The effect of hemin, adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and phosphorylated sugars on Met-tRNAfMet deacylase activity in rabbit reticulocyte lysates

The effect of hemin, phosphorylated sugars, adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and a number of purines on a specific initiator tRNA deacylase activity in rabbit reticulocytes has been investigated. In the concentration range established to be optimal for maximal stimulation of translation (5.5-30.0 microM), hemin produces a 20-82% inhibition of Met-tRNAfMet deacylation. In contrast, all phosphorylated sugars tested, with the exception of fructose 1,6-diphosphate, are without effect. High concentrations of cyclic AMP (2-4 mM) also significantly inhibit the deacylase activity. The role of hemin and Met-tRNAfMet deacylase in the control of peptide initiation are discussed.

Stimulation of the protein synthetic process by adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate and hexose phosphates in gel-filtered rabbit reticulocyte lysates

The addition of 0.167 to 4.0 mM cAMP to gel-filtered rabbit reticulocyte lysates stimulates the initial rate and the extent of polypeptide synthesis. The stimulation is at the initiation step of polypeptide synthesis as measured by the (i) increased dipeptide, methionyl-valine, accumulation in the presence of the specific initiation inhibitor, pactamycin, and (ii) increased formation of the 40 S and 80 S initiation complex when gel-filtered lysates are incubated with [35S]Met-tRNAFMet. Furthermore, a synergistic stimulation of protein synthesis is observed when cAMP and hexose phosphates (which alone elicit a 1.8-fold stimulation of protein synthesis) are added simultaneously to gel-filtered rabbit reticulocyte lysates. These results indicate that cAMP and hexose phosphates are both essential to maintain the high rate of initiation.

Stimulation and inhibition of the protein synthetic process by NAD+ in lysed rabbit reticulocytes

NAD+ at 0.16 mM stimulates the initiation step of the protein synthetic process in lysed rabbit reticulocytes. This conclusion is based on the stimulation of (i) the transfer of formylmethionine from f[35S]Met-tRNAfMet into polypeptide, (ii) the accumulation of the initial dipeptide, methionylvaline, in the presence of pactamycin, and (iii) the formation of the 40 S initiation complex. The effect of NAD+ changes from a stimulatory role on protein synthesis to an inhibitory role at concentrations greater than 0.16 mM. At 4.0 mM NAD+, protein synthesis is inhibited. This has been demonstrated experimentally by using the same three assays described above. In addition, 4.0 mM NAD+ inhibits MettRNAfMet.initiation factor.GTP ternary complex formation. The elongation and termination steps of polypeptide synthesis are not affected by 0.16 to 4.0 mM NAD+. The data presented clearly show that the stimulatory activity of 0.16 mM NAD+ and the inhibitory activity of 4.0 mM NAD+ affects the initiation step of the protein synthetic process in lysed rabbit reticulocytes.

Regulation of nitrogen catabolic enzymes in chick liver: effects of insulin

Previous studies have shown that a group of nitrogen catabolic enzymes including xanthine dehydrogenase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, and tyrosine aminotransferase are all increased in chick liver by dietary protein as well as single amino acids (e.g. methionine) and certain antimetabolites (e.g. hydrazine). A similar enzyme response pattern can be obtained with insulin. This hormone causes an enhanced rate of XDH synthesis and gives nonadditive results with protein, hydrazine and methionine. Furthermore, a vitamin B6 dependency was observed in responses to both high protein diets and insulin, all suggesting a common regulatory mechanism. In this system dietary protein and insulin may act similarly by increasing the availability of amino acids to the liver -- in one case by supplying amino acids through the diet and in the other by increasing amino acid uptake.

Regulation of nitrogen catabolic enzymes in chick liver -- effects of amino acids

It is well-known that in the chick, dietary protein increases the levels of several hepatic enzymes that are involved in nitrogen metabolism and excretion. However, the biochemical mechanism of this response is essentially unknown. The experiments presented in this paper show that the chick is responding to alpha-amino nitrogen and not to any specific amino acid. Furthermore, it is shown that this system responds to endogenous sources of nitrogen as well as dietary protein and that the xanthine dehydrogenase response involves regulation of enzyme synthesis without changing the rate of degradation.