[Kinetics of the hexulose-6-phosphate synthase of methyltrophic bacteria in vitro and in situ]

[Regulation of PEP-carboxylase of the facultative methylotrop Acetobacter sp. MB 58]

Acetobacter sp. MB 58 assimilates methanol via the fructose-1,6-bisphosphate variant of the hexulose phosphate pathway. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate originates as net product of an assimilation loop involving the regeneration of the C1-acceptor ribulose-5-phosphate and must be available for the de novo synthesis of the C1-acceptor as well as for the oxidative glycolysis. It is made probable in a regulatory model that this is accomplished via alternating anabolic and catabolic phases which are controlled by concerted action of PEP-carboxylase and pyruvate kinase. Whereas Ac-CoA is a crucial effector and alpha-ketoglutarate and aspartate are inhibitors for the PEP-carboxylase, the pyruvate kinase is assumed to be regulated by energy charge.

Dihydroxyacetone kinase of methanol-assimilating yeast. I. Regulation of dihydroxyacetone kinase from Candida methylica in situ

In order to investigate the control behaviour of dihydroxyacetone kinase of methanol-grown Candida methylica under nearly physiological conditions kinetic and regulatory studies were carried out in situ. Yeast cells were made permeable to substrate and reaction products by treatment with Triton X-100. Normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics resulted in dependence upon the dihydroxyacetone concentration, both at the pH optimum of 7.6 and near the physiological pH-value of 6.5. The Km obtained for dihydroxyacetone was 0.02 mM, independent of the pH-value. The plots of dihydroxyacetone kinase activity as a function of the ATP concentration revealed complex kinetic characteristics with plateau regions. The maximum reaction rate was reached only after a lag time both at pH 7.6 and concentrations of ATP higher than 5 mM and at pH 6.5 and concentrations of ATP higher than 1.25 mM. Among a great number of tested metabolites no inhibitors of dihydroxyacetone kinase were found. Dihydroxyacetone kinase activity depending upon energy charge according to Atkinson exhibited curves of the U-type. These results and further data concerning the regulation of other enzymes obtained with C. methylica and other yeasts were the basis to propose a preliminary overall model of fine control of the carbon and energy metabolism of methanol-utilizing yeasts.

A critical analysis of kinetic data of 3-hexulosephosphate synthases. Michaelis-Menten or complex characteristics

Investigations of the 3-hexulosephosphate synthase (HPS) from different methylotrophic bacteria have revealed apparent discrepancies in kinetic behaviour. In all methanol-utilizing species investigated by us the kinetic characteristics showed intermediary plateau regions. Therefore, this behaviour is assumed to be a general feature of the HPS from all non-methane-utilizing methylotrophic bacteria. However, this assumption is in contrast to the results of other authors. Both for Methylomonas M15 (SAHM et al. 1976) and Methylomonas aminofaciens 77a (KATO et al. 1977, 1978) MICHAELIS-MENTEN kinetics of the HPS were stated. To check the validity of our assumption we have analyzed the kinetic data given by others. Indications of the existence of intermediary plateau regions could be found with the enzyme from Arthrobacter globiformis (BYKOVSKAYA and VORONKOV 1977) and Methylomonas aminofaciens 77a (KATO et al. 1978). Furthermore, biphasic ARRHENIUS plots indicate a multiple character of the HPS from these species as could already be demonstrated with the enzyme from Bacterium MB 58 and Pseudomonas oleovorans. In addition, causes which may obscure the detection of intermediary plateau regions are demonstrated.

Kinetic properties of the purified 3-hexulosephosphate synthase from Pseudomonas oleovorans

The kinetic characteristics of the purified 3-hexulosephosphate synthase from the facultative methylotroph Pseudomonas oleovorans were investigated. It could be demonstrated that the dependence of the reaction rate on the rib(ul)ose-5-phosphate as well as the formaldehyde concentration has a complex shape with the appearence of plateau and trough regions. The shape of the curve is changed in dependence on the fixed level of the second substrate. Multiple forms of the 3-hexulosephosphate synthase were found to be responsible for the generation of the complex kinetic characteristics. By means of ion exchange chromatography it was possible to separate four active enzyme forms with different kinetic characteristics. These forms were also found to be interconvertible. This behaviour of the 3-hexulosephosphate synthase is assumed to have the main regulatory function of the enzyme.