Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the catalytic core of cystathionine ß-synthase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS; EC 4.2.1.22) catalyzes the condensation of homocysteine and serine to form cystathionine, with the release of water. In humans, deficiency in CBS activity is the most common cause of hyperhomocysteinaemia and homocystinuria. More than 160 pathogenic mutations in the human CBS gene have been described to date. Here, the purification and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the catalytic core of CBS from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ScCBS) is described which, in contrast to other eukaryotic CBSs, lacks the N-terminal haem-binding domain and is considered to be a useful model for investigation of the pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-mediated reactions of human CBS (hCBS). The purified protein yielded two different crystal forms belonging to space groups P41212 and P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 72.390, c = 386.794 Šand a = 58.156, b = 89.988, c = 121.687 Å, respectively. Diffraction data were collected to 2.7 and 3.1 Šresolution, respectively, using synchrotron radiation. Preliminary analysis of the X-ray data suggests the presence of ScCBS homodimers in both types of crystals.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of human cystathionine ß-synthase.

Human cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS) is a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent hemeprotein, whose catalytic activity is regulated by S-adenosylmethionine. CBS catalyzes the ß-replacement reaction of homocysteine (Hcy) with serine to yield cystathionine. CBS is a key regulator of plasma levels of the thrombogenic Hcy and deficiency in CBS is the single most common cause of homocystinuria, an inherited metabolic disorder of sulfur amino acids. The properties of CBS enzymes, such as domain organization, oligomerization degree or regulatory mechanisms, are not conserved across the eukaryotes. The current body of knowledge is insufficient to understand these differences and their impact on CBS function and physiology. To overcome this deficiency, we have addressed the crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of a protein construct (hCBS516-525) that contains the full-length CBS from Homo sapiens (hCBS) and just lacks amino-acid residues 516-525, which are located in a disordered loop. The human enzyme yielded crystals belonging to space group I222, with unit-cell parameters a=124.98, b=136.33, c=169.83 Šand diffracting X-rays to a resolution of 3.0 Å. The crystal structure appears to contain two molecules in the asymmetric unit which presumably correspond to a dimeric form of the enzyme.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of the full-length cystathionine ß-synthase from Apis mellifera.

Cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS) is a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the first step of the transsulfuration pathway, namely the condensation of serine with homocysteine to form cystathionine. Mutations in the CBS gene are the single most common cause of hereditary homocystinuria, a multisystemic disease affecting to various extents the vasculature, connective tissues and central nervous system. At present, the crystal structure of CBS from Drosophila melanogaster is the only available structure of the full-length enzyme. Here we describe a cloning, overexpression, purification and preliminary crystallographic analysis of a full-length CBS from Apis mellifera (AmCBS) which maintains 51 and 46% sequence identity with its Drosophila and human homologs, respectively. The AmCBS yielded crystals belonging to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a=85.90, b=95.87, c=180.33 Å. Diffraction data were collected to a resolution of 3.0 Å. The crystal structure contained two molecules in the asymmetric unit which presumably correspond to the dimeric species observed in solution.

Folding and activity of mutant cystathionine ß-synthase depends on the position and nature of the purification tag: characterization of the R266K CBS mutant.

Cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS), a heme-containing pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme, catalyzes the condensation of serine and homocysteine to yield cystathionine. Missense mutations in CBS, the most common cause of homocystinuria, often result in misfolded proteins. Arginine 266, where the pathogenic missense mutation R266K was identified, appears to be involved in the communication between heme and the PLP-containing catalytic center. Here, we assessed the effect of a short affinity tag (6xHis) compared to a bulky fusion partner (glutathione S-transferase - GST) on CBS wild type (WT) and R266K mutant enzyme properties. While WT CBS was successfully expressed either in conjunction with a GST or with a 6xHis tag, the mutant R266K CBS had no activity, did not form native tetramers and did not respond to chemical chaperone treatment when expressed with a GST fusion partner. Interestingly, expression of R266K CBS constructs with a 6xHis tag at either end yielded active enzymes. The purified, predominantly tetrameric, R266K CBS with a C-terminal 6xHis tag had ∼82% of the activity of a corresponding WT CBS construct. Results from thermal pre-treatment of the enzyme and the denaturation profile of R266K suggests a lower thermal stability of the mutant enzyme compared to WT, presumably due to a disturbed heme environment.

