Analyses of Inositol Phosphates and Phosphoinositides by Strong Anion Exchange (SAX)-HPLC.

The phosphate esters of myo-inositol (Ins) occur ubiquitously in biology. These molecules exist as soluble or membrane-resident derivatives and regulate a plethora of cellular functions including phosphate homeostasis, DNA repair, vesicle trafficking, metabolism, cell polarity, tip-directed growth, and membrane morphogenesis. Phosphorylation of all inositol hydroxyl groups generates phytic acid (InsP6), the most abundant inositol phosphate present in eukaryotic cells. However, phytic acid is not the most highly phosphorylated naturally occurring inositol phosphate. Specialized small molecule kinases catalyze the formation of the so-called myo-inositol pyrophosphates (PP-InsPs), such as InsP7 and InsP8. These molecules are characterized by one or several "high-energy" diphosphate moieties and are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells. In plants, PP-InsPs play critical roles in immune responses and nutrient sensing. The detection of inositol derivatives in plants is challenging. This is particularly the case for inositol pyrophosphates because diphospho bonds are labile in plant cell extracts due to high amounts of acid phosphatase activity. We present two steady-state inositol labeling-based techniques coupled with strong anion exchange (SAX)-HPLC analyses that allow robust detection and quantification of soluble and membrane-resident inositol polyphosphates in plant extracts. These techniques will be instrumental to uncover the cellular and physiological processes controlled by these intriguing regulatory molecules in plants.

In vitro digestion effect on mineral bioaccessibility and antioxidant bioactive compounds of plant-based beverages.

Consumption of plant-based beverages (PBB) is a growing trend; and have been used as viable substitutes for dairy based products. To date, no study has comparatively analyzed mineral composition and effect of in vitro digestion on the bioaccessibility of different PBB. The aim of this research was to investigate the content of essential minerals (calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn)) and to estimate the effect of in vitro digestion in plant-based beverages, and their antioxidant bioactive compounds (phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity). Moreover, the presence of antinutritional factors, such as myo-inositol phosphates fractions, were evaluated. Samples of PBB (rice, cashew nut, almond, peanut, coconut, oat, soy, blended or not with another ingredients, fortified with minerals or naturally present) and milk for comparison were evaluated. TPC ranged from 0.2 mg GAEq/L for coconut to 12.4 mg GAEq/L for rice and, the antioxidant capacity (DPPH) ranged from 3.1 to 306.5 µmol TE/L for samples containing peanut and oat, respectively. Only a few samples presented myo-inositol phosphates fractions in their composition, mostly IP5 and IP6, especially cashew nut beverages. Mineral content showed a wide range for Ca, ranging from 10 to 1697.33 mg/L for rice and coconut, respectively. The Mg content ranged from 6.29 to 251.23-268.43 mg/L for rice and cashew nut beverages, respectively. Fe content ranged from 0.76 mg/L to 12.89 mg/L for the samples of rice. Zinc content ranged from 0.57 mg/L to 8.13 mg/L for samples of oat and soy, respectively. Significant variation was observed for Ca (8.2-306.6 mg/L) and Mg (1.9-107.4 mg/L) dialyzed between the beverages, with lower concentrations of Fe (1.0 mg/L) and Zn (0.5 mg/L) in dialyzed fractions. This study provides at least 975 analytically determined laboratory results, providing important information for characterization and comparison of different plant-based beverages.

Inhibition of vascular calcification by inositol phosphates derivatized with ethylene glycol oligomers.

Myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) is a natural product known to inhibit vascular calcification (VC), but with limited potency and low plasma exposure following bolus administration. Here we report the design of a series of inositol phosphate analogs as crystallization inhibitors, among which 4,6-di-O-(methoxy-diethyleneglycol)-myo-inositol-1,2,3,5-tetrakis(phosphate), (OEG2)2-IP4, displays increased in vitro activity, as well as more favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profiles than IP6 after subcutaneous injection. (OEG2)2-IP4 potently stabilizes calciprotein particle (CPP) growth, consistently demonstrates low micromolar activity in different in vitro models of VC (i.e., human serum, primary cell cultures, and tissue explants), and largely abolishes the development of VC in rodent models, while not causing toxicity related to serum calcium chelation. The data suggest a mechanism of action independent of the etiology of VC, whereby (OEG2)2-IP4 disrupts the nucleation and growth of pathological calcification.

