Biomedical subjects

R Douce

Publications and source records attributed to R Douce.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

The catalytic site of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol synthase from spinach chloroplast envelope membranes. Biochemical analysis of the structure and of the metal content.

We have analyzed the structure of the active site of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) synthase from spinach chloroplast envelope. Since purification of this membrane-embedded enzyme yielded such low amounts of protein that analyses of the amino acid sequence were so far impossible, we used indirect strategies. Analyses of the inhibition of MGDG synthase by UDP and of its inactivation by citraconic anhydride first indicated that the enzyme contained two functionally independent and topologically distinct binding sites for each substrate. Whereas MGDG synthase binds both the nucleotidic part of UDP-Gal and the acyl chains of 1,2-diacylglycerol, UDP is a competitive inhibitor relatively to UDP-Gal, while it does not compete with 1,2-diacylglycerol for binding on the enzyme. The UDP-Gal-binding site contains lysine residues, as demonstrated for UDP-Gal-binding sites from all galactosyltransferases studied so far. Radiolabeling of MGDG synthase by sulfur labeling reagent, a 35S-labeled lysine-blocking reagent, confirmed that MGDG synthase was a polypeptide with a low molecular mass (around 20 kDa). The 1,2-diacylglycerol-binding site contains reduced cysteines and at least one metal. The divalent cation(s) associated to apo-MGDG synthase was not unambiguously identified, but the results suggest that it could be zinc. Therefore, MGDG synthase presents some structural features in common with diacylglycerol-manipulating enzymes, such as protein kinase C and 1,2-diacylglycerol kinase, which are characterized by the presence of a ubiquitous Cys6His2 domain involved in zinc coordination in their 1,2-diacylglycerol-binding domains.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1995

Subcellular distribution of serine acetyltransferase from Pisum sativum and characterization of an Arabidopsis thaliana putative cytosolic isoform.

The intracellular compartmentation of serine acetyltransferase, a key enzyme in the L-cysteine biosynthesis pathway, has been investigated in pea (Pisum sativum) leaves, by isolation of organelles and fractionation of protoplasts. Enzyme activity was mainly located in mitochondria (approximately 76% of total cellular activity). Significant activity was also identified in both the cytosol (14% of total activity) and chloroplasts (10% of total activity). Three enzyme forms were separated by anion-exchange chromatography, and each form was found to be specific for a given intracellular compartment. To obtain cDNA encoding the isoforms, functional complementation experiments were performed using an Arabidopsis thaliana expression library and an Escherichia coli mutant devoid of serine acetyltransferase activity. This strategy allowed isolation of three distinct cDNAs encoding serine acetyltransferase isoforms, as confirmed by enzyme activity measurements, genomic hybridizations, and nucleotide sequencing. The cDNA and related gene for one of the three isoforms have been characterized. The predicted amino acid sequence shows that it encodes a polypeptide of M(r) 34,330 exhibiting 41% amino acid identity with the E. coli serine acetyltransferase. Since none of the general features of transit peptides could be observed in the N-terminal region of this isoform, we assume that it is a cytosolic form.

Acetyltransferases↗

PubMed1995

Methionine biosynthesis in higher plants. I. Purification and characterization of cystathionine gamma-synthase from spinach chloroplasts.

Cystathionine gamma-synthase, the first enzyme specific for the methionine biosynthetic pathway, was purified to apparent homogeneity from spinach leaf chloroplasts. A nonradioactive assay based on O-phthaldialdehyde derivatization of L-cystathionine and fluorescence detection was developed to determine the cystathionine gamma-synthase activity. A unique cystathionine gamma-synthase activity was located in the stromal fraction of chloroplasts while cystathionine beta-lyase, the second enzyme of the transsulfuration pathway, was associated with both the chloroplastic and cytosolic compartments (see companion manuscript). The purified enzyme exhibited a specific activity of 13 U mg-1. As estimated by gel filtration and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) under nondenaturing conditions followed by activity staining, the native enzyme had an apparent M(r) of 215,000. On the basis of sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE, purified cystathionine gamma-synthase migrated as two molecular species of M(r) 53,000 and 50,000 that are identical in their N-termini. The absorption spectrum obtained at pH 7.5 exhibited a peak at 425 nm due to pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). The purified enzyme catalyzed the formation of L-cystathionine or L-homocysteine depending on the sulfur-containing substrate, L-cysteine or sulfide. Maximal cystathionine gamma-synthase activity was found at pH 7.4. The apparent Km values for O-phospho-L-homoserine (the unique homoserine ester synthesized in the chloroplast), L-cysteine, and sulfide were 1.4, 0.18, and 0.6 mM, respectively. Inactivation of cystathionine gamma-synthase by DL-propargylglycine (PAG) showed pseudo-first-order kinetics and data were consistent with the existence of an intermediate reversible enzyme-inhibitor complex (Kappi = 140 microM) preceding the formation of a final enzyme-inhibitor complex (kd = 24 x 10(-3) s-1). The irreversibility of the inhibition and the partial restoration of the activity by pyridoxal-phosphate suggest that PAG interacts with the PLP prosthetic group of the enzyme. Kinetic and equilibrium binding studies showed that PAG binding to PLP was considerably enhanced in the enzyme binding pocket compared to that with PLP free in solution.

