Recent studies have demonstrated that arachidonic acid (AA) may serve as an important signal that... more Recent studies have demonstrated that arachidonic acid (AA) may serve as an important signal that blocks cell proliferation of certain neoplastic cells. The current study was conducted to determine whether disruption of AA homeostasis influences breast cancer cell proliferation and death. Initial experiments revealed that inhibition of AA remodeling through membrane phospholipids by inhibitors of the enzyme, coenzyme A-independent transacylase
Genetic and epigenetic events that alter gene expression and/or protein function or localization ... more Genetic and epigenetic events that alter gene expression and/or protein function or localization are thought to be the primary mechanism that drives tumorigenesis and governs the clinical behavior of cancers. Yet, a number of studies have shown that the effects of oncogene expression or tumor suppressor ablation are highly dependent on cell type. The molecular basis for this cell-type specificity and how it contributes to tumorigenesis are unknown. Here, expression of a truncated SV40 large T antigen in murine intestinal crypts promoted the formation of numerous adenomatous polyps in the colon and small intestine. In contrast, when the same T-antigen construct is expressed in villous enterocytes, the consequences are limited to hyperplasia and dysplasia. The T-antigen-induced polyps show high levels of the proto-oncogene c-Myc protein even though there is no transport of β-catenin to the nucleus. Targeting the expression of viral oncogenes to intestinal crypts or villi provides a mu...
Research over the past three decades has revealed that arachidonic acid (AA) and oxygen-containin... more Research over the past three decades has revealed that arachidonic acid (AA) and oxygen-containing derivatives of AA, termed eicosanoids, play pivotal roles in controlling key cellular events that lead to acute and chronic inflammation (for review, see [1]). While it has been suggested for more than 50 years that diets high in certain fatty acids stimulate tumor development in animals,
The retinoblastoma (Rb) gene was the first tumour suppressor identified. Inactivation of Rb in mi... more The retinoblastoma (Rb) gene was the first tumour suppressor identified. Inactivation of Rb in mice results in unscheduled cell proliferation, apoptosis and widespread developmental defects, leading to embryonic death by day 14.5 (refs 2-4). However, the actual cause of the embryonic lethality has not been fully investigated. Here we show that loss of Rb leads to excessive proliferation of trophoblast cells and a severe disruption of the normal labyrinth architecture in the placenta. This is accompanied by a decrease in vascularization and a reduction in placental transport function. We used two complementary techniques-tetraploid aggregation and conditional knockout strategies-to demonstrate that Rb-deficient embryos supplied with a wild-type placenta can be carried to term, but die soon after birth. Most of the neurological and erythroid abnormalities thought to be responsible for the embryonic lethality of Rb-null animals were virtually absent in rescued Rb-null pups. These findi...
Centrosome amplification (CA) contributes to carcinogenesis by generating aneuploidy. Elevated fr... more Centrosome amplification (CA) contributes to carcinogenesis by generating aneuploidy. Elevated frequencies of CA in most benign breast lesions and primary tumors suggest a causative role for CA in breast cancers. Clearly, identifying which and how altered signal transduction pathways contribute to CA is crucial to breast cancer control. Although a causative and cooperative role for c-Myc and Ras in mammary tumorigenesis is well documented, their ability to generate CA during mammary tumor initiation remains unexplored. To answer that question, K-Ras(G12D) and c-Myc were induced in mouse mammary glands. Although CA was observed in mammary tumors initiated by c-Myc or K-Ras(G12D), it was detected only in premalignant mammary lesions expressing K-Ras(G12D). CA, both in vivo and in vitro, was associated with increased expression of the centrosome-regulatory proteins, cyclin D1 and Nek2. Abolishing the expression of cyclin D1, Cdk4 or Nek2 in MCF10A human mammary epithelial cells expressing H-Ras(G12V) abrogated Ras-induced CA, whereas silencing cyclin E1 or B2 had no effect. Thus, we conclude that CA precedes mammary tumorigenesis, and interfering with centrosome-regulatory targets suppresses CA.
