Function of energy-dependent transhydrogenase in Escherichia coli

NADPH-generating systems in bacteria and archaea

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is an essential electron donor in all organisms. It provides the reducing power that drives numerous anabolic reactions, including those responsible for the biosynthesis of all major cell components and many products in biotechnology. The efficient synthesis of many of these products, however, is limited by the rate of NADPH regeneration. Hence, a thorough understanding of the reactions involved in the generation of NADPH is required to increase its turnover through rational strain improvement. Traditionally, the main engineering targets for increasing NADPH availability have included the dehydrogenase reactions of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway and the isocitrate dehydrogenase step of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. However, the importance of alternative NADPH-generating reactions has recently become evident. In the current review, the major canonical and non-canonical reactions involved in the production and regeneration of NADPH in prokaryotes are described, and their key enzymes are discussed. In addition, an overview of how different enzymes have been applied to increase NADPH availability and thereby enhance productivity is provided.

Global insights into energetic and metabolic networks in Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Background

Improving our understanding of processes at the core of cellular lifestyles can be aided by combining information from genetic analyses, high-throughput experiments and computational predictions.

Results

We combined data and predictions derived from phenotypic, physiological, genetic and computational analyses to dissect the metabolic and energetic networks of the facultative photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. We focused our analysis on pathways crucial to the production and recycling of pyridine nucleotides during aerobic respiratory and anaerobic photosynthetic growth in the presence of an organic electron donor. In particular, we assessed the requirement for NADH/NADPH transhydrogenase enzyme, PntAB during respiratory and photosynthetic growth. Using high-throughput phenotype microarrays (PMs), we found that PntAB is essential for photosynthetic growth in the presence of many organic electron donors, particularly those predicted to require its activity to produce NADPH. Utilizing the genome-scale metabolic model iRsp1095, we predicted alternative routes of NADPH synthesis and used gene expression analyses to show that transcripts from a subset of the corresponding genes were conditionally increased in a ΔpntAB mutant. We then used a combination of metabolic flux predictions and mutational analysis to identify flux redistribution patterns utilized in the ΔpntAB mutant to compensate for the loss of this enzyme. Data generated from metabolic and phenotypic analyses of wild type and mutant cells were used to develop iRsp1140, an expanded genome-scale metabolic reconstruction for R. sphaeroides with improved ability to analyze and predict pathways associated with photosynthesis and other metabolic processes.

Conclusions

These analyses increased our understanding of key aspects of the photosynthetic lifestyle, highlighting the added importance of NADPH production under these conditions. It also led to a significant improvement in the predictive capabilities of a metabolic model for the different energetic lifestyles of a facultative organism.

A review of the binding-change mechanism for proton-translocating transhydrogenase

Proton-translocating transhydrogenase is found in the inner membranes of animal mitochondria, and in the cytoplasmic membranes of many bacteria. It catalyses hydride transfer from NADH to NADP(+) coupled to inward proton translocation. Evidence is reviewed suggesting the enzyme operates by a "binding-change" mechanism. Experiments with Escherichia coli transhydrogenase indicate the enzyme is driven between "open" and "occluded" states by protonation and deprotonation reactions associated with proton translocation. In the open states NADP(+)/NADPH can rapidly associate with, or dissociate from, the enzyme, and hydride transfer is prevented. In the occluded states bound NADP(+)/NADPH cannot dissociate, and hydride transfer is allowed. Crystal structures of a complex of the nucleotide-binding components of Rhodospirillum rubrum transhydrogenase show how hydride transfer is enabled and disabled at appropriate steps in catalysis, and how release of NADP(+)/NADPH is restricted in the occluded state. Thermodynamic and kinetic studies indicate that the equilibrium constant for hydride transfer on the enzyme is elevated as a consequence of the tight binding of NADPH relative to NADP(+). The protonation site in the translocation pathway must face the outside if NADP(+) is bound, the inside if NADPH is bound. Chemical shift changes detected by NMR may show where alterations in protein conformation resulting from NADP(+) reduction are initiated. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 17th European Bioenergetics Conference (EBEC 2012).

