Conformational change in aspartate aminotransferase on substrate binding induces strain in the catalytic group and enhances catalysis

Aspartate aminotransferase has been known to undergo a significant conformational change, in which the small domain approaches the large domain, and the residues at the entrance of the active site pack together, on binding of substrates. Accompanying this conformational change is a two-unit increase in the pK(a) of the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-Lys(258) aldimine, which has been proposed to enhance catalysis. To elucidate how the conformational change is coupled to the shift in the aldimine pK(a) and how these changes are involved in catalysis, we analyzed structurally and kinetically an enzyme in which Val(39) located at both the domain interface and the entrance of the active site was replaced with a bulkier residue, Phe. The V39F mutant enzyme showed a more open conformation, and the aldimine pK(a) was lowered by 0.7 unit compared with the wild-type enzyme. When Asn(194) had been replaced by Ala in advance, the V39F mutation did not decrease the aldimine pK(a), showing that the domain rotation controls the aldimine pK(a) via the Arg(386)-Asn(194)-pyridoxal 5'-phosphate linkage system. The maleate-bound V39F enzyme showed the aldimine pK(a) 0.9 unit lower than that of the maleate-bound wild-type enzyme. However, the positions of maleate, Asn(194), and Arg(386) were superimposable between the mutant and the wild-type enzymes; therefore, the domain rotation was not the cause of the lowered aldimine pK(a) value. The maleate-bound V39F enzyme showed an altered side-chain packing pattern in the 37-39 region, and the lack of repulsion between Gly(38) carbonyl O and Tyr(225) Oeta seemed to be the cause of the reduced pK(a) value. Kinetic analysis suggested that the repulsion increases the free energy level of the Michaelis complex and promotes the catalytic reaction.

Solar activated ozonation of phenol and malic acid

The effect that sunlight has on the degradation rate of two model organic compounds, phenol and malic acid, by ozone is studied. The effect seems to be due to both direct light absorption (300-320 nm photons) by ozone, which produces the pollutant degradation, and light absorption by reaction intermediates. The presence of such a light notably improves the reactivity of ozone toward the organic species, leading to a faster and complete mineralization even at large initial total organic carbon values. The use of artificial sunlight (Xe lamp) is also explored. Finally, the simultaneous presence of sunlight and other ozone degradation catalyst like transition metal ions is studied, showing the beneficial effect of such a combination.

Malate metabolism and reactions of oxidoreduction in cold-hardened winter rye (Secale cereale L.) leaves

In cold-hardened leaves (CHL) of winter rye (Secale cereale L.) much higher levels of malate were detected by (13)C-NMR than in non-hardened leaves (NHL). As this was not observed previously, malate metabolism of CHL was studied in more detail by biochemical assays. The activities of several enzymes of malate metabolism, NADP-malate dehydrogenase, NAD-malate dehydrogenase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, and NADP-malic enzyme, were also increased in CHL. Short exposures to low temperature of 1-3 d did not induce increases in the malate content or in the activities of enzymes of malate metabolism in mature NHL. The malate content and the enzyme activities declined within 1-2 d after a transfer of CHL from their growing temperature of 4 degrees C to 22 degrees C. The malate content was further increased when CHL were exposed to a higher light intensity at 4 degrees C. In CO(2)-free air the malate content of CHL strongly declined at 4 degrees C. Malate may thus serve as an additional carbon sink and as a CO(2)-store in CHL. It may further function as a vacuolar osmolyte balancing increased concentrations of soluble sugars previously observed in the cytosol of CHL. Malate was not used as a source of reductants when CHL were exposed to photo-oxidative stress by treatment with paraquat. However, the activities of enzymes of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway were markedly increased in CHL and may serve as non-photosynthetic sources of NADPH and thus contribute to the previously observed superior capacity of CHL of winter rye to maintain their antioxidants in a reduced state in the presence of paraquat.

New nitrogen mustards structurally related to (L)-carnitine

Enantiopure nitrogen mustards which mimic (L)-carnitine framework are prepared by a multi-step synthesis from the (R)-di-tert-butyl malate and their antitumor properties evaluated.

