Gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBOX1) exerts suppressive effects on HepG2 hepatoblastoma cells.

Gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBOX1) plays a pivotal role in catalyzing the final stage of L-carnitine biosynthesis. Recently, increasing number of studies have reported that BBOX1 is weakly expressed in tumor cells and exhibits antitumor activity. The role of BBOX1 in Hepatoblastoma (HB) has yet to be determined. To substantiate this, we have investigated BBOX1 expression and its clinical relevance in HB, and explored how BBOX1 might inhibit the occurrence and development of HB. The GSE104766 and GSE131329 datasets were used to screen for the core gene BBOX1 in HB and to analyze differences in expression between hepatoblastoma and normal tissues. Based on the clinicopathological features of the GSE131329 dataset, the connections between the expression of BBOX1 and the clinicopathological feature of HB patients were determined. After BBOX1 was overexpressed, CCK-8 and colony formation assays were employed to assess cell proliferation and wound healing experiments were utilized to assess cell migration. The presence of cell apoptosis, cell cycle changes, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assayed using flow cytometry. Compared with normal tissues, the expression of BBOX1 in hepatoblastoma tissues was notably decreased. Dysregulated expression of BBOX1 was indicated as a prognostic risk factor closely linked to clinical stag of patients with HB. Furthermore, following BBOX1 overexpression, cell proliferation and migration are decreased, the cell cycle is arrested, and ROS are attenuated. BBOX1 has suppressive effects on HepG2 cells, potentially through its ability to hinder cancer cell proliferation, arrest cell cycle progression, and decrease ROS levels, suggesting its potential as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic candidate for hepatoblastoma.

New small-molecule alcohol synthesis by breaking the space limitation of the "aromatic cage" in Pseudomonas sp. AK1 BBOX.

Fe(II)/2OG-dependent oxygenase γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBOX) stereoselectively hydroxylates inactive C-H bonds and produces L-carnitine. It has potential applications in the biosynthesis of L-carnitine and the synthesis of other small molecule alcohols. In this paper, we systematically explore the substrate range of Pseudomonas sp. AK1 BBOX (psBBOX), with emphasis on the quaternary ammonium portion of γ-butyrobetaine (γ-BB). The space limitation of the "aromatic cage" in psBBOX in the hydroxylation of large quaternary ammonium analogues was studied, and the role of four aromatic amino acid residues in the substrate binding mode was analyzed. Consequently, the F188A mutant was developed with the ability to hydroxylate cyclic quaternary ammonium analogues and generate new alcohol compounds by breaking the limitation of the "aromatic cage".

CRIP1 suppresses BBOX1-mediated carnitine metabolism to promote stemness in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Carnitine metabolism is thought to be negatively correlated with the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the specific molecular mechanism is yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we report that little characterized cysteine-rich protein 1 (CRIP1) is upregulated in HCC and associated with poor prognosis. Moreover, CRIP1 promoted HCC cancer stem-like properties by downregulating carnitine energy metabolism. Mechanistically, CRIP1 interacted with BBOX1 and the E3 ligase STUB1, promoting BBOX1 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, and leading to the downregulation of carnitine. BBOX1 ubiquitination at lysine 240 is required for CRIP1-mediated control of carnitine metabolism and cancer stem-like properties. Further, our data showed that acetylcarnitine downregulation in CRIP1-overexpressing cells decreased beta-catenin acetylation and promoted nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin, thus facilitating cancer stem-like properties. Clinically, patients with higher CRIP1 protein levels had lower BBOX1 levels but higher nuclear beta-catenin levels in HCC tissues. Together, our findings identify CRIP1 as novel upstream control factor for carnitine metabolism and cancer stem-like properties, suggesting targeting of the CRIP1/BBOX1/ß-catenin axis as a promising strategy for HCC treatment.