Metabolic flux analysis of Escherichia coli in glucose-limited continuous culture. I. Growth-rate-dependent metabolic efficiency at steady state

The Escherichia coli K-12 strain TG1 was grown at 28 degrees C in aerobic glucose-limited continuous cultures at dilution rates ranging from 0.044 to 0.415 h(-1). The rates of biomass formation, the specific rates of glucose, ammonium and oxygen uptake and the specific carbon dioxide evolution rate increased linearly with the dilution rate up to 0.3 h(-1). At dilution rates between 0.3 h(-1) and 0.4 h(-1), a strong deviation from the linear increase to lower specific oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide evolution rates occurred. The biomass formation rate and the specific glucose and ammonium uptake rates did not deviate that strongly from the linear increase up to dilution rates of 0.4 h(-1). An increasing percentage of glucose carbon flow towards biomass determined by a reactor mass balance and a decreasing specific ATP production rate concomitant with a decreasing adenylate energy charge indicated higher energetic efficiency of carbon substrate utilization at higher dilution rates. Estimation of metabolic fluxes by a stoichiometric model revealed an increasing activity of the pentose phosphate pathway and a decreasing tricarboxylic acid cycle activity with increasing dilution rates, indicative of the increased NADPH and precursor demand for anabolic purposes at the expense of ATP formation through catabolic activities. Thus, increasing growth rates first result in a more energy-efficient use of the carbon substrate for biomass production, i.e. a lower portion of the carbon substrate is channelled into the respiratory, energy-generating pathway. At dilution rates above 0.4 h(-1), close to the wash-out point, respiration rates dropped sharply and accumulation of glucose and acetic acid was observed. Energy generation through acetate formation yields less ATP compared with complete oxidation of the sugar carbon substrate, but is the result of maximized energy generation under conditions of restrictions in the tricarboxylic acid cycle or in respiratory NADH turnover. Thus, the data strongly support the conclusion that, in aerobic glucose-limited continuous cultures of E. coli TG1, two different carbon limitations occur: at low dilution rates, cell growth is limited by cell-carbon supply and, at high dilution rates, by energy-carbon supply.

Kinetic studies and biochemical pathway analysis of anaerobic poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid synthesis in Escherichia coli

Poly-(R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) was synthesized anaerobically in recombinant Escherichia coli. The host anaerobically accumulated PHB to more than 50% of its cell dry weight during cultivation in either growth or nongrowth medium. The maximum specific PHB production rate during growth-associated synthesis was approximately 2.3 +/- 0.2 mmol of PHB/g of residual cell dry weight/h. The by-product secretion profiles differed significantly between the PHB-synthesizing strain and the control strain. PHB production decreased acetate accumulation for both growth and nongrowth-associated PHB synthesis. For instance under nongrowth cultivation, the PHB-synthesizing culture produced approximately 66% less acetate on a glucose yield basis as compared to a control culture. A theoretical biochemical network model was used to provide a rational basis to interpret the experimental results like the fermentation product secretion profiles and to study E. coli network capabilities under anaerobic conditions. For example, the maximum theoretical carbon yield for anaerobic PHB synthesis in E. coli is 0.8. The presented study is expected to be generally useful for analyzing, interpreting, and engineering cellular metabolisms.

Fundamental Escherichia coli biochemical pathways for biomass and energy production: identification of reactions

Cells grow by oxidizing nutrients using a complex network of biochemical reactions. During this process new biological material is produced along with energy used for maintaining cellular organization. Because the metabolic network is highly branched, these tasks can be accomplished using a wide variety of unique reaction sequences. However, evolutionary pressures under carbon-limited growth conditions likely select organisms that utilize highly efficient pathways. Using elementary-mode analysis, we demonstrate that the metabolism of the bacterium Escherichia coli contains four unique pathways that most efficiently convert glucose and oxygen into new cells and maintenance energy under any level of oxygen limitation. Observed regulatory patterns and experimental findings suggest growing cells use these highly efficient pathways. It is predicted that five knockout mutations generate a strain that supports growth using only the most efficient reaction sequence. The analysis approach should be generally useful for predicting metabolic capabilities and efficient network designs based on only genomic information.

