Modification of arginine in proteins by oligomers of 2,3-butanedione

The commensal skin microbiota triggers type I IFN-dependent innate repair responses in injured skin

Skin wounds heal by coordinated induction of inflammation and tissue repair, but the initiating events are poorly defined. Here we uncover a fundamental role of commensal skin microbiota in this process and show that it is mediated by the recruitment and the activation of type I interferon (IFN)-producing plasmacytoid DC (pDC). Commensal bacteria colonizing skin wounds trigger activation of neutrophils to express the chemokine CXCL10, which recruits pDC and acts as an antimicrobial protein to kill exposed microbiota, leading to the formation of CXCL10-bacterial DNA complexes. These complexes and not complexes with host-derived DNA activate pDC to produce type I IFNs, which accelerate wound closure by triggering skin inflammation and early T cell-independent wound repair responses, mediated by macrophages and fibroblasts that produce major growth factors required for healing. These findings identify a key function of commensal microbiota in driving a central innate wound healing response of the skin.

Covalent Adduct Formation Between Flavor Compounds of Various Functional Group Classes and the Model Protein β-Lactoglobulin

The formation of covalent bonds between 47 flavor compounds belonging to 13 different classes of functional groups and β-lactoglobulin (BLG) has been evaluated using electrospray ionization protein mass spectrometry. Covalent bond formation was determined by the appearance of ions in the mass spectra corresponding to BLG + flavor molecule(s). The observed processes for covalent bond formation were Schiff base, Michael addition, and disulfide linkages. Some reactions resulted in protein cross-linking. Aldehydes, sulfur-containing molecules (especially thiols), and functional group-containing furans were the most reactive flavor components. The thiol-containing compounds cleaved one or both electrophilic disulfide linkages in BLG to form disulfide linkages and the sulfides formed covalent bonds with the free cysteine group. Ketones were generally stable, but α-diketones (e.g., diacetyl) were reactive. Some bases (e.g., pyrazines and pyridines) were interactive, while the nucleophilic allylamine was reactive. Hydrocarbons, alcohols, acids, esters, lactones, and pyrans did not give observable levels of adduct formation within the period studied. The formation of covalent bonding (flavor protein) is potentially responsible for the loss of flavor, limiting the shelf-life of many foods.

Chemical methods for modification of proteins

The field of protein bioconjugation draws attention from stakeholders in chemistry, biology, and medicine. This review provides an overview of the present status, challenges, and opportunities for organic chemists.

Inhibition of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase activity by selected environmental xenobiotics

The function of Cu,Zn-SOD is to dismutate superoxide into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. This task is fulfilled due to structural nuances of the enzyme. Many environmental xenobiotics have been proved to inhibit Cu,Zn-SOD. Those compounds could be found not only in industrial sewage, cigarettes and various chemical agents - some of them are used as drugs, drug production substrates or are the product of drug biotransformation. Cu,Zn-SOD exposition to these compounds leads to inhibition due to: copper ion chelation, unfolding the structure of the enzyme, affecting residues vital for activity maintenance. This review covers a selection of Cu,Zn-SOD inhibitors, referring to in vivo and in vitro study.

Mass spectrometric studies of the reaction of a blocked arginine with diketonic α-dicarbonyls

