An Experimental Toolbox for Structure-Based Hit Discovery for P.†aeruginosa FabF, a Promising Target for Antibiotics.

FabF (3-oxoacyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] synthase 2), which catalyses the rate limiting condensation reaction in the fatty acid synthesis II pathway, is an attractive target for new antibiotics. Here, we focus on FabF from P. aeruginosa (PaFabF) as antibiotics against this pathogen are urgently needed. To facilitate exploration of this target we have set up an experimental toolbox consisting of binding assays using bio-layer interferometry (BLI) as well as saturation transfer difference (STD) and WaterLOGSY NMR in addition to robust conditions for structure determination. The suitability of the toolbox to support structure-based design of FabF inhibitors was demonstrated through the validation of hits obtained from virtual screening. Screening a library of almost 5 million compounds resulted in 6 compounds for which binding into the malonyl-binding site of FabF was shown. For one of the hits, the crystal structure in complex with PaFabF was determined. Based on the obtained binding mode, analogues were designed and synthesised, but affinity could not be improved. This work has laid the foundation for structure-based exploration of PaFabF.

Gating mechanism of elongating ß-ketoacyl-ACP synthases.

Carbon-carbon bond forming reactions are essential transformations in natural product biosynthesis. During de novo fatty acid and polyketide biosynthesis, ß-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthases (KS), catalyze this process via a decarboxylative Claisen-like condensation reaction. KSs must recognize multiple chemically distinct ACPs and choreograph a ping-pong mechanism, often in an iterative fashion. Here, we report crystal structures of substrate mimetic bearing ACPs in complex with the elongating KSs from Escherichia coli, FabF and FabB, in order to better understand the stereochemical features governing substrate discrimination by KSs. Complemented by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and mutagenesis studies, these structures reveal conformational states accessed during KS catalysis. These data taken together support a gating mechanism that regulates acyl-ACP binding and substrate delivery to the KS active site. Two active site loops undergo large conformational excursions during this dynamic gating mechanism and are likely evolutionarily conserved features in elongating KSs.

Structural Characterisation of the Beta-Ketoacyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Synthases, FabF and FabH, of Yersinia pestis.

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of bubonic, pneumonic, and septicaemic plague, remains a major public health threat, with outbreaks of disease occurring in China, Madagascar, and Peru in the last five years. The existence of multidrug resistant Y. pestis and the potential of this bacterium as a bioterrorism agent illustrates the need for new antimicrobials. The ß-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthases, FabB, FabF, and FabH, catalyse the elongation of fatty acids as part of the type II fatty acid biosynthesis (FASII) system, to synthesise components of lipoproteins, phospholipids, and lipopolysaccharides essential for bacterial growth and survival. As such, these enzymes are promising targets for the development of novel therapeutic agents. We have determined the crystal structures of the Y. pestis ß-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthases FabF and FabH, and compared these with the unpublished, deposited structure of Y. pestis FabB. Comparison of FabB, FabF, and FabH provides insights into the substrate specificities of these enzymes, and investigation of possible interactions with known ß-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase inhibitors suggests FabB, FabF and FabH may be targeted simultaneously to prevent synthesis of the fatty acids necessary for growth and survival.

The role of beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III in the condensation steps of fatty acid biosynthesis in sunflower.

The beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III (KAS III; EC 2.3.1.180) is a condensing enzyme catalyzing the initial step of fatty acid biosynthesis using acetyl-CoA as primer. To determine the mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis of fatty acids in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) developing seeds, a cDNA coding for HaKAS III (EF514400) was isolated, cloned and sequenced. Its protein sequence is as much as 72% identical to other KAS III-like ones such as those from Perilla frutescens, Jatropha curcas, Ricinus communis or Cuphea hookeriana. Phylogenetic study of the HaKAS III homologous proteins infers its origin from cyanobacterial ancestors. A genomic DNA gel blot analysis revealed that HaKAS III is a single copy gene. Expression levels of this gene, examined by Q-PCR, revealed higher levels in developing seeds storing oil than in leaves, stems, roots or seedling cotyledons. Heterologous expression of HaKAS III in Escherichia coli altered their fatty acid content and composition implying an interaction of HaKAS III with the bacterial FAS complex. Testing purified HaKAS III recombinant protein by adding to a reconstituted E. coli FAS system lacking condensation activity revealed a novel substrate specificity. In contrast to all hitherto characterized plant KAS IIIs, the activities of which are limited to the first cycles of intraplastidial fatty acid biosynthesis yielding C6 chains, HaKAS III participates in at least four cycles resulting in C10 chains.

