The ATP synthase gamma subunit provides the primary site of activation of the chloroplast enzyme: experiments with a chloroplast-like Synechocystis 6803 mutant.

The activation characteristics of the F1Fo-ATP synthase (where F1 and Fo are the hydrophilic and membrane-bound parts respectively of the enzyme) from Synechocystis 6803 wild-type and a Synechocystis 6803 mutant with a chloroplast-like insertion in the gamma subunit have been studied. Activation of the ATP synthase in wild-type and mutant membrane vesicles was performed by acid-base transition-induced generation of a proton motive force (Delta mu H+). Since the mutant containing the regulatory segment of the chloroplast gamma subunit showed thiol-modulation (typical of the chloroplast enzyme), this segment is indeed involved in the regulation of enzyme activation. It is shown that the ATP synthase from Synechocystis 6803 wild type corresponds functionally to the reduced form of the chloroplast ATP synthase, in view of the low Delta mu H+ required for activation of the enzyme and the high stability of the active state. Both the cyanobacterial wild-type and mutant ATP synthases can be activated by methanol, which apparently does not require the presence of the gamma subunit regulatory segment.

The effect of sulfite on the ATP hydrolysis and synthesis activity of membrane-bound H(+)-ATP synthase from various species.

The action of sulfite on ATP hydrolysis and synthesis activities is investigated in membrane vesicles prepared from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus 6716, chromatophores from the photosynthetic purple bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum, membrane vesicles from the related non-photosynthetic bacterium Paracoccus denitrificans, and bovine heart submitochondrial particles. Without any further pretreatment ATP hydrolysis is stimulated by sulfite in all four membrane preparations. Typically ATP synthesis in the cyanobacterial membrane vesicles is inhibited by sulfite, whereas ATP synthesis in chromatophores and the submitochondrial particles is not. These differences in sensitivity of ATP synthesis to sulfite, however, correspond well with the distribution of (photosynthetic) sulfur oxidizing pathways in the remaining three organisms/organelles compared in this study.

Modulation of the proton-translocation stoichiometry of H(+)-ATP synthases in two phototrophic prokaryotes by external pH.

The stoichiometry between proton translocation and ATP synthesis/hydrolysis was studied in two different photosynthetic prokaryotes, the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus 6716 and the purple bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. The H+/ATP ratio was determined by acid-base transitions as a function of the external pH. The H+/ATP ratio of the Synechococcus 6716 ATP synthase was found to increase with increasing pH. In contrast, in R. rubrum this ratio decreased with increasing pH. These results were qualitatively supported by experiments using the fluorescence probe 9-aminoacridine. The degree of coupling between the H+ flux and the ATP synthesis/hydrolysis reaction is apparently modulated by the conditions under which the proton pump has to work. Such modulation of the H+/ATP ratio may be of physiological significance for an organism, for example when ATP synthesis is necessary at low proton-electrochemical potential difference (delta mu H+ levels). The different pH dependencies of the H+/ATP ratios in these organisms are considered in relation to the differences in the charged amino acids that are present in the F0 subunits a and c.

Some structural aspects of vanadium bromoperoxidase from Ascophyllum nodosum.

The stability of the vanadium containing bromoperoxidase from Ascophyllum nodosum was studied. The enzyme was very resistant against chemical denaturation. Denaturation did not occur upon incubation in 4 M guanidine hydrochloride. Circular dichroism measurements showed that the secondary structure was not affected upon incubation in 4% sodium dodecyl sulphate. The sedimentation coefficient and the molecular mass, determined by ultracentrifugation were 6.96 S and 97 kDa, respectively, indicating a very compact molecule. The protein molecule contained 16 cysteine residues, all of which participated in the formation of disulfide bridges. Circular dichroism-measurements in the far ultraviolet region revealed that the protein consisted of a large amount of alpha-helix (74%), and no beta-pleated sheet. The dissociation constant of the apoprotein vanadium-complex was 55 nM (at pH 8.5), and rapidly increased at lower pH. The data suggest that the protonation of a group with a pKa higher than 8.5 prevents the binding of vanadate. Structural analogues of vanadate (phosphate and arsenate) were competitive inhibitors with respect to the reconstitution of the bromoperoxidase. The inhibition constants were 60 and 120 microM for phosphate and arsenate, respectively. The binding of hydrogen peroxide to the enzyme was visualized by optical spectroscopy. Upon addition of H2O2 the optical absorption spectrum showed a small, but significant, decrease in absorption in the 315 nm region, which was restored upon addition of bromide, or by allowing the solution to stand for several hours. These changes are ascribed to the formation of a stable enzyme-peroxo-intermediate, in line with a previous analysis of the steady-state kinetics.

The brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum contains two different vanadium bromoperoxidases.

Haloperoxidases have been detected in a variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, algae, and mammals. Mammalian haloperoxidases are known to be directly involved in the oxidative destruction of microorganisms. The algal bromoperoxidases are probably involved in the biosynthesis of bromometabolites, most of which show considerable bactericidal activity. From the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (order, Fucales) two different bromoperoxidases have been isolated, which both contain vanadium as an essential element for enzymic activity. The location of these two enzymes, determined by activity staining of cross-sections of algal parts, was different. Bromoperoxidase I (which has been described before) was located inside the thallus, particularly around the conceptacles, whereas bromoperoxidase II was present at the thallus surface of the alga. The molecular masses of these bromoperoxidases as judged from sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis were 97 and 106 kDa, respectively. Some of the enzymatic properties (pH optimum and Km for bromide) of the two enzymes were slightly different, whereas the amino acid compositions were more or less equal. The isoelectric point of the two proteins was the same, namely 5.0. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels both enzymes could be stained with periodic acid Schiff's reagent, so both are glycoproteins. Since only bromoperoxidase II could be bound to a concanavalin A-Sepharose column, these enzymes contain different carbohydrates. Both enzymes display a considerable thermostability. However, the chemical stability of the two bromoperoxidases differed. Bromoperoxidase II could also be inactivated by dialysis at low pH and reactivation was only possible with the transition metal vanadium and not with other metal ions. The presence of vanadium in this enzyme could be established with atomic absorption spectrophotometry and electron paramagnetic resonance. The EPR signals of both bromoperoxidases, which were observed after reduction with sodium dithionite, were similar: only minor differences were observed in the hyperfine coupling. In immunoblotting experiments these two bromoperoxidases were found to cross-react, so they have common antigenic determinants.

