Functional gamma-secretase inhibitors reduce beta-amyloid peptide levels in brain.

Converging lines of evidence implicate the beta-amyloid peptide (Ass) as causative in Alzheimer's disease. We describe a novel class of compounds that reduce A beta production by functionally inhibiting gamma-secretase, the activity responsible for the carboxy-terminal cleavage required for A beta production. These molecules are active in both 293 HEK cells and neuronal cultures, and exert their effect upon A beta production without affecting protein secretion, most notably in the secreted forms of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Oral administration of one of these compounds, N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester, to mice transgenic for human APP(V717F) reduces brain levels of Ass in a dose-dependent manner within 3 h. These studies represent the first demonstration of a reduction of brain A beta in vivo. Development of such novel functional gamma-secretase inhibitors will enable a clinical examination of the A beta hypothesis that Ass peptide drives the neuropathology observed in Alzheimer's disease.

Adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate kinase from Penicillium chrysogenum. Determining ligand dissociation constants of binary and ternary complexes from the kinetics of enzyme inactivation.

Adenosine 5-phosphosulfate (APS) kinase from Penicillium chrysogenum is irreversibly inactivated by trinitrobenzene sulfonate in a pseudo-first order process. Under standard assay conditions kapp was 1.9 X 10(-3) s-1. Saturating MgATP or MgADP decreased Kapp to a limit of 4.1 X 10(-4) s-1. There are several explanations for the partial protection, including the presence of two essential lysyl side chains, only one of which is at the active site. Analysis of the inactivation kinetics by means of linear plots derived for partial protection yielded dissociation constants for E X MgATP (Kia) and E X MgADP (Kiq) of 2.9 mM and 1.8 mM, respectively. Low concentrations of APS alone provided no protection against trinitrobenzene sulfonate inactivation, but in the presence of 1 mM MgADP, as little as 2 microM APS provided additional protection while 100 microM APS reduced kapp to the limit of 4.1 X 10(-4) s-1. The results confirm the formation of a dead end E X MgADP X APS proposed earlier as the cause of the potent substrate inhibition by APS. Linear plots of 1/delta k versus 1/[MgADP] at different fixed [APS] and of 1/delta k versus 1/[APS] at different fixed [MgADP] were characteristic of the ordered binding of MgADP before APS (or the highly synergistic random binding of the two ligands). The true APS dissociation constant of the dead end E X MgADP X APS complex (K'ib) was determined to be 1.9 microM. From the value of K'ib and the previously reported value of KIB (apparent inhibition constant of APS as a substrate inhibitor of the catalytic reaction at saturating MgATP), the ratio of the MgADP and PAPS release rate constants (k4/k3) was calculated to be 11. Inactivation kinetics was used to study the effects of Mg2+ and high salt on ADP and APS binding. The results indicated that free ADP binds to the enzyme more tightly than does MgADP at low ionic strength. High salt decreased free ADP binding, but had little effect on MgADP binding. APS binds more tightly to E X MgADP in the absence or presence of salt than to E X ADP.

Adenosinetriphosphate sulfurylase from Penicillium chrysogenum: steady-state kinetics of the forward and reverse reactions, alternative substrate kinetics, and equilibrium binding studies.

The kinetics of the forward ATP sulfurylase-catalyzed reaction were examined using a new assay based on 32PPi released from [gamma-32P]MgATP in the presence of inorganic sulfate. Replots yielded Vmaxf = 6.6 units mg protein-1, KmA = 0.13 mM, Kia = 0.33 mM, and KmB = 0.55 mM, where A = MgATP and B = SO2-4. Thiosulfate, a dead-end inhibitor of the reaction, was competitive with sulfate and noncompetitive with respect to MgATP. The ratio kcat/KmA was determined for several alternative inorganic substrates, B, where A = MgATP and B = SO2-4, SeO2-4, MoO2-4, WO2-4, or CrO2-4. For SO2-4 and SeO2-4, the ratio was 5-6.5 X 10(4) M-1 S-1; for the others, the ratio was 5.8-7.3 X 10(5) M-1 S-1. The results support a random addition of MgATP and inorganic substrate. The kinetics of the reverse reaction were examined using a new assay based on 35SO2-4 release from [35S]APS (adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate) in the presence of MgPPi. Reciprocal plots were linear, intersecting below the horizontal axis. Replots yielded Vmaxr = 50 units mg protein-1, KmQ = 0.3 microM, Kiq = 0.04 microM, and KmP = 4 microM, where Q = APS and P = PPi (total of all species). MgATP and SO2-4 were both competitive with APS and noncompetitive with respect to MgPPi. Taken together with earlier results suggesting that APS is competitive with both MgATP and SO2-4 and that MgPPi is noncompetitive with respect to both substrates, the qualitative results point to a random A-B, ordered P-Q kinetic mechanism. The Scatchard plot for [35S]APS binding was curved, indicating either negative cooperativity or more than a single class of sites. [gamma-32P]MgATP displayed half-site saturation in the presence of saturating FSO-3.

