Syntheses of biologically active ubiquinone derivatives

Various 6-alkylubiquinone or 6-(omega-haloalkyl)ubiquinone derivatives were synthesized through a radical coupling reaction between alkanoyl or omega-haloalkanoyl peroxides and ubiquinone 0. The latter was synthesized from 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol via nitration, methylation, reduction, and oxidation by modifications of the reported methods. 6-(omega-Haloalkyl)ubiquinones were converted to 6-(omega-hydroxyalkyl)ubiquinones by a mercuric-assisted solvolysis technique. The 6-(omega-hydroxyalkyl)ubiquinones were then esterified with carboxylic acid anhydrides or carboxylic acid bearing reporting groups, such as a photoaffinity label, N-(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)-beta-alanine, or a spin-label, 3-carboxy-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-pyrrolinyl-1-oxy. The esterification was catalyzed by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and pyridine, and the esters were purified by preparative silica gel thin-layer chromatography, developed by 3% ethanol in benzene. The spectral properties and biological functions of the synthesized ubiquinone derivatives were studied. The biological function of the synthesized compounds was followed by the ability to serve as an electron acceptor, donor, or mediator in the isolated mitochondrial electron transfer complexes of succinate-Q reductase, ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase, and succinate-cytochrome c reductase, respectively. The concentration effect of these ubiquinone derivatives on the electron transfer reaction was compared with that of ubiquinone 10. The study of the inhibitory effect of synthesized arylazidoubiquinone on succinate-cytochrome c reductase after photolysis confirmed the existence of specific Q-binding proteins in this segment of the respiratory chain. The specific interaction between ubiquinone and protein has also gained support from the immobilization of the spin-label of a synthesized spin-labeled ubiquinone derivative.

Quantitative resolution of succinate-cytochrome c reductase into succinate-ubiquinone and ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductases

A purified, active succinate-ubiquinone reductase was prepared from succinate-cytochrome c reductase without damage to ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase by 1.1% Triton X-100 solubilization at pH 8.0, and calcium phosphate column chromatography in 50 mM Tris-succinate buffer, pH 8.0, containing 30 mM potassium phosphate. Succinate-ubiquinone reductase thus obtained contains ubiquinone and catalyzes thenoyltrifluoroacetone-sensitive oxidation of succinate by 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol in the absence of exogenous mediator. Addition of ubiquinone enhanced the activity about 50%. Analytical sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the enzyme contains four polypeptides. The high molecular weight polypeptide contaminants usually observed in the Complex II preparation obtained by the reported method were absent. The active succinate-ubiquinone reductase can reconstitute with the cytochrome b-c1III complex, or Complex III to form succinate-cytochrome c reductase in the absence of exogenous ubiquinone or with the resolved ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase in the presence of ubiquinone and phospholipids. Under the proper conditions, all the original succinate-cytochrome c reductase was obtained, indicating that the resolution caused no damage to the protein, despite the removal of phospholipids and ubiquinone from the ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase region.

Multiple systems organ failure: VII. Reduction in plasma branched-chain amino acids--correlations with liver failure and amino acid infusion

Lower fractional concentrations of branched-chain amino acids were found in trauma-septic patients who did not survive than in those who survived (p values less than or equal to 0.046 to 0.001). A liver dysfunction scale was constructed on the basis of the levels of plasma bilirubin, albumin, SGOT, prothrombin time, and neurologic encephalopathy. Increased liver dysfunction was associated with reduced plasma fractional branched-chain amino acids for all branched-chain amino acids in both the surviving and nonsurviving patients except for valine in the nonsurviving group. This decrease was statistically significant (p less than or equal to 0.041 to 0.001) for leucine and isoleucine in the nonsurvivors and for valine in the survivors. The infusion of amino acids was associated with a decrease in the fractional concentrations in the nonsurvivors for leucine while the fractional concentrations of isoleucine in the nonsurvivors and isoleucine and valine in the survivors rose. The statistically significant changes (p less than 0.018 to 0.001) were for leucine in the nonsurvivors and isoleucine and valine in the survivors. When the liver dysfunction and amino acid infusion related changes are taken in;to account there were no significant differences in the fractional branched-chain concentrations between survivors and nonsurvivors. Liver dysfunction and low fractional branched-chain amino acids were linked in magnitude in a way that is consistent with the low branched-chain amino acids producing the liver dysfunction.

