Variable product specificity of microsomal dehydrodolichyl diphosphate synthase from rat liver

cis-Prenyltransferase: New Insights into Protein Glycosylation, Rubber Synthesis, and Human Diseases

cis-Prenyltransferases (cis-PTs) constitute a large family of enzymes conserved during evolution and present in all domains of life. cis-PTs catalyze consecutive condensation reactions of allylic diphosphate acceptor with isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) in the cis (Z) configuration to generate linear polyprenyl diphosphate. The chain lengths of isoprenoid carbon skeletons vary widely from neryl pyrophosphate (C10) to natural rubber (C>10,000). The homo-dimeric bacterial enzyme, undecaprenyl diphosphate synthase (UPPS), has been structurally and mechanistically characterized in great detail and serves as a model for understanding the mode of action of eukaryotic cis-PTs. However, recent experiments have revealed that mammals, fungal, and long-chain plant cis-PTs are heteromeric enzymes composed of two distantly related subunits. In this review, the classification, function, and evolution of cis-PTs will be discussed with a special emphasis on the role of the newly described NgBR/Nus1 subunit and its plants' orthologs as essential, structural components of the cis-PTs activity.

DFT study on the mechanism of 1,3-hydrogen disposition in Isopentenyl pyrophosphate catalyzed by Isopentenyl pyrophosphate: Dimethylallyl pyrophosphate isomerase

Biosynthesis of polyterpenoid and related molecules are largely accomplished via mevalonate pathway. One of the vital steps in this pathway is the inter-conversion of two intermediates isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) catalyzed by IPP:DMAPP isomerase (IDI). The crystal structure of the enzyme, bound to the substrate analogues and inhibitors, revealed possible mechanism of this inter-conversion; however, none of them could affirm the true nature of the transition state through which the process is taking place. Our DFT study on the pathway of this isomerization reaction at the active site of the enzyme suggests a favorable concerted mechanism that occurs through a single transition structure without generating any carbocation intermediate. In this mechanism, the Cys-67 residue acts as proton donor whereas Glu-116 acts as proton acceptor. The mechanism also reveals the active involvement of other two components present at the active site. A crystallographic water molecule (Wat508) and Glu-87 assist to reprotonate the conjugate base of cysteine residue through a proton shuttle mechanism while forming the transition structure of the isomerization reaction.

A fungal prenyltransferase catalyzes the regular di-prenylation at positions 20 and 21 of paxilline

A putative indole diterpene biosynthetic gene cluster composed of eight genes was identified in a genome database of Phomopsis amygdali, and from it, biosynthetic genes of fusicoccin A were cloned and characterized. The six genes showed significant similarities to pax genes, which are essential to paxilline biosynthesis in Penicillium paxilli. Recombinants of the three putative prenyltransferase genes in the cluster were overexpressed in Escherichia coli and characterized by means of in vitro experiments. AmyG is perhaps a GGDP synthase. AmyC and AmyD were confirmed to be prenyltransferases catalyzing the transfer of GGDP to IGP and a regular di-prenylation at positions 20 and 21 of paxilline, respectively. AmyD is the first know example of an enzyme with this function. The Km values for AmyD were calculated to be 7.6 ± 0.5 μM for paxilline and 17.9 ± 1.7 μM for DMAPP at a kcat of 0.12 ± 0.003/s.

Dependence of the product chain-length on detergents for long-chain E-polyprenyl diphosphate synthases

Long-chain E-polyprenyl diphosphate synthases (E-PDS) catalyze repetitive addition of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) to the growing prenyl chain of an allylic diphosphate. The polyprenyl diphosphate products are required for the biosynthesis of ubiquinones and menaquinones required for electron transport during oxidative phosphorylation to generate ATP. In vitro, the long-chain PDSs require addition of phospholipids or detergents to the assay buffer to enhance product release and maintain efficient turnover. During preliminary assays of product chain-length with anionic, zwitterionic, and nonionic detergents, we discovered considerable variability. Examination of a series of nonionic PEG detergents with several long-chain E-PDSs from different organisms revealed that in vitro incubations with nonaethylene glycol monododecyl ether or Triton X-100 typically gave chain-lengths that corresponded to those of the isoprenoid moieties in respiratory quinones synthesized in vivo. In contrast, incubations in buffer with n-butanol, CHAPS, DMSO, n-octyl-β-glucopyranoside, or β-cyclodextrin or in buffer without detergent typically proceeded more slowly and gave a broad range of chain-lengths.

New insights into short-chain prenyltransferases: structural features, evolutionary history and potential for selective inhibition

Isoprenoids form an extensive group of natural products involved in a number of important biological processes. Their biosynthesis proceeds through sequential 1'-4 condensations of isopentenyl diphosphate (C5) with an allylic acceptor, the first of which is dimethylallyl diphosphate (C5). The reactions leading to the production of geranyl diphosphate (C10), farnesyl diphosphate (C15) and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (C20), which are the precursors of mono-, sesqui- and diterpenes, respectively, are catalyzed by a group of highly conserved enzymes known as short-chain isoprenyl diphosphate synthases, or prenyltransferases. In recent years, the sequences of many new prenyltransferases have become available, including those of several plant and animal geranyl diphosphate synthases, revealing novel mechanisms of product chain-length selectivity and an intricate evolutionary path from a putative common ancestor. Finally, there is considerable interest in designing inhibitors specific to short-chain prenyltransferases, for the purpose of developing new drugs or pesticides that target the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway.

Farnesyl diphosphate synthase: the art of compromise between substrate selectivity and stereoselectivity

Farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthase catalyzes the consecutive head-to-tail condensations of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP, C5) with dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP, C5) and geranyl diphosphate (GPP, C10) to give (E,E)-FPP (C15). The enzyme belongs to a genetically distinct family of chain elongation enzymes that install E-double bonds during each addition of a five-carbon isoprene unit. Analysis of the C10 and C15 products from incubations with avian FPP synthase reveals that small amounts of neryl diphosphate (Z-C10) and (Z,E)-FPP are formed along with the E-isomers during the C5 --> C10 and C10 --> C15 reactions. Similar results were obtained for FPP synthase from Escherichia coli, Artemisia tridentata (sage brush), Pyrococcus furiosus, and Methanobacter thermautotrophicus and for GPP and FPP synthesized in vivo by E. coli FPP synthase. When (R)-[2-2H]IPP was a substrate for chain elongation, no deuterium was found in the chain elongation products. In contrast, the deuterium in (S)-[2-2H]IPP was incorporated into all of the products. Thus, the pro-R hydrogen at C2 of IPP is lost when the E- and Z-double bond isomers are formed. The synthesis of Z-double bond isomers by FPP synthase during chain elongation is unexpected for a highly evolved enzyme and probably reflects a compromise between optimizing double bond stereoselectivity and the need to exclude DMAPP from the IPP binding site.