Transfer of Eu (III) associated with polymaleic acid to Bacillus subtilis

The aim of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the distribution of Eu(III) between dissolved organic matter and microorganisms, and to investigate the effect of competitive ions such as Ca(+2) on adsorption properties. Polymaleic acid (PMA), is used as synthetic organic matter, having similar properties as natural fulvic acid, and Bacillus subtilis is chosen as microorganism. A double labeling method was used: [14C]MPA and 152Eu to quantify the behavior of the various components. Preliminary experiments showed that the adsorption of polymaleic acid onto Bacillus subtilis was negligible at pH=5 in 0.15mol/l of NaCl. In the absence of Ca(+2), the transfer of Eu(III) from PMA to B. subtilis could be described by a simple empirical model based on data obtained from sorption isotherms on the reference systems Eu(III)/PMA and Eu(III)/B. subtilis. In the presence of Ca(+2), the transfer was increased. The hypothesis that Ca(+2) ions acted as a bridging agent between PMA and the bacteria was proposed.

Conserved residues R420 and Q428 in a cytoplasmic loop of the citrate/malate transporter CimH of Bacillus subtilis are accessible from the external face of the membrane

CimH of Bacillus subtilis is a secondary transporter for citrate and malate that belongs to the 2-hydroxycarboxylate transporter (2HCT) family. Conserved residues R143, R420, and Q428, located in putative cytoplasmic loops and R432, located at the cytoplasmic end of the C-terminal transmembrane segment XI were mutated to Cys to identify residues involved in binding of the substrates. R143C, R420C, and Q428C revealed kinetics similar to those of the wild-type transporter, while the activity of R432C was reduced by at least 2 orders of magnitude. Conservative replacement of R432 with Lys reduced the activity by 1 order of magnitude, by lowering the affinity for the substrate 10-fold. It is concluded that the arginine residue at position 432 in CimH interacts with one of the carboxylate groups of the substrates. Labeling of the R420C and Q428C mutants with thiol reagents inhibited citrate transport activity. Surprisingly, the cysteine residues in the cytoplasmic loops in both R420C and Q428C were accessible to the small, membrane-impermeable, negatively charged MTSES reagent from the external site of the membrane in a substrate protectable manner. The membrane impermeable reagents MTSET,(1) which is positively charged, and AMdiS, which is negatively charged like MTSES but more bulky, did not inhibit R420C and Q428C. It is suggested that the access pathway is optimized for small, negatively charged substrates. Either the cytoplasmic loop containing residues R420 and Q428 is partly protruding to the outside, possibly in a reentrant loop like structure, or alternatively, a water-filled substrate translocation pathway extents to the cytoplasm-membrane interface.

Boronic acid receptors for alpha-hydroxycarboxylates: high affinity of Shinkai's glucose receptor for tartrate

The glucose receptor 1 developed by Shinkai was synthesized by known methods and with modifications involving the final synthetic step, installation of the phenylboronic acid moieties. Binding of the bis(alpha-hydroxycarbolxylate), tartrate, was assessed and compared to the corresponding bis(diol), erythritol, as well as the corresponding mono(alpha-hydoxycarboxylate), malate. These results suggest that bisboronate/bis(alpha-hydoxycarboxylate) interactions are stronger than the corresponding bisboronate/bis(diol) interactions. Furthermore, we report that the receptor is an order of magnitude more selective for tartrate than malate.

Synthesis and characterization of homochiral polymeric S-malato molybdate(VI): toward the potentially stereospecific formation and absolute configuration of iron-molybdenum cofactor in nitrogenase

Reaction of sodium or potassium molybdate and excess malic acid in a wide range of pH values (pH 4.0-7.0) resulted in the isolation of two cis-dioxo-bis(malato)-Mo(VI) complexes, viz. Na(3)[MoO(2)H(S-mal)(2)] and K(3)[MoO(2)H(S-mal)(2)].H(2)O (H(3)mal=malic acid). The sodium complex is also characterized by an X-ray structure analysis, showing that the mononuclear Mo units are linked together via very strong symmetric CO(2)...H... O(2)C-hydrogen bond [2.432(5) A], forming a polymeric chain. The molybdenum atoms are quasi-octahedrally coordinated by two cis-oxo groups and two bidentate malate ligands via its alkoxy and alpha-carboxyl groups, while the beta-carboxylic and carboxylate groups remain uncomplexed, as the coordination of vicinal carboxylate and alkoxide of homocitrate in FeMo cofactor of nitrogenase. The absolute configuration of the metal center in this S-malato complex is assigned as Lambda and the homochirality within the chain is established as a homochiral form ...Lambda(S)-Lambda(S)-Lambda(S)-Lambda(S)... . It is proposed that the chiral configuration of the metal center in wild-type FeMo-co biosynthesis might be induced by the early coordination of the chiral R-homocitric acid, while a mixture of raceme might be obtained in the biosynthesis of NifV(-) FeMo-cofactor. The absolute configuration of wild-type FeMo-cofactor is assigned as Delta(R).