Expression and characterization of polyketide synthase module involved in the late step of cephabacin biosynthesis from Lysobacter lactamgenus.

The cephabacins produced by Lysobacter lactamgenus are beta-lactam antibiotics composed of a cephem nucleus, an acetate residue, and an oligopeptide side chain. In order to understand the precise implication of the polyketide synthase (PKS) module in the biosynthesis of cephabacin, the genes for its core domains, beta-ketoacyl synthase (KS), acyltransferase (AT), and acyl carrier protein (ACP), were amplified and cloned into the pET-32b(+) expression vector. The sfp gene encoding a protein that can modify apo-ACP to its active holo-form was also amplified. The recombinant KS, AT, apo-ACP, and Sfp overproduced in the form of His6-tagged fusion proteins in E. coli BL21(DE3) were purified by nickel-affinity chromatography. Formation of stable peptidyl-S-KS was observed by in vitro acylation of the KS domain with the substrate [L-Ala-L-Ala-LAla- L-3H-Arg] tetrapeptide-S-N-acetylcysteamine, which is the evidence for the selective recognition of tetrapeptide produced by nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) in the NRPS/ PKS hybrid. In order to confirm whether malonyl CoA is the extender unit for acetylation of the peptidyl moiety, the AT domain, ACP domain, and Sfp protein were treated with 14C-malonyl-CoA. The results clearly show that the AT domain is able to recognize the extender unit and decarboxylatively acetylated for the elongation of the tetrapeptide. However, the transfer of the activated acetyl group to the ACP domain was not observed, probably attributed to the improper capability of Sfp to activate apo-ACP to the holo-ACP form.

X-ray crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis beta-ketoacyl acyl carrier protein synthase II (mtKasB).

Mycolic acids are long chain alpha-alkyl branched, beta-hydroxy fatty acids that represent a characteristic component of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell wall. Through their covalent attachment to peptidoglycan via an arabinogalactan polysaccharide, they provide the basis for an essential outer envelope membrane. Mycobacteria possess two fatty acid synthases (FAS); FAS-I carries out de novo synthesis of fatty acids while FAS-II is considered to elongate medium chain length fatty acyl primers to provide long chain (C(56)) precursors of mycolic acids. Here we report the crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis beta-ketoacyl acyl carrier protein synthase (ACP) II mtKasB, a mycobacterial elongation condensing enzyme involved in FAS-II. This enzyme, along with the M. tuberculosis beta-ketoacyl ACP synthase I mtKasA, catalyzes the Claisen-type condensation reaction responsible for fatty acyl elongation in FAS-II and are potential targets for development of novel anti-tubercular drugs. The crystal structure refined to 2.4 A resolution revealed that, like other KAS-II enzymes, mtKasB adopts a thiolase fold but contains unique structural features in the capping region that may be crucial to its preference for longer fatty acyl chains than its counterparts from other bacteria. Modeling of mtKasA using the mtKasB structure as a template predicts the overall structures to be almost identical, but a larger entrance to the active site tunnel is envisaged that might contribute to the greater sensitivity of mtKasA to the inhibitor thiolactomycin (TLM). Modeling of TLM binding in mtKasB shows that the drug fits the active site poorly and results of enzyme inhibition assays using TLM analogues are wholly consistent with our structural observations. Consequently, the structure described here further highlights the potential of TLM as an anti-tubercular lead compound and will aid further exploration of the TLM scaffold towards the design of novel compounds, which inhibit mycobacterial KAS enzymes more effectively.

Recombinant expression and biochemical characterization of the unique elongating beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase involved in fatty acid biosynthesis of Plasmodium falciparum using natural and artificial substrates.

The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum synthesizes fatty acids by using a type II synthase that is structurally different from the type I system found in eukaryotes. Because of this difference and the vital role of fatty acids, the enzymes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis of P. falciparum represent interesting targets for the development of new antimalarial drugs. beta-Ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase (PfFabBF), being the only elongating beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase in P. falciparum, is a potential candidate for inhibition. In this study we present the cloning, expression, purification, and characterization of PfFabBF. Soluble protein was obtained when PfFabBF was expressed as a NusA fusion protein in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)-CodonPlus-RIL cells under conditions of osmotic stress. The fusion protein was purified by affinity and ion exchange chromatography. Various acyl-P. falciparum acyl carrier protein (PfACP) substrates were tested for their specific activities, and their kinetic parameters were determined. Activity of PfFabBF was highest with C(4:0)- to C(10:0)-acyl-PfACPs and decreased with use of longer chain acyl-PfACPs. Consistent with the fatty acid synthesis profile found in the parasite cell, no activity could be detected with C(16:0)-PfACP, indicating that the enzyme is lacking the capability of elongating acyl chains that are longer than 14 carbon atoms. PfFabBF was found to be specific for acyl-PfACPs, and it displayed much lower activities with the corresponding acyl-CoAs. Furthermore, PfFabBF was shown to be sensitive to cerulenin and thiolactomycin, known inhibitors of beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthases. These results represent an important step toward the evaluation of P. falciparum beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase as a novel antimalaria target.