The Impact of Phytases on the Release of Bioactive Inositols, the Profile of Inositol Phosphates, and the Release of Selected Minerals in the Technology of Buckwheat Beer Production.

A relatively high concentration of phytate in buckwheat malt, and the low activity of endogenous buckwheat phytases, both of which limit the effective use of substrates (starch, proteins, minerals) for fermentation and yeast metabolism, gives rise to the potential for application of phytases in beer production. This study aims at obtaining a 100% buckwheat wort with high bioactive cyclitols (myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol) concentrations released by exogenous phytases and acid phosphatases. Two mashing programs were used in the study, i.e., (1) typical for basic raw materials, namely the well-established Congress method, and (2) optimized for phytase activity. The results indicated a nearly 50% increase in the level of bioactive myo-inositol and an 80% degradation of phytate in the wort as a result of simultaneous application of phytase and phosphatase enzymes in the mashing of buckwheat malt. In addition, high D-chiro-inositol concentrations were released from malt to the buckwheat wort. The concerted action of the two phytases significantly increased (19-44%) Zn2+ concentrations in wort. This may be of great importance during mash fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts. There is a potential to develop technology for buckwheat beer production, which, in addition to being free from gluten, comprises high levels of bioactive myo- and D-chiro-inositols.

Quantification of inositol phosphates in almond meal and almond brown skins by HPLC/ESI/MS.

The extraction and measurement of all six forms of inositol phosphates (InsPs) in almond meal and brown skins were improved from existing methods by pH adjustment, supplementation of EDTA, and rapid analysis via anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The quantity of InsPs in six major almond cultivars ranged from 8 to 12µmol/g in the meal and 5 to 14µmol/g in the brown skins. InsP6 was the dominant form, but lower forms still accounted for ∼20% of the total InsPs molar concentration in a majority of the samples. InsPs contributed 32-55% of the organic phosphorus content and 20-38% of the total phosphorus content in the meal. In brown skins, these ranges were 44-77% and 30-52%, respectively. The successful application of this analytical method with almonds demonstrates its potential use for re-examination of the reported phytic acid contents in many other tree nuts, legumes, grains, and complex foods.

Modification and application of an in vitro assay to examine inositol phosphate degradation in the digestive tract of poultry.

BACKGROUND: An in vitro assay was modified to study the disappearance of inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6 ) and the formation of lower inositol phosphate (InsP) isomers in the poultry digestive tract, and three experiments investigated the influence of diets with different ingredients and additives. Using the poultry diet as a matrix, the assay simulated the conditions (e.g. pH, temperature, proteolytic enzymes, water content, and retention time) of the crop, stomach, and small intestine, and extraction and analysis of InsP isomers were immediately conducted. RESULTS: The assay produced highly reproducible results with coefficients of variation ≤10% for an InsP isomer concentration ≥0.4 µmol g-1 DM (n = 3), and it was sensitive to the factors that varied in the three experiments. CONCLUSION: The described assay is a suitable tool that can be used to screen feed enzymes and to investigate the effects of supplements in the absence of endogenous phytases. The ease of handling and high reproducibility of the assay indicated that the assay is a rapid and feasible method that can be used to examine the degradation pathway of phytate in feed under gastrointestinal conditions. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

New paradigms for the chiral synthesis of inositol phosphates.

Paradigms found: Inositol phosphates are biomolecules found ubiquitously in eukaryotes, in which they play a number of vital biological roles. Their enantioselective synthesis has recently received a boost from two complementary phosphorylation methods that could change the way they are synthesised, and hopefully provide invaluable chemical biology tools to further our understanding of this large family.

Principles and determinants of G-protein coupling by the rhodopsin-like thyrotropin receptor.

