Effects of cyanobacterial extracellular products and gibberellic acid on salinity tolerance in Oryza sativa L

Salt stress is one of the most serious factors limiting the productivity of rice, the staple diet in many countries. Gibberellic acid has been reported to reduce NaCl-induced growth inhibition in some plants including rice. Most paddy soils have a natural population of Cyanobacteria, prokaryotic photosynthethic microorganisms, which synthesize and liberate plant growth regulators such as gibberellins that could exert a natural beneficial effect on salt stressed rice plants. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the cyanobacterium Scytonema hofmanni extracellular products on the growth of rice seedlings inhibited by NaCl and to compare it with the effect of the gibberellic acid in the same stress condition. Growth (length and weight of the seedlings) and biochemical parameters (5-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity, total free porphyrin and pigments content) were evaluated.

Salt exposure negatively affected all parameters measured, with the exception of chlorophyll. Chlrorophyll concentrations nearly doubled upon exposure to high salt. Gibberellic acid counteracted the effect of salt on the length and dry weight of the shoot, and on carotenoid and chlorophyll b contents. Extracellular products nullified the salt effect on shoot dry weight and carotenoid content; partially counteracted the effect on shoot length (from 54% to 38% decrease), root dry weight (from 59% to 41% decrease) and total free porphyrin (from 31 to 13% decrease); reduced by 35% the salt increase of chlorophyll a; had no effect on root length and chlorophyll b. Gibberellic acid and extracellular products increased 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity over the control without salt. When coincident with high salinity, exposure to either EP or GA₃, resulted in a reversal of shoot-related responses to salt stress. We propose that Scytonema hofmanni extracellular products may counteract altered hormone homeostasis of rice seedlings under salt stress by producing gibberellin-like plant growth regulators.

Effects of acetyl-L-carnitine on the formation of fatty acid ethyl esters in brain and peripheral organs after short-term ethanol administration in rat

Increasing evidence suggests that Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) play a central role in ethanol induced organ damage. In the current study we measured FAEE formation in rats after short-term oral administration of ethanol, in the presence and absence of pre-treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine. Ethanol treatment caused a significant increase in the levels of FAEE, particularly in the brain and heart, but also in the kidney and liver. Increases in FAEE were associated with a significant increase in FAEE synthase activity, GSH transferase activity, and lipid hydroperoxide levels. Pretreatment with acetyl-L-carnitine resulted in a significant reduction of FAEE accumulation, decrease in FAEE synthase and GSH transferase activities, and lipid hydroperoxide levels. Administration of acetyl-L-carnitine greatly reduced the metabolic abnormalities due to non-oxidative ethanol metabolism, through an increment in lipid metabolism/turnover and by the modulation of the activities of enzymes associated with FAEE synthesis. These results suggest a potentially important pharmacological role for acetyl-L-carnitine in the prevention of alcohol-induced cellular damage.

Lead toxicity in cyanobacterial porphyrin metabolism

The effect of Pb2+ on growth, tetrapyrrole photosynthetic pigment content, total free porphyrin, and 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D) activity of a cyanobacterium, Microchaete tenera, and its ability to sequester Pb2+ from the culture medium were studied. Pb2+ was assayed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. M. tenera growth and chlorophyll a content were not affected by 0.5, 1.0, and 6.0 ppm of Pb2+. These treatments doubled the protein content and increased the phycobiliprotein content by four times after 7 days. The ALA-D activity decreased in all concentrations by 63% at day 7 and by 34% at day 14. As a consequence of ALA-D inhibition, total free porphyrin also decreased by 64% at day 7 and by 40% at day 14. The highest biomass lead uptake (7454 +/- 565 micrograms Pb2+/g dry weight) was observed at day 3 with 6.0 ppm of Pb2+ in the culture medium. Uptake coefficient was highest (3723 +/- 279 micrograms Pb2+ g-1 dry weight/ppm of applied Pb2+) with 1.0 ppm after 3 days. The increase in protein and antenna pigments on day 7 was probably a response to stress conditions and could explain why the toxic metal did not affect growth. ALA-D inhibition and high lead biomass content confirm the importance of this enzyme as a biological indicator for stress.