Long non-coding RNA BBOX1-antisense RNA 1 enhances cell proliferation and migration and suppresses apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma via the miR-3940-3p/laminin subunit gamma 2 axis.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an essential role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We aimed to demonstrate the effects of lncRNA gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase 1 (BBOX1)-antisense RNA 1 (AS1) in OSCC and its regulatory mechanisms. The levels of BBOX1-AS1, microRNA (miR)-3940-3p, and laminin subunit gamma 2 (LAMC2) in OSCC were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The correlations among BBOX1-AS1, miR-3940-3p, and LAMC2 were validated using luciferase, pull-down, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were examined. BBOX1-AS1 and LAMC2 were notably overexpressed in OSCC, while miR-3940-3p showed the opposite trend. BBOX-1-AS1 silencing reduced the cell proliferation and migration, while promoting apoptosis. Mechanistically, BBOX1-AS1 modulates LAMC2 expression by competitively binding to miR-3940-3p. miR-3940-3p inhibition alleviated the inhibitory effects of BBOX1-AS1 deficiency on OSCC development. LAMC2 knockdown reversed these changes. Our results revealed that BBOX1-AS1 promotes the malignant phenotype of OSCC cells via the upregulation of LAMC2 expression by targeting miR-3940-3p, indicating that BBOX1-AS1 may be a novel target for OSCC intervention.

KLF5-induced BBOX1-AS1 contributes to cell malignant phenotypes in non-small cell lung cancer via sponging miR-27a-5p to up-regulate MELK and activate FAK signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major histological subtype of lung cancer with high mortality and morbidity. A substantial amount of evidence demonstrates long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) as critical regulators in tumorigeneis and malignant progression of human cancers. The oncogenic role of BBOX1 anti-sense RNA 1 (BBOX1-AS1) has been reported in several tumors. As yet, the potential functions and mechanisms of BBOX1-AS1 in NSCLC are obscure. METHODS: The gene and protein expression was detected by qRT-PCR and western blot. Cell function was determined by CCK-8, colony forming, would healing and transwell assays. Bioinformatics tools, ChIP assays, dual luciferase reporters system and RNA pull-down experiments were used to examine the interaction between molecules. Subcutaneous tumor models in nude mice were established to investigate in vivo NSCLC cell behavior. RESULTS: BBOX1-AS1 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cells. High BBOX1-AS1 expression was associated with worse clinical parameters and poor prognosis. BBOX1-AS1 up-regulation was induced by transcription factor KLF5. BBOX1-AS1 deficiency resulted in an inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT in vitro. Also, knockdown of BBOX1-AS1 suppressed NSCLC xenograft tumor growth in mice in vivo. Mechanistically, BBOX1-AS1 acted act as a competetive "sponge" of miR-27a-5p to promote maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) expression and activate FAK signaling. miR-27a-5p was confirmed as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC. Moreover, BBOX1-AS1-induced increase of cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT was greatly reversed due to the overexpression of miR-27a-5p. In addition, the suppressive effect of NSCLC progression owing to BBOX1-AS1 depletion was abated by the up-regulation of MELK. Consistently, BBOX1-AS1-mediated carcinogenicity was attenuated in NSCLC after treatment with a specific MELK inhibitor OTSSP167. CONCLUSIONS: KLF5-induced BBOX1-AS1 exerts tumor-promotive roles in NSCLC via sponging miR-27a-5p to activate MELK/FAK signaling, providing the possibility of employing BBOX1-AS1 as a therapeutic target for NSCLC patients.

Identification of BBOX1 as a Therapeutic Target in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive and highly lethal disease. Because of its heterogeneity and lack of hormone receptors or HER2 expression, targeted therapy is limited. Here, by performing a functional siRNA screening for 2-OG-dependent enzymes, we identified gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase 1 (BBOX1) as an essential gene for TNBC tumorigenesis. BBOX1 depletion inhibits TNBC cell growth while not affecting normal breast cells. Mechanistically, BBOX1 binds with the calcium channel inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 3 (IP3R3) in an enzymatic-dependent manner and prevents its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. BBOX1 depletion suppresses IP3R3-mediated endoplasmic reticulum calcium release, therefore impairing calcium-dependent energy-generating processes including mitochondrial respiration and mTORC1-mediated glycolysis, which leads to apoptosis and impaired cell-cycle progression in TNBC cells. Therapeutically, genetic depletion or pharmacologic inhibition of BBOX1 inhibits TNBC tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Our study highlights the importance of targeting the previously uncharacterized BBOX1-IP3R3-calcium oncogenic signaling axis in TNBC. SIGNIFICANCE: We provide evidence from unbiased screens that BBOX1 is a potential therapeutic target in TNBC and that genetic knockdown or pharmacologic inhibition of BBOX1 leads to decreased TNBC cell fitness. This study lays the foundation for developing effective BBOX1 inhibitors for treatment of this lethal disease.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1611.

