Methylmalonyl Coenzyme A Decarboxylase

Inflammation-associated nitrate facilitates ectopic colonization of oral bacterium Veillonella parvula in the intestine

Colonization of the intestine by oral microbes has been linked to multiple diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer, yet mechanisms allowing expansion in this niche remain largely unknown. Veillonella parvula, an asaccharolytic, anaerobic, oral microbe that derives energy from organic acids, increases in abundance in the intestine of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Here we show that nitrate, a signature metabolite of inflammation, allows V. parvula to transition from fermentation to anaerobic respiration. Nitrate respiration, through the narGHJI operon, boosted Veillonella growth on organic acids and also modulated its metabolic repertoire, allowing it to use amino acids and peptides as carbon sources. This metabolic shift was accompanied by changes in carbon metabolism and ATP production pathways. Nitrate respiration was fundamental for ectopic colonization in a mouse model of colitis, because a V. parvula narG deletion mutant colonized significantly less than a wild-type strain during inflammation. These results suggest that V. parvula harness conditions present during inflammation to colonize in the intestine.

The transferred translocases: An old wine in a new bottle

The role of translocases was underappreciated and was not included as a separate class in the enzyme commission until August 2018. The recent research interests in proteomics of orphan enzymes, ionomics, and metallomics along with high-throughput sequencing technologies generated overwhelming data and revamped this enzyme into a separate class. This offers a great opportunity to understand the role of new or orphan enzymes in general and specifically translocases. The enzymes belonging to translocases regulate/permeate the transfer of ions or molecules across the membranes. These enzyme entries were previously associated with other enzyme classes, which are now transferred to a new enzyme class 7 (EC 7). The entries that are reclassified are important to extend the enzyme list, and it is the need of the hour. Accordingly, there is an upgradation of entries of this class of enzymes in several databases. This review is a concise compilation of translocases with reference to the number of entries currently available in the databases. This review also focuses on function as well as dysfunction of translocases during normal and disordered states, respectively.

Propionate formation by Opitutus terrae in pure culture and in mixed culture with a hydrogenotrophic methanogen and implications for carbon fluxes in anoxic rice paddy soil

Propionate-forming bacteria seem to be abundant in anoxic rice paddy soil, but biogeochemical investigations show that propionate is not a correspondingly important intermediate in carbon flux in this system. Mixed cultures of Opitutus terrae strain PB90-1, a representative propionate-producing bacterium from rice paddy soil, and the hydrogenotrophic Methanospirillum hungatei strain SK maintained hydrogen partial pressures similar to those in the soil. The associated shift away from propionate formation observed in these cultures helps to reconcile the disparity between microbiological and biogeochemical studies.

Characterization and identification of numerically abundant culturable bacteria from the anoxic bulk soil of rice paddy microcosms

Most-probable-number (liquid serial dilution culture) counts were obtained for polysaccharolytic and saccharolytic fermenting bacteria in the anoxic bulk soil of flooded microcosms containing rice plants. The highest viable counts (up to 2.5 x 10(8) cells per g [dry weight] of soil) were obtained by using xylan, pectin, or a mixture of seven mono- and disaccharides as the growth substrate. The total cell count for the soil, as determined by using 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, was 4.8 x 10(8) cells per g (dry weight) of soil. The nine strains isolated from the terminal positive tubes in counting experiments which yielded culturable populations that were equivalent to about 5% or more of the total microscopic count population belonged to the division Verrucomicrobia, the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides division, clostridial cluster XIVa, clostridial cluster IX, Bacillus spp., and the class Actinobacteria. Isolates originating from the terminal positive tubes of liquid dilution series can be expected to be representatives of species whose populations in the soil are large. None of the isolates had 16S rRNA gene sequences identical to 16S rRNA gene sequences of previously described species for which data are available. Eight of the nine strains isolated fermented sugars to acetate and propionate (and some also fermented sugars to succinate). The closest relatives of these strains (except for the two strains of actinobacteria) were as-yet-uncultivated bacteria detected in the same soil sample by cloning PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes (U. Hengstmann, K.-J. Chin, P. H. Janssen, and W. Liesack, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65:5050-5058, 1999). Twelve other isolates, which originated from most-probable-number counting series indicating that the culturable populations were smaller, were less closely related to cloned 16S rRNA genes.

