Enzymatically active conformers of mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase

N-Acetylglutamate and N-acetylmethionine compromise mitochondrial bioenergetics homeostasis and glutamate oxidation in brain of developing rats: Potential implications for the pathogenesis of ACY1 deficiency

Aminoacylase 1 (ACY1) deficiency is an inherited metabolic disorder biochemically characterized by high urinary concentrations of aliphatic N-acetylated amino acids and associated with a broad clinical spectrum with predominant neurological signs. Considering that the pathogenesis of ACY1 is practically unknown and the brain is highly dependent on energy production, the in vitro effects of N-acetylglutamate (NAG) and N-acetylmethionine (NAM), major metabolites accumulating in ACY1 deficiency, on the enzyme activities of the citric acid cycle (CAC), of the respiratory chain complexes and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), as well as on ATP synthesis were evaluated in brain mitochondrial preparations of developing rats. NAG mildly inhibited mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) activity, moderately inhibited the activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase 3 (IDH3) and complex II-III of the respiratory chain and markedly suppressed the activities of complex IV and GDH. Of note, the NAG-induced inhibitory effect on IDH3 was competitive, whereas that on GDH was mixed. On the other hand, NAM moderately inhibited the activity of respiratory complexes II-III and GDH activities and strongly decreased complex IV activity. Furthermore, NAM was unable to modify any of the CAC enzyme activities, indicating a selective effect of NAG toward IDH mitochondrial isoforms. In contrast, the activities of citrate synthase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, and of the respiratory chain complexes I and II were not changed by these N-acetylated amino acids. Finally, NAG and NAM strongly decreased mitochondrial ATP synthesis. Taken together, the data indicate that NAG and NAM impair mitochondrial brain energy homeostasis.

Palmitoleic acid (n-7) attenuates the immunometabolic disturbances caused by a high-fat diet independently of PPARα

Palmitoleic acid (PMA) has anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities. Here we tested whether these effects of PMA on glucose homeostasis and liver inflammation, in mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD), are PPAR-α dependent. C57BL6 wild-type (WT) and PPAR-α-knockout (KO) mice fed with a standard diet (SD) or HFD for 12 weeks were treated after the 10th week with oleic acid (OLA, 300 mg/kg of b.w.) or PMA 300 mg/kg of b.w. Steatosis induced by HFD was associated with liver inflammation only in the KO mice, as shown by the increased hepatic levels of IL1-beta, IL-12, and TNF-α; however, the HFD increased the expression of TLR4 and decreased the expression of IL1-Ra in both genotypes. Treatment with palmitoleate markedly attenuated the insulin resistance induced by the HFD, increased glucose uptake and incorporation into muscle in vitro, reduced the serum levels of AST in WT mice, decreased the hepatic levels of IL1-beta and IL-12 in KO mice, reduced the expression of TLR-4 and increased the expression of IL-1Ra in WT mice, and reduced the phosphorylation of NF 𝜅B (p65) in the livers of KO mice. We conclude that palmitoleate attenuates diet-induced insulin resistance, liver inflammation, and damage through mechanisms that do not depend on PPAR-α.

Dynamic dissociating homo-oligomers and the control of protein function

Homo-oligomeric protein assemblies are known to participate in dynamic association/disassociation equilibria under native conditions, thus creating an equilibrium of assembly states. Such quaternary structure equilibria may be influenced in a physiologically significant manner either by covalent modification or by the non-covalent binding of ligands. This review follows the evolution of ideas about homo-oligomeric equilibria through the 20th and into the 21st centuries and the relationship of these equilibria to allosteric regulation by the non-covalent binding of ligands. A dynamic quaternary structure equilibria is described where the dissociated state can have alternate conformations that cannot reassociate to the original multimer; the alternate conformations dictate assembly to functionally distinct alternate multimers of finite stoichiometry. The functional distinction between different assemblies provides a mechanism for allostery. The requirement for dissociation distinguishes this morpheein model of allosteric regulation from the classical MWC concerted and KNF sequential models. These models are described alongside earlier dissociating allosteric models. The identification of proteins that exist as an equilibrium of diverse native quaternary structure assemblies has the potential to define new targets for allosteric modulation with significant consequences for further understanding and/or controlling protein structure and function. Thus, a rationale for identifying proteins that may use the morpheein model of allostery is presented and a selection of proteins for which published data suggests this mechanism may be operative are listed.

