Fermentative metabolism is induced by inhibiting different enzymes of the branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis pathway in pea plants

The inhibition of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis was evaluated in pea plants in relation to the ability for induction of fermentative metabolism under aerobic conditions. Chlorsulfuron and imazethapyr (inhibitors of acetolactate synthase, ALS, EC 4.1.3.18) produced a strong induction of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC, EC 4.1.1.1) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH, EC 1.1.1.1) activities and a lesser induction of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27) and alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT, EC 2.6.1.2) activities in roots. Inhibition of the second enzyme of the BCAA biosynthesis (ketol-acid reductoisomerase, KARI, EC 1.1.1.86) by Hoe 704 (2-dimethylphosphinoyl-2-hydroxyacetic acid) and CPCA (1,1-cyclopropanedicarboxylic acid) enhanced fermentative enzyme activities including PDC, ADH, and AlaAT. Fermentative metabolism induction occurring with ALS- and KARI-inhibitors was related to a higher expression of PDC. In the case of KARI inhibition, it is proposed that fermentation induction is due to an inhibition of ALS activity resulted from an increase in acetolactate concentration. Fermentative metabolism induction in roots, or at least ethanolic fermentation, appeared to be a general physiological response to the BCAA biosynthesis inhibition.

Synthesis, crystal structure and herbicidal activity of mimics of intermediates of the KARI reaction

Two mimics of the intermediate in the reaction catalyzed by ketol-acid reductoisomerase (KARI) were synthesized. Their structures were established on the basis of elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR and GC/mass detector. The crystal structure of compound 2 was found to be a substituted dioxane, formed by the condensation of two molecules. The two compounds showed some herbicidal activity on the basis of tests using rape root and barnyard grass growth inhibition. However, the herbicidal effect was weaker in greenhouse tests.

Probing the mechanism of the bifunctional enzyme ketol-acid reductoisomerase by site-directed mutagenesis of the active site

Ketol-acid reductoisomerase (EC 1.1.1.86) is involved in the biosynthesis of the branched-chain amino acids. It is a bifunctional enzyme that catalyzes two quite different reactions at a common active site; an isomerization consisting of an alkyl migration, followed by an NADPH-dependent reduction of a 2-ketoacid. The 2-ketoacid formed by the alkyl migration is not released. Using the pure recombinant Escherichia coli enzyme, we show that the isomerization reaction has a highly unfavourable equilibrium constant. The reductase activity is shown to be relatively nonspecific and is capable of utilizing a variety of 2-ketoacids. The active site of the enzyme contains eight conserved polar amino acids and we have mutated each of these in order to dissect their contributions to the isomerase and reductase activities. Several mutations result in loss of the isomerase activity with retention of reductase activity. However, none of the 17 mutants examined have the isomerase activity only. We suggest a reason for this, involving direct reduction of a transition state formed during the isomerization, which is necessitated by the unfavourable equilibrium position of the isomerization. Our mechanism explains why the two activities must occur in a single active site without release of a 2-ketoacid and provides a rationale for the requirement for NADPH by the isomerase.

Facile crystallization ofEscherichia coliketol-acid reductoisomerase

Ketol-acid reductoisomerase (EC 1.1.1.86) catalyses the second reaction in the biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids. The reaction involves an Mg2+ -dependent alkyl migration followed by an NADPH-dependent reduction of the 2-keto group. Here, the crystallization of the Escherichia coli enzyme is reported. A form with a C-terminal hexahistidine tag could be crystallized under 18 different conditions in the absence of NADPH or Mg2+ and a further six crystallization conditions were identified with one or both ligands. With the hexahistidine tag on the N-terminus, 20 crystallization conditions were found, some of which required the presence of NADPH, NADP+, Mg2+ or a combination of ligands. Finally, the selenomethionine-substituted enzyme with the N-terminal tag crystallized under 15 conditions. Thus, the enzyme is remarkably easy to crystallize. Most of the crystals diffract poorly but several data sets were collected at better than 3.2 A resolution; attempts to phase them are currently in progress.

A new approach to 'megaprimer' polymerase chain reaction mutagenesis without an intermediate gel purification step

BACKGROUND

Site-directed mutagenesis is an efficient method to alter the structure and function of genes. Here we report a rapid and efficient megaprimer-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) mutagenesis strategy that by-passes any intermediate purification of DNA between two rounds of PCR.

RESULTS

The strategy relies on the use of a limiting concentration of one of the flanking primers (reverse or forward) along with the normal concentration of mutagenic primer, plus a prolonged final extension cycle in the first PCR amplification step. This first round of PCR generates a megaprimer that is used subsequently in the second round of PCR, along with the second flanking primer, but without the intermediate purification of the megaprimer. The strategy has been used successfully with four different plasmids to generate various mutants.

CONCLUSION

This strategy provides a very rapid, inexpensive and efficient approach to perform site-directed mutagenesis. The strategy provides an alternative to conventional megaprimer based site-directed mutagenesis, which is based on an intermediate gel purification step. The strategy gives a high frequency of mutagenesis.

(R)- and (S)-[11C]verapamil as PET-tracers for measuring P-glycoprotein function: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

The mdr1 gene product P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is involved in the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of various drugs. Racemic [(11)C]verapamil has been used to image P-gp expression in vivo. A racemic tracer, however, is not suitable for quantification. The purpose of the present study was to identify the most appropriate enantiomer of [(11)C]verapamil as a potential PET-tracer for quantifying P-gp function. The two enantiomers, (R)- and (S)-[(11)C]verapamil, were synthesized and studied in vivo. For the in vivo model mdr1a/1b double gene knock-out and wild type mice were used. The in vitro study made use of the LLC-PK1 MDR cell line to examine the P-gp mediated transport of both enantiomers. The biodistribution of (R)- and (S)-[(11)C]verapamil in dKO and WT mice demonstrated no stereoselectivity of verapamil for P-gp in the blood-brain barrier and in the testes. In addition, no significant differences in P-gp transport for both enantiomers were observed in the in vitro experiments. Previous studies have shown that (R)-verapamil is metabolized less in man and that it has lower affinity for calcium channels. Since (R)- and (S)-verapamil have equal transport for P-gp, the (R)-enantiomer seems to be the best and safest candidate as PET-tracer for measuring P-gp function in vivo.

