The derangement of elastin synthesis in pyridoxine deficiency

Physiological and toxicological changes in the skin resulting from the action and interaction of metal ions

The human environment contains more than 50 metal or metalloid elements. At least 15 are recognized as trace elements, with zinc, calcium, copper, magnesium, and iron having specific roles in skin morphogenesis and function. The present review focuses on the presumed role of metal ions in the skin, their competition for carrier proteins, and membrane receptors. Evidence presented shows that the balance of trace metal ions is critical for normal skin and repair mechanisms following injury. Xenobiotic ions can impair this balance, leading to pathological change. The skin acts as an organ of elimination of excess trace metals and xenobiotic ions from the body, but mechanisms of voidance vary for different metals. Metal ions are an important cause of allergies, and evidence is presented to show that the majority of metals or metal compounds can induce allergic changes. Except for chromium and nickel, which are among the most common human allergens, animal models have provided little information. At least cadmium, thorium, lead, chromium, nickel, beryllium, and arsenic and proven or putative carcinogens in animals or humans on the basis of cytological or epidemiological evidence. However, only arsenic exhibits a clear predilection for the skin. Other metals such as gold can induce subcutaneous sarcoma following injection, but the relevance of this observation in terms of human occupational risk is discounted.

Protein lysine 6-oxidase (lysyl oxidase) cofactor: methoxatin (PQQ) or pyridoxal?

1. Treatment of chick embryos with two lathyrogens lowered lysyl oxidase and increased collagen extractability. 2. Subsequent treatment with pyridoxal restored both parameters towards normal, whereas PQQ treatment was less effective. 3. These results suggest the requirement of a pyridoxal derivative for the formation of the enzyme, acting either as cofactor or because its formation requires some pyridoxal-dependent enzyme. The cochromatography of the enzyme with [3H]pyridoxine-derived radioactivity supports the cofactor role. 4. The conclusions of other authors that lysyl oxidase contains PQQ relates to enzymes from other species or to amine oxidases not characterised as lysyl oxidase.

Effect of vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) deficiency on lung elastin cross-linking in perinatal and weanling rat pups

Weanling and perinatal rats were rendered vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine)-deficient. The rat pups were nursed from vitamin B-6-deficient or -sufficient dams and were killed at day 15 after parturition. The weanling rats were fed vitamin B-6-deficient or -sufficient diets and were killed after 5 weeks of treatment. Lung elastin from the groups of rats was then studied with respect to its content of lysine-derived cross-linking amino acids. Lung lysyl oxidase activity was also measured. B-6 deficiency decreased the number of lysine residues in elastin that were converted into the cross-linking amino acid precursor allysine. However, a more significant defect in cross-link formation was an apparent block in the condensation steps leading to the formation of desmosine. Desmosine was decreased, with an increase in the amounts of aldol condensation products (aldol CP) in elastin. It is proposed that the elevation in aldol CP results from the formation of thiazines, which are produced from the reaction between aldehyde and homocysteine. The concentration of homocysteine is significantly elevated in vitamin B-6-deficient rats.

Impaired collagen maturity in vitamins B2 and B6 deficiency--probable molecular basis of skin lesions

Solubility of collagen was increased and the proportion of insoluble collagen was reduced in the skin of both riboflavin as well as pyridoxine-deficient rats. Collagen content of the skin, and aldehyde concentration of salt-soluble collagen were also lower in the deficient groups. The alpha:beta subunit ratio of salt-soluble collagen was higher in riboflavin deficiency. In food-restricted weight-matched control groups, similar changes in collagen solubility, but of lesser magnitude were observed. Both food restriction and riboflavin deficiency decreased plasma PLP concentration. Increase in the solubility of collagen, decrease in the aldehyde content of soluble collagen and increase in the alpha:beta subunit ratio of soluble collagen, suggest that the maturation of collagen may be affected in pyridoxine or riboflavin deficiency. These molecular events may be etiologically related to the pathogenesis of the skin lesions in vitamin B2 or B6 deficiency.

The effect of a vitamin B-6 antagonist, 4-deoxypyridoxine, on the cross-linking of collagen in the developing chick embryo

The vitamin B-6 antimetabolite 4-deoxypyridoxine, when injected into 13-day chick embryos, has the effect of increasing the amount of collagen solubilized from the leg bones by buffered saline solutions, 24 h after the injection. This effect is similar to, but less marked than, that produced by the administration of the lathyrogen beta-amino-propionitrile. Since that fraction of the total collagen which is solubilized by saline represents the least-cross-linked pool, it is concluded that 4-deoxypyridoxine is a lathyrogen, decreasing the cross-linking in the developing embryo, and confirming the importance of vitamin B-6 in that process. Lysyl oxidase, the cross-linking enzyme, was measured in extracts made from the epiphysial cartilages of embryos 24 h after the injection of either 4-deoxypyridoxine or beta-aminopropionitrile. The injection of 5 mg of beta-aminopropionitrile causes the lysyl oxidase activity to fall to 61% of that of saline-injected controls; after treatment with 4-deoxypyridoxine, the activity is 74% of the control value. In the latter case, full activity is not restored to the extracts by preincubation with pyridoxal phosphate. The results are discussed in relation to the early development of the connective tissues.

The aetiological role of maternal vitamin-B6 deficiency in the development of atherosclerosis

Lysyl oxidase is the copper-dependent enzyme responsible for the normal cross-linking of both collagen and elastin which is necessary for their functional integrity. There is now strong evidence that this enzyme is vitamin-B6-dependent. The earliest visible lesion of atherosclerosis, commonly found in human neonatal coronary arteries and probably indicative of the location of future atherosclerotic plaques, is a focal splitting of the internal elastic lamina, the cause of which has hitherto remained unexplained. It is suggested that this lesion is the result of imperfect cross-linking of arterial elastin as well as collagen, and is caused by a maternal deficiency of vitamin B6 which is commonly found in pregnancy and which could thus impair the function of lysyl oxidase. Prophylactic supplementation of maternal diet with adequate vitamin B6 is therefore suggested.

Collagen has a discrete family of reactive hydroxylysyl and lysyl side-chain amino groups

Several cross-linking substances which derive from lysine have been isolated from hydrolyzates of collagen and elastin. This observation suggests that certain lysyl side chains exhibiting enhanced reactivity and unique configuration may participate in cross-linking. In native collagen there is a small family of lysyl and hydroxylysyl side chains which exhibit a high propensity of Schiff base formation.

Desmosine biosynthesis: nature of inhibition by D-penicillamine

Administration of D-penicillamine and lathyrogens such as beta-amino-propionitrile to animals markedly alters connective tissue by preventing the normal cross-linkage of elastin and collagen. It had been shown that beta-aminopropionitrile blocks the cross-linkage of elastin and collagen by preventing the initial step in cross-linkage: the conversion of lysine in peptide linkage to alpha-amino adipic-delta-semialdehyde. We show that penicillamine acts after the initial step, causing the accumulation of an elastin rich in alpha-amino adipic-delta-semialdehyde.