NO synthase and NO-dependent signal pathways in brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders: the role of oxidant/antioxidant balance

Nitric oxide and other reactive nitrogen species appear to play several crucial roles in the brain. These include physiological processes such as neuromodulation, neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity, and pathological processes such as neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. There is increasing evidence that glial cells in the central nervous system can produce nitric oxide in vivo in response to stimulation by cytokines and that this production is mediated by the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase. Although the etiology and pathogenesis of the major neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders (Alzheimer's disease, amyothrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and multiple sclerosis) are unknown, numerous recent studies strongly suggest that reactive nitrogen species play an important role. Furthermore, these species are probably involved in brain damage following ischemia and reperfusion, Down's syndrome and mitochondrial encephalopathies. Recent evidence also indicates the importance of cytoprotective proteins such as heat shock proteins (HSPs) which appear to be critically involved in protection from nitrosative and oxidative stress. In this review, evidence for the involvement of nitrosative stress in the pathogenesis of the major neurodegenerative/ neuroinflammatory diseases and the mechanisms operating in brain as a response to imbalance in the oxidant/antioxidant status are discussed.

Relative contribution of different receptor subtypes in the response of neuroblastoma cells to tumor necrosis factor-alpha

The effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on neuronal viability has been investigated in the SK-N-BE neuroblastoma cell line. These cells undergo differentiation upon chronic treatment with retinoic acid. Exposure of SK-N-BE cells to TNF-alpha produced a proliferative response in undifferentiated cells, whereas a reduced cell number was observed in retinoic acid (RA)-differentiated cultures. This biphasic response may be related to the different expression of TNF-alpha receptors (TNFRs); a significant increase in the density of TNFR1 was in fact observed following RA-induced differentiation. Under these conditions, a pronounced increase in the formation of ceramide-1-phosphate (which was prevented by the selective inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C, D609) and an activation of caspase-3 upon TNF-alpha challenge were evident. Selective blockade of each TNFR subtype allowed a more detailed analysis of the effect observed. Preincubation with an anti-TNFR1 antibody prevented the cytotoxic effect of TNF-alpha in RA-differentiated SK-N-BE cells, whereas the anti-TNFR2 antibody blocked the proliferative activity of the cytokine in undifferentiated cultures.

HSP70 induction in the brain following ethanol administration in the rat: regulation by glutathione redox state

Changes in glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) levels and/or redox status have been suggested to mediate the induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs) that follows exposure to oxidizing agents such as ethanol. Here we report the effects of ethanol administration to rats at intracellular levels of GSH, GSSG, HSP70, and protein carbonyls in brain and liver. Following 7 days of ethanol administration, there was a significant decrease in GSH, a significant induction of HSP70, and a significant increase in protein carbonyls in all brain regions studied and in liver. In cortex, striatum, and hippocampus there was a significant correlation between (a) the decrease in GSH, (b) the increase in GSSG, and (c) the decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio and HSP70 levels induced in response to ethanol. These data support the hypothesis that a redox mechanism may be involved in the heat-shock signal pathway responsible for HSP70 induction in the brain.

Inhibition of erythrocyte aminolevulinate dehydratase by a 56.2-kD peptide from uremic plasma

Among the abnormalities in erythrocyte porphyrin metabolism already described in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis, a decrease in blood aminolevulinate dehydratase activity has been reported, suggesting the presence in uremic plasma of an inhibitor of the enzyme. The aim of this work has been to isolate and characterize such an inhibitor. Blood samples from 105 patients with chronic uremia were collected; plasma was applied to Sephadex G-100 columns and the fraction with the highest inhibiting capacity was identified and purified by subsequent SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by electroelution and electroblotting. It was demonstrated that the factor present in plasma of uremic patients inhibited blood aminolevulinate dehydratase in a concentration-dependent manner; its inhibitory properties were abolished after heat, trypsin and TCA treatment indicating its peptidic nature. The purified inhibitor has an apparent molecular mass of 56.2 kD, it inhibits blood aminolevulinate dehydratase in a competitive way and the Ki value is 12x10(-6) M. The amino acid composition of the inhibitor has been determined and it has been found that its N-terminal amino acid is blocked. The isolated peptide may play a role in heme biosynthesis disturbances and in the pathogenesis of uremic anemia.

