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J Pommier

Publications and source records attributed to J Pommier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

The Ca2+/NADPH-dependent H2O2 generator in thyroid plasma membrane: inhibition by diphenyleneiodonium.

The thyroid plasma membrane contains a Ca(2+)-regulated NADPH-dependent H2O2-generating system which provides H2O2 for the peroxidase-catalysed biosynthesis of thyroid hormones. The electron transfer from NADPH to O2 catalysed by this system was studied by using diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of flavo- and haemo-proteins. The prosthetic group of the H2O2 generator was removed by incubation with 5 mM CHAPS at 40 degrees C, and an active holoenzyme was reconstituted with FAD, but not with FMN. The H2O2-generating system also had an intrinsic Ca(2+)-dependent NADPH:ferricyanide reductase activity which is probably linked to its flavodehydrogenase component (or domain). Both activities, H2O2 production and ferricyanide reductase activity, were inhibited by DPI, with similar K1/2 (2.5 nmol/mg of protein). DPI only inhibited a system reduced with NADPH in the presence of Ca2+. NADPH could not be replaced by NADP+, NADH or sodium dithionite, suggesting the need for specific mild reduction of a redox centre in a particular conformation. Ferricyanide protected both activities against inhibition by DPI; the NADPH:ferricyanide reductase activity was completely protected at a ferricyanide concentration 20 times lower than that needed to protect the H2O2 formation, implying at least two target sites for DPI. One might be the flavodehydrogenase component; the other was beyond, on the entity which transfers the electrons to O2. This second site has not been identified.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A reassessment of the range of c-type cytochromes synthesized by Escherichia coli K-12.

Five different c-type cytochromes have been detected during anaerobic growth of various Escherichia coli strains in different media. None of these cytochromes was detectable in aerobically-grown cultures. Only a single, 43 kDa cytochrome was synthesized in response to the presence of trimethylamine-N-oxide: synthesis of this cytochrome was unaffected by the presence of nitrate or nitrite, was repressed by oxygen, but was dependent upon a functional tor operon located at minute 22 (coordinate 1070 kb) on the E. coli chromosome. The other four cytochromes, masses 16, 18, 24 and 50 kDa, were induced by nitrite coordinately with formate-dependent nitrite reductase activity, but repressed by oxygen and nitrate. As only the 18 kDa and 50 kDa cytochromes are encoded by the nrf operon located at minute 92 (coordinate 4366 kb), there must be other loci, possibly essential for formate-dependent nitrite reduction, encoding the 16 kDa and 24 kDa cytochromes. No other c-type cytochrome was detected under any growth condition tested.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed1992

A method for measuring H2O2 based on the potentiation of peroxidative NADPH oxidation by superoxide dismutase and scopoletin.

NADPH oxidation catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase is considerably increased by scopoletin and superoxide dismutase. These effects were used to develop a method for measuring H2O2 in a horseradish peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and scopoletin system by measuring the NADPH oxidation rate. The optimal concentration of each reactant was determined. H2O2 could be detected and measured when it was present free in the medium or when it was produced by an H2O2-generating system, such as glucose-glucose oxidase or NADPH oxidase from thyroid plasma membranes. H2O2 was measured either by taking aliquots of the incubation medium or by placing NADPH directly in the medium and following the kinetics of NADPH oxidation. This latter approach required smaller amounts of biological material. In contrast to other methods, the H2O2 which is measured is regenerated. This method is 10 times more sensitive than the standard scopoletin method for H2O2 measurement and will detect a H2O2 production rate as low as 0.2 nmol per hour. The method is particularly suitable for biological systems in which small quantities of biological material are available.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

EPR and redox characterization of iron-sulfur centers in nitrate reductases A and Z from Escherichia coli. Evidence for a high-potential and a low-potential class and their relevance in the electron-transfer mechanism.

