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Liu W, Hu X, Fang L, Cai Y. Insights into the Unusual Activity of a Novel Homospermidine Synthase with a Promising Application to Produce Spermidine. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:13024-13034. [PMID: 37622688 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c03037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine with multiple biological activities and potential food and agricultural applications. However, sustainable and scalable spermidine production has not yet been attained. In this study, a homospermidine synthase (HSS) from Pseudomonas frederiksbergensis (PfHSS) capable of catalyzing the synthesis of spermidine from 1,3-diaminopropane and putrescine was identified based on multiple sequence alignment using Blastochloris viridis HSS (BvHSS) as a template. The optimal reaction pH and temperature for purified PfHSS were determined to be 8.5 and 45 °C, respectively, and K+ was able to promote the enzyme activity. Further analysis of the structural and functional relationships through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation indicates that glutamic acid at position 359 is the essential residue for the enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of spermidine. The whole-cell catalytic reaction yielded 1321.4 mg/L spermidine and 678.2 mg/L of homospermidine. This study presents a novel, promising, and sustainable biological method for producing spermidine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Linghao Fang
- Zhongke Hengji (Hangzhou) Biotechnology Co., 501 Minhe Road, Hangzhou ,Zhejiang 311200, China
| | - Yujie Cai
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
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Hulme J. COVID-19 and Diarylamidines: The Parasitic Connection. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:6583. [PMID: 37047556 PMCID: PMC10094973 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
As emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants (Omicron) continue to outpace and negate combinatorial vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapies targeting the spike protein (S) receptor binding domain (RBD), the appetite for developing similar COVID-19 treatments has significantly diminished, with the attention of the scientific community switching to long COVID treatments. However, treatments that reduce the risk of "post-COVID-19 syndrome" and associated sequelae remain in their infancy, particularly as no established criteria for diagnosis currently exist. Thus, alternative therapies that reduce infection and prevent the broad range of symptoms associated with 'post-COVID-19 syndrome' require investigation. This review begins with an overview of the parasitic-diarylamidine connection, followed by the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and associated angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSSR2) involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Subsequently, the ability of diarylamidines to inhibit S-protein binding and various membrane serine proteases associated with SARS-CoV-2 and parasitic infections are discussed. Finally, the roles of diarylamidines (primarily DIZE) in vaccine efficacy, epigenetics, and the potential amelioration of long COVID sequelae are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Hulme
- Department of Bionano Technology, Gachon Bionano Research Institute, Gachon University, 1342 Sungnam-daero, Sujung-gu, Seongnam-si 461-701, Republic of Korea
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Homocysteine as a Predictor of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation-Related Events: A Scoping Review of the Literature. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12092192. [PMID: 36140593 PMCID: PMC9498051 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12092192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/06/2022] Open
Abstract
High levels of homocysteine (Hcy) have been linked with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, such as arrhythmias and stroke. In the context of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), hyperhomocysteinemia has been demonstrated to be an independent predictor of future events. The aim of this report was to address the potential value of Hcy levels in predicting future paroxysms of atrial fibrillation (AF), as well as to identify the potential mechanisms of action. We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Database on 16 January 2022. Keywords used were homocysteine or hyperhomocysteinemia paired with a total of 67 different keywords or phrases that have been implicated with the pathogenesis of AF. We included primary reports of clinical and non-clinical data in the English language, as well as systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses. We placed no time constraints on our search strategy, which yielded 3748 results. Following title review, 3293 reports were excluded and 455 reports were used for title and abstract review, after which 109 reports were finally used for full-text review. Our review indicates that Hcy levels seem to hold a predictive value in PAF. Herein, potential mechanisms of action are presented and special considerations are made for clinically relevant diagnostic procedures that could complement plasma levels in the prediction of future PAF events. Finally, gaps of evidence are identified and considerations for future clinical trial design are presented.