In this study we wanted to gain insights into selectivity mechanisms between G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and different subtypes of G-proteins. The thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) binds G-proteins promiscuously and activates both Gs (cAMP) and Gq (IP). Our goal was to dissect selectivity patterns for both pathways in the intracellular region of this receptor. We were particularly interested in the participation of poorly investigated receptor parts.We systematically investigated the amino acids of intracellular loop (ICL) 1 and helix 8 using site-directed mutagenesis alongside characterization of cAMP and IP accumulation. This approach was guided by a homology model of activated TSHR in complex with heterotrimeric Gq, using the X-ray structure of opsin with a bound G-protein peptide as a structural template.We provide evidence that ICL1 is significantly involved in G-protein activation and our model suggests potential interactions with subunits G alpha as well as G betagamma. Several amino acid substitutions impaired both IP and cAMP accumulation. Moreover, we found a few residues in ICL1 (L440, T441, H443) and helix 8 (R687) that are sensitive for Gq but not for Gs activation. Conversely, not even one residue was found that selectively affects cAMP accumulation only. Together with our previous mutagenesis data on ICL2 and ICL3 we provide here the first systematically completed map of potential interfaces between TSHR and heterotrimeric G-protein. The TSHR/Gq-heterotrimer complex is characterized by more selective interactions than the TSHR/Gs complex. In fact the receptor interface for binding Gs is a subset of that for Gq and we postulate that this may be true for other GPCRs coupling these G-proteins. Our findings support that G-protein coupling and preference is dominated by specific structural features at the intracellular region of the activated GPCR but is completed by additional complementary recognition patterns between receptor and G-protein subtypes.

A Solanum tuberosum inositol phosphate kinase (StITPK1) displaying inositol phosphate-inositol phosphate and inositol phosphate-ADP phosphotransferase activities.

We describe a multifunctional inositol polyphosphate kinase/phosphotransferase from Solanum tuberosum, StITPKalpha (GenBank accession number: EF362784), hereafter called StITPK1. StITPK1 displays inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate 1-kinase activity: K(m) = 27 microM, and V(max) = 19 nmol min(-1) mg(-1). The enzyme displays inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate 1-phosphatase activity in the absence of a nucleotide acceptor and inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate-ADP phosphotransferase activity in the presence of physiological concentrations of ADP. Additionally, StITPK1 shows inositol phosphate-inositol phosphate phosphotransferase activity. Homology modelling provides a structural rationale of the catalytic abilities of StITPK1. Inter-substrate transfer of phosphate groups between inositol phosphates is an evolutionarily conserved function of enzymes of this class.

Beta-arrestin mediates desensitization and internalization but does not affect dephosphorylation of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor.

The G protein-coupled thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptor is phosphorylated and binds to beta-arrestin after agonist exposure. To define the importance of receptor phosphorylation and beta-arrestin binding in desensitization, and to determine whether beta-arrestin binding and receptor endocytosis are required for receptor dephosphorylation, we expressed TRH receptors in fibroblasts from mice lacking beta-arrestin-1 and/or beta-arrestin-2. Apparent affinity for [(3)H]MeTRH was increased 8-fold in cells expressing beta-arrestins, including a beta-arrestin mutant that did not permit receptor internalization. TRH caused extensive receptor endocytosis in the presence of beta-arrestins, but receptors remained primarily on the plasma membrane without beta-arrestin. beta-Arrestins strongly inhibited inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production within 10 s. At 30 min, endogenous beta-arrestins reduced TRH-stimulated inositol phosphate production by 48% (beta-arrestin-1), 71% (beta-arrestin-2), and 84% (beta-arrestins-1 and -2). In contrast, receptor phosphorylation, detected by the mobility shift of deglycosylated receptor, was unaffected by beta-arrestins. Receptors were fully phosphorylated within 15 s of TRH addition. Receptor dephosphorylation was identical with or without beta-arrestins and almost complete 20 min after TRH withdrawal. Blocking endocytosis with hypertonic sucrose did not alter the rate of receptor phosphorylation or dephosphorylation. Expressing receptors in cells lacking Galpha(q) and Galpha(11) or inhibiting protein kinase C pharmacologically did not prevent receptor phosphorylation or dephosphorylation. Overexpression of dominant negative G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2), however, retarded receptor phosphorylation. Receptor activation caused translocation of endogenous GRK2 to the plasma membrane. The results show conclusively that receptor dephosphorylation can take place on the plasma membrane and that beta-arrestin binding is critical for desensitization and internalization.

Inhibition of metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling by the huntingtin-binding protein optineurin.