AMPA receptor subunits are differentially expressed in parvalbumin- and calretinin-positive neurons of the rat hippocampus

Recent studies suggest a functional diversity of native alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate-type glutamate receptor channels (AMPARs). In several types of interneurons, AMPARs are characterized by higher Ca2+ permeability and faster kinetics than AMPARs in principal cells. We studied the expression profile of AMPAR subunits in the hippocampal parvalbumin (PV)- and calretinin (CR)-positive cells, which represent different populations of non-principal cells. To this end, non-radioactive in situ hybridization with AMPAR subunit specific cRNAs was combined with immunocytochemistry for PV or CR. Double-immunolabelling using antibodies against AMPAR subunits and PV or CR was also performed. PV-containing neurons represent a fairly homogeneous population of cells expressing high levels of GluR-A and GluR-D mRNAs, moderate levels of GluR-C and low levels of GluR-B mRNAs in all the examined regions of hippocampus. The vast majority of CR-containing cells have a much lower expression of GluR-A, -C and -D mRNA than PV-positive neurons, although similarly featuring low levels of GluR-B mRNA. Only a subpopulation of CR-containing cells, the spiny neurons of the dentate gyrus and CA3 region of the hippocampus were characterized by a strong expression of GluR-A and -D subunit mRNAs. The differential pattern found for the AMPAR subunit mRNA expression was confirmed by immunocytochemistry at protein level. Despite the common feature of low GluR-B subunit expression, PV- and CR-containing interneurons differ with respect to the density and combination of their expressed AMPAR subunits. The different combination of subunits might subserve different properties of the AMPA channels featured by these cell types, with implications for the functioning of the hippocampal network.

Effect of nitric oxide synthase induction on the expression of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme subunits in mixed cortical and astroglial cell cultures

In the present study we evaluated the effects of NO synthase (NOS) induction on the regulation of cytochrome c oxidase (CO) and F0F1-ATPase subunit expression in astroglial and mixed cortical cell cultures. In mixed cortical cell cultures, 18 h of treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.1 microgram/mL) plus interferon-gamma (INF-gamma, 10 U/mL) caused an increase of mRNAs for CO-I, F0F1-ATPase 6 and also for iNOS at 20 DIV. The induction of both CO-I and F0F1-ATPase 6 was abolished by the NOS inhibitor N-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA) or by the enzymatic scavenger superoxide dismutase/catalase (SOD/CAT). In primary astroglial cell cultures, treatment for 18 h with increasing concentrations of LPS and INF gamma, produced an increase in the amount of mitochondrial encoded CO-I and -II subunits, with no significant modifications of nuclear encoded subunit IV. An increase was also observed at level of transcription for CO-I and -II, and F0F1-ATPase 6 mRNAs. These effects were abolished by addition of NMMA or SOD/CAT. mRNA induction of CO-I was higher in mixed cortical than in astroglial cell cultures while that of F0F1-ATPase 6 was similar in both cell types. These results suggest that the expression of mitochondrial encoded subunits (CO-I, CO-II and F0F1-ATPase 6) is up-regulated in response to oxygen and NO reactive species. The activity of cytochrome c oxidase decreased after LPS/INF gamma treatment in both astroglial and mixed cortical cultures. The activity of ATP synthase was unmodified, while ATP content drastically decreased after LPS/INF gamma treatment, in both astroglial and mixed cortical cultures. The enzymatic activities of catalase and Mn-SOD (mitochondrial) showed a significant increase after LPS/INF gamma treatment, which was abolished by NMMA.