The redox properties of the iron-sulfur centers of the two nitrate reductases from Escherichia coli have been investigated by EPR spectroscopy. A detailed study of nitrate reductase A performed in the range +200 mV to -500 mV shows that the four iron-sulfur centers of the enzyme belong to two classes with markedly different redox potentials. The high-potential group comprises a [3Fe-4S] and a [4Fe-4S] cluster whose midpoint potentials are +60 mV and +80 mV, respectively. Although these centers are magnetically isolated, they are coupled by a significant anticooperative redox interaction of about 50 mV. The [4Fe-4S]1+ center occurs in two different conformations as shown by its composite EPR spectrum. The low-potential group contains two [4Fe-4S] clusters with more typical redox potentials (-200 mV and -400 mV). In the fully reduced state, the three [4Fe-4S]1+ centers are magnetically coupled, leading to a broad featureless spectrum. The redox behaviour of the high-pH EPR signal given by the molybdenum cofactor was also studied. The iron-sulfur centers of the second nitrate reductase of E. coli, nitrate reductase Z, exhibit essentially the same characteristics than those of nitrate reductase A, except that the midpoint potentials of the high-potential centers appear negatively shifted by about 100 mV. From the comparison between the redox centers of nitrate reductase and of dimethylsulfoxide reductase, a correspondence between the high-potential iron-sulfur clusters of the two enzymes can be proposed.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1992

A second phenazine methosulphate-linked formate dehydrogenase isoenzyme in Escherichia coli.

A biochemical and immunological study has revealed a new formate dehydrogenase isoenzyme in Escherichia coli. The enzyme is an isoenzyme of the respiratory formate dehydrogenase (FDH-N) which forms part of the formate to nitrate respiratory pathway found in the organisms when it is grown anaerobically in the presence of nitrate. The new enzyme, termed FDH-Z, cross reacts with antibodies raised to FDH-N and possesses a similar polypeptide composition to FDH-N. FDH-Z catalyses the phenazine methosulphate-linked formate dehydrogenase activity present in the aerobically-grown bacterium. FDH-Z and FDH-N exhibit distinct regulation. Like formate dehydrogenase N, formate dehydrogenase Z is a membrane-bound molybdoenzyme. With nitrate reductase it can catalyse electron transfer between formate and nitrate. Quinones are required for the physiological electron transfer to nitrate. It seems likely that like FDH-N, FDH-Z functions physiologically as a formate: quinone oxidoreductase.

Electron Transport↗
PubMed1992

Activation of the NADPH-dependent H2O2-generating system in pig thyroid particulate fraction by limited proteolysis and Zn2+ treatment.

The NADPH-dependent H2O2-generating system in a pig thyroid particulate fraction requires micromolar concentrations of Ca2+ for activity. The H2O2 generator could be Ca(2+)-desensitized (i.e. made fully active in the absence of Ca2+) by limited proteolysis with alpha-chymotrypsin or by treatment with ZnCl2. The Zn2+ effect was temperature- and dose-dependent with an apparent half-maximum concentration of 0.15 mM at 40 degrees C. Ca2+ desensitization was not reversed by adding the Zn2+ chelators, 1,10-phenanthroline and EGTA, but about one-third of the Ca(2+)-sensitivity was recovered after addition of 10 mM-dithiothreitol. The proteolysed enzyme and the Zn(2+)-treated enzyme had different Km values for NADPH. The Zn2+ effect did not seem to involve proteolysis or membrane fusion. These results indicate that Ca2+ regulation occurs via an autoinhibitory domain or inhibitory protein component of the H2O2-generator system. Its inhibitory effect may be removed by proteolysis or conformational changes, making the catalytic site accessible to the substrate NADPH and/or enabling electrons to be transferred from NADPH to O2.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Moderate instability of the trinucleotide repeat in spino bulbar muscular atrophy.

Increased length of a protein-coding CAG repeat within the androgen receptor gene appears to be the only type of mutation responsible for spino-bulbal muscular atrophy (SBMA or Kennedy disease). We have analysed a large 4-generation SBMA family and found that the mutant allele was unstable upon transmission from parent to child, with a documented variation from 46 to 53 repeats and a tendency to increase in size (7 increases and a single decrease in 17 events), which appeared stronger upon transmission from a male than from a female. Our results suggest also limited somatic instability of the abnormal allele, with observable variation of up to 2-3 repeats. This indicates that the behavior of the CAG repeat is similar to that observed for small premutations in the fragile X syndrome, or small abnormal alleles in myotonic dystrophy, two diseases which are caused by expansion of an unstable trinucleotide repeat.

