Utilization of dihydroflavin mononucleotide and superoxide anion for the decyclization of L-tryptophan by murine epididymal indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.

Dihydroflavin mononucleotide (FMNH2) together with a regenerating enzyme system effectively supported L-tryptophan decyclization by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase isolated from murine epididymis. The native murine dioxygenase was a monomeric protein with Mr 40,000 +/- 1000, an apparent pI of 4.9 +/- 0.1, and an optimum pH within the range of 7 to 8. Using FMNH2 with FMN oxidoreductase, the enzyme attained significantly higher activity than the apparent maximal activity obtained by using the other electron donor systems examined (e.g., riboflavin, FAD, tetrahydrobiopterin, methylene blue). A kinetic study with the FMNH2 cofactor suggested the occurrence of a complex reaction (L-tryptophan-FMNH2 interdependency) and a theoretical K'm of 14 microM or a Km of 13 microM was estimated for the substrate. L-Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenation was competitively inhibited by L-5-hydroxytryptophan with a Ki of 1 microM. The reaction rate was reduced to less than 50% of that of the control in the presence of superoxide dismutase and was decreased to 3% of the control in the absence of catalase. Thus, superoxide anion does not appear to be the only form of O2 participating in the reaction. However, these data indicate that the activation of molecular oxygen is an essential factor for an optimum catalysis and a mechanism of FMNH2-dependent oxygenation of L-tryptophan by murine indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.

On the substrate specificity of bovine liver dihydrofolate reductase: new unconjugated dihydropterin substrates.

The substrate specificity of dihydrofolate reductase from cells of different origin has been thought to be quite narrow, and unconjugated dihydropterins such as 6-methyl-dihydropterin are known to be very poor substrates. We have reinvestigated the substrate specificity of several dihydropterins and, in addition, have observed that in a new series of unconjugated dihydropterins of the general structure 6-CH2O(CH2)nCH3 several compounds are excellent substrates for the bovine liver enzyme, but none of them bind as well as dihydrofolate. The substrate activity (apparent Vmax) of these compounds increases from 17 to 110% that of the natural substrate, dihydrofolate, as n is increased from 0 to 3. In contrast, these unconjugated dihydropterins are very poor substrates for the Escherichia coli enzyme.

Synthetic analogues of tetrahydrobiopterin with cofactor activity for aromatic amino acid hydroxylases.

Tetrahydrobiopterin (THB) analogues with 6-alkoxymethyl substituents, 3a-j, where the substituents were straight- and branched-chain alkyl ranging from methyl to octyl, have been synthesized by the Taylor method from pyrazine ortho amino nitriles by guanidine cyclization, hydrolysis in aqueous NaOH, and catalytic hydrogenation over Pt in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The best of these compounds, 3b, is an excellent cofactor for phenylalanine hydroxylase, tyrosine hydroxylase (V = 154% of THB), and tryptophan hydroxylase, does not destablize the binding of substrate (Kmtyr = 23 microM), and is recycled by dihydropteridine reductase (V = 419% of THB). The compounds are being evaluated as cofactor replacements in biopterin-deficiency diseases.

A rapid and sensitive assay for tyrosine-3-monooxygenase based upon the release of 3H2O and adsorption of [3H]-tyrosine by charcoal.

A rapid, simple and sensitive assay has been developed for tyrosine-3-monooxygenase, the enzyme catalyzing the rate-limiting step in catecholamine biosynthesis. The assay is based upon the release of 3H2O from 3H-[3,5]-L-tyrosine with adsorption of the isotopic substrate (and its metabolites) by an aqueous slurry of activated charcoal. This method routinely yields low blank values and is simpler than the procedure requiring the use of cation exchange columns to separate the isotopic substrate from the 3H2O formed during the hydroxylation reaction.

Differences in the metabolism of the aromatic amino acid hydroxylase cofactor, tetrahydrobiopterin, in mutant mice with neurological and immunological defects.

