Combining metabolic flux analysis tools and 13C NMR to estimate intracellular fluxes of cultured astrocytes

In this work, brain cell metabolism was investigated by (13)C NMR spectroscopy and metabolic flux analysis (MFA). Monotypic cultures of astrocytes were incubated with labeled glucose for 38 h, and the distribution of the label was analyzed by (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The analysis of the spectra reveals two distinct physiological states characterized by different ratios of pyruvate carboxylase to pyruvate dehydrogenase activities (PC/PDH). Intracellular flux distributions for both metabolic states were estimated by MFA using the isotopic information and extracellular rate measurements as constraints. The model was subsequently checked with the consistency index method. From a biological point of view, the occurrence of the two physiological states appears to be correlated with the presence or absence of extracellular glutamate. Concerning the model, it can be stated that the metabolic network and the set of constraints adopted provide a consistent and robust characterization of the astrocytic metabolism, allowing for the calculation of central intracellular fluxes such as pyruvate recycling, the anaplerotic flux mediated by pyruvate carboxylase, and the glutamine formation through glutamine synthetase.

Enhanced rat beta-cell proliferation in 60% pancreatectomized islets by increased glucose metabolic flux through pyruvate carboxylase pathway

Islet beta-cell proliferation is a very important component of beta-cell adaptation to insulin resistance and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, we know little about the mechanisms of beta-cell proliferation. We now investigate the relationship between pyruvate carboxylase (PC) pathway activity and islet cell proliferation 5 days after 60% pancreatectomy (Px). Islet cell number, protein, and DNA content, indicators of beta-cell proliferation, were increased two- to threefold 5 days after Px. PC and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activities increased only approximately 1.3-fold; however, islet pyruvate content and malate release from isolated islet mitochondria were approximately threefold increased in Px islets. The latter is an indicator of pyruvate-malate cycle activity, indicating that most of the increased pyruvate was converted to oxaloacetate (OAA) through the PC pathway. The contents of OAA and malate, intermediates of the pyruvate-malate cycle, were also increased threefold. PDH and citrate content were only slightly increased. Importantly, the changes in cell proliferation parameters, glucose utilization, and oxidation and malate release were partially blocked by in vivo treatment with the PC inhibitor phenylacetic acid. Our results suggest that enhanced PC pathway in Px islets may have an important role in islet cell proliferation.

Biotin-rich intranuclear inclusions in morule-lacking adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder: a new category of "neoplastic/non-morular" lesions

Biotin-rich intranuclear inclusions, also called "optically clear nuclei," are observed in various neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions, including pregnancy-related endometrium and benign and malignant neoplasms with morular structures. A recent study reported that lesions with biotin-rich intranuclear inclusions can be classified as "(non-neoplastic) pregnancy-related endometrial" and as "(neoplastic) morular" category. In the present report, we describe two cases of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder in which biotin-rich intranuclear inclusions were found without morular structures. Immunohistochemically, as reported previously, the intranuclear inclusions were positive for biotin and two biotin-binding enzymes (pyruvic acid carboxylase and propionyl CoA carboxylase). Intranuclear expression of beta-catenin was also observed in neoplastic cells with and without intranuclear inclusion. We also detected a frame shift mutation of APC gene in one case but no mutation of beta-catenin gene in both cases. Although intranuclear expression of beta-catenin by mutation of APC gene might contribute to carcinogenesis in our cases, the relationships among intranuclear expressions of beta-catenin, biotin, biotin-binding enzymes and intranuclear inclusions remain unclear. Our cases are the first neoplastic lesions with biotin-rich intranuclear inclusions that lacked morular structures. We propose a new "neoplastic/non-morular" category for lesions with biotin-rich intranuclear inclusions.