The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) has become a po... more The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) has become a potential target for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. However, recent in vitro and in vivo studies have raised the question of whether activation of PPARgamma leads to the promotion or reduction of tumor formation. Studies using several cancer cell lines, animal models, and a variety of PPARgamma agonists have shown discordant results, including changes in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of cancer cells and tumors. We studied the effects of low-, moderate-, and high-dose treatment of the PPARgamma ligands 15-deoxy-delta1214 prostaglandin J2 (15dPGJ2) and troglitazone (TGZ) on parameters of cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis in the epithelial breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The biologic effects of these compounds depend largely on ligand concentration and the degree of PPARgamma activation. For example, low concentrations of 15dPGJ2 (<2.5 microM) and TGZ (<5 microM) increased cellular proliferation, but concentrations of 15dPGJ2 > or = 10 microM and of TGZ at 100 microM blocked cell growth. TGZ (100 microM) slowed cell cycle progression, and 15dPGJ2 (10 microM) caused an S-phase arrest in the cell cycle and induced morphological characteristics consistent with apoptosis. Expression of CD36, a marker of differentiation in these cells, was induced by 2.5 microM 15dPGJ2 or 5 to 100 microM TGZ. However, higher concentrations of 15dPGJ2 did not alter CD36 expression. Transcriptional activation studies demonstrated that 15dPGJ2 is a more potent PPARgamma ligand than TGZ. Regardless of the ligand used, though, low transcriptional activation correlated with an increased cellular proliferation, whereas higher levels of activation correlated with cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. PPARgamma activation induces several important and seemingly opposite changes in neoplastic cells, depending on the magnitude of PPARgamma activation. These data may explain, at least in part, some of the discordant results previously reported.
Direct electrochemical studies, utilizing two voltammetric methods-square-wave voltammetry (SWV) ... more Direct electrochemical studies, utilizing two voltammetric methods-square-wave voltammetry (SWV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV)-have been performed on recombinant forms of the flavin domain of spinach assimilatory nitrate reductase in the presence of NAD+ analogs. The reduction potentials (E degrees ') of the flavin domains have been determined at an edge pyrolytic graphite electrode utilizing MgCl2 as a redox-inactive promoter. Under identical experimental conditions (pH 7.0, 25 degrees C), the two-electron reduction potential for the FAD/FADH2 couple has been determined to be -274 and -257 mV by SWV and CV, respectively. In contrast, the reduction potentials of free FAD have been determined to be -234 and -227 mV by SWV and CV, respectively. The reduction potentials of the complex formed between the FAD prosthetic group in the recombinant flavin domain and various NAD+ analogs have been determined to be as follows: NAD+ (E degrees ' = -192 mV), 5'-ADP ribose (E degrees ' = -199 mV), ADP (E degrees ' = -154 mV), AMP (E degrees ' = -196 mV), adenosine (E degrees ' = -192 mV), adenine (E degrees ' = -220 mV), and NMN (E degrees ' = -208 mV). In contrast to these positive shifts in reduction potential, nicotinamide (E degrees ' = -268 mV) had very little effect on the reduction potential of this flavin complex. Moreover, addition of NAD+ to the FAD prosthetic group in a variety of mutant forms of the recombinant flavin domain resulted in positive shifts in the reduction potential of the complex, although the magnitude of the shifts varied from a minimum of 6 mV obtained for the C240A mutant to a maximum of 79 mV obtained for the C62S mutant. These results represent the first extensive application of direct electrochemistry to examine the redox properties of assimilatory nitrate reductase and indicate that complex formation with NAD+, or various NAD+ analogs, results in a positive shift in the flavin reduction potential, with the magnitude of the shift correlating well with the efficiency of the inhibitor.