Effect of organic acids on adsorption and desorption of rare earth elements

Effect of citric, malic, tartaric and acetic acids on adsorption of La, Ce, Pr and Nd by and desorption from four typical Chinese soils was studied. Generally, adsorption capacities of rare earth elements (REEs) were significantly correlated with the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soils. In the presence of acetic acids adsorption of REEs was similar to that in the presence of Ca(NO3)2. However, in the presence of citric, malic and tartaric acids adsorption of REEs by Heilongjiang, Zhejiang and Guangdong soils decreased to varying extents if compared with that in the presence of nitrate and acetic acid. The significance of suppression followed the order of citric acid > malic acid > tartaric acid > acetic acid, which was consistent with the order of stability of complexes of REEs with these organic acids. However, the adsorption increased with increasing equilibrium solution pH. For Jiangxi soil with low soil pH, CEC and organic matter these organic acids exerted an even more serious suppression effect on the adsorption of REEs. Another feature of the relationship between the adsorption of REEs and equilibrium solution pH was that the adsorption of REEs decreased with increase of pH from 2 to 4.5 and then slightly increased with further increase of pH. Desorption of REEs varied with soils and with organic acids as well. REEs were released easily from Heilongjiang, Zhejiang and Guangdong soils in the presence of organic acid. Generally, desorption of REEs decreased with increasing equilibrium solution pH. Effect of organic acids on desorption of REEs from Jiangxi soil was more complicated. In the presence of citric and malic acids no decrement and/or slight increase in desorption of REEs were observed over the equilibrium solution pH from 3 to 6.5. The reasons for this were ascribed to the strong complexing capacity of citric and malic acids and low soil pH, CEC and organic matter of Jiangxi soil.

Atomistic simulations of competition between substrates binding to an enzyme

Although the idea that electrostatic potentials generated by enzymes can guide substrates to active sites is well established, it is not always appreciated that the same potentials can also promote the binding of molecules other than the intended substrate, with the result that such enzymes might be sensitive to the presence of competing molecules. To provide a novel means of studying such "electrostatic competition" effects, computer simulation methodology has been developed to allow the diffusion and association of many solute molecules around a single enzyme to be simulated. To demonstrate the power of the methodology, simulations have been conducted on an artificial fusion protein of citrate synthase (CS) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) to assess the chances of oxaloacetate being channeled between the MDH and CS active sites. The simulations demonstrate that the probability of channeling is strongly dependent on the concentration of the initial substrate (malate) in the solution. In fact, the high concentrations of malate used in experiments appear high enough to abolish any channeling of oxaloacetate. The simulations provide a resolution of a serious discrepancy between previous simulations and experiments and raise important questions relating to the observability of electrostatically mediated substrate channeling in vitro and in vivo.

Total synthesis of fostriecin (CI-920) via a convergent route

Fostriecin, a potent and promising antitumor antibiotic, was stereoselectively synthesized via a convergent route involving a three-segement coupling procedure.

Importance of redox balance on the production of succinic acid by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli

We had previously shown that succinic acid production in a pfl ldhA double mutant strain of Escherichia coli could be enhanced by amplifying the malic enzyme activity. However, recombinant E. coli NZN111 (F- Apfl::Cam ldhA::Kan) harboring pTrcML, a plasmid containing the E. coli malic enzyme gene, produced a considerable amount of malic acid along with the desired product, succinic acid. To have an insight into the intracellular metabolism, metabolic control analysis was carried out. From the results of a simulation, it was predicted that supplying additional reducing power could enhance succinic acid production. More reduced carbon substrate sorbitol was thus examined for the possibility of matching the potential during succinic acid production. When NZN111 (pTrcML) was cultured in LB medium containing 20 g sorbitol/l under a CO2 atmosphere, 10 g succinic acid/l was produced. The apparent yield of succinic acid was 1.1 g succinic acid/g sorbitol, which is 85% of the maximum theoretical yield. Therefore, it was found that redox balancing was important for the enhanced production of succinic acid in metabolically engineered E. coli.