The Crystal Structure of Human Isopentenyl Diphosphate Isomerase at 1.7 Å Resolution Reveals its Catalytic Mechanism in Isoprenoid Biosynthesis

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase catalyses a crucial activation step in the biosynthesis of isoprenoids, one of the most ancient and diverse classes of natural products. This enzyme is responsible for an unusual isomerization of the inactive carbon-carbon double bond of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) to create its electrophilic allylic isomer dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). Here we report the crystal structure of human IPP isomerase at 1.7 A resolution and the complex structure with its native substrate at 1.9 A resolution. These structures reveal a mechanism wherein interconversion is catalyzed by a stereoselective antarafacial [1.3] transposition of a proton involving the indispensable residues Cys87, Glu149, Trp197 and Tyr137. A newly identified alternative conformation of Cys87 driven by Trp197 and the selectivity of different metal ions located in the active site provide further insight into the catalytic mechanism. Comparison with Escherichia coli IPP isomerase reveals a novel substrate entrance in human IPP isomerase.

Lipid requirements for endocytosis in yeast

Endocytosis is, besides secretion, the most prominent membrane transport pathway in eukaryotic cells. In membrane transport, defined areas of the donor membranes engulf solutes of the compartment they are bordering and bud off with the aid of coat proteins to form vesicles. These transport vehicles are guided along cytoskeletal paths, often matured and, finally, fuse to the acceptor membrane they are targeted to. Lipids and proteins are equally important components in membrane transport pathways. Not only are they the structural units of membranes and vesicles, but both classes of molecules also participate actively in membrane transport processes. Whereas proteins form the cytoskeleton and vesicle coats, confer signals and constitute attachment points for membrane-membrane interaction, lipids modulate the flexibility of bilayers, carry protein recognition sites and confer signals themselves. Over the last decade it has been realized that all classes of bilayer lipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and sterols, actively contribute to functional membrane transport, in particular to endocytosis. Thus, abnormal bilayer lipid metabolism leads to endocytic defects of different severity. Interestingly, there seems to be a great deal of interdependence and interaction among lipid classes. It will be a challenge to characterize this plenitude of interactions and find out about their impact on cellular processes.

Maize cDNAs expressed in endosperm encode functional farnesyl diphosphate synthase with geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase activity

Isoprenoids are the most diverse and abundant group of natural products. In plants, farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) are precursors to many isoprenoids having essential functions. Terpenoids and sterols are derived from FPP, whereas gibberellins, carotenoids, casbenes, taxenes, and others originate from GGPP. The corresponding synthases (FPP synthase [FPPS] and GGPP synthase [GGPPS]) catalyze, respectively, the addition of two and three isopentenyl diphosphate molecules to dimethylallyl diphosphate. Maize (Zea mays L. cv B73) endosperm cDNAs encoding isoprenoid synthases were isolated by functional complementation of Escherichia coli cells carrying a bacterial gene cluster encoding all pathway enzymes needed for carotenoid biosynthesis, except for GGPPS. This approach indicated that the maize gene products were functional GGPPS enzymes. Yet, the predicted enzyme sequences revealed FPPS motifs and homology with FPPS enzymes. In vitro assays demonstrated that indeed these maize enzymes produced both FPP and GGPP and that the N-terminal sequence affected the ratio of FPP to GGPP. Their functionality in E. coli demonstrated that these maize enzymes can be coupled with a metabolon to provide isoprenoid substrates for pathway use, and suggests that enzyme bifunctionality can be harnessed. The maize cDNAs are encoded by a small gene family whose transcripts are prevalent in endosperm beginning mid development. These maize cDNAs will be valuable tools for assessing the critical structural properties determining prenyl transferase specificity and in metabolic engineering of isoprenoid pathways, especially in cereal crops.

Manipulation of prenyl chain length determination mechanism of cis-prenyltransferases

The carbon backbones of Z,E-mixed isoprenoids are synthesized by sequential cis-condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and an allylic diphosphate through actions of a series of enzymes called cis-prenyltransferases. Recent molecular analyses of Micrococcus luteus B-P 26 undecaprenyl diphosphate (UPP, C55) synthase [Fujihashi M, Zhang Y-W, Higuchi Y, Li X-Y, Koyama T & Miki K (2001) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA98, 4337-4342.] showed that not only the primary structure but also the crystal structure of cis-prenyltransferases were totally different from those of trans-prenyltransferases. Although many studies on structure-function relationships of cis-prenyltransferases have been reported, regulation mechanisms for the ultimate prenyl chain length have not yet been elucidated. We report here that the ultimate chain length of prenyl products can be controlled through structural manipulation of UPP synthase of M. luteus B-P 26, based on comparisons between structures of various cis-prenyltransferases. Replacements of Ala72, Phe73, and Trp78, which are located in the proximity of the substrate binding site, with Leu--as in Z,E-farnesyl diphosphate (C15) synthase--resulted in shorter ultimate products with C(20-35). Additional mutation of F223H resulted in even shorter products. On the other hand, insertion of charged residues originating from long-chain cis-prenyltransferases into helix-3, which participates in constitution of the large hydrophobic cleft, resulted in lengthening of the ultimate product chain length, leading to C(60-75). These results helped us understand reaction mechanisms of cis-prenyltransferase including regulation of the ultimate prenyl chain-length.

Structure and function ofcis-prenyl chain elongating enzymes

All carbon skeletons of isoprenoids, whose chain lengths vary widely from geranyl diphosphate (C10) to natural rubber (C>10,000), are synthesized by sequential condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate with an allylic diphosphate through catalytic functions of a group of enzymes commonly called "prenyltransferases." Prenyltransferases are classified into two major groups, trans- or (E)-prenyltransferases and cis- or (Z)-prenyltransferases, according to the geometry of the prenyl chain units in the products. From the year 1987, many genes encoding trans-prenyltransferases were cloned and clearly characterized. In contrast, the structure and detailed mechanism of cis-prenyltransferase was completely unknown until the identification of a gene encoding the undecaprenyl diphosphate (UPP) synthase from Micrococcus luteus B-P 26 in 1998. Not only the primary but also the tertiary structure of the UPP synthase is quite different from that of the trans-prenyltransferases. Multiple alignment of the primary structures of cis-prenyltransferases identified from various organisms reveals five highly conserved regions. Site-directed mutagenesis of the conserved amino acid residues in UPP synthases based on the crystal structure has elucidated the basic catalytic mechanisms. Moreover, comparison of the structures of short-, medium-, and long-chain cis-prenyltransferases reveals important amino acid residues for product chain length determination, which enabled us to understand the regulation mechanism of the ultimate chain length among cis-prenyltransferases.

