Adaptive evolution of the Streptococcus pyogenes regulatory aldolase LacD.1.

In the human-pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, the tagatose bisphosphate aldolase LacD.1 likely originated through a gene duplication event and was adapted to a role as a metabolic sensor for regulation of virulence gene transcription. Although LacD.1 retains enzymatic activity, its ancestral metabolic function resides in the LacD.2 aldolase, which is required for the catabolism of galactose. In this study, we compared these paralogous proteins to identify characteristics correlated with divergence and novel function. Surprisingly, despite the fact that these proteins have identical active sites and 82% similarity in amino acid sequence, LacD.1 was less efficient at cleaving both fructose and tagatose bisphosphates. Analysis of kinetic properties revealed that LacD.1's adaptation was associated with a decrease in k(cat) and an increase in K(m). Construction and analysis of enzyme chimeras indicated that non-active-site residues previously associated with the variable activities of human aldolase isoenzymes modulated LacD.1's affinity for substrate. Mutant LacD.1 proteins engineered to have LacD.2-like levels of enzymatic efficiency lost the ability to function as regulators, suggesting that an alteration in efficiency was required for adaptation. In competition under growth conditions that mimic a deep-tissue environment, LacD.1 conferred a significant gain in fitness that was associated with its regulatory activity. Taken together, these data suggest that LacD.1's adaptation represents a form of neofunctionalization in which duplication facilitated the gain of regulatory function important for growth in tissue and pathogenesis.

Insights from crystal structures into the opposite effects on RNA affinity caused by the S- and R-6'-methyl backbone modifications of 3'-fluoro hexitol nucleic acid.

Locked nucleic acid (LNA) analogues with 2',4'-bridged sugars show promise in antisense applications. S-5'-Me-LNA has high RNA affinity, and modified oligonucleotides show weakened immune stimulation in vivo. Conversely, an R-5'-methyl group dramatically lowers RNA affinity. To test the effects of S- and R-6'-methyl groups on 3'-fluoro hexitol nucleic acid (FHNA) stability, we synthesized S- and R-6'-Me-FHNA thymidine and incorporated them into oligo-2'-deoxynucleotides. As with LNA, S-6'-Me is stabilizing whereas R-6'-Me is destabilizing. Crystal structures of 6'-Me-FHNA-modified DNAs explain the divergent consequences for stability and suggest convergent origins of these effects by S- and R-6'-Me (FHNA) [-5'-Me (LNA and RNA)] substituents.

Structural insights into the substrate binding and stereoselectivity of giardia fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase.

Giardia lamblia fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBPA) is a member of the class II zinc-dependent aldolase family that catalyzes the cleavage of d-fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) into dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and d-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P). In addition to the active site zinc, the catalytic apparatus of FBPA employs an aspartic acid, Asp83 in the G. lamblia enzyme, which when replaced with an alanine residue renders the enzyme inactive. A comparison of the crystal structures of D83A FBPA in complex with FBP and of wild-type FBPA in the unbound state revealed a substrate-induced conformational transition of loops in the vicinity of the active site and a shift in the location of Zn(2+). When FBP binds, the Zn(2+) shifts up to 4.6 A toward the catalytic Asp83, which brings the metal within coordination distance of the Asp83 carboxylate group. In addition, the structure of wild-type FBPA was determined in complex with the competitive inhibitor d-tagatose 1,6-bisphosphate (TBP), a FBP stereoisomer. In this structure, the zinc binds in a site close to that previously seen in the structure of FBPA in complex with phosphoglycolohydroxamate, an analogue of the postulated DHAP ene-diolate intermediate. Together, the ensemble of structures suggests that the zinc mobility is necessary to orient the Asp83 side chain and to polarize the substrate for proton transfer from the FBP C(4) hydroxyl group to the Asp83 carboxyl group. In the absence of FBP, the alternative zinc position is too remote for coordinating the Asp83. We propose a modification of the catalytic mechanism that incorporates the novel features observed in the FBPA-FBP structure. The mechanism invokes coordination and coplanarity of the Zn(2+) with the FBP's O-C(3)-C(4)-O group concomitant with coordination of the Asp83 carboxylic group. Catalysis is accompanied by movement of Zn(2+) to a site coplanar with the O-C(2)-C(3)-O group of the DHAP. glFBPA exhibits strict substrate specificity toward FBP and does not cleave TBP. The active sites of FBPAs contain an aspartate residue equivalent to Asp255 of glFBPA, whereas tagatose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase contains an alanine in this position. We and others hypothesized that this aspartic acid is a likely determinant of FBP versus TBP specificity. Replacement of Asp255 with an alanine resulted in an enzyme that possesses double specificity, now cleaving TBP (albeit with low efficacy; k(cat)/K(m) = 80 M(-1) s(-1)) while maintaining activity toward FBP at a 50-fold lower catalytic efficacy compared with that of wild-type FBPA. The collection of structures and sequence analyses highlighted additional residues that may be involved in substrate discrimination.

