Affinity chromatography of B6-vitamin-dependent enzymes: purification of pig-heart branched-chain amino acid transaminase

Structure and function of branched chain aminotransferases

Branched chain aminotransferases (BCATs) catalyze transamination of the branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Except for the Escherichia coli and Salmonella proteins, which are homohexamers arranged as a double trimer, the BCATs are homodimers. Structurally, the BCATs belong to the fold type IV class of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) enzymes. Other members are D-alanine aminotransferase and 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate lyase. Catalysis is on the re face of the PLP cofactor, whereas in other classes, catalysis occurs from the si face of PLP. Crystal structures of the fold type IV proteins show that they are distinct from the fold type I aspartate aminotransferase family and represent a new protein fold. Because the fold type IV enzymes catalyze diverse reactions, it is not surprising that the greatest structural similarities involve residues that participate in PLP binding rather than residues involved in substrate binding. The BCATs are widely distributed in the bacterial kingdom, where they are involved in the synthesis/degradation of the BCAAs. Bacteria contain a single BCAT. In eukaryotes there are two isozymes, one is mitochondrial (BCATm) and the other is cytosolic (BCATc). In mammals, BCATm is in most tissues, and BCATm is thought to be important in body nitrogen metabolism. BCATc is largely restricted to the central nervous system (CNS). Recently, BCATc has been recognized as a target of the neuroactive drug gabapentin. BCATc is involved in excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate synthesis in the CNS. Ongoing structural studies of the BCATs may facilitate the design of therapeutic compounds to treat neurodegenerative disorders involving disturbances of the glutamatergic system.

Isolation and properties of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from red muscle of grey mullet, Mugil auratus Risso

Following the chromatographic separation of the grey mullet (Mugil auratus Risso) red muscle extract, two fractions with aspartate aminotransferase activity were detected. One of the anticipated enzymes was purified to homogeneity. The isolated enzyme was a dimeric protein composed of identical subunits with the overall M(r) of about 65,000. It consisted of three electrophoretically distinct subforms with isoelectric points at pH 8.50, 8.70 and 8.85, respectively. The Michaelis-Menten constants of the substrates L-aspartate and 2-oxoglutarate were estimated to be 0.29 +/- 0.012 mM and 0.45 +/- 0.016 mM, respectively. For the reverse reaction, the Km for L-glutamate was 8.57 +/- 2.1 mM and for oxaloacetate it was 0.13 +/- 0.035 mM. The inhibition of the isolated enzyme by hydroxylamine was of a mixed linear noncompetitive type for L-aspartate as a substrate, whereas with 2-oxoglutarate hyperbolic uncompetitive inhibition was observed. The inhibition by aminooxyacetic acid and D,L-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate was of a mixed linear noncompetitive type with respect to L-aspartate and 2-oxoglutarate. The isolated enzyme was slightly affected by maleate and succinate and no effects were produced by adipate. According to its subcellular distribution, susceptibility to inhibitors molecular and catalytic properties the isolated enzyme belonged to the mitochondrial form of aspartate aminotransferase.