Isoprenoids: Remarkable diversity of form and function

The isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway is the source of a wide array of products. The pathway has been highly conserved throughout evolution, and isoprenoids are some of the most ancient biomolecules ever identified, playing key roles in many life forms. In this review we focus on C-10 mono-, C-15 sesqui-, and C-20 diterpenes. Evidence for interconversion between the pathway intermediates farnesyl pyrophosphate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and their respective metabolites is examined. The diverse functions of these molecules are discussed in detail, including their ability to regulate expression of the beta-HMG-CoA reductase and Ras-related proteins. Additional topics include the mechanisms underlying the apoptotic effects of select isoprenoids, antiulcer activities, and the disposition and degradation of isoprenoids in the environment. Finally, the significance of pharmacological manipulation of the isoprenoid pathway and clinical correlations are discussed.

Characterization of botryococcene synthase enzyme activity, a squalene synthase-like activity from the green microalga Botryococcus braunii, Race B

The extracellular matrix of the alga Botryococcus braunii, Race B, consists mainly of botryococcenes, which have potential as a hydrocarbon fuel. Botryococcenes are structurally similar to squalene raising the possibility of a common enzyme for the biosynthesis of both. While B. braunii squalene synthase (SS) enzyme activity has been documented, botryococcene synthase (BS) enzyme activity has not been. In the current study, an assay for BS activity has been developed and used to show that many of the assay conditions for BS enzyme activity are similar to those of SS. However, SS enzyme activity is stimulated by Tween 80 while BS enzyme activity is inhibited. Moreover, BS enzyme activity was correlated with the accumulation of botryococcenes during a B. braunii culture growth cycle, which was distinctly different from the profile of SS enzyme activity. While the current results indicate a conservation of enzymological features amongst the BS and SS enzymes, raising the possibility of one enzyme capable of catalyzing both activities, they are also consistent with these two activities arising from separate and distinct enzymes.

Activation and inhibition of rubber transferases by metal cofactors and pyrophosphate substrates

Metal cofactors are necessary for the activity of alkylation by prenyl transfer in enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Rubber transferase (RuT, a cis-prenyl transferase) associated with purified rubber particles from Hevea brasiliensis, Parthenium argentatum and Ficus elastica can use magnesium and manganese interchangably to achieve maximum velocity. We define the concentration of activator required for maximum velocity as [A](max). The [A](max)(Mg2+) in F. elastica (100 mM) is 10 times the [A](max)(Mg2+) for either H. brasiliensis (10 mM) or P. argentatum (8 mM). The [A](max)(Mn2+) in F. elastica (11 mM), H. brasiliensis (3.8 mM) and P. argentatum (6.8 mM) and the [A](max)(Mg2+) in H. brasiliensis (10 mM) and P. argentatum (8 mM) are similar. The differences in [A](max)(Mg2+) correlate with the actual endogenous Mg(2+) concentrations in the latex of living plants. Extremely low Mn(2+) levels in vivo indicate that Mg(2+) is the RuT cofactor in living H. brasiliensis and F. elastica trees. Kinetic analyses demonstrate that FPP-Mg(2+) and FPP-Mn(2+) are active substrates for rubber molecule initiation, although free FPP and metal cations, Mg(2+) and Mn(2+), can interact independently at the active site with the following relative dissociation constants K(d)(FPP) <K(d)(FPP-Metal) <K(d)(E-Metal). Similarly, IPP-Mg(2+) and IPP-Mn(2+) are active substrates for rubber molecule polymerization. Although metal cations can interact independently at the active site with the relative dissociation constant K(d)(IPP-Metal) <K(d)(E-Metal), unlike FPP, IPP alone does not interact independently. All three RuTs have similar characteristics-indeterminate sized products, high K(m)(IPP), high metal [A](max), metal cofactor requirements, and are membrane-bound enzymes.

Evolution of the C30 carotenoid synthase CrtM for function in a C40 pathway

The C30 carotene synthase CrtM from Staphylococcus aureus and the C40 carotene synthase CrtB from Erwinia uredovora were swapped into their respective foreign C40 and C30 biosynthetic pathways (heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli) and evaluated for function. Each displayed negligible ability to synthesize the natural carotenoid product of the other. After one round of mutagenesis and screening, we isolated 116 variants of CrtM able to synthesize C40 carotenoids. In contrast, we failed to find a single variant of CrtB with detectable C30 activity. Subsequent analysis revealed that the best CrtM mutants performed comparably to CrtB in an in vivo C40 pathway. These mutants showed significant variation in performance in their original C30 pathway, indicating the emergence of enzymes with broadened substrate specificity as well as those with shifted specificity. We discovered that Phe 26 alone determines the specificity of CrtM. The plasticity of CrtM with respect to its substrate and product range highlights the potential for creating further new carotenoid backbone structures.

Structure, mechanism and function of prenyltransferases

In this review, we summarize recent progress in studying three main classes of prenyltransferases: (a) isoprenyl pyrophosphate synthases (IPPSs), which catalyze chain elongation of allylic pyrophosphate substrates via consecutive condensation reactions with isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) to generate linear polymers with defined chain lengths; (b) protein prenyltransferases, which catalyze the transfer of an isoprenyl pyrophosphate (e.g. farnesyl pyrophosphate) to a protein or a peptide; (c) prenyltransferases, which catalyze the cyclization of isoprenyl pyrophosphates. The prenyltransferase products are widely distributed in nature and serve a variety of important biological functions. The catalytic mechanism deduced from the 3D structure and other biochemical studies of these prenyltransferases as well as how the protein functions are related to their reaction mechanism and structure are discussed. In the IPPS reaction, we focus on the mechanism that controls product chain length and the reaction kinetics of IPP condensation in the cis-type and trans-type enzymes. For protein prenyltransferases, the structures of Ras farnesyltransferase and Rab geranylgeranyltransferase are used to elucidate the reaction mechanism of this group of enzymes. For the enzymes involved in cyclic terpene biosynthesis, the structures and mechanisms of squalene cyclase, 5-epi-aristolochene synthase, pentalenene synthase, and trichodiene synthase are summarized.

