Bacteria Boost Mammalian Host NAD Metabolism by Engaging the Deamidated Biosynthesis Pathway

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a cofactor for hundreds of metabolic reactions in all cell types, plays an essential role in metabolism, DNA repair, and aging. However, how NAD metabolism is impacted by the environment remains unclear. Here, we report an unexpected trans-kingdom cooperation between bacteria and mammalian cells wherein bacteria contribute to host NAD biosynthesis. Bacteria confer resistance to inhibitors of NAMPT, the rate-limiting enzyme in the amidated NAD salvage pathway, in cancer cells and xenograft tumors. Mechanistically, a microbial nicotinamidase (PncA) that converts nicotinamide to nicotinic acid, a precursor in the alternative deamidated NAD salvage pathway, is necessary and sufficient for this protective effect. Using stable isotope tracing and microbiota-depleted mice, we demonstrate that this bacteria-mediated deamidation contributes substantially to the NAD-boosting effect of oral nicotinamide and nicotinamide riboside supplementation in several tissues. Collectively, our findings reveal an important role of bacteria-enabled deamidated pathway in host NAD metabolism.

ROS1-Dependent DNA Demethylation Is Required for ABA-Inducible NIC3 Expression

DNA methylation plays an important role in diverse developmental processes in many eukaryotes, including the response to environmental stress. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone that is up-regulated under stress. The involvement of DNA methylation in the ABA response has been reported but is poorly understood. DNA demethylation is a reverse process of DNA methylation and often induces structural changes of chromatin leading to transcriptional activation. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), active DNA demethylation depends on the activity of REPRESSOR OF SILENCING 1 (ROS1), which directly excises 5-methylcytosine from DNA. Here we showed that ros1 mutants were hypersensitive to ABA during early seedling development and root elongation. Expression levels of some ABA-inducible genes were decreased in ros1 mutants, and more than 60% of their proximal regions became hypermethylated, indicating that a subset of ABA-inducible genes are under the regulation of ROS1-dependent DNA demethylation. Notable among them is NICOTINAMIDASE 3 (NIC3) that encodes an enzyme that converts nicotinamide to nicotinic acid in the NAD⁺ salvage pathway. Many enzymes in this pathway are known to be involved in stress responses. The nic3 mutants display hypersensitivity to ABA, whereas overexpression of NIC3 restores normal ABA responses. Our data suggest that NIC3 is responsive to ABA but requires ROS1-mediated DNA demethylation at the promoter as a prerequisite to transcriptional activation. These findings suggest that ROS1-induced active DNA demethylation maintains the active state of NIC3 transcription in response to ABA.

A Key Enzyme of the NAD+ Salvage Pathway in Thermus thermophilus: Characterization of Nicotinamidase and the Impact of Its Gene Deletion at High Temperatures

NAD (NAD⁺) is a cofactor related to many cellular processes. This cofactor is known to be unstable, especially at high temperatures, where it chemically decomposes to nicotinamide and ADP-ribose. Bacteria, yeast, and higher organisms possess the salvage pathway for reconstructing NAD⁺ from these decomposition products; however, the importance of the salvage pathway for survival is not well elucidated, except for in pathogens lacking the NAD⁺de novo synthesis pathway. Herein, we report the importance of the NAD⁺ salvage pathway in the thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus HB8 at high temperatures. We identified the gene encoding nicotinamidase (TTHA0328), which catalyzes the first reaction of the NAD⁺ salvage pathway. This recombinant enzyme has a high catalytic activity against nicotinamide (K_m of 17 μM, k_cat of 50 s^-1, k_cat/K_m of 3.0 × 10³ s^-1 · mM^-1). Deletion of this gene abolished nicotinamide deamination activity in crude extracts of T. thermophilus and disrupted the NAD⁺ salvage pathway in T. thermophilus Disruption of the salvage pathway led to the severe growth retardation at a higher temperature (80°C), owing to the drastic decrease in the intracellular concentrations of NAD⁺ and NADH.IMPORTANCE NAD⁺ and other nicotinamide cofactors are essential for cell metabolism. These molecules are unstable and decompose, even under the physiological conditions in most organisms. Thermophiles can survive at high temperatures where NAD⁺ decomposition is, in general, more rapid. This study emphasizes that NAD⁺ instability and its homeostasis can be one of the important factors for thermophile survival in extreme temperatures.

Biochemical characterization of a new nicotinamidase from an unclassified bacterium thriving in a geothermal water stream microbial mat community

Nicotinamidases are amidohydrolases that convert nicotinamide into nicotinic acid, contributing to NAD+ homeostasis in most organisms. In order to increase the number of nicotinamidases described to date, this manuscript characterizes a nicotinamidase obtained from a metagenomic library fosmid clone (JFF054_F02) obtained from a geothermal water stream microbial mat community in a Japanese epithermal mine. The enzyme showed an optimum temperature of 90°C, making it the first hyperthermophilic bacterial nicotinamidase to be characterized, since the phylogenetic analysis of this fosmid clone placed it in a clade of uncultured geothermal bacteria. The enzyme, named as UbNic, not only showed an alkaline optimum pH, but also a biphasic pH dependence of its kcat, with a maximum at pH 9.5-10.0. The two pKa values obtained were 4.2 and 8.6 for pKes1 and pKes2, respectively. These results suggest a possible flexible catalytic mechanism for nicotinamidases, which reconciles the two previously proposed mechanisms. In addition, the enzyme showed a high catalytic efficiency, not only toward nicotinamide, but also toward other nicotinamide analogs. Its mutational analysis showed that a tryptophan (W83) is needed in one of the faces of the active site to maintain low Km values toward all the substrates tested. Furthermore, UbNic proved to contain a Fe2+ ion in its metal binding site, and was revealed to belong to a new nicotinamidase subgroup. All these characteristics, together with its high pH- and thermal stability, distinguish UbNic from previously described nicotinamidases, and suggest that a wide diversity of enzymes remains to be discovered in extreme environments.

Stress exposure results in increased peroxisomal levels of yeast Pnc1 and Gpd1, which are imported via a piggy-backing mechanism

Saccharomyces cerevisiae glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase 1 (Gpd1) and nicotinamidase (Pnc1) are two stress-induced enzymes. Both enzymes are predominantly localised to peroxisomes at normal growth conditions, but were reported to localise to the cytosol and nucleus upon exposure of cells to stress. Import of both proteins into peroxisomes depends on the peroxisomal targeting signal 2 (PTS2) receptor Pex7. Gpd1 contains a PTS2, however, Pnc1 lacks this sequence. Here we show that Pnc1 physically interacts with Gpd1, which is required for piggy-back import of Pnc1 into peroxisomes. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy analyses revealed that the levels of both proteins increased in peroxisomes and in the cytosol upon exposure of cells to stress. However, upon exposure of cells to stress we also observed enhanced cytosolic levels of the control PTS2 protein thiolase, when produced under control of the GPD1 promoter. This suggests that these conditions cause a partial defect in PTS2 protein import, probably because the PTS2 import pathway is easily saturated.