Ketopantoate reductase activity is only encoded by ilvC in Corynebacterium glutamicum

Ketopantoate reductase catalyzes the second step of the pantothenate pathway after ketoisovalerate, common intermediate in valine, leucine and pantothenate biosynthesis. We show here that the Corynebacterium glutamicum ilvC gene is able to complement a ketopantoate reductase deficient Escherichia coli mutant. Thus ilvC, encoding acetohydroxyacid isomeroreductase, involved in the common pathway for branched-chained amino acids, also exhibits ketopantoate reductase activity. Enzymatic activity was confirmed by biochemical analysis in C. glutamicum. Furthermore, inactivation of ilvC in C. glutamicum leads to auxotrophy for pantothenate, indicating that ilvC is the only ketopantoate reductase- encoding gene in C. glutamicum.

Characterisation of the enzyme activities involved in the valine biosynthetic pathway in a valine-producing strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum

The enzyme activities of the valine biosynthetic pathway and their regulation have been studied in the valine-producing strain, Corynebacterium glutamicum 13032DeltailvApJC1ilvBNCD. In this micro-organism, this pathway might involve up to five enzyme activities: acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS), acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (AHAIR), dihydroxyacid dehydratase and transaminases B and C. For each enzyme, kinetic parameters (optimal temperature, optimal pH and affinity for substrates) were determined. The first enzyme of the pathway, AHAS, was shown to exhibit a weak affinity for pyruvate (K(m)=8.3 mM). It appeared that valine and leucine inhibited the three first steps of the pathway (AHAS, AHAIR and DHAD). Moreover, the AHAS activity was inhibited by isoleucine. Considering the kinetic data collected during this work, AHAS would be a key enzyme for further strain improvement intending to increase the valine production by C. glutamicum.

Crystal structure of class I acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (AHIR) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids. We have determined the first crystal structure of a class I AHIR from Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 2.0 A resolution. Its dodecameric architecture of 23 point group symmetry is assembled of six dimeric units and dimerization is essential for the formation of the active site. The dimeric unit of P.aeruginosa AHIR partially superimposes with a three-domain monomer of spinach AHIR, a class II enzyme. This demonstrates that the so-called plant-specific insert in the middle of spinach AHIR is structurally and functionally equivalent to the C-terminal alpha-helical domain of P.aeruginosa AHIR, and the C-terminal alpha-helical domain was duplicated during evolution from the shorter, class I AHIRs to the longer, class II AHIRs. The dimeric unit of P.aeruginosa AHIR possesses a deep figure-of-eight knot, essentially identical with that in the spinach AHIR monomer. Thus, our work lowers the likelihood of the previous proposal that "domain duplication followed by exchange of a secondary structure element can be a source of such a knot in the protein structure" being correct.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (AHIR) is involved in the biosynthetic pathway of branched-chain amino acids in microorganisms and plants. AHIR from Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been overexpressed in Escherichia coli and crystallized at 297 K using potassium/sodium tartrate as a precipitant. X-ray diffraction data have been collected to 2.0 A resolution at 100 K using synchrotron radiation. The crystals belong to the cubic space group P2(1)3, with unit-cell parameters a = b = c = 184.38 A, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees. Six monomers are present in the asymmetric unit, giving a V(M) of 2.34 A(3) Da(-1) and a solvent content of 47.4%.

Parallel acceleration of evolutionary rates in symbiont genes underlying host nutrition

The overproduction of essential amino acids by Buchnera aphidicola, the primary bacterial mutualist of aphids, is considered an adaptation for increased production of nutrients that are lacking in aphids' diet of plant sap. Given their shared role in host nutrition, amino acid biosynthetic genes of Buchnera are expected to experience parallel changes in selection that depend on host diet quality, growth rate, and population structure. This study evaluates the hypothesis of parallel selection across biosynthetic pathways by testing for correlated changes in evolutionary rates at biosynthetic genes of Buchnera. Previous studies show fast evolutionary rates at tryptophan biosynthetic genes among Buchnera associated with the aphid genus Uroleucon and suggest reduced purifying selection on symbiont nutritional functions in this aphid group. Here, we test for parallel rate acceleration at other amino acid biosynthetic genes of Buchnera-Uroleucon, including those for leucine (leuABC) and isoleucine/valine biosynthesis (ilvC). Ratios of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions (d(N)/d(S)) were estimated using codon-based maximum-likelihood methods that account for the extreme AT compositional bias of Buchnera sequences. A significant elevation in d(N)/d(S) at biosynthetic loci but not at two housekeeping genes sampled (dnaN and tuf) suggests reduced host-level selection on biosynthetic capabilities of Buchnera-Uroleucon. In addition, the discovery of trpEG pseudogenes in Buchnera-U. obscurum further supports reduced selection on amino acid biosynthesis.

Enzymology, structure, and dynamics of acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase

Acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase is a key enzyme involved in the biosynthetic pathway of the amino acids isoleucine, valine, and leucine. This enzyme is of great interest in agrochemical research because it is present only in plants and microorganisms, making it a potential target for specific herbicides and fungicides. Moreover, it catalyzes an unusual two-step reaction that is of great fundamental interest. With a view to characterizing both the mechanism of inhibition by potential herbicides and the complex reaction mechanism, various techniques of enzymology, molecular biology, mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, and theoretical simulation have been used. The results and conclusions of these studies are described briefly in this paper.

Early symbiotic responses induced by Sinorhizobium meliloti iIvC mutants in alfalfa

A mutation in the ilvC gene of Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 determines a symbiotically defective phenotype. ilvC mutants obtained from different S. meliloti wild-type strains are able to induce root hair deformation on alfalfa roots and show variable activation of the common nodulation genes nodABC. All of these mutants are noninfective. The presence of extra copies of nodD3-syrM in an IlvC- background does not promote nod expression but allows the detection of low levels of Nod factor production. The sulphation of the Nod factor metabolites, however, is not affected. Furthermore, IlvC- strains induce a specific pattern of starch accumulation on alfalfa roots as well as of early nodulin expression. Hence, the pleiotropic action of the ilvC gene in S. meliloti may reveal novel complexities involved in the symbiotic interaction.