Alkynes↗

PubMed1995

Methionine biosynthesis in higher plants. II. Purification and characterization of cystathionine beta-lyase from spinach chloroplasts.

Cystathionine beta-lyase, the second enzyme of the transsulfuration pathway leading to homocysteine synthesis was purified over 16,000-fold from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaf chloroplasts (soluble fraction). Enzyme activity was followed along the purification scheme by either a colorimetric method for the determination of cysteine or by fluorescence detection of the bimane derivative of L-homocysteine after reverse-phase HPLC. Cystathionine beta-lyase has a molecular mass of 170,000 +/- 5000 Da and consists of four identical subunits of 44,000 Da. The enzyme exhibits an absorption spectrum in the visible range with a maximum at 418 nm due to pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. The chloroplastic enzyme catalyzes alpha,beta-cleavage of the thioether L-cystathionine and the dithioacetal L-djenkolate with apparent Km values of 0.15 and 0.34 mM, respectively, and apparent Vm values corresponding to a specific activity of 13 Units mg-1. However, no activity was detected toward the disulfide L-cysteine. With either L-cystathionine and L-djenkolate as substrate, maximal activity was obtained between pH 8.3 and pH 9.0. Besides the chloroplastic enzyme form, anion exchange chromatography of a total spinach leaf extract allowed the detection of a second pool of cystathionine beta-lyase activity that is associated with the cytosolic compartment and eluted at a lower salt concentration than the chloroplastic isoform. Kinetics of inactivation of cystathionine beta-lyase by the L-alpha-(2-aminoethoxyvinyl) glycine (AVG), an analogue of L-cystathionine, are consistent with the existence of an intermediate reversible enzyme inhibitor complex (apparent inhibition constant Kappi of 110 microM) preceding the irreversible formation of a final inactivated state of the enzyme (kd = 4.8 x 10(-3) s-1). Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate free in solution binds AVG with an apparent dissociation constant Kapp in the order of 350 microM. The comparison between the Kapp (free pyridoxal 5'-phosphate) and Kappi (enzyme inactivation) values indicate that the prosthetic group of spinach chloroplast cystathionine beta-lyase is freely accessible to the inhibitor compound AVG.

Aminobutyrates↗

PubMed1995

Cloning of an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA encoding cystathionine beta-lyase by functional complementation in Escherichia coli.

Cystathionine beta-lyase, the second enzyme involved in the methionine biosynthetic pathway in plants, catalyses the synthesis of homocysteine from cystathionine. A cDNA encoding cystathionine beta-lyase was cloned from an Arabidopsis thaliana expression library by complementation of an Escherichia coli mutant deficient in this enzyme. As deduced from the full-length nucleotide sequence (1.7 kb), the polypeptide contains 464 amino acids and presents a predicted M(r) of 50372. A. thaliana cystathionine beta-lyase exhibits 22% sequence identity with the E. coli corresponding enzyme and contains a 70 amino acid N-terminal additional sequence compared with the bacterial protein. Since the general features of chloroplast transit peptides could be observed in this amino-terminal extension, we propose a chloroplast localization for the cDNA-encoded enzyme. Southern blot analysis suggested that cystathionine beta-lyase is encoded by a single copy gene in A. thaliana.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

The lipoamide arm in the glycine decarboxylase complex is not freely swinging.