A multi-scale computational study on the mechanism of Streptococcus pneumoniae Nicotinamidase (SpNic)

Nicotinamidase (Nic) is a key zinc-dependent enzyme in NAD metabolism that catalyzes the hydrolysis of nicotinamide to give nicotinic acid. A multi-scale computational approach has been used to investigate the catalytic mechanism, substrate binding and roles of active site residues of Nic from Streptococcus pneumoniae (SpNic). In particular, density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD) and ONIOM quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods have been employed. The overall mechanism occurs in two stages: (i) formation of a thioester enzyme-intermediate (IC2) and (ii) hydrolysis of the thioester bond to give the products. The polar protein environment has a significant effect in stabilizing reaction intermediates and in particular transition states. As a result, both stages effectively occur in one step with Stage 1, formation of IC2, being rate limiting barrier with a cost of 53.5 kJ·mol-1 with respect to the reactant complex, RC. The effects of dispersion interactions on the overall mechanism were also considered but were generally calculated to have less significant effects with the overall mechanism being unchanged. In addition, the active site lysyl (Lys103) is concluded to likely play a role in stabilizing the thiolate of Cys136 during the reaction.

Biochemical and mutational analysis of a novel nicotinamidase from Oceanobacillus iheyensis HTE831

Nicotinamidases catalyze the hydrolysis of nicotinamide to nicotinic acid and ammonia, an important reaction in the NAD(+) salvage pathway. This paper reports a new nicotinamidase from the deep-sea extremely halotolerant and alkaliphilic Oceanobacillus iheyensis HTE831 (OiNIC). The enzyme was active towards nicotinamide and several analogues, including the prodrug pyrazinamide. The enzyme was more nicotinamidase (kcat/Km  = 43.5 mM(-1)s(-1)) than pyrazinamidase (kcat/Km  = 3.2 mM(-1)s(-1)). Mutational analysis was carried out on seven critical amino acids, confirming for the first time the importance of Cys133 and Phe68 residues for increasing pyrazinamidase activity 2.9- and 2.5-fold, respectively. In addition, the change in the fourth residue involved in the ion metal binding (Glu65) was detrimental to pyrazinamidase activity, decreasing it 6-fold. This residue was also involved in a new distinct structural motif DAHXXXDXXHPE described in this paper for Firmicutes nicotinamidases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that OiNIC is the first nicotinamidase described for the order Bacillales.

Molecular dynamics simulations suggest ligand's binding to nicotinamidase/pyrazinamidase

The research on the binding process of ligand to pyrazinamidase (PncA) is crucial for elucidating the inherent relationship between resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and PncA’s activity. In the present study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods were performed to investigate the unbinding process of nicotinamide (NAM) from two PncA enzymes, which is the reverse of the corresponding binding process. The calculated potential of mean force (PMF) based on the steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations sheds light on an optimal binding/unbinding pathway of the ligand. The comparative analyses between two PncAs clearly exhibit the consistency of the binding/unbinding pathway in the two enzymes, implying the universality of the pathway in all kinds of PncAs. Several important residues dominating the pathway were also determined by the calculation of interaction energies. The structural change of the proteins induced by NAM’s unbinding or binding shows the great extent interior motion in some homologous region adjacent to the active sites of the two PncAs. The structure comparison substantiates that this region should be very important for the ligand’s binding in all PncAs. Additionally, MD simulations also show that the coordination position of the ligand is displaced by one water molecule in the unliganded enzymes. These results could provide the more penetrating understanding of drug resistance of M. tuberculosis and be helpful for the development of new antituberculosis drugs.

High-resolution crystal structures of Streptococcus pneumoniae nicotinamidase with trapped intermediates provide insights into the catalytic mechanism and inhibition by aldehydes

Nicotinamidases are salvage enzymes that convert nicotinamide to nicotinic acid. These enzymes are essential for the recycling of nicotinamide into NAD(+) in most prokaryotes and most single-cell and multicellular eukaryotes, but not in mammals. The significance of these enzymes for nicotinamide salvage and for NAD(+) homeostasis has stimulated interest in nicotinamidases as possible antibiotic targets. Nicotinamidases are also regulators of intracellular nicotinamide concentrations, thereby regulating signaling of downstream NAD(+)-consuming enzymes, such as the NAD(+)-dependent deacetylases (sirtuins). Here, we report several high-resolution crystal structures of the nicotinamidase from Streptococcus pneumoniae (SpNic) in unliganded and ligand-bound forms. The structure of the C136S mutant in complex with nicotinamide provides details about substrate binding, while a trapped nicotinoyl thioester in a complex with SpNic reveals the structure of the proposed thioester reaction intermediate. Examination of the active site of SpNic reveals several important features, including a metal ion that coordinates the substrate and the catalytically relevant water molecule and an oxyanion hole that both orients the substrate and offsets the negative charge that builds up during catalysis. Structures of this enzyme with bound nicotinaldehyde inhibitors elucidate the mechanism of inhibition and provide further details about the catalytic mechanism. In addition, we provide a biochemical analysis of the identity and role of the metal ion that orients the ligand in the active site and activates the water molecule responsible for hydrolysis of the substrate. These data provide structural evidence of several proposed reaction intermediates and allow for a more complete understanding of the catalytic mechanism of this enzyme.

Revival and emended description of 'Mycobacterium paraffinicum' Davis, Chase and Raymond 1956 as Mycobacterium paraffinicum sp. nov., nom. rev

The omission of the name 'Mycobacterium paraffinicum' from the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names was due to phenotypic confusion surrounding a close relationship with Mycobacterium scrofulaceum. Correspondingly, 'M. paraffinicum' strains grew slowly in > 7 days, stained acid-alcohol-fast and produced yellow-pigmented, smooth, waxy colonies in the dark at an optimal temperature of 35°C. However, 'M. paraffinicum' strains demonstrated no activity for urease, nicotinamidase or pyrazinamidase and lacked growth at 42°C, unlike M. scrofulaceum. The mycolic acid pattern, as determined by HPLC, clustered 'M. paraffinicum' with M. scrofulaceum, Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium parascrofulaceum. Strains were fully susceptible to linezolid, rifabutin, clarithromycin and amikacin. Examination of the historical reference strain of 'M. paraffinicum', ATCC 12670, and five additional isolates using comparative studies with 16S rRNA, hsp65 and rpoB gene and concatenated sequences showed that they formed a tight taxonomic group that was distinct from similar non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MEE) analysis confirmed a close association of the five additional isolates with the reference strain of 'M. paraffinicum' with a genetic distance of 0.12 and showed that all six strains were distinct from other closely related species. These genetic results provided unambiguous evidence of the uniqueness of this slowly growing, scotochromogenic species and supported the revival of the name as Mycobacterium paraffinicum (ex Davis, Chase and Raymond 1956) sp. nov., nom. rev. We propose the previously deposited reference strain ATCC 12670(T) =DSM 44181(T) =NCIMB 10420(T), located in collections worldwide, as the type strain.

