High-level expression of Bacillus stearothermophilus 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase in Escherichia coli.

The 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK) gene from Bacillus stearothermophilus has been expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli. This expression has been demonstrated by complementation studies, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and PFK assays of cell extracts. A level of B. stearothermophilus PFK expression corresponding to 20% of the total extracted protein was calculated from densitometric scans of an SDS-polyacrylamide gel. The high level of recombinant gene expression will enable this laboratory to determine structure-function relationships in B. stearothermophilus PFK by the method of oligodeoxynucleotide-directed mutagenesis.

Human 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase gene has an additional intron upstream of start codon.

A 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase-coding gene (pfk) has been purified from a human genomic library cloned in the lambda EMBL4 phage vector. This clone contains the nontranslated 5' flanking region of the human muscle pfk gene. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence determined by us with that of the human muscle pfk cDNA [Nakajima et al., FEBS Lett. 223 (1987) 113-116] indicates the presence of an additional intron extending from nucleotide (nt) -97 to -9 upstream of the ATG start codon. Furthermore, the human muscle pfk gene is more AT-rich than the rabbit gene. The available sequence of the two cDNAs shows 256 nt differences. Surprisingly, 71% of these sites are A's and T's in the human cDNA and C's and G's in the rabbit gene.

Conformational features of rhamnopyranose derivatives. The molecular structure of methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside.

Methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, C13H20O8, M(r) = 304.3, is monoclinic, space group C2, with a = 23.619(1), b = 8.2168(5), c = 19.093(1) A, beta = 118.72(1) degrees, V = 3249.6(8) A3, Dc = 1.244 g cm-3, mu (MoK alpha) = 0.97 cm-1 and Z = 8. The structure was refined to R = 0.044 and Rw = 0.039 for 1969 observed reflections. There are two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. The bond lengths and bond angles of the pyranose rings of the two are in good agreement within the limits of error. The molecules have similar conformation except for the orientation of one of the acetoxy groups. Each molecule is a normal 1C4 chair with Cremer-Pople puckering parameters Q = 0.557(6) A, theta = 174.6(2) degrees and psi = 144.6(9) degrees for molecule A and 0.564(4) A, 177.9(1) degree and 30.8(8) degrees for molecule B, respectively. The acetyl groups have the planar, (S)-cis conformation most commonly observed. They are oriented with the acetyl planes within +/- 35 degrees of the C-H bond at the ring carbon atom to which they are attached.

Conformations and structure studies of sugar lactones in the solid state. Part I. The molecular structure of L-rhamnono- and L-mannono-1,4-lactones.

The crystal structures of L-rhamnono-1,4-lactone (1) and L-mannono-1,4-lactone (2) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Pertinent crystal data are as follows: for 1, orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 4.8829(2), b = 10.9088(8), c = 13.9758(9) A, V = 734.7(1) A3, Dc = 1.610 g cm-3, Z = 4, R = 0.028 and Rw = 0.035 for 1586 reflections. The lactone ring of 1 adopts an envelope conformation, E3, slightly distorted toward 2T3, with psi = 103.1(7) degrees and q = 0.38(3) A, whereas the lactone ring of 2 adopts a perfect envelope E3 conformation, with psi = 106.6(4) degrees and q = 0.42(4) A. Molecules of 1 and 2 are linked in their crystals through a three dimensional network of O-H ... H hydrogen-bonding interactions that involves all hydroxyl groups as well as the carbonyl oxygen atom.

The crystal and molecular structure of 1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-xylo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose. A dimeric form in the crystalline state.

1,2-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-xylo-pentodialdo-1,4-furanose (1), C16H24O10, M(r) = 376.4, is orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 10.3028(10), b = 11.1875(3), c = 15.7484(13) A, V = 1815.2(4) A3, Dc = 1.377 gcm-3, mu(CuK alpha) = 9.5 cm-1 and Z = 4. The structure was refined to R = 0.033 and Rw = 0.045 for 1984 observed reflections. Crystalline 1 has a dimeric cyclic acetal-hemiacetal structure, formed by self aldol condensation of two monomers. The absolute configuration at the condensation centers, C-5 and C-5', were assigned as 5R and 5S, respectively. In the dimer 1, the xylofuranose rings adopt different conformations, one is a twist 3T4, whereas the second is an envelope E4 slightly distorted towards the 3T4 conformation; their fused 1,2-O-isopropylidene rings adopt O-2E and O-2TC-6 conformations, respectively. The 1,3-dioxane ring has a distorted chair conformation with puckering parameters Q = 0.516 A, phi = 90.9, and theta = 11.0 degrees. The molecules are linked in the crystal through intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions that involve the two hydroxyl groups, OH-3 and OH-5', and the isopropylidene ring oxygen atoms, O-2 and O-1', as donor and acceptor, respectively.