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Pérez-Miguelsanz J, Vallecillo N, Garrido F, Reytor E, Pérez-Sala D, Pajares MA. Betaine homocysteine S-methyltransferase emerges as a new player of the nuclear methionine cycle. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2017; 1864:1165-1182. [PMID: 28288879 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2017.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The paradigm of a cytoplasmic methionine cycle synthesizing/eliminating metabolites that are transported into/out of the nucleus as required has been challenged by detection of significant nuclear levels of several enzymes of this pathway. Here, we show betaine homocysteine S-methyltransferase (BHMT), an enzyme that exerts a dual function in maintenance of methionine levels and osmoregulation, as a new component of the nuclear branch of the cycle. In most tissues, low expression of Bhmt coincides with a preferential nuclear localization of the protein. Conversely, the liver, with very high Bhmt expression levels, presents a main cytoplasmic localization. Nuclear BHMT is an active homotetramer in normal liver, although the total enzyme activity in this fraction is markedly lower than in the cytosol. N-terminal basic residues play a role in cytoplasmic retention and the ratio of glutathione species regulates nucleocytoplasmic distribution. The oxidative stress associated with d-galactosamine (Gal) or buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) treatments induces BHMT nuclear translocation, an effect that is prevented by administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and glutathione ethyl ester (EGSH), respectively. Unexpectedly, the hepatic nuclear accumulation induced by Gal associates with reduced nuclear BHMT activity and a trend towards increased protein homocysteinylation. Overall, our results support the involvement of BHMT in nuclear homocysteine remethylation, although moonlighting roles unrelated to its enzymatic activity in this compartment cannot be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Pérez-Miguelsanz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (CSIC-UAM), Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humanas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Néstor Vallecillo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (CSIC-UAM), Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Garrido
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (CSIC-UAM), Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Edel Reytor
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (CSIC-UAM), Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Pérez-Sala
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María A Pajares
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols (CSIC-UAM), Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPAZ), Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
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Okur HI, Hladílková J, Rembert KB, Cho Y, Heyda J, Dzubiella J, Cremer PS, Jungwirth P. Beyond the Hofmeister Series: Ion-Specific Effects on Proteins and Their Biological Functions. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:1997-2014. [PMID: 28094985 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b10797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 416] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ions differ in their ability to salt out proteins from solution as expressed in the lyotropic or Hofmeister series of cations and anions. Since its first formulation in 1888, this series has been invoked in a plethora of effects, going beyond the original salting out/salting in idea to include enzyme activities and the crystallization of proteins, as well as to processes not involving proteins like ion exchange, the surface tension of electrolytes, or bubble coalescence. Although it has been clear that the Hofmeister series is intimately connected to ion hydration in homogeneous and heterogeneous environments and to ion pairing, its molecular origin has not been fully understood. This situation could have been summarized as follows: Many chemists used the Hofmeister series as a mantra to put a label on ion-specific behavior in various environments, rather than to reach a molecular level understanding and, consequently, an ability to predict a particular effect of a given salt ion on proteins in solutions. In this Feature Article we show that the cationic and anionic Hofmeister series can now be rationalized primarily in terms of specific interactions of salt ions with the backbone and charged side chain groups at the protein surface in solution. At the same time, we demonstrate the limitations of separating Hofmeister effects into independent cationic and anionic contributions due to the electroneutrality condition, as well as specific ion pairing, leading to interactions of ions of opposite polarity. Finally, we outline the route beyond Hofmeister chemistry in the direction of understanding specific roles of ions in various biological functionalities, where generic Hofmeister-type interactions can be complemented or even overruled by particular steric arrangements in various ion binding sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halil I Okur
- Laboratory for Fundamental BioPhotonics (LBP), Institute of Bioengineering (IBI), School of Engineering (STI), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jana Hladílková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences , Flemingovo nam. 2, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic.,Division of Theoretical Chemistry, Lund University , P.O.B. 124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Younhee Cho
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University , College Station 77843, Texas, United States
| | - Jan Heyda
- Institut für Weiche Materie und Funktionale Materialien, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie , Hahn-Meitner Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany.,Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague , Technická 5, 16628 Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Joachim Dzubiella
- Institut für Weiche Materie und Funktionale Materialien, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie , Hahn-Meitner Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany.,Institut für Physik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , Newtonstrasse 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Pavel Jungwirth
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Czech Academy of Sciences , Flemingovo nam. 2, 16610 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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Betaine chemistry, roles, and potential use in liver disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1860:1098-106. [PMID: 26850693 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Betaine is the trimethyl derivative of glycine and is normally present in human plasma due to dietary intake and endogenous synthesis in liver and kidney. Betaine is utilized in the kidney primarily as an osmoprotectant, whereas in the liver its primary role is in metabolism as a methyl group donor. In both organs, a specific betaine transporter mediates cellular uptake of betaine from plasma. The abundance of both betaine and the betaine transporter in liver greatly exceeds that of other organs. SCOPE OF REVIEW The remarkable contributions of betaine to normal human and animal health are summarized together with a discussion of the mechanisms and potential beneficial effects of dietary betaine supplements on liver disease. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS A significant amount of data from animal models of liver disease indicates that administration of betaine can halt and even reverse progression of the disruption of liver function. Betaine is well-tolerated, inexpensive, effective over a wide range of doses, and is already used in livestock feeding practices. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The accumulated data indicate that carefully controlled additional investigations in humans are merited. The focus should be on the long-term use of betaine in large patient populations with liver diseases characterized by development of fatty liver, especially non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease.
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Crystal structure of the homocysteine methyltransferase MmuM from Escherichia coli. Biochem J 2015; 473:277-84. [PMID: 26564203 DOI: 10.1042/bj20150980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Homocysteine S-methyltransferases (HMTs, EC 2.1.1.0) catalyse the conversion of homocysteine to methionine using S-methylmethionine or S-adenosylmethionine as the methyl donor. HMTs play an important role in methionine biosynthesis and are widely distributed among micro-organisms, plants and animals. Additionally, HMTs play a role in metabolite repair of S-adenosylmethionine by removing an inactive diastereomer from the pool. The mmuM gene product from Escherichia coli is an archetypal HMT family protein and contains a predicted zinc-binding motif in the enzyme active site. In the present study, we demonstrate X-ray structures for MmuM in oxidized, apo and metallated forms, representing the first such structures for any member of the HMT family. The structures reveal a metal/substrate-binding pocket distinct from those in related enzymes. The presented structure analysis and modelling of co-substrate interactions provide valuable insight into the function of MmuM in both methionine biosynthesis and cofactor repair.
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