Redox responses in yeast to acetate as the carbon source

Following a shift to medium with acetate as the carbon source, a parental yeast strain exhibited a transient moderate 20% reduction in total cellular [NAD(+)+NADH] but showed a approximately 10-fold increase in the ratio of [NAD(+)]:[NADH] after 36h. A mutant strain (idhDelta) lacking the tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase had 50% higher cellular levels of [NAD(+)+NADH] relative to the parental strain but exhibited similar changes in cofactor concentrations following a shift to acetate medium, despite an inability to grow on that carbon source; essentially all of the cofactor was in the oxidized form within 36h. The salvage pathway for NAD(H) biosynthesis was found to be particularly important for viability during early transition of the parental strain to stationary phase in acetate medium. However, oxygen consumption was not affected, suggesting that the NAD(H) produced during this time may support other cellular functions. The idhDelta mutant exhibited increased flux through the salvage pathway in acetate medium but was dependent on the de novo pathway for viability. Long-term chronological lifespans of the parental and idhDelta strains were similar, but viability of the mutant strain was dependent on both pathways for NAD(H) biosynthesis.

The relationship between pyridine nucleotides and seed dormancy

To investigate the proposed role for NAD metabolism in regulating seed dormancy, NAD metabolites and associated enzyme activities were analysed in seed of Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes ranging from Col-0, which has low seed dormancy, to Cvi, which is highly dormant. Seed poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation levels did not correlate well with the depth of seed dormancy but did correlate with the sensitivity of germination to the DNA damaging agent MMS. Cvi seed had relatively high NAD and low NADP levels compared with the less dormant ecotypes and the NAD : NADP ratios correlated well with dormancy. The activity of NAD kinase was relatively low, and NADP phosphatase was relatively high in dormant Cvi seed, indicating that these enzymes may be involved in controlling the NAD : NADP ratio. Dormant fresh Cvi and nondormant after-ripened Cvi seeds were used to investigate further. Measurement of reduced and oxidised pyridine nucleotides indicated that breaking of dormancy was associated with a reduction in NAD levels but not with an increase in NADP levels. It is proposed that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase is involved in protecting the seed from genotoxic stress, whereas the level of NAD affects the depth of dormancy, perhaps by enhancing abscisic acid (ABA) synthesis.

Changes in pyridine metabolism profile during growth of trigonelline-forming Lotus japonicus cell cultures

Changes in the profile of pyridine metabolism during growth of cells were investigated using trigonelline-forming suspension-cultured cells of Lotus japonicus. Activity of the de novo and salvage pathways of NAD biosynthesis was estimated from the in situ metabolism of [(3)H] quinolinic acid and [(14)C] nicotinamide. Maximum activity of the de novo pathway for NAD synthesis was found in the exponential growth phase, whereas activity of the salvage pathway was increased in the lag phase of cell growth. Expression profiles of some genes related to pyridine metabolism were examined using the expression sequence tags obtained from the L. japonicus database. Transcript levels of NaPRT and NIC, encoding salvage enzymes, were enhanced in the lag phase of cell growth, whereas the maximum expression of NADS was found in the exponential growth phase. Correspondingly, the activities of the salvage enzymes, nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.11) and nicotinamidase (EC 3.5.1.19), increased one day after transfer of the stationary phase cells to the fresh medium. The greatest in situ trigonelline synthesis, both from [(3)H] quinolinic acid and [(14)C] nicotinamide, was found in the stationary phase of cell growth. The role of trigonelline in leguminous plants is discussed.

Assimilation of NAD(+) precursors in Candida glabrata

The yeast pathogen Candida glabrata is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) auxotroph and its growth depends on the environmental supply of vitamin precursors of NAD(+). C. glabrata salvage pathways defined in this article allow NAD(+) to be synthesized from three compounds - nicotinic acid (NA), nicotinamide (NAM) and nicotinamide riboside (NR). NA is salvaged through a functional Preiss-Handler pathway. NAM is first converted to NA by nicotinamidase and then salvaged by the Preiss-Handler pathway. Salvage of NR in C. glabrata occurs via two routes. The first, in which NR is phosphorylated by the NR kinase Nrk1, is independent of the Preiss-Handler pathway. The second is a novel pathway in which NR is degraded by the nucleosidases Pnp1 and Urh1, with a minor role for Meu1, and ultimately converted to NAD(+) via the nicotinamidase Pnc1 and the Preiss-Handler pathway. Using C. glabrata mutants whose growth depends exclusively on the external NA or NR supply, we also show that C. glabrata utilizes NR and to a lesser extent NA as NAD(+) sources during disseminated infection.

N-lysine propionylation controls the activity of propionyl-CoA synthetase

Reversible protein acetylation is a ubiquitous means for the rapid control of diverse cellular processes. Acetyltransferase enzymes transfer the acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to lysine residues, while deacetylase enzymes catalyze removal of the acetyl group by hydrolysis or by an NAD(+)-dependent reaction. Propionyl-coenzyme A (CoA), like acetyl-CoA, is a high energy product of fatty acid metabolism and is produced through a similar chemical reaction. Because acetyl-CoA is the donor molecule for protein acetylation, we investigated whether proteins can be propionylated in vivo, using propionyl-CoA as the donor molecule. We report that the Salmonella enterica propionyl-CoA synthetase enzyme PrpE is propionylated in vivo at lysine 592; propionylation inactivates PrpE. The propionyl-lysine modification is introduced by bacterial Gcn-5-related N-acetyltransferase enzymes and can be removed by bacterial and human Sir2 enzymes (sirtuins). Like the sirtuin deacetylation reaction, sirtuin-catalyzed depropionylation is NAD(+)-dependent and produces a byproduct, O-propionyl ADP-ribose, analogous to the O-acetyl ADP-ribose sirtuin product of deacetylation. Only a subset of the human sirtuins with deacetylase activity could also depropionylate substrate. The regulation of cellular propionyl-CoA by propionylation of PrpE parallels regulation of acetyl-CoA by acetylation of acetyl-CoA synthetase and raises the possibility that propionylation may serve as a regulatory modification in higher organisms.