Ontogeny of carnitine biosynthesis in Sus scrofa domesticus, inferred from γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (dioxygenase) activity and substrate inhibition.

γ-Butyrobetaine hydroxylase (γ-BBH) is the last limiting enzyme of the l-carnitine biosynthesis pathway and plays an important role in catalyzing the hydroxylation of γ-butyrobetaine (γ-BB) to l-carnitine. To study the developmental effect of substrate concentration on the enzyme's specific activity, kinetics of γ-BBH were measured in liver and kidney from newborn and 1-, 7-, 21-, 35-, 56-, and 210-day-old domestic pigs. Fresh tissue homogenates were assayed under nine concentrations of γ-BB from 0 to 1.5 mM. Substrate inhibition associated with age was observed at ≥0.6 mM of γ-BB. Hepatic activity was low at birth but increased after 1 day. By 21 days, the activity rose by 6.6-fold (P < 0.05) and remained constant after 56 days. Renal activity was higher than in liver at birth but remained constant through 35 days. By 56 days, the velocity increased by 44% over the activity at birth (P < 0.05). The apparent Km for γ-BB at birth on average was 2.8-fold higher than at 1 day. The Km value was 60% higher in kidney than liver during development but showed no difference in adult pigs. The total organ enzyme activity increased by 130-fold for liver and 18-fold for kidney as organ weight increased from birth to 56 days. In conclusion, age and substrate affect γ-BBH specific activity and Km for γ-BB in liver and kidney. Whereas the predominant organ for carnitine synthesis is likely the kidney at birth, the liver appears to predominate after the pig exceeds 7 days of age.

TMAVA, a Metabolite of Intestinal Microbes, Is Increased in Plasma From Patients With Liver Steatosis, Inhibits γ-Butyrobetaine Hydroxylase, and Exacerbates Fatty Liver in Mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is characterized by excessive hepatic accumulation of triglycerides. We aimed to identify metabolites that differ in plasma of patients with liver steatosis vs healthy individuals (controls) and investigate the mechanisms by which these might contribute to fatty liver in mice. METHODS: We obtained blood samples from 15 patients with liver steatosis and 15 controls from a single center in China (discovery cohort). We performed untargeted liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis of plasma to identify analytes associated with liver steatosis. We then performed targeted metabolomic analysis of blood samples from 2 independent cohorts of individuals who underwent annual health examinations in China (1157 subjects with or without diabetes and 767 subjects with or without liver steatosis; replication cohorts). We performed mass spectrometry analysis of plasma from C57BL/6J mice, germ-free, and mice given antibiotics. C57BL/6J mice were given 0.325% (m/v) N,N,N-trimethyl-5-aminovaleric acid (TMAVA) in their drinking water and placed on a 45% high-fat diet (HFD) for 2 months. Plasma, liver tissues, and fecal samples were collected; fecal samples were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. C57BL/6J mice with CRISPR-mediated disruption of the gene encoding γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBOX-knockout mice) were also placed on a 45% HFD for 2 months. Hepatic fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in liver tissues was determined by measuring liberation of 3H2O from [3H] palmitic acid. Liver tissues were analyzed by electron microscopy, to view mitochondria, and proteomic analyses. We used surface plasmon resonance analysis to quantify the affinity of TMAVA for BBOX. RESULTS: Levels of TMAVA, believed to be a metabolite of intestinal microbes, were increased in plasma from subjects with liver steatosis compared with controls, in the discovery and replication cohorts. In 1 replication cohort, the odds ratio for fatty liver in subjects with increased liver plasma levels of TMAVA was 1.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-2.90; P = .012). Plasma from mice given antibiotics or germ-free mice had significant reductions in TMAVA compared with control mice. We found the intestinal bacteria Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to metabolize trimethyllysine to TMAVA; levels of trimethyllysine were significantly higher in plasma from patients with steatosis than controls. We found TMAVA to bind and inhibit BBOX, reducing synthesis of carnitine. Mice given TMAVA had alterations in their fecal microbiomes and reduced cold tolerance; their plasma and liver tissue had significant reductions in levels of carnitine and acyl-carnitine and their hepatocytes had reduced mitochondrial FAO compared with mice given only an HFD. Mice given TMAVA on an HFD developed liver steatosis, which was reduced by carnitine supplementation. BBOX-knockout mice had carnitine deficiency and decreased FAO, increasing uptake and liver accumulation of free fatty acids and exacerbating HFD-induced fatty liver. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of TMAVA are increased in plasma from subjects with liver steatosis. In mice, intestinal microbes metabolize trimethyllysine to TMAVA, which reduces carnitine synthesis and FAO to promote steatosis.