Glycine decarboxylase consists of four protein components. Its structural and mechanistic heart is provided by the lipoic acid-containing H-protein which undergoes a cycle of reductive methylamination, methylamine transfer and electron transfer. Lipoic acid attached to a specific lysine side chain is assumed to act as a 'swinging arm' conveying the reactive dithiolane ring from one catalytic centre to another. The X-ray crystal structures of two forms of the H-protein have been determined. The lipoate cofactor is located in the loop of a hairpin configuration but following methylamine transfer it is pivoted to bind into a cleft at the surface of the H-protein. The lipoamide-methylamine arm is, therefore, not free to move in aqueous solvent.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1995

The outer membrane protein E24 of spinach chloroplast envelope: cloning of a cDNA and topological insertion of the protein in the membrane.

A cDNA coding for the outer membrane protein E24 of spinach chloroplast envelope has been obtained by screening an expression library of spinach cDNA with polyclonal antibodies. Analysis of the protein sequence and comparison with the thermolysin susceptibility of E24 in the chloroplast in situ suggest that E24 is a transmembrane protein and show that its NH2 terminal end is located on the cytosolic side of chloroplasts.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Kinetics of the two forms of acetyl-CoA carboxylase from Pisum sativum. Correlation of the substrate specificity of the enzymes and sensitivity towards aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides.

Steady-state kinetics of the 220-kDa form of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC220), as purified from mature pea seeds, have been investigated with respect to the substrate specificity and inhibition by quizalofop, a herbicide of the aryloxyphenoxypropionate type. The enzyme showed a dual specificity, being able to carboxylate propionyl-CoA at a maximal rate approximately 20% that measured in the presence of the acetyl-CoA substrate. These two reactions occur at separate sites on the enzyme. One site binds either acetyl-CoA (Km = 226 microM) or propionyl-CoA (Km = 38 microM) and is strongly inhibited by quizalofop (Ki = 25 microM and 9.3 microM for the acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA substrates, respectively). The other is specific for acetyl-CoA (Km = 11 microM) and is much less inhibited by quizalofop (Ki = 256 microM). Owing to the existence of these two catalytically different sites, the enzyme obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with propionyl-CoA, but exhibited kinetic co-operativity in the presence of acetyl-CoA. Also, kinetics of propionyl-CoA carboxylase activity of ACC220 exhibited hyperbolic inhibition in the presence of quizalofop, but co-operative inhibition when following the ACC activity of the enzyme. The results suggest that the higher the substrate specificity, the lower the quizalofop sensitivity of the active site. Similar kinetic behaviour was observed with ACC220 purified from pea leaves. Also, the apparent correlation between the substrate specificity and the sensitivity of ACC towards quizalofop was confirmed by kinetic analyses of the low-molecular-mass form of ACC present in chloroplasts of young pea leaves. This enzyme was insensitive to quizalofop inhibition and was not able to carboxylate propionyl-CoA. No other propionyl-CoA carboxylase activity, different from that catalysed by ACC220, could be detected from either reproductive or vegetative organs of pea plants at any stage of development.

Acetyl Coenzyme A↗

PubMed1994

Comparison of the kinetic properties of MGDG synthase in mixed micelles and in envelope membranes from spinach chloroplast.

We have applied the 'membrane partition' kinetic modelling approach proposed by Heirwegh et al. [(1988) Biochem. J. 254, 101-108] to MGDG synthase in isolated envelope vesicles. Comparison of the kinetic parameters obtained for MGDG synthase assayed in purified envelope membranes and in mixed-micelles demonstrates that the latter are relevant to the situation in envelope membranes and that MGDG synthase has a very high affinity for dilinoleoylglycerol. Our results provide additional evidence for the hypothesis that the high affinity of the envelope MGDG synthase for dilinoleoylglycerol could be responsible for the presence of C18 fatty acids at both the sn-1 and sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone in MGDG.

Cell Fractionation↗

PubMed1994

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic data for acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase from Spinacia oleracea.

Acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (EC 1.1.1.86) is one of the enzymes involved in branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis. The enzyme from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaves has been crystallized using the hanging drop vapour diffusion method. The free enzyme crystallized from polymethylene glycol solutions, but these crystals were unsuitable for X-ray diffraction analysis. In the presence of NADPH, Mg(2+) and a reaction intermediate analogue (2-dimethylphosphinoyl-2-hydroxy acetic acid (Hoe 704) or N-hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate (IpOHA)), much better crystals were obtained. Crystals grown from ammonium sulphate belong to space group P2(1) with cell dimensions a + 193.78(7) A, b = 63.69(2) A, c = 112.84(1) A and beta = 121.22(1) degrees. The molecular mass of the protein, the volume of the unit cell, and crystal density measurements indicated that the asymmetric unit contains two dimers. X-ray diffraction patterns showed measurable reflections to beyond 2.5 A.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1994

Multiple effects of glycerol on plant cell metabolism. Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance studies.