The complete amino acid sequence of the soluble, monomeric molybdenum-containing enzyme dimethyl ... more The complete amino acid sequence of the soluble, monomeric molybdenum-containing enzyme dimethyl sulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides f sp. denitrificans has been determined using a combination of gas-phase Edman sequencing of isolated peptides and direct sequencing of PCR products generated from R. sphaeroides genomic DNA. The protein comprises 777 residues corresponding to an apoenzyme molecular weight of 84,748 Da. The amino acid sequence was rich in Ala and Gly residues which represented 21% of the protein's composition. The DNA sequence was 67% rich in G and C nucleotides. The amino acid sequence contained 10 cysteine residues which were relatively evenly distributed throughout the sequence and featured regions of sequence corresponding to the prokaryotic molybdopterin-binding signatures 2 and 3. While exhibiting limited sequence similarity to the corresponding membrane-bound molybdenum-containing subunit (DmsA) of Escherichia coli dimethyl sulfoxide reductase, the Rhodobacter sequence showed extensive sequence similarity to that of the E. coli molybdoprotein, trimethylamine N-oxide reductase (torA). Comparison with other related prokaryotic molybdenum-containing enzymes indicated the presence of two highly conserved cysteine residues (Cys-268 and Cys-616) which may function in molybdenum coordination.
Incubation of either Chlorella nitrate reductase or the recombinant flavin domain of spinach nitr... more Incubation of either Chlorella nitrate reductase or the recombinant flavin domain of spinach nitrate reductase with reagents specific for modification of cysteine residues, such as N-ethylmaleimide, resulted in a time-dependent inactivation of NADH:ferricyanide reductase activity which could be prevented by incubation in the presence of NADH. At 25 degrees C and employing a fixed enzyme:modifier ratio, the rate of inactivation for both the Chlorella and spinach enzymes followed the order p-chloromercuribenzoate > methyl methanethiosulfonate > 2-(4'-maleimidylanilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid > N-ethylmaleimide. For the spinach flavin domain, inactivation by methyl methanethiosulfonate or p-chloromercuribenzoate was found to be concentration independent suggesting the absence of nonspecific modifications. Initial rate studies of the methyl methanethiosulfonate-modified flavin domain indicated a reduction in NADH:ferricyanide activity (Vmax) from 85 to 44 micromol NADH consumed/min/nmol FAD and an increase in the Km for NADH from 12 to 35 microM when compared to the native enzyme, confirming a role for cysteine residue(s) in maintaining diaphorase activity. Site-directed mutagenesis of the four individual cysteines (residues 17, 54, 62, and 240) in the recombinant spinach flavin domain resulted in mutant proteins with visible and CD spectra very similar to those of the wild-type domain. Initial rate studies indicated that only substitutions of serine for cysteine 240 decreased diaphorase activity with maximal NADH:ferricyanide activity for the C240S mutant corresponding to 51 micromol NADH consumed/min/nmol FAD with a Km for NADH of 14 microM. Mutation of C240 to Ala or Gly resulted in greater loss of activity. The thermal stability of the four serine mutants was slightly decreased compared to the wild-type domain with the C62S mutant exhibiting the greatest instability. In contrast to the effects on diaphorase activity, square wave voltammetric studies indicated changes in the oxidation-reduction midpoint potential for the FAD/FADH2 couple in the C54S (E0'= -197 mV), C62S (E0' = -226 mV), and C240S (E0' = -219 mV) mutants compared to the wild-type domain (E0' = -268 mV). These results indicate that of the four cysteine residues in the spinach nitrate reductase flavin domain, only C240 plays a role in maintaining diaphorase activity, while C54 has the greatest influence on flavin redox potential and that no correlation between changes in catalytic activity and flavin redox potential was observed.