Succinate decarboxylation by Propionigenium maris sp. nov., a new anaerobic bacterium from an estuarine sediment

Enrichments on succinate plus yeast extract under anoxic conditions from intertidal mud-flat sediments yielded cultures dominated by oval to round-ended rod-shaped cells. Strain 10succ1, obtained in pure culture, was characterized in detail. The non-motile cells possessed a gram-negative cell wall and did not form spores. Carbohydrates were fermented to formate, acetate, ethanol, and lactate. Succinate was decarboxylated to propionate. Other organic and amino acids were variously fermented to formate, acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Sulfur, sulfate, thiosulfate, and nitrate were not used as electron acceptors. Growth required the presence of yeast extract and at least 5 g/l NaCl, and was possible only in the absence of oxygen. No cytochromes were detected. The DNA base ratio was 40 mol% G + C. Phylogenetically, strain 10succ1 is closely related to Propionigenium modestum, as revealed by 16S rDNA analysis, but is physiologically distinct. Accordingly, strain 10succ1 (DSM 9537) is described as the type strain of a new species of the genus Propionigenium, P. maris sp. nov.

Growth yield increase and ATP formation linked to succinate decarboxylation in Veillonella parvula

Veillonella parvula strain 259 (= DSM 2007) was able to grow on a mineral salts medium supplemented with (per litre) 1 g yeast extract, 1 g Tween-80, and 3 mg putrescine.2 HCl, with 6 mM thioglycolate as reductant and lactate as growth substrate. Succinate did not serve as a growth substrate, but when added in conjunction with lactate, it was decarboxylated to propionate and resulted in a measurable increase in growth yield, corresponding to the formation of 2.4 g cell dry mass per mol succinate. A growth yield increase linked to succinate metabolism occurred only while lactate was also being metabolised. Experiments with cell suspensions showed that succinate decarboxylating activity was constitutive. Addition of succinate produced clear increases in cellular ATP levels in ATP-depleted washed cells.

On the mechanism of sodium ion translocation by methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase from Veillonella alcalescens

Veillonella alcalescens during lactate degradation developed an Na+ concentration gradient with 7-8 times higher external than internal Na+ concentrations in the logarithmic growth phase. The gradient declined to a factor of 1.9 in the late stationary phase. Methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase reconstituted into proteoliposomes performed an active electrogenic Na+ transport, creating delta psi of 60 mV, delta pNa+ of 50 mV, and delta mu Na+ of 110 mV. In the initial phase of the transport, the decarboxylase catalyzed the uptake of 2 Na+ ions malonyl-CoA molecule decarboxylated. During further development of the electrochemical Na+ gradient, this ratio gradually declined to zero, when decarboxylation continued without further increase of the internal Na+ concentration. The rate of malonyl-CoA decarboxylation declined initially during development of the membrane potential, but remained unchanged later on. Monensin abolished the Na+ gradient and increased the malonyl-CoA decarboxylation rate 2.8-fold. On dissipating the membrane potential with valinomycin, the internal Na+ concentration reached three times higher values than in its absence, and the decarboxylation rate increased 2.8-fold. Methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase catalyzed an exchange of internal and external Na+ ions in addition to net Na+ accumulation. The initial rate of Na+ influx was double that of malonyl-CoA decarboxylation. In the following, both rates decreased about twofold in parallel to values which remained constant during further development of the electrochemical Na+ gradient. Thus, Na+ influx and malonyl-CoA decarboxylation follow a stoichiometry of approximately 2:1, independent of the magnitude of the electrochemical Na+ gradient and are thus highly coupled events.

The carboxyltransferase activity of the sodium-ion-translocating methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase of Veillonella alcalescens

Methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase of Veillonella alcalescens catalyzed the isotopic exchange between methylmalonyl-CoA and [1-14C]propionyl-CoA or between malonyl-CoA and [1-14C]acetyl-CoA. The exchange was independent of sodium ions and was abolished by avidin. The enzyme also catalyzed the carboxyl transfer reaction from methylmalonyl-CoA to acetyl-CoA yielding propionyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA, and vice versa. The beta subunit was dissociated from methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase by prolonged washing of the enzyme while bound via its biotin prosthetic group to monomeric avidin-Sepharose. The beta-chain-depleted enzyme was inactive as a methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase but retained carboxyltransferase activity. The beta subunits were specifically protected by Na+ ions from tryptic hydrolysis. Based on these and other observations the following functions may be assigned to the different polypeptide chains of methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase: carboxyltransferase (alpha), carboxybiotin-carrier-protein decarboxylase (beta), biotin carrier protein (gamma). The function of the delta chain is unknown.