Single cystathionine ß-synthase domain-containing proteins modulate development by regulating the thioredoxin system in Arabidopsis.

Plant thioredoxins (Trxs) participate in two redox systems found in different cellular compartments: the NADP-Trx system (NTS) in the cytosol and mitochondria and the ferredoxin-Trx system (FTS) in the chloroplast, where they function as redox regulators by regulating the activity of various target enzymes. The identities of the master regulators that maintain cellular homeostasis and modulate timed development through redox regulating systems have remained completely unknown. Here, we show that proteins consisting of a single cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS) domain pair stabilize cellular redox homeostasis and modulate plant development via regulation of Trx systems by sensing changes in adenosine-containing ligands. We identified two CBS domain-containing proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana, CBSX1 and CBSX2, which are localized to the chloroplast, where they activate all four Trxs in the FTS. CBSX3 was found to regulate mitochondrial Trx members in the NTS. CBSX1 directly regulates Trxs and thereby controls H(2)O(2) levels and regulates lignin polymerization in the anther endothecium. It also affects plant growth by regulating photosynthesis-related [corrected] enzymes, such as malate dehydrogenase, via homeostatic regulation of Trxs. Based on our findings, we suggest that the CBSX proteins (or a CBS pair) are ubiquitous redox regulators that regulate Trxs in the FTS and NTS to modulate development and maintain homeostasis under conditions that are threatening to the cell.

Purification and characterization of cystathionine ß-synthase bearing a cobalt protoporphyrin.

Human cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS), a pivotal enzyme in the metabolism of homocysteine, is a pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme that also contains heme, a second cofactor whose function is still unclear. One strategy for elucidation of heme function is its replacement with different metalloporphyrins or with porphyrins containing different substituent groups. This paper describes a novel expression approach and purification of cobalt CBS (CoCBS), which results in a high yield of fully active, high purity enzyme, in which heme is substituted by Co-protoporphyrin IX (CoPPIX). Metal content analysis showed that the enzyme contained 92% cobalt and 8% iron. CoCBS was indistinguishable from wild-type FeCBS in its activity, tetrameric oligomerization, PLP saturation and responsiveness to the allosteric activator, S-adenosyl-l-methionine. The observed biochemical and spectral characteristics of CoCBS provide further support for the suggestion that heme is involved in structural integrity and folding of this unusual enzyme.

Kinetic characterization of recombinant human cystathionine beta-synthase purified from E. coli.

Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) catalyzes the pyridoxal-50-phosphate-dependent condensation of L-serine and L-homocysteine to form L-cystathionine in the first step of the transsulfuration pathway. Although effective expression systems for recombinant human CBS (hCBS) have been developed, they require multiple chromatographic steps as well as proteolytic cleavage to remove the fusion partner. Therefore, a series of five expression constructs, each incorporating a 6-His tag, were developed to enable the efficient purification of hCBS via immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. Two of the constructs express hCBS in fusion with a protein partner, while the others bear only the affinity tag. The addition of an amino-terminal, 6-His tag, in the absence of a protein fusion partner and in the absence or presence ofa protease-cleavable linker, was found to be sufficient for the purification of soluble hCBS and resulted in enzyme with 86-91% heme saturation and with activity similar to that reported for other hCBS expression constructs. The continuous assay for L-Cth production, employing cystathionine beta-lyase and L-lactate dehydrogenase as coupling enzymes, was employed here for the first time to determine the steady-state kinetic parameters of hCBS, via global analysis, and revealed previously unreported substrate inhibition by L-Hcys (K(i)(L-HCYS) = 2.1 +/- 0.2 mM). The kinetic parameters for the hCBS-catalyzed hydrolysis of L-Cth toL-Ser and L-Hcys were also determined and the k(cat)/K(m)(L-CTH) of this reaction is only approximately 2-fold lower than the k(cat)/K(m)(L-SER) of the physiological, condensation reaction.

Modulation of cystathionine beta-synthase activity by the Arg-51 and Arg-224 mutations.