Detection and quantification of biotinylated proteins using the Storm 840 Optical Scanner

The use of the avidin-biotin interaction is becoming an increasingly common method for the detection of proteins. The use of fluorescence detection with avidin-biotin systems has the potential to greatly increase both the sensitivity and linearity of this type of analysis. In this report, three fluorescent systems were tested for their ability to detect biotinylated polypeptides in purified and complex biological samples. These systems include a Neutravidin-Alexa Fluor430 conjugate, an avidin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate with the ECL-Plus detection system, and an avidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate with the ECF detection system. Biotinylated molecular weight standards, biotinylated bovine serum albumin, and rat liver homogenate were resolved by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis and transferred to polyvinyldifluoride membrane. Biotinylated polypeptides were then visualized on the Storm840 optical scanner. The Neutravidin-Alexa Fluor430 conjugate exhibited the lowest sensitivity, but displayed high linearity. The avidin-horseradish peroxidase and avidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugates, when combined with appropriate fluorescent substrates, exhibited much higher fluorescence, with the avidin-alkaline phosphatase ECF system displaying the highest sensitivity. All systems demonstrated an ability to reliably detect and quantify biotinylated polypeptides in purified as well as complex samples, given careful attention to conditions optimized for each system.

The abundance and function of biotin-dependent enzymes are reduced in rats chronically administered carbamazepine

The effect of dietary antiepileptic drug administration on the metabolism and function of the water-soluble vitamin biotin was analyzed in a physiologically relevant rat model of biotin nutriture. Administration of carbamazepine (CBZ) in semipurified rat diet at 1.5 and 2.9 g/kg for 19 d did not reduce growth rate or food intake. After this dietary treatment, brain lactic acid and ammonia concentrations were significantly elevated, but no changes in these metabolites occurred in the liver. Urinary biotin excretion was altered and the concentrations of biotin sulfoxides and biocytin in the serum were elevated. Brain biotin was unaffected, but concentrations of bisnorbiotin and biocytin were significantly reduced by dietary administration of CBZ. The relative abundance of hepatic acetyl CoA carboxylase 1 and 2, pyruvate carboxylase (PC), methylcrotonyl CoA carboxylase and propionyl CoA carboxylase was significantly reduced by CBZ, whereas the relative abundance of biotinylated PC was significantly reduced in the brain. In agreement with the carboxylase abundance data, the activity of hepatic PC was significantly reduced in rats consuming CBZ-containing diets. These data demonstrate that administration of the antiepileptic medication CBZ, even with food, reduces the abundance and function of biotin-dependent enzymes in the liver and brain, partially accounting for the metabolic alterations, including organic acidemia, that are observed clinically.

Metabolic consequence of long-term exposure of pancreatic beta cells to free fatty acid with special reference to glucose insensitivity

Long-term exposure of the pancreatic beta cells to free fatty acid (FFA) reportedly inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. We here studied the impact of FFA on glucose and lipid metabolism in pancreatic beta cells with special reference to insulin secretion. Pancreatic beta-cell line MIN6 was exposed to various concentrations of palmitate for 3 days. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and insulin content were decreased corresponding to the concentration of the palmitate exposed. Glycolytic flux and ATP synthesis was unchanged, but pyruvate-stimulated change in NAD(P)H concentration was decreased. Pyruvate carboxylase was decreased at the protein level, which was restored by the removal of palmitate or the inhibition of beta-oxidation. Intracellular content of triglyceride and FFA were elevated, beta-oxidation was increased, and de novo lipogenesis from glucose was decreased. NADPH content and citrate output into the medium, which reflected pyruvate malate shuttle flux, were decreased, but malic enzyme activity was unaffected. The malic enzyme inhibitor alone inhibited insulin response to glucose. In conclusion, long-term exposure of FFA to beta cells inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion via the decreased NADPH contents due to the inhibition of pyruvate carboxylase and malate pyruvate shuttle flux.

Immunohistochemical study of the distribution of endogenous biotin and biotin-binding enzymes in ductal structures of salivary gland tumours

To clarify the pathologic value of endogenous biotin in the salivary gland, we examined in a series of neoplasms of the salivary gland by immunohistochemical staining the distribution of endogenous biotin and of biotin-binding enzymes, namely, acetyl CoA carboxylase (AC), which is a cytosolic enzyme, and pyruvate carboxylase (PC), which is a mitochondrial enzyme. In pleomorphic adenoma, we found biotin and PC in ductal epithelial elements, while AC was found mainly in myoepithelial elements. Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma, adenocarcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma were frequently immunopositive for biotin, PC and AC, while adenoid cystic carcinoma was rarely immunopositive for biotin, PC or AC. These results indicate that endogenous biotin might be associated with the mitochondrial enzyme, which is present at high levels in ductal cells of the salivary gland. However, the neoplastic cells in adenoid cystic carcinoma seemed to have an unusual expression of biotin and related enzymes.