Effects of hydrogen peroxide upon nicotinamide nucleotide metabolism in Escherichia coli: changes in enzyme levels and nicotinamide nucleotide pools and studies of the oxidation of NAD(P)H by Fe(III)

DNA is damaged in vivo by the Fenton reaction mediated by Fe2+ and cellular reductants such as NADH, which reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+ and allow the recycling of iron. To study the response of Escherichia coli to such cycling, the activities of several enzymes involved in nicotinamide nucleotide metabolism were measured following an H2O2 challenge. NADPH-dependent peroxidase, NADH/NADP+ transhydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were most strongly induced, increasing 2.5-3-fold. In addition, the cellular ratios of NADPH to NADH increased 6- or 92-fold 15 min after exposure to 0.5 or 5 mm H2O2, respectively. In vitro, NADH was oxidized by Fe3+ up to 16-fold faster than NADPH, despite their identical reduction potentials. To understand this rate difference, the interactions of Fe3+ and Ga3+ with NAD(P)H were examined by 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Association with NADH occurred primarily with adenine at N7 and the amino group, but for NADPH, strong metal interactions also occurred at the 2'-phosphate group. Interaction of M3+ (Fe3+ or Ga3+) with the adenine ring would bring it into close proximity to the redox-active nicotinamide ring in the folded form of NAD(P)H, but interaction of M3+ with the 2'-phosphate group would avoid this close contact. In addition, as determined by absorbance spectroscopy, the energy of the charge-transfer species was significantly higher for the Fe3+.NADPH complex than for the Fe3+.NADH complex. We therefore suggest that upon exposure to H2O2 the NADH pool is depleted, and NADPH, which is less reactive with Fe3+, functions as the major nicotinamide nucleotide reductant.

Metabolic adaptation of Escherichia coli during temperature-induced recombinant protein production: 2. Redirection of metabolic fluxes

The impact of temperature-induced synthesis of human basic fibroblast growth factor (hFGF-2) in high-cell-density cultures of recombinant Escherichia coli was studied by estimating metabolic flux variations. Metabolic flux distributions in E. coli were calculated by means of a stoichiometric network and linear programming. After the temperature upshift, a substantially elevated energy demand for synthesis of hFGF-2 and heat shock proteins resulted in a redirection of metabolic fluxes. Catabolic pathways like the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle showed significantly enhanced activities, leading to reduced flux to growth-associated pathways like the pentose phosphate pathway and other anabolic pathways. Upon temperature upshift, an excess of NADPH was produced in the TCA cycle by isocitrate dehydrogenase. The metabolic model predicted the involvement of a transhydrogenase generating additional NADH from NADPH, thereby increasing ATP regeneration in the respiratory chain. The influence of the temperature upshift on the host's metabolism was investigated by means of a control strain harboring the "empty" parental expression vector. The metabolic fluxes after the temperature upshift were redirected similarly to the production strain; the effects, however, were observed to a lesser extent and with different time profiles.

The high-resolution structure of the NADP(H)-binding component (dIII) of proton-translocating transhydrogenase from human heart mitochondria

BACKGROUND

Transhydrogenase, located in the inner membranes of animal mitochondria and the cytoplasmic membranes of bacteria, couples the transfer of reducing equivalents between NAD(H) and NADP(H) to proton pumping. The protein comprises three subunits termed dI, dII and dIII. The dII component spans the membrane. The dI component, which contains the binding site for NAD(+)/NADH, and the dIII component, which has the binding site for NADP(+)/NADPH, protrude from the membrane. Proton pumping is probably coupled to changes in the binding affinities of dIII for NADP(+) and NADPH.

RESULTS

The first X-ray structure of the NADP(H)-binding component, dIII, of human heart transhydrogenase is described here at 2.0 A resolution. It comprises a single domain resembling the classical Rossmann fold, but NADP(+) binds to dIII with a reversed orientation. The first betaalphabetaalphabeta motif of dIII contains a Gly-X-Gly-X-X-Ala/Val 'fingerprint', but it has a different function to that in the classical Rossmann structure. The nicotinamide ring of NADP(+) is located on a ridge where it is exposed to interaction with NADH on the dI subunit. Two distinctive features of the dIII structure are helix D/loop D, which projects from the beta sheet, and loop E, which forms a 'lid' over the bound NADP(+).

CONCLUSIONS

Helix D/loop D interacts with the bound nucleotide and loop E, and probably interacts with the membrane-spanning dII. Changes in ionisation and conformation in helix D/loop D, resulting from proton translocation through dII, are thought to be responsible for the changes in affinity of dIII for NADP(+) and NADPH that drive the reaction.