[Acquired characteristics of porphyria cutanea tarda in patients infected with hepatitis C virus]

BACKGROUND

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is due to a partial defect of hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (URO-D). In the hereditary form, both hepatic and erythrocytic enzymes are altered, whereas in the acquired form, only the hepatic enzyme fails. There is a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with PCT, specially in those without family history of the disease.

AIM

To study erythrocytic URO-D activity in order to find out whether hepatitis C virus infection is associated to the acquired form of PCT or unveils an inactive hereditary form.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

URO-D activity was measured in red blood cells of normal controls, hepatitis C virus carriers without symptoms of PCT and patients with PCT, with and without family history of the disease, with and without anti hepatitis C virus antibodies.

RESULTS

URO-D activity was similar in normal controls, patients with chronic liver disease associated to hepatitis C virus, and in patients with PCT without family history of the disease with and without hepatitis C virus antibodies. URO-D activity was lower in patients with PCT and family history of the disease, with and without hepatitis C virus antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

PCT in patients with hepatitis C virus infection is due to an acquired alteration of hepatic URO-D. Hepatitis C virus does not modify erythrocytic URO-D.

Altered 5-aminolevulinic acid metabolism leading to pseudoporphyria in hemodialysed patients

Hemodialysed patients with no history of porphyria may present neurological symptoms similar to those seen in acute porphyrias. Porphyria has been associated with an increase in plasma levels of 5-aminolevulinic acid and porphobilinogen. Our aim was to evaluate these parameters and the activities of the enzymes involved in the first steps of heme metabolism in non-porphyric hemodialysed patients. The activities of 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase and deaminase were determined in red blood cells (RBC) from 78 hemodialysed patients, before and after dialysis. Plasma levels of 5-aminolevulinic acid, porphobilinogen and zinc were also measured. These parameters were also measured in 40 volunteers to obtain controls levels. The levels of 5-aminolevulinic acid (0.98 +/- 0.09 microgram/ml) and porphobilinogen (1.32 +/- 0.13 micrograms/ml) were raised in non-porphyric patients prior to hemodialysis (P < 0.001) compared with controls (5-aminolevulinic acid 0.13 +/- 0.02 microgram/ml; porphobilinogen 0.90 +/- 0.09 microgram/ml). After dialysis there was a decrease in both 5-aminolevulinic acid (to 0.61 +/- 0.05 microgram/ml) and porphobilinogen (to 1.10 +/- 0.16 micrograms/ml) although both parameters remained higher than controls (P < 0.001). The activities of both 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase (0.550 +/- 0.095 U/ml RBC), and deaminase (54.13 +/- 9.13 U/ml RBC) were diminished in blood samples of patients before dialysis (P < 0.001) compared to controls (dehydratase 0.975 +/- 0.115 U/ml RBC; deaminase 77.32 +/- 10.00 U/ml RBC). After dialysis 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity was partially recovered (to 0.666 +/- 0.100 U/ml RBC) while deaminase returned to normal values (73.45 +/- 9.46 U/ml RBC). The plasma zinc concentration in hemodialysed patients (44 +/- 12 micrograms/100 ml) was significantly lower than controls (105 +/- 30 micrograms/100 ml, P < 0.001). Addition of 22.5 mM zinc to the dehydratase reaction mixture raised the activity of 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase in blood samples of hemodialysed patients taken before and after dialysis. The study reports a partial loss of activity of 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase and deaminase activities in red blood cells from non-porphyric patients undergoing hemodialysis. Since plasma zinc levels were below normal in hemodialysed patients, and the activity of 5-aminolevulinate dehydratase could be restored by the addition of zinc, it is suggested that these abnormalities in heme metabolism may be explained by altered zinc and associated antioxidant status following dialysis.