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) levels and GTP cyclohydrolase activity (GTP-CH) were measured in tissues from mutants and controls of 24 different mouse strains to identify mutants that might be suitable models for diseases which are characterized by a deficiency of the biopterin cofactor, such as parkinsonism and atypical phenylketonuria. BH4 levels and GTP-CH activity were determined in brain, liver, and spleen obtained from 24 mutants with neurological or immunological defects. BH4 levels in brain were slightly but significantly decreased in only two mutants, spastic (spa) and jittery (ji), while GTP-CH activity in brain was not significantly lower than controls in any of the strains examined. GTP-CH levels in liver were significantly decreased in four mutant strains (jittery, ji; leaner, tgla; reeler, rl; and anorexia, anx); however, BH4 levels were significantly lower only in the mutant anorexia (anx). The most significant and widespread changes in both BH4 levels and GTP-CH activity were observed in spleen. In those mutants which were most affected, BH4 levels and GTP-CH activity were decreased 85-90%.

Endocrine-dependent regulation of tetrahydrobiopterin levels and guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase activity.

The role of endocrine organs in the regulation of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) levels and guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase (GTP-CH) activity was studied in the spleen, bone marrow and brain of rats and mice. Following hypophysectomy, BH4 levels and GTP-CH activity were significantly decreased in both spleen and bone marrow. Fourteen days after hypophysectomy GTP-CH activity and BH4 levels were approximately 25% of control levels in both tissues. In contrast, BH4 levels and GTP-CH activity in brain were not significantly different from control values. The decrease in GTP-CH activity and BH4 levels in spleen and marrow could not be reversed by high doses of ACTH or by a pituitary extract. Removal of the thyroid gland resulted in significant decreases in BH4 levels and GTP-CH activity in spleen; marrow and brain levels were not affected. BH4 levels in spleens of thyroidectomized rats returned to control values following treatment with either triiodothyronine or thyroxine. Adrenalectomy and castration had no effect on biopterin metabolism in bone marrow, spleen or brain. Tissue levels of BH4 and GTP-CH were also studied in mutant mouse strains having mutations in either pituitary or thyroid functions in order to examine further the role of these tissues in the regulation of the biosynthesis of this cofactor. The results of this study indicate that factors secreted from the pituitary are important in the regulation of BH4 levels and GTP-CH activity in spleen and bone marrow and that the thyroid gland also plays a role in regulation in the spleen. Levels of BH4 and GTP-CH in the brain, if regulated, appear to be independent of the endocrine tissues studied.

Cofactor activity of dihydroflavin mononucleotide and tetrahydrobiopterin for murine epididymal indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.

Dihydroflavin mononucleotide (FMNH2) and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) serve as cofactors for indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase isolated from mouse epididymis. The optimal pH was between 7 and 8, and FMNH2-dependent activity was 4 to 5-fold higher than activity with methylene blue as the electron donor. Using FMNH2 with a FMN reductase system, the enzyme exhibited higher efficiency and specificity for L-Trp (an apparent Km of 1 X 10(-5)M and an apparent Vmax of 182 nmol/min/mg of protein). The apparent Km and Vmax for D-Trp were 6.2 X 10(-5)M and 31 nmole/min/mg, respectively. Consequently, these observations appear to present the first evidence for a flavin-dependent mammalian dioxygenase.

Regulation of tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis in cultured adrenal cortical tumor cells by adrenocorticotropin and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate.