Human cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) catalyzes a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) dependent beta-replacement reaction to synthesize cystathionine from serine and homocysteine. The enzyme is unique in bearing not only a catalytically important PLP but also heme. In order to study a regulatory process mediated by heme, we performed mutagenesis of Arg-51 and Arg-224, which have hydrogen-bonding interactions with propionate side chains of the prosthetic group. It was found that the arginine mutations decrease CBS activity by approximately 50%. The results indicate that structural changes in the heme vicinity are transmitted to PLP existing 20 A away from heme. A possible explanation of our results is discussed on the basis of CBS structure.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of a cystathionine beta-synthase domain-containing protein, CDCP2, from Arabidopsis thaliana.

Cystathione beta-synthase domain-containing protein 2 (CDCP2) from Arabidopsis thaliana has been overexpressed and purified to homogeneity. As an initial step towards three-dimensional structure determination, crystals of recombinant CDCP2 protein have been obtained using polyethylene glycol 8000 as a precipitant. The crystals diffracted to 2.4 A resolution using synchrotron radiation and belonged to the trigonal space group P3(1)21 or P3(2)21, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 56.360, c = 82.596 A, alpha = beta = 90, gamma = 120 degrees . The asymmetric unit contains one CDCP2 molecule and the solvent content is approximately 41%.

Purification and characterization of the wild type and truncated human cystathionine beta-synthase enzymes expressed in E. coli.

In this paper, we describe the expression and characterization of recombinant human cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) in Escherichia coli. We have used a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein vector and incorporated a cleavage site with a long hinge region which allows for the independent folding of CBS and its fusion partner. In addition, our construct has the added benefit of yielding a purified CBS which only contains one extra glycine amino acid residue at the N-terminus. In our two-step purification procedure we are able to obtain a highly pure enzyme in sufficient quantities for crystallography and other physical chemical methods. We have investigated the biochemical and catalytic properties of purified full-length human CBS and of two truncation mutants lacking the C-terminal domain or both the N-terminal heme-binding and the C-terminal regulatory regions. Specifically, we have determined the pH optima of the different CBS forms and their kinetic and spectral properties. The full-length and the C-terminally truncated enzyme had a broad pH 8.5 optimum while the pH optimum of the N- and C- terminally truncated enzyme was sharp and shifted to pH 9. Furthermore, we have shown unequivocally that CBS binds one mole of heme per subunit by determining both the heme and the iron content of the enzyme. The activity of the enzyme was unaffected by the redox status of the heme iron. Finally, we show that CBS is stimulated by S-adenosyl- l-methionine but not its analogs.

Biochemical and structural characterization of a novel family of cystathionine beta-synthase domain proteins fused to a Zn ribbon-like domain.

We have identified a novel family of proteins, in which the N-terminal cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) domain is fused to the C-terminal Zn ribbon domain. Four proteins were overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified: TA0289 from Thermoplasma acidophilum, TV1335 from Thermoplasma volcanium, PF1953 from Pyrococcus furiosus, and PH0267 from Pyrococcus horikoshii. The purified proteins had a red/purple color in solution and an absorption spectrum typical of rubredoxins (Rds). Metal analysis of purified proteins revealed the presence of several metals, with iron and zinc being the most abundant metals (2-67% of iron and 12-74% of zinc). Crystal structures of both mercury- and iron-bound TA0289 (1.5-2.0 A resolution) revealed a dimeric protein whose intersubunit contacts are formed exclusively by the alpha-helices of two cystathionine beta-synthase subdomains, whereas the C-terminal domain has a classical Zn ribbon planar architecture. All proteins were reversibly reduced by chemical reductants (ascorbate or dithionite) or by the general Rd reductase NorW from E. coli in the presence of NADH. Reduced TA0289 was found to be capable of transferring electrons to cytochrome C from horse heart. Likewise, the purified Zn ribbon protein KTI11 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae had a purple color in solution and an Rd-like absorption spectrum, contained both iron and zinc, and was reduced by the Rd reductase NorW from E. coli. Thus, recombinant Zn ribbon domains from archaea and yeast demonstrate an Rd-like electron carrier activity in vitro. We suggest that, in vivo, some Zn ribbon domains might also bind iron and therefore possess an electron carrier activity, adding another physiological role to this large family of important proteins.