The modification of arginine residues by diketonic α-dicarbonyls, in structural proteins and enzymes studies, is a process known for decades. The chemistry of these reaction processes is, however, not fully understood. Moreover, modification of arginine residues by reaction with α-dicarbonyls in glycation has also not been completely elucidated. Aspects related to the early stages of the condensation of arginine with one dicarbonyl molecule, leading to the formation of dihydroxyimidazolidines and their dehydrated forms, in particular, are here approached in more detail. Taking into consideration the usually rapid kinetics involved in the formation of the early reaction product species, we decided to use fast, sensitive and selective analytical techniques, such as electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS(n)) to monitor the reactions of a blocked arginine (acetyl-arginine) with several selected diketonic α-dicarbonyls, to identify and characterize the mentioned transient species and to probe the reaction mechanism involved. Compounds grouped into two different classes according to their structural similarity were identified, namely acetyl-dihydroxyimidazolidines and acetyl-bis(dihydroxyimidazolidines), together with their dehydrated species. The former compounds are known to exist in solution. The reactivity of acetyl-bis(dihydroxyimidazolidines) seems to be different from that of acetyl-dihydroxyimidazolidines. To note that dehydration appears to be reinforced in acetyl-bis(dihydroxyimidazolidines) chemistry with respect to acetyl-dihydroxyimidazolidine chemistry, while both structurally related compounds involve mostly dihemiaminals reactivity. Two different ion structures are proposed for single dehydrated acetyl-bis(dihydroxyimidazolidines), concerning the two more symmetrical and two more asymmetrical dicarbonyls reacted. In acetyl-bis(dihydroxyimidazolidines) formation, we concluded that the importance of single dehydration relies on the rapid minimization of sterics and energetics of the reaction moieties formed. These reactions occur also in a selective way, regarding the two compound structures proposed for single dehydrated acetyl-bis(dihydroxyimidazolidines). Further considerations are also established for the formation of single dehydrated acetyl-bis(dihydroxyimidazolidines). An explanation for the reversible nature of the reaction of arginine with diketonic dicarbonyls is also provided. This study reinforces the potential of the fast, sensitive and selective electrospray ionization mass spectrometry techniques for the investigation of transient species and their mechanistics, that might otherwise not be feasible by means of the most commonly used spectroscopic techniques.

Developments and recent advancements in the field of endogenous amino acid selective bond forming reactions for bioconjugation

Bioconjugation methodologies have proven to play a central enabling role in the recent development of biotherapeutics and chemical biology approaches. Recent endeavours in these fields shed light on unprecedented chemical challenges to attain bioselectivity, biocompatibility, and biostability required by modern applications. In this review the current developments in various techniques of selective bond forming reactions of proteins and peptides were highlighted. The utility of each endogenous amino acid-selective conjugation methodology in the fields of biology and protein science has been surveyed with emphasis on the most relevant among reported transformations; selectivity and practical use have been discussed.

Systemic uptake, albumin and hemoglobin binding of [(14)C]2,3-butanedione administered by intratracheal instillation in male Harlan Sprague Dawley rats and oropharyngeal aspiration in male B6C3F1/N mice

2,3-Butanedione (BD) is a reactive diketone in artificial butter flavors that is thought to cause bronchiolitis obliterans in workers in microwave popcorn manufacturing. Bronchiolitis obliterans is generally not diagnosed until irreversible damage has occurred; therefore a biomarker of early exposure is needed. The potential systemic uptake of BD from inhalation exposure has not been evaluated. The objective here was to evaluate the systemic exposure of BD and binding to hemoglobin and albumin. [(14)C]BD was administered to male Harlan Sprague Dawley rats (100 mg/kg, intratracheal instillation) and B6C3F1/N mice (157 mg/kg, oropharyngeal aspiration). Blood and plasma was collected 24 h after administration and analyzed for (14)C content. At 24h, 0.88±0.07% of the administered dose was in rat blood, 0.66±0.06% in rat plasma, 0.38±0.13% in mouse blood and 0.17±0.05% in mouse plasma. Albumin binding in rats was 269±24.2 ng equiv./mg, which accounts for 38% of the radioactivity in plasma. In mice, binding was 85.0±22.3 ng equiv./mg albumin, which accounts for 51% of the radioactivity in plasma. The binding to hemoglobin in rats was 38.2±17.6 ng equiv./mg, and to globin was 29.1±3.96 ng equiv./mg. In mice, the binding to hemoglobin was 16.2±9.0 ng equiv./mg. The site(s) of adduction on hemoglobin and albumin was investigated by mass spectrometry. In rat globin, arginine adducts were detected at R-30 and R-104 of the beta chain in vitro and in vivo. In rat albumin, adducts were detected in vitro on R-219/221, R-360, and R-368, and in vivo on a variety of arginine residues. This study demonstrated that BD enters the systemic circulation and reacts with arginine on hemoglobin and albumin. These results indicate that hemoglobin and albumin adducts may be useful as biomarkers of BD exposure in humans.