Isolation and pharmacological activity of phenylpropanoid esters from Marrubium vulgare

The isolation and identification of major phenylpropanoid esters from Marrubium vulgare: (+) (E)-caffeoyl-L-malic acid 1, acteoside 2, forsythoside B 3, arenarioside 4, ballotetroside 5, as well as their anti-inflammatory activity are reported for the first time. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of these five compounds on cyclooxygenase (Cox) catalysed prostaglandin biosynthesis activity. Only the glycosidic phenylpropanoid esters showed an inhibitory activity towards the Cox-2 enzyme and three of them: acteoside 2, forsythoside B 3, arenarioside 4, exhibited higher inhibitory potencies on Cox-2 than on Cox-1. These results are of interest, as Cox-2 is mainly associated with inflammation and the Cox-1 inhibition with adverse side effects often observed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The occurrence of these phenylpropanoid esters could also explain some other pharmacological properties of M. vulgare.

A new approach for asymmetric synthesis of (R)-3-methylpyrrolidine alkaloids from (S)-malic acid

Diastereoselective methylation of dimethyl (S)-malate 7, followed by two, three-step reductive de-hydroxylation procedures afforded dimethyl (R)-2-methylsuccinate 11 in 80.2% e.e. and 84.7% e.e., respectively. The latter compound was further transformed into the natural enantiomers of the ant venom alkaloids (R)-leptothoracine 1 and (R)-3-methyl-N-(2-phenylethyl)-pyrrolidine 2.

Inactivation of maize NADP-malic enzyme by Cu2+-ascorbate

Maize malic enzyme was rapidly inactivated by micromolar concentrations of cupric nitrate in the presence of ascorbate at pH, 5.0. Ascorbate or Cu2+ alone had no effect on enzyme activity. The substrate L-malate or NADP individually provided almost total protection against Cu2+-ascorbate inactivation. The loss of enzyme activity was accompanied by cleavage of the enzyme. The cleaved peptides showed molecular mass of 55 kDa, 48 kDa, 38 kDa, and 14 kDa. Addition of EDTA, histidine and imidazole provided protection. The results of protection experiments with sodium azide, DABCO and catalase suggested that reactive oxygen species were generated resulting in loss of enzyme activity. This was further supported by experiments showing that the rate of enzyme inactivation was higher in D2O than in water. It is suggested that maize malic enzyme is modified by reactive oxygen species like singlet oxygen and H2O2 generated by Cu2+-ascorbate system and the modified amino acid residue(s) may be located at or near the substrate-binding site of the enzyme.

Subulatin, an antioxidic caffeic acid derivative isolated from the in vitro cultured liverworts, Jungermannia subulata, Lophocolea heterophylla, and Scapania parvitexta

The new caffeic acid derivative, subulatin (1), was isolated from in vitro cultured liverworts, Jungermannia subulata, Lophocolea heterophylla, and Scapania parvitexta. The structure of 1 involved two caffeic acids, D-glucose, and 2-carboxy-6-(1,2-dihydroxy-ethyl)-4,5-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyran. The connectivity of those and the absolute stereochemistry of 1 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The antioxidative activity of 1 was comparable to that of alpha-tocopherol. (2'R)-Phaselic acid (2a) and (-)-9,2''-epiphylloyl-L-malic acid (4) were also isolated from J. subulata and L. heterophylla, respectively. A chiral HPLC analysis of the p-bromobenzoyl-malic acids derived from 2a showed that 2a from J. subulata was unusual (+)-trans-caffeoyl-D-malic acid.

Studies aimed at the total synthesis of the antitumor antibiotic cochleamycin A. An enantioselective biosynthesis-based pathway to the AB bicyclic core

[reaction: see text] A convergent, highly enantioselective synthesis of the fully functionalized AB sector of cochleamycin A is described. A pair of building blocks, crafted from L-malic and L-ascorbic acids, are conjoined in a manner that gives rise to an (E,Z,E)-1,6,8-nonatriene. On heating, the latter undergoes stereocontrolled intramolecular Diels-Alder cyclization via an endo transition state.