Assimilatory nitrate reductase from Chlorella vulgaris catalyzes the rate-limiting step, the conv... more Assimilatory nitrate reductase from Chlorella vulgaris catalyzes the rate-limiting step, the conversion of nitrate to nitrite, in nitrate assimilation. Initial rate studies of nitrate reductase activity, performed under optimum conditions of constant ionic strength (mu = 0.2) and pH (8.0) and using NADH as reductant, indicated the absence of substrate inhibition at NADH concentrations below 300 microM and NO3- concentrations less than 3 mM. Chlorella nitrate reductase exhibited a marked preference for NADH (Vmax = 9.2 mumol NADH/min/nmol heme and Km = 2.3 microM) as the physiological electron donor but could also utilize alpha-NADH (Vmax = 5.6 mumol NADH/min/nmol heme and Km = 131 microM) and NADPH (Vmax = 0.6 mumol NADPH/min/nmol heme and Km = 910 microM) though with significantly decreased efficiency. Examination of various NADH-analogs indicated that reduced nicotinamide hypoxanthine dinucleotide (NHDH) was used most efficiently (Vmax = 9.3 mumol NHDH/min/nmol heme and Km = 7.9 microM), while reduced nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMNH) was utilized least efficiently (Vmax = 0.07 mumol NMNH/min/nmol heme and Km = 676 microM). Overall, modifications to the nicotinamide moiety or the addition of a phosphate group were observed to result in the most significant decreases in Vmax, indicating poor reducing substrates. Product inhibition studies indicated both NAD+ (Ki = 2.2 mM) and NADP+ (Ki = 10.5 mM) to be competitive inhibitors of Chlorella NR. A variety of NAD+ analogs were also determined to act as competitive inhibitors with varying degrees of efficiency. 3-Pyridinealdehyde adenine dinucleotide was the most efficient inhibitor (Ki = 0.74 mM) while nicotinamide was the least efficient (Ki = 18.1 mM). Overall, changing substituents on the nicotinamide ring or its complete deletion produced the most effective inhibitors compared to NAD+. In contrast, changes in the adenine or ribose moieties produced less effective inhibitors when compared to NAD+. These results represent the most comprehensive analysis of the effect of modifications of the physiological reductant (NADH) and product (NAD+) on nitrate reductase activity.
The C-terminal 268 residues of the spinach assimilatory NADH:nitrate reductase amino acid sequenc... more The C-terminal 268 residues of the spinach assimilatory NADH:nitrate reductase amino acid sequence that correspond to the flavin-containing domain of the enzyme have been selectively amplified and expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein, which was produced in both soluble and insoluble forms, was purified to homogeneity using a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity chromatography on 5'-ADP-agarose and FPLC gel filtration. The purified domain exhibited a molecular weight of approximately 30 kDa, estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and a molecular mass of 30,169 for the apoprotein determined by mass spectrometry, which also confirmed the presence of FAD. The UV/visible spectrum was typical of a flavoprotein, with maxima at 272, 386, and 461 nm in the oxidized form while CD spectroscopy yielded both positive and negative maxima at 313 and 382 nm and 461 and 484 nm, respectively. The purified domain showed immunological cross-reactivity with anti-spinach nitrate reductase polyclonal antibodies while both N-terminal and internal amino acid sequencing of isolated peptides confirmed the fidelity of the domain's primary sequence. The protein retained NADH-ferricyanide reductase activity (Vmax=84 micromol NADH consumer/min/nmol FAD) with Km's of 17 and 34 microM for NADH and ferricyanide, respectively, with a pH optimum of approximately 6.5 A variety of NADH-analogs could also function as electron donors, though with decreased efficiency, the most effective being reduced nicotinamide hypoxanthine dinucleotide (V(max) = 35 micromol NHDH consumer/min/nmol FAD) and Km = 22 microM). NAD+ was demonstrated to be a competitive inhibitor (Ki = 1.9 mM) while analysis of inhibition by a variety of NAD+-analogs indicated the most efficient inhibitor to be ADP (Ki = 0.2 mM), with analogs devoid of either the phosphate, ribose, or adenine moieties proving to be markedly less-efficient inhibitors. The isolated domain was also capable of reducing cytochrome b5 directly (V(max) = 1.2 micromol NADH consumed/min/nmol FAD, Km (cyt. b5) = 6 microM), supporting the FAD -> b557 -> Mo electron transfer sequence in spinach nitrate reductase.
