Identification of an active site cysteine residue in Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase.

The cysteine-directed reagent N-ethylmaleimide rapidly and completely inactivates pyruvate oxidase. This inactivation is correlated with the reaction of one cysteine residue per enzyme monomer. In the presence of the cofactor, thiamin pyrophosphate, the enzyme is not inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide. Furthermore, the N-ethylmaleimide-inactivated enzyme exhibits a very low affinity for the cofactor as determined by a fluorescence quenching technique. The presence of a reactive cysteine residue at the thiamin pyrophosphate binding site is therefore indicated. Although N-ethylmaleimide completely inactivates the enzyme, a second sulfhydryl reagent methylmethanethiosulfonate is only partially inhibitory. It is shown that methylmethanethiosulfonate and N-ethylmaleimide react with the same cysteine residue. Thus, the N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive residue is probably not directly involved in catalysis.

Role of arginine in the binding of thiamin pyrophosphate to Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase.

The mode of interaction between Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase and its cofactor, thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP), was studied with the aid of arginine-directed reagents. The enzyme is rapidly inactivated by either phenylglyoxal or 2,3-butanedione, with the cofactor, TPP, offering partial protection against these reagents. The inactivation by phenylglyoxal was found to be reversible. Experiments with [7-14C]phenylglyoxal showed that while several arginine residues react with this reagent, TPP can prevent the labeling of one such residue. Furthermore, inactivation by 2,3-butanedione is attended by at least a 100-fold decrease in affinity of the enzyme for TPP. These results suggest a direct role for arginine in the binding of the cofactor.

Monoamine oxidase and pyruvate oxidase inhibitory properties of some newer thiosemicarbazones and their anticonvulsant activity.

Seventeen 4-[3-(N-cyclohexylamino)propyl]-1-substituted-3-thiosemicarbazones were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit rat brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) and pyruvate oxidase in vitro. Anticonvulsant activity exhibited by these thiosemicarbazones (100 mg/kg,i.p.) against pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures ranged from 10-50%.

Effect of halofenate and clofibrate on growth and lipid synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Halofenate-free acid (HFA) inhibited the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by 50% at a concentration of 0.34 mm. This inhibitory effect was prevented by addition of either oleate or acetate, but not by pyruvate. When cell growth was supported by oleate, HFA inhibited the incorporation of radioactive carbon from glucose-U-(14)C or pyruvate-2-(14)C into fatty acids and sterols. The incorporation of radioactive carbon into fatty acids and sterols from acetate-2-(14)C was unaffected by the compound. When cell growth was supported by either oleate or acetate, HFA inhibited the conversion of pyruvate-1-(14)C to (14)CO(2). These results suggest that HFA inhibits the conversion of pyruvate to acetate in yeast. Partially purified yeast pyruvate dehydrogenase was inhibited 50% by 5.5 mm HFA; however, the concentration required for 50% inhibition was considerably reduced when the enzyme was preincubated with the compound at room temperature. In a similar manner, the hypolipidemic agent clofibrate-free acid inhibited the growth of yeast by 50% at 3.0 mm. This inhibition was also prevented by acetate and not by pyruvate. In addition, clofibrate-free acid inhibited partially purified pyruvate dehydrogenase by 50% at a concentration of 37.0 mm.