Separation and functions of two acyl CoA transferases from Ascaris lumbricoides mitochondria

Many invertebrates accumulate propionate, or products derived from propionate, as products of fermentation. Evidence has been reported that the nematode, Ascaris suum, the cestode, Spirometra mansonoides, and the trematode, Fasciola hepatica, accumulate propionate by means of an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-generating decarboxylation of succinate. To generate energy, an acyl coenzyme A (CoA) transferase that would transfer CoA to succinate is required as one component of the sequence of reactions. Recently, an acyl CoA transferase was isolated from Ascaris mitochondria and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. However, upon examination of the substrate specificities of this enzyme, it was found essentially to lack the ability to use succinate or succinyl CoA as an acceptor or donor of CoA, respectively. Therefore, this transferase could not serve to activate succinate. This article describes the isolation of an additional acyl CoA transferase from Ascaris mitochondria that appears to be unique in its substrate specificity and that could easily account not only for the activation of succinate but also for the regulation of succinate metabolism primarily in the direction of decarboxylation to propionate. This is in contrast with mammalian tissues, which act in the opposite direction by catalyzing the fixation of CO2 into propionate, thereby forming succinate and accounting for the glycogenic nature of dietary propionate. Possible functions of the two acyl CoA transferases are discussed.

Reconstitution of Na+ transport from purified methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase and phospholipid vesicles

Methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase from Veillonella alcalescens which was isolated by affinity chromatography on avidin-Sepharose was incorporated into phospholipid vesicles by the detergent dilution method with octyl glucoside as the detergent. By this procedure the Na+ pump activity was reconstituted. The optimal octyl glucoside concentration for reconstitution was about 2.8%. The activity of reconstituted Na+ transport increased with the amount of enzyme present during reconstitution until a plateau was reached at about 7 micrograms enzyme/mg phospholipid. All four polypeptides of the decarboxylase were incorporated into the proteoliposomes but the relative amounts of alpha and gamma subunits were considerably reduced. The reconstitution process was highly asymmetric, since about 80% of the decarboxylase was oriented in the proteoliposomes with the substrate binding site facing to the interior. The orientation was determined from the increase of methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase activity by destruction of the membrane permeability barrier. It was also deduced from the amount of enzyme which was not accessible from the outside to inactivation by avidin. With these reconstituted vesicles, a steady-state internal Na+ concentration was established by methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylation which under optimized conditions was about 30-fold higher than in the incubation medium. Sodium ion accumulation in the presence of the Na+-carrying ionophores nigericin or monensin was practically nil. In the presence of valinomycin or carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxy phenylhydrazone the rate of Na+ transport and its steady-state internal concentration were considerably higher than in the controls which is consistent with the function of methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase as an electrogenic Na+ pump.

Proton motive force and Na+/H+ antiport in a moderate halophile

The influence of pH on the proton motive force of Vibrio costicola was determined by measuring the distributions of triphenylmethylphosphonium cation (membrane potential, delta psi) and either dimethyloxazolidinedione or methylamine (osmotic component, delta pH). As the pH of the medium was adjusted from 5.7 to 9.0, the proton motive force steadily decreased from about 170 to 100 mV. This decline occurred, despite a large increase in the membrane potential to its maximum value at pH 9.0, because of the loss of the pH gradient (inside alkaline). The cytoplasm and medium were of equal pH at 7.5; membrane permeability properties were lost at the pH extremes of 5.0 and 9.5. Protonophores and monensin prevented the net efflux of protons normally found when an oxygen pulse was given to an anaerobic cell suspension. A Na+/H+ antiport activity was measured for both Na+ influx and efflux and was shown to be dissipated by protonophores and monensin. These results strongly favor the concept that respiratory energy is used for proton efflux and that the resulting proton motive force may be converted to a sodium motive force through Na+/H+ antiport (driven by delta psi). A role for antiport activity in pH regulation of the cytosol can also explain the broad pH range for optimal growth, extending to the alkaline extreme of pH 9.0.