Liposoluble vitamins and naturally occurring carotenoids in porphyria cutanea tarda

The authors consider two groups of patients with overt sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) from different continents, with the aim of evaluating the possible impairment of the liposoluble antioxidative system, given the possible synergic effect of porphyrins and iron in promoting oxidative cellular damage. Twenty-three Italian outpatients with overt sporadic PCT and 11 outpatients with PCT from Buenos Aires (Argentina) were matched with 60 patients with liver cirrhosis and 52 healthy Italian controls. Serum levels of alpha- and beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, retinol and alpha-tocopherol were detected by a high-performance liquid chromatographic technique devised in our laboratory, which afforded an accurate and simultaneous resolution of all these compounds. The results point to a significant reduction in plasma levels of alpha- and beta-carotene in both the PCT populations with respect not only to controls, but also to the cirrhotic population, which had more severe liver damage. Moreover, other carotenoids with proven antioxidative properties, like cryptoxanthin and lycopene, are greatly reduced in our PCT populations. This confirms the suggested synergic effect of iron and porphyrins in the oxidative intracellular damage with consequent depletion of antioxidative liposoluble molecules.

Induction of primary response genes by excitatory amino acid receptor agonists in primary astroglial cultures

We have characterized the genomic response of astroglial cells to excitatory amino acids by using selective agonists and antagonists for the various receptor subtypes and by analyzing different primary response genes, such as members of the Fos (c-fos and fosB) and Jun (c-jun, junB, and junD) families, zif/268, and c-myc. A rapid and transient elevation of mRNA levels for c-fos, fosB, c-jun, junB, and zif/268 was observed after addition of glutamate to cultured astrocytes, whereas junD and c-myc expression was not affected. The level of AP-1 DNA binding activity, as measured by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay, also increased after addition of glutamate to cultured astrocytes. Glutamate-induced c-fos expression was not affected by the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists MK-801 and D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate, by the kainate/alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5- methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptor antagonist 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), or by the broad-spectrum antagonist kynurenate. Kainate and AMPA were also effective in inducing primary response gene expression, and their actions were antagonized by kynurenate and DNQX but not by MK-801. 1S,3R-1-Aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, a selective agonist for the metabotropic glutamate receptor, induced primary response gene expression, but its action was not antagonized by different glutamate antagonists, including L-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionate. In conclusion, our data suggest that cultured astrocytes express both kainate/AMPA ionotropic receptors and metabotropic receptors coupled to the rapid and coordinated activation of different classes of transcriptional factor genes.

[Results of treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda with bloodletting and chloroquine]

In 59 patients showing clear clinical and biochemical signs of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), we tested 3 different modes of therapy: 20 patients received combined treatment with repeated bleeding and chloroquine, 24 patients were exclusively treated with oral chloroquine in low doses, and 15 patients underwent repeated phlebotomy only. On an average, the time necessary for remission amounted to 3.5, 10.2, and 12.5 months, respectively. So the combined therapy proved the quickest. In patients with the acquired form of PCT, the pattern of urinary porphyrin normalized; those suffering from hereditary PCT retained the typically high uro/copro ratio. The values of the plasma porphyrin count and the plasma porphyrin index (PPI), which had been greatly enhanced before, went down to normal after therapy.

Two cases of infantile porphyria cutanea tarda: successful treatment with oral S-adenosyl-L-methionine and low-dose oral chloroquine

In a 7-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy, with photosensitivity and hypertrichosis, the diagnosis of familial porphyria cutanea tarda was confirmed by the characteristic pattern of urinary porphyrin excretion, diminished erythrocyte uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase and elevated plasma porphyrin index with emission maxima at 617-618 nm. The patients were treated with a combination of low-dose oral chloroquine and oral S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM); in one case alkalinization of urine was also applied. Complete clinical and biochemical recovery was achieved within 3 months. No adverse ophthalmological or other side-effects were observed. We propose that the treatment of choice should be oral SAM (12 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks and oral chloroquine (2 X 100 mg weekly) for about 120-150 days or until improvement of clinical and biochemical abnormalities is attained. So far no relapses have occurred. This combined therapy appears to be safe, simple, effective and very convenient for both patients and physicians.