Conformations and structure studies of sugar lactones. Part III. The composition and conformation of D-mannurono-gamma-lactone in solution, and the structural analysis of its beta anomer in the solid state.

Complete analyses of the proton and carbon chemical-shift assignments of D-mannurono-gamma-lactone (1) have been achieved by 1D and 2D NMR spectral measurements. At equilibrium, the anomeric alpha and beta forms were present in the ratio of 34:66 in D2O and 72:28 in Me2SO-d6. The solution data indicated that the dienvelope conformation 2E:E4 to be the favored conformation of 1 in solution. The crystal structure of 1 was determined, and it showed that the crystalline form is the beta anomer, a bicyclic structure, consisting of fused five-membered furanose and lactone rings, in agreement with an earlier deduction from chemical evidence. In contrast to the solution conformation, the furanose ring adopts a twist conformation lying between the 2(1)T and 1E conformations with phase angle (P) and pseudorotation amplitude (tau m) of -44.23 degrees and 37.9 degrees, respectively, whereas the lactone ring adopts an envelope E5 conformation slightly distorted towards 6T5 with a phase angle (P) of -22.3 degrees and a pseudorotation amplitude (tau m) of 18.4 degrees. The molecules are linked in the crystal through a hydrogen-bonding network that involves all hydroxyl groups as well as the ring oxygen atoms.

The configuration and conformation of di-D-fructose anhydride I. The crystal and molecular structure of 3,4,3',4'-tetra-O-acetyl-6,6'-di (triphenylmethyl)-di-D-fructose anhydride I.

The crystal structure of 3,4,3',4'-tetra-O-acetyl- 6,6'-di(triphenylmethyl)-di-D-fructose anhydride I (1) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2(1) with a = 16.399(2), b = 9.091(2), c = 17.946(4) A, beta = 103.66(1) degrees, V = 2600(2) A3, and Z = 2. The structure was refined to R = 0.044 and Rw = 0.051 for 4403 observed reflections. The structure analysis of 1 showed that the previously assigned chemical structure of di-D-fructose anhydride I is undoubtedly alpha-D-fructofuranose beta-D-fructofuranose 1,2':2,1'-dianhydride. The conformations of the furanose rings are E5 with P = 59.8 and tau m = 43.2 degrees for D-fructose 1, and 2T3 with P = -34.39 degrees and tau m = 39.64 degrees for D-fructose 2. The two furanose fragments are linked by a 1,4-dioxane ring in a spiro arrangement. The 1,4-dioxane ring has a chair conformation with Cremer-Pople puckering parameters Q = 0.527 A, phi = 72.2 degrees and the a = 14.2 degrees.

Synthesis of 3,4-di-O-acetyl-2,5-anhydro-1,6-dideoxy-1,6-diiodo-D-mannitol. Comparison of NMR spectral results for the solid state and solution with those of the X-ray structural determination.

3,4-Di-O-acetyl-2,5-anhydro-1,6-dideoxy-1,6-diiodo-D-mannitol (3) is prepared from 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol (1) in three steps. The solution and solid-state NMR spectra of 3 indicate considerable variation in conformation. In solution, it adopts, on average, a symmetric 4T3 conformation, whereas in the solid state it adopts an asymmetric conformation as revealed by 13C NMR cross polarization and magic angle spinning techniques. A single-crystal X-ray structure analysis confirmed the asymmetric conformation of 3 in a monoclinic crystal, space group P2(1) with a = 8.9608(4), b = 8.6348(5), c = 9.6468(4) A, beta = 96.139(4) degrees, V = 742.1(1) A3, Dc = 2.085 g cm-3, mu (MoK alpha) = 4.2 mm-1, and Z = 2. The structure was refined to R = 0.039 and Rw = 0.047 for 5181 observed reflections. The furanoid ring of 3 adopts an envelope E5 conformation slightly distorted towards 4T5, with puckering parameters psi = 313.49 degrees and q = 0.37 A. The asymmetric conformation is rationalized in terms of the weak packing forces in the crystal.

Synthesis and X-ray crystal and solution structures of 2,5-anhydro-3,4-O-(1,2-ethanediyl)-D-mannitol: a locked 4T3 furanose conformer.