Recent studies have demonstrated that arachidonic acid (AA) may serve as an important signal that... more Recent studies have demonstrated that arachidonic acid (AA) may serve as an important signal that blocks cell proliferation of certain neoplastic cells. The current study was conducted to determine whether disruption of AA homeostasis influences breast cancer cell proliferation and death. Initial experiments revealed that inhibition of AA remodeling through membrane phospholipids by inhibitors of the enzyme, coenzyme A-independent transacylase
Genetic and epigenetic events that alter gene expression and/or protein function or localization ... more Genetic and epigenetic events that alter gene expression and/or protein function or localization are thought to be the primary mechanism that drives tumorigenesis and governs the clinical behavior of cancers. Yet, a number of studies have shown that the effects of oncogene expression or tumor suppressor ablation are highly dependent on cell type. The molecular basis for this cell-type specificity and how it contributes to tumorigenesis are unknown. Here, expression of a truncated SV40 large T antigen in murine intestinal crypts promoted the formation of numerous adenomatous polyps in the colon and small intestine. In contrast, when the same T-antigen construct is expressed in villous enterocytes, the consequences are limited to hyperplasia and dysplasia. The T-antigen-induced polyps show high levels of the proto-oncogene c-Myc protein even though there is no transport of β-catenin to the nucleus. Targeting the expression of viral oncogenes to intestinal crypts or villi provides a mu...
Research over the past three decades has revealed that arachidonic acid (AA) and oxygen-containin... more Research over the past three decades has revealed that arachidonic acid (AA) and oxygen-containing derivatives of AA, termed eicosanoids, play pivotal roles in controlling key cellular events that lead to acute and chronic inflammation (for review, see [1]). While it has been suggested for more than 50 years that diets high in certain fatty acids stimulate tumor development in animals,
The retinoblastoma (Rb) gene was the first tumour suppressor identified. Inactivation of Rb in mi... more The retinoblastoma (Rb) gene was the first tumour suppressor identified. Inactivation of Rb in mice results in unscheduled cell proliferation, apoptosis and widespread developmental defects, leading to embryonic death by day 14.5 (refs 2-4). However, the actual cause of the embryonic lethality has not been fully investigated. Here we show that loss of Rb leads to excessive proliferation of trophoblast cells and a severe disruption of the normal labyrinth architecture in the placenta. This is accompanied by a decrease in vascularization and a reduction in placental transport function. We used two complementary techniques-tetraploid aggregation and conditional knockout strategies-to demonstrate that Rb-deficient embryos supplied with a wild-type placenta can be carried to term, but die soon after birth. Most of the neurological and erythroid abnormalities thought to be responsible for the embryonic lethality of Rb-null animals were virtually absent in rescued Rb-null pups. These findi...
Centrosome amplification (CA) contributes to carcinogenesis by generating aneuploidy. Elevated fr... more Centrosome amplification (CA) contributes to carcinogenesis by generating aneuploidy. Elevated frequencies of CA in most benign breast lesions and primary tumors suggest a causative role for CA in breast cancers. Clearly, identifying which and how altered signal transduction pathways contribute to CA is crucial to breast cancer control. Although a causative and cooperative role for c-Myc and Ras in mammary tumorigenesis is well documented, their ability to generate CA during mammary tumor initiation remains unexplored. To answer that question, K-Ras(G12D) and c-Myc were induced in mouse mammary glands. Although CA was observed in mammary tumors initiated by c-Myc or K-Ras(G12D), it was detected only in premalignant mammary lesions expressing K-Ras(G12D). CA, both in vivo and in vitro, was associated with increased expression of the centrosome-regulatory proteins, cyclin D1 and Nek2. Abolishing the expression of cyclin D1, Cdk4 or Nek2 in MCF10A human mammary epithelial cells expressing H-Ras(G12V) abrogated Ras-induced CA, whereas silencing cyclin E1 or B2 had no effect. Thus, we conclude that CA precedes mammary tumorigenesis, and interfering with centrosome-regulatory targets suppresses CA.
