Glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger: the mechanism of action with molecular oxygen, quinones, and one-electron acceptors.

Glucose oxidase from the mold Aspergillus niger (EC 1.1.3.4) oxidizes beta-D-glucose with a wide variety of oxidizing substrates. The substrates were divided into three main groups: molecular oxygen, quinones, and one-electron acceptors. The kinetic and chemical mechanism of action for each group of substrates was examined in turn with a wide variety of kinetic methods and by means of molecular modeling of enzyme-substrate complexes. There are two proposed mechanisms for the reductive half-reaction: hydride abstraction and nucleophilic attack followed by deprotonation. The former mechanism appears plausible; here, beta-D-glucose is oxidized to glucono-delta-lactone by a concerted transfer of a proton from its C1-hydroxyl to a basic group on the enzyme (His516) and a direct hydride transfer from its C1 position to the N5 position in FAD. The oxidative half-reaction proceeds via one- or two-electron transfer mechanisms, depending on the type of the oxidizing substrate. The active site of the enzyme contains, in addition to FAD, three amino acid side chains that are intimately involved in catalysis: His516 with a pK(a)=6.9, and Glu412 with pK(a)=3.4 which is hydrogen bonded to His559, with pK(a)>8. The protonation of each of these residues has a strong influence on all rate constants in the catalytic mechanism.

Comparison of the chemical mechanisms of action of yeast and equine liver alcohol dehydrogenase.

The pH-dependence of the steady-state kinetic parameters and the ligand-binding parameters for competitive dead-end inhibitors for the yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1, constitutive, cytoplasmic) reaction was studied in the pH range 6-10. These studies were designed in order to assign the appropriate pKa values to all dissociation forms of enzyme in the chemical mechanism of action for the yeast enzyme, previously proposed by Cook and Cleland [P. F. Cook & W. W. Cleland (1981) Biochemistry 20, 1796-1816]. In addition, the chemical mechanism of action for the yeast enzyme, proposed in this work, was compared with a similar mechanism of action for the horse liver enzyme, proposed by Cook and Cleland. Substantial differences were found, especially in the binding of coenzymes and in the structure of enzyme-coenzyme complexes.

Novel substrates of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase--4. Allyl alcohol and ethylene glycol.

In the present work, we have determined the steady-state kinetic constants for yeast alcohol dehydrogenase-catalyzed oxidation of allyl alcohol (H2C = CH.CH2OH) and ethylene glycol (HOCH2.CH2OH) with NAD+, at pH 8.0; also, a kinetic mechanism for the former reaction was determined at the same pH. In addition, it was found that acrolein is a potent inhibitor of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase.

Use of competitive dead-end inhibitors to determine the chemical mechanism of action of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase.

In this work, we have postulated a comprehensive and unified chemical mechanism of action for yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1, constitutive, cytoplasmic), isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The chemical mechanism of yeast enzyme is based on the integrity of the proton relay system: His-51....NAD+....Thr-48....R.CH2OH(H2O)....Zn++, stretching from His-51 on the surface of enzyme to the active site zinc atom in the substrate-binding site of enzyme. Further, it is based on extensive studies of steady-state kinetic properties of enzyme which were published recently. In this study, we have reported the pH-dependence of dissociation constants for several competitive dead-end inhibitors of yeast enzyme froin their binary complexes with enzyme, or their ternary complexes with enzyme and NAD+ or NADH; inhibitors include: pyrazole, acetamide, sodium azide, 2-fluoroethanol, and 2,2,2-trifluorethanol. The unified mechanism describes the structures of four dissociation forms of apoenzyme, two forms of the binary complex E.NAD+, three forms of the ternary complex E.NAD+.alcohol, two forms of the ternary complex E.NADH.aldehyde and three binary complexes E.NADH. Appropriate pKa values have been ascribed to protonation forms of most of the above mentioned complexes of yeast enzyme with coenzymes and substrates.

Influence of Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane on kinetic mechanism of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase.

Acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, glyceraldehyde-3-P and 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde form Schiff bases in Tris. HCl buffers; the rates of formation and dissociation of Schiff bases, and equilibrium constants for their formation are very similar for the first three aldehydes. The steady-state kinetic constants for the yeast alcohol dehydrogenase-catalyzed reaction, propan-1-ol + NAD+ reversible propionaldehyde + NADH + H+, have been determined in several Tris. HCl buffers of increasing concentration at pH 8.1. In the forward direction, oxidation of alcohol, most kinetic constants are increased by increasing concentrations of Tris. In the reverse direction, reduction of aldehyde, substrate, NADH, Tris and Schiff base were equilibrated before enzyme reaction was started. It was found that Schiff base, rather than Tris, binds to free enzyme competitively with respect to NADH. Tris and Schiff base do not influence the binding of aldehyde to enzyme in any way.

Novel substrates of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase-3. 4-dimethylamino-cinnamaldehyde and chloroacetaldehyde.

4-Dimethylamino-trans-cinnamaldehyde and chloroacetaldehyde are novel substrates of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1). In the present work, we have reported the steady-state kinetic constants for both substrates, and their chemical reactions with the enzyme protein itself. Both substrates are potentially useful for biotechnology, chemoenzyme syntheses and analytical biochemistry.

Simple and rapid chromatographic method for the separation of major classes of ribosomal ribomononucleotides.

We have described a simple and rapid chromatographic method for the analytical and preparative separation of major types of ribosomal ribomononucleotides with Dowex 1-X10 (HCOO-, 37-74 microns) and Dowex 2-X10 (HCOO-, 37-74 microns) columns, by desorption with formiate solutions in 1-2 h. The separation has been achieved for Cp, Ap, Up and Gp, while a mixture of 2'-, and 3'-nucleoside phosphates desorbs as a single peak; with both resins, a successful separation was achieved with a load from 25 micrograms to 1 mg of ribomononucleotide mixture per ml of packed resin. A complete separation was achieved with Dowex 1, while the separation with Dowex 2 resin was even better. The resins cannot separate unusual nucleosides; therefore, our method is suitable for studies of ribonucleic acids with a low content of unusual nucleosides. Our method has been applied for the quantitative determination of the ribomononucleotide composition of 18S and 28S rRNAs, isolated from mammalian tissues: rat liver, mouse kidney and Ehrlich ascites cells. Dowex 1 and Dowex 2 resins afforded similar or identical ribomononucleotide compositions in all cases; analytical data were in agreement with the literature data. Our method is competitive, in several respects, with modern HPLC techniques for the separation of ribomononucleotides.

Use of pH studies to determine the kinetic and chemical mechanism of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase with primary aliphatic alcohols and aldehydes.

A complete list of all steady-state kinetic constants for the yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) catalyzed oxidation of ethanol, propan-1-ol and butan-1-ol, and for the reduction of acetaldehyde and propionaldehyde was collected in the pH range 6-10, and an appropriate pH profile for each constant was constructed. A common minimal mechanism with all these substrates has been postulated and pKa values and the pH independent limiting values have been assigned for the rate constants.

Yeast alcohol dehydrogenase catalyzed reduction of p-nitroso-N, N-dimethylaniline by NADH.

The steady-state kinetics, product identification, stoichiometries, and solvent isotope effects of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase catalyzed reduction of p-nitroso-N,N-dimethylaniline (NDMA) by NADH, are reported. NDMA is enzymatically reduced to p-hydroxylamine-N,N-dimethylaniline, which is further enzymatically dehydrated to corresponding quinonediimine cation (QDI+). QDI+ undergoes nonenzymatic transformations. QDI+ is rapidly reduced by NADH to p-amino-N,N-dimethylaniline (ADMA). Also, QDI+ is readily dismutated with ADMA to form N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine radicals; radicals are stable under steady-state conditions, below pH 7.5. A complete kinetic mechanism for above reactions has been proposed.

Primary toxic effects of anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid in rat liver microsomes.

(1) The endogenous, NADPH-supported production of H2O2 and of O2-.-radicals in rat liver microsomes was very strongly enhanced in the presence of anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid (AQSA). (2) This induction of H2O2 and of O2-.-radicals was catalyzed by the microsomal NADPH:cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.2.4). (3) AQSA was reduced to AQSA radicals by reductase; AQSA radicals reduce molecular oxygen to O2-.-radicals, which are readily dismutated to H2O2 by the microsomal superoxide dismutase. (4) O2-.-radicals are the sole precursors of all AQSA-induced production of H2O2 in liver microsomes.