Pyruvate carboxylase from Corynebacterium glutamicum: characterization, expression and inactivation of the pyc gene

In addition to phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCx), pyruvate carboxylase (PCx) has recently been found as an anaplerotic enzyme in the amino-acid-producing bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum. Using oligonucleotides designed according to conserved regions of PCx amino acid sequences from other organisms, a 200 bp fragment central to the C. glutamicum PCx gene (pyc) was amplified from genomic DNA by PCR. This fragment was then used to identify and to subclone the entire C. glutamicum pyc gene. The cloned pyc gene was expressed in C. glutamicum, as cells harbouring the gene on plasmid showed four- to fivefold higher specific PCx activities when compared to the wild-type (WT). Moreover, increased PCx protein levels in the pyc-plasmid-carrying strain were readily detected after SDS-PAGE of cell-free extracts. DNA sequence analysis of the pyc gene, including its 5' and 3' flanking regions, and N-terminal sequencing of the pyc gene product predicts a PCx polypeptide of 1140 amino acids with an M(r) of 123070. The amino acid sequence of this polypeptide shows between 62% and 45% identity when compared to PCx enzymes from other organisms. Transcriptional analyses revealed that the pyc gene from C. glutamicum is monocistronic (3.5 kb mRNA) and that its transcription is initiated at an A residue 55 bp upstream of the translational start. Inactivation of the chromosomal pyc gene in C. glutamicum WT led to the absence of PCx activity and to negligible growth on lactate, indicating that PCx is essential for growth on this carbon source. Inactivation of both the PCx gene and the PEPCx gene in C. glutamicum led additionally to the inability to grow on glucose, indicating that no further anaplerotic enzymes for growth on carbohydrates exist in this organism.

The use of avidin as a probe for the distribution of mitochondrial carboxylases in developing chick retina

During development, the inner chick retina progresses from an aerobic to an anaerobic metabolic basis because of the lack of a vascular system. To investigate this process further, we have examined the expression and distribution of mitochondrial carboxylases. Because these enzymes use covalently bound biotin as a co-enzyme, we were able to develop a new detection protocol for mitochondria using avidin as a probe for the biotin. Chemiluminescent detection of bound avidin-peroxidase was used to examine a developmental series of extracts of retinas that had been separated by electrophoresis and blotted to nitrocellulose. Avidin-peroxidase, visualized with the sensitive peroxidase substrate True Blue, permitted detection in epoxy-embedded tissue sections. In the extracts, specific bands of approximate molecular weights 130 and 70 kD were found, corresponding to biotinylated subunits of several mitochondrial carboxylases. During development, the intensity of the bands decreases, although at different rates. In tissue sections, 8-day embryonic retinas display reaction product throughout the tissue, with higher local concentrations in the vitread and sclerad regions. During further development, the reaction product becomes segregated into bands at the borders of the plexiform layers. As the photoreceptors mature, stain becomes concentrated in the developing ellipsoids and the sclerad ends of Müller cells.

Multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein monoclonal antibody JSB-1 crossreacts with pyruvate carboxylase

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is associated with overexpression of a 170 KD plasma membrane P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a putative energy-dependent efflux transporter that reduces intracellular accumulation of chemotherapeutic agents. For detection of P-gp expression in normal and malignant tissues, an MDR1-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) JSB-1 has been used extensively. In this report we show that MAb JSB-1 crossreacts with a protein of M(r) approximately 130,000 present in rat liver mitochondrial inner membrane/matrix fractions. Peptide mapping and microsequencing identify this protein as pyruvate carboxylase (PC), an abundant mitochondrial enzyme. MAb JSB-1 also crossreacts with purified PC from bovine liver. Under immunoblotting conditions, this crossreactivity is partially abolished by pre-incubation of MAb JSB-1 with a 1000-fold molar excess of MAb C494 epitope-specific peptide (PNTLEGN), indicating that the epitope of MAb JSB-1 may either overlap with or be in close proximity to that of MAb C494. Immunohistochemical cross-reactivity was also demonstrated in cryosections of human skeletal muscle, a tissue known not to express P-gp. MAb JSB-1 strongly immunostained Type 1 fibers, the subtype known to contain abundant mitochondria. Use of MAb JSB-1 for detection of MDR1 P-gp expression should be approached with caution.