Time course and significance of changes in hepatic fructose-2,6-bisphosphate levels during refeeding of fasted rats.

The time course of changes in hepatic fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (F-2,6-P2) and glycogen content was examined in fasted rats infused with glucose intragastrically or allowed to eat a chow diet ad lib. Initial values for the two parameters were approximately 0.4 nmol/g and 2 mg/g of tissue, respectively. Contrary to what might have been expected on the basis of reported studies with hepatocytes exposed to glucose (i.e., a rapid elevation of F-2,6-P2), the rise in F-2,6-P2 levels in vivo was a late event. It began only 4-5 h after glucose administration or refeeding, at which time glycogen content had reached approximately 35 mg/g of tissue. Thereafter, [F-2,6-P2] climbed rapidly, attaining fed values in the region of 10 nmol/g as glycogen stores became maximal (approximately 60 mg/g of tissue). Although the biochemical basis for these changes is still unclear, the delayed increase in [F-2,6-P2] is entirely consistent with the fact that much of the glycogen deposited in liver in the early postprandial phase is gluconeogenic in origin. The later rise in [F-2,6-P2] likely represents a key signal for the attenuation of gluconeogenic carbon flow into glycogen as the latter approaches repletion levels.

Control of phosphofructokinase by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in B-lymphocytes and B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.

The levels of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and the activities of the key glycolytic enzymes have been studied in T- and B-lymphocytes, and in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells (B-CLL). In both kinds of cells these two bisphosphorylated metabolites have been identified and are present at similar concentrations. Their phosphofructokinase, like that of other normal or tumoral cells, is sensitive to these activators. Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate is the most potent stimulator; it displays the properties of a positive effector. It greatly increases the affinity for fructose 6-phosphate and relieves the inhibition by adenosine triphosphate, without changing Vmax. This effect is also synergistic with adenosine monophosphate. Despite few differences in the activity of phosphofructokinase and in the content of its main effectors in B-lymphocytes and in B-CLL cells, the kinetic properties of the enzyme from B-CLL cells were different, the enzyme being more sensitive to fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Ka 2 orders of magnitude lower) and to glucose 1,6-bisphosphate than the enzyme from normal lymphocytes. The results reported showing that phosphofructokinase from B-CLL lymphocytes is altered in regulatory properties and the observed changes, in comparison to phosphofructokinase from normal B-lymphocytes, fit well with the hypothesis that fructose 2,6-bisphosphate can also assume a regulatory role in these cancer cells characterized by proliferation and accumulation of relatively mature-appearing lymphocytes.

Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and the control of glycolysis by glucocorticoids and by other agents in rat hepatoma cells.

The rate, key enzymes, and several metabolites of glycolysis in rat hepatoma (HTC) cells have been compared to those in rat hepatocytes. At 5 to 10 mM glucose, lactate release was greater in HTC cells. This could be explained in part by the absence of key gluconeogenic enzymes, by the substitution of glucokinase by hexokinase, and by an increase in phosphofructokinase 1 and pyruvate kinase activity. In addition, fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, the most potent stimulator of phosphofructokinase 1, was identified in HTC cells and shown to stimulate phosphofructokinase 1 partially purified from these cells. Dexamethasone increased the release of lactate in HTC cells. This glucocorticoid increased the concentration of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and the Vmax of the enzyme that catalyzes its synthesis, phosphofructokinase 2. The data were consistent with an indirect effect at the gene level, mediated by glucocorticoid receptors. Dexamethasone had no effect on the other rate-limiting glycolytic enzymes. Several agents (adenosine, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate, ethanol, antimycin) known to decrease fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in hepatocytes were without effect on this stimulator in HTC cells. DL-Glyceraldehyde inhibited glycolysis in HTC cells and eventually killed them. Although this substance decreased fructose 2,6-bisphosphate inhibition of glycolysis through an action at another level could not be ruled out.

Prevention by fructose-1,6-bisphosphate of cardiac oxidative damage induced in mice by subchronic doxorubicin treatment.