The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) has become a po... more The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) has become a potential target for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. However, recent in vitro and in vivo studies have raised the question of whether activation of PPARgamma leads to the promotion or reduction of tumor formation. Studies using several cancer cell lines, animal models, and a variety of PPARgamma agonists have shown discordant results, including changes in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of cancer cells and tumors. We studied the effects of low-, moderate-, and high-dose treatment of the PPARgamma ligands 15-deoxy-delta1214 prostaglandin J2 (15dPGJ2) and troglitazone (TGZ) on parameters of cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis in the epithelial breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The biologic effects of these compounds depend largely on ligand concentration and the degree of PPARgamma activation. For example, low concentrations of 15dPGJ2 (<2.5 microM) and TGZ (<5 microM) increased cellular proliferation, but concentrations of 15dPGJ2 > or = 10 microM and of TGZ at 100 microM blocked cell growth. TGZ (100 microM) slowed cell cycle progression, and 15dPGJ2 (10 microM) caused an S-phase arrest in the cell cycle and induced morphological characteristics consistent with apoptosis. Expression of CD36, a marker of differentiation in these cells, was induced by 2.5 microM 15dPGJ2 or 5 to 100 microM TGZ. However, higher concentrations of 15dPGJ2 did not alter CD36 expression. Transcriptional activation studies demonstrated that 15dPGJ2 is a more potent PPARgamma ligand than TGZ. Regardless of the ligand used, though, low transcriptional activation correlated with an increased cellular proliferation, whereas higher levels of activation correlated with cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. PPARgamma activation induces several important and seemingly opposite changes in neoplastic cells, depending on the magnitude of PPARgamma activation. These data may explain, at least in part, some of the discordant results previously reported.
Direct electrochemical studies, utilizing two voltammetric methods-square-wave voltammetry (SWV) ... more Direct electrochemical studies, utilizing two voltammetric methods-square-wave voltammetry (SWV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV)-have been performed on recombinant forms of the flavin domain of spinach assimilatory nitrate reductase in the presence of NAD+ analogs. The reduction potentials (E degrees ') of the flavin domains have been determined at an edge pyrolytic graphite electrode utilizing MgCl2 as a redox-inactive promoter. Under identical experimental conditions (pH 7.0, 25 degrees C), the two-electron reduction potential for the FAD/FADH2 couple has been determined to be -274 and -257 mV by SWV and CV, respectively. In contrast, the reduction potentials of free FAD have been determined to be -234 and -227 mV by SWV and CV, respectively. The reduction potentials of the complex formed between the FAD prosthetic group in the recombinant flavin domain and various NAD+ analogs have been determined to be as follows: NAD+ (E degrees ' = -192 mV), 5'-ADP ribose (E degrees ' = -199 mV), ADP (E degrees ' = -154 mV), AMP (E degrees ' = -196 mV), adenosine (E degrees ' = -192 mV), adenine (E degrees ' = -220 mV), and NMN (E degrees ' = -208 mV). In contrast to these positive shifts in reduction potential, nicotinamide (E degrees ' = -268 mV) had very little effect on the reduction potential of this flavin complex. Moreover, addition of NAD+ to the FAD prosthetic group in a variety of mutant forms of the recombinant flavin domain resulted in positive shifts in the reduction potential of the complex, although the magnitude of the shifts varied from a minimum of 6 mV obtained for the C240A mutant to a maximum of 79 mV obtained for the C62S mutant. These results represent the first extensive application of direct electrochemistry to examine the redox properties of assimilatory nitrate reductase and indicate that complex formation with NAD+, or various NAD+ analogs, results in a positive shift in the flavin reduction potential, with the magnitude of the shift correlating well with the efficiency of the inhibitor.