The butter flavorant, diacetyl, forms a covalent adduct with 2-deoxyguanosine, uncoils DNA, and leads to cell death

Diacetyl (DA), a natural butter flavorant, is a causative agent for the lung disease obliterative bronchiolitis. Mutagenic properties of 1,2-dicarbonyls have previously been empirically linked to their possible interaction with DNA nucleobases. This study for the first time identifies chemically the adduct of DA with 2-deoxyguanosine. Selective reactivity of DA with 5'-TTTGTTTTT-3' over 5'-TTTTTTTTT-3' indicated its propensity to modify specifically the guanosine residue. Treatment of plasmid DNA, pBR322, with DA induced changes in electrophoretic mobility that are typical of ternary structure disruption. Such DNA nucleobase interaction of DA translated into increased apoptosis in DA-treated SH-SY5Y cells in a dose-dependent manner (IC(50) = 0.114 ± 0.0421 mM). The traditional carbonyl scavengers metformin, 2-thiobarbituric acid, and d-penicillamine protected cells from DA toxicity in proportion to their rates of reaction with DA, with d-penicillamine causing a maximal increase in the IC(50) to 5.23 ± 0.0992 mM when co-incubated with DA.

Reaction of the butter flavorant diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) with N-α-acetylarginine: a model for epitope formation with pulmonary proteins in the etiology of obliterative bronchiolitis

The butter flavorant diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) is implicated in causing obliterative bronchiolitis in microwave popcorn plant workers. Because diacetyl modifies arginine residues, an immunological basis for its toxicity is under investigation. Reaction products of diacetyl with N-α-acetylarginine (AcArg) were determined as a model for hapten formation, with characterization by mass spectrometry, NMR, and HPLC with UV detection and radiodetection. Four products were identified by LC-MS, each with a positive ion of m/z 303 (diacetyl + AcArg); one pair displayed an additional ion at m/z 217 (AcArg), the other pair at m/z 285 (- H(2)O). Their (1)H-(13)C NMR correlation spectra were consistent with the addition of one or two of the guanidine nitrogens to form aminols. Open-chain pairs interconverted at pH 2, as did the cyclized, but all four interconverted at neutral pH. This is the first structural characterization of the covalent adducts between diacetyl and an arginine moiety.

Non-enzymatic model glycation reactions--a comprehensive study of the reactivity of a modified arginine with aldehydic and diketonic dicarbonyl compounds by electrospray mass spectrometry

Non-enzymatic glycation (Maillard reaction) of long-lived proteins is a major contributor to the pathology of diabetes, and possibly aging and Alzheimer's disease. Among the amino residues in proteins arginine plays an important role, and its modification by sugar moieties generates the so-called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Moreover, alpha-dicarbonyl compounds have been found as the main participants in those modifications. Four alpha-dicarbonyl compounds, aldehydic and ketonic, were reacted with the modified amino acid N(alpha)-acetyl-L-arginine (AcArg), in an attempt to establish structure/activity relationships for the reactivity of alpha-dicarbonyls with the amine compound. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), combined with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), was used to identify and characterize reagents, intermediates and reaction products. The fragmentation patterns of precursor ions showed similarities in all reaction systems studied, in which fragmentation of the amino acid residue prevails, especially for the dehydrated and/or multiple dehydrated precursor ions. For the non-hydrated ion species, fragmentation of the arginyl guanidino group was mainly observed. Specific information regarding the nature of the ions formed, in which the dicarbonyl electrophile character played an important role, was obtained. As an example, singly and doubly hydrated acetyl-argpyrimidine ions were detected for the methylglyoxal reaction only. For symmetrical dicarbonyls, glyoxal and diacetyl, the importance of steric contributions with respect to the energetic ones is discussed. Furthermore, the dehydrated acetyl-tetrahydropyrimidine ions for methylglyoxal and phenylglyoxal reactions revealed fragment ion compositions including the protonated molecules of acetyl-argpyrimidine, -hydroimidazolone and -5-methylimidazolone. An explanation for the acetyl-argpyrimidine formation from the acetyl-hydroimidazolone formation reaction is proposed. Aspects such as the amount of acetyl-hydroimidazolone formed, the response of the hydration equilibria of the dicarbonyl forms to the new unhydrated dicarbonyls introduced by the reversal of the acetyl-hydroimidazolone formation reaction and the stability of the dicarbonyl intermediate involved in the acetyl-argpyrimidine formation are proposed, as being responsible to control the formation of acetyl-argpyrimidine.

