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R Douce

Publications and source records attributed to R Douce.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Cloning of the gene (gdcH) encoding H-protein, a component of the glycine decarboxylase complex of pea (Pisum sativum L.).

H-protein is the lipoyl-protein component of the glycine decarboxylase complex, which catalyses, with serine hydroxymethyltransferase, the mitochondrial step of photorespiration in plants. We have isolated and characterized the gene (gdcH) encoding the H-protein in pea (Pisum sativum L.). The H-protein gene is distributed in a stretch of about 1.55 kbp and contains three introns (75, 64 and 185 bp) located in the coding region. No intervening sequences were detected in the 5' and 3' non-coding regions. This intron-exon structure contrasts with the preliminary H-protein gene structures reported for human and chicken, where these genes (dispersed on 13 and 8 kbp genomic fragments respectively) are composed of five highly conserved exons and are interrupted by four long introns. Two main transcription sites were detected by primer extension of RNA. The first transcriptional initiation site was assigned the +1 position and correlated with a putative TATA box located at position -26. The second transcriptional start site was not correlated with a putative TATA box, but may be regulated by an 'initiator' element described by Smale & Baltimore [(1989) Cell (Cambridge, Mass.) 57, 103-113] which contains, within itself, the transcription start site. The presence of two potential promoters may be related to the specialized overexpression pattern of H-protein in leaves, in order to support photorespiration.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1992

Structural investigations by extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy of the iron center of mitochondrial aconitase in higher plant cells.

We have obtained iron K-edge extended x-ray absorption fine structure spectra of the plant mitochondrial aconitase in its active state, in the presence (aconitase (+)) and absence (aconitase (-)) of the substrate citrate. Analysis of the data indicates that oxygens are present in the first coordination shell, at an average Fe-O distance of 1.96/1.98 A (aconitase (+)/aconitase(-)). Part of these oxygens is provided by the citrate, which binds at 1.99 A from the iron in aconitase (+). The second shell (sulfur) contribution is split and is consistent with Fe-S distances of 2.30/2.29 and 2.56/2.59 A, and the third shell (iron) is consistent with an Fe-Fe distance of 2.83/2.84 A. Both Fe-S and Fe-Fe distances are longer than similar distances found in most Fe-S centers. A strong scattering at approximately 5 A has been identified as originating from an iron atom which is near to, but not part of, the Fe-S cluster. These data indicate that active plant mitochondrial aconitase contains a novel type of iron center.

Aconitate Hydratase↗
PubMed1992

Regulation of intracellular pH values in higher plant cells. Carbon-13 and phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance studies.

The regulation of the cytoplasmic and vacuolar pH values (pHc and pHv) in sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) cells was analyzed using 31P and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Suspension-cultured cells were compressed in the NMR tube and perfused with the help of an original arrangement enabling a tight control of the pH (external pH, pHe) of the carefully oxygenated circulating nutrient medium. Intracellular pH values were measured from the chemical shifts of: CH2-linked carboxyl groups of citric acid below pH 5.7; orthophosphate between pH 5.7 and 8.0; 13C-enriched bicarbonate over pH 8.0. pHc and pHv were independent of pHe over the range 4.5-7.5. In contrast intracellular pH values decreased rapidly below pHe 4.5 and increased progressively at pHe over 7.5. There was an acceleration in the rate of O2 consumption accompanied with a decrease in cytoplasmic ATP concentration as pHe decreased. When the rate of O2 consumption was approaching the uncoupled O2 uptake rate, a loss of pHc control was observed. It is concluded that as pHe decreased, the plasma membrane ATPase consumed more and more ATP to reject the invading H+ ions in order to maintain pHc at a constant value. Below pHe 4.5 the efficiency of the H+ pump to react to back leakage of H+ ions became insufficient, leading to an acidification of pHc and to an alkalinization of pHe. On the other hand, over pHe 7.5 a passive influx of OH- ions was observed, and pHc increased proportionally to the increase of pHe. Simultaneously appreciable amounts of organic acids (malate and citrate) were synthesized by cells during the course of the alkalinization of the cytoplasmic compartment. The synthesis of organic acids which partially counteract the alkalinization of the cytoplasmic compartment may result from a marked activation of the cytoplasmic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase induced by an increase in cytoplasmic bicarbonate concentration. The fluctuations of pHv followed a similar course to that of pHc. It is concluded that the vacuole, which represents a potentially large H+ ions reservoir, can counteract H+ (or OH-) ion invasion observed at acidic (or alkaline) pHe contributing to the homeostasis of pHc.