The effects of glycerol on plant cell metabolism were studied with sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) cells using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. After a long period of sucrose starvation, the addition of 50 mM glycerol to the medium did not restore the original glucose-6-P pool and led to a rapid accumulation of sn-glycerol-3-P in the cytoplasmic compartment. The synthesis of sn-glycerol-3-P was rapid and occurred first at the expense of cytoplasmic P(i). Accumulated sn-glycerol-3-P competitively inhibited glucose-6-phosphate isomerase activity when fructose-6-P was the varied substrate. Such a situation prevented the rapid recycling of triose phosphates back to hexose phosphates and led to an arrest of the functioning of the cytosolic and plastidial pentose phosphate pathways. Under these conditions, the flow of carbon to drive cell respiration derived almost exclusively from glycerol, and this polyalcohol was not used as a source of carbon skeletons for biosynthesis. Glycerol also induced the accumulation of O-phosphohomoserine in the cytoplasmic compartment as long as the cell culture medium contained sucrose. Finally glycerol added to sucrose-starved cells stopped the accumulation of phosphocholine (Roby, C., Martin J.-B., Bligny, R., and Douce, R. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 5000-5007) and prevented a further decline in the uncoupled rate of O2 consumption by the cells (Journet, E. P., Bligny, R., and Douce, R. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 3193-3199). These last observations strongly suggest that glycerol prevented the triggering of autophagy induced by sucrose starvation in sycamore cells.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1994

Interaction between glycine decarboxylase, serine hydroxymethyltransferase and tetrahydrofolate polyglutamates in pea leaf mitochondria.

The aim of the present work was to further determine how the T-protein of the glycine-cleavage system and serine hydroxy-methyltransferase (SHMT), two folate-dependent enzymes from pea leaf mitochondria, interact through a common pool of tetrahydrofolate polyglutamates (H4PteGlun). It was observed that the binding affinity of tetrahydrofolate polyglutamates for these proteins continuously increased with increasing number of glutamates up to six residues. It was also established that, once bound to the proteins, tetrahydrofolate, a very O2-sensitive molecule, was protected from oxidative degradation. The dissociation constants (Kd) of H4PteGlu5, the most predominant form of polyglutamate in the mitochondria, were approximately 0.5 microM for both T-protein and SHMT, whereas the Kd values of CH2-H4PteGlu5 were higher, 2.7 and 7 microM respectively. In a matrix extract from pea leaf mitochondria, the maximal activity of the glycine-cleavage system was about 2.5 times higher than the maximal activity of SHMT. This resulted in a permanent disequilibrium of the SHMT-catalysed reaction which was therefore driven toward the production of serine and H4PteGlun, the thermodynamically unfavourable direction. Indeed, measurements of the steady-state ratio of CH2-H4PteGlun/H4PteGlun (n = 1 or n = 5) during the course of glycine oxidation demonstrated that the methylene form accounted for 65-80% of the folate pool. This indicates that, in our in vitro experiments, CH2-H4PteGlun with long polyglutamate chains accumulated in the bulk medium. This observation suggests that, in these in vitro experiments at least, there was no channelling of CH2-H4PteGlu5 between the T-protein and SHMT.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1994

Interactions of plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase with reaction intermediate analogues: correlation of the slow, competitive, inhibition kinetics of enzyme activity and herbicidal effects.