Biotin-containing proteins of the insect nervous system, a potential source of interference with immunocytochemical localization procedures

When the biotinylated Manduca sexta adipokinetic hormone gene was used as a probe for in situ hybridization, the intrinsic neurosecretory cells were stained with a biotin detection system that contained streptavidin or avidin. Further experiments showed that the DNA probe was not necessary for staining these cells by streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase, and that they were not stained by alkaline phosphatase alone. Similarly, the intrinsic neurosecretory cells were stained directly by streptavidin conjugated to a fluorescent dye. Other parts of the central nervous system could also be stained with streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase but not as readily as the intrinsic neurosecretory cells of the corpora cardiaca. Further analysis demonstrated three biotin-containing proteins in the intrinsic neurosecretory cells of the corpora cardiaca and in the brain. The most abundant of these proteins, when analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was found to have a molecular weight of 130,000, which is the size of the subunits of pyruvate carboxylase, a biotin-containing enzyme. The same protein was recognized by an antiserum against an insect pyruvate carboxylase, indicating that this protein is probably pyruvate carboxylase. The results reported here indicate that the intrinsic neurosecretory cells of the corpora cardiaca may contain pyruvate carboxylase in a concentration higher that other cells of the central nervous system. We also note that caution is necessary to avoid false positive results if an avidin containing detection system is used for in situ hybridization or immunocytochemistry.

Immunocytochemical examination of neural rat and mouse primary cultures using monoclonal antibodies raised against pyruvate carboxylase

Pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1; PC) catalyzes the formation of oxaloacetate by energy-dependent fixation of CO2 to pyruvate. The aim of the present work was to generate antibodies against PC and use them to localize PC in the cells of astroglia-rich and neuron-rich primary cultures derived from the brains of rats and mice. Mouse monoclonal antibodies raised against the enzyme were shown to be monospecific as indicated by immunoblotting. The staining of the cells for PC appeared in grains. These represent mitochondria, as PC is known as a mitochondrial enzyme. Immunocytochemical examination of astroglia-rich primary cultures of rat or mouse brain cells revealed a colocalization of PC with the astroglial marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in many cells. However, there were GFAP-positive cells showing no specific staining for PC, and vice versa. Also, in neuron-rich primary cultures PC was found only in the approximately 10% GFAP-expressing astroglial cells contaminating the neuron-rich primary culture, whereas it was absent from the neurons identified by antibodies against neuron-specific enolase. These results suggest that PC is predominantly an astroglial enzyme and that astroglial cells play an important role in the intermediary and the energy metabolism of the brain.

MDR1 gene-specific monoclonal antibody C494 cross-reacts with pyruvate carboxylase

Overexpression of P-glycoprotein, the plasma membrane protein product of the MDR1 gene, is a major determinant in the development of resistance to a large number of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. A battery of antibodies, including the MDR1 gene-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) C494, is used to evaluate human tissues in clinical multidrug resistance surveillance and modulation trials. In rat liver fractions, we report that mAb C494 strongly cross-reacted with a nonmembranous M(r) approximately 130,000 protein, comigrating with core-glycosylated human MDR1 on 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. By immunoblotting and microsequence analysis, this protein was identified as pyruvate carboxylase (PC), an abundant mitochondrial enzyme. A search of the National Center for Biotechnology Information data base, using the epitope-specific sequence of mAb C494, revealed that PC (mouse) contains four of the five most reactive amino acids (TLEG), located near the COOH-terminal end of PC at positions 1167-1170. mAb C494 specifically reacted with PC purified from bovine liver; immunoreactivity was completely abolished by preincubating mAb C494 in the presence of excess synthetic C494 epitope-specific peptide. Furthermore, in cryosections of human skeletal muscle, a tissue known not to express P-glycoprotein, peptide-displaceable immunohistochemical staining with mAb C494 showed a distinct mitochondrial pattern specific to type 1 fibers. Variable immunostaining results were obtained with formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded muscle and isolated liver mitochondrial preparations. In summary, mAb C494 cross-reacted strongly with rat, bovine, and human PC. Caution is warranted in interpretation of immunoblots and immunohistochemical sections with this putative MDR1 gene-specific mAb.