The complete amino acid sequence of the soluble, monomeric molybdenum-containing enzyme dimethyl ... more The complete amino acid sequence of the soluble, monomeric molybdenum-containing enzyme dimethyl sulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides f sp. denitrificans has been determined using a combination of gas-phase Edman sequencing of isolated peptides and direct sequencing of PCR products generated from R. sphaeroides genomic DNA. The protein comprises 777 residues corresponding to an apoenzyme molecular weight of 84,748 Da. The amino acid sequence was rich in Ala and Gly residues which represented 21% of the protein's composition. The DNA sequence was 67% rich in G and C nucleotides. The amino acid sequence contained 10 cysteine residues which were relatively evenly distributed throughout the sequence and featured regions of sequence corresponding to the prokaryotic molybdopterin-binding signatures 2 and 3. While exhibiting limited sequence similarity to the corresponding membrane-bound molybdenum-containing subunit (DmsA) of Escherichia coli dimethyl sulfoxide reductase, the Rhodobacter sequence showed extensive sequence similarity to that of the E. coli molybdoprotein, trimethylamine N-oxide reductase (torA). Comparison with other related prokaryotic molybdenum-containing enzymes indicated the presence of two highly conserved cysteine residues (Cys-268 and Cys-616) which may function in molybdenum coordination.
Incubation of either Chlorella nitrate reductase or the recombinant flavin domain of spinach nitr... more Incubation of either Chlorella nitrate reductase or the recombinant flavin domain of spinach nitrate reductase with reagents specific for modification of cysteine residues, such as N-ethylmaleimide, resulted in a time-dependent inactivation of NADH:ferricyanide reductase activity which could be prevented by incubation in the presence of NADH. At 25 degrees C and employing a fixed enzyme:modifier ratio, the rate of inactivation for both the Chlorella and spinach enzymes followed the order p-chloromercuribenzoate > methyl methanethiosulfonate > 2-(4'-maleimidylanilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid > N-ethylmaleimide. For the spinach flavin domain, inactivation by methyl methanethiosulfonate or p-chloromercuribenzoate was found to be concentration independent suggesting the absence of nonspecific modifications. Initial rate studies of the methyl methanethiosulfonate-modified flavin domain indicated a reduction in NADH:ferricyanide activity (Vmax) from 85 to 44 micromol NADH consumed/min/nmol FAD and an increase in the Km for NADH from 12 to 35 microM when compared to the native enzyme, confirming a role for cysteine residue(s) in maintaining diaphorase activity. Site-directed mutagenesis of the four individual cysteines (residues 17, 54, 62, and 240) in the recombinant spinach flavin domain resulted in mutant proteins with visible and CD spectra very similar to those of the wild-type domain. Initial rate studies indicated that only substitutions of serine for cysteine 240 decreased diaphorase activity with maximal NADH:ferricyanide activity for the C240S mutant corresponding to 51 micromol NADH consumed/min/nmol FAD with a Km for NADH of 14 microM. Mutation of C240 to Ala or Gly resulted in greater loss of activity. The thermal stability of the four serine mutants was slightly decreased compared to the wild-type domain with the C62S mutant exhibiting the greatest instability. In contrast to the effects on diaphorase activity, square wave voltammetric studies indicated changes in the oxidation-reduction midpoint potential for the FAD/FADH2 couple in the C54S (E0'= -197 mV), C62S (E0' = -226 mV), and C240S (E0' = -219 mV) mutants compared to the wild-type domain (E0' = -268 mV). These results indicate that of the four cysteine residues in the spinach nitrate reductase flavin domain, only C240 plays a role in maintaining diaphorase activity, while C54 has the greatest influence on flavin redox potential and that no correlation between changes in catalytic activity and flavin redox potential was observed.
