate broth. These changes are affected by the pH of the culture medium. Addition of alkali to the culture media results in decrease of cell GAD activity, whereas increase of enzyme level occurs only in cells growing in unbuffered media. The results indicate that the mechanism regulating the GAD levels is sensitive to the changes of pH (or buffering substances) rather than to the steady pH values. Neither repression by glucose nor induction by L-glutamate was observed. Moreover, high concentrations of the free amino acid substrate in the culture media considerably decrease cell GAD activity, owing to the buffering effect of the amino acid. The molecular mechanism supporting the variations of GAD activity during the growth cycle of the cells were investigated and tentatively related to the structural and functional properties of the pure enzyme. It is shown that the drop of GAD activity during the lag phase is due to protein breakdown. Evidence is presented suggesting a control of protein degradation by its quaternary structure. Data are also reported supporting de novo synthesis of GAD during the late logarithmic phase of cell growth. Finally, the possible role of GAD as part of the pH regulation system of C. perfringens cells is discussed in relation both to physiologic conditions of the bacterial cell and to the molecular mechanisms regulating the GAD activity in vivo.

Carbon and sulphur utilization during growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens on potassium D-glucose 6-O-sulphate as the sole sulphur source

Pseudomonas fluorescens N.C.I.B. 8248, cultured on potassium d-glucose 6[(35)S]-O-sulphate as the sole sulphur source, liberated the 6-O-sulphate ester of d-gluconate into the culture medium. Extracts of bacteria grown under this cultural condition oxidized d-glucose 6-O-sulphate to yield the gluconate ester. Results suggest the involvement of a glucose dehydrogenase-like enzyme. The gluconate ester was apparently not oxidized further to any significant extent; however, it served as substrate for a desulphating enzyme found in extracts. Growth on d-glucose 6-O-sulphate as the sole source of sulphur was not associated with the appearance of a true glycosulphatase. Collectively, these results suggest that d-gluconate 6-O-sulphate, rather than the glucose ester, supplied the necessary sulphur for growth. Oxidative activities toward d-glucose 6-O-sulphate, d-glucose, d-gluconate 6-O-sulphate and d-gluconate found in extracts of P. fluorescens adapted to grow on d-glucose 6-O-sulphate as the sole source of carbon and sulphur are presented for comparative purposes.

Sulphur utilization during growth of pseudomonas fluorescens on potassium D-glucose 6-O-sulphate

Pseudomonas fluorescens N.C.I.B. 8248 was adapted to grow on potassium d-glucose 6-O-sulphate as the sole carbon and sulphur source. Adapted bacteria grew optimally at 37 degrees C on 1.6% (w/v) sulphate ester and growth coincided with the disappearance of the ester from the culture medium at a rate of 2.4mg/h per ml. Three sulphated compounds were detected in the culture fluid at the termination of growth. One of these was present in traces only and has not been identified. The second was present in somewhat greater amounts and was identified as the 6-O-sulphate ester of d-gluconate, and the major metabolite was identified as d-glycerate 3-O-sulphate. Sulphur utilization by the organism was not associated with the appearance of a glycosulphatase enzyme in the cells. However, a novel enzyme system (or systems) was present that liberated inorganic (35)SO(4) (2-) ions from dipotassium d-gluconate 6[(35)S]-O-sulphate and from dipotassium dl-glycerate 3[(35)S]-O-sulphate. Activity towards the latter substrate could not be detected when the adapted or parent Pseudomonas strain was cultured on d-glucose and potassium sulphate as respective carbon and sulphur sources. Some properties of the enzyme acting on the glycerate ester are recorded.

Control mechanisms operative in a natural microbial population selected for its ability to degrade L-lysine. I. Effect of glucose in batch systems

A natural microbial population was selected in a medium containing L-lysine as the sole carbon source and ammonia as a nitrogen source. Cells were harvested from a batch-operated fermentor containing lysine and were grown through one transfer on lysine, glucose, or a mixture of lysine and glucose. By comparing the substrate removal rates and enzymatic capabilities of the cells, it was determined that the inducible enzyme system responsible for lysine degradation was subject to catabolic repression. Inhibition of the activity of preformed enzyme(s) played only a minor role. Preinduction by lysine offered only a small degree of protection against repression. The removal of ammonia nitrogen from the system did not overcome the effect of glucose.

Production of L-asparaginase II by Escherichia coli

l-Asparaginase II was synthesized at constant rates by Escherichia coli under anaerobic conditions. The enzyme was produced optimally by bacteria grown between pH 7 and 8 at 37 C. Although some enzyme was formed aerobically, between 100 and 1,000 times more asparaginase II was produced during anaerobic growth in media enriched with high concentrations of a variety of amino acids. Bacteria grown under these conditions should provide a rich starting material for the large-scale production of the enzyme. No single amino acid specifically induced the synthesis of the asparaginase, nor did l-asparagine, even when it was used as the only source of nitrogen. The enzyme was produced at lower rates in the presence of sugars; glucose was the most inhibitory.

Effects of inhibition and repression on the utilization of substrates by heterogeneous bacterial communities

This investigation attempts to evaluate to what extent enzyme inhibition and repression by metabolites, indigenous to the cell, are significant phenomena in natural microbial communities. Three case histories of the kinetics of substrate utilization and growth in multisubstrate media by heterogeneous bacterial populations are presented: (i) concurrent substrate utilization and growth on both substrates simultaneously (glucose plus benzoate); (ii) sequential substrate elimination accompanied by diauxic growth as a result of inhibition of enzyme activity (glucose plus galactose); (iii) sequential substrate utilization accompanied by diauxic growth caused by repression of enzyme formation (glucose plus l-phenylalanine, benzoate plus l-phenylalanine). It is shown that enzyme inhibition was observed in two-substrate media as well as in multisubstrate media and was maintained at low substrate concentrations (few milligrams per liter). A special attempt has been made to maintain the diversity of the experimental microbial population during the adaptation and enrichment period. All substrates were determined with sensitive analytical methods specific for the individual substrates. The results obtained confirm that catabolite repression and the resulting sequential substrate utilization are observed in heterogeneous bacterial populations.

Phenomenon of transient repression in Escherichia coli

Paigen, Kenneth (Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, N.Y.). Phenomenon of transient repression in Escherichia coli. J. Bacteriol. 91:1201-1209. 1966.-A family of mutants has been obtained in Escherichia coli K-12 in which beta-galactosidase is not inducible for approximately one cell generation after the cells are transferred to glucose from other carbon sources. After that period; the enzyme can be induced at the level appropriate to glucose-grown cultures of the parent cells. Among a wide variety of carbon sources, the only one capable of eliciting a state of transient repression is glucose. Conversely, transient repression occurs when cells are transferred to glucose from any of a variety of other carbon sources. The only exceptions to this so far discovered are lactose, gluconate, and xylose. Susceptibility to transient repression in mutants can also be induced in glucose-grown cells by a period of starvation. Mutant cells which have become susceptible to transient repression lose susceptibility in the presence of glucose only when they are under conditions which permit active protein synthesis. The presence of an inducer of beta-galactosidase is not required during this time, nor does pre-induction for beta-galactosidase diminish the susceptibility of mutants. At least two other catabolite repression-sensitive enzymes (galactokinase and tryptophanase) are also sensitive to transient repression, and the two phenomena are probably related. The absolute specificity of glucose and the pattern of response seen after growth in different carbon sources suggest that the endogenous metabolite which produces these repressions is far more readily derived from glucose in metabolism than it is from any other exogenous carbon source.