Comparative proteome analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis grown under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

Data are presented from two-dimensional (2-D) PAGE analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain Harlingen grown during aerobic and anaerobic culture, according to a modified Wayne dormancy model. M. tuberculosis cultures were grown to the transition point between exponential growth and stationary phase in the presence of oxygen (7 days) and then part of the cultures was shifted to anaerobic conditions for 16 days. Growth declined similarly during aerobic and anaerobic conditions, whereas the ATP consumption rapidly decreased in the anaerobic cultures. 2-D PAGE revealed 50 protein spots that were either unique to, or more abundant during, anaerobic conditions and 16 of these were identified by MALDI-TOF. These proteins were the alpha-crystalline homologue (HspX), elongation factor Tu (Tuf), GroEL2, succinyl-CoA : 3-oxoacid-CoA transferase (ScoB), mycolic acid synthase (CmaA2), thioredoxin (TrxB2), beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase (KasB), l-alanine dehydrogenase (Ald), Rv2005c, Rv2629, Rv0560c, Rv2185c and Rv3866. Some protein spots were found to be proteolytic fragments, e.g. HspX and GroEL2. These data suggest that M. tuberculosis induces expression of about 1 % of its genes in response to dormancy.

Beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase IV: a key enzyme for regulation of medium-chain fatty acid synthesis in Cuphea lanceolata seeds.

With the aim of elucidating the mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis of medium-chain fatty acids in Cuphea lanceolata Ait., a crop accumulating up to 90% decanoic acid in seed triacylglycerols, cDNA clones of a beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase IV (clKAS IV, EC 2.3.1.41) were isolated from C. lanceolata seed embryos. The amino acid sequence deduced from clKAS IV cDNA showed 80% identity to other plant KAS II-type enzymes, 55% identity towards plant KAS I and over 90% towards other Cuphea KAS IV-type sequences. Recombinant clKAS IV was functionally overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and substrate specificity of purified enzyme showed strong preference for elongation of short-chain and medium-chain acyl-ACPs (C4- to C10-ACP) with nearly equal activity. Further elongation steps were catalysed with distinctly less activity. Moreover, short- and medium-chain acyl-ACPs exerted a chain-length-specific and concentration-dependent substrate inhibition of clKAS IV. Based on these findings a regulatory mechanism for medium-chain fatty acid synthesis in C. lanceolata is presented.

Purification, characterization, and identification of novel inhibitors of the beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III (FabH) from Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile and dangerous pathogen and one of the major causes of community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections. The rise of multidrug-resistant strains of S. aureus requires the development of new antibiotics with previously unexploited mechanisms of action, such as inhibition of the beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase III (FabH). This enzyme initiates fatty acid biosynthesis in a bacterial type II fatty acid synthase, catalyzing a decarboxylative condensation between malonyl-ACP and an acyl coenzyme A (CoA) substrate and is essential for viability. We have identified only one fabH in the genome of S. aureus and have shown that it encodes a protein with 57, 40, and 34% amino acid sequence identity with the FabH proteins of Bacillus subtilis (bFabH1), Escherichia coli (ecFabH), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (mtFabH). Additional genomic sequence analysis revealed that this S. aureus FabH (saFabH) is not mutated in certain methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) strains. saFabH was expressed in E. coli with an N-terminal polyhistidine tag and subsequently purified by metal chelate and size exclusion chromatography. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a molecular mass of 37 kDa, while gel filtration demonstrated a mass of 66.7 kDa, suggesting a noncovalent homodimeric structure for saFabH. The apparent K(m) for malonyl-ACP was 1.76 +/- 0.40 microM, and the enzyme was active with acetyl-CoA (k(cat), 16.18 min(-1); K(m), 6.18 +/- 0.9 microM), butyryl-CoA (k(cat), 42.90 min(-1); K(m), 2.32 +/- 0.12 microM), and isobutyryl-CoA (k(cat), 98.0 min(-1); K(m), 0.32 +/- 0.04 microM). saFabH was weakly inhibited by thiolactomycin (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50], >100 microM) yet was efficiently inhibited by two new FabH inhibitors, 5-chloro-4-phenyl-[1,2]-dithiol-3-one (IC50, 1.87 +/- 0.10 microM) and 4-phenyl-5-phenylimino-[1,2,4]dithiazolidin-3-one (IC50, 0.775 +/- 0.08 microM).