DNA supercoiling-dependent transcriptional coupling between the divergently transcribed promoters of the ilvYC operon of Escherichia coli is proportional to promoter strengths and transcript lengths

The twin-domain model of Liu and Wang suggested that high levels of DNA supercoiling generated in the region between closely spaced divergently transcribed promoters could serve to couple the activities of these promoters transcriptionally. In this report, we use topoisomer sets of defined superhelical densities as DNA templates in a purified in vitro transcription system to demonstrate transcriptional coupling between the divergently transcribed ilvY and ilvC promoters of the ilvYC operon of Escherichia coli. Current evidence for this type of DNA supercoiling-dependent transcriptional coupling, based largely on the in vivo activities of promoters contained in engineered DNA constructs, suggests that the transcription complex must be physically hindered to generate DNA supercoils and to prevent their diffusion throughout the DNA duplex. However, the in vitro results presented here demonstrate that (i) transcriptional coupling is observed between the divergent promoters of the ilvYC operon in the absence of transcript anchoring; (ii) the magnitude of the negative DNA supercoiling generated in the divergent promoter region is proportional to the sum of the global and transcription-induced superhelicity; and (iii) the magnitude of this transcription-induced superhelicity is proportional to promoter strengths and transcript lengths.

A deeply knotted protein structure and how it might fold

The search for knots in protein has uncovered little that would cause Alexander the Great to reach for his sword. Excluding knots formed by post-translational crosslinking, the few proteins considered to be knotted form simple trefoil knots with one end of the chain extending through a loop by only a few residues, ten in the 'best' example. A knot in an open chain (as distinct from a closed circle) is not rigorously defined and many weak protein knots disappear if the structure is viewed from a different angle. Here I describe a computer algorithm to detect knots in open chains that is not sensitive to viewpoint and that can define the region of the chain giving rise to the knot. It characterizes knots in proteins by the number of residues that must be removed from each end to abolish the knot. I applied this algorithm to the protein structure database and discovered a deep, figure-of-eight knot in the plant protein acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase. I propose a protein folding pathway that may explain how such a knot is formed.

Structure of spinach acetohydroxyacid isomeroreductase complexed with its reaction product dihydroxymethylvalerate, manganese and (phospho)-ADP-ribose

Acetohydroxyacid isomeroreductase catalyses a two-step reaction composed of an alkyl migration followed by an NADPH-dependent reduction. Both steps require a divalent cation and the first step has a strong preference for magnesium. Manganese ions are highly unfavourable to the reaction: only 3% residual activity is observed in the presence of this cation. Acetohydroxyacid isomeroreductase has been crystallized with its substrate, 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate (AHB), Mn(2+) and NADPH. The 1.6 A resolution electron-density map showed the reaction product (2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylvalerate, DHMV) and a density corresponding to (phospho)-ADP-ribose instead of the whole NADP(+). This is one of the few structures of an enzyme complexed with its reaction product. The structure of this complex was refined to an R factor of 19.3% and an R(free) of 22.5%. The overall structure of the enzyme is very similar to that of the complex with the reaction-intermediate analogue IpOHA [N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate; Biou et al. (1997), EMBO J. 16, 3405-3415]. However, the active site shows some differences: the nicotinamide is cleaved and the surrounding amino acids have rearranged accordingly. Comparison between the structures corresponding to the reaction intermediate and to the end of the reaction allowed the proposal of a reaction scheme. Taking this result into account, the enzyme was crystallized with Ni(2+) and Zn(2+), for which only 0.02% residual activity were measured; however, the crystals of AHB/Zn/NADPH and of AHB/Ni/NADPH also contain the reaction product. Moreover, mass-spectrometry measurements confirmed the -cleavage of nicotinamide.

Characterization of the conformational changes of acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase induced by the binding of Mg2+ ions, NADPH, and a competitive inhibitor

Acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (EC 1.1.1.86), the second enzyme of the parallel branched chain amino acid pathway, is a homodimer with an Mr of approximately 114000 which in the presence of Mg2+ ions catalyzes an unusual alkyl migration followed by an NADPH-dependent reduction. Prior binding of NADPH and Mg2+ to the enzyme was shown to be required for substrate or competitive inhibitor [N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate (IpOHA)] binding [Dumas, R., et al. (1994) Biochem. J. 301, 813-820]. Moreover, crystallographic data for the enzyme-NADPH-Mg2+-IpOHA complex [Biou, V., et al. (1997) EMBO J. 16, 3405-3415] have shown that IpOHA was completely buried inside the active site. These observations raised the question of how the reaction intermediate analogue inhibitor can reach the active site and implied that conformational changes occurred during the binding process. With a view of characterizing these conformational changes, H-D exchange experiments combined with mass spectrometry were performed. Results demonstrated that Mg2+ ions and NADPH binding led to an initial conformational change at the interface of the two domains of each monomer. Binding of the two cofactors to isomeroreductase alters the structure of the active site to promote inhibitor (substrate) binding, in agreement with the ordered mechanism of the enzyme. Structural changes remote from the active site were also found. They were interpreted as long-range structural effects on the two domains and on the two monomers in the time course of the ligand binding process.

Purified recombinant Escherichia coli ketol-acid reductoisomerase is unsuitable for use in a coupled assay of acetohydroxyacid synthase activity due to an unexpected side reaction

Ketol-acid reductoisomerase (EC 1.1.1.86) catalyzes the conversion of 2-aceto-2-hydroxyacids to 2-keto-3-hydroxyacids and their subsequent reduction by NADPH to 2,3-dihydroxyacids. The gene encoding the Escherichia coli enzyme was cloned and expressed as a hexahistidine-tagged fusion protein and the recombinant enzyme purified by metal-ligand affinity chromatography. The pure enzyme was tested for its ability to provide a sensitive and continuous coupled assay for acetohydroxyacid synthase (EC 4.1.3.18), the preceding enzyme in the pathway of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis. An unexpected side reaction of ketol-acid reductoisomerase was observed in which it catalyzes the reduction of pyruvate. Although relatively slow, this side reaction is high enough to prohibit the use of this enzyme in a coupled assay for acetohydroxyacid synthase.

Stepwise building of a 115-kDa macromolecular edifice monitored by electrospray mass spectrometry. The case of acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase

The macromolecular complexes formed by the enzyme acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase with NADPH, magnesium ions and the competitive inhibitor N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate (IpOHA) were analysed by electrospray mass spectrometry. Each ligand was added successively to a protein solution, allowing the stoichiometry of the whole macromolecular edifice (115 583 Da) to be unambiguously determined. The combination of an electrospray ion source with the high mass range magnetic instrument used in the present studies proved to be a very powerful tool for characterizing, in a specific manner, the quaternary structures of proteins by single mass measurements.