Energy conservation by succinate decarboxylation in Veillonella parvula

Veillonella parvula cannot grow with succinate as sole energy source. However, succinate decarboxylation simultaneous with malate or lactate fermentation increased growth yields by 2.4-3.5 g (mol succinate)-1. Malate was fermented stoichiometrically to acetate and propionate whereas lactate fermentation produced more acetate and considerable amounts of H2. Aspartate was utilized only in the presence of succinate as co-substrate. Methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase and ATP-dependent pyruvate carboxylase, but not methylmalonyl-CoA:pyruvate transcarboxylase, were detected in cell-free extracts of malate- or lactate-grown cells. The energetic aspects of these fermentation patterns are discussed.

Yeast pyruvate carboxylase: identification of two genes encoding isoenzymes

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, pyruvate carboxylase [EC 6.4.1.1] has an important anaplerotic role in the production of oxaloacetate from pyruvate. We report here the existence of two pyruvate carboxylase isozymes, which are encoded by separate genes within the yeast genome. Null mutants were constructed by one step gene disruption of the characterised PYC gene in the yeast genome. The mutants were found to have 10-20% residual pyruvate carboxylase activity, which was attributable to a protein of identical size and immunogenically related to pyruvate carboxylase. Immunocytochemical labelling studies on ultrathin sections of embedded whole cells from the null mutants showed the isozyme to be located exclusively in the cytoplasm. We have mapped the genes encoding both enzymes and shown the previously characterised gene, designated PYC1, to be on chromosome VII whilst PYC2 is on chromosome II.

The enigmatic presence of all gluconeogenic enzymes in Schistosoma mansoni adults

The activities of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and pyruvate carboxylase (PC) were determined in homogenates of adult Schistosoma mansoni worms and compared with the activities in homogenates of rat liver and rat skeletal muscle, tissues with a high and a low gluconeogenic capacity, respectively. All four gluconeogenic enzymes were present in S. mansoni. The enzymes were less active than in rat liver, but the activities of G6Pase, PEPCK and PC were at least an order of magnitude higher than in rat skeletal muscle whereas FBPase was approximately equally active in S. mansoni and in rat muscle. Experiments with 14C-labelled substrates or [14C]NaHCO3 failed to demonstrate the actual occurrence of gluconeogenesis in S. mansoni. Some possible other functions of the gluconeogenic enzymes were investigated. Experiments with inhibitors of PEPCK gave no indications that this enzyme was involved in the degradation of glucose. This was confirmed by 13C-NMR experiments which indicated that lactate was formed from phosphoenolpyruvate via the actions of pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, and that PEPCK did not participate in the formation of lactate. Substrate cycling between fructose-6-dehydrogenase, and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate was demonstrated to occur in adult S. mansoni. This shows that FBPase participates in the glucose metabolism of this parasite.

Key enzymes of gluconeogenesis are dose-dependently reduced in 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-treated rats

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (240-245 g) were dosed ip with 5, 15, 25, or 125 micrograms/kg -,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in corn oil. Ad libitum-fed and pair-fed controls received vehicle (4 ml/kg) alone. Two or 8 days after dosing five rats of each group were sacrificed, their livers removed and assayed for the activities of three gluconeogenic enzymes [phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK; EC 4.1.1.32), pyruvate carboxylase (PC; EC 6.4.1.1), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase, EC 3.13.9)], and one glycolytic enzyme [pyruvate kinase (PK; EC 2.7.1.40)] by established procedures. The activity of PK was not affected by TCDD at either time point. The activity of G-6-Pase tended to be decreased in TCDD-treated animals, as compared to pair-fed controls, but the decrease was variable without an apparent dose-response. The activity of PEPCK was significantly decreased 2 days after dosing, but a clear dose-response was apparent only at the 8-day time point. Maximum loss of activity at the highest dose was 56% below pair-fed control levels. PC activity was slightly decreased 2 days after TCDD treatment and displayed statistically significant, dose-dependent reduction by 8 days after dosing with a 49% loss of enzyme activity after the highest dose. It is concluded that inhibition of gluconeogenesis by TCDD previously demonstrated in vivo is probably due to decreased activities of PEPCK and PC. The data also support the prevailing view that PEPCK and PC are rate-determining enzymes in gluconeogenesis.