Structure and mechanism of proton-translocating transhydrogenase

Recent developments have led to advances in our understanding of the structure and mechanism of action of proton-translocating (or AB) transhydrogenase. There is (a) a high-resolution crystal structure, and an NMR structure, of the NADP(H)-binding component (dIII), (b) a homology-based model of the NAD(H)-binding component (dI) and (c) an emerging consensus on the position of the transmembrane helices (in dII). The crystal structure of dIII, in particular, provides new insights into the mechanism by which the energy released in proton translocation across the membrane is coupled to changes in the binding affinities of NADP(+) and NADPH that drive the chemical reaction.

Protein engineering reveals ancient adaptive replacements in isocitrate dehydrogenase

Evolutionary analysis indicates that eubacterial NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenases (EC 1.1.1.42) first evolved from an NAD-dependent precursor about 3.5 billion years ago. Selection in favor of utilizing NADP was probably a result of niche expansion during growth on acetate, where isocitrate dehydrogenase provides 90% of the NADPH necessary for biosynthesis. Amino acids responsible for differing coenzyme specificities were identified from x-ray crystallographic structures of Escherichia coli isocitrate dehydrogenase and the distantly related Thermus thermophilus NAD-dependent isopropylmalate dehydrogenase. Site-directed mutagenesis at sites lining the coenzyme binding pockets has been used to invert the coenzyme specificities of both enzymes. Reconstructed ancestral sequences indicate that these replacements are ancestral. Hence the adaptive history of molecular evolution is amenable to experimental investigation.

Isolation of a 43 kDa protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and its identification as a pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase

A 43 kDa protein (TB43) was isolated from the cell sonicate (CS) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv with immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) on a Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid column. Two-dimensional electrophoresis of the IMAC fraction showed a major spot with an M(r) of 43,000 and a pI of approximately 6.0. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of TB43 was met-arg-val-gly-ile-pro-asn-glu-thr-lys-asn-asn-glu-phe-arg-val-ala- ile-thr-pro-ala. It showed 86% homology with the N-terminal end of the alanine dehydrogenase of Myco. tuberculosis and 65% homology with the N-terminal end of the alpha-subunit of the Escherichia coli pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase (Tsh). TB43 did not show any alanine dehydrogenase activity and did not react with monoclonal antibody (MAb) HBT10, which is known to recognize the 40 kDa alanine dehydrogenase of Myco. tuberculosis. It was also not recognized by MAb F29-29 which is known to react with a 43 kDa protein of Myco. tuberculosis complex. This protein exhibited strong Tsh activity. A similar 43 kDa protein showing Tsh activity was also isolated by IMAC from Myco. bovis CS. However, the pI of the protein was approximately 7.0. A similar protein could not be isolated from the CS or culture filtrate of Myco. bovis BCG and Myco. tuberculosis H37Ra. TB43 is a cell-associated pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase and is distinct from the 40/44 kDa secreted alanine dehydrogenase of Myco. tuberculosis.

Proton-translocating transhydrogenase and NAD- and NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenases operate in a substrate cycle which contributes to fine regulation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle activity in mitochondria

H(+)-transhydrogenase (H(+)-Thase) and NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP-ICDH) are very active in animal mitochondria but their physiological function is only poorly understood. This is especially so in the case of the heart and muscle, where there are no major consumers of NADPH. We propose here that H(+)-Thase and NADP-ICDH have a combined function in the fine regulation of the activity of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, providing enhanced sensitivity to changes in energy demand. This is achieved through cycling of substrates by NAD-linked ICDH, NADP-linked ICDH and H(+)-Thase. It is proposed that NAD-ICDH operates in the forward direction of the TCA cycle, but NADP-ICDH is driven in reverse by elevated levels of NADPH resulting from the action of the transmembrane proton electrochemical potential gradient (delta p) on H(+)-Thase. This has the effect of increasing the sensitivity to allosteric modifiers of NAD-ICDH (NADH, ADP, ATP, Ca2+ etc), potentially giving rise to large changes in the net flux from iso-citrate to alpha-ketoglutarate. Furthermore, changes in the level of delta p resulting from changes in the demand for ATP would, via H(+)-Thase, shift the redox state of the NADP pool and this, in turn, would lead to a change in the rate of the reaction catalysed by NADP-ICDH and hence to an additional and complementary effect on the net metabolic flux from isocitrate to alpha-ketoglutarate. Other consequences of this substrate cycle are, (i) the production of heat at the expense of delta p, which may contribute to thermoregulation in the animal, and (ii) an increased rate of dissipation of delta p (leak).