Cytosolic enzymes with a mitochondrial ancestry from the anaerobic chytrid Piromyces sp. E2

The anaerobic chytrid Piromyces sp. E2 lacks mitochondria, but contains hydrogen-producing organelles, the hydrogenosomes. We are interested in how the adaptation to anaerobiosis influenced enzyme compartmentalization in this organism. Random sequencing of a cDNA library from Piromyces sp. E2 resulted in the isolation of cDNAs encoding malate dehydrogenase, aconitase and acetohydroxyacid reductoisomerase. Phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that they are closely related to their mitochondrial homologues from aerobic eukaryotes. However, the deduced sequences lack N-terminal extensions, which function as mitochondrial leader sequences in the corresponding mitochondrial enzymes from aerobic eukaryotes. Subcellular fractionation and enzyme assays confirmed that the corresponding enzymes are located in the cytosol. As anaerobic chytrids evolved from aerobic, mitochondria-bearing ancestors, we suggest that, in the course of the adaptation from an aerobic to an anaerobic lifestyle, mitochondrial enzymes were retargeted to the cytosol with the concomitant loss of their N-terminal leader sequences.

Inhibitors of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis as potential antituberculosis agents

Leucine auxotrophs of Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) were found to have a reduced ability to survive in spleens and lungs of mice. This indicated that inhibitors of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis could possibly be used as antituberculosis agents. Herbicides that inhibit plant branched-chain amino acid biosynthetic enzymes were tested for inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth in vitro. Sulphometuron methyl (SM) and metsulphuron methyl, inhibitors of acetolactate synthase (ALS), had a modest effect on growth of M. tuberculosis strain ATCC 35801 (inhibitory concentrations <20 microM). Two inhibitors of ketol acid reductoisomerase (KARI) were ineffective against growth of strain ATCC 35801 in vitro. On the other hand, ALS and KARI inhibitors were more effective against growth of clinical drug-resistant isolates than against strain ATCC 35801. Mouse model studies of tuberculosis infection showed that high doses of SM significantly prevented growth of M. tuberculosis strain ATCC 35801 in the lungs but did not affect the level of infection in the spleen. The results suggest that inhibitors of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis may be useful as new antituberculosis agents.

A loop deletion in the plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase homodimer generates an active monomer with reduced stability and altered magnesium affinity

Plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase is a stable homodimer which catalyzes in the presence of magnesium an alkyl migration followed by a NADPH-dependent reduction. Since the enzyme exhibits no kinetic cooperativity either for its cofactor (NADPH and magnesium) or for its substrates, the reason for dimerization of this enzyme was not obvious. Recently, crystallographic studies [Biou, V., et al. (1997) EMBO J. 16, 3405-3415] revealed that the loop of residues 422-431 plays a major part in the dimer interface. To understand the role of the quaternary structure of the enzyme, we have deleted residues 423-430 and substituted Phe 431 for serine. This mutant was further overproduced in Escherichia coli, purified to homogeneity, and characterized. Gel filtration and thermodynamic experiments disclosed that this mutant behaves as an active monomer with reduced thermal stability. Furthermore, kinetic and fluorescence experiments showed that the behavior of the monomer with respect to magnesium was greatly altered. These results demonstrate the function of the quaternary structure of plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase in the stabilization of the tertiary structure but also in the stabilization of a high-affinity magnesium binding site.

Kinetic and mass spectrometric analyses of the interactions between plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase and thiadiazole derivatives

Plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (EC 1.1.1.86), the second enzyme of the branched chain amino acid biosynthetic pathway, has been submitted to high-throughput screening for herbicide discovery. We report here the discovery of a new class of compounds belonging to the thiadiazole family, which exhibit a strong inhibitory effect on this plant enzyme. Kinetic analyses revealed that these compounds act as either reversible or irreversible noncompetitive inhibitors of the plant enzyme. Reversibility or irreversibility of these compounds can be attributed to the nature of the additional groups of the thiadiazole ring favoring or not favoring the formation of a covalent adduct. Mass spectrometric experiments on the complex between an irreversible compound belonging to the thiadiazole family and the plant enzyme identified Cys498 as the binding site of the inhibitor.

The crystal structure of plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase complexed with NADPH, two magnesium ions and a herbicidal transition state analog determined at 1.65 A resolution

Acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase catalyzes the conversion of acetohydroxy acids into dihydroxy valerates. This reaction is the second in the synthetic pathway of the essential branched side chain amino acids valine and isoleucine. Because this pathway is absent from animals, the enzymes involved in it are good targets for a systematic search for herbicides. The crystal structure of acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase complexed with cofactor NADPH, Mg2+ ions and a competitive inhibitor with herbicidal activity, N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate, was solved to 1.65 A resolution and refined to an R factor of 18.7% and an R free of 22.9%. The asymmetric unit shows two functional dimers related by non-crystallographic symmetry. The active site, nested at the interface between the NADPH-binding domain and the all-helical C-terminus domain, shows a situation analogous to the transition state. It contains two Mg2+ ions interacting with the inhibitor molecule and bridged by the carboxylate moiety of an aspartate residue. The inhibitor-binding site is well adjusted to it, with a hydrophobic pocket and a polar region. Only 24 amino acids are conserved among known acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase sequences and all of these are located around the active site. Finally, a 140 amino acid region, present in plants but absent from other species, was found to make up most of the dimerization domain.