2,5-Anhydro-3,4-O-(1,2-ethanediyl)-D-mannitol (1) was prepared from 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol (2) in three steps. The fused ring system was introduced by a phase-transfer alkylation using 1,2-dibromoethane. Its conformation in solution was determined by NMR studies at 500 MHz. Variable-temperature studies showed no lineshape change from 25 to 80 degrees in D2O. The data indicate that the five-membered ring is locked by the trans-fused six-membered 1,4-dioxane ring into a twist 4T3 conformation. A single-crystal X-ray study was carried out. The crystals are orthorhombic, C222(1), a = 4.7252 (6), b = 14.0364 (12), c = 13.268 (2) A, Z = 4, with R = 0.032 for 894 observations. The molecule lies upon a crystallographic two-fold axis, and thus the five-membered ring exists in a perfect 4T3 conformation with a pseudorotation angle of 0 degree and amplitude of 47.2 degrees, in agreement with the NMR results. We have shown earlier that, among twenty possible conformers, phosphofructokinase acts specifically on the 4T3 conformer of the beta anomer of D-fructose 6-phosphate.

Conformations and structure studies of sugar lactones in the solid state. Part II. The molecular structure of alpha-D-glucosaccharino-gamma-lactone: 2-C-methyl-D-ribo-pentono-1,4-lactone.

The crystal structure of 2-C-methyl-D-ribo-pentono-1,4-lactone (alpha-D-glucosaccharino-gamma-lactone, 1) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 7.7429(6), b = 8.3373(7), c = 11.3258(7) A, V = 731.1(2) A3 (CuK alpha, lambda = 1.54184 A), mu = 10.82 cm-1, Dc = 1.473 g cm-3, and Z = 4. The structure was refined to R = 0.0307 and Rw = 0.0424 for 876 observed reflections. Compound 1 has the D-ribo configuration, in agreement with an earlier deduction from chemical evidence. The lactone ring adopts the 3T2 conformation, with puckering parameters psi = 279.8(9) degrees and q = 0.32(5) A. The orientation of the methyl group about the C-2-C-3 bond is gauche-trans, with the C-6-C-2-C-3-O-3 and C-6-C-2-C-3-C-4 torsion angles being -81.3(2) degrees and 154.7(1) degree, respectively. The molecules are linked in the crystal in a two-dimensional intermolecular hydrogen bonding network that involves all hydroxyl groups as well as the carbonyl oxygen atom.

Crystal structure of 2,5-anhydro-1-O-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-D-mannitol.

2,5-Anhydro-1-O-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-D-mannitol, C13H18SO7, Mr = 318.4, monoclinic, C2, a = 26.370(6), b = 7.9741(11), c = 6.6801(6) A, beta = 91.401(11) degrees, V = 1404.3(6) A3, Z = 4, DX = 1.506 g/cm3, CuK alpha, lambda = 1.54184 A, mu = 23.03 cm-1, F(000) = 672, T = 296(1) K, R = 0.042 for 2832 observations with I > 3 sigma (I) (of 2864 unique data). On the esterified side of the molecule, three bond lengths and three bond angles show small changes compared to the unesterified side, which is similar to the symmetrical parent compound, 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol. The conformation of the five-membered ring is E5 with P = 49.3 degrees and tau m = 38.1 degrees. The hydroxymethyl groups adopt g+ and g- dispositions similar to the parent molecule. The three hydroxyl groups are involved in a network of intermolecular hydrogen bounds both as donors and acceptors.

The X-ray crystal structure of DL-(1,3,5/2,4)-1,2,3,4-tetraacetoxy-5-(acetoxymethyl)cyclohexane.

The crystal and molecular structure of the pseudo-sugar DL-(1,3,5/2,4)-1,2,3,4-tetraacetoxy-5-(acetoxymethyl)cyclohexane ("pseudo-beta-DL-glucopyranose pentaacetate") has been determined by X-ray diffraction and statistical-phasing procedures. The data were refined to R = 0.049 and Rw = 0.054 over 1543 reflections with I greater than 3 sigma(I). The racemic crystals are monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, a = 11.580(2), b = 8.276(1), c = 22.031(2) A, beta = 104.33(1) degrees, Dc = 1.26 g/cm3, with four molecules in the unit cell. The ring has a 4C1(D), 1C4(L) conformation, with puckering amplitude of 0.582(4) A, a pseudorotation angle of -168.35 degrees, and a gg orientation about the C-5-C-6 bond.