Anomalous effect of uncouplers on respiratory chain-linked transhydrogenation in Escherichia coli membranes: evidence for a localized proton pathway?

Energization of the pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase in everted membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli JM83 was compared with the process in vesicles of the same strain transformed with the plasmid pDC21 overexpressing this enzyme. Proton translocation was assayed by the quenching of the fluorescence of the probe quinacrine. Agents able to discharge transmembrane proton gradients such as nigericin and the uncouplers 3,3',4',5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone inhibited ATP-dependent transhydrogenation of NADP by NADH and discharged transmembrane proton gradients generated by transhydrogenation of AcNAD by NADPH, by oxidation of NADH, and by hydrolysis of ATP. This was observed in everted membrane vesicles of both strains JM83 and JM83pDC21. These strains differed significantly in the response of the NADH oxidation-dependent transhydrogenase. This reaction was inhibited by nigericin and uncouplers in membrane vesicles of JM83 but there was little inhibition or the reaction was stimulated in JM83pDC21, in spite of the discharge of the NADH oxidation-generated proton gradient measured by quinacrine fluorescence in the latter strain. It is proposed that the transhydrogenase is energized by direct or local (nonbulk phase) proton translocation in membranes of this strain. Uncouplers might facilitate these routes but would not discharge them. The generality of these observations was shown using other strains. NADH oxidase activity was severalfold lower in membrane vesicles of JM83pDC21 compared with JM83. The levels of ubiquinone and cytochromes, and the activities of NADH dehydrogenases I and II, and of cytochrome oxidase, were similar in the two strains. It is concluded that the NADH oxidase activity of JM83pDC21 is low because of the reduced rate of collision between electron-transferring complexes of the respiratory chain due to the large amount of transhydrogenase protein in the membranes of this strain. The large amount of transhydrogenase favors direct, nonbulk phase proton transfer. Transhydrogenase activity was stimulated by Ca2+, Mg2+, or Mn2+.

The proton-translocating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide transhydrogenase

H(+)-transhydrogenase couples the reversible transfer of hydride ion equivalents between NAD(H) and NADP(H) to the translocation of protons across a membrane. There are separate sites on the enzyme for the binding of NAD(H) and of NADP(H). There are some indications of the position of the binding sites in the primary sequence of the enzymes from mitochondria and Escherichia coli. Transfer of hydride ion equivalents only proceeds when a reduced and an oxidized nucleotide are simultaneously bound to the enzyme. When delta p = 0 the rate of interconversion of the ternary complexes of enzyme and nucleotide substrates is probably limiting. An increase in delta p accelerates the rate of interconversion in the direction of NADH----NADP+ until another kinetic component, possibly product release, becomes limiting. The available data are consistent with either direct or indirect mechanisms of energy coupling.

Expression of the cloned subunits of Escherichia coli transhydrogenase from separate replicons

The pntA and pntB genes of Escherichia coli, encoding the alpha- and beta-subunits of the pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase, were cloned individually in two different compatible plasmids into Escherichia coli mutants lacking transhydrogenase activity. Energy-linked and non-energy-linked transhydrogenase activities were produced only in cells carrying both plasmids thus showing that the products of both genes are required for the formation of an active enzyme. ATP-energized transhydrogenase activity was not increased in cells containing amplified levels of the transhydrogenase when the cell membrane ATPase was also amplified. It is suggested that the excess transhydrogenase is effectively uncoupled from the ATPase by compartmentalization in the cell.

Cloning and expression of the transhydrogenase gene of Escherichia coli

Based on the rationale that Escherichia coli cells harboring plasmids containing the pnt gene would contain elevated levels of enzyme, we have isolated three clones bearing the transhydrogenase gene from the Clarke and Carbon colony bank. The three plasmids were subjected to restriction endonuclease analysis. A 10.4-kilobase restriction fragment which overlapped all three plasmids was cloned into the PstI site of plasmid pUC13. Examination of several deletion derivatives of the resulting plasmid and subsequent treatment with exonuclease BAL 31 revealed that enhanced transhydrogenase expression was localized within a 3.05-kilobase segment. This segment was located at 35.4 min in the E. coli genome. Plasmid pDC21 conferred on its host 70-fold overproduction of transhydrogenase. The protein products of plasmids carrying the pnt gene were examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of membranes from cells containing the plasmids. Two polypeptides of molecular weights 50,000 and 47,000 were coded by the 3.05-kilobase fragment of pDC11. Both polypeptides were required for expression of transhydrogenase activity.