Reversal of the nucleotide specificity of ketol acid reductoisomerase by site-directed mutagenesis identifies the NADPH binding site

Analysis of the published amino acid sequences of the enzyme ketol acid reductoisomerase (KARI) from seven organisms identified three regions with highly conserved sequences. One of these regions is predicted to be the dinucleotide fold where NADPH binds. In order to confirm that this region did include the NADPH binding site, we used oligonucleotide-mediated site-directed mutagenesis to study the function of specific amino acids in this region in terms of their interactions with NADPH. Four positively charged amino acids, R68, K69, K75, and R76, were mutated singly, in different combinations, and finally as a quartet in order to evaluate electrostatic interactions with NADPH. Mutation of each of the arginines singly to glutamine results in a 60- to 100-fold reduction in k(cat)/K(m) for NADPH. Mutation of each of the lysines singly does not significantly alter the steady state kinetic parameters associated with NADPH. None of these mutations significantly alters the affinity of the enzyme for NADH. After looking at double mutations of these four amino acids, we constructed the quadruplet mutant R68DK69LK75VR76D. This mutant has K(m) and k(cat) values of 19.3 microM and 5.3 min(-1) for NADH, which compares to 207 microM and 0.11 min(-1) for the wild-type enzyme. For the quadruplet mutant the corresponding values for NADPH are >200 microM for K(m) and 2 min(-1) for k(cat) compared to 7.3 microM and 7.2 min for the wild-type enzyme. By altering these four amino acids, the specificity constants for NADH and NADPH are almost exactly reversed in the mutant relative to the wild type.

Cloning and sequencing of the ilvBNC gene cluster from Mycobacterium avium

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium (Ma)-M. intracellulare disease is a prevalent opportunistic infection in patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Mycobacteria produce a variety of fatty acids which provide the first line of defence against potentially lethal environmental conditions. The metabolism of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) could be correlated to the production of branched-chain fatty acids in mycobacteria. In order to develop a better understanding of Mycobacterium BCAA biosynthesis, three genes, ilvBN and ilvC, encoding acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHS) and acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (IR), respectively, were cloned from Ma. The genes were isolated by screening a Ma genomic library with a heterologous probe. The deduced amino acid sequences revealed significant homology to the AHS and IR proteins from other bacterial species.

Molecular characterization of a chromosomal region involved in the oxidation of acetyl-CoA to glyoxylate in the isocitrate-lyase-negative methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquens AM1

A region on the Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 chromosome previously shown to complement a chemically induced mutant (PCT48) unable to convert acetyl-CoA into glyoxylate was characterized in detail in order to identify the gene(s) involved in the unknown pathway for acetyl-CoA oxidation. Six complete and two partial ORFs were identified by sequencing. Sequence comparisons suggested these might code for, respectively, a dehydrogenase of unknown specificity, a polypeptide of at least 15 kDa with unknown function, a coenzyme-B12-linked mutase, a catalase, an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) of unknown function, a polypeptide of 28 kDa, a ketol-acid reductoisomerase and a propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC). Insertion mutations were introduced into each ORF in order to determine their involvement in C1 and C2 metabolism. Mutations in three genes, encoding the mutase, ADH and PCC, resulted in a phenotype characteristic of mutants unable to oxidize acetyl-CoA, i.e. they were C1-and C2-negative and their growth on these compounds was restored by the addition of glycolate or glyoxylate. Mutants in the genes thought to encode catalase and PCC were found to be deficient in the corresponding enzyme activity, confirming the identity of these genes, while physiological substrates for the mutase and ADH remain unidentified. This work, in which three new genes necessary for conversion of acetyl-CoA into glyoxylate were identified, is an intermediary step on the way to the solution of the unknown pathway for acetyl-CoA oxidation in isocitrate-lyase-negative methylotrophs.

Metabolic effects of inhibitors of two enzymes of the branched-chain amino acid pathway in Salmonella typhimurium

The metabolic effects of inhibitors of two enzymes in the pathway for biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids were examined in Salmonella typhimurium mutant strain TV105, expressing a single isozyme of acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS), AHAS isozyme II. One inhibitor was the sulfonylurea herbicide sulfometuron methyl (SMM), which inhibits this isozyme and AHAS of other organisms, and the other was N-isopropyl oxalylhydroxamate (IpOHA), which inhibits ketol-acid reductoisomerase (KARI). The effects of the inhibitors on growth, levels of several enzymes of the pathway, and levels of intermediates of the pathway were measured. The intracellular concentration of the AHAS substrate 2-ketobutyrate increased on addition of SMM, but a lack of correlation between increased ketobutyrate and growth inhibition suggests that the former is not the immediate cause of the latter. The levels of the keto acid precursor of valine, but not of the precursor of isoleucine, were drastically decreased by SMM, and valine, but not isoleucine, partially overcame SMM inhibition. This apparent stronger effect of SMM on the flux into the valine arm, as opposed to the isoleucine arm, of the branched-chain amino acid pathway is explained by the kinetics of the AHAS reaction, as well as by the different roles of pyruvate, ketobutyrate, and the valine precursor in metabolism. The organization of the pathway thus potentiates the inhibitory effect of SMM. IpOHA has strong initial effects at lower concentrations than does SMM and leads to increases both in the acetohydroxy acid substrates of KARI and, surprisingly, in ketobutyrate. Valine completely protected strain TV105 from IpOHA at the MIC. A number of explanations for this effect can be ruled out, so that some unknown arrangement of the enzymes involved must be suggested. IpOHA led to initial cessation of growth, with partial recovery after a time whose duration increased with the inhibitor concentration. The recovery is apparently due to induction of new KARI synthesis, as well as disappearance of IpOHA from the medium.

Cloning, sequencing and expression of the ilvBNC gene cluster from Streptomyces avermitilis

The metabolism of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) isoleucine, leucine and valine is correlated to the production of polyketide antibiotics in many streptomycetes. Despite its significance, this biosynthetic pathway is poorly understood in Streptomyces. In order to develop a better understanding of Streptomyces BCCA biosynthesis, two genes, ilvBN and ilvC, encoding acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHS) and acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (IR), respectively, were cloned from Streptomyces avermitilis, a strain producing avermectins, potent antiparasitic compounds. The genes were isolated by applying a combination of PCR and genomic library screening. The deduced amino-acid sequences revealed significant homology to the AHS and IR proteins from other bacterial species. The ilvBN gene, expressed in Escherichia coli (Ec) by using the expression vector pGEX-4T-1, complemented the ilv- mutation of Ec PS1283. Ec transformants produced high levels of AHS, whose activity was feedback inhibited by valine.