19F NMR studies on γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase provide mechanistic insights and suggest a dual inhibition mode.

The final step in the biosynthesis of l-carnitine in humans is catalysed by the 2-oxoglutarate and ferrous iron dependent oxygenase, γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBOX). 1H and 19F NMR studies inform on the BBOX mechanism including by providing evidence for cooperativity between monomers in substrate/some inhibitor binding. The value of the 19F NMR methods is demonstrated by their use in the design of new BBOX inhibitors.

Investigating the active site of human trimethyllysine hydroxylase.

The biologically important carnitine biosynthesis pathway in humans proceeds via four enzymatic steps. The first step in carnitine biosynthesis is catalyzed by trimethyllysine hydroxylase (TMLH), a non-heme Fe(II) and 2-oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent oxygenase, which catalyzes the stereospecific hydroxylation of (2S)-Nε-trimethyllysine to (2S,3S)-3-hydroxy-Nε-trimethyllysine. Here, we report biocatalytic studies on human TMLH and its 19 variants introduced through site-directed mutagenesis. Amino acid substitutions at the sites involved in binding of the Fe(II) cofactor, 2OG cosubstrate and (2S)-Nε-trimethyllysine substrate provide a basic insight into the binding requirements that determine an efficient TMLH-catalyzed conversion of (2S)-Nε-trimethyllysine to (2S,3S)-3-hydroxy-Nε-trimethyllysine. This work demonstrates the importance of the recognition sites that contribute to the enzymatic activity of TMLH: the Fe(II)-binding H242-D244-H389 residues, R391-R398 involved in 2OG binding and several residues (D231, N334 and the aromatic cage comprised of W221, Y217 and Y234) associated with binding of (2S)-Nε-trimethyllysine.

BBOX1 is down-regulated in maternal immune-activated mice and implicated in genetic susceptibility to human schizophrenia.

Prenatal exposure to infectious or inflammatory insults can increase the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder, autism, and schizophrenia in later life. Gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBOX 1) is an enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of l-carnitine, a key molecule in fatty acid metabolism. This cytosolic dimeric protein belongs to the dioxygenase family. In this study, we investigated whether BBOX 1 expression was related to psychiatric disorder in an animal model. We also conducted a case-control study using 284 schizophrenia patients and 409 controls with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5'-near region of BBOX 1. BBOX 1 expression was increased in the medial frontal cortex of a mouse model of schizophrenia induced by maternal immune activation. Furthermore, the genotype and allele frequencies of two SNPs (rs7939644 and rs10767592) were significantly associated with schizophrenia susceptibility. Our results suggest that BBOX 1 might be associated with maternal immune activation and schizophrenia susceptibility. Therefore, it might be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Cation-π Interactions Contribute to Substrate Recognition in γ-Butyrobetaine Hydroxylase Catalysis.