Interaction of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-binding polypeptide

Antibody raised against the N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD)-binding polypeptide of Escherichia coli bound to the cytoplasmic surface of the cell membrane. A weak reaction was seen with everted vesicles of the thermophile PS3. Rat-liver mitochondrial membranes did not react with the antibody. Reaction of the isolated DCCD-binding polypeptide with the antibody was prevented by oxidation of methionine residues or cleavage of the polypeptide with cyanogen bromide. Modification of the arginine residues of the DCCD-binding polypeptide did not affect interaction with the antibody. Purified F1-ATPase of E. coli bound to the isolated DCCD-binding polypeptide as shown by solid-phase radioimmune assay. Binding involved the alpha and/or beta subunits of F1 and the arginine residues of the polar central region of the DCCD-binding polypeptide. Our results are consistent with a looped arrangement of the DCCD-binding polypeptide in the membrane in which the carboxyl- and amino-terminal regions of the molecule are at the periplasmic surface and the polar central region, interacting with F1, is at the cytoplasmic surface of the cell membrane.

Effects of an insertion mutation in a locus affecting pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase (pnt::Tn5) on the growth of Escherichia coli

The effects of a pnt::Tn5 insertion mutation on the growth of strains lacking phosphoglucoisomerase or glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were examined. The results support the idea that the energy-linked transhydrogenase is an important source of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate for Escherichia coli under some conditions.

Steady-state kinetics and the inactivation by 2,3-butanedione of the energy-independent transhydrogenase of Escherichia coli cell membranes

Kinetic measurements indicate that the energy-independent transhydrogenation of 3-acetylpyridine-NAD+ by NADPH in membranes of Escherichia coli follows a rapid equilibrium random bireactant mechanism. Each substrate, although reacting preferentially with its own binding site, is able to interact with the binding site of the other substrate to cause inhibition of enzyme activity. 5'-AMP (and ADP) and 2'-AMP interact with the NAD+- and NADP+-binding sites, respectively. Phenylglyoxal and 2,3-butanedione in borate buffer inhibit transhydrogenase activity presumably by reacting with arginyl residues. Protection against inhibition by 2,3-butanedione is afforded by NADP+, NAD+, and high concentrations of NADPH and NADH. Low concentrations of NADPH and NADH increase the rate of inhibition by 2,3-butanedione. Similar effects are observed for the inactivation of the transhydrogenase by tryptic digestion in the presence of these coenzymes. It is concluded that there are at least two conformations of the active site of the transhydrogenase which differ in the extent to which arginyl residues are accessible to exogenous agents such as trypsin and 2,3-butanedione. One conformation is induced by low concentrations of NADH and NADPH. Under these conditions the coenzymes could be reacting at the active site or at an allosteric site. The stimulation of transhydrogenase activity by low concentrations of the NADH is consistent with the latter possibility.

Control of biodegradative threonine dehydratase inducibility by cyclic AMP in energy-restricted Escherichia coli

To explain the requirement for anaerobic conditions in the induction of biodegradative L-threonine dehydratase in Escherichia coli, Crookes strain, measurements of cyclic AMP (cAMP) were made during aerobic and anaerobic growth and upon an aerobic-to-anaerobic transition. Internal cAMP levels were similar (5 to 10 muM) throughout exponential growth, whether aerobic or anaerobic, but only during anaerobiosis was threonine dehydratase synthesized. When an exponentially growing aerobic culture was made anaerobic, a sharp increase in internal cAMP was noted, reaching 300 muM within 10 min and declining thereafter to normal anaerobic levels. Threonine dehydratase synthesis was detected immediately after the attainment of peak cAMP levels and continued for several generations. A similar pattern but with less accumulation of cAMP and less threonine dehydratase production was also noted upon treatment of an aerobically growing culture with KCN. Pyruvate addition at the time of anaerobic shock severely affected both cAMP accumulation and threonine dehydratase synthesis; however, externally added cAMP could partially counter the pyruvate effect on enzyme synthesis. The conclusion was reached that conditions which resulted in a temporary energy deficit brought about the major accumulation of cAMP, and this elevated level served as a signal for initiation of threonine dehydratase synthesis to supply energy by the nonoxidative degradation of threonine.