Carbon Isotopes↗
PubMed1992

Localization within chloroplasts of protoporphyrinogen oxidase, the target enzyme for diphenylether-like herbicides.

Plant protoporphyrinogen oxidase is of particular interest since it is the last enzyme of the common branch for chlorophyll and heme biosynthetic pathways. In addition, it is the target enzyme for diphenyl ether-type herbicides, such as acifluorfen. Two distinct methods were used to investigate the localization of this enzyme within Percoll-purified spinach chloroplasts. We first assayed the enzymatic activity by spectrofluorimetry and we analyzed the specific binding of the herbicide acifluorfen, using highly purified chloroplast fractions. The results obtained give clear evidence that chloroplast protoporphyrinogen oxidase activity is membrane-bound and is associated with both chloroplast membranes, i.e. envelope and thylakoids. Protoporphyrinogen oxidase specific activity was 7-8 times higher in envelope membranes than in thylakoids, in good agreement with the number of [3H]acifluorfen binding sites in each membrane system: 21 and 3 pmol/mg protein, respectively, in envelope membranes and thylakoids. On a total activity basis, 25% of protoporphyrinogen oxidase activity were associated with envelope membranes. The presence of protoporphyrinogen oxidase in chloroplast envelope membranes provides further evidence for a role of this membrane system in chlorophyll biosynthesis. In contrast, the physiological significance of the enzyme associated with thylakoids is still unknown, but it is possible that thylakoid protoporphyrinogen oxidase could be involved in heme biosynthesis.

Chloroplasts↗
PubMed1992

Isolation, characterization, and sequence analysis of a cDNA clone encoding L-protein, the dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase component of the glycine cleavage system from pea-leaf mitochondria.

L-protein is the dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase component of the glycine decarboxylase complex which catalyses, with serine hydroxymethyltransferase, the mitochondrial step of photorespiration. We have isolated and characterized a cDNA from a lambda gt11 pea library encoding the complete L-protein precursor. The derived amino acid sequence indicates that the protein precursor consists of 501 amino acid residues, including a presequence peptide of 31 amino acid residues. The N-terminal sequence of the first 18 amino acid residues of the purified L-protein confirms the identity of the cDNA. Alignment of the deduced amino acid sequence of L-protein with human, porcine and yeast dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase sequences reveals high similarity (70% in each case), indicating that this enzyme is highly conserved. Most of the residues located in or near the active sites remain unchanged. The results described in the present paper strongly suggest that, in higher plants, a unique dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase is a component of different mitochondrial enzyme complexes. Confidence in this conclusion comes from the following considerations. First, after fractionation of a matrix extract of pea-leaf mitochondria by gel-permeation chromatography followed by gel electrophoresis and Western-blot analysis, it was shown that polyclonal antibodies raised against the L-protein of the glycine-cleavage system recognized proteins with an Mr of about 60000 in different elution peaks where dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase activity has been detected. Second, Northern-blot analysis of RNA from different tissues such as leaf, stem, root and seed, using L-protein cDNA as a probe, indicates that the mRNA of the dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase accumulates to high levels in all tissues. In contrast, the H-protein (a specific protein component of the glycine-cleavage system) is known to be expressed primarily in leaves. Third, Southern-blot analysis indicated that the gene coding for L-protein in pea is most likely to be present in a single copy/haploid genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Purification and characterization of O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase from spinach chloroplasts.