Nicotinamidase activity is important for germination

It has been suggested that nicotinamide must be degraded during germination; however, the enzyme responsible and its physiological role have not been previously studied. We have identified an Arabidopsis gene, NIC2, that is expressed at relatively high levels in mature seed, and encodes a nicotinamidase enzyme with homology to yeast and bacterial nicotinamidases. Seed of a knockout mutant, nic2-1, had reduced nicotinamidase activity, retarded germination and impaired germination potential. nic2-1 germination was restored by after-ripening or moist chilling, but remained hypersensitive to application of nicotinamide or ABA. Nicotinamide is a known inhibitor of NAD-degrading poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP enzymes) that are implicated in DNA repair. We found reduced poly(ADP)ribosylation levels in nic2-1 seed, which were restored by moist chilling. Furthermore, nic2-1 seed had elevated levels of NAD, and germination was hypersensitive to methyl methanesulphonate (MMS), suggesting that PARP activity and DNA repair responses were impaired. We suggest that nicotinamide is normally metabolized by NIC2 during moist chilling or after-ripening, which relieves inhibition of PARP activity and allows DNA repair to occur prior to germination.

Nicotinamide riboside promotes Sir2 silencing and extends lifespan via Nrk and Urh1/Pnp1/Meu1 pathways to NAD+

Although NAD(+) biosynthesis is required for Sir2 functions and replicative lifespan in yeast, alterations in NAD(+) precursors have been reported to accelerate aging but not to extend lifespan. In eukaryotes, nicotinamide riboside is a newly discovered NAD(+) precursor that is converted to nicotinamide mononucleotide by specific nicotinamide riboside kinases, Nrk1 and Nrk2. In this study, we discovered that exogenous nicotinamide riboside promotes Sir2-dependent repression of recombination, improves gene silencing, and extends lifespan without calorie restriction. The mechanism of action of nicotinamide riboside is totally dependent on increased net NAD(+) synthesis through two pathways, the Nrk1 pathway and the Urh1/Pnp1/Meu1 pathway, which is Nrk1 independent. Additionally, the two nicotinamide riboside salvage pathways contribute to NAD(+) metabolism in the absence of nicotinamide-riboside supplementation. Thus, like calorie restriction in the mouse, nicotinamide riboside elevates NAD(+) and increases Sir2 function.

Nicotinamidase participates in the salvage pathway of NAD biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), which is derived from NAD, have important roles as a redox carriers in metabolism. A combination of de novo and salvage pathways contribute to the biosynthesis of NAD in all organisms. The pathways and enzymes of the NAD salvage pathway in yeast and animals, which diverge at nicotinamide, have been extensively studied. Yeast cells convert nicotinamide to nicotinic acid, while mammals lack the enzyme nicotinamidase and instead convert nicotinamide to nicotinamide mononucleotide. Here we show that Arabidopsis thaliana gene At2g22570 encodes a nicotinamidase, which is expressed in all tissues, with the highest levels observed in roots and stems. The 244-residue protein, designated AtNIC1, converts nicotinamide to nicotinic acid and has a Km value of 118 +/- 17 microM and a Kcat value of 0.93 +/- 0.13 sec(-1). Plants homozygous for a null AtNIC1 allele, nic1-1, have lower levels of NAD and NADP under normal growth conditions, indicating that AtNIC1 participates in a yeast-type NAD salvage pathway. Mutant plants also exhibit hypersensitivity to treatments of abscisic acid and NaCl, which is correlated with their inability to increase the cellular levels of NAD(H) under these growth conditions, as occurs in wild-type plants. We also show that the growth of the roots of wild-type but not nic1-1 mutant plants is inhibited and distorted by nicotinamide.

Regulation of transcriptional silencing in yeast by growth temperature

Increasing evidence indicates that transcriptionally silent chromatin structure is dynamic and may change its conformation in response to external or internal stimuli. We show that growth temperature affects all three forms of transcriptional silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In general, increasing the temperature within the range of 23-37 degrees C strengthens HM and telomeric silencing but reduces rDNA silencing. High temperature (37 degrees C) can suppress the silencing defects of histone H4 mutants. We demonstrate that DNA at the silent HML locus becomes more and more negatively supercoiled as temperature increases in a Sir-dependent manner, which is indicative of enhanced silent chromatin. This enhancement of silent chromatin is not dependent on silencers and therefore does not require de novo assembly of silent chromatin. We also present evidence suggesting that MAP kinase-mediated Sir3p hyperphosphorylation, which plays a role in regulating silencing in response to certain stress conditions, is not involved in high temperature-induced strengthening of silencing. In addition, Pnc1p, a positive regulator of Sir2p activity, plays no role in thermal regulation of silencing. Therefore, growth temperature regulates transcriptional silencing by a novel mechanism.

Chemical Activation of Sir2-Dependent Silencing by Relief of Nicotinamide Inhibition

Sir2 is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent protein deacetylase involved in gene silencing and longevity. Cellular stresses affect Sir2 activity, but the mechanisms of Sir2 regulation are debated. Nicotinamide has been proposed as a physiological regulator that inhibits Sir2 deacetylase activity by chemical reversal of a covalent reaction intermediate. We demonstrate a chemical strategy to activate Sir2-dependent transcriptional silencing and present evidence that the endogenous level of nicotinamide limits Sir2 activity in wild-type (wt) yeast cells. Nicotinamide inhibition of Sir2 is antagonized in vitro by isonicotinamide, which causes an increase in Sir2 deacetylation activity. Isonicotinamide also substantially increases transcriptional silencing at Sir2-regulated loci in wt strains and in strains lacking key NAD+ salvage pathway enzymes (PNC1 and NPT1). Thus, a nicotinamide antagonist is a Sir2 agonist in vitro and in vivo.

Brucella abortus nicotinamidase (PncA) contributes to its intracellular replication and infectivity in mice

Brucella spp. are facultative intracellular pathogens that have the ability to survive and multiply in professional and non-professional phagocytes, and cause abortion in domestic animals and undulant fever in humans. The mechanism and factors of virulence are not fully understood. Nicotinamidase/pyrazinamidase mutant (pncA mutant) of Brucella abortus failed to replicate in HeLa cells, and showed a lower rate of intracellular replication than that of wild-type strain in macrophages. Addition of nicotinic acid, but not nicotinamide, into medium supported intracellular replication of pncA mutant in HeLa cells and macrophages. The pncA mutant was not co-localizing with either late endosomes or lysosomes. The B. abortus virB4 mutant was completely cleared from the spleens of mice after 4 weeks, while the pncA mutant showed a 1.5-log reduction of the number of bacteria isolated from spleens after 10 weeks. Although pncA mutant showed reduced virulence in mice and defective intracellular replication, its ability to confer protection against the virulent B. abortus strain 544 was fully retained. These results suggest that PncA does not contribute to intracellular trafficking of B. abortus, but contributes to utilization of nutrients required for intracellular growth. Our results indicate that detailed characterizations of the pncA mutant may help the improvement of currently available live vaccines.