Two-dimensional 1H-, 13C-, and 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular-mechanics investigation of D-fructose 2,6-bisphosphate.

Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance studies have been carried out to assign unequivocally all the proton, carbon, and phosphorus resonances of D-fructofuranose 2,6-bisphosphate (1) and to verify its structure using a 400-MHz spectrometer. Several unexpected chemical-shift values and coupling constants were obtained. Molecular mechanics calculations (Sybyl) carried out to minimize the conformational energy of 1 yield phi C-1,P-2 = + 84, phi C-3,P-2 = - 155, and phi C-5,P-6 = + 175. Thus the unusual near-gauche orientations of C-1 and C-3 to P-2 in 1 can explain their small vicinal coupling constants (3JC-1,P-2 = 1.2, and 3JC-3,P-2 = 3.8 Hz), in contrast to the expected larger value seen for 3JC-5,P-6 namely, 6.9 Hz. Treatment of a sample of this compound with sodium borohydride did not affect its nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum, substantiating that O-2 is phosphorylated. Oxidation with sodium periodate yielded an intermediate which decomposed by a beta-elimination mechanism involving the 6-phosphate group. These data establish unequivocally the 1H, 13C, and 31P assignments and explain the observed anomalous shifts. Moreover they indicate that the activator of fructose 6-phosphate 1-kinase is the beta anomer of the 4T3 conformer of D-fructose 2,6-bisphosphate.

The X-ray crystal structure of 2,3:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene-1-O-methyl-beta-D-fructopyranose.

2,3:4,5-Di-O-isopropylidene-1-O-methyl-beta-D-fructopyranose, C13H22O6, Mr = 274.3, orthorhombic, P212121, a = 12.388 (2), b = 13.307 (5), c = 8.660 (1) A, V = 1427.4 (9) A3, Z = 4, Dm = 1.24 g.cm-3, Dx = 1.276 g.cm-3, CuKalpha, lambda = 1.54184 A, mu = 8.0 cm-1, F(000) = 592, T = 295 (1) K, R = 0.032 for 1586 observations (of 1693 unique data). The molecule is a derivative of the naturally occurring carbohydrate D-fructose. The data reported here indicate that the ketose six-membered ring is constrained by the presence of two fused five-membered rings into the 3SO conformation. These findings agree with the n.m.r.-spectroscopic results for 2,3:4,5-di-O-benzylidene-beta-D-fructopyranose. As a result of crystal packing forces, the exocyclic side-chain has a C-C-O-C torsion angle of -102 degrees, quite different from the expected value of 180 degrees.

Decreased phosphofructokinase activity in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats.

The activities of phosphofructokinase, aldolase and pyruvate kinase were diminished in extracts from skeletal muscle of streptozotocin diabetic rats, whereas the activities of glucose phosphate isomerase and phosphoglucomutase were not changed. Treatment of diabetic rats with insulin restored the activity of phosphofructokinase to normal. A kinetic study of the partially purified enzyme from normal and diabetic rats showed identical Michaelis constants for ATP and equal sensitivity to inhibition by excess of this substrate. Extracts of quick frozen muscle from diabetic rats had higher levels of citrate (an inhibitor of phosphofructokinase) and lower levels of D-fructose-1,6-bisphosphate and D-glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (activators of this enzyme). The levels of D-fructose-6-phosphate, D-glucose-6-phosphate, ATP, ADP and AMP were the same for the two groups. Our data suggest that the in vivo decrease of phosphofructokinase activity in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats is due to a decrease in the level of the enzymatically active protein as well as to an unfavorable change in the level of several of its allosteric modulators.

Site-directed mutagenesis at the regulatory site of fructose 6-phosphate-1-kinase from Bacillus stearothermophilus.

We have mutated Arg-25, Asp-59 and Arg-211 to alanine; and Asp-59 also to methionine, in fructose 6-phosphate-1-kinase from B. stearothermophilus (designated as RA25, DA59, RA211 and DM59 respectively). All four mutants did not change the affinity of the enzyme for ATP. RA25 has half the affinity for fructose 6-phosphate and exhibits sigmoidicity with respect to this substrate (Hill # = 2.0). DA59 has the same affinity for phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) as the wild type whereas DM59 has 3-fold the affinity for this modulator and the inhibition is reversed by GDP. RA25 and RA211 are 100-fold less sensitive to PEP inhibition which is not relieved by GDP. It is concluded that Arg-25 and Arg-211, but not Asp-59, are involved in the direct binding of PEP and GDP.