A novel family of longer chain length dolichols present in oleate-induced yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The typical size of the yeast dolichol family ranges from 14 to 19 isoprene units D((14-19)) with dolichol(16) being the dominating species. Induction of peroxisome proliferation by growing the cells in medium containing oleate as carbon source induces the synthesis of an additional family of longer dolichols D((19-24)) with D(21) being the most prominent. This phenomenon is abolished in the peroxisome biogenesis deficient strain in which the PEX1 gene (encoding Pex1p peroxin) has been disrupted. The total amount of dolichols in pex1Delta cells is lower than in the wild-type cells, as is the amount of phosphatidylcholine. Moreover, the levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase and farnesyl diphosphate synthase, two key enzymes in dolichol biosynthesis, are decreased in the absence of a functional PEX1 gene. The presence of longer dolichols in oleate-induced Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, the absence of this additional family in peroxisome deficient cells, and a decrease of the total amount of dolichols in these cells indicate the involvement of peroxisomes in the biosynthesis of dolichols in this organism.

Cloning, expression, and characterization of cis-polyprenyl diphosphate synthase from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

cis-polyprenyl diphosphate synthases are involved in the biosynthesis of the glycosyl carrier lipid in most organisms. However, only little is known about this enzyme of archaea. In this report, we isolated the gene of cis-polyprenyl diphosphate synthase from a thermoacidophilic archaeon, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, and characterized the recombinant enzyme.

The role of ERG20 gene (encoding yeast farnesyl diphosphate synthase) mutation in long dolichol formation. Molecular modeling of FPP synthase

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain LB332 bearing a mutation in the ERG20 gene encoding farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) synthesizes significantly longer dolichols than the wild type strain FL100 (14-31 and 14-19 isoprene units, respectively). The measurement of the short chain prenyl alcohols excreted into the medium shows that increased amounts of geraniol, dimethylallyl and isopentenyl alcohols but not farnesol are synthesized by the mutant strain. The wild type FPPS synthesizes farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) as the only product. The K197E substitution, as opposed to F112A/F113S in avian FPPS, does not change product specificity. Consequently, the possibility that mutated yeast FPPS synthesizes longer polyprenols is unlikely. This is supported by additional evidence such as in vitro analysis of the mutated FPPS products and molecular modeling. We suggest that formation of longer dolichols in vivo is the result of a change in the isopentenyl diphosphate/farnesyl diphosphate ratio caused by the erg20 mutation which in turn affects the activity of cis-prenyltransferase.

The African swine fever virus prenyltransferase is an integral membrane trans-geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase

In a previous study, it was shown that the protein encoded by the gene B318L of African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a trans-prenyltransferase that catalyzes in vitro the condensation of farnesyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate to synthesize geranylgeranyl diphosphate and longer chain prenyl diphosphates (Alejo, A., Yáñez, R. J., Rodríguez, J. M., Viñuela, E., and Salas, M. L. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 9417-9423). To investigate the in vivo function of the viral enzyme, we have determined, in this work, its subcellular localization and activity in cell extracts. Two systems were used in these studies: cells infected with ASFV and cells infected with a recombinant pseudo-Sindbis virus carrying the complete B318L gene. In this latter system, the trans-prenyltransferase was found to colocalize with the endoplasmic reticulum marker protein-disulfide isomerase, whereas in cells infected with ASFV, the viral enzyme was present in cytoplasmic viral assembly sites, associated with precursor viral membranes derived from the endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, after subcellular fractionation, the viral enzyme partitioned into the membrane fraction. Extraction of membrane proteins with alkaline carbonate and Triton X-114 indicated that the ASFV enzyme behaved as an integral membrane protein. The membrane enzyme synthesized predominantly all-trans-geranylgeranyl diphosphate from farnesyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate. These results indicate that the viral B318L protein is a trans-geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase, being the only enzyme of this type that is known to have a membrane localization.

Use of genomics to identify bacterial undecaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase: cloning, expression, and characterization of the essential uppS gene

The prenyltransferase undecaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetase (di-trans,poly-cis-decaprenylcistransferase; EC 2.5.1.31) was purified from the soluble fraction of Escherichia coli by TSK-DEAE, ceramic hydroxyapatite, TSK-ether, Superdex 200, and heparin-Actigel chromatography. The protein was labeled with the photolabile analogue of the farnesyl pyrophosphate analogue (E, E)-[1-3H]-(2-diazo-3-trifluoropropionyloxy)geranyl diphosphate and was detected on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel as a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 29 kDa. This protein band was cut out from the gel, trypsin digested, and subjected to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometric analysis. Comparison of the experimental data with computer-simulated trypsin digest data for all E. coli proteins yielded a single match with a protein of unassigned function (SWISS-PROT Q47675; YAES_ECOLI). Sequences with strong similarity indicative of homology to this protein were identified in 25 bacterial species, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and in Caenorhabditis elegans. The homologous genes (uppS) were cloned from E. coli, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, expressed in E. coli as amino-terminal His-tagged fusion proteins, and purified over a Ni2+ affinity column. An untagged version of the E. coli uppS gene was also cloned and expressed, and the protein purified in two chromatographic steps. We were able to detect Upp synthetase activity for all purified enzymes. Further, biochemical characterization revealed no differences between the recombinant untagged E. coli Upp synthetase and the three His-tagged fusion proteins. All enzymes were absolutely Triton X-100 and MgCl2 dependent. With the use of a regulatable gene disruption system, we demonstrated that uppS is essential for growth in S. pneumoniae R6.

Biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology of lipids of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a powerful experimental system to study biochemical, cell biological and molecular biological aspects of lipid synthesis. Most but not all genes encoding enzymes involved in fatty acid, phospholipid, sterol or sphingolipid biosynthesis of this unicellular eukaryote have been cloned, and many gene products have been functionally characterized. Less information is available about genes and gene products governing the transport of lipids between organelles and within membranes, turnover and degradation of complex lipids, regulation of lipid biosynthesis, and linkage of lipid metabolism to other cellular processes. Here we summarize current knowledge about lipid biosynthetic pathways in S. cerevisiae and describe the characteristic features of the gene products involved. We focus on recent discoveries in these fields and address questions on the regulation of lipid synthesis, subcellular localization of lipid biosynthetic steps, cross-talk between organelles during lipid synthesis and subcellular distribution of lipids. Finally, we discuss distinct functions of certain key lipids and their possible roles in cellular processes.

quemao, a Drosophila bristle locus, encodes geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase

The quemao (qm) locus of Drosophila melanogaster is characterized by a P-element-associated mutant lacking most of the large bristles on the thorax and by several EMS-induced recessive lethals. quemao was cloned using a transposon tagging strategy. P-element-mediated transformation demonstrated that the cloned qm DNA sequence (from the 65F cytological region) rescues the mutant phenotype. A 2.3-kb qm transcript was identified by Northern blot analysis by sequencing of the isolated qm cDNA clones and by 5' rapid amplification cDNA end (RACE). The predicted amino acid sequence (338 residues) of the coding region of the qm transcript shares 42, 31, 13, 20, and 12% identical amino acid sequences with the geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPPS) of fungi, yeast, plants, archaebacteria, and eubacteria, respectively. It also contains five highly conserved domains common among all known isoprenyl pyrophosphate synthases. The P element associated with the original qm mutant is inserted in the 5' untranslated region of the transcript. An EMS-induced qm nonsense mutation at the 12th codon leads to recessive lethality at the first larval instar, indicating the essential role of qm in the isoprenoid biosynthesis of insects.

Purification and characterization of a polyisoprenyl phosphate phosphatase from pig brain. Possible dual specificity

Microsomal fractions from pig and calf brain catalyze the enzymatic dephosphorylation of endogenous and exogenous dolichyl monophosphate (Dol-P) (Sumbilla, C. A., and Waechter, C. J. (1985) Methods Enzymol. 111, 471-482). The Dol-P phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.51) has been solubilized by extracting pig brain microsomes with the nonionic detergent Nonidet P-40 and purified approximately 1,107-fold by a combination of anion exchange chromatography, polyethylene glycol fractionation, dye-ligand chromatography, and wheat germ agglutinin affinity chromatography. Treatment of the enzyme with neuraminidase prevented binding to wheat germ agglutinin-Sepharose, indicating the presence of one or more N-acetylneuraminyl residues per molecule of enzyme. When the highly purified polyisoprenyl phosphate phosphatase was analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a major 33-kDa polypeptide was observed. Enzymatic dephosphorylation of Dol-P by the purified phosphatase was 1) optimal at pH 7; 2) potently inhibited by F-, orthovanadate, and Zn2+ > Co2+ > Mn2+ but unaffected by Mg2+; 3) exhibited an approximate Km for C95-Dol-P of 45 microM; and 4) was sensitive to N-ethylmaleimide, phenylglyoxal, and diethylpyrocarbonate. The pig brain phosphatase did not dephosphorylate glucose 6-phosphate, mannose 6-phosphate, 5'-AMP, or p-nitrophenylphosphate, but it dephosphorylated dioleoyl-phosphatidic acid at initial rates similar to those determined for Dol-P. Based on the virtually identical sensitivity of Dol-P and phosphatidic acid dephosphorylation by the highly purified enzyme to N-ethylmaleimide, F-, phenylglyoxal, and diethylpyrocarbonate, both substrates appear to be hydrolyzed by a single enzyme with an apparent dual specificity. This is the first report of the purification of a neutral Dol-P phosphatase from mammalian tissues. Although the enzyme is Mg2+-independent and capable of dephosphorylating Dol-P and PA, several enzymological properties distinguish this lipid phosphomonoesterase from PAP2.

African swine fever virus trans-prenyltransferase

The present study describes the characterization of an African swine fever virus gene homologous to prenyltransferases. The gene, designated B318L, is located within the EcoRI B fragment in the central region of the virus genome, and encodes a polypeptide with a predicted molecular weight of 35,904. The protein is characterized by the presence of a putative hydrophobic transmembrane domain at the amino end. The gene is expressed at the late stage of virus infection, and transcription is initiated at positions -118, -119, -120, and -122 relative to the first nucleotide of the translation start codon. Protein B318L presents a colinear arrangement of the four highly conserved regions and the two aspartate-rich motifs characteristic of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases, farnesyl diphosphate synthases, and other prenyltransferases. Throughout these regions, the percentages of identity between protein B318L and various prenyltransferases range from 28.6 to 48.7%. The gene was cloned in vector pTrxFus without the amino-terminal hydrophobic region and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein, purified essentially to homogeneity by affinity chromatography, catalyzes the sequential condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate with different allylic diphosphates, farnesyl diphosphate being the best allylic substrate of the reaction. All-trans-polyprenyl diphosphates containing 3-13 isoprene units are synthesized, which identifies the B318L protein as a trans-prenyltransferase.

Conversion from archaeal geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase to farnesyl diphosphate synthase. Two amino acids before the first aspartate-rich motif solely determine eukaryotic farnesyl diphosphate synthase activity

Farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) are precursors for a variety of important natural products, such as sterols, carotenoids, and prenyl quinones. Although FPP synthase and GGPP synthase catalyze similar consecutive condensations of isopentenyl diphosphate with allylic diphosphates and have several homologous regions in their amino acid sequences, nothing is known about how these enzymes form the specific products. To locate the region that causes the difference of final products between GGPP synthase and FPP synthase, we constructed six mutated archaeal GGPP synthases whose regions around the first aspartate-rich motif were replaced with the corresponding regions of FPP synthases from human, rat, Arabidopsis thaliana, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Escherichia coli, Bacillus stearothermophilus, and from some other related mutated enzymes. From the analysis of these mutated enzymes, we revealed that the region around the first aspartate-rich motif is essential for the product specificity of all FPP synthases and that the mechanism of the chain termination in eukaryotic FPP synthases (type I) is different from those of prokaryotic FPP synthases (type II). In FPP synthases of type I, two amino acids situated at the fourth and the fifth positions before the motif solely determine their product chain length, while the product specificity of the type II enzymes is determined by one aromatic amino acid at the fifth position before the motif, two amino acids inserted in the motif, and other modifications. These data indicate that FPP synthases have evolved from the progenitor corresponding to the archaeal GGPP synthase in two ways.