Mechanical properties of visible light-cured resins reinforced with hydroxyapatite for dental restoration

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to measure and analyze the mechanical properties of several composite materials designed for dental restoration.

METHODS

The materials were composed of a visible light-curing monomer mixture (either Bis-GMA+TEGDMA or Bis-GMA+HEMA) as a matrix and hydroxyapatite (either microscopic or nanoscopic particles) as a reinforcing filler. The surface of the hydroxyapatite particles was modified by using a coupling agent (citric, malic, acrylic or methacrylic acid). Five specimens of 14 different composites were prepared for each mechanical test: flexural strength, Young's modulus and Vickers hardness. Mean values and standard deviations were calculated, and ANOVA and Student Newman Keuls multiple comparison tests were applied (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

The addition of 50-60 wt% of hydroxyapatite particles to the unfilled monomer mixtures led to the increase of both Young's modulus and surface hardness of the material, while the flexural strength decreased. In general, when microscopic instead of nanoscopic hydroxyapatite was used as a reinforcing filler, mechanical properties were favored. The mechanical properties were also improved by adding citric, acrylic or methacrylic acid as a coupling agent.

CONCLUSIONS

An adequate surface modification of the hydroxyapatite particles conferred enhanced mechanical properties to the final dental composite. Microscopic-hydroxyapatite particles are preferred to nanoscopic ones.

The hygroscopic properties of dicarboxylic and multifunctional acids: measurements and UNIFAC predictions

The role of water-soluble organic compounds on the hygroscopic properties of atmospheric aerosols has recently been the subject of many studies. In particular, low molecular weight dicarboxylic acids and some multifunctional organic acids have been found or are expected to exist in atmospheric aerosols in urban, semiurban, rural, and remote sites. Unlike for their inorganic counterparts, the hygroscopic properties of organic acids have not been well characterized. In this study, the hygroscopic properties of selected water-soluble dicarboxylic acids (oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, and glutaric acid) and multifunctional acids (citric acid, DL-malic acid, and L-(+)-tartaric acid) were studied using single droplets levitated in an electrodynamic balance at 25 degrees C. The water activities of bulk samples of dilute solutions were also measured. Solute evaporation was observed in the dicarboxylic acids but not in the multifunctional acids. Oxalic acid, succinic acid, and glutaric acid droplets crystallize upon evaporation of water, but, except for glutaric acid droplets, do not deliquesce even at 90% relative humidity (RH). Mass transfer limitation of the deliquescence process was observed in glutaric acid. Neither crystallization nor deliquescence was observed in malonic acid, citric acid, DL-malic acid, or L-(+)-tartaric acid. Malonic acid and these three hydroxy-carboxylic acids absorb water even at RH much lower than their respective deliquescence RH. The growth factor (Gf), defined as the ratio of the particle diameter at RH = 10% to that at RH = 90%, of oxalic acid and succinic acid was close to unity, indicating no hygroscopicity in this range. The remaining acids (malonic acid, glutaric acid, citric acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid) showed roughly similar hygroscopicity of a Gf of 1.30-1.53, which is similar to that of "more hygroscopic" aerosols in field measurements reported in the literature. A generalized equation for these four acids, Gf = (1-aw)-0.163, was developed to represent the hygroscopicity of these acids. Water activity predictions from calculations using the UNIFAC model were found to agree with the measured water activity data to within 40% for most of the acids but the deviations were as large as about 100% for malic acid and tartaric acid. We modified the functional group interaction parameters of the COOH(-H20, OH-H20, and OH-COOH pairs by fitting the UNIFAC model with the measured data. The modified UNIFAC model improves the agreement of predictions and measurements to within 38% for all the acids studied.