Cloning, overexpression, purification, and characterization of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B from Escherichia coli.

O-Acetylserine sulfhydrylase-B (OASS-B, EC 2.5.1.47) is one of the two isozymes produced by Escherichia coli that catalyze the synthesis of L-cysteine from O-acetyl-L-serine and sulfide. The cysM gene encoding OASS-B was cloned and the enzyme was overexpressed in E. coli using pUC19 with a lacUV5 promoter. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity, as evidenced by SDS-PAGE. Approximately 300 mg of purified OASS-B was obtained from 1600 mL of culture broth with a purification yield of 60% or higher. The purified OASS-B was characterized and its properties compared with OASS-A. OASS-B did not form a complex with E. coli serine acetyltransferase (SAT, EC 2.3.1.30) and showed a wide range of substrate specificity in nonproteinaceous amino acid synthesis.

Alleviation of intrasteric inhibition by the pathogenic activation domain mutation, D444N, in human cystathionine beta-synthase.

Human cystathionine beta-synthase is a heme protein that catalyzes the condensation of serine and homocysteine to form cystathionine in a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent reaction. Mutations in this enzyme are the leading cause of hereditary hyperhomocysteinemia with attendant cardiovascular and other complications. The enzyme is activated approximately 2-fold by the allosteric regulator S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), which is presumed to bind to the C-terminal regulatory domain. The regulatory domain exerts an inhibitory effect on the enzyme, and its deletion is correlated with a 2-fold increase in catalytic activity and loss of responsiveness to AdoMet. A mutation in the C-terminal regulatory domain, D444N, displays high levels of enzyme activity, yet is pathogenic. In this study, we have characterized the biochemical penalties associated with this mutation and demonstrate that it is associated with a 4-fold lower steady-state level of cystathionine beta-synthase in a fibroblast cell line that is homozygous for the D444N mutation. The activity of the recombinant D444N enzyme mimics the activity of the wild-type enzyme seen in the presence of AdoMet and can be further activated approximately 2-fold in the presence of supraphysiolgical concentrations of the allosteric regulator. The mutation increases the K(act) for AdoMet from 7.4 +/- 0.2 to 460 +/- 130 microM, thus rendering the enzyme functionally unresponsive to AdoMet under physiological concentrations. These results indicate that the D444N mutation partially abrogates the intrasteric inhibition imposed by the C-terminal domain. We propose a model that takes into account the three kinetically distinguishable states that are observed with human cystathionine beta-synthase: "basal" (i.e., wild-type enzyme as isolated), "activated" (wild-type enzyme + AdoMet or the D444N mutant as isolated), and superactivated (D444N mutant + AdoMet or wild-type enzyme lacking the C-terminal regulatory domain).

Regulation of human cystathionine beta-synthase by S-adenosyl-L-methionine: evidence for two catalytically active conformations involving an autoinhibitory domain in the C-terminal region.

Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS), condensing homocysteine and serine, represents a key regulatory point in the biosynthesis of cysteine via the transsulfuration pathway. Inherited deficiency of CBS causes homocystinuria. CBS is activated by S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) by inducing a conformational change involving a noncatalytic C-terminal region spanning residues 414-551. We report the purification of two patient-derived C-terminal mutant forms of CBS, S466L and I435T, that provide new insight into the mechanism of CBS regulation and indicate a regulatory function for the "CBS domain". Both of these point mutations confer catalytically active proteins. The I435T protein is AdoMet inducible but is 10-fold less responsive than wild-type (WT) CBS to physiologically relevant concentrations of this compound. The S466L form does not respond to AdoMet but is constitutively activated to a level intermediate between those of WT CBS in the presence and absence of AdoMet. Both mutant proteins are able to bind AdoMet, indicating that their impairment is related to their ability to assume the fully activated conformation that AdoMet induces in WT CBS. We found that I435T and WT CBS can be activated by partial thermal denaturation but that the AdoMet-stimulated WT, S466L, and a truncated form of CBS lacking the C-terminal region cannot be further activated by this treatment. Tryptophan and PLP fluorescence data for these different forms of CBS indicate that activation by AdoMet, limited proteolysis, and thermal denaturation share a common mechanism involving the displacement of an autoinhibitory domain located in the C-terminal region of the protein.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the active core of human recombinant cystathionine beta-synthase: an enzyme involved in vascular disease.

Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) is a unique heme enzyme that catalyzes a PLP-dependent condensation of serine and homocysteine to give cystathionine. Deficiency of CBS leads to homocystinuria, an autosomal recessively inherited disease of sulfur metabolism. A truncated form of CBS in which the C-terminal amino-acid residues have been deleted has been prepared. The truncated CBS subunits form a dimer, in contrast to the full-length subunits which form tetramers and higher oligomers. The truncated CBS yielded crystals diffracting to 2.6 A which belong to space group P3(1) or P3(2). This is the first comprehensive structural investigation of a PLP and heme-containing enzyme.

Characterization of transsulfuration and cysteine biosynthetic pathways in the protozoan hemoflagellate, Trypanosoma cruzi. Isolation and molecular characterization of cystathionine beta-synthase and serine acetyltransferase from Trypanosoma.

Sulfur-containing amino acids play an important role in a variety of cellular functions such as protein synthesis, methylation, and polyamine and glutathione synthesis. We cloned and characterized cDNA encoding cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS), which is a key enzyme of transsulfuration pathway, from a hemoflagellate protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. T. cruzi CBS, unlike mammalian CBS, lacks the regulatory carboxyl terminus, does not contain heme, and is not activated by S-adenosylmethionine. T. cruzi CBS mRNA is expressed as at least six independent isotypes with sequence microheterogeneity from tandemly linked multicopy genes. The enzyme forms a homotetramer and, in addition to CBS activity, the enzyme has serine sulfhydrylase and cysteine synthase (CS) activities in vitro. Expression of the T. cruzi CBS in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli demonstrates that the CBS and CS activities are functional in vivo. Enzymatic studies on T. cruzi extracts indicate that there is an additional CS enzyme and stage-specific control of CBS and CS expression. We also cloned and characterized cDNA encoding serine acetyltransferase (SAT), a key enzyme in the sulfate assimilatory cysteine biosynthetic pathway. Dissimilar to bacterial and plant SAT, a recombinant T. cruzi SAT showed allosteric inhibition by l-cysteine, l-cystine, and, to a lesser extent, glutathione. Together, these studies demonstrate the T. cruzi is a unique protist in possessing both transsulfuration and sulfur assimilatory pathways.

Assignment of enzymatic functions to specific regions of the PLP-dependent heme protein cystathionine beta-synthase.

Cystathionine beta-synthase is a unique heme protein that catalyzes a pyridoxal phosphate (or PLP)-dependent beta-replacement reaction. The reaction involves the condensation of serine and homocysteine and constitutes one of the two major avenues for detoxification of homocysteine in mammals. The enzyme is allosterically regulated by S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet). In this study, we have characterized the kinetic, spectroscopic, and ligand binding properties of a truncated catalytic core of cystathionine beta-synthase extending from residues 1 through 408 in which the C-terminal 143 residues have been deleted. This is similar to a natural variant of the protein that has been described in a homocystinuric patient in which the predicted peptide is 419 amino acids in length. Truncation leads to the formation of a dimeric enzyme in contrast to the tetrameric organization of the native enzyme. Some of the kinetic properties of the truncated enzyme are different from the full-length form, most notably, significantly higher K(m)s for the two substrates, and loss of activation by AdoMet. This is paralleled by the absence of AdoMet binding to the truncated form, whereas four AdoMet molecules bind cooperatively to the full-length tetrameric enzyme with a K(d) of 7. 4 microM. Steady-state kinetic analysis indicates that the order of substrate addition is important. Thus, preincubation of the enzyme with homocysteine leads to a 2-fold increase in V(max) relative to preincubation of the enzyme with serine. Since the intracellular concentration of serine is significantly greater than that of homocysteine, the physiological significance of this phenomenon needs to be considered. Based on ligand binding studies and homology searches with protein sequences in the database, we assign residues 68-209 as being important for PLP binding, residues 241-341 for heme binding, and residues 421-469 for AdoMet binding.

Evidence for heme-mediated redox regulation of human cystathionine beta-synthase activity.