Polyprenyl diphosphate synthases

It is noteworthy that in spite of the similarity of the reactions catalyzed by these prenyltransferases, the modes of expression of catalytic function are surprisingly different, varying according to the chain length and stereochemistry of reaction products. These enzymes are summarized and classified into four groups, as shown in Figure 13. Short-chain prenyl diphosphates synthases such as FPP and GGPP synthases require no cofactor except divalent metal ions, Mg2+ or Mn2+, which are commonly required by all prenyl diphosphate synthases. Medium-chain prenyl diphosphate synthases, including the enzymes for the synthesis of all-E-HexPP and all-E-HepPP, are unusual because they each consist of two dissociable dissimilar protein components, neither of which has catalytic activity. The enzymes for the synthesis of long-chain all-E-prenyl diphosphates, including octaprenyl (C40), nonaprenyl-(C45), and decaprenyl (C50) diphosphates, require polyprenyl carrier proteins that remove polyprenyl products from the active sites of the enzymes to maintain efficient turnovers of catalysis. The enzymes responsible for Z-chain elongation include Z,E-nonaprenyl-(C45) and Z,E-undecaprenyl (C55) diphosphate synthases, which require a phospholipid. The classification of mammalian synthases seems to be fundamentally similar to that of bacterial synthases except that no medium-chain prenyl diphosphate synthases are included. The Z-prenyl diphosphate synthase in mammalian cells is dehydrodolichyl PP synthase, which catalyzes much longer chain elongations than do bacterial enzymes. Dehydrodolichyl PP synthase will be a major target of future studies in this field in view of its involvement in glycoprotein biosynthesis.

Squalene synthase inhibition alters metabolism of nonsterols in rat liver

We have used the potent squalene synthase inhibitor squalestatin I to investigate the regulation of isoprenoid metabolism in rat liver Fresh-frozen liver pieces from normal rats and rats infused with squalestatin I at 16 micrograms h-1 for 16 h were assayed for farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) by HPLC after dephosphorylation. Levels of FPP and GGPP were 5.4 +/- 1.6 nmol g-1 and 1.6 +/- 0.7 nmol g-1 (n = 13) wet wt., respectively, in control livers and 110 + 41 nmol g-1 and 3.0 +/- 2.2 nmol g-1 (n = 13) in livers from squalestatin I infused rats. In order to determine the relative level of isopentenyl pyrophosphate, liver slices from normal and squalestatin I infused rats were labeled to steady-state with [3H]acetate. Analysis of isoprenoid pyrophosphate intermediates by radio-HPLC after dephosphorylation indicated that squalestatin I brought about a 20-fold increase in the relative level of FPP (confirming direct analysis) and a 5-fold increase in the relative level of IPP. No change in either of these compounds was observed in livers from cholesterol-fed rats. To determine if squalestatin I altered the synthesis of nonsterol products, rats were subjected to long term subcutaneous infusion. After 14 days of infusion of 15 micrograms h-1, the median chain length of hepatic dolichol and dolichyl phosphate increased from C95 to C115 and the levels of these lipids increased approximately 3-fold. In addition, dolichyl phosphate mannose synthase activity in microsomes from squalestatin I treated rats was increased relative to controls when assayed in the absence of dolichyl phosphate. Squalestatin I affected ubiquinone metabolism to a lesser extent: chain lengths shifted from a Q10/Q9 ratio of 0.118 +/- 0.021 in the normal rat to 0.185 +/- 0.016 in the squalestatin I treated animals, and levels rose by approximately 90%. These results suggest that the isoprenoid pyrophosphate intermediates are shared by the cholesterol, dolichol and ubiquinone pathways and further show that the dolichol and ubiquinone pathways are not saturated. Apparently, under normal conditions, the levels of these intermediates are maintained relatively constant by coordinate enzyme regulation, thereby ensuring a constant rate of synthesis of nonsterols.

Conversion of product specificity of archaebacterial geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase. Identification of essential amino acid residues for chain length determination of prenyltransferase reaction

Prenyltransferases catalyze the consecutive condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate with allylic diphosphates to produce prenyl diphosphates whose chain lengths are absolutely determined by each enzyme. To investigate the mechanism of the consecutive reaction and the determination of the ultimate chain length, a random mutational approach was planned. A geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase gene from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius was randomly mutagenized by NaNO2 treatment to construct a library of mutated geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase genes on a yeast expression vector. The library was screened for suppression of a pet phenotype of yeast C296-LH3, which is deficient in hexaprenyl-diphosphate synthase. Five mutants that could grow on a YEPG plate, which contained only glycerol as an energy source instead of glucose, were selected from approximately 1,400 mutants. All selected mutated enzymes catalyzed the formation of polyprenyl diphosphates with prenyl chains longer than geranylgeranyl diphosphate. Especially mutants 1, 3, and 5 showed the strongest elongation activity to produce large amounts of geranylfarnesyl diphosphate with a concomitant amount of hexaprenyl diphosphate. Sequence analysis revealed that each mutant contained a few amino acid substitutions and that the mutation of Phe-77, which is located on the fifth amino acid upstream from the first aspartate-rich consensus motif, is the most effective for elongating the ultimate product. Amino acid alignment of known prenyltransferases around this position and our previous observations on farnesyl-diphosphate synthase (Ohnuma, S.-i., Nakazawa, T., Hemmi, H., Hallberg, A.-M., Koyama, T., Ogura, K., and Nishino, T.(1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 10087-10095) clearly indicate that the amino acid at the position of all prenyltransferases must regulate the chain elongation.

Conversion from farnesyl diphosphate synthase to geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase by random chemical mutagenesis