Direct chiral resolution of malic acid in apple juice by ligand-exchange capillary electrophoresis using copper(II)-L-tartaric acid as a chiral selector

Chiral resolution of native DL-malic acid was achieved by ligand-exchange capillary electrophoresis using copper(II)-L-tartrate as a chiral selector. Factors affecting chiral resolution, migration time, and peak area of malic acid were studied. The running conditions for optimum separation of malic acid were found to be 1 mM copper(II) sulfate-1 mM L-tartrate (pH 5.1) with an effective voltage of -20 kV at 30 degrees C, using direct detection at 280 nm, and resolution (Rs) of racemic malic acid was approximately 4. With this system, D- and L-malic acids in apple juice were analyzed successfully.

pH-dependent investigations of vanadium(V)-peroxo-malate complexes from aqueous solutions. In search of biologically relevant vanadium(V)-peroxo species

The established biochemical potential of vanadium has spurred considerable research interest in our lab, with specific focus on pertinent synthetic studies of vanadium(III) with a biologically relevant, organic, dicarboxylic acid, malic acid, in aqueous solutions. Simple reactions between VCl3 and malic acid in water, at different pH values, in the presence of H2O2, led to the crystalline dimeric complexes (Cat)4[VO(O2)(C4H3O5)]2*nH2O (Cat = K+, n = 4, 1; Cat = NH4+, n = 3, 2) and K2[VO(O2)(C4H4O5)]2*2H2O (3). All three complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and UV/visible spectroscopies. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with a = 8.380(5) A, b = 9.252(5) A, c = 13.714(8) A, beta = 93.60(2) degrees, V = 1061(1) A3, and Z = 4. Compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1, with a = 9.158(4) A, b = 9.669(4) A, c = 14.185(6) A, alpha = 104.81(1) degrees, beta = 90.31(1) degrees, gamma = 115.643(13) degrees, V = 1085.0(7) A(3), and Z = 2. Compound 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with a = 9.123(8) A, b = 9.439(8) A, c = 10.640(9) A, beta = 104.58(3) degrees, V = 887(1) A3, and Z = 2. The X-ray structures showed that, in 1 and 2, the dimers consist of two (V(V)=O)2O2 rhombic units to which two malate ligands are attached. The ligands are triply deprotonated and, as such, they coordinate to vanadium(V), promoting a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. In 3, the dimeric (V(V)=O)2O2 rhombic unit persists, with the two doubly deprotonated malate ligands coordinated to the vanadium(V) ions. UV/vis and EPR spectroscopic studies on the intermediate blue solutions of the synthesis reactions of 1-3 support the existence of vanadyl-containing dimeric species. These species further react with H2O2 to yield oxidation of V(IV)2O2 to V(V)2O2 and coordination of the peroxide to vanadium(V). From the collective data on 1-3, it appears that pH acts as a decisive factor in dictating the structural features of the isolated complexes. The details of the introduced structural differentiation in the reported complexes, and their potential relevance to vanadium(V) dicarboxylate systems in biological media are dwelled on.

Aluminum speciation studies in biological fluids. Part 7. A quantitative investigation of aluminum(III)-malate complex equilibria and their potential implications for aluminum metabolism and toxicity

As a nonessential element, aluminum may be toxic at both environmental and therapeutic levels, depending on ligand interactions. Dietary acids that normally occur in fruits and vegetables and commonly serve as taste enhancers are good ligands of the Al(3+) ion. Malic acid is one of these and also one of the most predominant in food and beverages. The present paper reports an examination of its potential influence on aluminum bioavailability through speciation calculations based on Al(III)-malate complex formation constants especially determined for physiological conditions. According to the results obtained, malate appears to be extremely effective in maintaining Al(OH)(3) soluble over the whole pH range of the small intestine under normal dietary conditions. In addition, two neutral Al(III)--malate complexes are formed whose percentages are maximum from very low malate levels. When aluminum is administered therapeutically as its trihydroxide, the amount of metal neutralized by malate peaks as its solubility pH range regresses to its original limits in the absence of malate. The enhancing effect of malate towards aluminum absorption is therefore virtually independent of the aluminum level in the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of phosphate in the gastrointestinal juice is expected to limit the potential influence of malate on aluminum absorption. Under normal dietary conditions, phosphate effectively reduces the fraction of aluminum neutralized by malate but without nullifying it. Aluminum phosphate is predicted to precipitate when aluminum levels are raised as with the administration of aluminum hydroxide, but a significant amount of neutral aluminum malate still remains in solution. Even therapeutic aluminum phosphate is not totally safe in the presence of malate, even at low malate concentrations. As plasma simulations predict that no compensatory effect in favor of aluminum excretion may be expected from malate, simultaneous ingestion of malic acid with any therapeutic aluminum salt should preferably be avoided.