Human cystathionine beta-synthase catalyzes the first step in the catabolic removal of the toxic metabolite, homocysteine. It is unique in being dependent on both pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) and heme for activity. The reaction involves condensation of serine and homocysteine to give cystathionine. Although the role of PLP can be rationalized in analogy with other PLP-dependent enzymes that catalyze beta-replacement reactions, the role of the heme is unknown. In this study, we have purified and characterized the recombinant human enzyme and have examined the effect of heme oxidation state on enzyme activity. We find that under reducing conditions, generated by addition of titanium citrate, the enzyme exhibits a 1.7-fold lower activity than under oxidizing conditions. Reoxidation of the ferrous enzyme with ferricyanide results in alleviation of inhibition. This redox-linked change in enzyme activity correlates with changes in heme oxidation state monitored by UV-visible spectroscopy. Dithiothreitol, which does not reduce the enzyme-bound heme, does not perturb enzyme activity. These studies provide the first evidence for redox-linked regulation of cystathionine beta-synthase which is heme-dependent.

Identification and tissue distribution of human cystathionine beta-synthase mRNA isoforms.

Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) catalyzes the irreversible, serine-dependent conversion of homocysteine to cystathionine via a transsulfuration pathway. CBS deficiency not only is the leading cause of homocystinuria, an inherited genetic disorder, but may contribute to cardiovascular disease as well. We isolated three new isoforms of human CBS mRNA from a human liver cDNA library. We designate these CBS mRNAs as CBS 3, CBS 4, and CBS 5, and the CBS mRNAs reported previously by Kraus et al. (1993) (Hum. Mol. Genet. 2, 1933-1938) and Kruger and Cox (1994) (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91, 6614-6618) as CBS 1 and CBS 2, respectively. Sequence analyses show that the only difference among the five CBS mRNAs is at the beginning of the 5'-untranslated region. Tissue distribution studies reveal that liver and pancreas have the highest amounts of CBS mRNAs. CBS mRNA is present in all regions of the brain tested. We also report the differential distribution of CBS mRNA isoforms in tissues, showing that pancreas contains all five CBS isoforms and the liver has four CBS mRNA isoforms, CBS 1-4. The kidney contains only CBS 1 and CBS 2. In human fetal tissues, CBS 2 is present in the liver and kidney. PCR-based quantitative analyses of CBS mRNA isoforms in human liver demonstrate that CBS 1 and CBS 2 are the major species, with CBS 2 being more abundant, while CBS 3-5 are the minor species. Furthermore, results from our human liver cDNA screening and primer extension experiments show that each of the five CBS transcripts begins with a different exon, suggesting that CBS gene transcription might be regulated by more than one promoter.

A novel cystathionine beta-synthase from Panagrellus redivivus (Nematoda).

The free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus can be used as a biochemical model for parasitic nematodes in the search for new chemotherapeutic agents. A novel cystathionine beta-synthase has been purified 3600-fold from the cytosol of P. redivivus. The enzyme catalyses the synthesis of cystathionine from homocysteine plus serine or cysteine. The enzyme, native M(r) 71.7 kDa, pI 4.7, is a dimer and also catalyses the replacement of the beta-SH group of cysteine with 2-mercaptoethanol to yield a thioether, S-(2-hydroxyethyl) cysteine and H2S. This reaction proceeds much faster than cystathionine synthesis and L-cysteine cannot be replaced by D-cysteine, L-cystine, N-acetyl L-cysteine, cysteamine of D,L-homocysteine. 2-Mercaptoethanol in the assay can be replaced by monothiolglycerol and to a lesser extent by cysteamine. The absolute K(m) values for L-cysteine and 2-mercaptoethanol were 0.13 +/- 0.05 mM and 1.72 +/- 0.24 mM, respectively, the absolute V(max) was 55 +/- 4.9 mumol.min(-1).mg protein(-1). The enzyme had a pH optimum of approx. 8.5 and did not require metal ions for activity. The enzyme was inhibited by a series of substrate analogues, anthelmintics and plant phenols. The P. redivivus enzyme differs markedly from its mammalian equivalent and suggests distinctive differences in sulphur amino acid metabolism in nematodes.