Alleles↗
PubMed1992

Formation of active heterologous nitrate reductases between nitrate reductases A and Z of Escherichia coli.

Two nitrate reductases, NRA and NRZ, are present in Escherichia coli. These isoenzymes have the same alpha beta gamma, subunits composition and have similar size and genetic organization. Corresponding subunits of the complexes share at least 75% identity. By subcloning the different genes and expressing them from separate transcriptional units, we have demonstrated (i) that the translation of the subunits and their assembly are not coupled processes, since subunits produced concomitantly but independently can meet efficiently and associate to form active enzymes, and (ii) that the alpha subunit of a given complex can be replaced by its counterpart from the other isoenzyme to yield an active membrane-bound heterologous enzyme. One such heterologous enzyme, alpha A beta Z gamma Z, has been purified; it is less stable than the native enzymes, more susceptible to thermal denaturation, and shows increased sensitivity to proteolysis. It is also less stably bound to the membrane and, consequently, its activity with physiological electron donors is drastically reduced. The possibility that heterologous nitrate reductases could be formed in vivo is discussed with reference to the existence of porin heterotrimers of the outer membrane proteins OmpC, OmpF and PhoE.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1992

Involvement of the narJ or narW gene product in the formation of active nitrate reductase in Escherichia coli.

Two membrane-bound nitrate reductases, NRA and NRZ, exist in Escherichia coli. Both isoenzymes are composed of three structural subunits, alpha, beta, and gamma encoded by narG/narZ, narH/narY and narI/narV, respectively. The genes are in transcription units which also contain a fourth gene encoding a polypeptide, delta, which is not part of the final enzyme. A strain which is devoid of, or does not express, the nar genes, was used to investigate the role of the delta and gamma polypeptides in the formation and/or processing of the nitrate reductase. When only the alpha and beta polypeptides are produced, an (alpha beta) complex exists which is inactive and soluble. When the alpha, beta and delta polypeptides are produced, the (alpha beta) complex is active with artificial donors such as benzyl viologen but is soluble. When the alpha, beta and gamma polypeptides are produced, the (alpha beta) complex is inactive but partially binds the membrane. It was concluded that the gamma polypeptide is involved in the binding of the (alpha beta) complex to the membrane while the delta polypeptide is indispensable for the (alpha beta) nitrate reductase activity. The activation by the delta polypeptide does not seem to involve the insertion of the redox centres of the enzyme since the purified inactive (alpha beta) complex was shown to contain the four iron-sulphur centres and the molybdenum cofactor, which are normally present in the native purified enzyme. The extreme sensitivity of this inactive complex to thermal denaturation or tryptic treatment favours the idea that the delta polypeptide promotes the correct assembly of the alpha and beta subunits. Although this corresponds to the definition of a chaperone protein this possibility has been rejected. In this study we have also demonstrated that the delta or gamma polypeptide encoded by one nar operon can be substituted successfully for by its respective counterpart from the other nar operon to give an active membrane bound heterologous nitrate reductase enzyme.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1992

[Identification and sensitivity of acinetobacter sp isolated from clinical specimens and hospital environment].

One hundred thirty two strains of acinetobacter isolated between october 1989 and march 1991 at the San Juan de Dios Hospital, Santiago de Chile were included in this study. One hundred twelve isolates were obtained from patients and 20 from the hospital environment. Among the 112 clinical isolates, 108 (96.4%) were identified according to the new classification proposed by Bouvet and Grimont in 1986 as A. baumannii, and four as acinetobacter genospecies 3. The 20 strains obtained from the hospital environment corresponded to A baumannii. No differences in the activities of the antimicrobial agents were found between clinical and environmental strains of A baumannii. Imipenem was the most active antimicrobial drug against A baumannii followed in descending order by sulbactam ampicillin and ceftazidime. The other antimicrobials tested showed poor activity against these strains as revealed for the MICs 50 and 90 in the resistance range.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMed1991

Mechanism of NADPH oxidation catalyzed by horse-radish peroxidase and 2,4-diacetyl-[2H]heme-substituted horse-radish peroxidase.