In inherited porphyrias, lead intoxication is a toxogenetic disorder

1. delta-Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D), blood lead and several enzymes and metabolites of the heme biosynthetic pathway were measured in a number of symptomatic porphyric patients, 22 with acute intermittent porphyria, three with hereditary hepatic coproporphyria, 10 with hereditary porphyria cutanea tarda, two with erythropoietic protoporphyria and two with congenital erythropoietic porphyria and in 84 lead intoxicated persons. 2. In the 39 individuals suffering from the inherited porphyrias and in 32 lead poisoned patients with a 30-50% reduced deaminase, blood lead content was not sufficiently increased (average 28 micrograms%) to account for the greatly decreased activity of ALA-D (average 36% of controls). 3. After a relatively trifling lead exposure they developed the signs of acute lead intoxication. 4. A second group of lead intoxicated patients showing low ALA-D activity and corresponding high concentration of lead in blood, exhibited no other physiologic deviation in the enzymes and metabolites of porphyrin biosynthesis. 5. Individuals with inherited porphyrias are ultrasensitive to low level lead exposure and that lead would also act as a triggering factor. In these patients, lead intoxication can be considered a toxogenetic disorder. 6. An inversely linear correlation between ALA-D activity and blood lead content was obtained for both groups of lead intoxicated patients, however, a different constant (k) for each was obtained, which we have taken as a measure of lead toxogeneticity: k = 10 +/- 1 for lead intoxicated individuals with otherwise normal heme metabolism and k = 5 +/- 0.5 for lead intoxicated symptomatic porphyric patients. 7. Determination of erythrocytic ALA-D, besides blood lead, will be a valuable indicator for preventive medical care for these patients, when they are expected to be exposed to lead either environmentally or in their professional life.

Photodynamic inactivation of red cell uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase by porphyrins

The effects of light and porphyrins on the activity of red cell uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase were studied. Photoinactivation of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase was dependent on uroporphyrin concentration, irradiation time and temperature. Using 40 W/m2 of UV light intensity, 40-45% decreased activity was produced with 200 microM uroporphyrin I, at 37 degrees C and after 2 hr of illumination. It has been demonstrated that porphyrins photoinactivate uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase and a mechanism for this action in relation to skin lesions is proposed.

Enzyme replacement therapy in porphyrias--IV. First successful human clinical trial of delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase-loaded erythrocyte ghosts

A patient with chronic lead intoxication was treated with only one course of highly purified human blood aminolaevulinate dehydratase entrapped in autologous erythrocyte ghosts given intravenously. No untoward effects were observed during or after infusion. An immediate increase in the patient's erythrocyte dehydratase activity was detected 1 hr after enzyme administration, reaching its maximum and nearly normal level 2 days later, values remained unchanged for a week, to slowly diminish after 2 weeks of initiated the treatment, and finally recovered activity was kept practically leveled off for weeks. This novel therapeutic trial produced complete improvement both clinical and biochemical, showing that enzyme infusion has been beneficial and can be safely and successfully used in the treatment of human lead intoxication.

Acquired and inherited porphyria: clinical and biochemical features

Inheritance in 30 cases of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and their relatives was investigated. Seventeen families were studied using the clinical criteria, quantitation, and thin layer chromatography of urinary porphyrins. Thirteen families (13 propositus and 48 relatives) were investigated by using the above criteria and in vitro porphyrin biosynthesis by erythrocytes from delta-aminolevulinic acid. Three different types of PCT were identified: overt, subclinical, and latent. Among 61 members examined, 13 had overt PCT. In six families, ten members had subclinical PCT and six latent PCT showing that in these six families PCT was a hereditary disorder. In seven other families inheritance could not be demonstrated.