O-Acetylserine (thiol) lyase, the last enzyme in the cysteine biosynthetic pathway, was purified to homogeneity from spinach leaf chloroplasts. The enzyme has a molecular mass of 68,000 and consists of two identical subunits of Mr 35,000. The absorption spectrum obtained at pH 7.5 exhibited a peak at 407 nm due to pyridoxal phosphate, and addition of O-acetylserine induced a considerable modification of the spectrum. The pyridoxal phosphate content was found to be 1.1 per subunit of 35,000, and the chromophore was displaced from the enzyme by O-acetylserine, leading to a progressive inactivation of the holoenzyme. Upon gel filtration chromatography on Superdex 200, part of the chloroplastic O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase eluted in association with serine acetyltransferase at a position corresponding to a molecular mass of 310,000 (such a complex called cysteine synthase has been characterized in bacteria). The activity of O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase was optimum between pH 7.5 and 8.5. The apparent Km for O-acetylserine was 1.3 mM and for sulfide was 0.25 mM. The calculated activation energy was 12.6 kcal/mol at 10 mM O-acetylserine. The overall amino-acid composition of spinach chloroplast O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase was different than that determined for the same enzyme (cytosolic?) obtained from a crude extract of spinach leaves. A polyclonal antibody prepared against the chloroplastic O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase exhibited a very low cross-reactivity with a preparation of mitochondrial matrix and cytosolic proteins suggesting that the chloroplastic isoform was distinct from the mitochondrial and cytosolic counterparts.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed1992

Subcellular Distribution of O-Acetylserine(thiol)lyase in Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) Inflorescence.

The subcellular localization of O-acetyiserine(thiol)lyase (EC 4.2.99.8) in nongreen tissue from higher plants has been studied using purified proplastids, mitochondria, and protoplasts from cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) buds as a source of subcellular fractions. O-Acetylserine(thiol)lyase has been detected in both organelles (proplastids and mitochondria) and a cytosolic extract obtained by protoplast fractionation. We confirmed these observations, demonstrating that a form of the enzyme different in global charge and separated from others by anion-exchange chromatography corresponded to each subcellular location. Our observations are consistent with the need for cysteine biosynthesis in each subcellular compartment where the synthesis of proteins occurs.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Characterization of biotin and 3-methylcrotonyl-coenzyme a carboxylase in higher plant mitochondria.

Mitochondria from green pea (Pisum sativum) leaves were purified free of peroxisomes and chlorophyll contamination and examined for their biotin content. The bulk of the bound biotin detected in plant mitochondria was shown to be associated with the matrix space to a concentration of about 13 micromolar, and no free biotin was detected. Western blot analysis of mitochondrial polypeptides using horseradish peroxidase-labeled streptavidin revealed a unique biotin-containing polypeptide with a molecular weight of 76,000. This polypeptide was implicated as being the biotinylated subunit of 3-methylcrotonyl-coenzyme A (CoA) carboxylase. Fractionation of pea leaf protoplasts demonstrated that this enzyme activity was located largely in mitochondria. The 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase activity was latent when assayed in isotonic media. The majority of the enzyme activity was found in the soluble matrix of mitochondria. Maximal 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase activity was found at pH 8.3 in the presence of Mg(2+). Kinetic constants (apparent K(m) values) for the enzyme substrates were: 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA, 0.05 millimolar; ATP, 0.16 millimolar; HCO(3) (-), 2.2 millimolar. The involvement of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase in the leucine degradation pathway in plant mitochondria is proposed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Isolation of H-protein loaded with methylamine as a transient species in glycine decarboxylase reactions.

A three-step protocol was devised to purify H-protein, which can be readily released as a soluble protein from pea mitochondria. After the final step of purification (anion-exchange chromatography) the native enzyme was eluted as two distinct peaks at 250 and 350 mM-KCl if the lysis buffer contained glycine. Each from exhibited an identical Mr of 15000 on SDS/PAGE and they were not distinguishable by PAGE under non-denaturating conditions. Both forms catalysed the rapid fixation of [14C]bicarbonate to the carboxy group atom of glycine during the exchange reaction, whereas the reversible exchange of electrons between NADH and lipoamide bound to the H-protein in the presence of 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) was seen only with the form eluted at 350 mM-KCl. During the early steps of H-protein isolation, when P- and H-protein react together in the presence of glycine, the methylamine intermediate bound to the lipoamide of the H-protein accumulates in the medium at the expense of oxidized H-protein. Under these conditions the methylamine intermediate, which is a rather stable structure, was easily separated from the oxidized H-protein on ion-exchange chromatography. The methylamine bound to the lipoamide of the H-protein prevented the reversible exchange of electrons between NADH and lipoamide. High concentrations of glycine were required for the loading of H-protein with methylamine catalysed by a large excess of P-protein.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1991

Kinetic studies of the variations of cytoplasmic pH, nucleotide triphosphates (31P-NMR) and lactate during normoxic and anoxic transitions in maize root tips.