Purification and characterization of a new sodium-transport decarboxylase. Methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase from Veillonella alcalescens

Upon resolution of the particulate cell fraction of Veillonella alcalescens by gel chromatography, membranes and ribosomes were clearly resolved. Methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase was bound to the membranes and not to ribosomes as reported earlier. Membrane vesicles containing methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase were prepared by disrupting V. alcalescens cells with a French pressure chamber. About 64% of the decarboxylase was oriented in these vesicles with the substrate binding site facing to the outside. The vesicles performed a rapid accumulation of Na+ ions in response to the decarboxylation of methylmalonyl-CoA. Decarboxylation and transport were highly uncoupled. The efficiency of the transport was considerably increased if methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylation was retarded by using a low temperature or by slowly generating the substrate enzymically from propionyl-CoA. Under optimized conditions Na+ was concentrated inside the inverted vesicles eight-times higher than in the incubation medium. Methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase was solubilized from the membranes with Triton X-100 and purified about 20-fold by affinity chromatography on monomeric avidin-Sepharose columns. The decarboxylase was specifically activated by Na+ ions (apparent Km approximately equal to 0.6 mM). Whereas (S)-methylmalonyl-CoA was the superior substrate (apparent Km approximately equal to 7 microM), malonyl-CoA was also decarboxylated (apparent Km approximately equal to 35 microM). The decarboxylation of methylmalonyl-CoA yielded CO2 and not HCO-3 as the primary reaction product. Analysis of the purified enzyme by dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis indicated the presence of four different polypeptides alpha, beta, gamma, delta with Mr 60 000, 33 000, 18 5000 and 14 000. The latter of these polypeptides was clearly visible only after silver staining but not after staining with Coomassie brilliant blue. A low molecular weight polypeptide with similar staining properties was also found in oxaloacetate decarboxylase. Methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase contained about 1 mol covalently bound biotin per 125 500 g protein which was localized exclusively in the gamma-subunit. This subunit therefore represents the biotin carboxyl carrier protein of methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase. A new very sensitive method for the detection of biotin-containing proteins is described.

The role of biotin and sodium in the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate by the membrane-bound oxaloacetate decarboxylase from Klebsiella aerogenes

The biotin-containing oxaloacetate decarboxylase from Klebsiella aerogenes catalyzed the Na+-dependent decarboxylation of oxaloacetate to pyruvate and bicarbonate (or CO2) but not the reversal of this reaction, not even in the presence of an oxaloacetate trapping system. The enzyme catalyzed an avidin-sensitive isotopic exchange between [1-14C]pyruvate and oxaloacetate, which indicated the intermediate formation of a carboxybiotin enzyme. Sodium ions were not required for this partial reaction, but promoted the second partial reaction, the decarboxylation of the carboxybiotin enzyme, thus accounting for the Na+ requirement of the overall reaction. Therefore, the 14CO2-enzyme which was formed upon incubation of the decarboxylase with [4-15C]oxaloacetate, could only be isolated if Na+ ions were excluded. Preincubation of the decarboxylase with avidin also prevented its labelling with 14CO2. The isolated 14CO2-labelled oxaloacetate decarboxylase revealed the following properties. It was slowly decarboxylated at neutral pH and rapidly upon acidification. The 14CO2 residues of the 14CO2-enzyme could be transferred to pyruvate yielding [4-14C]oxaloacetate. In the presence of Na+ this 14CO2 transfer was repressed by the simultaneous decarboxylation of the 14CO2-enzyme. However, Na+ alone was insufficient as a cofactor for the decarboxylation of the isolated 14CO2-enzyme, since this required pyruvate in addition to Na+. It is therefore concluded that the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate proceeds over a CO2-enzyme--pyruvate complex and that free CO2-enzyme is an abortive reaction intermediate. The activation energy of the enzymic decarboxylation of oxaloacetate changed with temperature and was about 113 kJ below 11 degrees C, 60 kJ between 11 degrees C and 31 degrees C and 36 kJ between 31--45 degrees C.