Porphyrin biosynthesis in parasitic hemoflagellates: functional and defective enzymes in Trypanosoma cruzi

1. Heme compounds are necessary as a growth factor for Trypanosoma cruzi in culture, this porphyrin requirement being due to the inability of the parasite to synthesize heme. To obtain supporting evidence for this hypothesis, an extensive study of porphyrin biosynthesis in the epimastogote form of T. cruzi (Tulahuén strain) was carried out. 2. Low levels of endogenous delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG) were found in extracts of T. cruzi. Free porphyrins and heme contents were practically nil. 3. The activity of succinyl CoA synthetase (Suc. CoA-S) was rather high and therefore non-limiting. 4. Both delta-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALA-S) and 4.5, dioxovaleric transaminase (DOVA-T), the two enzymes forming ALA, were readily detected and their activities, although low, were of the same order. 5. delta-Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activity was almost negligible and both porphobilinogenase (PBGase) and deaminase were absent or inactive. 6. Heme-Synthetase (Heme-S) was totally functional. 7. It is concluded that T. cruzi has lost part of its heme biosynthetic pathway, possibly due to mutations of several genes involved in the synthesis of the soluble enzymes ALA-D, PBGase, deaminase and probably others preceding Heme-S; while the particulate enzymes Suc CoA-S, ALA-S, DOVA-T and Heme-S are functional. As a consequence, the host should supply the parasite with the porphyrin substrate to form its essential heme compounds.

Studies on porphyrin biosynthesis and enzymes involved in bovine congenital erythropoietic porphyria

1. Porphyrin biosynthesis and the enzymes succinyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.2.1.5), δ-aminolaevulinate synthase (EC 2.3.1.37), δ-aminolaevulinate dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.24) and porphobilinogenase enzyme complex at 37°C and 45°C were studied in blood, bone marrow, spleen, liver and kidney of normal bulls and a bull with congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP).

2. Biosynthesis by erythrocytes and spleen was low and slightly lower in CEP than in the normal animals. In liver and kidney biosynthesis was somewhat higher and still lower in CEP than in normal animals. In bone marrow it was high and considerably higher in CEP than in normal animals. In all tissues biosynthesis was higher from porphobilinogen than from δ-aminolaevulinic acid.

3. The porphyrin biosynthesis pattern was 40% uroporphyrin, 15% heptacarboxylic porphyrin, 25% coproporphyrin and 20% suburoporphyrin in the normal animals, but in CEP it was 50% uroporphyrin I, 20–30% uroporphyrin III, 10–12% heptacarboxylic porphyrin and 10–20% suburoporphyrin.

4. In CEP gall-bladder bile contained 100 μmol of coproporphyrin/l and the fresh bladder urine 9 μmol/l, which on standing increased to 21 μmol/l, pointing to excretion of most porphyrin as porphyrinogen in the urine. The blood plasma contained only traces of porphyrin.

5. Enzyme determinations showed threefold increased succinyl-CoA synthase in CEP bone marrow as compared with normal animals, many-fold increase of aminolaevulinate synthase, normal aminolaevulinate dehydratase, sevenfold increase of porphobilinogenase activity on incubation at 45°C and threefold increase at 37°C. In blood, aminolaevulinate synthase and aminolaevulinate dehydratase were increased in CEP, whereas porphobilinogenase at 45 °C was reduced. In liver, aminolaevulinate synthase was normal and porphobilinogenase decreased.

6. Our results show that in this animal with CEP there was an increased porphobilinogen deaminase and a significant enhancement of aminolaevulinate synthase concomitant with a diminished activity of uroporphyrinogen III cosynthase.

Porphyrin biosynthesis. Immobilized enzymes. IV. Studies on aminolaevulate dehydratase attached to Sepharose

Bovine liver aminolaevulate dehydratase (ALA-D) has been chemically attached to Sepharose 4B and its properties have been studied. The optimal conditions for coupling have been determined. It was found that the immobilized enzyme retained a significant percentage of the activity of the free enzyme. The coupling yield was rather high. The insolubilized enzyme requires both anaerobiosis and a thiol activator for maximal activity. It can be stored at 4 degrees C for long periods with little loss of activity and it can be repeatedly used without alteration of its enzymic capacity. Attachment of ALA-D to the gel has led to an enhanced thermal stability. pH optima of free and bound enzyme was the same while a small decrease in the Km of the matrix bonded ALA-D as compared to that of the soluble enzyme was observed. The use of the fixed-ALA-D for the preparation of PBG is described.