Purification and biochemical characterization of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthases KasA and KasB.

Mycolic acids are vital components of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell wall, and enzymes involved in their formation represent attractive targets for the discovery of novel anti-tuberculosis agents. Biosynthesis of the fatty acyl chains of mycolic acids involves two fatty acid synthetic systems, the multifunctional polypeptide fatty acid synthase I (FASI), which performs de novo fatty acid synthesis, and the dissociated FASII system, which consists of monofunctional enzymes, and acyl carrier protein (ACP) and elongates FASI products to long chain mycolic acid precursors. In this study, we present the initial characterization of purified KasA and KasB, two beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase (KAS) enzymes of the M. tuberculosis FASII system. KasA and KasB were expressed in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography. Both enzymes showed activity typical of bacterial KASs, condensing an acyl-ACP with malonyl-ACP. Consistent with the proposed role of FASII in mycolic acid synthesis, analysis of various acyl-ACP substrates indicated KasA and KasB had higher specificity for long chain acyl-ACPs containing at least 16 carbons. Activity of KasA and KasB increased with use of M. tuberculosis AcpM, suggesting that structural differences between AcpM and E. coli ACP may affect their recognition by the enzymes. Both enzymes were sensitive to KAS inhibitors cerulenin and thiolactomycin. These results represent important steps in characterizing KasA and KasB as targets for antimycobacterial drug discovery.

Purification and properties of the Streptomyces peucetius DpsC beta-ketoacyl:acyl carrier protein synthase III that specifies the propionate-starter unit for type II polyketide biosynthesis.

Biosynthesis of the polyketide-derived carbon skeleton of daunorubicin (DNR) begins with propionate rather than acetate, which is the starter unit for most other aromatic polyketides. The dpsCgene has been implicated in specifying the unique propionate-starter unit, and it encodes a protein that is very similar to the Escherichia coli beta-ketoacyl:acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase III (FabH or KS III) enzyme of fatty acid biosynthesis. Purified DpsC was found to use propionyl-coenzyme A as substrate and to be acylated by propionate at the Ser-118 residue. DpsC exhibits KS III activity in catalyzing the condensation of propionyl-CoA and malonyl-ACP, and also functions as an acyltransferase in the transfer of propionate to an ACP. The DpsC enzyme has a high-substrate specificity, utilizing only propionyl-CoA, and not malonyl-CoA, 2-methylmalonyl-CoA or acetyl-CoA, as the starter unit of DNR biosynthesis.

Characterization of beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III from Streptomyces glaucescens and its role in initiation of fatty acid biosynthesis.

The Streptomyces glaucescens fabH gene, encoding beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (beta-ketoacyl-ACP) synthase (KAS) III (FabH), was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the resulting gene product was purified to homogeneity by metal chelate chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the purified protein revealed an Mr of 37,000, while gel filtration analysis determined a native Mr of 72,000 +/- 3,000 (mean +/- standard deviation), indicating that the enzyme is homodimeric. The purified recombinant protein demonstrated both KAS activity and acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA):ACP transacylase (ACAT) activity in a 1:0.12 ratio. The KAS and ACAT activities were both sensitive to thiolactomycin inhibition. The KAS activity of the protein demonstrated a Km value of 3.66 microM for the malonyl-ACP substrate and an unusual broad specificity for acyl-CoA substrates, with Km values of 2.4 microM for acetyl-CoA, 0.71 microM for butyryl-CoA, and 0.41 microM for isobutyryl-CoA. These data suggest that the S. glaucescens FabH is responsible for initiating both straight- and branched-chain fatty acid biosynthesis in Streptomyces and that the ratio of the various fatty acids produced by this organism will be dictated by the ratios of the various acyl-CoA substrates that can react with FabH. Results from a series of in vivo directed biosynthetic experiments in which the ratio of these acyl-CoA substrates was varied are consistent with this hypothesis. An additional set of in vivo experiments using thiolactomycin provides support for the role of FabH and further suggests that a FabH-independent pathway for straight-chain fatty acid biosynthesis operates in S. glaucescens.