Studies on the sub-units of triose phosphate isomerase

The sub-unit structure of rabbit muscle triose phosphate isomerase was studied by determination of the number of unique cysteine peptides. Alkylation of the thiol groups with radioactive iodoacetate in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride gave the S-carboxy[(14)C]methyl derivative of the protein. This was digested with trypsin, and the radioactive peptides were fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography; four main radioactive peaks were obtained, one of which contained two radioactive peptides. Peptide ;maps' of the tryptic digest showed five main spots. The relationship between the members of both sets of five peptides was established. The radioactive peptides were characterized, and the results indicated the presence of five unique cysteine residues in the protein. Since there are approximately ten thiol groups/molecule, there are two closely related or identical sub-units. Studies of the terminal residues bear out this suggestion; only one kind of N-terminal residue (alanine) and one kind of C-terminal residue (glutamine) were detected. These results are in accord with the evidence from crystallography.

Mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase from the thermophilic, filamentous fungus Talaromyces emersonii

Mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (m-MDH; EC 1.1.1.37), from mycelial extracts of the thermophilic, aerobic fungus Talaromyces emersonii, was purified to homogeneity by sequential hydrophobic interaction and biospecific affinity chromatography steps. Native m-MDH was a dimer with an apparent monomer mass of 35 kDa and was most active at pH 7.5 and 52 degrees C in the oxaloacetate reductase direction. Substrate specificity and kinetic studies demonstrated the strict specificity of this enzyme, and its closer similarity to vertebrate m-MDHs than homologs from invertebrate or mesophilic fungal sources. The full-length m-MDH gene and its corresponding cDNA were cloned using degenerate primers derived from the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the native protein and multiple sequence alignments from conserved regions of other m-MDH genes. The m-MDH gene is the first oxidoreductase gene cloned from T. emersonii and is the first full-length m-MDH gene isolated from a filamentous fungal species and a thermophilic eukaryote. Recombinant m-MDH was expressed in Escherichia coli, as a His-tagged protein and was purified to apparent homogeneity by metal chelate chromatography on an Ni2+-nitrilotriacetic acid matrix, at a yield of 250 mg pure protein per liter of culture. The recombinant enzyme behaved as a dimer under nondenaturing conditions. Expression of the recombinant protein was confirmed by Western blot analysis using an antibody against the His-tag. Thermal stability studies were performed with the recombinant protein to investigate if results were consistent with those obtained for the native enzyme.

A survey on the formation and localization of secondary isozymes in mammalia

A survey on the formation of secondary isozymes (= multiple molecular forms of enzymes) is given by means of well-documented enzyme systems. Further examples of a certain type of formation are summarized in tabular form. Eight different classes of enzyme variants deriving from translational processes are discussed. These are: aggregation, polymerization, oxidation and reduction of free SH groups, limited proteolysis, cleavage of carbohydrate residues, deamidation, noncovalent binding of coenzymes, and conformational isomerism. In addition, the intracellular distribution of secondary isozymes is discussed, as are the formation of artificial enzyme variants and the recognition of multiple enzyme forms caused by an exchange of neutral amino acids. About 200 original papers are cited. The reference list was completed in early 1979.

Analysis of malate dehydrogenase isozymes from anuran amphibian ovary by isoelectric focusing

The isozymes patterns of ovarian malate dehydrogenase (MDH) from various anuran amphibian series were analyzed by isoelectric focusing (IEF). Extensive variability was observed in both the soluble (sMDH) and mitochondrial (mMDH) patterns with as few as two and as many nine bands being visualized in different species. The mean pIs for sMDH ranged from 4.5 to 8.3 and those for mMDH fell between 5.1 and 8.2. The sMDHs are considerably more heat labile in Rana species living in northern latitudes compared to those from southern states. Inhibition with p-chlormercuribenzoate (PCMB) revealed the importance of sulfhydryl groups for the activity of sMDHs, while the functional requirement for these groups in mMDHs appears to be of lesser importance. Observations from these studies lend support to the accumulating evidence that Rana pipiens from such southern locations as New Mexico may have undergone speciation.

