Bovine retinal glutamine synthetase 2. Regulation and properties on the basis of glutamine synthetase and glutamyl transferase reactions

In vitro effects of divalent metal ions and metabolic modulators on purified glutamine synthetase from brain of teleostean fish

The purified brain glutamine synthetase of a teleostean fish, Clarias batrachus has been examined under the influence of divalent metal ions activation and in vitro studies using different amino acids and metabolic modulators. All observations of the enzyme activity are based on transferase reaction at optimum temperature and pH. The enzyme exhibits an absolute requirement for Mn2+ (most potent) Mg2+ and Co2+. The activity is markedly inhibited by leucine, asparagine, isoleucine, carbamyl phosphate, uridine monophosphate and glutamate and activated by alpha-ketoglutarate. The significance of these results has been discussed in brief with emphasis on its involvement in teleostean physiology and metabolism.

Response of Müller cells following experimental lensectomy-vitrectomy

We used morphological, biochemical and immunohistochemical methods to assess the response of Müller cells after experimental lensectomy-vitrectomy in rabbits. We observed widened intercellular spaces between the Müller cells and nerve fibers of ganglion cells, and increased electron opacity in the Müller cells of eyes injected with silicone oil. No apparent morphological changes were detected in the Müller cells of air-injected eyes. The specific and total activities of Müller cell-marker enzymes (glucose 6-phosphatase and glutamine synthetase) showed an initial increase, followed by a decrease. Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity was not found in the Müller cells of the normal rabbit retina but was exhibited after surgery. Our results showed that markers of Müller cells associated with glycogenolysis and/or gluconeogenesis, glutamate-glutamine cycle and cytoskeletal protein metabolism were affected by the experimental lensectomy-vitrectomy.

Tissue glutamine synthetase associated with ammonia detoxication and nitrogen metabolism in Clarias batrachus

The composition of reaction mixture of glutamine synthetase (GS) assay system was perfected and utilized to determine the activity of this enzyme spectrophotometrically in selected tissues of the freshwater teleostean fish, Clarias batrachus. Of these tissues, brain was found to contain comparatively a very high activity representing a rapid role of GS in ammonia detoxication and synthesis of essential neurotransmitter substance in this tissue. Of other tissues, liver, kidney and gill were found to contain significant activities in the order representing their relative metabolic activities. The study was extended by examining the brain (neural) and liver (non-neural) GS system in more detail with a view to see the alterations (if any). GS activity of both, neural and non-neural tissues was found to be the same and also in the range reported for other Vertebrates. Observations regarding kinetic, physical and chemical properties of the enzyme are reported. Maximum enzyme activity was observed at pH 7.2 to 7.4 and temperature 35 degrees C. The enzyme was found to be more stable at 25 degrees C while activity decreased at higher temperatures (above 40 degrees C) and showed no activity at 60 degrees C (liver) and 70 degrees C (brain). A comparison and possible physiological roles of the enzyme for the concept of ammonia excretion, protein synthesis and nitrogen metabolism in teleostean fish tissues are discussed.

Bovine retinal glutamine synthetase 1. Purification, characterization and immunological properties

Glutamine synthetase (GS) from bovine retina was purified to apparent homogeneity by ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by Sephacryl S-200, hydroxylapatite, and Sephadex G-150 chromatography. The purified enzyme showed a single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Based on the purification data, retinal GS was shown to be approximately 2% of the total soluble retinal protein. By gel filtration, sedimentation velocity centrifugation, and gel electrophoresis, it was shown that the enzyme has a subunit molecular weight of 45 000 daltons and a native molecular weight of 360 000 daltons, which is consistent with an octameric structure. Throughout the various stages of purification, it was found that GS and glutamyl transferase (GT) activities were maintained at a constant ratio. Thus, the GS and GT reactions are catalyzed by the same enzyme. Immunodiffusion of antiretinal GS antibodies gave a single line of precipitation with both crude retinal and brain enzymes as well as purified enzyme preparations. Precipitation lines of retinal and brain enzymes completely fused with each other without any spur formation. The immunochemical titration of brain enzyme activity with antiretinal GS antibodies also revealed an immunological homology between retinal and brain enzymes.