γ-Butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBOX) is a non-heme Fe(II) - and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenase that catalyzes the stereoselective hydroxylation of an unactivated C-H bond of γ-butyrobetaine (γBB) in the final step of carnitine biosynthesis. BBOX contains an aromatic cage for the recognition of the positively charged trimethylammonium group of the γBB substrate. Enzyme binding and kinetic analyses on substrate analogues with P and As substituting for N in the trimethylammonium group show that the analogues are good BBOX substrates, which follow the efficiency trend N(+) >P(+) >As(+). The results reveal that an uncharged carbon analogue of γBB is not a BBOX substrate, thus highlighting the importance of the energetically favorable cation-π interactions in productive substrate recognition.

Inhibition of L-carnitine biosynthesis and transport by methyl-γ-butyrobetaine decreases fatty acid oxidation and protects against myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The important pathological consequences of ischaemic heart disease arise from the detrimental effects of the accumulation of long-chain acylcarnitines in the case of acute ischaemia-reperfusion. The aim of this study is to test whether decreasing the L-carnitine content represents an effective strategy to decrease accumulation of long-chain acylcarnitines and to reduce fatty acid oxidation in order to protect the heart against acute ischaemia-reperfusion injury. KEY RESULTS: In this study, we used a novel compound, 4-[ethyl(dimethyl)ammonio]butanoate (Methyl-GBB), which inhibits γ-butyrobetaine dioxygenase (IC50 3 µM) and organic cation transporter 2 (OCTN2, IC50 3 µM), and, in turn, decreases levels of L-carnitine and acylcarnitines in heart tissue. Methyl-GBB reduced both mitochondrial and peroxisomal palmitate oxidation rates by 44 and 53% respectively. In isolated hearts treated with Methyl-GBB, uptake and oxidation rates of labelled palmitate were decreased by 40%, while glucose oxidation was increased twofold. Methyl-GBB (5 or 20 mg·kg(-1)) decreased the infarct size by 45-48%. In vivo pretreatment with Methyl-GBB (20 mg·kg(-1)) attenuated the infarct size by 45% and improved 24 h survival of rats by 20-30%. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Reduction of L-carnitine and long-chain acylcarnitine content by the inhibition of OCTN2 represents an effective strategy to protect the heart against ischaemia-reperfusion-induced damage. Methyl-GBB treatment exerted cardioprotective effects and increased survival by limiting long-chain fatty acid oxidation and facilitating glucose metabolism.

Ejection of structural zinc leads to inhibition of γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase.

γ-Butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBOX) is a 2-oxoglutarate and Fe(II) dependent oxygenase that catalyses an essential step during carnitine biosynthesis in animals. BBOX is inhibited by ejection of structural zinc by a set of selenium containing analogues. Previous structural analyses indicated that an undisrupted N-terminal zinc binding domain of BBOX is required for catalysis. Ebselen is a relatively potent BBOX inhibitor, an observation which may in part reflect its cardioprotective properties.

Expression and purification of active, stabilized trimethyllysine hydroxylase.

Trimethyllysine hydroxylase (TMLH) catalyses the first step in carnitine biosynthesis - the conversion of N6,N6,N6-trimethyl-l-lysine to 3-hydroxy-N6,N6,N6-trimethyl-l-lysine. By changing carnitine availability it is possible to optimise cardiac energy metabolism, that is beneficial under certain ischemic conditions. Previous efforts have been devoted towards the inhibition of gamma-butyrobetaine dioxygenase, which catalyses the last step in carnitine biosynthesis. However, the effects of TMLH activity regulation are currently unexplored. To facilitate the development of specific ligands of TMLH, large quantities of recombinant protein are necessary for downstream binding and structural studies. Here, we describe an efficient system for expressing and purifying active and stable TMLH as a maltose-binding protein fusion in Escherichiacoli.

Oxygenase-catalyzed desymmetrization of N,N-dialkyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acids.

γ-Butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBOX) is a 2-oxoglutarate dependent oxygenase that catalyzes the final hydroxylation step in the biosynthesis of carnitine. BBOX was shown to catalyze the oxidative desymmetrization of achiral N,N-dialkyl piperidine-4-carboxylates to give products with two or three stereogenic centers.