A novel spectrophotometric method for the enzymatic determination of NAD+ and NADH.

The theory and practice of a novel spectrophotometric method for the enzymatic determination of NAD+ and NADH is described. The method can not discriminate between NAD+ and NADH, but determines the concentration of the sum of both nucleotides. The method is based on the bleaching of p-nitroso-N,N-dimethylaniline (NMDA) (epsilon 440 nm = 35400 M-1cm-1) with NADH, in the presence of ethanol and yeast alcohol dehydrogenase, under the conditions of enzymatic cycling (ethanol > NDNA > NAD/H). The initial rates of -NDMA bleaching are proportional to the concentration of NAD+ or NADH, in a broad range from 10 nM to 100 microM.

Kinetic mechanism of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase activity with secondary alcohols and ketones.

The kinetic mechanism of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) activity with the redox pair 2-propanol/acetone has been probed in detail by the application of initial rate studies in the absence and in the presence of products, and a dead-end inhibitor pyrazole. An overall steady-state random Bi Bi mechanism in both directions, with the formation of both abortive ternary complexes, enzyme.NADH.2-propanol and enzyme.NAD+.acetone has been observed. A complete list of steady-state kinetic constants are also reported for the redox pair (S)-(+)-2-butanol/2-butanone.

Kinetic mechanism of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase with primary aliphatic alcohols and aldehydes.

Yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) catalyzes the interconversion of three redox pairs, ethanol/acetaldehyde, propanol/propionaldehyde and butanol/butyraldehyde by the same common mechanism, only with different magnitudes of rate constants. This general mechanism is Ordered Bi Bi in both directions, with the formation of abortive ternary complexes enzyme.NAD+.aldehyde and binary complexes enzyme.aldehyde.

A simple fluorimetric method for the estimation of ligand binding parameters in ligand-enzyme complexes.

The theory and practice of a simple fluorimetric method for the estimation of ligand binding parameters in ligand-enzyme complexes is described. In this method, the concentration of a ligand-binding enzyme and the dissociation constant of a ligand-enzyme complex were estimated solely from the total concentration of a ligand and the total fluorescence of the ligand in the absence and in the presence of enzyme.

Reduction of 1-nitroso-2-naphthol by NADPH in the presence of liver microsomes.

1. The endogenous, NADPH-supported production of H2O2 and of O2-.-radicals in liver microsomes, was very strongly enhanced in the presence of 1-nitroso-2-naphthol. 2. A 30-fold induction by NON was the consequence of its direct reduction to NON-radicals, catalyzed by microsomal NADPH:cytochrome P450 reductase. 3. Nitroso radicals reduce molecular oxygen to superoxide anion radicals, which were readily dismutated by superoxide dismutase to hydrogen peroxide. 4. O2-.-radicals were the sole precursors of all NON-induced production of H2O2 in liver microsomes.

Hepatic metabolism of artemisinin drugs--III. Induction of hydrogen peroxide production in rat liver microsomes by artemisinin drugs.

1. In this communication, induction of hydrogen peroxide production by the semisynthetic antimalarial drugs of the artemisinin class (beta-arteether, beta-artelinic acid and dihydroartemisinin) in rat liver microsomes, is reported. 2. Endogenous, NADPH-dependent, production of hydrogen peroxide in rat liver microsomes was enhanced in the presence of arteether and artelinic acid, but not in the presence of dihydroartemisinin. 3. NADPH-dependent metabolism of arteether and artelinic acid was closely coupled to the drug-induced production of hydrogen peroxide. 4. The redox cycle of cytochrome P-450 was presented, which describes satisfactorily both the endogenous and the drug-assisted hydrogen peroxide production in rat liver microsomes; also, the rate-limiting step of the cycle was identified.

Redox-elimination reaction catalyzed by yeast alcohol dehydrogenase.

Yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) catalyzed reduction of N,N-dimethyl-4-nitrosoaniline by NADH. The stoichiometry of reaction, steady-state kinetic parameters, and the pH-profile for this reaction were estimated. On that basis, the minimal mechanism of the above reaction was postulated.