The genetics of hexokinase in a mosquito, Culex pipiens

The genetics of hexokinase (HK) variants in a mosquito, Culex pipiens L., was studied using starch gel electrophoresis. Three isozymic forms of HK, all migrating anodally, were present in all three body regions, but in differing proportions. No obvious differences in specificity for three hexose sugars was detected among the three isozymic bands. However, qualitative differences in staining intensity indicate the following order of substrate affinity: glucose greater than fructose greater than mannose. The inheritance of the HK variants is controlled by a pair of co-dominant alleles at a single genetic locus.

Characterization of electrophoretically cryptic variation in the alpine butterfly Colias meadii

Enzyme polymorphism was characterized among the proteins of 14 loci of Coliae meadii by replicate electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels of differing pore size. The results reveal a large number of variants, with a very skewed frequency distribution. A large fraction of the variants cannot be differentiated by electrophoresis in 5--7% acrylamide gels. This gel sieving approach permits an estimate of the relative contributions of charge and of conformation to electrophoretic mobility. Many of the variant proteins do not differ in charge. Most variants exhibit different degrees of interaction with the gel and presumably differ in conformation.

Polymorphism and predictability at the alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase locus in Colias butterflies: gradients in allele frequency within single populations

Heterozygosity at the alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase locus of five species of Colias butterflies is widespread in montane populations; alpine and lowland populations are not heterozygous. Within a single demographically characterized population of C. meadii where the population extends from alpine down into montane habitats, a marked cline in allele frequency is seen. Such within-population clines suggest the involvement of strong selection across the marked ecological interface. Thermal factors are the most likely causative agents, but associative overdominance is not excluded.

Effect of NAD on flounder muscle glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase

Flounder muscle (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was characterized as to its stability towards various inactivating treatments in the presence and absence of the enzyme cofactor, NAD. Incubation of a partially purified enzyme preparation at urea concentrations greater than 2 M produced a very rapid inactivation. NAD greatly reduced the rate of inactivation at all the urea concentrations tested. Incubation of each of the three major muscle enzyme forms in 0.1 percent trypsin or chymotrypsin for forty-five minutes decreased the activity of each form by 65 percent and 55 percent, respectively. NAD (5mM) afforded complete protection to each enzyme form from proteolytic digestion by these two enzymes. Exposure of each form to 50 degrees or 20 mM ATP also led to gross inactivation which could be greatly reduced if the respective incubations were performed in the presence of 5mM NAD. NAD was also found to be required for the renaturation of the unfolded urea-denatured subunits to form the active tetramer.

Purification and properties of malate dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas testosteroni

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-linked malate dehydrogenase has been purified from Pseudomonas testosteroni (ATCC 11996). The purification represents over 450-fold increase in specific activity. The amino acid composition of the enzyme was determined and found to be quite different from the composition of the malate dehydrogenases from animal sources as well as from Escherichia coli. Despite this difference, however, the data show that the enzymatic properties of the purified enzyme are remarkably similar to those of other malate dehydrogenases that have been previously studied. The Pseudomonas enzyme has a molecular weight of 74,000 and consists of two subunits of identical size. In addition to L-malate, the enzyme slowly oxidizes other four-carbon dicarboylates having an alpha-hydroxyl group of S configuration such as meso- and (-) tartrate. Rate-determining steps, which differ from that of the reaction involving L-malate, are discussed for the reaction involving these alternative substrates. Oxidation of hydroxymalonate, a process previously undetected with other malate dehydrogenases, is demonstrated fluorometrically. Hydroxymalonate and D-malate strongly enhance the fluorescence of the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide bound to the enzyme. The enzyme is A-stereospecific with respect to the coenzyme. Malate dehydrogenase is present in a single form in the Pseudomonas. The susceptibility of the enzyme to activation or inhibition by its substrates-particularly the favoring of the oxidation of malate at elevated concentrations-strongly resembles the properties of the mitochondrial enzymes. The present study reveals that whereas profound variations in chemical composition have occurred between the prokaryotic and eukaryotic enzymes, the physical and catalytic properties of malate dehydrogenase, unlike lactate dehydrogenase, are well conserved during the evolutionary process.