The mechanism of NADPH oxidation catalyzed by horse-radish peroxidase (HRP) and 2,4-diacetyl-[2H]heme-substituted horse-radish peroxidase (DHRP) was studied. The roles of the different H2O2/peroxidase compounds were examined by spectral studies. The oxidized NADPH species were identified using the superoxide dismutase effect and by measuring the stoichiometry between NADPH oxidized and H2O2 used. In the presence of a mediating molecule, like scopoletin, both enzymes acted via a similar mechanism, producing only NADP degrees, which in turn reacted with O2 producing O2-. Consequently H2O2 was completely regenerated in the presence of superoxide dismutase and partially regenerated in its absence. In the absence of a mediating molecule, the H2O2 complex of both enzymes (compound I) catalysed NADPH oxidation by single-electron transfer, producing NADP degrees; compound II of these enzymes catalyzed NADPH oxidation more slowly by a direct two-electron transfer, producing NADPH+. There were difference between HRP and DHRP. HRP compound II was produced by the oxidation of 1 mol NADPH/mole compound I, while DHRP compound II was formed by the spontaneous conversion of compound I to compound II. The NADPH oxidation catalyzed by DHRP compound I did not lead to the formation of compound II. When H2O2 was produced slowly by the glucose/glucose-oxidase system, compound II was never formed and a pure O2- adduct of DHRP (compound III) accumulated.

Catalysis↗
PubMed1991

Mechanism of hydrogen peroxide formation catalyzed by NADPH oxidase in thyroid plasma membrane.

The thyroid plasma membrane contains a Ca2(+)-regulated NADPH-dependent H2O2 generating system which provides H2O2 for the thyroid peroxidase-catalyzed biosynthesis of thyroid hormones. The plasma membrane fraction contains a Ca2(+)-independent cytochrome c reductase activity which is not inhibited by superoxide dismutase. But it is not known whether H2O2 is produced directly from molecular oxygen (O2) or formed via dismutation of super-oxide anion (O2-). Indirect evidence from electron scavenger studies indicate that the H2O2 generating system does not liberate O2-, but studies using the modified peroxidase, diacetyldeuteroheme horseradish peroxidase, to detect O2- indicate that H2O2 is provided via the dismutation of O2-. The present results provide indirect evidence that the cytochrome c reductase activity is not a component of the NADPH-dependent H2O2 generator, since it was removed by washing the plasma membranes with 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonic acid without affecting H2O2 generation. Spectral studies with diacetyldeuteroheme-substituted horseradish peroxidase showed that the thyroid NADPH-dependent H2O2 generator does not catalyze superoxide anion formation. The O2- adduct compound (compound III) was formed but was completely inhibited by catalase, indicating that the initial product was H2O2. The rate of NADPH oxidation also increased in the presence of diacetylheme peroxidase. This increase was blocked by catalase and was greatly enhanced by superoxide dismutase. The O2- adduct compound (compound III) was produced in the presence of NADPH when glucose-glucose oxidase (which does not produce O2-) was used as the H2O2 generator. NADPH oxidation occurred simultaneously and was enhanced by superoxide dismutase. We conclude that O2- formation occurs in the presence of an H2O2 generator, diacetylheme peroxidase and NADPH, but that it is not the primary product of the H2O2 generator. We suggest that O2- formation results from oxidation of NADPH, catalyzed by the diacetylheme peroxidase compound I, producing NADP degree, which in turn reacts with O2 to give O2-.

Catalysis↗
PubMed1990

Nonenzymatic NADPH-dependent reduction of 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol.

The reduction of 2,6-dichloroindophenol (DCIP) by direct interaction with NADPH was studied. The results indicate that reduction proceeds via a direct electron transfer from NADPH to DCIP, with no oxygen consumption, and a rate constant of k = 4.69 M-1.s-1. The reduced DCIP can rapidly transfer its electrons to potassium ferricyanide (K3Fe(CN)6) or ferricytochrome c, but not to nitro blue tetrazolium. Superoxide dismutase inhibits DCIP reduction in an oxygen-dependent manner by favoring the reoxidation of the reduced DCIP. We therefore conclude DCIP is not suitable for detecting O2- when the nucleotides NADH or NADPH are present.

2,6-Dichloroindophenol↗
PubMed1990

Molybdenum cofactor requirement for in vitro activation of apo-molybdoenzymes of Escherichia coli.