Sequence and domain structure of yeast pyruvate carboxylase

The nucleotide sequence of the yeast pyruvate carboxylase gene has been determined from a cloned fragment of yeast genomic DNA. The deduced translation product codes for a polypeptide of 1178 amino acids, having a calculated molecular weight of 130,100. The protein shows strong sequence homology to specific regions of other biotin carboxylases, lipoamide transferases, and carbamyl phosphate synthetases. The homologous regions suggest the presence of three subsites in the enzyme: a biotin attachment site, a keto acid-binding site, and an ATP-binding site. Partial proteolysis with a variety of proteases under nondenaturing conditions indicates the presence of structural domains corresponding to these subsites.

Intracellular distribution of some enzymes of the glutamine utilisation pathway in rat lymphocytes

In lymphocytes of the rat, pyruvate kinase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and NADP+-linked malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating) are distributed almost exclusively in the cytosol whereas pyruvate carboxylase is distributed almost entirely in the mitochondria. For NAD+-linked malate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase approximately 80% and 40%, respectively, are in the cytosolic compartment. Since glutaminase is present in the mitochondria, glutamine is converted to malate within the mitochondria but further metabolism of the malate is likely to occur in the cytosol. Hence pyruvate produced from this malate, via oxaloacetate and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, may be rapidly converted to lactate, so restricting the entry of pyruvate into the mitochondria and explaining why very little glutamine is completely oxidised in these cells despite a high capacity of the Krebs cycle.

Assessment of biotin deficiency in animals

Biotin deficiency can be induced readily in monogastric animals and is accompanied by characteristic abnormalities. These include dermal lesions involving hyper- and parakeratosis and, in fur-bearing animals, alopecia and achromatricia. Biochemical changes include depressions in the activities of biotin-dependent enzymes and the metabolic pathways in which they are involved. However, it has been shown in chickens that the relative changes in the activities of these enzymes and the resultant manifestations of the deficiency can be markedly influenced by the dietary content of other nutrients such as protein or fat. Biochemical criteria are required for the diagnosis of subclinical deficiency and these are best-established for poultry. Blood pyruvate carboxylase activity is a good criterion in young birds. Biotin-responsive disorders have been identified in several species. The etiology of fatty liver and kidney syndrome in chickens is now largely understood and is an interesting example of how a combination of nutritional and environmental factors can result in sudden death in, until then, apparently healthy animals.

The effects of oxalate and glucose on lipogenesis by isolated hepatocytes from normal and biotin-deficient chicks (Gallus domesticus)

Isolated hepatocytes synthesize fatty acids and cholesterol from lactate and acetate with lactate being the more effective substrate. Biotin deficiency decreased fatty acid synthesis from both substrates but stimulated cholesterogenesis. Exposure of intact hepatocytes to oxalate inhibited fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis from lactate, this effect was enhanced in biotin-deficient chicks. A similar effect was not observed when acetate was the substrate. Synthesis of fatty acids from lactate and acetate was stimulated by glucose, biotin deficiency increased this response. Cholesterogenesis was reduced in control but not biotin-deficient chicks.

Gluconeogenic enzymes in fibroblasts from infants dying of the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

The activities of mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), pyruvate carboxylase (PC), and total malic enzyme (ME) were determined in cultured fibroblasts from 74 infants diagnosed as having died from the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and 36 infants who died from known causes. In addition, the glycemic state of infants was measured by determining the 'maximum' glucose present in plasma and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) based on the following formula: glucose (maximum) = glucose + 1/2 (lactate). There were no statistical differences between SIDS and control infants in any of the three enzymatic activities measured in fibroblasts or in the estimated 'maximum' glucose values in plasma or CSF. The present results do not support the involvement of hypoglycemia as a cause of death in SIDS.

The measurement of propionyl-CoA carboxylase and pyruvate carboxylase activity in hair roots: its use in the diagnosis of inherited biotin-dependent enzyme deficiencies

Two mitochondrial biotin-dependent enzymes, propionyl-CoA carboxylase and pyruvate carboxylase, are measurable in hair roots. A third biotin-dependent enzyme, beta-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase, was barely detectable in hair roots. The diagnosis of isolated propionyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency was confirmed in hair roots of a known affected patient. This method should be a rapid and accurate method for the diagnoses of the various carboxylase deficiencies, particularly isolated pyruvate carboxylase deficiency in individuals with lactic acidosis, as well as for the assessment of biotin responsiveness in these patients.