Huntington disease is caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the huntingtin protein (Htt) and is associated with excitotoxic death of striatal neurons. Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) that are coupled to inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate formation and the release of intracellular Ca(2+) stores play an important role in regulating neuronal function. We show here that mGluRs interact with the Htt-binding protein optineurin that is also linked to normal pressure open angled glaucoma and, when expressed in HEK 293 cells, optineurin functions to antagonize agonist-stimulated mGluR1a signaling. We find that Htt is co-precipitated with mGluR1a and that mutant Htt functions to facilitate optineurin-mediated attenuation of mGluR1a signaling. In striatal cell lines derived from Htt(Q111/Q111) mutant knock-in mice mGluR5-stimulated inositol phosphate formation is also severely impaired when compared with striatal cells derived from Htt(Q7/Q7) knock-in mice. In addition, we show that a missense single nucleotide polymorphism optineurin H486R variant previously identified to be associated with glaucoma is selectively impaired in mutant Htt binding. Although optineurin H486R retains the capacity to bind to mGluR1a, optineurin H486R-dependent attenuation of mGluR1a signaling is not enhanced by the expression of mutant Htt. Because G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) protein expression is relatively low in striatal tissue, we propose that optineurin may substitute for GRK2 in the striatum to mediate mGluR desensitization. Taken together, these studies identify a novel mechanism for mGluR desensitization and an additional biochemical link between altered glutamate receptor signaling and Huntington disease.

Evidence that interspecies polymorphism in the human and rat cholecystokinin receptor-2 affects structure of the binding site for the endogenous agonist cholecystokinin.

The cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor-2 exerts very important central and peripheral functions by binding the neuropeptides cholecystokinin or gastrin. Because this receptor is a potential therapeutic target, great interest has been devoted to the identification of efficient antagonists. However, interspecies genetic polymorphism that does not alter cholecystokinin-induced signaling was shown to markedly affect activity of synthetic ligands. In this context, precise structural study of the agonist binding site on the human cholecystokinin receptor-2 is a prerequisite to elucidating the molecular basis for its activation and to optimizing properties of synthetic ligands. In this study, using site-directed mutagenesis and molecular modeling, we delineated the binding site for CCK on the human cholecystokinin receptor-2 by mutating amino acids corresponding to that of the rat homolog. By doing so, we demonstrated that, although resembling that of rat homolog, the human cholecystokinin receptor-2 binding site also displays important distinct structural features that were demonstrated by susceptibility to several point mutations (F120A, Y189A, H207A). Furthermore, docking of CCK in the human and rat cholecystokinin receptor-2, followed by dynamic simulations, allowed us to propose a plausible structural explanation of the experimentally observed difference between rat and human cholecystokinin-2 receptors.

Unique precipitation and exocytosis of a calcium salt of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate in larval Echinococcus granulosus.

The ubiquitous intracellular molecule myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) is present extracellularly in the hydatid cyst wall (HCW) of the parasitic cestode Echinococcus granulosus. This study shows that extracellular IP6 is present as its solid calcium salt, in the form of deposits that are observed, at the ultrastructural level, as naturally electron dense granules some tens of nanometers in diameter. The presence of a calcium salt of IP6 in these structures was determined by two different electron microscopy techniques: (i) the analysis of the spatial distribution of phosphorus and calcium in the outer, acellular layer of the HCW (the laminated layer, LL) through electron energy loss spectroscopy, and (ii) the observation, by transmission electron microscopy, of HCW that were selectively depleted of IP6 by treatment with EGTA or phytase, an enzyme that catalyses the dephosphorylation of IP6. The deposits of the IP6-Ca(II) salt are also observed inside membrane vesicles in cells of the germinal layer (the inner, cellular layer of the HCW), indicating that IP6 precipitates with calcium within a cellular vesicular compartment and is then secreted to the LL. Thus, much as in plants (that produce vesicular IP6 deposits), the existence of transporters for IP6 or its precursors in internal membranes is needed to explain the compound's cellular localisation in E. granulosus.