Nicotinamide clearance by Pnc1 directly regulates Sir2-mediated silencing and longevity

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sir2 protein is an NAD(+)-dependent histone deacetylase (HDAC) that functions in transcriptional silencing and longevity. The NAD(+) salvage pathway protein, Npt1, regulates Sir2-mediated processes by maintaining a sufficiently high intracellular NAD(+) concentration. However, another NAD(+) salvage pathway component, Pnc1, modulates silencing independently of the NAD(+) concentration. Nicotinamide (NAM) is a by-product of the Sir2 deacetylase reaction and is a natural Sir2 inhibitor. Pnc1 is a nicotinamidase that converts NAM to nicotinic acid. Here we show that recombinant Pnc1 stimulates Sir2 HDAC activity in vitro by preventing the accumulation of NAM produced by Sir2. In vivo, telomeric, rDNA, and HM silencing are differentially sensitive to inhibition by NAM. Furthermore, PNC1 overexpression suppresses the inhibitory effect of exogenously added NAM on silencing, life span, and Hst1-mediated transcriptional repression. Finally, we show that stress suppresses the inhibitory effect of NAM through the induction of PNC1 expression. Pnc1, therefore, positively regulates Sir2-mediated silencing and longevity by preventing the accumulation of intracellular NAM during times of stress.

The reported human NADsyn2 is ammonia-dependent NAD synthetase from a pseudomonad

Nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) synthetases catalyze the last step in NAD+ metabolism in the de novo, import, and salvage pathways that originate from tryptophan (or aspartic acid), nicotinic acid, and nicotinamide, respectively, and converge on nicotinic acid mononucleotide. NAD+ synthetase converts nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide to NAD+ via an adenylylated intermediate. All of the known eukaryotic NAD+ synthetases are glutamine-dependent, hydrolyzing glutamine to glutamic acid to provide the attacking ammonia. In the prokaryotic world, some NAD+ synthetases are glutamine-dependent, whereas others can only use ammonia. Earlier, we noted a perfect correlation between presence of a domain related to nitrilase and glutamine dependence and then proved in the accompanying paper (Bieganowski, P., Pace, H. C., and Brenner, C. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 33049-33055) that the nitrilase-related domain is an essential, obligate intramolecular, thiol-dependent glutamine amidotransferase in the yeast NAD+ synthetase, Qns1. Independently, human NAD+ synthetase was cloned and shown to depend on Cys-175 for glutamine-dependent but not ammonia-dependent NAD+ synthetase activity. Additionally, it was claimed that a 275 amino acid open reading frame putatively amplified from human glioma cell line LN229 encodes a human ammonia-dependent NAD+ synthetase and this was speculated largely to mediate NAD+ synthesis in human muscle tissues. Here we establish that the so-called NADsyn2 is simply ammonia-dependent NAD+ synthetase from Pseudomonas, which is encoded on an operon with nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase and, in some Pseudomonads, with nicotinamidase.

Nicotinamide and PNC1 govern lifespan extension by calorie restriction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Calorie restriction extends lifespan in a broad range of organisms, from yeasts to mammals. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon, including decreased oxidative damage and altered energy metabolism. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, lifespan extension by calorie restriction requires the NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase, Sir2 (ref. 1). We have recently shown that Sir2 and its closest human homologue SIRT1, a p53 deacetylase, are strongly inhibited by the vitamin B3 precursor nicotinamide. Here we show that increased expression of PNC1 (pyrazinamidase/nicotinamidase 1), which encodes an enzyme that deaminates nicotinamide, is both necessary and sufficient for lifespan extension by calorie restriction and low-intensity stress. We also identify PNC1 as a longevity gene that is responsive to all stimuli that extend lifespan. We provide evidence that nicotinamide depletion is sufficient to activate Sir2 and that this is the mechanism by which PNC1 regulates longevity. We conclude that yeast lifespan extension by calorie restriction is the consequence of an active cellular response to a low-intensity stress and speculate that nicotinamide might regulate critical cellular processes in higher organisms.

A plasmid-encoded nicotinamidase (PncA) is essential for infectivity of Borrelia burgdorferi in a mammalian host

Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochaete that causes Lyme borreliosis, contains 21 linear and circular plasmids thought to be important for survival in mammals or ticks. Our results demonstrate that the gene BBE22 encoding a nicotinamidase is capable of replacing the requirement for the 25 kb linear plasmid lp25 during mammalian infection. Transformation of B. burgdorferi lacking lp25 with a shuttle vector containing the lp25 gene BBE22 (pBBE22) restored infectivity in mice to a level comparable to that of wild-type Borrelia. This complementation also restored the growth and host adaptation of lp25-B. burgdorferi in dialysis membrane chambers (DMCs) implanted in rats. A single Cys to Ala conversion at the putative active site of BBE22 abrogated the ability of pBBE22 to re-establish infectivity or growth in DMCs. Additional Salmonella typhimurium complementation studies and enzymatic analysis demonstrated that the BBE22 gene product has nicotinamidase activity and is most probably required for the biosynthesis of NAD. These results indicate that some plasmid-encoded products fulfil physiological functions required in the enzootic cycle of pathogenic Borrelia.

Escherichia coli genes involved in resistance to pyrazinoic acid, the active component of the tuberculosis drug pyrazinamide

The natural resistance of Escherichia coli to pyrazinoic acid (POA), the active derivative of pyrazinamide, was investigated. The TolC mutant was found to be more susceptible to POA and other weak acids than the wild-type strain. Mutation in EmrB but not AcrB efflux protein slightly increased POA susceptibility. Two transposon mutants with increased susceptibility to POA were found to harbor mutations in acnA encoding aconitase-1 and ygiY encoding a putative two-component sensor protein. Complementation of the AcnA and YgiY mutants conferred resistance to POA, whereas the complemented TolC mutant became resistant to POA and other weak acids.

Identification and functional analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae nicotinamidase gene, PNC1

Nicotinamidase (NAMase) from the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was purified by Ni(2+) affinity chromatography and gel filtration. N-terminal microsequencing revealed sequence identity with a hypothetical polypeptide encoded by the yeast YGL037C open reading frame sharing 30% sequence identity with Escherichia coli pyrazinamidase/nicotinamidase. A yeast strain in which the NAMase gene, hereafter named PNC1, was deleted shows a decreased intracellular NAD(+) concentration, consistent with the loss of NAMase activity in the null mutant. In wild-type strains, NAMase activity is stimulated during the stationary phase of growth, by various hyperosmotic shocks or by ethanol treatment. Using a P(PNC1)::lacZ gene fusion, we have shown that this stimulation of NAMase activity results from increased levels of the protein and requires stress response elements in the 5'non-coding region of PNC1. These results suggest that NAMase helps yeast cells to adapt to various stress conditions and nutrient depletion, most likely via the activation of NAD-dependent biological processes.