Prenyltransferases catalyze the consecutive condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) with allylic diphosphates to produce prenyl diphosphates whose chain lengths are absolutely determined by each enzyme. In order to investigate the mechanisms of the consecutive reaction and of the determination of ultimate chain length, a random mutational approach was planned. The farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthase gene of Bacillus stearothermophilus was subjected to random mutagenesis by NaNO2 treatment to construct libraries of mutated FPP synthase genes on a high-copy plasmid. From the libraries, the mutants that showed the activity of geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) synthase were selected by the red-white screening method (Ohnuma, S.-i., Suzuki, M., and Nishino, T. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 14792-14797), which utilized carotenoid synthetic genes, phytoene synthase, and phytoene desaturase, to visualize the formation of GGPP in vivo. Eleven red positive clones were identified from about 24,300 mutants, and four (mutant 1, 2, 3, and 4) of them were analyzed for the enzyme activities. Results of in vitro assays demonstrated that all these mutants produced (all-E)-GGPP although the amounts were different. Each mutant was found to contain a few amino acid substitutions: mutant 1, Y81H and L275S; mutant 2, L34V and R59Q; mutant 3, V157A and H182Y; mutant 4, Y81H, P239R, and A265T. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that Y81H, L34V, or V157A was essential for the expression of the activity of GGPP synthase. Especially, the replacement of tyrosine 81 by histidine is the most effective because the production ratios of GGPP to FPP in mutant 1 and 4 are the largest. Based on prediction of the secondary structure, it is revealed that the tyrosine 81 situates on a point 11 approximately 12 A apart from the first DDXXD motif, whose distance is similar to the length of hydrocarbon moiety of FPP. These data might suggest that the aromatic ring of tyrosine 81 blocks the chain elongation longer than FPP. Comparisons of kinetic parameters of the mutated and wild type enzymes revealed several phenomena that may relate with the change of the ultimate chain length. They are a decrease of the total reaction rate, increase of Kmfor dimethylallyl diphosphate, decrease of Vmax for dimethylallyl diphosphate, and allylic substrate dependence of Km for IPP.

Enzymatic formation of dehydrodolichal and dolichal, new products related to yeast dolichol biosynthesis

Two new polyprenyl products in addition to dehydrodolichol and dolichol were detected by two-plate silica gel thin layer chromatography of nonpolar products formed from [1-14C]isopentenyl diphosphate and farnesyl diphosphate in the reaction with a crude 1,000 x g supernatant of yeast homogenates in the presence of NADPH. The new products were indistinguishable from authentic dehydrodolichal and dolichal. Analyses of the time-dependent and pH-dependent formation of the four products including dehydrodolichal and dolichal suggested that the biosynthetic pathway from dehydrodolichol leading to dolichal is different from that to dolichol. In double-labeled experiments with a combination of -l-14C-isopentenyl diphosphate and a [4B-3H]NADPH-generating system, the ratio of 3H- and 14C-derived radioactivities found in dolichal was six times higher than that in dolichol. A small amount of 3H-labeled dehydrodolichol was also detected. Considering the fact that dolichol is synthesized from dehydrodolichol (Sagami, H., Kurisaki, A., and Ogura, K. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 10109-10113), we propose that dehydrodolichol is a common branch point intermediate in the biosynthetic pathways leading to dolichal and dolichol and that dehydrodolichal is an intermediate in the pathway from dehydrodolichol to dolichal.

Open reading frame 176 in the photosynthesis gene cluster of Rhodobacter capsulatus encodes idi, a gene for isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase

Isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) isomerase catalyzes an essential activation step in the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. A database search based on probes from the highly conserved regions in three eukaryotic IPP isomerases revealed substantial similarity with ORF176 in the photosynthesis gene cluster in Rhodobacter capsulatus. The open reading frame was cloned into an Escherichia coli expression vector. The encoded 20-kDa protein, which was purified in two steps by ion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, catalyzed the interconversion of IPP and dimethylallyl diphosphate. Thus, the photosynthesis gene cluster encodes all of the enzymes required to incorporate IPP into the ultimate carotenoid and bacteriochlorophyll metabolites in R. capsulatus. More recent searches uncovered additional putative open reading frames for IPP isomerase in seed-bearing plants (Oryza sativa, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Clarkia breweri), a worm (Caenorhabditis elegans), and another eubacterium (Escherichia coli). The R. capsulatus enzyme is the smallest of the IPP isomerases to be identified thus far and may consist mostly of a fundamental catalytic core for the enzyme.

Isolation of Schizosaccharomyces pombe isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase cDNA clones by complementation and synthesis of the enzyme in Escherichia coli

Isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) isomerase catalyzes an essential activation step in the isoprene biosynthetic pathway. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene for IPP isomerase, IDI1, was recently isolated and characterized (Anderson, M. S., Muehlbacher, M., Street, I. P., Proffitt, J., and Poulter, C. D. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 19169-19175), and the wild-type gene, IDI1, was disrupted with a LEU2 marker to create a diploid yeast strain heterozygous for the idi1::leu2 disruption, which revealed that IDI1 was an essential single-copy gene (Mayer, M.P., Hahn, F. M., Stillman, D. J., and Poulter, C. D. (1992) Yeast 8, 743-748). We now report the isolation of a cDNA clone from Schizosaccharomyces pombe by a plasmid shuffle-mediated complementation of the LEU2 disrupted yeast gene. The S. pombe clone encoded a 26,864-dalton polypeptide of 227 amino acids with a high degree of similarity to the S. cerevisiae IDI1 enzyme. S. pombe IPP isomerase contained the essential Cys and Glu catalytic residues identified in yeast isomerase (Street, I. P., Coffman, H. R., Baker, J., and Poulter, C. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 4212-4217) but was significantly smaller than the S. cerevisiae enzyme. The plasmid shuffle technique is an excellent procedure for screening expression libraries for IPP isomerase activity by complementation of the idi1 mutation.

Crystal structure of recombinant farnesyl diphosphate synthase at 2.6-A resolution

The synthesis of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP), a key intermediate in the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway required for the synthesis of cholesterol and in the formation of prenylated proteins, is catalyzed by the enzyme farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPS). The crystal structure of avian recombinant FPS, the first three-dimensional structure for any prenyltransferase, was determined to 2.6-A resolution. The enzyme exhibits a novel fold composed entirely of alpha-helices joined by connecting loops. The enzyme's most prominent structural feature is the arrangement of 10 core helices around a large central cavity. Two aspartate-rich sequences that are highly conserved among the isoprenyl diphosphate synthase family of prenyltransferases, and are essential for enzymatic activity, were found on opposite walls of this cavity, with the aspartate side chains approximately 12 A apart and facing each other. The location and metal ion binding properties of these sequences suggest that the conserved aspartate residues participate in substrate binding of catalysis.

Isoprenyl diphosphate synthases: protein sequence comparisons, a phylogenetic tree, and predictions of secondary structure

Isoprenyl diphosphate synthases are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze the basic chain-elongation reaction in the isoprene biosynthetic pathway. Pairwise sequence comparisons were made for 6 farnesyl diphosphate synthases, 6 geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases, and a hexaprenyl diphosphate synthase. Five regions with highly conserved residues, two of which contain aspartate-rich DDXX(XX)D motifs found in many prenyltransferases, were identified. A consensus secondary structure for the group, consisting mostly of alpha-helices, was predicted for the multiply aligned sequences from amino acid compositions, computer assignments of local structure, and hydropathy indices. Progressive sequence alignments suggest that the 13 isoprenyl diphosphate synthases evolved from a common ancestor into 3 distinct clusters. The most distant separation is between yeast hexaprenyl diphosphate synthetase and the other enzymes. Except for the chromoplastic geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase from Capsicum annuum, the remaining farnesyl and geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases segregate into prokaryotic/archaebacterial and eukaryotic families.