Evidence for two catalytically different magnesium-binding sites in acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase by site-directed mutagenesis

Alignment of procaryotic and plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (EC 1.1.1.86) reveals five conserved regions designated domains I, II, III, IV, and V. Domain I has been previously proposed to correspond to the NADPH-binding site [Dumas et al. (1991) Biochem. J. 277, 469-475] and domain III to a putative magnesium-binding site [Sista & Bowman (1992) Gene 120, 115-118]. The binding and the function of this cation are of particular importance. First, Mg2+ is essential for the two-step reaction catalyzed by this enzyme: an isomerization followed by an NADPH-dependent reduction. Second, the plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase exhibits Kd and Km values for Mg2+ of 5 microM and 6 microM, respectively. Such values correspond to the strongest affinity known between an enzyme and the metal ion. To determine if domain III of acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase is effectively involved in magnesium binding, and with the goal to assign a function to the other conserved domains, site-directed mutagenesis was performed on each charged or polar conserved amino acids of domains II-V of the spinach acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase. The results demonstrate that mutation of each of these amino acids leads to a partial or complete inactivation of enzyme activity. Steady-state kinetic analysis and equilibrium binding experiments show that both domains III and IV are directly involved in the binding of magnesium. Also, they suggest that magnesium bound to domain III plays a role in the reductive half-reaction, whereas, magnesium bound to domain IV is involved in the isomerization half-reaction.

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic data for acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase from Spinacia oleracea

Acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (EC 1.1.1.86) is one of the enzymes involved in branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis. The enzyme from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaves has been crystallized using the hanging drop vapour diffusion method. The free enzyme crystallized from polymethylene glycol solutions, but these crystals were unsuitable for X-ray diffraction analysis. In the presence of NADPH, Mg(2+) and a reaction intermediate analogue (2-dimethylphosphinoyl-2-hydroxy acetic acid (Hoe 704) or N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate (IpOHA)), much better crystals were obtained. Crystals grown from ammonium sulphate belong to space group P2(1) with cell dimensions a + 193.78(7) A, b = 63.69(2) A, c = 112.84(1) A and beta = 121.22(1) degrees. The molecular mass of the protein, the volume of the unit cell, and crystal density measurements indicated that the asymmetric unit contains two dimers. X-ray diffraction patterns showed measurable reflections to beyond 2.5 A.

Interactions of plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase with reaction intermediate analogues: correlation of the slow, competitive, inhibition kinetics of enzyme activity and herbicidal effects

N-Hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate (IpOHA) is known to inhibit extremely tightly (Ki of 22 pM) the bacterial acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (EC 1.1.1.86) [Aulabaugh and Schloss (1990) Biochemistry 29, 2824-2830], the second enzyme of the branched-chain-amino-acid-biosynthetic pathway. Yet, although the same pathway exists in plant cells, this compound presents only very poor herbicidal action. Towards the goal of gaining a better understanding of this behaviour, we have studied the mechanism of interaction of this compound with a highly purified acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase of plant origin, i.e. the spinach (Spinacia oleracea) chloroplast enzyme. IpOHA behaved as a nearly irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme. Encounter complex formation was very slow (association rate constant 1.9 x 10(3) M-1.s-1) and involved a single bimolecular step. Since inhibition was competitive with respect to acetohydroxy acid substrates, the time needed to achieve substantial (90%) inhibition in vitro of enzyme activity in the simultaneous presence of substrates and inhibitors was extremely long (for example of the order of hours at 1 microM IpOHA and 100 microM acetohydroxy acid substrates). Thus, under in vivo conditions, binding of the inhibitor may be so slow that it may delay considerably the time required for inhibition of the target enzyme. Simialr kinetic behaviour was observed with another reaction intermediate analogue described by Schulz, Spönemann, Köcher and Wengenmayer [(1988) FEBS Lett. 238, 375-378], 2-dimethyl-phosphinoyl-2-hydroxyacetic acid (Hoe 704), which displays a higher herbicide activity than IpOHA. The herbicidal potency of these two compounds appeared to be correlated with their rates of association with the plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase, since the bimolecular rate constant for Hoe 704 (2.2 x 10(4) M-1.s-1) was higher than that for IpOHA.

Branched-chain-amino-acid biosynthesis in plants: molecular cloning and characterization of the gene encoding acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (ketol-acid reductoisomerase) from Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress)

Towards the goal of gaining a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling branched-chain-amino-acid biosynthesis in plants, we have isolated, sequenced and characterized a gene encoding acetohydroxy acid isomero-reductase (ketol-acid reductoisomerase) from Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress). Comparison between the acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase cDNA and the genomic sequence has allowed us to determine the exon structure of the coding region. The isolated acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase gene is distributed over approx. 4.5 kbp and contains nine introns (79-347 bp). The transcriptional start site was found to be 52 bp upstream of the translational initiation site. Southern-blot analysis of A. thaliana genomic DNA shows that the acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase is encoded by a single-copy gene.

Isoleucine synthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum: molecular analysis of the ilvB-ilvN-ilvC operon

Acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS) and isomeroreductase (IR) catalyze subsequent reactions in the flux of metabolites towards isoleucine, valine, leucine, and pantothenate. A 4,705-bp DNA fragment from Corynebacterium glutamicum known to code for AHAS and IR was sequenced and analyzed by Northern (RNA blot) analysis. As in other bacteria, the AHAS of this gram-positive organism is encoded by two genes, ilvB and ilvN. Gene disruption verified that these genes encode the single AHAS activity in C. glutamicum. The start of ilvB was determined by amino-terminal sequencing of a fusion peptide. By Northern analysis of the ilvBNC cluster, three in vivo transcripts of 3.9, 2.3, and 1.1 kb were identified, corresponding to ilvBNC, ilvNC, and ilvC messages, respectively. The ilvC transcript (encoding IR) was by far the most abundant one. With a clone from which the ilvB upstream regions had been deleted, only the ilvNC and ilvC transcripts were synthesized, and with a clone from which the ilvN upstream regions had been deleted, only the smallest ilvC transcript was formed. It is therefore concluded that in the ilv operon of C. glutamicum, three promoters are active. The amounts of the ilvBNC and ilvNC transcripts increased in response to the addition of alpha-ketobutyrate to the growth medium. This was correlated to an increase in specific AHAS activity, whereas IR activity was not increased because of the relatively large amount of the ilvC transcript present under all conditions assayed. Therefore, the steady-state level of the ilvBNC and ilvNC messages contributes significantly to the total activity of the single AHAS. The ilvC transcript of this operon, however, is regulated independently and present in a large excess, which is in accord with the constant IR activities determined.