Reactions of a modified lysine with aldehydic and diketonic dicarbonyl compounds: an electrospray mass spectrometry structure/activity study

The phenomenon known as non-enzymatic glycation is described as the reaction of reducing sugars with basic amino groups of proteins and nucleic acids, as well as with simple amines, without enzyme mediation. Non-enzymatic model glycation reactions that make use of low-molecular-weight compounds make an important contribution in the elucidation of glicated processes in vitro and in vivo. Four alpha-dicarbonyl compounds, aldehydic (glyoxal, methylglyoxal and phenylglyoxal) and ketonic (diacetyl), were reacted with the modified amino acid N(alpha)-acetyl-L-lysine (AcLys) in an attempt to establish structure/activity relationships for the reactivity of alpha-dicarbonyls with the amine compound. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) combined with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and collision-induced dissociation (CID) was used to identify and characterize reagents, intermediates and reaction products. The formation of dicarbonyl-derived lysine dimers was observed exclusively. Especially, attention is drawn to alkyl- (asymmetrical dicarbonyl systems) and carboxyl- (glyoxal system) substituted imidazolium ions, at ring position 2. The main differences observed in the reactions studied were related to the reactivity with the diimine intermediate. This intermediate can react either with a non-hydrated dicarbonyl molecule at the aldehydic carbonyl, or with a mono-hydrated one at the ketonic carbonyl, particularly for asymmetrical dicarbonyls. For 2-carboxyl-substituted imidazolium ion (glyoxal reaction), besides the usual keto-enol rearrangement from the diol group, an alternative reaction pathway (proton abstraction) appears to contribute also for the imidazolium ring-closure process. Moreover, the formation of imidazolium ring structures can depend on several factors, namely, the presence (or absence) of electron donor substituents at the formed diol, the degree of stability of the new electrophile generated and/or the equilibrium concentration of the non- and mono-hydrated dicarbonyl forms in solution, the last being particularly important for asymmetrical dicarbonyls. The results reported reveal the complexity of reactivity as well as the diversity of imidazolium molecular structures.

New insights into protein crosslinking via the Maillard reaction: structural requirements, the effect on enzyme function, and predicted efficacy of crosslinking inhibitors as anti-ageing therapeutics

Protein crosslinking via the Maillard reaction with alpha-dicarbonyl compounds has been the subject of intense literature scrutiny. We report here a systematic study of three previously-neglected aspects of the reaction. Firstly, structural requirements were probed. An arginine-free peptide that contains two lysine residues, and a lysine-free peptide that contains arginine, were reacted with glyoxal, methylglyoxal and biacetyl. Methylglyoxal was able to crosslink in the absence of arginine residues, but glyoxal and biacetyl were not. Glyoxal crosslinked the lysine-free peptide via the N-terminus, but methylglyoxal and biacetyl could not. In this study, crosslinking did not require the presence of arginine but did require a free amino group, from a lysine residue, or the N-terminus. Thus specificity in structural requirements for protein crosslinking by alpha-dicarbonyls has been demonstrated. Secondly, protein function following glycation was examined by treating ribonuclease A with the three alpha-dicarbonyls, which were shown both to crosslink the enzyme and impair enzymatic activity. Thirdly, the effects of two reported Maillard reaction inhibitors, aminoguanidine and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-carboxamidine on the crosslinking reaction were assessed, with a parallel measurement of the effect on enzyme activity. The results demonstrate that preventing protein crosslinking does not necessarily preserve enzyme activity. These results cast doubt on the likely efficacy of some purported anti-ageing compounds in vivo.