We have followed the dynamic evolution of intracellular pH and of the intracellular concentration of nucleotides (NDP, NTP), Pi and lactate in maize root tips during the course of normoxia and anoxia transition. The intracellular pH, determined from the 31P-NMR chemical shift of the cytoplasmic P1 peak, dropped from 7.5 to 6.9 during the first few minutes after anaerobiosis. It increased again, then settled to a steady-state value of 7.1-7.2, 25 min after the beginning of the anoxic treatment. Following oxygenation, the chemical shift of the cytoplasmic Pi peak drifted gradually to its initial value. The cytoplasmic pH followed an oscillatory time course which was almost identical to the time course of NTP. Intracellular lactate accumulated steadily during the first 30 min after anaerobiosis, then its intracellular concentration remained almost constant. Following oxygenation, the intracellular concentration of lactate decreased slowly. The cytoplasmic pH followed a time course which was not identical to the time course of lactate. Following hypoxia, the pH dropped to low values long before the intracellular lactate concentration reached a steady-state equilibrium. Conversely, subsequent to oxygenation, the pH returned to normal values long before lactate. These results do not agree with the statement that cytoplasmic acidification in hypoxic maize root tips is necessarily associated with lactic acid synthesis.

Cytoplasm↗
PubMed1991

Purification and characterization of E37, a major chloroplast envelope protein.

We have purified to homogeneity E37, the second major polypeptide of the inner membrane of the chloroplast envelope. The protein was retained on a Mono S column at pH 7, indicating it is a basic protein. After cyanogen cleavage, the protein was partially sequenced at 2 different sites. The sequence is compared with the deduced amino acid sequence of a cDNA coding for a 37 kDa envelope polypeptide recently published by Dreses-Werringloer et al. (Eur. J. Biochem. (1991) 195, 361-368.)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Crystallographic data for H-protein from the glycine decarboxylase complex.

The H-protein is the pivotal enzyme of the glycine decarboxylase complex responsible for the oxidation of glycine by mitochondria. It has been extracted and purified from pea leaf mitochondria (Pisum sativum). Its molecular weight, based on the amino acid sequence, is 13.3 kDa and it crystallizes in the space group P3(1)21 (or its enantiomorph P3(2)21) with a = b = 57.14 (3) A, c = 137.11 (11) A. The crystals diffract until at least 3.5 A resolution.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1991

Isolation, characterization and sequence analysis of a full-length cDNA clone encoding acetohydroxy acid reductoisomerase from spinach chloroplasts.

Acetohydroxy acid reductoisomerase (AHRI), the second enzyme in the parallel isoleucine/valine-biosynthetic pathway, catalyses an unusual two-step reaction in which the substrate, either 2-acetolactate or 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate, is converted via an alkyl migration and an NADPH-dependent reduction to give 2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutyrate or 2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylvalerate respectively. We have isolated and characterized a full-length cDNA from a lambda gt11 spinach library encoding the complete acetohydroxy acid reductoisomerase protein precursor. The 2050-nucleotide sequence contains a 1785-nucleotide open reading frame. The derived amino acid sequence indicates that the protein precursor consists of 595 amino acid residues including a presequence peptide of 72 amino acid residues. The N-terminal sequence of the first 16 amino acid residues of the purified AHRI confirms the identity of the cDNA. The derived amino acid sequence from this open reading frame shows 23% identity with the deduced amino acid sequences of the Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae AHRI proteins. There are two blocks of conserved amino acid residues in these three proteins. One of these is a sequence similar to the 'fingerprint' region of the NAD(P)H-binding site found in a large number of NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductases. The other, a short sequence (Lys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Ser-His-Gly-Phe) containing the amino acids lysine and histidine, could well be the catalytic site of the first step of the AHRI reaction. Southern-blot analysis indicated that AHRI is encoded by a single gene per haploid genome of about 7.5 kbp containing at least four introns.

2-Acetolactate Mutase↗
PubMed1991

Rapid inactivation of plant aconitase by hydrogen peroxide.