Identification and sequence determination of the acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase gene from Brevibacterium flavum MJ233

The enzyme acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (AHAIR) is the second enzyme in the parallel isoleucine-valine biosynthetic pathway. We previously reported the cloning and sequencing of the acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS) genes from Brevibacterium flavum MJ233. Analysis of the sequence downstream of the AHAS genes identified another open reading frame highly homologous at the amino acid level to the AHAIR gene from Escherichia coli (ilvC). We subcloned the B. flavum AHAIR gene on a 2.1 kb Bg/II-EcoRI fragment by complementation of an E. coli ilvC mutant. The nucleotide sequence of the B. flavum AHAIR gene consists of 338 codons (molecular weight of 36158). Comparison of the deduced protein sequence revealed a high degree of identity with the sequences of ilvC genes from other organisms. Disruption of the B. flavum ilvC gene by a kanamycin resistance cassette resulted in L-isoleucine and L-valine auxotrophy.

The pH dependence of the kinetic parameters of ketol acid reductoisomerase indicates a proton shuttle mechanism for alkyl migration

The enzyme ketol acid reductoisomerase catalyzes the second common reaction in the biosynthesis of the branched chain amino acids. The reaction is complex as an alkyl migration and a ketone reduction apparently occur as separate steps during the conversion of acetolactate to 2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutyrate. This paper reports on the pH dependence of the kinetic parameters of the enzyme. The pH variation of log(V/K) for acetolactate was fit to an equation describing a bell-shaped curve, indicating an acid and a base catalyst for the reaction. In the reverse direction, V/K for 2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutyrate is constant over the pH range 8 to 10 and decreases below pH 8 with the ionization of two catalytic groups. The pH dependence of the V/K values for reduction of the kinetically competent intermediate and analogs of this intermediate are also described by a bell-shaped curve. The pH dependence of the V/K for alkyl migration of this intermediate indicates a single base catalyst for this reaction. We observe no deuterium kinetic isotope effect on V or V/K for the reaction of acetolactate at any pH. We observe a pH-dependent kinetic isotope effect on V/K for the reduction of the intermediate, the magnitude of which is metal ion dependent. Larger KIE's are observed in the presence of Mn2+ as opposed to Mg2+. In the reverse reaction there is a pH-dependent kinetic isotope effect on V/K. Based on the pH dependence of the kinetic parameters and the kinetic isotope effects, we propose a base-catalyzed proton shuttle mechanism for the alkyl migration reaction followed by an acid-assisted ketone reduction by NADPH.

Cloning, organization and functional analysis of ilvA, ilvB and ilvC genes from Corynebacterium glutamicum

Corynebacterium glutamicum is an industrially important bacterium for the manufacture of amino acids. We constructed genomic libraries of this Gram+ bacterium and screened for clones carrying isoleucine biosynthesis genes (ilv) by complementation of Escherichia coli mutants. Clones complementing ilvA, ilvB, and ilvC were isolated. As based on the functional analysis of the corresponding plasmids in C. glutamicum, the DNA fragments isolated encode threonine dehydratase, acetohydroxy acid synthase, and isomeroreductase, catalyzing three subsequent reactions in Ile synthesis. Subcloning and transposon mutagenesis revealed that ilvB and ilvC reside on a 7-kb chromosomal fragment and that these genes are transcribed in the same direction. A shuttle vector was constructed to allow exonuclease treatment and assay subsets of plasmids for gene expression in the original C. glutamicum background. These constructs and their enzyme activity determinations revealed that despite close linkage ilvC is expressed independently from ilvB. Using Southern blots, a 15-kb fragment of chromosomal DNA carrying the ilvBC cluster was characterized. This fragment does not contain ilvA, demonstrating the entirely different organization of the isoleucine biosynthesis genes in C. glutamicum from that in enterobacteria.

The product of the Rhizobium meliloti ilvC gene is required for isoleucine and valine synthesis and nodulation of alfalfa

Tn5-induced mutants of Rhizobium meliloti that require the amino acids isoleucine and valine for growth on minimal medium were studied. In one mutant, 1028, the defect is associated with an inability to induce nodules on alfalfa. The Tn5 mutation in 1028 is located in a chromosomal 5.5-kb EcoRI fragment. Complementation analysis with cloned DNA indicated that 2.0 kb of DNA from the 5.5-kb EcoRI fragment restored the wild-type phenotype in the Ilv- Nod- mutant. This region was further characterized by DNA sequence analysis and was shown to contain a coding sequence homologous to those for Escherichia coli IlvC and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ilv5. Genes ilvC and ilv5 code for the enzyme acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (isomeroreductase), the second enzyme in the parallel pathways for the biosynthesis of isoleucine and valine. Enzymatic assays confirmed that strain 1028 was a mutant defective in isomeroreductase activity. In addition, it was shown that the ilvC genes of Rhizobium meliloti and E. coli are functionally equivalent. We demonstrated that in ilvC mutant 1028 the common nodulation genes nodABC are not activated by the inducer luteolin. E. coli ilvC complemented both defective properties (Ilv- and Nod-) found in mutant 1028. These findings demonstrate that R. meliloti requires an active isomeroreductase enzyme for successful nodulation of alfalfa.

Oxalyl hydroxamates as reaction-intermediate analogues for ketol-acid reductoisomerase

N-Hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate (IpOHA) is an exceptionally potent inhibitor of the Escherichia coli ketol-acid reductoisomerase. In the presence of Mg2+ or Mn2+, IpOHA inhibits the enzyme in a time-dependent manner, forming a nearly irreversible complex. Nucleotide, which is essential for catalysis, greatly enhances the binding of IpOHA by the reductoisomerase, with NADPH (normally present during the enzyme's rearrangement step, i.e., conversion of a beta-keto acid into an alpha-keto acid, in either the forward or reverse physiological reactions) being more effective than NADP. In the presence of Mg2+ and NADPH, IpOHA appears to bind to the enzyme in a two-step mechanism, with an initial inhibition constant of 160 nM and a maximum rate of formation of the tight, slowly reversible complex of 0.57 min-1 (values that give an association rate of IpOHA, at low concentration, of 5.9 X 10(4) M-1 s-1). The rate of exchange of [14C]IpOHA from an enzyme-[14C]IpOHA-Mg2(+)-NADPH complex with exogenous, unlabeled IpOHA has a half-time of 6 days (150 h). This dissociation rate (1.3 X 10(-6) s-1) and the association rate determined by inactivation kinetics define an overall dissociation constant of 22 pM. By contrast, in the presence of Mn2+ and NADPH, the corresponding association and dissociation rates for IpOHA are 8.2 X 10(4) M-1 s-1 and 3.2 X 10(-6) s-1 (half-time = 2.5 days), respectively, which define an overall dissociation constant of 38 pM. In the presence of NADP or in the absence of nucleotide (both in the presence of Mg2+), the enzyme-IpOHA complex is far more labile, with dissociation half-times of 28 and 2 h, respectively. In the absence of Mg2+ or Mn2+, IpOHA does not exhibit time-dependent inhibition of the reductoisomerase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mechanism of ketol acid reductoisomerase--steady-state analysis and metal ion requirement