Chemical modification of arginine and lysine residues in coenzyme-binding domain of carbonyl reductase from rabbit kidney: indomethacin affords a significant protection against inactivation of the enzyme by phenylglyoxal

Carbonyl reductase from rabbit kidney was inactivated by phenylglyoxal (PGO) and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonate sodium (TNBS). NADP+ protected the enzyme from the inactivations by PGO and TNBS, suggesting that essential arginine and lysine residues are located in coenzyme-binding domain of the enzyme. Judging from the effects of PGO-treated enzymes in the presence and in the absence of NADP+ on the fluorescence intensity of NADPH, one essential arginine residue in coenzyme-binding domain was found to have a role in the binding of NADPH to the enzyme. Indomethacin afforded a significant protection against inactivation of the enzyme by PGO, whereas it could not protect the enzyme from the inactivation by TNBS. It is reasonable to postulate that indomethacin interacts at least in part with or near one essential arginine residue in coenzyme-binding domain of carbonyl reductase from rabbit kidney.

Aminoacetone synthase from goat liver. Involvement of arginine residue at the active site and on the stability of the enzyme

The arginine-specific reagents phenylglyoxal and butane-2,3-dione inactivated goat liver aminoacetone synthase with pseudo-first-order kinetics, with the rate dependent on modifier concentration. Phenylglyoxal and butane-2,3-dione appeared to react with one arginine residue per enzyme molecule. The inactivated enzyme could be re-activated by Tris, suggesting additional evidence of modification of the arginine residue. Acetyl-CoA, one of the substrates, completely protected the enzyme from inactivation. Glycine gave partial protection. Protection by substrates against inactivation by phenylglyoxal and butane-2,3-dione suggested the presence of an essential arginine residue at the substrate-binding region. Experiments with [7-14C]phenylglyoxal in the presence of acetyl-CoA showed that only the arginine residue at the active site could be modified by phenylglyoxal. The stability of the enzyme is dependent on the presence of both EDTA and Mg2+.

Three new potential cAMP affinity labels. Inactivation of human platelet low Km cAMP phosphodiesterase by 8-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate

Three new analogues of cAMP have been synthesized and characterized: 2-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (2-BDB-TcAMP), 2-[(3-bromo-2-oxopropyl)thio]-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (2-BOP-tcAMP), and 8-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BDB-TcAMP). The bromoketo moiety has the ability to react with the nucleophilic side chains of several amino acids, while the dioxobutyl group can interact with arginine. These cAMP analogues were tested for their ability to inactivate the low Km (high affinity) cAMP phosphodiesterase from human platelets. The 2-BDB-TcAMP and 2-BOP-TcAMP were competitive inhibitors of cAMP hydrolysis by the phosphodiesterase with Ki values of 0.96 +/- 0.12 and 0.70 +/- 0.12 microM, respectively. However, 2-BDB-TcAMP and 2-BOP-TcAMP did not irreversibly inactivate the phosphodiesterase at pH values from 6.0 to 7.5 and at concentrations up to 10 mM. These results indicate that although the 2-substituted TcAMP analogues bind to the enzyme, there are no reactive amino acids in the vicinity of the 2-position of the cAMP binding site. In contrast, incubation of the platelet low Km cAMP phosphodiesterase with 8-BDB-TcAMP resulted in a time-dependent, irreversible inactivation of the enzyme with a second-order rate constant of 0.031 +/- 0.009 min-1 mM1. Addition of the substrates, cAMP and cGMP, and the product, AMP, to the reaction mixture resulted in marked decreases in the inactivation rate, suggesting that the inactivation was due to reaction at the active site of the phosphodiesterase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