Preincubation of potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber mitochondria with 300 microM-H2O2 for 10 min nearly stopped the State 3 rate of citrate oxidation. Addition of isocitrate resulted in resumption of O2 uptake. The State 3 rates of succinate, external NADH and 2-oxoglutarate oxidation were unaffected by H2O2 over the dose range 50-500 microM. Preincubation of mitochondria with 300 microM-H2O2 for 5 min unmasked in the matrix space a paramagnetic signal with a peak at a g value of approx. 2.03. Aconitase was purified over 135-fold to a specific activity of 32 mumol/min per mg (with isocitrate as substrate) from the matrix of potato tuber mitochondria. The native enzyme was composed of a single polypeptide chain (molecular mass 90 kDa). Incubation of purified aconitase with small amounts of H2O2 caused the build up of a paramagnetic 3Fe cluster with a low-field maximum of g = 2.03 leading to a progressive inhibition of aconitase activity. The results show that aconitase present in the matrix space was the major intramitochondrial target for inactivation by H2O2.

Aconitate Hydratase↗
PubMed1991

Biosynthesis of the thiazole moiety of thiamin (vitamin B1) in higher plant chloroplasts.

The chloroplast stromal proteins from spinach condense the two heterocyclic moieties of vitamin B1--4-methyl-5-(beta-hydroxyethyl)thiazole and 2-methyl-4-amino-5-hydroxymethylpyrimidine--in the presence of MgATP. We have taken advantage of this observation to study thiazole synthesis. We present data indicating that pyruvate, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, tyrosine, cysteine, and MgATP are required for this synthesis and that pyruvate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate can be replaced by 1-deoxy-D-threo-2-pentulose. The thiazole synthesis occurs at a sustained, low rate of 140 pmol per mg of protein per hr.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Envelope membranes from mature spinach chloroplasts contain a NADPH:protochlorophyllide reductase on the cytosolic side of the outer membrane.

Using fluorescence spectroscopy, we have demonstrated that isolated envelope membranes from mature spinach chloroplasts catalyze the phototransformation of endogenous protochlorophyllide into chlorophyllide in presence of NADPH, but not in presence of NADH. Protochlorophyllide reductase was characterized further using monospecific antibodies (anti-protochlorophyllide reductase) raised against the purified enzyme from oat. In mature spinach chloroplasts, protochlorophyllide reductase is present only in envelope membranes. We have demonstrated that the envelope protochlorophyllide reductase, a 37,000-dalton polypeptide, is only a minor envelope component and is present on the outer surface of the outer envelope membrane. This conclusion is supported by several lines of evidence: (a) the envelope polypeptide that was immunodecorated with anti-protochlorophyllide reductase can be distinguished from the major 37,000-dalton envelope polypeptide E37 (which was identified by monospecific antibodies) only after two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; (b) the envelope protochlorophyllide reductase was hydrolyzed when isolated intact chloroplasts were incubated in presence of thermolysin; and (c) isolated intact chloroplasts strongly agglutinate when incubated in presence of antibodies raised against protochlorophyllide reductase. These results demonstrate that major differences exist between chloroplasts and etioplasts with respect to protochlorophyllide reductase levels and localization. The presence on the chloroplast envelope membrane of both the substrate (protochlorophyllide) and the enzyme (protochlorophyllide reductase) necessary for chlorophyllide synthesis could have major implications for the understanding of chlorophyll biosynthesis in mature chloroplasts.

Chloroplasts↗
PubMed1990

cDNA cloning, primary structure and gene expression for H-protein, a component of the glycine-cleavage system (glycine decarboxylase) of pea (Pisum sativum) leaf mitochondria.

We have isolated and characterized cDNA clones encoding the H-protein of the glycine-cleavage system of pea (Pisum sativum) leaf mitochondria. The deduced primary structure revealed that the 131-amino-acid polypeptide is cytoplasmically synthesized with a 34-amino-acid mitochondrial targeting peptide. The lipoate-binding site was assigned to be lysine-63, as deduced from a sequence comparison with several lipoate-bearing proteins. The expression of the gene encoding H-protein was shown to occur specifically in the leaf tissue, with light exerting an additional effect by increasing the mRNA levels severalfold. Two polyadenylation sites were found in the mRNA, and a single-copy gene encoding the H-protein was detected in pea genome.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