Y-1 adrenal cortical tumor cells in culture, which contain substantial amounts of tetrahydrobiopterin [6R-(L-erythro-1',2'-dihydroxypropyl)5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterin] (BH4) and GTP cyclohydrolase (GTP-CH), were used to study the regulation of BH4 biosynthesis by ACTH and cAMP. ACTH produced a dose-dependent increase in steroidogenesis, BH4 levels and GTP-CH activity. Maximal stimulation of BH4 biosynthesis occurred at the same concentration of ACTH that caused maximal stimulation of steroidogenesis. ACTH-(1-24) was more potent than ACTH-(1-39). The stimulation of BH4 biosynthesis by ACTH was dependent on cell density, being greater at lower cell densities, but was independent of time in culture. The lack of stimulation by ACTH at higher cell densities was due to an increase in the specific activity of GTP-CH in the control cells as density increased. This increase may be due in part to the increased release of steroids, since exogenous steroids added to low density cultures also resulted in an increase in the specific activity of the enzyme. Addition of steroids had no effect on ACTH-dependent stimulation of BH4 biosynthesis at low cell densities. (Bu)2cAMP, 8-bromo-cAMP, and forskolin all produced time- and dose-dependent increases in BH4 levels, GTP-CH activity, and steroidogenesis. Maximum increases in GTP-CH and BH4 occurred at concentrations similar to those required for maximal stimulation of steroidogenesis. In the Kin-8 mutant of Y-1 cells, which has a type 1 cAMP-dependent protein kinase with an altered regulatory subunit, ACTH was unable to increase BH4 levels or GTP-CH activity at a concentration that produced maximal stimulation of BH4 and steroid biosynthesis in the parent Y-1 line. These studies indicate that Y-1 cells in culture are useful for studying the regulation of BH4 biosynthesis in the adrenal cortex.

Regulation of guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase and tetrahydrobiopterin levels and the role of the cofactor in tyrosine hydroxylation in primary cultures of adrenomedullary chromaffin cells.

Selective modification of the tetrahydrobiopterin levels in cultured chromaffin cells were followed by changes in the rate of tyrosine hydroxylation. Addition of sepiapterin, an intermediate on the salvage pathway for tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis, rapidly increased intracellular levels of tetrahydrobiopterin and elevated the rate of tyrosine hydroxylation in the intact cell. Tyrosine hydroxylation was also enhanced when tetrahydrobiopterin was directly added to the incubation medium of intact cells. When the cultured chromaffin cells were treated for 72 h with N-acetylserotonin, an inhibitor of sepiapterin reductase, tetrahydrobiopterin content and the rate of tyrosine hydroxylation were decreased. Addition of sepiapterin or N-acetylserotonin had no consistent effect on total extractable tyrosine hydroxylase activity or on catecholamine content in the cultured chromaffin cells. Three-day treatment of chromaffin cell cultures with compounds that increase levels of cyclic AMP (forskolin, cholera toxin, theophylline, dibutyryl- and 8-bromo cyclic AMP) increased total extractable tyrosine hydroxylase activity and GTP-cyclohydrolase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin. Tetrahydrobiopterin levels and intact cell tyrosine hydroxylation were markedly increased after 8-bromo cyclic AMP. The increase in GTP-cyclohydrolase and tetrahydrobiopterin induced by 8-bromo cyclic AMP was blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Agents that deplete cellular catecholamines (reserpine, tetrabenazine, and brocresine) increased both total tyrosine hydroxylase and GTP-cyclohydrolase activities, although treating the cultures with reserpine or tetrabenazine resulted in no change in cellular levels of cyclic AMP. Brocresine and tetrabenazine increased tetrahydrobiopterin levels, but the addition of reserpine to the cultures decreased catecholamine and tetrahydrobiopterin content and resulted in a decreased rate of intact cell tyrosine hydroxylation in spite of the increased activity of the total extractable enzyme. These data indicate that in cultured chromaffin cells GTP-cyclohydrolase activity like tyrosine hydroxylase activity is regulated by both cyclic AMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-independent mechanisms and that the intracellular level of tetrahydrobiopterin is one of the many factors that control the rate of tyrosine hydroxylation.

Synthesis, utilization, and structure of the tetrahydropterin intermediates in the bovine adrenal medullary de novo biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin.