Hydrocortisone and triiodothyronine regulation of malate-aspartate shuttle enzymes during postnatal development of chicken

The normal endogenous level of malate-aspartate shuttle enzymes and its regulation by hydrocortisone and triiodothyronine were studied in the liver and kidney of 0-, 30- and 60-day old male Rhode Island Red (RIR) chicken. The endogenous activity of cytosolic malate dehydrogenase (c-MDH) was significantly higher in the liver of day 30 as compared to day 0 and 60. In contrast, mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (m-MDH) activity decreased at day 60 in the liver. However, both c- and m-MDH had significantly lower activities at day 0, which increased sharply at day 30 and 60 in the kidney. On the other hand, activity of both cytosolic and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (c- and m-AsAT) showed peak value at day 30 in both liver and kidney. Hydrocortisone administration induced c-MDH in the liver at all the ages studied, but did not influence the activity of the isoenzymes in the kidney whereas, it induced m-MDH in the liver at day 0 and in kidney at day 30. Administration of hydrocortisone, however, did not influence AsAT isoenzymes (c- and m-AsAT) in either of the tissues at any of the postnatal ages. Triiodothyronine induced c-MDH in the liver at all the ages whereas kidney isoenzyme was induced only at day 60. In contrast, m-MDH was induced by triiodothyronine in both liver and kidney at day 30 and 60. Administration of triiodothyronine did not influence c-AsAT of liver and kidney at either of the ages, whereas it induced m-AsAT of only liver at day 0 and 60. These findings indicated a tissue- and age-specific expression of the malate-aspartate shuttle enzymes in chicken and difference in the regulation exerted by hydrocortisone and triiodothyronine during postnatal development of chicken.

Bioactive functionalized polymer of malic acid for bone repair and muscle regeneration

A bioactive poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoate) derived from malic acid was prepared and tested on bone repair and muscle regeneration. This functionalized and hydrolyzable polymer was obtained after several steps, the first one being the anionic copolymerization of three malolactonic acid esters. Chemical modifications were carried out on the terpolymer to turn benzyl-protecting groups into carboxyl groups and allyl groups into sulfonate groups. The resulting polymer bore carboxylate, sulfonate, and sec-butyl pendent groups in 65/25/10 molar proportions and were aimed at interacting with heparan binding growth factors. This polymer did not present any toxic effect in cell viability of HepG2 cells, over a large range of concentrations (0.01-0.25 mgl(-1)). Its ability to improve wound healing was tested in vivo and positive results are reported. Furthermore, the bioactivity of this polymer was evaluated using the regeneration model of Extensor digitorum longus (EDL) rat muscle. The study displayed a significant increase in the muscle regeneration and maturation.

Structural basis for a change in substrate specificity: crystal structure of S113E isocitrate dehydrogenase in a complex with isopropylmalate, Mg2+, and NADP

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate and has negligible activity toward other (R)-malate-type substrates. The S113E mutant of IDH significantly improves its ability to utilize isopropylmalate as a substrate and switches the substrate specificity (k(cat)/K(M)) from isocitrate to isopropylmalate. To understand the structural basis for this switch in substrate specificity, we have determined the crystal structure of IDH S113E in a complex with isopropylmalate, NADP, and Mg(2+) to 2.0 A resolution. On the basis of a comparison with previously determined structures, we identify distinct changes caused by the amino acid substitution and by the binding of substrates. The S113E complex exhibits alterations in global and active site conformations compared with other IDH structures that include loop and helix conformational changes near the active site. In addition, the angle of the hinge that relates the two domains was altered in this structure, which suggests that the S113E substitution and the binding of substrates act together to promote catalysis of isopropylmalate. Ligand binding results in reorientation of the active site helix that contains residues 113 through 116. E113 exhibits new interactions, including van der Waals contacts with the isopropyl group of isopropylmalate and a hydrogen bond with N115, which in turn forms a hydrogen bond with NADP. In addition, the loop and helix regions that bind NADP are altered, as is the loop that connects the NADP binding region to the active site helix, changing the relationship between substrates and enzyme. In combination, these interactions appear to provide the basis for the switch in substrate specificity.