An experimental model of mild, subchronic doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in mice was investigated by monitoring changes of biochemical parameters related to cell response against oxidative stress in both liver and heart. A specific increase of the lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme typical of the heart was observed for doxorubicin-treated mice. Lipid peroxidation, as evaluated by malondialdehyde determination, and catalase activity were greatly increased in heart and unaffected in liver. On the other hand, these changes can be considered as indicative of early heart damage induced by doxorubicin. Glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase values were not significantly altered by the treatment and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase increased in both liver and heart. Administration of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate strongly reduced the increase of plasma lactate dehydrogenase, heart lipid peroxidation, and heart catalase while no effect on the diagnostically irrelevant increase of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was observed. The inhibitory effect on the onset of biochemical modification typical of early subchronic doxorubicin cardiotoxicity may be related to stimulation of ATP synthesis by fructose-1,6-bisphosphate and is therapeutically promising in view of the lack of toxicity of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate as a drug.

The affinity of rabbit muscle fructose-bisphosphatase for fructose bisphosphate.

This paper reports that microM concentrations of fructose bisphosphate are titrated by rabbit muscle fructose-bisphosphatase (D-fructose-1,6-bisphosphate 1-phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.11) when the enzyme concentration is varied in the range which secures measurable initial velocities of reaction: a result that can only be explained by supposing that the enzyme has a greater affinity for fructose bisphosphate than suggested by Fernando, J., Enser, M., Pontremoli, S. and Horecker, B.L. (1968) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 126, 599-606. The results also suggest that the keto form of the substrate may be the preferred configuration and that the enzyme is inhibited by magnesium-bound fructose bisphosphate.

Studies on the regulation of chloroplast fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase. Activation by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate.

Chloroplast fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (D-fructose 1,6-bisphosphate 1-phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.11) isolated from spinach leaves, was activated by preincubation with fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. The rate of activation was slower than the rate of catalysis, and dependent upon the temperature and the concentration of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. The addition of other sugar diphosphates, sugar monophosphates or intermediates of the reductive pentose phosphate cycle neither replaced fructose 1,6-bisphosphate nor modified the activation process. Upon activation with the effector the enzyme was less sensitive to trypsin digestion and insensitive to mercurials. The activity of chloroplast fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, preincubated with fructose 1,6-bisphosphate, returned to its basal activity after the concentration of the effector was lowered in the preincubation mixture. The results provide evidence that fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase resembles other regulatory enzymes involved in photosynthetic CO2 assimilation in its activation by chloroplast metabolites.

A study of the allosteric kinetics of Phycomyces pyruvate kinase as judged by the effect of L-alanine and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate.

The influence of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and L-alanine on the kinetics of pyruvate kinase (ATP:pyruvate O2-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.40) from Phycomyces blakesleeanus NRRL 1555 (-) was studied at pH 7.5. By addition of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate the sigmoid kinetics with respect to phosphoenol pyruvate and Mg2+ were abolished and the velocity curves became hyperbolic. In the presence of L-alanine the positive homotropic cooperativity with respect to phosphoenol pyruvate increased with Hill coefficient values close to 4, while the sigmoid kinetics with respect to Mg2+ became hyperbolic. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate overcomes the inhibition produced by L-alanine, the antagonism between phosphoenol pyruvate and L-alanine also being evident. Inhibition has been found at high Mg2+ concentrations, compatible with the binding of the magnesium ions to an inactive conformational state of the enzyme. The data were analysed on the basis of the two-states concerted-symmetry model of Monod, Wyman and Changeux, and the parameters of the model were calculated. Phosphoenol pyruvate and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate appeared to show exclusive binding to the active conformational state (R), whereas magnesium ions bind preferentially, by a factor of 45, to the R state. L-Alanine binds more readily to the inactive T state of the enzyme.

Effects of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate on the activation of yeast phosphofructokinase by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and AMP.

Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate decreases the activation of yeast 6-phosphofructokinase (ATP:fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.11) by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, especially at cellular substrate concentrations. AMP activation of the enzyme is not influenced by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. Inorganic phosphate increases the activation by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and augments the deactivation of the fructose 2,6-bisphosphate activated enzyme by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. Because various states of yeast glucose metabolism differ in the levels of the two fructose bisphosphates, the observed interactions might be of regulatory significance.

Inhibition of phosphoglucomutase by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate.

Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate inhibits phosphoglucomutase. The inhibition is mixed with respect to glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and non-competitive with respect to glucose 1-phosphate. In contrast with fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and glycerate 1,3-bisphosphate, which also possess inhibitory effect, fructose 2,6-bisphosphate does not phosphorylate phosphoglucomutase. Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate preparations contain contaminants which can explain artefactual results previously reported.

Kinetics of activation of L-lactate dehydrogenase from Streptococcus faecalis by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and by metal ions.

The lactate dehydrogenase from Streptococcus faecalis is activated either by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate or by divalent cations such as Mn2+ or Co2+. With both types of activator, a lag is observed before attainment of the steady state rate of pyruvate reduction if the activator is added to the enzyme at the same time as the substrates. This lag can be largely abolished by preincubation of enzyme with activator before mixing with substrates. For fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (Fru(1,6)P2) as the activator, the rate constant for the lag phase showed a linear dependence on activator concentration but was independent of enzyme concentration. This suggests that binding of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate induces a conformational change in the enzyme which leads to increased activity, without association of enzyme subunits or dimers. With Co2+ as activator, the rate constant for the lag phase showed a hyperbolic dependence on Co2+ concentration and was also dependent on enzyme concentration. This suggests that activation by Co2+, in contrast to that by Fru(1,6)P2, involves association of enzyme dimers, followed by ligand binding.

Regulation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate metabolism in human fibroblasts.

In the present work, the mechanism involved in the regulation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (fructose-2,6-P2) metabolism in human fibroblasts has been studied. Various agents like serum, insulin and adrenaline known to affect glycolysis have been investigated for their ability to influence fructose 2,6-P2 metabolism in confluent human fibroblasts. Serum appears to be the most potent activator of fructose-2,6-P2 levels and capable of inducing a marked increase in 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase (ATP: D-fructose-6-phosphate-2-phosphotransferase), EC 2.7.1. 105). To a lesser extent insulin has the same effects. The increase in enzyme activity elicited by serum and insulin does not require de novo protein synthesis since the process is insensitive to cycloheximide. Incubation of fibroblasts in the presence of adrenaline is responsible for a significant rise in fructose-2,6-P2 levels without affecting 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase. Similar experiments performed on glucose-starved or cytochalasin B-treated cells show that the effects elicited by all the agents are strictly dependent on glucose availability.

Complementarity in the regulation of phosphoglucomutase, phosphofructokinase and hexokinase; the role of glucose 1,6-bisphosphate.

ATP and citrate, the well known inhibitors of phosphofructokinase (ATP: D-fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.11), were found to inhibit the activities of the multiple forms of phosphoglucomutase (alpha-D-glucose 1,6-bisphosphate: alpha-D-glucose 1-phosphate phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.5.1) from rat muscle and adipose tissue. This inhibition could be reversed by an increase in the glucose 1,6-bisphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2) concentration. Other known activators (deinhibitors) of phosphofructokinase, viz. cyclic AMP, AMP, ADP or Pi, had no direct deinhibitory action on the ATP or citrate inhibited multiple phosphoglucomutases. Cyclic AMP and AMP, could however lead indirectly to deinhibition of the phosphoglucomutases, by activating phosphofructokinase which catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of glucose 1-phosphate to form Glc-1,6-P2, the la-ter then released the multiple phosphoglucomutases from ATP or citrate inhibition. The Glc-1,6-P2 was also found to exert a selective inhibitory effect on hexokinase (ATP: D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) type II, the predominant form in skeletal muscle. This selective inhibition by Glc-1,6-P2 was demonstrated on the multiple hexokinases which were resolved by cellogel electrophoresis or isolated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Based on the in vitro studies it is suggested that during periods of highly active epinephrine-induced glycogenolysis in muscle, the Glc-1,6-P2, produced by the cyclic AMP-stimulated reaction of phosphofructokinase with glucose 1-phosphate, will release the phosphoglucomutases from ATP or citrate inhibition, and will depress the activity of muscle type II hexokinase.

Regulation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels in Neurospora crassa.