The biosynthesis of two tetrahydropterin intermediates (H4pterin-1 and H4pterin-2), their conversion to tetrahydrobiopterin, and their overall chemical structures are described. A new high performance liquid chromatographic separation of these and other tetrahydropterins is also described. The biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin from dihydroneopterin triphosphate proceeds in the presence of the bovine adrenal medullary biosynthetic enzymes, Mg2+, NADPH. The biosynthesis of H4pterin-2 occurs under identical conditions, and the compound accumulates in the presence of 1 to 10 microM of N-acetylserotonin, an inhibitor of sepiapterin reductase. At higher concentrations of the inhibitor, the synthesis of H4pterin-2 is also inhibited, and H4pterin-1 accumulates. H4pterin-1 also accumulates in the absence of NADPH. In the presence of NADPH the biosynthetic enzymes convert both intermediates to tetrahydrobiopterin at rates which are greater than the rate of conversion of dihydroneopterin triphosphate to tetrahydrobiopterin. Electrochemical, UV/VIS, oxidation, and ionization properties identify the compounds as tetrahydropterins. The side chain structures of the compounds were determined by a combination of chemical means. The structures of the compounds are 6R-(1',2'-dioxopropyl)-tetrahydropterin (H4pterin-1) and 6R-(L-1'-hydroxy-2'-oxopropyl)-tetrahydropterin (H4pterin-2). The data indicate that the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin from dihydroneopterin triphosphate proceeds in three steps: 1) formation of H4pterin-1 in the presence of Mg2+, 2) NADPH-dependent conversion of H4pterin-1 to H4pterin-2, and 3) NADPH-dependent conversion of H4pterin-2 to tetrahydrobiopterin.

Stimulation of retinal dopamine biosynthesis in vivo by exogenous tetrahydrobiopterin: relationship to tyrosine hydroxylase activation.

Intravitreal injection of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), the cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), increases 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) accumulation in retinas of dark-adapted rats, as does exposure to light. In contrast, BH4 had no significant effect on DOPA accumulation in retinas of light-exposed rats. The levels of endogenous retinal BH4 and the uptake of injected BH4 into the retinal tissue were not affected by light exposure. These data indicate that TH is not saturated with endogenous BH4 in the retinas of dark-adapted rats. In addition, the observations support the interpretation that the decrease in apparent Km of TH for the cofactor in response to light exposure is of sufficient magnitude to allow near saturation of TH by endogenous BH4 and, thus, is causally related to the increase of dopamine biosynthesis in response to short-term photic stimulation.

Urinary biopterin and neopterin excretion and pituitary-adrenal activity in psychiatric patients.

The urinary excretion of biopterin and neopterin, pterin compounds related to tetrahydrobiopterin, the cofactor for the initial steps in monoamine synthesis, was serially measured in a heterogeneous group of psychiatric patients and compared to excretion in control subjects, to state of illness, and to the results of the dexamethasone suppression test. Patients with major depression had increased excretion of biopterin compared to normal subjects. There was no relationship between biopterin or neopterin excretion and postdexamethasone cortisol levels. Pterin excretion did not significantly change with improvement in mood or with conversion from nonsuppressor to suppressor status. The meaning of increased urinary biopterin is presently unclear, although its relation to hormonal state and sympathoadrenal tone deserves further study.

The C-6 proton of tetrahydrobiopterin is acquired from water, not NADPH, during de novo biosynthesis.

Tetrahydrobiopterin, the cofactor for the aromatic amino acid hydroxylases, is synthesized in mammals from GTP via a pathway involving both dihydropterin and tetrahydropterin intermediates. In this work, we have investigated the mechanism of conversion of the product formed from GTP, 7,8-dihydroneopterin triphosphate, into the tetrahydropterin intermediates. Tetrahydrobiopterin can be oxidized under conditions which yield pterin or pterin 6-carboxylate without exchange of the C-6 and C-7 protons. Using these techniques, a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method was developed to determine that in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin de novo, in preparations of bovine adrenal medulla, the C-6 proton of tetrahydrobiopterin is derived from water and not from NADPH. In contrast, the C-6 proton of tetrahydrobiopterin produced from sepiapterin (6-lactoyl-7,8-dihydropterin) comes from NADPH. The results are consistent with evidence for the formation of the first tetrahydropterin intermediate by a tautomerization without any requirement for NADPH.