Clinical studies on the antitumor action of mecaphane

Over a period of 4 years, 241 patients with advanced cancer were treated with mecaphane alone in 11 hospitals. Effective objective responses were obtained in 100 patients (41.4%). The response was most conspicuous in chronic granulocytic leukemia, with remission in 37 of 40 patients; in Hodgkin's disease and lymphosarcoma response rates were 60% and 47.3%, respectively. Mecaphane had an analgesic action in metastatic osteolytic bone cancer, and two patients with such metastases even attained recalcification of the osteolytic destructive lesions. The common toxic manifestations of mecaphane were leukopenia (33.6%), gastrointestinal upsets (28.2%), and thrombocytopenia (12.8%). It is concluded, therefore, that mecaphane could be a good antitumor agent in clinical use. It is less expensive and can be taken orally. Further trials of this drug are recommended.

The participation of primary amino groups of succinate dehydrogenase in the formation of succinate-Q reductase

(1) Purified succinate dehydrogenase contains about 49 mol of lysine residues per mol enzyme. Titration of succinate dehydrogenase with fluorescamine indicates that half the lysyl groups are located on the surface of the protein and the other half are buried inside. (2) The reconstitutive activity and the low Km ferricyanide reductase activity of succinate dehydrogenase decreased as the extent of alkylation of amino groups by fluorescamine increased. (3) The inhibitory effects of fluorescamine on both activities are parallel and are succinate concentration dependent. (4) Alkylation of the native succinate-Q reductase by fluorescamine does not affect the enzymatic activity or alter the enzyme kinetic parameters. This indicates that the inhibitory effect of fluorescamine on succinate dehydrogenase is due to the modification of a specific amino group(s) on succinate dehydrogenase which is essential in the interaction with QPs to form succinate-Q reductase. The participation of an ionic group in the formation of succinate-Q reductase supports the idea of the involvement of ionic interaction between succinate dehydrogenase and QPs.

Multiple systems organ failure: III Contrasts in plasma amino acid profiles in septic trauma patients who subsequently survive and do not survive-effects of intravenous amino acids

The response of the plasma substrate and hormone profile of survivor and nonsurvivor septic trauma patients to varying rates of amino acid infusion (IVAA) were contrasted. When IVAA=0 levels of most plasma amino acids (except aspartate, tryptophan, cysteine, and proline) were lower in nonsurvivors. At IVAA=1 to 100, however, 11 of 20 plasma amino acids were significantly (p less than or equal to 0.05) higher in nonsurvivors: only glutamate was significantly lower (p less than or equal to 0.001) and valine, isoleucine, and arginine on average lower. At IVAA less than or equal to 101 to 200, only alanine, methionine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine were significantly (p less than or equal to 0.005) higher in nonsurvivors; isoleucine was significantly (p less than or equal to 0.02) lower. The sharp increase in methionine and decrease in tryptophan in nonsurvivors with IVAA was particularly marked. Polynomial regression analysis showed that urea increased significantly with IVAA in both patient groups, while free fatty acids and cortisol decreased only in nonsurvivors. Insulin increased with IVAA only in survivors, glucagon only in nonsurvivors. Triglycerides, glycerol, acetoacetate, beta OH butyrate, and glucose appeared to show no significant response to IVAA in either patient group. The data are consistent with increased peripheral protein catabolism and branched-chain amino acid oxidation in association with decreased tissue uptake of conventional energetic fuels. These results may be interpreted to be consistent with an impairment of mitochondrial translocase systems.