Mycobacterium smegmatis has two pyrazinamidase enzymes, PncA and pzaA

The Mycobacterium smegmatis pncA gene, encoding nicotinamidase/pyrazinamidase, was identified. While it was similar to counterparts from other mycobacteria, the M. smegmatis PncA had little homology to the other M. smegmatis pyrazinamidase/nicotinamidase, encoded by the pzaA gene. Transformation of Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG with M. smegmatis pncA or pzaA conferred susceptibility to pyrazinamide.

Enzymology of NAD+ synthesis

Beyond its role as an essential coenzyme in numerous oxidoreductase reactions as well as respiration, there is growing recognition that NAD+ fulfills many other vital regulatory functions both as a substrate and as an allosteric effector. This review describes the enzymes involved in pyridine nucleotide metabolism, starting with a detailed consideration of the anaerobic and aerobic pathways leading to quinolinate, a key precursor of NAD+. Conversion of quinolinate and 5'-phosphoribosyl-1'-pyrophosphate to NAD+ and diphosphate by phosphoribosyltransferase is then explored before proceeding to a discussion the molecular and kinetic properties of NMN adenylytransferase. The salient features of NAD+ synthetase as well as NAD+ kinase are likewise presented. The remainder of the review encompasses the metabolic steps devoted to (a) the salvaging of various niacin derivatives, including the roles played by NAD+ and NADH pyrophosphatases, nicotinamide deamidase, and NMN deamidase, and (b) utilization of niacins by nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase.

Reduced pyrazinamidase activity and the natural resistance of Mycobacterium kansasii to the antituberculosis drug pyrazinamide

Pyrazinamide (PZA), an analog of nicotinamide, is a prodrug that requires conversion to the bactericidal compound pyrazinoic acid (POA) by the bacterial pyrazinamidase (PZase) activity of nicotinamidase to show activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mutations leading to a loss of PZase activity cause PZA resistance in M. tuberculosis. M. kansasii is naturally resistant to PZA and has reduced PZase activity along with an apparently detectable nicotinamidase activity. The role of the reduction in PZase activity in the natural PZA resistance of M. kansasii is unknown. The MICs of PZA and POA for M. kansasii were determined to be 500 and 125 micrograms/ml, respectively. Using [14C]PZA and [14C]nicotinamide, we found that M. kansasii had about 5-fold-less PZase activity and about 25-fold-less nicotinamidase activity than M. tuberculosis. The M. kansasii pncA gene was cloned on a 1.8-kb BamHI DNA fragment, using M. avium pncA probe. Sequence analysis showed that the M. kansasii pncA gene encoded a protein with homology to its counterparts from M. tuberculosis (69.9%), M. avium (65.6%), and Escherichia coli (28.5%). Transformation of naturally PZA-resistant M. bovis BCG with M. kansasii pncA conferred partial PZA susceptibility. Transformation of M. kansasii with M. avium pncA caused functional expression of PZase and high-level susceptibility to PZA, indicating that the natural PZA resistance in M. kansasii results from a reduced PZase activity. Like M. tuberculosis, M. kansasii accumulated POA in the cells at an acidic pH; however, due to its highly active POA efflux pump, the naturally PZA-resistant species M. smegmatis did not. These findings suggest the existence of a weak POA efflux mechanism in M. kansasii.

Assay of nicotinamide deamidase activity using high-performance liquid chromatography

A rapid, simple and reproducible method has been developed for the determination of nicotinamide deamidase activity using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Nicotinic acid (NA) liberated from nicotinamide (NAA) after a 15-min enzyme reaction was determined directly by HPLC without further separation steps. Both NA, the product, and NAA, the substrate were separated by reversed-phase ion-pair isocratic chromatography and detected at 261 nm. The present method could be applied to the measurement of deamidase activity in crude cell extracts prepared from several bacterial strains. The Michaelis constant of nicotinamide deamidase in Enterobacter agglomerans was 36 microM for NAA. This method is useful for the measurement of nicotinamide deamidase from various sources.

Rapid degradation of endothelin-1 by an enzyme released by the rat isolated perfused mesentery

1. In vivo the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) are limited by its rapid removal from the circulation and possibly by its metabolism by enzymes such as neutral endopeptidase 24.11, deamidase or carboxypeptidase A. Here, using as a model the isolated perfused mesenteric arterial bed of the rat, we have examined the involvements of these enzymatic activities in the vascular responses to ET-1. 2. Samples of Krebs buffer which had been recirculated through the mesenteric arterial bed for 30 min rapidly destroyed the activity of ET-1 as assessed either by bioassay on rings of rat thoracic aorta or by high performance liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.). For instance, after 15 min incubation with the recirculated-Krebs solution (recirc-K) the contraction induced by 3 x 10(-9) M ET-1 was reduced by more than 90%. Contractions induced by sarafotoxin 6b (3 x 10(-9) M) were similarly suppressed by preincubation with recirc-K whereas those to Arg-vasopressin (3 x 10(-9) M) were unaffected. 3. The degradation of ET-1 by recirc-K was prevented by 1,10-phenanthroline (10(-3) M), abolished by heating the recirc-K solution to 90 degrees C for 15 min, and reduced by EGTA (5 x 10(-3) M) or ET-1(16-21) (10(-5) M). For instance, in the presence of ET-1(16-21) (n = 6) the contraction induced by ET-1 was reduced by only 40% after 15 min incubation with recirc-K buffer. Leupeptin (3 x 10-4 M), dichloroisocoumarin(5 x 10-5 M), phenylmethyl-sulphonyl fluoride (10-3 M), a combination of bacitracin (300 mg ml-1),bestatin (10-5 M), captopril (10-5 M), phosphoramidon (10-4 M) and thiorphan (10-4 M) or Polypep (aproprietary protein digest) did not inhibit the degradation of ET-1 by recirc-K.4. In experiments examining directly the vascular responses of the isolated perfused mesentery of the rat, the addition of cumulative concentrations of ET-1 to the recirculating Krebs solution caused small concentration-dependent increases in perfusion pressure. The inclusion of ET-1(16-2l), ET-1(17-21), or ET-1(18-21) (10-5M) greatly potentiated these responses, but not those to Arg-vasopressin or methoxamine.The effects of 1,10-phenanthroline or EGTA could not be examined in this system because these agents both depressed non-specifically the vasoconstrictor responses of the mesenteric vascular bed.5. Thus, the rat mesentery releases an enzyme that very rapidly destroys ET-1 or the very closely related peptide, sarafotoxin 6b but not Arg-vasopressin. This enzyme is most probably a metallopeptidase because of its sensitivity to inhibition by 1,10-phenanthroline or EGTA. It is particularly interesting that a simple vascular bed such as the mesentery produces such a powerful endothelin metabolising enzyme. It is tempting, therefore, to speculate that the endothelin degrading enzyme active at neutral pH that- we have found is important in the metabolism of ET-1 throughout the vasculature.

Increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide content and synthesis in Plasmodium falciparum-infected human erythrocytes

Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells (RBCs) are characterized by increases in the activity of glycolytic enzymes. Because nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and NAD phosphate (NADP) are cofactors in the reactions of glycolysis and pentose phosphate shunt, we have examined NAD and NADP content in P. falciparum-infected RBCs. Although NADP content was not significantly altered, NAD content was increased approximately 10-fold in infected RBCs (66% parasitemia) compared with uninfected control RBCs. To determine the mechanism for the increase in NAD content, we examined the activity of several NAD biosynthetic enzymes. It is known that normal human RBCs make NAD exclusively from nicotinic acid and lack the capacity to make NAD from nicotinamide. We demonstrate that infected RBCs have readily detectable nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NPRT), the first enzyme in the NAD biosynthetic pathway that uses nicotinamide, and abundant nicotinamide deamidase, the enzyme that converts nicotinamide to nicotinic acid, thereby indicating that infected RBCs can make NAD from nicotinamide. In addition, infected RBCs have a threefold increase in nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT), the first enzyme in the NAD biosynthetic pathway that uses nicotinic acid. Thus, the increase in NAD content in P falciparum-infected RBCs appears to be mediated by increases in NAD synthesis from both nicotinic acid and nicotinamide.

Enzymatic assay procedures that employ high-performance liquid chromatography: competition between phosphoribosyltransferases for a common substrate

A survey of the phosphoribosyltransferase (PRTase) activities in yeast has been accomplished using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic assay procedures. The following bases were observed to be utilized during phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRibPP)-dependent nucleotide syntheses: adenine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, guanine, uracil, orotate, nicotinamide, nicotinate and quinolinate. Gradient elution procedures have also been perfected that allow the separation of the two following sets of PRTase assay components: (1) adenosine monophosphate, nicotinate mononucleotide, orotate, adenosine triphosphate, nicotinate, adenosine diphosphate, inosine monophosphate and hypoxanthine, and (2) nicotinate mononucleotide, nicotinamide mononucleotide, adenosine triphosphate, nicotinate, adenosine diphosphate and nicotinamide. Separation 1 has been employed to examine the PRibPP allocation among the hypoxanthine PRTase, orotate PRTase and nicotinate PRTase catalyzed reactions, whereas separation 2 has been employed to define the role that ATP plays in the nicotinamide PRTase-catalyzed reaction along with the allocation of nicotinamide between the reactions catalyzed by nicotinamide PRTase and nicotinamide deamidase.

Preliminary evidence for a pyridine nucleotide cycle in Bordetella pertussis

Preliminary evidence that Bordetella pertussis has a functional pyridine nucleotide cycle was the observation that [14C]-nicotinic acid was rapidly metabolized during its uptake by the bacteria to pyridine nucleotides and nicotinamide. Nicotinamide deamidase activity, necessary for the completion of the cycle by conversion of nicotinamide to nicotinic acid, was found in a soluble extract (20 000 X g supernatant) of B. pertussis cell lysates.

6-Aminonicotinamide-resistant mutants of Salmonella typhimurium

Resistance to the nicotinamide analog 6-aminonicotinamide has been used to identify the following three new classes of mutants in pyridine nucleotide metabolism. (i) pncX mutants have Tn10 insertion mutations near the pncA locus which reduce but do not eliminate the pncA product, nicotinamide deamidase. (ii) nadB (6-aminonicotinamide-resistant) mutants have dominant alleles of the nadB gene, which we propose are altered in feedback inhibition of the nadB enzyme, L-aspartate oxidase. Many of these mutants also exhibit a temperature-sensitive nicotinamide requirement phenotype. (iii) nadD mutants have mutations that affect a new gene involved in pyridine nucleotide metabolism. Since a high proportion of nadD mutations are temperature-sensitive lethal mutations, this appears to be an essential gene for NAD and NADP biosynthesis. In vivo labeling experiments indicate that in all the above cases, resistance is gained by increasing the ratio of NAD to 6-aminonicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. 6-Aminonicotinamide adenine dinucleotide turns over significantly more slowly in vivo than does normal NAD.

Probable mechanisms of regulation of the utilization of dietary tryptophan, nicotinamide and nicotinic acid as precursors of nicotinamide nucleotides in the rat

1. The regulation of the utilization of dietary tryptophan, nicotinamide and nicotinic acid as precursors of the nicotinamide nucleotides has been studied in groups of rats fed on diets providing only one of these precursors at a time, in amounts adequate to meet their requirements for nucleotide synthesis.

2. The concentration of nicotinamide nucleotides in the liver of rats receiving a high-tryptophan diet was 56% higher than in animals fed on a diet providing a minimum amount of tryptophan, together with nicotinic acid or nicotinamide. The excretion ofN1-methyl nicotinamidc was three times higher in the tryptophan-fed animals than in the other two groups.

3. The concentration of quinolinic acid in the liver was significantly higher in animals receiving the high-tryptophan diet than in the other two groups; that of nicotinic acid was highest in those animals receiving the nicotinic-acid-containing diet. The concentration of nicotinamide was highest in the livers of those animals receiving the high-tryptophan diet, and lowest in those receiving the nicotinic-acid-contaning diet.

4. The values of the Michaelis constantKmof nicotinamide deamidase (nicotinamide amidohydrolase.EC3.5,1,19) and nicotinamide phosphoribosylltransferase (nicotinamide nucleotide: pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase,EC2.4.2.12) were approximately equal, and approximately one-tenth of the concentration of nicotinamide was in the liver. This suggests that both these enzymes normally function at their maximum rate, and a change in the availability of nicotinamide would not affect the rate of its incorporation into nucleotides.

5. The maximum rate of reaction (Vmax) of nicotinamide deamidase was twice that of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase; this suggests that unless compartmental or other factors are involved, the major route of nicotinamide utilization will be by way of deamidation.

6. TheKmof nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (nicotinate nucleotide: pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase,EC2.4.2.11) was less than twice the concentration of nicotinic acid in the liver, so that a change in the availability of nicotinic acid might be expected to lead to a small change in the rate of its utilization.