APS kinase from Penicillium chrysogenum. Dissociation and reassociation of subunits as the basis of the reversible heat inactivation.

Adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate (APS) kinase from Penicillium chrysogenum, loses catalytic activity at temperatures greater than approximately 40 degrees C. When the heat-inactivated enzyme is cooled to 30 degrees C or lower, activity is regained in a time-dependent process. At an intermediary temperature (e.g. 36 degrees C) an equilibrium between active and inactive forms can be demonstrated. APS kinase from P. chrysogenum is a dimer (Mr = 57,000-60,000) composed of two apparently identical subunits. Three lines of evidence suggest that the reversible inactivation is a result of subunit dissociation and reassociation. (a) Inactivation is a first-order process. The half-time for inactivation at a given temperature is independent of the original enzyme concentration. Reactivation follows second-order kinetics. The half-time for reactivation is inversely proportional to the original enzyme concentration. (b) The equilibrium active/inactive ratio at 36 degrees C increases as the total initial enzyme concentration is increased. However, Keq,app at 5 mM MgATP and 36 degrees C calculated as [inactive sites]2/0.5 [active sites] is near-constant at about 1.7 X 10(-8) M over a 10-fold concentration range of enzyme. (c) At 46 degrees C, the inactive P. chrysogenum enzyme (assayed after reactivation) elutes from a calibrated gel filtration column at a position corresponding to Mr = 33,000. Substrates and products of the APS kinase reaction had no detectable effect on the rate of inactivation. However, MgATP and MgADP markedly stimulated the reactivation process (kapp = 3 X 10(5) M-1 X s-1 at 30 degrees C and 10 mM MgATP). The kapp for reactivation was a nearly linear function of MgATP up to about 20 mM suggesting that the monomer has a very low affinity for the nucleotide compared to that of the native dimer. Keq,app at 36 degrees C increases as the MgATP concentration is increased. The inactivation rate constant increased as the pH was decreased but no pK alpha could be determined. The reactivation rate constant increased as the pH was increased. An apparent pK alpha of 6.4 was estimated.

Adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate kinase from Penicillium chrysogenum. Purification and kinetic characterization.

Adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (APS) kinase, the second enzyme in the pathway of inorganic sulfate assimilation, was purified to near homogeneity from mycelium of the filamentous fungus, Penicillium chrysogenum. The enzyme has a native molecular weight of 59,000-60,000 and is composed of two 30,000-dalton subunits. At 30 degrees C, pH 8.0 (0.1 M Tris-chloride buffer), 5.5 microM APS, 5 mM MgATP, 5 mM excess MgCl2, and "high" salt (70-150 mM (NH4)2SO4), the most highly purified preparation has a specific activity of 24.7 units X mg of protein-1 in the physiological direction of adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) formation. This activity is nearly 100-fold higher than that of any previously purified preparation of APS kinase. APS kinase is subject to potent substrate inhibition by APS. In the absence of added salt, the initial velocity at 5 mM MgATP plus 5 mM Mg2+ is maximal at about 1 microM APS and half-maximal at 0.2 and 4.4 microM APS. In the presence of 200 mM NaCl or 70-150 mM (NH4)2SO4, the optimum APS concentration shifts to 4-6 microM APS; the half-maximal values shift to 1-1.3 and 21-27 microM APS. The steady state kinetics of the reaction were investigated using a continuous spectrophotometric assay. The families of reciprocal plots in the range 0.25-5 mM MgATP and 0.8-5.1 microM APS are linear and intersect on the horizontal axis. Appropriate replots yield KmMgATP = 1.5 mM, KmAPS = 1.4 microM, and Vmax, = 38.7 units X mg of protein-1. Excess APS is an uncompetitive inhibitor with respect to MgATP (K1APS = 23 microM). PAPS, the product of the forward reaction, is also uncompetitive with MgATP. PAPS is not competitive with APS. In the reverse direction, the plots have the characteristics of a rapid equilibrium ordered sequence with MgADP adding before PAPS. The kinetic constants are KmPAPS = 8 microM, KiMgADP = 560 microM, and Vmaxr = 0.16 units X mg of protein-1. Iso-PAPS (the 2'-phosphate isomer of PAPS) is competitive with PAPS and uncompetitive with respect to MgADP (Ki = 6 microM). APS kinase is inactivated by phenylglyoxal, suggesting the involvement of an essential argininyl residue. MgATP or MgADP at 10 Ki protect against inactivation. APS or PAPS at 600 and 80 Km, respectively, are ineffective alone, but provide nearly complete protection in the presence of 0.1 Ki of MgADP or MgATP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

ATP sulfurylase from Penicillium chrysogenum: measurements of the true specific activity of an enzyme subject to potent product inhibition and a reassessment of the kinetic mechanism.