Regulation of isoprenoid metabolism in rat liver: near constant chain lengths of dolichyl phosphate and ubiquinone are maintained during greatly altered rates of cholesterogenesis

When rat liver slices were incubated with varying concentrations of [3H]mevalonolactone, the chain lengths of radiolabeled dolichyl phosphate and ubiquinone varied according to the initial mevalonolactone concentration, indicating that product chain length is dependent on the level of isoprenoid diphosphate intermediates. However, when livers were analyzed from rats which had been maintained on diets of either colestipol (which induces cholesterogenesis 3-fold), or normal chow, or cholesterol (which suppresses cholesterogenesis to 5% of normal) there were only minor changes in the isoprene distribution of either dolichyl phosphate or ubiquinone. In contrast, when rats were maintained on 2% cholesterol plus mevalonolactone (conditions prone to increase the levels of intermediates), the isoprene distributions of both of these compounds were greatly shifted to the higher homologs. However, under none of these conditions were the hepatic levels of these compounds changed significantly. It is concluded that under conditions of greatly altered cholesterogenesis, regulatory mechanisms exist which stabilize the levels of isoprenoid diphosphate intermediates, and that even when levels are increased (e.g., by dietary manipulation), the effect is only to alter isoprene distribution and not the rate of synthesis of dolichyl phosphate and ubiquinone.

Effects of mevinolin treatment on tissue dolichol and ubiquinone levels in the rat

Rats were treated with mevinolin by intraperitoneal injection (15 days) or dietary administration (30 days). The cholesterol, dolichol, dolichyl phosphate and ubiquinone contents of the liver, brain, heart, muscle and blood were then investigated. The cholesterol contents of these organs did not change significantly, with the exception of muscle. Intraperitoneal administration of the drug increases the amount of dolichol in liver, muscle and blood and decreases the dolichyl-P amount in muscle. The same treatment increases the level of ubiquinone in muscle and blood and decreases this value in liver and heart. Oral administration decreases dolichol, dolichyl-P and ubiquinone levels in heart and muscle, while in liver the dolichol level is elevated and ubiquinone level lowered. In brain the amount of dolichyl-P is increased. Intraperitoneal injection of mevinolin also modifies the liver dolichol and dolichyl-P isoprenoid pattern, with an increase in shorter chain polyisoprenes. The levels of dolichol and ubiquinone in the blood do not follow the changes observed in other tissues. Incorporation of [3H]acetate into cholesterol by liver slices prepared from mevinolin-treated rats exhibited an increase, whereas in brain no change was seen. Labeling of dolichol and ubiquinone was increased in both liver and brain, but incorporation into dolichyl phosphate remained relatively stable. The results indicate that mevinolin affects not only HMG-CoA reductase but, to some extent, also affects certain of the peripheral enzymes, resulting in considerable effects on the various mevalonate pathway lipids.

Studies on geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase from rat liver: specific inhibition by 3-azageranylgeranyl diphosphate

Geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase from rat liver was separated from farnesyl diphosphate synthase, the most abundant and widely occurring prenyltransferase, by DEAE-Toyopearl column chromatography. The enzyme catalyzed the formation of E,E,E-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (V) from isopentenyl diphosphate (II) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (I), geranyl diphosphate (III), or farnesyl diphosphate (IV) with relative velocities of 0.09:0.15:1. 3-Azageranylgeranyl diphosphate (VII), designed as a transition-state analog for the geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase reaction, was synthesized and found to act as a specific inhibitor for this synthase, but not for farnesyl diphosphate synthase. Diphosphate V and its Z,E,E-isomer (VI) also inhibited geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, but the effect was not as striking as that of the aza analog VII. Specific inhibition of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase by VII was also observed in experiments with 100,000g supernatants of rat brain and liver homogenates which contained isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase and prenyltransferases including farnesyl diphosphate synthase as well as geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase. For farnesyl:protein transferase from rat brain, however, the aza compound did not show a stronger inhibitory effect than E,E,E-geranylgeranyl diphosphate.

Disruption and mapping of IDI1, the gene for isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase catalyses an essential activation step in the isoprene biosynthetic pathway. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene for isomerase, IDI1, was recently isolated and characterized (Anderson et al. J. Biol. Chem. 1989a, 264, 19169-19175). Wild-type IDI1 was disrupted with a LEU2 marker, and the resulting DNA was used to transform a yeast leucine auxotroph. Southern blots of EcoRI fragments of chromosomal DNA from the diploid strain showed the expected fragments for intact and disrupted IDI1. Dissection and analysis of tetrads demonstrated that IDI1 is an essential single-copy gene. A CHEF gel and clone grid filter analysis, followed by chromosomal mapping indicated that the gene is located on chromosome XVI approximately 55 kb centromere proximal to PEP4.

Characterization and distribution of cis-prenyl transferase participating in liver microsomal polyisoprenoid biosynthesis

The properties of rat liver cis-prenyl transferase, mediating the synthesis of polyisoprenoid pyrophosphate from trans,trans-farnesyl pyrophosphate and [3H]isopentenyl pyrophosphate were studied. The Km values for farnesyl pyrophosphate and isopentenyl pyrophosphate were found to be 25 microM and 4.4 microM, respectively. Appropriate conditions were established to measure the condensation reaction, which was linear during the first hour using 1 mg microsomal protein. Various detergents could solubilize the enzyme, but the presence of Triton X-100 was required during the incubation to obtain full activity. There was also an absolute requirement for Mg2+ and the pH maximum was 7.0. Inorganic phosphate, especially pyrophosphate, proved to be inhibitory. cis-Prenyl transferase is associated mainly with the cytoplasmic surface of rough microsomes and, to some extent, also with smooth I microsomes, but was almost absent from smooth II microsomes. At all localizations, the product is polyprenyl pyrophosphate and to some extent, also polyprenyl monophosphate. The isoprenoids formed contain 15-18 units in the presence of detergents and 16-20 units in the absence of detergents.