N-Hydroxy-N-isopropyloxamate (IpOHA) is known to inhibit extremely tightly (Ki of 22 pM) the bacterial acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase (EC 1.1.1.86) [Aulabaugh and Schloss (1990) Biochemistry 29, 2824-2830], the second enzyme of the branched-chain-amino-acid-biosynthetic pathway. Yet, although the same pathway exists in plant cells, this compound presents only very poor herbicidal action. Towards the goal of gaining a better understanding of this behaviour, we have studied the mechanism of interaction of this compound with a highly purified acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase of plant origin, i.e. the spinach (Spinacia oleracea) chloroplast enzyme. IpOHA behaved as a nearly irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme. Encounter complex formation was very slow (association rate constant 1.9 x 10(3) M-1.s-1) and involved a single bimolecular step. Since inhibition was competitive with respect to acetohydroxy acid substrates, the time needed to achieve substantial (90%) inhibition in vitro of enzyme activity in the simultaneous presence of substrates and inhibitors was extremely long (for example of the order of hours at 1 microM IpOHA and 100 microM acetohydroxy acid substrates). Thus, under in vivo conditions, binding of the inhibitor may be so slow that it may delay considerably the time required for inhibition of the target enzyme. Simialr kinetic behaviour was observed with another reaction intermediate analogue described by Schulz, Spönemann, Köcher and Wengenmayer [(1988) FEBS Lett. 238, 375-378], 2-dimethyl-phosphinoyl-2-hydroxyacetic acid (Hoe 704), which displays a higher herbicide activity than IpOHA. The herbicidal potency of these two compounds appeared to be correlated with their rates of association with the plant acetohydroxy acid isomeroreductase, since the bimolecular rate constant for Hoe 704 (2.2 x 10(4) M-1.s-1) was higher than that for IpOHA.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1994

Localization and characterization of two structurally different forms of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in young pea leaves, of which one is sensitive to aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides.

Young pea leaves contain two structurally different forms of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.2; ACCase). A minor form, which accounted for about 20% of the total ACCase activity in the whole leaf, was detected in the epidermal tissue. This enzyme was soluble and was purified to homogeneity from young pea leaf extracts. It consisted of a dimer of two identical biotinyl subunits of molecular mass 220 kDa. In this respect, this multifunctional enzyme was comparable with that described in other plants and in other eukaryotes. A predominant form was present in both the epidermal and mesophyll tissues. In mesophyll protoplasts, ACCase was detected exclusively in the soluble phase of chloroplasts. This enzyme was partially purified from pea chloroplasts and consisted of a freely dissociating complex, the activity of which may be restored by combination of its separated constituents. The partially purified enzyme was composed of several subunits of molecular masses ranging from 32 to 79 kDa, for a native molecular mass > 600 kDa. One of these subunits, of molecular mass 38 kDa, was biotinylated. This complex subunit structure was comparable with that of microorganisms and was referred to as a 'prokaryotic' form of ACCase. Biochemical parameters were determined for both ACCase forms. Finally, both pea leaf ACCases exhibited different sensitivities towards the grass ACCase herbicide, diclofop. This compound had no effect on the 'prokaryotic' form of ACCase, while the 'eukaryotic' form was strongly inhibited.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗

PubMed1994

Localization of ferrochelatase activity within mature pea chloroplasts.

Precise localization within the chloroplast of the membrane-bound enzymes involved in heme and chlorophyll biosynthetic pathways is of central importance for better understanding the regulation of the carbon flow into these two pathways. In this study we examine the localization of ferrochelatase activity within mature pea chloroplasts. Our results provide evidence that chloroplast ferrochelatase is associated only with thylakoid membranes. The presence of ferrochelatase in chloroplast thylakoids emphasizes the role of this membrane system in chloroplast protoheme biosynthesis. Furthermore, these results raise the possibility that heme and chlorophyll biosynthesis are compartmentalized in two distinct membrane systems within mature chloroplasts.

Chloroplasts↗

PubMed1994

X-ray structure determination at 2.6-A resolution of a lipoate-containing protein: the H-protein of the glycine decarboxylase complex from pea leaves.

H-protein, a lipoic acid-containing protein of the glycine decarboxylase (EC 1.4.4.2) complex from pea (Pisum sativum) was crystallized from ammonium sulfate solution at pH 5.2 in space group P3(1)21. The x-ray crystal structure was determined to 2.6-A resolution by multiple isomorphous replacement techniques. The structure was refined to an R value of 23% for reflections between 15- and 2.6-A resolution (F > 2 sigma), including the lipoate moiety and 50 water molecules, for the two protein molecules of the asymmetric unit. The 131-amino acid residues form seven beta-strands arranged into two antiparallel beta-sheets forming a "sandwich" structure. One alpha-helix is observed at the C-terminal end. The lipoate cofactor attached to Lys-63 is located in the loop of a hairpin configuration. The lipoate moiety points toward the residues His-34 and Asp-128 and is situated at the surface of the H-protein. This allows the flexibility of the lipoate arm. This is the first x-ray determination of a lipoic acid-containing protein, and the present results are in agreement with previous theoretical predictions and NMR studies of the catalytic domains of lipoic acid- and biotin-containing proteins.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1994

Developmental patterns of free and protein-bound biotin during maturation and germination of seeds of Pisum sativum: characterization of a novel seed-specific biotinylated protein.