Immunofluorescent localization of acetyl CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthetase and pyruvate carboxylase during the adipocyte conversion of 3T3 fibroblasts

Three enzymes involved in the conversion of 3T3-L2 fibroblasts into fat cells, acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthetase (FAS) and pyruvate carboxylase (PC) have been localized by immunofluorescence techniques. The method enables the identification of cells undergoing the conversion while they are still fibroblastic in appearance, often before the obvious appearance of fat droplets. Specific fluorescence for each enzyme can be seen in "clones" of cells derived from single cells, which may undergo an event during logarithmic growth, which programs the cells to differentiate subsequent to confluence of and addition of induction medium.

Pyruvate carboxylase deficiency and lactic acidosis in a retarded child without Leigh's disease

A child with lactic acidosis, severe mental and developmental retardation, and proximal renal tubular acidosis is presented. Biopsy and autopsy studies show severe hepatic, renal cortical, and cerebral deficiencies in pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1) activity. The patient had 1.81 +/- 0.20 units/g fresh weight at biopsy and 0.75 +/- 0.07 units/g fresh weight hepatic pyruvate carboxylase activity at autopsy compared with 10.9, 11.3, and 9.5 units/g fresh weight in two autopsy and one biopsy controls, respectively. The patient's renal cortical pyruvate carboxylase activity at autopsy was 0.008 +/- 0.004 units/g fresh weight compared with 5.05 units/g in the autopsy control. The patient had no detectable (less than 0.018 units/g fresh weight) cerebral pyruvate carboxylase activity at autopsy compared with 0.44, 0.53, and 0.695 units/g in the autopsy cerebrum of one human and two rhesus monkeys, respectively. Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK, EC 4.1.1.32), and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11) activities were in the normal range. The patient's urine pH was above 7.9 when the total serum CO2 was greater than 7.8 mM. However, the patient was able to acidify the urine to pH 5.1 when the total serum CO2 was 1.6 mM. The neuropathologic examination of the brain at autopsy revealed no sign of Leigh's disease, although developmental and degenerative lesions were observed. This is the first reported patient with a primary deficiency in hepatic, renal, and cerebral pyruvate carboxylase deficiency in whom the neuropathologic lesions, distinct from those of Leigh's disease, and proximal renal tubular acidosis have both been documented.

Deficient activity of hepatic pyruvate dehydrogenase and pyruvate carboxylase in Reye's syndrome

The activity of certain hepatic enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism was measured in postmortem samples from six cases of Reye's syndrome. The activities of the two exclusively extramitochondrial enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-diphosphatase, were all within the normal range. Activities of pyruvate carboxylase and pyruvate dehydrogenase, both of which are exclusively mitochondrial enzymes, were below levels, shown by control tissue in every case, the average being 21.7% of the lowest control value for pyruvate carboxylase and 11.6% of that for pyruvate dehydrogenase. Impaired pyruvate metabolism appears to be another feature in Reye's syndrome.

The existence of a glyconeogenic pathway in rat skin

The existence of a glyconeogenic pathway in rat skin has been demonstrated by measurement of three of the key glyconeogenic enzymes, fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and by studies on the incorporation in vitro of carbon from pyruvate and alanine into skin glycogen.

Structural properties of pyruvate carboxylases from chicken liver and other sources

Varieties of pyruvate carboxylase [pyruvate: CO2 ligase (ADP-forming), EC 6.4.1.1] obtained from the livers of several species of vertebrates, including humans, all show the same basic structure. They are composed of large polypeptide chains of molecular weights ranging from 1.2 to 1.3 X 10(5) for the different varieties of the enzyme. The native form of the enzyme appears to be a tetramer with a molecular weight of about 5 X 10(5). In the case of pyruvate carboxylase from chicken liver each polypeptide chain contains a biotin moiety, thus supporting the thesis that the tetramer contains four identical polypeptide chains. Pyruvate carboxylase from yeast appears to be basically similar to those from the vertebrate species and has a tetrameric structure. Each protomer contains a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weitht of 1.25 X 10(5). In contrast, pyruvate carboxylase from two bacterial species, Pseudomonas citronellolis and Axotobacter vinelandii, appears to be a dimer with a molecular weight (2.5 X 10(5)) about half that of the animal and yeast species. As a further difference, each of the protomers of the bacterial enzymes contain two polypeptides of 6.5 and 5.4 X 10(5) molecular weight in case of the Pseudomonas enzyme. The larger of the two polypeptides contains the biotin moiety. The functional units of the bacterial enzyme thus appear to contain two polypeptides while that of the liver and yeast enzymes is made up of a single chain. Neither of these arrangements corresponds with those of other biotin enzymes whose structure has been extensively studied (acetyl-CoA carboxylases from liver or Excherichia coli, and transcarboxylase from Propionibacterium).