Both wild type and cr-1 mutant (adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP-deficient) strains of Neurospora crassa contain fructose 2,6-bisphosphate at levels of 27 nmol/g dry tissue weight. This level decreases by about 50% in both strains upon depriving the cells of carbon or nitrogen sources for 3 h. An increase in cyclic AMP levels produced by addition of lysine to nitrogen-starved cells produced no increase in fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels. Both strains respond to short-term addition of salicylate, acetate, or 2,4-dinitrophenol with an increase in fructose 2,6-bisphosphate. Thus, the above-described regulation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels is cyclic AMP-independent. A suspension of the wild type produces a transient increase of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in response to administration of glucose, whereas the mutant strain does not respond unless it is fed exogenous cyclic AMP. Substitution of acetate for sucrose as a sole carbon source for growth leads to a differential decrease in fructose 2,6-bisphosphate levels between the two strains: the wild type strain has 63% and the cr-1 mutant strain has 37% of the levels of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate on acetate as compared to sucrose-grown controls. This may be the basis for an advantage of cr-1 over wild type in growth on acetate. Thus, although most regulation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate is cyclic AMP-independent, the levels can be regulated by a combination of carbon source and cyclic AMP levels.

Phosphofructokinase in rat lung during perinatal development: characterization of subunit composition and regulation by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and glucose 1,6-bisphosphate.

The subunit composition of phosphofructokinase (ATP: D-fructose-6-phosphate-1-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.11) was studied in rat lung during perinatal development. No change in subunit composition during this period was observed. The three subunits of phosphofructokinase (L, M and C) were present in a ratio of approx. 65:25:10, respectively. In addition the levels of two effectors of phosphofructokinase were determined in rat lung during perinatal development: glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate. Until day 20 of gestation (term is 22 days) the glucose 1,6-bisphosphate level remains relatively constant (approx. 0.55 mumol/g protein), decreases before birth and increases sharply up to 1.04 mumol/g protein 2 days after birth. The amount of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in rat lung shows a different developmental profile. A small peak is shown at day 17 of gestation whereas a larger peak up to 36.4 nmol/g protein is shown at days 20 and 21 of gestation. The time of maximal fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content corresponds with the time of glycogen breakdown and acceleration of surfactant synthesis in prenatal rat lung. Both glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate stimulate lung phosphofructokinase. Half maximal stimulations occur in the range of 24.1-70.9 microM glucose 1,6-bisphosphate and 0.17-0.34 microM fructose 2,6-bisphosphate.

pH sensitivity of the thrombin-induced rise in fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content of human platelets.

The stimulation of human platelets with thrombin results in a rapid and sustained increase in the fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content which may play an important role in the potentiation of glycolytic flux induced by the agonist. The investigation of the effect of pH on thrombin-induced rise in platelet fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content is reported here. The results indicate that the early intracellular alkalinization which follows platelet stimulation may contribute to mediate the positive effect of thrombin on the regulatory metabolite.

Stabilization of glucosaminephosphate synthase from rat liver by hexose 6-phosphates. Properties and interconversion of two molecular forms.

Glucosaminephosphate synthase (glucosaminephosphate isomerase (glutamine-forming), EC 5.3.1.19) prepared from rat liver by extraction in the presence of glucose 6-phosphate (Glc-6-P) followed by precipitation with (NH4)2SO4 is susceptible to digestion by trypsin. This enzyme, designated form A, can be converted to tryptic-insusceptible form B upon incubation with Glc-6-P or fructose 6-phosphate (Fru-6-P) at 37 degrees C. The two forms also differ in the degree of activation by dithiothreitol, the degree of inhibition by methyl-glyoxal and the behavior on DEAE-Sephadex and Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. During purification with DEAE-Sephadex followed by hydroxyapatite, form B is converted to form A if Fru-6-P is absent and form A to form B if Fru-6-P is present. The two forms are therefore intercovertible. Under the conditions of purification, form B is more stable than form A, since the purity and yield of the final product are greater with form B than with form A. These findings suggest that the two forms of glucosaminephosphate synthase differ conformationally and that the equilibrium position depends on the concentration of Fru-6-P. Glc-6-P is effective only when it gives rise to Fru-6-P by mediation of glucose-phosphate isomerase.

Purification and molecular properties of the AMP-activated pyruvate kinase from Escherichia coli.

The AMP-activated pyruvate kinase (ATP:pyruvate 2-O-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.40) from Escherichia coli has been purified 200 times through a three-step procedure which gives a homogeneous preparation with a specific activity of 110. The enzyme appears to be a tetramer of molecular weight 190 000. Subunits (molecular weight 51 000) show a single amino-terminal amino acid (serine) and appear as a single band in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate. The enzyme crystallizes in conditions of reduced dielectric constant of the solvent in the pH range 6.5-7.5. Kinetic and regulatory properties of the purified enzyme are similar to those described for crude preparations of the enzyme.