7. TheKmof quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (nicotinate nucleotide: pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase (carboxylating)EC2.4.2.19) was approximately 100 times greater than the concentration of quinolinic acid in the liver, so that any change in the availability of quinolinic acid would be expected to lead to a considerable change in the rate of its utilization. TheVmaxof quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase was relatively low, so that under conditions of high tryptophan flux, some accumulation of quinolinic acid might be expected. This was observed in animals receiving the high-tryptophan diet.

8. It is concluded that it is unlikely that the utilization of quinolinic acid, arising from tryptophan. for the synthesis of nicotinamide nucleotides is regulated, but that control over tissue concentrations of nucleotides is achieved by hydrolysis of NAD to nicotinamide. Incorporation of nicotinamide into nucleotides seems to be strictly limited by the activity of the enzymes involved.

NAD metabolism in Vibrio cholerae

Extracts of Vibrio cholerae were assayed for various enzymatic activities associated with pyridine nucleotide cycle metabolism. The activities measured include NAD glycohydrolase, nicotinamide deamidase, nicotinamide mononucleotide deamidase, and nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase. The results obtained demonstrate the existence in V. cholerae of the five-membered pyridine nucleotide cycle and the potential for a four-membered pyridine nucleotide cycle. The data presented also suggest that most of the NAD glycohydrolase in V. cholerae extracts is not directly related to cholera toxin.

Effect of L-tryptophan and L-leucine on biosynthesis of niacin-related compounds in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis

As a model system for investigating the mechanism of the hepatic NAD-lowering effect of leucine in rats, aerobically grown Saccharomyces carlsbergensis was used in this paper. Tryptophan supplementation of the medium doubled total niacin production by S. carlsbergensis. This elevation in total niacin was mainly due to increases in niacin (14 times) and niacinamide nucleotides (2 times). Among nucleotides, the NAD level doubled whereas NADH, NADP and NADPH levels dropped significantly. Simultaneous supplementation of the medium with leucine suppressed the elevation in total and free niacin levels. In the presence of tryptophan, approximately 50% of the total niacin was secreted in the medium in the form of free niacin, while in the presence of both tryptophan and leucine most of the total niacin remained in the cell. The specific activity of quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase [EC 2.4.2.19] was not affected by supplementation of the medium with tryptophan and/or leucine. In contrast, the specific activity of nicotinamide deamidase [EC 3.5.1.19] increased fivefold in the presence of tryptophan. Simultaneous supplementation of the medium with leucine tryptophan. Simultaneous supplementation of the medium with leucine suppressed the increase in nicotinamide deamidase. Cellular incorporation of tryptophan was not affected by leucine simultaneously added as a supplement to the medium. Leucine did not have any inhibitory effect on total niacin synthesis from 3-hydroxyanthranilate. From the results, a possible mechanism for the inhibitory effect of leucine on the tryptophan-NAD pathway was discussed.

Pyridine nucleotide cycle of Salmonella typhimurium: in vivo recycling of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide

The relative contribution of the two known pyridine nucleotide cycles of Salmonella typhimurium towards the intracellular recycling of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide was determined. The results indicate that intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is recycled by both the four-membered pyridine nucleotide cycle (PNC IV) and the six-membered pyridine nucleotide cycle (PNC VI) with a relative contribution of 60 to 69% and 31 to 40%, respectively. These studies also revealed a nicotinic acid mononucleotide-degradative activity which converts nicotinic acid mononucleotide to nicotinic acid. This represents the first demonstration of a functional PNC IV pathway in S. typhimurium.

Purification and characterization of a nicotinamide deamidase released into the growth medium of neuroblastoma in vitro

Nicotinamide deamidase (nicotinamide amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.19) has been demonstrated in the conditioned growth medium of the M1 clonal cell line of mouse C1300 neuroblastoma. The enzyme has been purified 1200-1500-fold by Sephadex G25, hydroxyapatite, DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G200 and NAD-Sepharose column chromatographies. The purified protein was characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing and denaturing conditions. The apparent molecular weight has been estimated to be 230,000, and the subunits had respective molecular weights of 65,000 and 50,000. Histidine was the only NH2-terminal amino acid found. The enzyme is a glycoprotein; mannose and N-acetyl-glucosamine have been identified. The effects of various ions on its activity have been investigated. The enzyme has a Km for nicotinamide in the order of 10(-6) M, a pH optimum of 7.2 and a pHi of 5.4. It is inhibited by heating and by sulfhydryl reagents. The existence of a nicotinamide deamidase with a high affinity for nicotinamide favors the operation of the Preiss-Handler pathway in M1 cells cultured in vitro. We found an induction of nicotinamide deamidase and a cellular increase of NAD with a higher nicotinamide supply and a repression of the released enzyme with supplying NAD in the nutrition medium of M1 cell cultures.

Pyridine nucleotide cycle of Salmonella typhimurium: in vitro demonstration of nicotinamide mononucleotide deamidase and characterization of pnuA mutants defective in nicotinamide mononucleotide transport

The enzyme nicotinamide mononucleotide deamidase, an integral component of the proposed four-membered pyridine nucleotide cycle (PNC IV), has been demonstrated in extracts of Salmonella typhimurium LT2. The enzyme has an optimum pH of 8.7 and deamidates nicotinamide mononucleotide, forming nicotinic acid mononucleotide. Sigmoidal kinetic data suggest that this enzyme may be allosteric and therefore an important regulatory component of pyridine nucleotide cycle metabolism. Mutants previously designated pncC in anticipation of their lacking nicotinamide mononucleotide deamidase were examined and found to have normal levels of this enzyme. [14C]nicotinamide mononucleotide uptake studies, however, revealed a defect in the transport of this compound. Accordingly, the genetic designation for this locus was changed to pnuA to reflect its involvement in pyridine nucleotide uptake. Evidence is presented for the existence of two separate nicotinamide mononucleotide transport systems.

Pyridine nucleotide cycle of Salmonella typhimurium: regulation of nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase and nicotinamide deamidase

Nicotinic acid phosphoribosyl transferase (NAPRTase) and nicotinamide deamidase activities from Salmonella typhimurium were examined regarding their regulation by either feedback inhibition or repression mechanisms. The results indicate that neither enzyme is subject to feedback inhbition. Nicotinamide deamidase does not appear to be under repression control. NAPRTase, however, is repressed when cells are grown in minimal medium supplemented with various intermediates of the pyridine nucleotide cycle. The concentration of exogenously supplied pyridine nucleotide necessary to effect repression of NAPRTas was found to be that concentration which will result in a nadA mutant generation time of less than 60 min. Furthermore, the results presented indicate that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is the actual corepressor molecule. The analogs 6-aminonicotinic acid and 6-aminonicotinamide were also capable of repressing NAPRTase, but only when an intact pyridine nucleotide cycl permitted conversion to 6-aminonicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The role of a repressible NAPRTase is discussed in relation to the overall functioning of the pyridine nucleotide cycle.