Mature dry pea seeds contain three major biotinylated proteins. Two of these of subunit molecular mass about 75 kDa and 200 kDa are associated with 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.4) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase activities (EC 6.4.1.2) respectively. The third does not exhibit any of the biotin-dependent carboxylase activities found in higher organisms and represents the major part of the total protein-bound biotin in the seeds. This novel protein has been purified from a whole pea seed extract. Because in SDS/polyacrylamide gels the protein migrates with an apparent molecular mass of about 65 kDa, it is referred to as SBP65, for 65 kDa seed biotinylated protein. The molecular mass of native SBP65 is greater than 400 kDa, suggesting that the native protein assumes a polymeric structure, resulting from the association of six to eight identical subunits. The results of CNBr cleavage experiments suggest that biotin is covalently bound to the protein. The stoichiometry is 1 mol of biotin per 1 mol of 65 kDa polypeptide. The temporal and spatial pattern of expression of SBP65 is described. SBP65 is specifically expressed in the seeds, being absent from leaf, root, stem, pod and flower tissues of pea plants. The level of SBP65 increases dramatically during seed development. The protein is not detectable in very young seeds. Its accumulation pattern parallels that for storage proteins, being maximally expressed in the mature dry seeds. SBP65 disappears at a very high rate during seed germination. The level of free biotin has also been evaluated for various organs of pea plants. In all proliferating tissues examined (young developing seeds, leaf, root, stem, pod and flower tissues), free biotin is in excess of protein-bound biotin. Only in the mature dry seeds is protein-bound biotin (i.e. that bound to SBP65) in excess of free biotin. These temporal expression patterns, and the strict organ specificity for expression of SBP65, are discussed with regard to the possibility that in plants, as in mammals, biotin plays a specialized role in cell growth and differentiation.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1994

Kinetic properties of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol synthase from spinach chloroplast envelope membranes.

We have investigated the functioning of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) synthase activity partially purified from spinach chloroplast envelope membranes, using mixed micelles containing diacylglycerol (the substrate for MGDG synthase), CHAPS (3-[(cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1- propanesulfonic acid), and phosphatidylglycerol. The presence of this anionic phospholipid was essential for optimal MGDG synthase activity because it strongly improves diacylglycerol solubilization by CHAPS. We have demonstrated that the "surface dilution" kinetic model proposed by Deems et al. (Deems, R.A., Eaton, B.R., and Dennis, E.A. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 9013-9020) is valid for MGDG synthase assayed in mixed micelles within a narrow range of CHAPS concentration. However, the experimental conditions we have set up in this study led to the description of defined equilibrium and kinetic parameters of the interaction of the envelope MGDG synthase with diacylglycerol. Two-substrate kinetic studies were performed with varied UDP-galactose molar concentrations and varied dioleoylglycerol surface concentrations. The families of reciprocal plots obtained were shown to intersect at a single point of the 1/[substrate] axis thus demonstrating that MGDG synthase is a sequential, either random or ordered, bireactant system. Therefore, MGDG synthase possesses two distinct and independent substrate-binding sites, a hydrophilic one for UDP-galactose and a hydrophobic one for diacylglycerol. The dependence of kinetic parameters on the diacylglycerol mol fraction allows a comparison of the affinity of the enzyme for a wide range of diacylglycerol molecular species. The Km values obtained were ranging between 0.0089 mol fraction (52 microM) for dilinoleoylglycerol (18:2/18:2) to 0.0666 mol fraction (416 microM) for distearoylglycerol (18:0/18:0), but the differences observed were not really related to the unsaturation of the molecule since the Km value for dilinoleoylglycerol was much lower than that (0.040 mol fraction) for dilinoleoylglycerol (18:3/18:3). The Km values for dioleoylglycerol (18:1/18:1) and for the diacylglycerol molecular species synthesized within chloroplasts, i.e. containing 18:1/16:0, were in the average range, i.e. lower than 0.030 mol fraction (around 170 microM).

Chloroplasts↗