Purification and some characteristics of a non-haem bromoperoxidase from Streptomyces aureofaciens.

A bromoperoxidase was isolated from the chlortetracycline-producing actinomycete, Streptomyces aureofaciens. This enzyme catalysed bromination and iodination, but surprisingly did not catalyse chlorination. The enzyme had an acidic pH optimum (pH 4.3) and the isoelectric point was 3.5. The Km for bromide was 20 mM and the Km for H2O2 was as high as 8 mM. The bromoperoxidase did not contain haem, since it was not inhibited by azide or cyanide. Excess bromide or chloride had no effect on its brominating activity; however, fluoride strongly inhibited the bromoperoxidase (Ki = 20 microM). On the basis of gel electrophoresis in the absence and presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate, the molecular mass of the enzyme was 65 kDa and it consisted of two subunits of 32 kDa each. The bromoperoxidase was remarkably thermostable.

Structure and function of vanadium-containing bromoperoxidases.

The properties of the vanadium-containing bromoperoxidases from the seaweeds Ascophyllum nodosum, Laminaria saccharina and the lichen Xanthoria parietina were studied. Upon reduction with sodium dithionite, these bromoperoxidases show EPR spectra which are typical of a vanadyl cation (VO2+). From the spectral parameters and a comparison with inorganic vanadyl complexes, we conclude that the ligand environment largely consists of oxygen donors. The data also show that the structure of the active sites in these enzymes is very similar. Since EPR spectra of vanadium(IV) bromoperoxidase are only obtained after reduction, the metal ion is present in the native enzymes in the 5+ oxidation state. All these enzymes loose their enzymic activity upon dialysis against citrate-phosphate (PO4(3-)) buffer at pH 3.8, containing EDTA. The brominating activity could be reconstituted by the addition of vanadate (VO4(3-)). The experiments suggest that vanadate is incorporated into these enzymes. In line with the EPR data, we propose a structure of the active site in which at least 4 oxygen atoms are present as donors for the central vanadium(V) ion. Since several inorganic peroxovanadium(V) complexes have been described, we suggest that the vanadium ion in bromoperoxidases serves as a binding site for H2O2. Upon subsequent binding of bromide this ion is oxidized by the peroxo-intermediate to form hypobromite. This model does not require valence state changes of the metal ion itself and indeed no changes in the EPR spectrum of reduced bromoperoxidase are observed upon addition of H2O2 or Br-. Further, bromoperoxidase reduced with a small excess of sodium dithionite is not active in the bromination reaction. The bromoperoxidases from the various sources show similarity in the amino-acid composition with a predominance of acidic amino acids. Distinct pH optima are observed in the bromination reaction catalysed by the bromoperoxidases. Despite the presence of the same prosthetic group in these enzymes with comparable vanadium ligand-field environment, the enzymic properties are very different. The specific activity as well as the Km for bromide differ greatly. Unlike the enzymes from the seaweeds A. nodosum and L. saccharina the bromoperoxidase from the lichen X. parietina is inhibited by low concentrations (1-5 mM) of nitrate. These bromoperoxidases have a remarkable resistance towards organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol and propanol.

The bromoperoxidase from the lichen Xanthoria parietina is a novel vanadium enzyme.

A novel bromoperoxidase was isolated from the lichen Xanthoria parietina. The enzyme contained vanadium, which is essential for enzymic activity. Under denaturating conditions the preparation showed a single protein band with an Mr of 65,000. Thermal-denaturation studies showed that this bromoperoxidase could tolerate high temperatures. The affinity of the enzyme for its substrate bromide is high; the Km for bromide was 29 microM. Excess halides (50 mM) inhibited enzymic activity considerably.

Organization and expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of K99 fimbriae.

Escherichia coli K-12 minicells were used to study the expression of plasmid pFK99 encoding for the production of K99 fimbriae. Plasmid pFK99 is composed of a 6.7-kilobase pair DNA fragment derived from the wild-type K99 plasmid and the vector pBR322. The cloned K99 DNA expressed seven polypeptides with apparent masses of 18.2, 19.0, 21.0, 21.5, 26.5, 33.5, and 76.0 kilodaltons (kd). The 18.2-kd polypeptide was identified as the K99 fimbrial subunit by reaction with specific anti-K99 antibodies. The fimbrial subunit and the 19.0-, 26.5-, 33.5-, and 76.0-kd polypeptides appeared to be synthesized in a precursor form which was ca. 2 kd larger than the mature polypeptide. The location of the structural genes encoding the seven polypeptides on the physical map of pFK99 was established by analyzing a set of deletion derivatives of pFK99. The gene encoding the fimbrial subunit was located at the promoter proximal end of the K99 operon. Only mutants with a deletion in the gene encoding the 33.5- or the 19.0-kd polypeptide or both showed a weak expression of the K99 antigen and a comparably weak agglutination of horse or sheep erythrocytes. None of the deletion mutants was able to adhere to calf intestinal epithelial cells.