New evidence for the essential role of arginine residues in anion transport across the red blood cell membrane

2,3-Butanedione, in the dark and in the presence of borate, reacts rapidly to inactivate the sulfate equilibrium exchange across the human red cell membrane. Reactivation occurs spontaneously after the removal of borate, indicating the reaction of butanedione with essential arginine residues. The inactivation of the transport system depends on the concentration of the reagent, on the incubation time and exhibits pseudo-first-order kinetics. Chloride ions are able to protect the transport system against inactivation with the reagent. This would suggest the participation of the modified residue in the substrate binding site. When the transport system is inhibited to 50-60% by butanedione, the transporter can still bind covalently the anion transport inhibitor 2H2DIDS up to 85 +/- 12% of its total binding capacity. 3H2DIDS concentration was either 3.15, 10 or 20 microM. Modification of resealed ghosts with 50 mM butanedione under conditions where the transport system is to more than 75% inhibited, causes a reduction of only about 30% of the reversibly bound 3H2DIDS.

Specific chemical modifications of link protein and their effect on binding to hyaluronate and cartilage proteoglycan

Specific chemical modifications of amino acid residues were performed on purified, native link protein from bovine articular cartilage. The effects of these on link protein's interactions with hyaluronate and bovine articular cartilage proteoglycan were assayed by gel chromatography. Interaction with hyaluronate was significantly perturbed by modification of lysine, arginine, tyrosine and aspartic/glutamic acid residues, but not histidine and tryptophan residues. No free, accessible sulphydryl group was found on native link protein. The requirement for unmodified lysine and arginine residues resembles that of the hyaluronate-binding site of pig laryngeal cartilage proteoglycan (Hardingham, T.E., Ewins, R.J.F. and Muir, H. (1976) Biochem. J. 157, 127-143). In contrast, proteoglycan binding was only significantly perturbed by the loss of arginine residues. This resistance may reflect hydrophobicity of the binding site or masking of the site from chemical modification by link protein self-association. Amidation of carboxyl groups, which destroyed hyaluronate binding but left proteoglycan binding intact, provides a means of generating a monofunctional link protein molecule of potential use in proteoglycan aggregation studies.

2-[(4-Bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]adenosine 5'-monophosphate, a new nucleotide analogue that acts as an affinity label of pyruvate kinase

A new reactive adenine nucleotide has been synthesized: 2-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]-adenosine 5'-monophosphate (2-BDB-TAMP). Adenosine 5'-monophosphate 1-oxide was synthesized by reaction of AMP with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. Treatment with NaOH followed by reaction with carbon disulfide yielded 2-thioadenosine 5'-monophosphate (TAMP). The final product was generated by reaction of TAMP with 1,4-dibromobutanedione. The structure of 2-BDB-TAMP was determined by UV, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy as well as by bromide and phosphorus analysis. Rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase is inactivated by 2-BDB-TAMP at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C. The inactivation rate exhibits a nonlinear dependence on the reagent concentration with KI = 0.57 mM. Protection against inactivation is provided by ADP and ATP, in the presence of Mn2+, as well as by phosphoenolpyruvate, in the presence of K+; in addition, partial protection is provided by AMP plus Mn2+. Incubation of pyruvate kinase with 0.075 mM 2-BDB-TAMP for 70 min in the absence of protective ligands leads to incorporation of 1.55 mol of reagent/mol of enzyme subunit when the enzyme is 53% inactive. In the presence of ADP and Mn2+, only 0.96 mol of reagent/mol of subunit is incorporated at 70 min, while the enzyme retains 100% activity. Similar results were obtained in the presence of ATP plus Mn2+. Assuming that the groups modified in the absence of ligands include those modified in the presence of the nucleotides, the 53% inactivation can be attributed to the modification of 0.59 (1.55-0.96) group per enzyme subunit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Affinity labeling of NADP+-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase by a new fluorescent nucleotide analogue, 2-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]-1,N6-ethenoadenosine 2',5'-bisphosphate