Ketol acid reductoisomerase is an enzyme of the branched-chain amino acid biosynthetic pathway. It catalyzes two separate reactions: an acetoin rearrangement and a reduction. This paper reports on the purification of the enzyme from a recombinant Escherichia coli and on the steady-state kinetics of the enzyme. The kinetics of the reaction were determined for the forward and reverse reaction by using the appropriate chiral substrates. At saturating metal ion concentrations the mechanism follows an ordered pathway where NADPH binds before acetolactate. The product of the rearrangement of acetolactate, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate, is shown to be kinetically competent as an intermediate in the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Starting with acetolactate, Mg2+ is the only divalent metal ion that will support enzyme catalysis. For the reduction of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate, Mn2+ is catalytically active. Product and dead-end inhibition studies indicate that the binding of metal ion and NADPH occurs randomly. In the forward reaction direction, the deuterium kinetic isotope effect on V/K is 1.07 when acetolactate is the substrate and 1.39 when 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate is the substrate.

Nucleotide sequence and in vivo expression of the ilvY and ilvC genes in Escherichia coli K12. Transcription from divergent overlapping promoters

The ilvC gene of Escherichia coli K12 encodes acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase, the second enzyme in the parallel isoleucine-valine biosynthetic pathway. Previous data have shown that transcription of the ilvC gene is induced by the acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase substrates, acetohydroxybutyrate or acetolactate, and that this substrate induction of ilvC expression is mediated by a positive activator encoded by the ilvY gene. We report here the isolation and complete nucleotide sequence of the ilvY and ilvC genes. The ilvY and ilvC genes encode polypeptides of Mr 33,200 and 54,000, respectively. In vitro transcription-translation of these gene templates results in the synthesis of gene products of these identical molecular weights. The ilvC gene is transcribed in the same direction as the genes of the adjacent ilvGMEDA operon. The ilvY gene is transcribed in a direction opposite to the ilvC and ilvGMEDA genes. The in vivo transcriptional initiation sites of the ilvY and ilvC genes have been determined by S1 nuclease protection experiments. These transcriptional initiation sites are 45 nucleotides apart, and transcription of the ilvY and ilvC genes is initiated via divergent overlapping promoters. The nucleotide sequence of the ilvY and ilvC promoters and 5'-coding regions of Salmonella typhimurium LT2 have been determined. A comparison of these sequences with E. coli K12 suggests regions important in the promotion, regulation, and translation of the ilvY and ilvC genes. A model is presented in which the ilvY-encoded activator binds to an operator site in the overlapping promoter region and reciprocally regulates the transcription of the ilvY and ilvC genes. The carboxyl-terminal amino acid sequence of threonine deaminase encoded by the ilvA gene of the ilv-GMEDA operon of E. coli K12 has been identified by homology with the previously deduced threonine deaminase amino acid sequence encoded by the ilv1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Based on the deduced amino acid sequences of the ilvA and ilvY genes, the translational termination codons for both genes are shown to be separated by 52 nucleotides. The proximity of the ilvA and ilvY genes suggests that the 3'-ends of these transcripts overlap.

Role of acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase in biosynthesis of pantothenic acid in Salmonella typhimurium

Structural genes have been identified for all of the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of pantothenic acid in Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli K-12, with the exception of ketopantoic acid reductase, which catalyzes the conversion of alpha-ketopantoate to pantoate. The acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase from S. typhimurium efficiently bound alpha-ketopantoate (K(m) = 0.25 mM) and catalyzed its reduction at 1/20 the rate at which alpha-acetolactate was reduced. Since two enzymes could apparently participate in the synthesis of pantoate, a S. typhimurium ilvC8 strain was mutagenized to derive strains completely blocked in the conversion of alpha-ketopantoate to pantoate. Several isolates were obtained that grew in isoleucine-valine medium supplemented with either pantoate or pantothenate, but not in the same medium supplemented with alpha-ketopantoate or beta-alanine. The mutations that conferred pantoate auxotrophy (designated panE) to these isolates appeared to be clustered, but were not linked to panB or panC. All panE strains tested had greatly reduced levels of ketopantoic acid reductase (3 to 12% of the activity present in DU201). The capacity of the isomeroreductase to synthesize pantoate in vivo was assessed by determining the growth requirements of ilvC(+) derivatives of panE ilvC8 strains. These strains required either alpha-ketopantoate, pantoate, or pantothenate when the isomeroreductase was present at low levels; when the synthesis of isomeroreductase was induced, panE ilvC(+) strains grew in unsupplemented medium. These phenotypes indicate that a high level of isomeroreductase is sufficient for the synthesis of pantoate. panE ilvC(+) strains also grew in medium supplemented with lysine and methionine. This phenotype resembles that of some S. typhimurium ilvG mutants (e.g., DU501) which are partially blocked in the biosynthesis of coenzyme A and are limited for succinyl coenzyme A. panE ilvC(+) strains which lack the acetohydroxy acid synthases required only methionine for growth (in the presence of leucine, isoleucine, and valine). This and other evidence suggested that the synthesis of pantoic acid by isomeroreductase was blocked by the alpha-acetohydroxy acids and that pantoic acid synthesis was enhanced in the absence of these intermediates, even when the isomeroreductase was at low levels. panE ilvC(+) strains reverted to pantothenate independence. Several of these revertants were shown to have elevated isomeroreductase levels under noninduced and induced conditions; the suppressing mutation in each revertant was shown to be closely linked to ilvC by P22 transduction. This procedure presents a means for obtaining mutants with altered regulation of isomeroreductase.