Identification of the subunits of bovine heart mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase that are exposed to the phospholipid bilayer by photo-labelling with 5-iodonaphth-1-yl azide

Mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase may be isolated from bovine heart as a lipoprotein complex (Complex I or NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase). Polypeptide subunits that are exposed to the hydrophobic region of the phospholipid bilayer were identified by photolabelling with the hydrophobic probe, 5-[125I]iodonaphth-1-yl azide. Chaotropic resolution of the labelled enzyme showed that the hydrophilic flavoprotein and iron-protein fragments of the enzyme were not in contact with the phospholipid bilayer. When complex I that had been partially depleted of phospholipids was photolabelled, incorporation of radioactivity into certain polypeptides was increased, indicating either conformational changes in protein or preferential association of these polypeptides with residual cardiolipin. A model NADH dehydrogenase structure is proposed on the basis of these results and those obtained with hydrophilic probes by Smith & Ragan (1980) Biochem. J. 185, 315-326.

Peroxisome-associated aldehyde dehydrogenase in normal rat liver

We have combined subcellular fractionation and cytochemical staining techniques to study the distribution of aldehyde dehydrogenase in rat liver. In addition to confirming the mitochondrial and microsomal localization of aldehyde dehydrogenase, this combined approach has allowed us to demonstrate that peroxisome-like organelles possess significant aldehyde dehydrogenase. When peroxisomal fractions are cytochemically stained for aldehyde dehydrogenase, activity is observed along membranes of structures resembling peroxisomal ghosts. These bodies lack a matrix but many appear to enclose peroxisomal cores. Moderate to dense reaction product is also located in single membrane-limited structures present in fractions containing morphologically recognizable peroxisomes. On occasion, the osmiophilic precipitate is also present in the matrix of intact peroxisomes. The aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in these peroxisome-like organelles prefers aliphatic aldehydes, including acetaldehyde in both millimolar and micromolar concentrations, and NAD. Aromatic aldehydes and NADP are also metabolized, but to a lesser extent. These results indicate that peroxisome-like organelles contain an aldehyde dehydrogenase activity possessing properties compatible with a role in ethanol metabolism.

8-Mercaptoflavins as active site probes of flavoenzymes

Representative examples of the various classes of flavoproteins have been converted to their apoprotein forms and the native flavin replaced by 8-mercapto-FMN or 8-mercapto-FAD. The spectral and catalytic properties of the modified enzymes are characteristically different from one group to another; the results suggest that flavin interactions at positions N(1) or N(5) of the flavin chromophore have profound influences on the properties of the flavoprotein. 1. The 8-thiolate anion form of 8-mercaptoflavin has an absorption maximum in the region 520 to 550 nm epsilon approximately 30 mM-1 cm-1). This form is retained on binding to flavoproteins whose physiological reactions involve obligatory one-electron transfers (e.g. flavodoxin, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase). In the native form these enzymes stabilize the blue neutral radical of the flavin. A radical form of 8-mercaptoflavin is also stabilized by these proteins. 2. The p-quinoid form of 8-mercaptoflavin has an absorption maximum in the range 560 to 600 nm (epsilon approximately 30 mM-1 cm-1). This form is stabilized on binding to flavoproteins of the dehydrogenase-oxidase class (e.g. glucose oxidase, D-amino acid oxidase, lactate oxidase, Old Yellow Enzyme). These same enzymes in their native flavin form stabilize the red semiquinone, and have a pronounced reactivity with sulfite to form flavin N(5)-sulfite adducts. These properties of the native enzyme, including the ability to react with nitroalkane carbanions, are not exhibited by the 8-mercaptoflavoproteins. 3. A group of flavoenzymes fails to conform strictly to the above classification, exhibiting some properties of both classes. These include the examples of flavoprotein hydroxylases and transhydrogenases studied. 4. The riboflavin-binding protein of hen egg whites binds 8-mercaptoriboflavin preferentially in the unionized state, resulting in a shift in pK from 3.8 with free 8-mercaptoriboflavin to greater than or equal to 9.0 with the protein-bound form.