Repression of Escherichia coli pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase by leucine

Addition of 0.1% casein hydrolysate to a minimal growth medium decreased membrane-bound transhydrogenase activity in Escherichia coli by about 80%. Of the amino acids added individually to the growth medium, only leucine and, to a lesser extent, methionine and alanine were effective, alpha-Ketoisocaproate- and leucine-containing peptides repressed the activity, and leucine also repressed activity in adenyl cyclase-deficient and relaxed strains. Derepression of transhydrogenase followed the removal of leucine from the growth medium and was sensitive to rifampin and chloramphenicol. A phosphoglucoisomerase-deficient strain that was forced to use the hexose monophosphate shunt exclusively had normal levels of transhydrogenase, which was repressed by leucine. Transhydrogenase activity doubled in mutants lacking either of the shunt dehydrogenases but was still repressed by leucine. In strains constitutive for the leucine biosynthetic operon, transhydrogenase was repressed by leucine but in strains livR and lst R, with leucine transport resistant to leucine repression, transhydrogenase was not repressed by leucine. These data suggest that transhydrogenase may have a function in the transport of branched-chain amino acids. In a hisT strain (which has altered leucyl-tRNA), transhydrogeanse was at a repressed level without the addition of leucine, suggesting that leucyl-tRNA may be involved in the regulation.

Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate regulation of membrane energetics in Escherichia coli

Mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 lacking functional adenylate cyclase (cya) or the cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) receptor protein (crp) were compared with their wild type to evaluate the role played by the cAMP-cAMP receptor protein complex in regulating this organism's membrane-associated bioenergetic functions. Both mutants were found to be equally defective in carrying out various electron transport activities. In particular, their capacity for synthesizing a functional oxygen-linked transhydrogenase system was totally repressed, and their content of flavin adenine dinucleotide was reduced by approximately 85%. In addition, it was found that the mutant strains had a decreased ability to generate a protonmotive force and to use this chemiosmotic force to generate adenosine 5'-triphosphate. All these membrane-associated dysfunctions were completely restored to the wild-type state when the cya cells were grown in the presence of exogenous cAMP. As would be expected if these controls were operating at the transcriptional level, the crp cells retained the mutant character even when grown in the presence of this cyclic nucleotide.

Transhydrogenase activity in the marine bacterium Beneckea natriegens

The marine bacterium, Beneckea natriegens, which has previously been reported not to form transhydrogenase, has been shown to synthesize a soluble energy-independent transhydrogenase (NADPH:NADP+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.1.1), though no energy-linked activity could be detected. The transhydrogenase is induced maximally in stationary phase cells and its formation is 70-90% repressed by raising the medium phosphate level from 0.33 to 3.3 mM. The enzyme is inhibited by arsenate, inorganic ortho- and pyrophosphate and by a range of organic phosphate-containing compounds, including 2'-AMP, which is an activator of several bacterial transhydrogenases.

Effect of inhibitors on the substrate-dependent quenching of 9-aminoacridine fluorescence in inside-out membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli

The effect of various inhibitors on the substrate-dependent quenching of the fluorescence of 9-aminoacridine was measured in inside-out membrane vesicles of Escherichia coli. The rate of fluorescence quenching in the presence of inhibitors was dependent on the rate of electron transfer through the respiratory chain with NADH, succinate, D-lactate or DL-glycerol 3-phosphate as substrates. Several patterns of response were given by the inhibitors. Inhibitors competitive with substrate, or those acting only on the dehydrogenases, gave a direct relationship between the extent of inhibition of oxidase activity and the rate of quenching. A biphasic relationship was given by 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide and piericidin A which was due to these compounds acting both as inhibitors of the respiratory chain and, at higher concentrations, as uncoupling agents. Uncouplers inhibited fluorescence quenching with minimal inhibition of oxidase activity. The transmembrane pH difference was calculated from the extent of fluorescence quenching and the intravesicular volume. The maximum pH difference of 3.3--3.7 units was generated by each of the substrates tested.