Characterization of a membrane-bound biotin-containing enzyme: oxaloacetate decarboxylase from Klebsiella aerogenes

Oxaloacetate decarboxylase from Klebsiella aerogenes is firmly bound to the cytoplasmic membrane, from which it can be solubilized with nonionic detergents. The solubilized enzyme behaved like the membrane-bound enzyme with respect to its inhibition by avidin and to the requirement of sodium ions for catalytic activity. The decarboxylase was purified 4.5-fold over the solubilized membrane extract by conventional means. Dodecyl-sulfate disc-gel electrophoretic analysis indicated that the enzyme consists of polypeptides of a single size. The molecular weight of these polypeptides is 68000. Radioactive biotin was incorporated specifically into these polypeptide chains upon growth of the bacteria in the presence of the radioactive vitamin. Biotin as the prosthetic group of oxaloacetate decarboxylase is now firmly established. The enzyme in the absence of detergent occurs in a highly aggregated form which elutes in the exclusion volume of a Biogel A 1.5 m column. The reported inhibition of oxaloacetate decarboxylase by citrate could not be repeated. On the other hand oxalate, 2-oxomalonate and glyoxylate proved to be very potent inhibitors of the decarboxylase. The stereochemical course of the oxaloacetate decarboxylation reaction was determined starting from stereospecifically labelled malates, which by malate dehydrogenase and oxaloacetate decarboxylase were converted to chiral pyruvates. The chirality of these pyruvates was analysed via their conversion to acetates and malates by determining the extent of tritium retention upon incubation of the latter with fumarase. It was found that oxaloacetate decarboxylation occurs stereospecifically with retention of configuration.

The reversible dehydration of (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate to (E)-glutaconate

1. During fermentation with whole cells of Acidaminococcus fermentans or Clostridium microsporum the pro-3S hydrogen of (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate or of its precursor (S)-glutamate is eliminated stereospecifically. Since (E)-glutaconate but not its Z isomer is fermented by whole cells or cell-free extracts of A. fermentans, the overall dehydration of (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate to (E)-glutaconate can be described as syn. 2. The fermentation of (E)-glutaconate required acetyl phophate, CoA and NAD, that of (S)-glutamate or (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate additionally MgCl2, FeSO4 and dithioerythritol. The fermentations of all three substrates were inhibited by avidin and stimulated by biotin. 3. The hydration of (E)-glutaconate was measured enzymically by the formation of (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate. The dehydration of the hydroxy acid was assayed by the release of 3HOH from (2R)-2-hydroxy[3-3H]glutarate. Optimum conditions were found by activation of the cell-free extract with MgCl2, FeSO4, dithioerythritol, acetyl phosphate anmd NADH followed by the reaction which only required acetyl phosphate and CoA as cofactors. Activation and reaction had to be performed anaerobically. 4. The dehydration was inhibited by 2 mM azide, 1 mM arsenate, 1 mM hydroxylamine, 20 micro M dinitrophenol or 10 micro M carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. 5. It is concluded that the actual substrates of the dehydration are the corresponding thiol esters. The data indicate a catalytical phosphorylation during the reaction.

Nutritional Requirements of Selenomonas ruminantium for Growth on Lactate, Glycerol, or Glucose

The nutritional requirements of Selenomonas ruminantium HD4 for growth on glucose, glycerol, or lactate were investigated to clarify the results of previous studies and to relate the nutrition of the organism to its physiology. The organism required l -aspartate, CO 2 , p -aminobenzoic acid, and biotin for growth on a lactate-salts medium that contained small amounts of dithiothreitol. Aspartate could be replaced by l -malate or fumarate but not by succinate or l -asparagine. Requirements for growth with glycerol as an energy source were similar, except that aspartate was not required. With glucose as the energy source, neither aspartate nor p -aminobenzoic acid was required, but a requirement for volatile fatty acids, which could be met by n -valerate, was observed. CO 2 was required for growth on lactate or glycerol but not on glucose on complex media containing Trypticase and yeast extract. Sulfide could be used as the sole source of sulfur.

Ribose utilization by Veillonella alcalescens

The utilization of ribose by Veillonella alcalescens has been further investigated. Nonfermentation of ribose is not a result of a phosphorylation lesion since ribose-phosphorylating activity was measured in cell extracts. Resting cells accumulated ribose-5-phosphate and nucleotides when (14)C-ribose was provided; no other sugar phosphates were detectable. Resting cells that were shifted to growth conditions polymerized rather than degraded the accumulated ribose compounds. Cell extracts contained a fructose diphosphate phosphatase. Ribose-5-phosphate, glucose-6-phosphate, and fructose-6-phosphate were not hydrolyzed. It is postulated that the nonfermentation of ribose is not due to any metabolic lesions, but is a consequence of metabolic control at the fructose diphosphate level of glycolysis.