Homogeneous ATP sulfurylase from Penicillium chrysogenum has been reported to have an extremely low activity toward its physiological inorganic substrate, sulfate. This low activity is an artifact resulting from potent product inhibition by 5'-adenylylsulfate (APS) (Ki less than 0.25 microM). Assays based on 35S incorporation from 35SO4(2-) into charcoal-adsorbable [35S]APS are nonlinear with time, even in the presence of a large excess of inorganic pyrophosphatase. However, in the presence of excess APS kinase (along with excess pyrophosphatase), the ATP sulfurylase reaction is linear with time and the enzyme has a specific activity (Vmax) of 6 to 7 units mg protein-1 corresponding to an active site turnover number of at least 400 min-1. Monovalent oxyanions such as NO3-, ClO3-, ClO4-, and FSO3- are competitive with sulfate (or molybdate) and essentially uncompetitive with respect to MgATP. However, thiosulfate (SSO3(2-)), a true sulfate analog and dead-end inhibitor of the enzyme (competitive with sulfate or molybdate), exhibited clear noncompetitive inhibition against MgATP. Furthermore, APS was competitive with both MgATP and molybdate in the molybdolysis assay. These results suggest (a) that the mechanism of the normal forward reaction may be random rather than ordered and (b) that the monovalent oxyanions have a much greater affinity for the E X MgATP complex than for free E. In this respect, FSO3-, ClO4-, etc., are not true sulfate analogs although they might mimic an enzyme-bound species formed when MgATP is at the active site. The nonlinear ATP sulfurylase reaction progress curves (with APS accumulating in the presence of excess pyrophosphatase or PPi accumulating in the presence of excess APS kinase) were analyzed by means of "average velocity" plots based on an integrated rate equation. This new approach is useful for enzymes subject to potent product inhibition over a reaction time course in which the substrate concentrations do not change significantly. The analysis showed that ATP sulfurylase has an intrinsic specific activity of 6 to 7 units mg protein-1. Thus, the apparent stimulation of sulfurylase activity by APS kinase results from the continual removal of inhibitory APS rather than from an association of the two sulfate-activating enzymes to form a "3'-phospho-5'-adenylylsulfate synthetase" complex in which the sulfurylase has an increased catalytic activity. The progress curve analyses suggest that APS is competitive with both MgATP and sulfate, while MgPPi is a mixed-type inhibitor with respect to both substrates. The cumulative data point to a random sequence for the forward reaction with APS release being partially rate limiting.

Kinetic and chemical properties of ATP sulphurylase from Penicillin chrysogenum.

Adenosine triphosphate sulphurylase (ATP: sulfate adenylyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.4.) has been purified from the filamentous fungus. Penicillium chrysogenum, and characterized physically, kinetically, and chemically. The P. Chrysogenum enzyme is an octomer (mol. wt. 440 000) composed of eight identical subunits (mol. wt. 55 000). Some physical constants are S20,w = 13.0 X 10(-13)s, D20,w = 2.94 X 10(-7) cm2 X s-1, v = 0.733 cm3 X g-1, A1%1cm = 8.71 at 278 nm. The enzyme catalyses (a) the synthesis of adenosine 5'-phosphosulphate (APS) and MgPPi from MgATP and SO2-4, (b) the hydrolysis of MgATP to AMP and MgPPi in the absence of SO2-4, (c) Mg32PPi-MgATP exchange in the absence of SO2-4, (d) molybdolysis of MgATP to AMP and MgPPi, (e) synthesis of MgATP and SO2-4 from APS and MgPPi, and (f) Mg32PPi-MgATP exchange in the presence of SO2-4. The Vmax values of reactions (a)-(c) are about 0.10-0.35 mumole X min-1 X mg enzyme-1. The Vmax values of reactions (d)-(f) are about 12-19 mumole X min-1 X mg enzyme-1. The catalytic activity of the enzyme in the direction of APS synthesis is rather low (0.13 unit X mg protein-1, corresponding to an active site turnover number of 7.15 min-1). However, the ATP sulphurylase content of mycelium growing on excess SO2-4 is 0.22 unit X g dry wt.-1, which is sufficient to account for the maximum in vivo rate of SO2-4 assimilation. The normal catalytic reaction is Ordered Bi Bi with A = MgATP, B = SO2-4, P = MgPPi, and Q = APS. Several lines of kinetic evidence suggest that the E.MgATP and E.APS complexes isomerize (to E approximately AMP.MgPPi and E approximately AMP.SO4, respectively) before the second substrate binds. Chemical modification studies have disclosed the presence of essential arginine, histidine, carboxyl, and tryosine residues. The latter is rather acidic (pKa = 7 or less). Nitration of the tyrosine increases the Km for MgATP without significantly affecting Kia for MgATP or Vmaxf. This result, and the fact that MgATP plus nitrate protects the enzyme against inactivation by tetranitromethane while MgATP alone does not, suggests that the essential tyrosine plays a role in nucleotide isomerization (perhaps as an adenylyl acceptor).