Assimilatory nitrate reductase from Chlorella vulgaris catalyzes the rate-limiting step, the conv... more Assimilatory nitrate reductase from Chlorella vulgaris catalyzes the rate-limiting step, the conversion of nitrate to nitrite, in nitrate assimilation. Initial rate studies of nitrate reductase activity, performed under optimum conditions of constant ionic strength (mu = 0.2) and pH (8.0) and using NADH as reductant, indicated the absence of substrate inhibition at NADH concentrations below 300 microM and NO3- concentrations less than 3 mM. Chlorella nitrate reductase exhibited a marked preference for NADH (Vmax = 9.2 mumol NADH/min/nmol heme and Km = 2.3 microM) as the physiological electron donor but could also utilize alpha-NADH (Vmax = 5.6 mumol NADH/min/nmol heme and Km = 131 microM) and NADPH (Vmax = 0.6 mumol NADPH/min/nmol heme and Km = 910 microM) though with significantly decreased efficiency. Examination of various NADH-analogs indicated that reduced nicotinamide hypoxanthine dinucleotide (NHDH) was used most efficiently (Vmax = 9.3 mumol NHDH/min/nmol heme and Km = 7.9 microM), while reduced nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMNH) was utilized least efficiently (Vmax = 0.07 mumol NMNH/min/nmol heme and Km = 676 microM). Overall, modifications to the nicotinamide moiety or the addition of a phosphate group were observed to result in the most significant decreases in Vmax, indicating poor reducing substrates. Product inhibition studies indicated both NAD+ (Ki = 2.2 mM) and NADP+ (Ki = 10.5 mM) to be competitive inhibitors of Chlorella NR. A variety of NAD+ analogs were also determined to act as competitive inhibitors with varying degrees of efficiency. 3-Pyridinealdehyde adenine dinucleotide was the most efficient inhibitor (Ki = 0.74 mM) while nicotinamide was the least efficient (Ki = 18.1 mM). Overall, changing substituents on the nicotinamide ring or its complete deletion produced the most effective inhibitors compared to NAD+. In contrast, changes in the adenine or ribose moieties produced less effective inhibitors when compared to NAD+. These results represent the most comprehensive analysis of the effect of modifications of the physiological reductant (NADH) and product (NAD+) on nitrate reductase activity.
The C-terminal 268 residues of the spinach assimilatory NADH:nitrate reductase amino acid sequenc... more The C-terminal 268 residues of the spinach assimilatory NADH:nitrate reductase amino acid sequence that correspond to the flavin-containing domain of the enzyme have been selectively amplified and expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein, which was produced in both soluble and insoluble forms, was purified to homogeneity using a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity chromatography on 5'-ADP-agarose and FPLC gel filtration. The purified domain exhibited a molecular weight of approximately 30 kDa, estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and a molecular mass of 30,169 for the apoprotein determined by mass spectrometry, which also confirmed the presence of FAD. The UV/visible spectrum was typical of a flavoprotein, with maxima at 272, 386, and 461 nm in the oxidized form while CD spectroscopy yielded both positive and negative maxima at 313 and 382 nm and 461 and 484 nm, respectively. The purified domain showed immunological cross-reactivity with anti-spinach nitrate reductase polyclonal antibodies while both N-terminal and internal amino acid sequencing of isolated peptides confirmed the fidelity of the domain's primary sequence. The protein retained NADH-ferricyanide reductase activity (Vmax=84 micromol NADH consumer/min/nmol FAD) with Km's of 17 and 34 microM for NADH and ferricyanide, respectively, with a pH optimum of approximately 6.5 A variety of NADH-analogs could also function as electron donors, though with decreased efficiency, the most effective being reduced nicotinamide hypoxanthine dinucleotide (V(max) = 35 micromol NHDH consumer/min/nmol FAD) and Km = 22 microM). NAD+ was demonstrated to be a competitive inhibitor (Ki = 1.9 mM) while analysis of inhibition by a variety of NAD+-analogs indicated the most efficient inhibitor to be ADP (Ki = 0.2 mM), with analogs devoid of either the phosphate, ribose, or adenine moieties proving to be markedly less-efficient inhibitors. The isolated domain was also capable of reducing cytochrome b5 directly (V(max) = 1.2 micromol NADH consumed/min/nmol FAD, Km (cyt. b5) = 6 microM), supporting the FAD -> b557 -> Mo electron transfer sequence in spinach nitrate reductase.
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Papers by Anthony Trimboli