A new reactive fluorescent adenine nucleotide analogue has been synthesized and characterized: 2-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]-1,N6-ethenoadenosine 2',5'-bisphosphate (BDB-T epsilon ADP). This compound reacts irreversibly with NADP+-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase. Biphasic kinetics of inactivation are observed that can be described in terms of a fast initial phase of inactivation resulting in partially active enzyme of 8-10% residual activity, followed by a slower phase leading to total inactivation. NADPH protects completely against the fast phase of the reaction, indicating that modification occurs at the coenzyme binding site, whereas isocitrate with MnSO4 protects totally against the slow phase of reaction. The inactivation rate constants for both phases exhibit nonlinear dependence on BDB-T epsilon ADP concentration, consistent with the formation of a reversible complex with the enzyme prior to irreversible modification. Covalent incorporation of BDB-T epsilon ADP is limited and specific; only 0.99 mol of reagent/mol of subunit is incorporated when the enzyme is 98% inactivated in the absence of ligands. A maximum incorporation of 0.5 mol of reagent/mol of subunit is obtained in the presence of isocitrate and MnSO4, while incorporation in the presence of NADPH equals the difference between the incorporation in the absence of ligands and that measured in the presence of isocitrate and MnSO4. It appears that 0.5 mol of reagent/mol of subunit is responsible for the fast phase of inactivation and the remaining incorporation causes the slow phase. Under all conditions used in this study, isocitrate dehydrogenase has been shown to exist as a dimer by analytical ultracentrifugation and by cross-linking with dimethyl suberimidate followed by analysis on polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. It is proposed that, in the fast phase of inactivation, 2-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]-1,N6-ethenoadenosine 2',5'-bisphosphate reacts at the coenzyme binding site of one subunit of dimeric isocitrate dehydrogenase, causing complete inactivation of the modified subunit and substantial inactivation of the other subunit. This new reagent is likely to have general applicability as an affinity label for other NADP+ binding enzymes.

6-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]-6-deaminoadenosine 5'-monophosphate and 5'-diphosphate: new affinity labels for purine nucleotide sites in proteins

Two new adenine nucleotide analogues have been synthesized and characterized: 6-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]-6-deaminoadenosine 5'-monophosphate and 5'-diphosphate. The bromoketo and dioxobutyl moieties have the ability to react with the nucleophilic side chains of several amino acids, as well as with arginine. 6-[(4-Bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]-6-deaminoadenosine 5'-monophosphate reacts irreversibly with rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase, causing inactivation. Addition of ADP to the reaction mixture (in the presence of Mg2+) markedly decreases the rate of inactivation. Pig heart NAD-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase is allosterically activated by ADP, which reduces the Km for isocitrate. 6-[(4-Bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]-6-deaminoadenosine 5'-diphosphate reacts irreversibly with isocitrate dehydrogenase, causing, rapidly, a loss of the ability of ADP to increase the initial velocity of assays conducted at low isocitrate concentrations and, more slowly, inactivation. Addition of ADP to the reaction mixture (in the presence of Mn2+) protects this enzyme against the loss of allosteric activation. It is proposed that the 6-[(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutyl)thio]-6-deaminoadenine nucleotides react at the active site of pyruvate kinase and at the ADP activating site of isocitrate dehydrogenase and that these compounds may have general applicability as affinity labels of catalytic and regulatory adenine nucleotide sites in proteins.