Multiple systems organ failure: II. The effect of infusion of amino acids and glucose

Amino acids and dextrose infusion were given for short periods of time to a young man whose basal state is characterized in the previous paper in this series, and their effects were documented in terms of plasma concentrations and splanchnic extraction. The basal state measurements show in the acute trauma state and its subsequent starvation state a largely balanced splanchnic extraction of amino acids but at a decreasing rate. Amino acid (FreAmine) infusion at low rates on this background produced a large increase in extraction of a largely balanced mixture of amino acids but a minimal change in glucose release. The septic state is characterized in both the basal and amino acid infusion state by splanchnic extraction of an unbalanced mixture of amino acids which is deficient in branched-chain amino acids and in relative excess of glucogenic amino acids with increased glucose release and increased utilization of amino acids for gluconeogenesis. In early sepsis this state can largely be repaired by exogenous amino acid infusion but in late sepsis can only be partially repaired. The data suggest that the patient in late sepsis should have a branched-chain rich amino acid mixture and that the hepatic failure of sepsis is strongly associated with peripheral release of an unbalanced mixture of amino acids secondary to enhanced branched-chain catabolism. Infused glucose produces a large increase in the plasma glucose but also improves the balance of the splanchnic amino acids extracted. The statistical validity of the preceding statements are examined in detail in the manuscript.

Structural role of phospholipids in ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase

The role of phospholipids in ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase has been studied by the following methods: (1) removal and restoration of phospholipids, (2) circular dichroism measurements, and (3) phospholipase A2 treatment. Over 90% of the phospholipids in the cytochrome b--c1 III complex (a highly purified ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase) can be removed by repeated precipitation with ammonium sulfate in the presence of 0.5% sodium cholate. The delipidated enzyme complex is inactive. Full restoration of enzymatic activity can only be achieved with a freshly prepared delipidated enzyme complex, made in the presence of 20% glycerol. As the age of the delipidated enzyme increased, the amount of activity restored decreased and the incubation time required to reach maximal activity increased. Removal of phospholipids from the cytochrome b--c1 III complex resulted in an immediate decrease of approximately 15% in molar ellipticities in both the far-UV and the Soret regions. A further decrease in ellipticities was observed upon incubation of the delipidated enzyme at 0 degrees C in 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Replenishing phospholipids to the delipidated enzyme complex restored enzymatic activity and the molar ellipticity in both regions. The absolute requirement for phospholipids in the cytochrome b--c1 III complex was also demonstrated by treatment of the enzyme with purified phospholipase A2. The inactivation of the cytochrome b--c1 III complex by phospholipase A2 was not prevented by the presence of excess exogenous ubiquinone but was prevented by the presence of ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA). The enzymatic activity of the phospholipase A2 treated complex is fully restorable upon the addition of EDTA and phospholipids.

Resolution and reconstitution of succinate-cytochrome c reductase: preparations and properties of high purity succinate dehydrogenase and ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase

An improved method was developed to sequentially fractionate succinate-cytochrome c reductase into three reconstitutive active enzyme systems with good yield: pure succinate dehydrogenase, ubiquinone-binding protein fraction and a highly purified ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase (cytochrome b-c1 III complex). An extensively dialyzed succinate-cytochrome c reductase was first separated into a succinae dehydrogenase fraction and the cytochrome b-c1 complex by alkali treatment. The resulting succinate dehydrogenase fraction was further purified to homogeneity by the treatment of butanol, calcium phosphate gel adsorption and ammonium sulfate fractionation under anaerobic condition in the presence of succinate and dithiothreitol. The cytochrome b-c1 complex was separated into chtochrome b-c1 III complex and ubiquinone-binding protein fractions by careful ammonium acetate fractionation in the presence of deoxycholate. The purified succinate dehydrogenase contained only two polypeptides with molecular weights of 70 000 anbd 27 000 as revealed by the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic pattern. The enzyme has the reconstitutive activity and a low Km ferricyanide reductase activity of 85 mumol succinate oxidized per min per mg protein at 38 degrees C. Chemical composition analysis of cytochrome b-c1 III complex showed that the preparation was completely free of contamination of succinate dehydrogenase and ubiquinone-binding protein and was 30% more pure than the available preparation. When these three components were mixed in a proper ratio, a thenoyltrifluoroacetone- and antimycin A-sensitive succinate-cytochrome c reductase was reconstituted.