Hepatic metabolism of artemisinin drugs--I. Drug metabolism in rat liver microsomes.

1. In this communication, metabolism of the semisynthetic antimalarial drugs of the artemisinin class (beta-arteether, beta-artelinic acid and dihydroartemisinin) in rat liver microsomes, is reported. 2. Dihydroartemisinin was the major early metabolite of arteether (57%) and artelinic acid (80%); in addition, arteether was hydroxylated in the positions 9 alpha- and 2 alpha- of the molecule. 3. Dihydroartemisinin was further metabolized by extensive hydroxylation of its molecule; we were able to identify four hydroxylated derivatives of DQHS, but not the exact positions of the hydroxyl groups. 4. The rates of NADPH-supported metabolism of arteether, artelinic acid and dihydroartemisinin in rat liver microsomes were: 4.0, 2.5 and 1.3 nmol/min/mg of microsomal protein, respectively. 5. The apparent affinity constants of arteether and artelinic acid for the microsomal metabolizing system, calculated from the rates of product formation, were 0.54 mM and 0.33 mM (for arteether) and 0.11 mM (for artelinic acid), respectively. The appearance of two affinity constants indicated that arteether was metabolized by two different isoenzymes of cytochrome P-450 in rat liver microsomes.

Hepatic metabolism of artemisinin drugs--II. Metabolism of arteether in rat liver cytosol.

1. In this communication, in vitro metabolism of a semisynthetic antimalarial drug arteether in rat liver cytosol is reported. 2. Whenever 14C-labeled arteether was mixed with rat liver cytosol, a crude postmicrosomal fraction of liver cell homogenates, an appearance of three major 14C-labeled metabolites was always attested: deoxy-dihydroartemisinin, AEM-1 (Baker et al., 1988) and metabolite MW286. 3. Transformation of arteether into deoxyDQHS was catalyzed by an enzyme present in the rat liver cytosol, whose activity depended on the presence of NAD+/NADH and a low molecular, dialyzable factor present in the cytosol. The maximal activity of this enzyme was 0.31 nmol of deoxyDQHS formed/min/mg of cytosolic protein. 4. AEM-1 and metabolite mol. wt 286 have been formed directly from arteether by a chemical interaction of the drug with the cytosolic fraction, probably in a non-enzymatic reaction. 5. Taking together the in vitro data of arteether metabolism in rat liver cytosol, presented in this communication, and in vitro data in rat liver microsomes, presented in the preceding communication (Leskovac and Theoharides, 1991), we were able to postulate an integral pathway of Phase I metabolism of arteether in a whole rat liver cell.

Reduction of aryl-nitroso compounds by pyridine and flavin coenzymes.

1. A systematic kinetic investigation of the reduction of aryl-nitroso compounds by pyridine and flavin coenzymes and their analogs, in enzymatic and nonenzymatic systems, has been reported. 2. Two main groups of nitroso compounds have been investigated, representatives nitroso-benzene and 1-nitroso-2-naphthol; in all enzymatic and nonenzymatic systems, the former was always reduced to phenyl-hydroxyl-amine and the latter to 1-amino-2-naphthol. 3. Pyridine compounds included NADH, APAD-4H2 and DBNA-4H2 in nonenzymatic systems, and liver alcohol dehydrogenase. Flavin compounds included 1,5-dihydrolumiflavin and various forms of reduced 5-ethyl-lumiflavin, in nonenzymatic systems, and the flavoenzymes glucose-oxidase and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase. 5. Pyridine coenzymes and their analogs reduced nitroso compounds by a direct hydride transfer, with a primary kinetic isotope of 9.5 +/- 2.2. 6. All flavin compounds (glucose-oxidase and its nonenzymatic analog 1,5-dihydrolumiflavin and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and its analog 5-ethyl-1,5-dihydrolumiflavin) reduced aryl-nitroso compounds with high efficiency (k2 greater than 10(5)M(-1) min(-1)). 7. The flavin compounds have been shown to be much more efficient reductans of nitroso compounds, compared to pyridine coenzymes, both in enzymatic and nonenzymatic systems; the only exception to this rule presented the extremely efficient reduction of p-substituted aryl-nitroso compounds by liver alcohol dehydrogenase.