The apo-nitrate reductase precursor in an Escherichia coli chlB mutant preparation obtained following growth in the presence of tungstate is activated by incubation with protein FA and a heat-treated preparation from an E. coli crude extract. We show that the requirement for heat-treated E. coli crude extract can be fulfilled by material obtained from either of two heat-denatured purified E. coli molybdoenzymes, namely nitrate reductase or trimethylamine N-oxide reductase. Apo-trimethylamine N-oxide reductase precursor in the tungstate-grown chlB preparation can be activated in a similar manner with material from either heat-denatured molybdoenzyme. The active component in the denatured molybdoenzyme preparations is shown to be the molybdenum cofactor by Neurospora crassa nit1 molybdenum cofactor assay, size estimation and fluorimetric analysis. The direct demonstration of the requirement for molybdenum cofactor in the E. coli tungstate-grown chlB complementation system is an important step towards the molecular definition of the activation process and an understanding of the mechanism of cofactor acquisition during molybdoenzyme biosynthesis.

Coenzymes↗
PubMed1989

The inducible trimethylamine N-oxide reductase of Escherichia coli K12: its localization and inducers.

We used an anti-trimethylamine-N-oxide reductase (EC 1.6.6.9) serum and different immunological techniques (Ouchterlony, rocket immunoelectrophoresis, immunoblotting) to show that dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), tetrahydrothiophene 1-oxide (THTO) and pyridine N-oxide (PNO) were effective inducers of the inducible form of trimethylamine N-oxide reductase. We confirmed this genetically and biochemically using a strain in which phage MudII 1734 carrying lacZ was inserted into torA, the structural gene for inducible trimethylamine-N-oxide reductase. By subcellular fractionation and quantitation with rocket immunoelectrophoresis, we showed that the enzyme was principally localized in the periplasmic fraction. Constitutive trimethylamine-N-oxide reductase was localized in the membrane fraction and, like the inducible enzyme showed a broad specificity with respect to various compounds such as DMSO, THTO and PNO. Apart from their immunological properties, the two enzymes could be clearly differentiated by their temperature stability.

Anaerobiosis↗
PubMed1989

NADPH-dependent H2O2 generation catalyzed by thyroid plasma membranes. Studies with electron scavengers.

Hog thyroid plasma membrane preparations containing a Ca2+-regulated NADPH-dependent H2O2-generating system were studied. The Ca2+-dependent reductase activities of ferricytochrome c, 2,6-dichloroindophenol, nitroblue tetrazolium, and potassium ferricyanide were tested and the effect of these scavengers on H2O2 formation, NADPH oxidation and O2 consumption were measured, with the following results. 1. Thyroid plasma membrane Ca2+-independent cytochrome c reduction was not catalyzed by the NADPH-dependent H2O2-generating system. This activity was superoxide-dismutase-insensitive. 2. Of the three other electron scavengers tested, only K3Fe(CN)6 was clearly, but partially reduced in a Ca2+-dependent manner. 3. Though the NADPH-dependent reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium was very low and superoxide-dismutase-insensitive, nitroblue tetrazolium inhibited O2 consumption, H2O2 formation and NADPH oxidation, indicating that nitroblue tetrazolium inhibits the H2O2-generating system. We conclude that the thyroid plasma membrane H2O2-generating system does not or liberate O2- and that Ca2+ controls the first step (NADPH oxidation) of the H2O2-generating system.

2,6-Dichloroindophenol↗
PubMed1988

Ca2+ regulation of thyroid NADPH-dependent H2O2 generation.

A thyroid particulate fraction contains an NADPH-dependent H2O2-generating enzyme which requires Ca2+ for activity. A Chaps solubilized extract of the thyroid particulate fraction partially purified by DEAE chromatography did not show a dependence on Ca2+ for activity. Preincubation of the particulate fraction with Ca2+ yielded a preparation insensitive to Ca2+. The non-particulate fraction obtained after incubation of the particles in the presence of Ca2+ was able to inhibit, in the presence of EGTA, the Ca2+-desensitized particulate fraction and the enzyme isolated on DEAE. It is concluded that the reversible Ca2+ activation of the NADPH-dependent H2O2 generation was modulated in porcine thyroid tissue by (a) calcium-releasable inhibitor protein(s).

Animals↗