Cloning of the fabF gene in an expression vector and in vitro characterization of recombinant fabF and fabB encoded enzymes from Escherichia coli.

Analysis of the beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase (KAS) encoded by the fabF gene of Escherichia coli has been hampered by a reported instability of the cloned gene. Here we describe biochemical characterization of purified, active protein from the recombinant fabF gene. This enzyme has the properties ascribed to KAS II and not those of a putative KAS IV reported to be encoded by fabJ, a genomic clone with DNA sequence identical to that of fabF. We also characterize active protein from a recombinant fabB gene and suggest that this method may have a general utility for analysis of KAS enzymes.

Inhibition of beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III (FabH) by acyl-acyl carrier protein in Escherichia coli.

beta-Ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase III (the fabH gene product) condenses acetyl-CoA with malonyl-ACP to initiate fatty acid biosynthesis in the dissociated, type II fatty acid synthase systems typified by Escherichia coli. The accumulation of malonyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) following the inhibition of a reconstituted fatty acid synthase system by acyl-ACP implicated synthase III (FabH) as a target for acyl-ACP regulation (Heath, R. J., and Rock, C. O. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 1833-1836); therefore, the FabH protein was purified and its biochemical and regulatory properties examined. FabH exhibited a Km of 40 microM for acetyl-CoA and 5 microM for malonyl-ACP. FabH also accepted other acyl-CoAs as primers with the rank order of activity being acetyl-CoA approximately propionyl-CoA >> butyryl-CoA. FabH utilized neither hexanoyl-CoA nor octanoyl-CoA. Acyl-ACPs suppressed Fabh activity, and their potency increased with increasing acyl chain length between 12 and 20 carbon atoms. Nonesterified ACP was not an inhibitor. Acyl-ACP inhibition kinetics were mixed with respect to acetyl-CoA, but were competitive with malonyl-ACP, indicating that acyl-ACPs decrease FabH activity by binding to either the free enzyme or the acyl-enzyme intermediate. These data support the concept that the inhibition of chain initiation at the beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase III step contributes to the attenuation of fatty acid biosynthesis by acyl-ACP.

A jojoba beta-Ketoacyl-CoA synthase cDNA complements the canola fatty acid elongation mutation in transgenic plants.

beta-Ketoacyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthase (KCS) catalyzes the condensation of malonyl-CoA with long-chain acyl-CoA. This reaction is the initial step of the microsomal fatty acyl-CoA elongation pathway responsible for formation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs, or fatty acids with chain lengths > 18 carbons). Manipulation of this pathway is significant for agriculture, because it is the basis of conversion of high erucic acid rapeseed into canola. High erucic acid rapeseed oil, used as an industrial feedstock, is rich in VLCFAs, whereas the edible oil extracted from canola is essentially devoid of VLCFAs. Here, we report the cloning of a cDNA from developing jojoba embryos involved in microsomal fatty acid elongation. The jojoba cDNA is homologous to the recently cloned Arabidopsis FATTY ACID ELONGATION1 (FAE1) gene that has been suggested to encode KCS. We characterize the jojoba enzyme and present biochemical data indicating that the jojoba cDNA does indeed encode KCS. Transformation of low erucic acid rapeseed with the jojoba cDNA restored KCS activity to developing embryos and altered the transgenic seed oil composition to contain high levels of VLCFAs. The data reveal the key role KCS plays in determining the chain lengths of fatty acids found in seed oils.

Modification of Brassica napus seed oil by expression of the Escherichia coli fabH gene, encoding 3-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III.

The Escherichia coli fabH gene encoding 3-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III (KAS III) was isolated and the effect of overproduction of bacterial KAS III was compared in both E. coli and Brassica napus. The change in fatty acid profile of E. coli was essentially the same as that reported by Tsay et al. (J Biol Chem 267 (1992) 6807-6814), namely higher C14:0 and lower C18:1 levels. In our study, however, an arrest of cell growth was also observed. This and other evidence suggests that in E. coli the accumulation of C14:0 may not be a direct effect of the KAS III overexpression, but a general metabolic consequence of the arrest of cell division. Bacterial KAS III was expressed in a seed- and developmentally specific manner in B. napus in either cytoplasm or plastid. Significant increases in KAS III activities were observed in both these transformation groups, up to 3.7 times the endogenous KAS III activity in mature seeds. Only the expression of the plastid-targeted KAS III gene, however, affected the fatty acid profile of the storage lipids, such that decreased amounts of C18:1 and increased amounts of C18:2 and C18:3 were observed as compared to control plants. Such changes in fatty acid composition reflect changes in the regulation and control of fatty acid biosynthesis. We propose that fatty acid biosynthesis is not controlled by one rate-limiting enzyme, such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase, but rather is shared by a number of component enzymes of the fatty acid biosynthetic machinery.

Acetoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase from avocado: its purification, characterisation and clear resolution from acetyl CoA:ACP transacylase.

beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthetase III (KAS III) has been purified from avocado using a six-step purification procedure. The enzyme, which is cerulenin-insensitive and thiolactomycin-sensitive, was assayed using a partial component reaction: acetyl CoA:ACP transacylase (ACAT) activity. KAS III activity is distinguished from ACAT activity on the basis that the former is highly stimulated by the addition of malonyl CoA in the presence of malonyl-CoA:ACP transacylase, and the latter is not. KAS III and ACAT activity have been separated from each other thus providing the first evidence that these two discrete activities exist in higher plants. Both of these enzymes have been implicated in the initial reactions of fatty acid synthesis. KAS III was purified 134-fold using a combination of PEG precipitation, Fast Q, ammonium sulphate precipitation, Phenyl Sepharose and ACP-affinity chromatography. The enzyme requires Triton X-100 for solubility and is highly salt sensitive. The subunit molecular mass of 37 kDa has been identified by SDS-PAGE. The results of gel filtration analysis are consistent with the native enzyme being homodimeric. The native molecular mass of KAS III is 69 kDa and that of ACAT 18.5 kDa. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 7.0-7.5, which is similar to the pH optimum of the ACAT reaction. The Km for acetyl CoA is 12.5 microM and the Km for malonyl-ACP is 14 microM. Both KAS III and ACAT are sensitive to thiolactomycin inhibition. The results are discussed with respect to the potential role of acetyl CoA:ACP transacylase in plants.

Purification and characterization of 3-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III from spinach. A condensing enzyme utilizing acetyl-coenzyme A to initiate fatty acid synthesis.

The 3-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase III from spinach was purified to homogeneity by an eight-step procedure that included an ACP-affinity column. The size of the native enzyme was M(r) = 63,000 based on gel filtration, and its subunit size was M(r) = 40,500 based on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, suggesting that 3-ketoacyl-ACP synthase III may be a homodimer. The purified enzyme was highly specific for acetyl-CoA and malonyl-ACP. The Km for acetyl-CoA was 5 microM when assayed in the presence of 10 microM malonyl-CoA. Acetyl-, butyryl-, and hexanoyl-ACP would not substitute for acetyl-CoA as substrates. The specificity for acetyl-CoA suggested that the physiological function of 3-ketoacyl-ACP synthase is to catalyze the initial condensation reaction in fatty acid biosynthesis. The homogeneous 3-ketoacyl-ACP synthase was capable of catalyzing acetyl-CoA:ACP transacylation but at a rate about 90-fold slower than the condensation reaction with malonyl-ACP. The 3-ketoacyl-ACP synthase was inhibited 100% by 5 mM N-ethylmaleimide or 20 mM sodium arsenite.

Solubilization and partial purification of constituents of acyl-CoA elongase from Lunaria annua.

All the constituent enzymes of acyl-CoA elongase, i.e., beta-ketoacyl-CoA synthase, beta-ketoacyl-CoA reductase, beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrase and trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase, have been solubilized from a 15,000 x g particulate fraction from developing seeds of honesty (Lunaria annua) using Triton X-100. All these activities were retained upon subsequent precipitation of the solubilized protein with polyethylene glycol and resuspension of the precipitate followed by ion exchange chromatography of the resulting protein on DEAE-cellulose. A 4.2-fold enrichment of the acyl-CoA elongase was thus obtained. Further chromatography of the DEAE fraction containing all the constituents of acyl-CoA elongase on Ultrogel yielded a major protein fraction exhibiting the activities of beta-ketoacyl-CoA synthase and beta-ketoacyl-CoA reductase only. Almost 30-fold purification of the beta-ketoacyl-CoA synthase was thus achieved. The beta-ketoacyl-CoA synthase was inhibited only at high concentrations of cerulenin, but at very low concentrations of iodoacetamide. Inhibition could be reduced by preincubation with thioesters, indicating that an enzyme thioester intermediate is involved in the condensation reaction of the acyl-CoA elongation.