Seed phosphorus and inositol phosphate phenotype of barley low phytic acid genotypes.

myo-Inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate (Ins P(6) or "phytic acid") typically represents approximately 75% of the total phosphorus and >80% of soluble myo-inositol (Ins) phosphates in seeds. The seed phosphorus and Ins phosphate phenotypes of four non-lethal barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) low phytic acid mutations are described. In seeds homozygous for M 635 and M 955 reductions in Ins P(6), approximately 75 and >90% respectively, are accompanied by reductions in other Ins phosphates and molar-equivalent increases in Pi. This phenotype suggests a block in supply of substrate Ins. In seeds homozygous for barley low phytic acid 1-1 (lpa1-1), a 45% decrease in Ins P(6) is mostly matched by an increase in Pi but also accompanied by small increases in Ins(1,2,3,4,6)P(5). In seeds homozygous for barley lpa2-1, reductions in seed Ins P(6) are accompanied by increases in both Pi and in several Ins phosphates, a phenotype that suggests a lesion in Ins phosphate metabolism, rather than Ins supply. The increased Ins phosphates in barley lpa2-1 seed are: Ins(1,2,3,4,6)P(5); Ins(1,2,4,6)P(4) and/or its enantiomer Ins(2,3,4,6)P(4); Ins(1,2,3,4)P(4) and/or its enantiomer Ins(1,2,3,6)P(4); Ins(1,2,6)P(3) and/or its enantiomer Ins(2,3,4)P(3); Ins(1,5,6)P(3) and/or its enantiomer Ins(3,4,5)P(3) (the methods used here cannot distinguish between enantiomers). This primarily "5-OH" series of Ins phosphates differs from the "1-/3-OH" series observed at elevated levels in seed of the maize lpa2 genotype, but previous chromosomal mapping data indicated that the maize and barley lpa2 loci might be orthologs of a single ancestral gene. Therefore one hypothesis that might explain the differing lpa2 phenotypes is that their common ancestral gene encodes a multi-functional, Ins phosphate kinase with both "1-/-3-" and "5-kinase" activities. A putative pyrophosphate-containing Ins phosphate, possibly an Ins P(7), was also observed in the mature seed of all barley genotypes except lpa2-1. Barley M 955 indicates that at least for this species, the ability to accumulate Ins P(6) can be nearly abolished while retaining at least short-term ( approximately 1.0 years) viability.

Enantiodivergence in small-molecule catalysis of asymmetric phosphorylation: concise total syntheses of the enantiomeric D-myo-inositol-1-phosphate and D-myo-inositol-3-phosphate.

Peptide-based catalysts have been found that catalyze the enantiodivergent phosphorylation of a meso myo-inositol-derived triol (1). The sequential screening of random peptide libraries, followed by the evaluation of a focused library, led to the identification of two peptides (2 and 24) that are complementary in producing enantiomeric D-myo-inositol-1-phosphate and D-myo-inositol-3-phosphate derivatives. The catalysts were then used to complete efficient total syntheses of both D-I-1P and D-I-3P in optically pure form. Additional information is gleaned from relative rate experiments that unambiguously show the catalysts to afford enantioselection through rate accelerative pathways with respect to simple achiral alkylimidazole catalysts. Furthermore, solvent effect studies show that the two enantiodivergent catalysts exhibit different tolerances of polar media. The systematic discovery of site-selective catalysts establishes a basis for future studies of chiral catalysts that differentiate unique functional groups in polyfunctional molecules.

Inositol phosphates in the environment.

The inositol phosphates are a group of organic phosphorus compounds found widely in the natural environment, but that represent the greatest gap in our understanding of the global phosphorus cycle. They exist as inositols in various states of phosphorylation (bound to between one and six phosphate groups) and isomeric forms (e.g. myo, D-chiro, scyllo, neo), although myo-inositol hexakisphosphate is by far the most prevalent form in nature. In terrestrial environments, inositol phosphates are principally derived from plants and accumulate in soils to become the dominant class of organic phosphorus compounds. Inositol phosphates are also present in large amounts in aquatic environments, where they may contribute to eutrophication. Despite the prevalence of inositol phosphates in the environment, their cycling, mobility and bioavailability are poorly understood. This is largely related to analytical difficulties associated with the extraction, separation and detection of inositol phosphates in environmental samples. This review summarizes the current knowledge of inositol phosphates in the environment and the analytical techniques currently available for their detection in environmental samples. Recent advances in technology, such as the development of suitable chromatographic and capillary electrophoresis separation techniques, should help to elucidate some of the more pertinent questions regarding inositol phosphates in the natural environment.