Malate dehydrogenase of a mosquito, Culex p. quinquefasciatus: developmental changes, polymorphism, and physicochemical characterization

Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) of larval, pupal, and adult stages of Culex p. quinquefasciatus has been characterized by electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and other physicochemical means. It exists as a multiple molecular form possessing a large number of isoenzymes, from a minimum of three in early instar larvae to as many as 14 in adults. The isoenzyme pattern changes during development with respect to both relative activity and the appearance of some new forms and disappearance of others. Each developmental stage possesses a characteristic electrophoretic and gel isoelectric focusing pattern. MDH isoenzymes differ in their response to heat and thiol reagents. Similar electrophoretic variants from larvae, pupae, and adults show great differences in their response to heat treatment at 50 C and 56 C, indicating some differentiation of isoenzymes in each stage of development. Homogenization of whole mosquitos in mercaptoethanol solution results in a sharp increase in the activity of the principal bands and a decrease or disappearance of minor ones. The possibility of some minor bands being "conformers" arising due to nongenetic factors is discussed.

Structural and functional similarities between mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase and L-3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase

Pig heart mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37), which has been obtained free of electrophoretic subforms, has been shown to have a molecular weight of 67,000 and to be composed of two polypeptide chains. Comparison of these and other properties, such as amino-acid composition, isoelectric point, and keto-substrate inhibition, with those of (L)-3-hydroxyaeyl CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.35), another NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenase of mitochondrial origin, suggests structural similarities of the type associated with proteins possessing common evolutionary origins. This conclusion is supported by immunological crossreactivity. In view of these observations, the dissimilarity in the stereospecificity of hydrogen transfer from cofactor to substrate catalyzed by the two enzymes is attributed to 180 degrees rotation in the binding orientation of the nicotinamide moiety of the NAD(+), rather than to gross differences in the geometry of the active site of the two enzymes.

Human-mouse cell hybrids: a suggestion of structural mutation for dipeptidase-2 deficiency in mouse cells

The dipeptidase-2 enzyme is inactive in certain cultured cell lines from the mouse. In somatic cell hybrids between such deficient cells and diploid human fibroblasts, the mouse deficiency was complemented when the homologous human peptidase-A was retained. The results suggested that the murine peptidase deficiency was the result of a structural mutation, rather than a regulatory one.

Genetics of human-mouse somatic cell hybrids: linkage of human genes for lactate dehydrogenase-A and esterase-A 4

By use of human-mouse somatic cell hybrids, an autosomal gene linkage has been determined for the human loci controlling the phenotypes of lactate dehydrogenase-A (EC 1.1.1.27) and esterase-A(4) (EC 3.1.1.2). These structural loci were not linked to the lactate dehydrogenase-B, peptidase-B linkage, the X chromosome, the E(17) chromosome, or to nine other enzyme phenotypes examined.

Analysis of enzyme variation in natural populations of the butterfly Colias eurytheme

The use of internal standards in the separation of proteins by gel electrophoresis is shown to offer significant advantages over other control procedures heretofore used in electrophoretic surveys of enzyme variation in natural populations. By the use of such internal standards, a previously undetected class of micro-variability among the enzymes of wild insects has been demonstrated.

The nature of isoenzymes

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Zone electrophoresis of enzymes in bacterial taxonomy

The electrophoretic mobilities in starch gels have been determined for eight enzymes in extracts of representative cultures of members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. These values were compared with each other and with those obtained from certain bacteria not in this family. The migrations of the eight enzymes were virtually identical for each of eight strains of Escherichia coli and for two species of Shigella. A number of these enzymes appeared to be identical in other organisms believed to be closely related to E. coli (Salmonella), and the number of differences increased in organisms which appeared to have lesser degrees of relatedness by other criteria (deoxyribonucleic acid base compositions, overall similarity).