Isolation and properties of Escherichia coli ATPase mutants with altered divalent metal specificity for ATP hydrolysis

A method was devised for isolation of large numbers of energy-transducing ATPase (coupling factor) mutants based on a modification of the procedure of Hong and Ames (Hong, J. and Ames, B. N. (1971) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 68, 3158-3162) for localized mutagenesis of any small region of the bacterial chromosome using transducing phages. The principle of this procedure is to mutate P1-transducing phage particles carrying the ATPase genes (Unc (uncoupled) DNA) using the strong chemical mutagen hydroxylamine. By transducing ilv- auxotrophs, a marker closely linked to Unc, to prototrophs, mutated Unc DNA can be introduced into the chromosome. We have used this method in conjunction with suitable selection procedures to isolate about 90 Unc- strains which have been classified by physiological, genetic, and biochemical criteria into three different phenotypes (Unc A, B, D). Mutants of the Unc D phenotype which were studied in detail were found to have the following properties: (1) aerobic growth yields on glucose are considerably lower than the wild type; growth occurs on glucose under anaerobic conditions; (2) Unc D lesions map near the ilv operon; (3) O2 uptake is comparable to the rate of wild type; (4) vesicles catalyze respiratory-dependent transhydrogenation, but show very low levels of Ca2+ ATP-dependent transhydrogenation; Mg2+ is ineffective; (5) oxidative phosphorylation is almost completely blocked irrespective of which metal ion is used; (6) the specific activity of ATPase is only about 20% of the wild type: (7) purified ATPase was found to have a marked specificity for Ca2+ as a divalent metal for ATP hydrolysis. A summary of properties of the new Unc mutants is discussed.

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dependent reduction of fumarate coupled to membrane energization in a cytochrome deficient mutant of Escherichia coli K12

Escherichia coli SASX76 does not form cytochromes unless supplemented with 5-aminolevulinic acid. It can grow anaerobically on glycerol and DL-glycerol 3-phosphate in the absence of 5-aminolevulinic acid with fumarate but not with nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor. Cytochrome-independent NADH oxidase, glycerol 3-phosphate- and NADH-fumarate oxidoreductase activities are induced by anaerobic growth on a glycerol-fumarate medium. The pathway of electrons from substrate to fumarate involves menaquinone. The NADH-fumarate oxidoreductase and cytochrome-independent NADH oxidase systems are inhibited by piericidin A, 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide, and iron chelating agents. Both systems can energize the membrane particles as indicated by quenching of atebrin fluorescence.

Crosslinking studies on the Ca2+, Mg2+-activated ATPase of Escherichia coli

Crosslinking of membrane proteins of Escherichia coli with dithiobis (succinimidyl propionate) (DSP) resulted in loss of several enzyme activities including the Ca2+, Mg2+-activated ATPase. This enzyme was crosslinked by DSP to the membrane and was not released by dialysis at low ionic strength in the absence of dithiothreitol which could cleave the crosslinking group. DSP inactivated both phosphohydrolase and coupling activities of the solubilized ATPase. Loss of hydrolytic activity could be correlated with the extent of reaction of the alpha and/or beta subunits of the enzyme. The loss of coupling activity appeared to be associated with modification of the gamma and/or delta subunits.

Effect of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide on growth and membrane-mediated processes in wild type and heptose-deficient mutants of Escherichia coli K-12

The effects of N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) on the growth of Streptococcus faecalis, and on the growth, beta-galactosidase synthesis, and various membrane-mediated processes, were studied in wild-type Escherichia coli JE1011 and its lipopolysaccharide-defective mutant NS1. DCCD (0.1 mM) completely inhibited the growth of S. faecalis and E. coli NS1 but had little effect on strain JE1011. The same amount of DCCD with E. coli NS1, but not with E. coli JE1011, inhibited the induction of beta-galactosidase, increased the permeability of the cells to o-nitrophenyl-beta-d-galactoside without causing extensive cell lysis or release of ultraviolet-absorbing materials, and inhibited the oxidation of certain intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Inhibition of the oxidation of malate, fumarate, and alpha-ketoglutarate by DCCD appeared to be at the level of the transport system for these compounds. Inhibition of the membrane-bound adenosine triphosphatase by DCCD was not entirely responsible for these effects, since oxidation of these substances, and transport of [(14)C]succinate and [(14)C]fumarate, was inhibited by DCCD in a mutant, N(144), which lacked adenosine triphosphatase activity. It is concluded that lipopolysaccharide forms a barrier to DCCD in wild-type E. coli, and that DCCD can inhibit several processes in the cell.