Specificity of hydrolysis of phytic acid by alkaline phytase from lily pollen.

Phytases are the primary enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of phytic acid, myo-inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate (I-1,2,3,4,5,6-P6). A number of phytases with varying specificities, properties, and localizations hydrolyze phytic acid present in cells. The specificity of hydrolysis of phytic acid by alkaline phytase from lily (Lilium longiflorum L.) pollen is described. Structures of the intermediate inositol phosphates and the final product were established by a variety of nuclear magnetic resonance techniques (1H-, 31P-, and 31P-1H-detected multiple quantum coherence spectroscopy, and total correlation spectroscopy). On the basis of the structures identified we have proposed a scheme of hydrolysis of phytic acid. Initial hydrolysis of the phosphate ester occurs at the D-5 position of phytic acid to yield the symmetrical I-1,2,3,4,6-P5. The two subsequent dephosphorylations occur adjacent to the D-5 hydroxyl group to yield I-1,2,3-P3 as the final product. Alkaline phytase differs from other phytases in the specificity of hydrolysis of phosphate esters on the inositol ring, its high substrate specificity for phytic acid, and biochemical properties such as susceptibility to activation by calcium and inhibition by fluoride. The physiological significance of alkaline phytase and the biological role of I-1,2,3-P3 remain to be identified.

Phospholipids chiral at phosphorus. Stereochemical mechanism for the formation of inositol 1-phosphate catalyzed by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C.

The phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) from mammalian sources catalyzes the simultaneous formation of both inositol 1,2-cyclic phosphate (IcP) and inositol 1-phosphate (IP). It has not been established whether the two products are formed in sequential or parallel reactions, even though the latter has been favored in previous reports. This problem was investigated by using a stereochemical approach. Diastereomers of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-(1D- [16O,17O]phosphoinositol) ([16O,17O]DPPI) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-(1D-thiophosphoinositol) (DPPsI) were synthesized, the latter with known configuration. Desulfurization of the DPPsI isomers of known configurations in H2(18)O gave [16O,18O]DPPI with known configurations, which allowed assignment of the configurations of [16O,17O]DPPI on the basis of 31P NMR analyses of silylated [16O,18O]DPPI and [16O,17O]DPPI (the inositol moiety was fully protected in this operation). (Rp)- and (Sp)-[16O,17O]DPPI were then converted into trans- and cis-[16O,17O]IcP, respectively, by PI-PLC from Bacillus cereus, which had been shown to proceed with inversion of configuration at phosphorus [Lin, G., Bennett, F. C., & Tsai, M.-D. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 2747-2757]. 31P NMR analysis was again used to differentiate the silylated products of the two isomers of IcP, which then permitted assignments of IcP with unknown configuration derived from transesterification of (Rp)- and (Sp)-[16O,17O]DPPI by bovine brain PI-PLC-beta 1. The results indicated inversion of configuration, in agreement with the steric course of the same reaction catalyzed by PI-PLCs from B. cereus and guinea pig uterus reported previously. For the steric course of the formation of inositol 1-phosphate catalyzed by PI-PLC, (Rp)- and (Sp)-[16O,17O]DPPI were hydrolyzed in H2(18)O to afford 1-[16O,17O,18O]IP, which was then converted to IcP chemically and analyzed by 31P NMR. The results indicated that both B. cereus PI-PLC and the PI-PLC-beta 1 from bovine brain catalyze conversion of DPPI to IP with overall retention of configuration at phosphorus. These results suggest that both bacterial and mammalian PI-PLCs catalyze the formation of IcP and IP by a sequential mechanism. However, the conversion of IcP to IP was detectable by 31P NMR only for the bacterial enzyme. Thus an alternative mechanism in which IcP and IP are formed by totally independent pathways, with formation of IP involving a covalent enzyme-phosphoinositol intermediate, cannot be ruled out for the mammalian enzyme. It was also found that both PI-PLCs displayed lack of stereo-specifically toward the 1,2-diacylglycerol moiety, which suggests that the hydrophobic part of phosphatidylinositol is not recognized by PI-PLC.