Comparison of the substrate selectivity and biochemical properties of human and bacterial γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase.

2-Oxoglutarate and iron dependent oxygenases have potential for the stereoselective hydroxylation of amino acids and related compounds. The biochemical and kinetic properties of recombinant γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase from human and Pseudomonas sp. AK1 were compared. The results reveal differences between the two BBOXs, including in their stimulation by ascorbate. Despite their closely related sequences, the two enzymes also display different substrate selectivities, including for the production of (di)hydroxylated betaines, implying use of engineered BBOXs for biocatalytic purposes may be productive.

Enzymes involved in L-carnitine biosynthesis are expressed by small intestinal enterocytes in mice: implications for gut health.

BACKGROUND: Carnitine is essential for mitochondrial ß-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids. Deficiency of carnitine leads to severe gut atrophy, ulceration and inflammation in animal models of carnitine deficiency. Genetic studies in large populations have linked mutations in the carnitine transporters OCTN1 and OCTN2 with Crohn's disease (CD), while other studies at the same time have failed to show a similar association and report normal serum carnitine levels in CD patients. METHODS: In this report, we have studied the expression of carnitine-synthesizing enzymes in intestinal epithelial cells to determine the capability of these cells to synthesize carnitine de novo. We studied expression of five enzymes involved in carnitine biosynthesis, namely 6-N-trimethyllysine dioxygenase (TMLD), 4-trimethylaminobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase (TMABADH), serine hydroxymethyltransferase 1 and 2 (SHMT1 and 2) and γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBH) by real-time PCR in mice (C3H strain). We also measured activity of γ-BBH in the intestine using an ex vivo assay and localized its expression by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Our investigations show that mouse intestinal epithelium expresses all five enzymes required for de novo carnitine biosynthesis; the expression is localized mainly in villous surface epithelial cells throughout the intestine. The final rate-limiting enzyme γ-BBH is highly active in the small intestine; its activity was 9.7 ± 3.5 pmol/mg/min, compared to 22.7 ± 7.3 pmol/mg/min in the liver. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that mouse gut epithelium is able to synthesize carnitine de novo. This capacity to synthesize carnitine in the intestine may play an important role in gut health and can help explain lack of clinical carnitine deficiency signs in subjects with mutations with OCTN transporters.

Carnitine content in the follicular fluid and expression of the enzymes involved in beta oxidation in oocytes and cumulus cells.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to study lipid metabolism in oocytes and embryos that is a neglected parameter in human IVF. METHODS: We have tested the total carnitine content (TC) in the follicular fluid of 278 patients (217 non pregnant, 61 pregnant) undergoing IVF. RESULTS: The follicular fluid TC is neither correlated with the circulating estradiol content in serum nor with the outcome the IVF attempt. Carnitine, through the carnitine shuttle, is a major partner in lipid beta oxidation, metabolic pathway involved in the acquisition of oocyte competence. The expression of carnitine synthesis enzymes and lipid beta oxidation was studied in cumulus cells collected at the time of ovum retrieval and in oocyte. Surprisingly the expression for carnitine synthesis is not detectable in oocytes whereas the enzymes involved in lipid beta oxidation are rather strongly expressed. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of carnitine in oocyte maturation and embryo culture media should not be overlooked.

γ-Butyrobetaine hydroxylase catalyses a Stevens type rearrangement.

γ-Butyrobetaine hydroxylase (BBOX) is a 2-oxoglutarate and Fe(II)-dependent oxygenase that catalyses the final step of L-carnitine biosynthesis in animals. BBOX catalyses the oxidation of 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium)propionate (THP), a clinically used BBOX inhibitor, to form multiple products including 3-amino-4-(methyamino)butanoic acid (AMBA), which is proposed to be formed via a Stevens type rearrangement mechanism. We report the synthesis of AMBA and confirm that it is a product of the BBOX catalysed oxidation of THP. AMBA reacts with formaldehyde, which is produced enzymatically by BBOX, to give a cyclic adduct.