Arginine-specific modification of rabbit muscle phosphoglucose isomerase: differences in the inactivation by phenylglyoxal and butanedione and in the protection by substrate analogs

Rabbit muscle phosphoglucose isomerase was modified with phenylglyoxal or 2,3-butanedione, the reaction with either reagent resulting in loss of enzymatic activity in a biphasic mode. At slightly alkaline pH butanedione was found to be approximately six times as effective as phenylglyoxal. The inactivation process could not be significantly reversed by removal of the modifier. Competitive inhibitors of the enzyme protected partially against loss of enzyme activity by either modification. The only kind of amino acid residue affected was arginine. However, more than one arginine residue per enzyme subunit was found to be susceptible to modification by the dicarbonyl reagents. From protection experiments it was concluded (i) that both modifiers react specifically with an arginine in the phosphoglucose isomerase active site and nonspecifically with one or more arginine residues elsewhere in the enzyme molecule, (ii) that modification at either loci causes loss of catalytic activity, and (iii) that butanedione has a higher preference for active site arginine than for arginine residues outside of the catalytic center whereas the opposite is true for phenylglyoxal.

Modification of the phosphatidylcholine-transfer protein from bovine liver with butanedione and phenylglyoxal. Evidence for one essential arginine residue

1. Modification of arginine residues with 2,3-butanedione and phenylglyoxal completely inhibits the transfer activity of the phosphatidylcholine transfer protein from bovine liver. Removal of borate and butanedione leads to a slow reactivation of the protein. 2. Both alpha-dicarbonyl reagents modify three of the ten arginine residues present per protein molecule. The extent of modification is linearly related to the loss of activity. 3. Inactivation with butanedione is greatly diminished when the protein is bound to strongly negatively charged vesicles. Under these conditions a rapid modification of two arginine residues is observed. This suggests that the transfer protein contains one arginine residue essential for activity, probably as a binding site for the negatively charged phosphate group of the phosphatidylcholine molecule. 4. This study provides convincing evidence that arginine residues may play an essential role in phospholipidprotein interactions.

Arginine modifiers as energy transfer inhibitors in photophosphorylation

Photophosphorylation by spinach chloroplasts is inhibited after they have been incubated in the dark with either phenylglyoxal or butanedione. Inhibition by phenylglyoxal is strongest when N-ethylmorpholine is the buffer used during the incubation; that by butanedione requires the presence of borate as buffer. The inhibitions are not reversed by simply washing out the inhibitor, suggesting that a covalent modification of one or more arginine residues is responsible. This is supported by the reversibility of the butanedione inhibition if both the inhibitor and borate buffer are removed. ATPase of the chloroplasts, and of extracted protein, is inhibited, whether activated by trypsin or by heating. This indicates that arginine residues of the coupling factor are the probable major site(s) for attack by these modifiers, leading to the observed inhibitions.

Modification of amino acids and bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A by kethoxal

Kethoxal (3-ethoxy-2-ketobutanal) reacts with the guanidino group of Nalpha-acetylarginine to produce four derivatives, reactive to periodate, stable at pH 7, with 15% reverting to arginine on acid hydrolysis. Other amino acids with blocked alpha-amino groups do not react, except the epsilon-amino of lysine (slowly). The pK of the mixed Kethoxal-Nalpha-acetylarginine derivatives is 5.8-6.1. Kethoxal reacts at neutral pH with arginyl residues of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A. In the presence of an active-site ligand, arginine-39 and arginine-85 react at about equal rates. The loss of enzymic activity at pH 7 is proportional to the combined loss of these residues. The enzymic activity toward RNA is 20-25% of that of native RNAase at pH 7, and 90-100% at pH 5. In the absence of an active site ligand, arginine-10 is also modified with the loss of almost all enzymic activity, although arginine-10 is not an active-site residue. Arginine-33 is unreactive. Kethoxal-modified RNAase undergoes cross-linking in solution at pH 7 or in the freeze-dried state, Incubation at pH 9 in the presence of homoarginine results in partial regeneration of arginyl residues and activity at pH 7. Kethoxal modification of arginines-39 and -85 appears to raise the pK of lysine-41 by about 1 unit, as indicated ty the pH dependence of arylation by 2-carboxy-4,6-dinitrochlorobenzene. The claims of Patthy and Smith (J. Biol, Chem. (1975) 250, 565-569), and of Takahashi (J. Biol. Chem. (1968) 243, 6171-6179) that arginine-39 is a more important functional residue than is arginine-85 are questioned.