Biopterin cofactor biosynthesis: GTP cyclohydrolase, neopterin and biopterin in tissues and body fluids of mammalian species.

Levels of GTP cyclohydrolase, neopterin and biopterin were determined in tissues and body fluids of humans, monkey, dog and mouse. Highest levels of GTP cyclohydrolase and biopterin were found in pineal, liver, spleen, bone marrow, whole adrenal gland and small intestine. High levels of biopterin were found in the urine of all species examined. High levels of neopterin were found only in the urine of humans and monkeys, very low levels could be detected in dog, while none could be detected in mouse, rat, guinea pig or hamster urine.

Antitumor phthalanilides active in acute and chronic Trypanosoma brucei brucei murine infections.

A series of phthalanilides and related compounds were tested on a short-term, fulminating, mouse infection of Trypanosoma brucei brucei (EATRO 110 isolate). The most effective compound was [4,4'-bis (4-methylimidazolin-2-yl)-terephthalanilide] which had a cure rate of 75% at 0.1 mg/kg body weight and 100% at 0.5 mg/kg when administered as three single daily intraperitoneal injections starting 24 hours post-infection. Several related phthalanilides and similarly substituted ureas showed definite but lower activity. In tests with a chronic neurotropic T. b. brucei isolate (TREU 667), cure rates greater than 90% were obtained with 10 or 25 mg/kg [4,4'-bis(4-methylimidazolin-2-yl)-terephthalanilide]. Cured animals survived for at least 200 days after infection with no evidence of recrudescence of parasitemia or of toxicity; blood or brain homogenates of cured animals were non-infective to immunosuppressed animals. These studies indicate that this series of compounds, previously studied as antitumor agents, should be re-examined as potential trypanocides.

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic-fluorometric assay for dihydrofolate reductase in adult rat brain, using 7,8-dihydrobiopterin as substrate.

A liquid chromatographic-fluorometric assay has been developed to study the role of dihydrofolate reductase in adult rat brain since low levels of the enzyme preclude measurement by current spectrophotometric procedures. This method involves in vitro incubation of desalted, cell-free brain extracts with 7,8-dihydrobiopterin, NADPH, and an NADPH-regenerating system. The tetrahydrobiopterin formed is quantitatively converted to pterin using alkaline iodine oxidation, and the pterin formed is separated by liquid chromatography and detected fluorometrically. The method is linear from 100 fmol to greater than or equal to 1 nmol of product, and the sensitivity is at least 100 times greater than that of existing spectrophotometric assays. Enzyme activity of desalted brain extracts is linear with both time (to 100 min) and protein (from 50 to 620 micrograms). The enzyme shows an absolute requirement for NADPH, does not use NADH, and is completely inhibited by 10 nM methotrexate. The Km of the enzyme for NADPH was found to be 7.5 microM, while the Km for 7,8-dihydrobiopterin was 88 microM. Since brain dihydrobiopterin reductase has the same properties as dihydrofolate reductase, this fluorometric procedure can serve as a sensitive assay for dihydrofolate reductase.

Two new tetrahydropterin intermediates in the adrenal medullary de novo biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin.

Isolation of two kinetically competent tetrahydropterin intermediates on the de novo biosynthetic pathway to tetrahydrobiopterin is reported. The compounds were detected in HPLC chromatograms by electrochemical oxidation at 270 mv. The hydrodynamic voltamograms of the compounds are indistinguishable from those of tetrahydropterins . Both require Mg+ + for biosynthesis from dihydroneopterin triphosphate. One compound is produced in the absence of NADPH; the other requires NADPH for synthesis. Enzymatic conversion of the former into the latter intermediate requires NADPH. Conversion of either intermediate into tetrahydrobiopterin also requires NADPH. Mg+ +, which is required for the biosynthesis of the intermediates, is not needed for their conversion to tetrahydrobiopterin. Neither compound coelutes with 6-lactoyl tetrahydropterin, the tetrahydropterin analog of sepiapterin.