The relationship between mitochondrial heterogeneity and gluconeogenesis in liver mitochondria of the rat, pigeon and guinea pig

Isolated mitochondria of pigeon and guinea pig liver were subjected to zonal centrifugation. With pigeon liver mitochondria there was uniform distribution of pyruvate carboxylase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, malate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities. Guinea pig liver mitochondria demonstrated two pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase maxima but only one maximum with aspartate aminotransferase, malate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase. Mitochondrial enzyme levels in rat, pigeon and guinea pig indicate different roles of certain gluconeogenic enzymes in the transport of carbon and hydrogen in and out of mitochondria.

Analysis of bacterial biotin-proteins

The biotin-protein populations in several bacterial strains were analyzed by solubilization of [3H]biotin-labeled cells with sodium dodecylsulfate followed by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels containing the detergent. A variety of patterns of biotin-labeled polypeptide chains was seen, ranging from a single biotin-protein in Escherichia coli, corresponding to the biotin carboxyl carrier protein component of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, to multiple species in Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas citronellolis, Bacillus cereus, Propionibacterium shermanii, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Mycobacterium phlei, which probably represent subunits of multiple biotin-dependent enzymes present in these organisms. In the case of Pseudomonas citronellolis two major biotin-containing polypeptides with approximate molecular weights of 65 000 and 25 000 were shown to correspond to the biotin carboxyl carrier components of pyruvate carboxylase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, respectively. Thus in the case of Pseudomonas citronellolis two different biotin-dependent enzymes in the same cell do not share common biotin carboxyl carrier subunits.

The activities and intracellular distribution of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate-malate dehydrogenase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and pyruvate carboxylase in rat, guinea-pig and rabbit tissues

1. Measurements are presented of the activity and intracellular distribution of phosphoenolypruvate carboxykinase, pyruvate carboxylase and NADP-malate dehydrogenase in rat, guinea-pig and rabbit liver and kidney cortex, together with previously obtained measurements of these enzymes in adipose tissue. 2. In all three tissues pyruvate carboxylase activity was greatest in the rat and lowest in the rabbit. 3. Guinea pig and rabbit were very similar to each other with respect to the extramitochondrial-mitochondrial distribution of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in all three tissues. 4. NADP-malate dehydrogenase was present in all three tissues in the rat, present in kidney cortex and adipose tissue in the guinea pig and absent from all tissues examines in the rabbit.

Pig liver pyruvate carboxylase. Purification, properties and cation specificity

1. Pyruvate carboxylase was purified to apparent homogeneity from pig liver mitochondria and shown to be free of all kinetically contaminating enzymes. 2. The enzyme has a mol. wt. of 520000 and is composed of four subunits, each with a mol. wt. of 130000. 3. The enzyme can exist as the active tetramer, dimer and monomer, although the tetramer appears to be the form in which the enzyme is normally assayed. 4. For every 520000g of the enzyme there are 4mol of biotin, 3mol of zinc and 1mol of magnesium. No significant concentrations of manganese were detected. 5. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicates three polypeptide chains per monomer unit, each with a mol. wt. of 47000. 6. The amino acid analysis, stoicheiometry of the reaction and the activity of the enzyme as a function of pH are also presented. 7. The enzyme is activated by a variety of univalent cations but not by Tris(+) or triethanolamine(+). 8. The activity of the enzyme is dependent on the presence of acetyl-CoA; the low rate in the absence of added acetyl-CoA is not due to an enzyme-bound acyl-CoA. The dissociation constant for enzyme-bound acetyl-CoA is a marked function of pH.