Biomedical subjects

R F Pratt

Publications and source records attributed to R F Pratt.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

Phosphonate monoester inhibitors of class A beta-lactamases.

Phosphonate monoesters with the general structure: [formula: see text] are inhibitors of representative class A and class C beta-lactamases. This result extends the range of this type of inhibitor to the class A enzymes. Compounds where X is an electron-withdrawing substituent are better inhibitors than the unsubstituted analogue (X = H), and enzyme inhibition is concerted with stoichiometric release of the substituted phenol. Slow turnover of the phosphonates also occurs. These observations support the proposition that the mechanism of action of these inhibitors involves phosphorylation of the beta-lactamase active site. The inhibitory ability of these phosphonates suggests that the beta-lactamase active site is very effective at stabilizing negatively charged transition states. One of the compounds described also inactivated the Streptomyces R61 D-alanyl-D-alanine carboxypeptidase/transpeptidase.

Bacillus cereus↗

PubMed1991

N-(phenylacetyl)glycyl-D-aziridine-2-carboxylate, an acyclic amide substrate of beta-lactamases: importance of the shape of the substrate in beta-lactamase evolution.

Certain acyclic depsipeptides, but not peptides, are substrates of typical beta-lactamases [Pratt, R.F., & Govardhan, C.P. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81, 1302]. This may reflect either the greater chemical reactivity of depsipeptides (and of beta-lactams, the natural substrates) than peptides or the greater ease of distortion of the depsipeptide (ester) than the peptide (amide) group into a penicillin-like conformation. The latter explanation has been shown to be more likely by employment of a novel beta-lactamase substrate. N-(phenylacetyl)glycyl-D-aziridine-2-carboxylate, which combines a high chemical reactivity with a close to tetrahedral amide nitrogen atom. Although this substrate was better (higher kcat/KM) than a comparable depsipeptide for beta-lactamases, it was poorer than the depsipeptide for the Streptomyces R61 D-alanyl-D-alanine peptidase (which catalyzes specific peptide hydrolysis). It therefore seems likely that one vital feature of the putative evolution of a DD-peptidase into a beta-lactamase would have been modification of the active site to, on one hand, accommodate bicyclic beta-lactams and, on the other, exclude productive binding of planar acyclic amides. Certain serine beta-lactamases and the R61 DD-peptidase also catalyze methanolysis and aminolysis by D-phenylalanine of the N-acylaziridine. The latter reaction, the first amide aminolysis shown to be catalyzed by a beta-lactamase, is a very close analogue of the transpeptidase reaction of DD-peptidases. The methanolysis reaction appeared to proceed by way of the same acyl-enzyme intermediate as formed from depsipeptides possessing the same acyl moiety as the aziridine. The kinetics of methanolysis were employed to determine whether acylation or deacylation was rate limiting to the hydrolysis reaction under saturating substrate concentrations. The kinetics of the aminolysis reaction, catalyzed by the Enterobacter cloacae P99 beta-lactamase, showed the characteristics of, and were interpreted in terms of, a sequential mechanism previously deduced for depsipeptides and this enzyme [Pazhanisamy, S., & Pratt, R. F. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 6875-6882]. This mechanism features two separate binding sites, only one of which is productive. Strikingly, the binding of the N-acylaziridine to the nonproductive site was very tight, such that essentially all hydrolysis at substrate concentrations above 0.1Km proceeded via the ternary complex; this could also be true of penicillins.

Aziridines↗

PubMed1991

Evidence from a mutant beta-lactamase for the mechanism of beta-lactamase-catalysed depsipeptide aminolysis.

The Ser-70----Gly mutant of the TEM-1 beta-lactamase, where the active-site serine hydroxy group has been lost, does not catalyse the hydrolysis of either benzylpenicillin or N-(phenylacetyl)glycyl depsipeptides. This is as would be expected for a double-displacement mechanism where the Ser-70 becomes acylated at an intermediate stage. Further, however, the mutant enzyme, unlike the wild-type, does not catalyse aminolysis of depsipeptides by D-phenylalanine. If the active site is not structurally disrupted by the mutation, this result shows that Ser-70 is necessary for the aminolysis reaction and implies that this reaction, like the hydrolysis, proceeds by way of an acyl-(serine)-enzyme intermediate. Although physical evidence suggests that the mutant enzyme does not have a structure in solution identical with that of the wild-type, the mutant does still bind beta-lactam substrates. The latter result suggests sufficient conservation of the active-site structure for the major conclusion above to hold.

Amines↗

PubMed1991

Inactivation of the RTEM-1 cysteine beta-lactamase by iodoacetate. The nature of active-site functional groups and comparisons with the native enzyme.

The pH-rate profile for inactivation of the RTEM-1 cysteine beta-lactamase by iodoacetate supports previous evidence [Knap & Pratt (1989) Proteins Struct. Funct. Genet. 6, 316-323] for the activation of the active-site thiol group by adjacent functional groups. The enhanced reactivity of iodoacetate, with respect to that of iodoacetamide, suggests the influence of a positive charge in the active site. The reactivity of iodoacetate is not affected by dissociation of an active-site functional group of pKa 6.7, which increases the reactivity of neutral reagents, probably because of a compensation phenomenon; it is, however, lost on dissociation of an acid of pKa 8.1. It is concluded that the active cysteine beta-lactamase has four functional groups at the active site, one nucleophilic thiolate of Cys-70, one neutral acid (most probably the carboxy group of Glu-166, from the crystal structures) and two cationic residues (most probably Lys-73 and Lys-234). A comparison of these results with the pH-dependence of reactivity of the native RTEM-2 beta-lactamase suggests that the active form of the latter enzyme is also monocationic, although the nucleophile (Ser-70) is likely to be neutral in this case and the carboxylic acid dissociated. A mechanism of class A beta-lactamase catalysis is discussed where the Glu-166 carboxylate acts as a general base/acid catalyst and Lys-73 is principally required for electrostatic stabilization of the anionic tetrahedral intermediate.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1990

Different modes of vancomycin and D-alanyl-D-alanine peptidase binding to cell wall peptide and a possible role for the vancomycin resistance protein.

A comparison was made of the binding modes of the bacterial cell wall precursor L-lysyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine to the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin and to the D-alanyl-D-alanine-cleaving peptidase of Streptomyces sp. strain R61, a model for cell wall-synthesizing enzymes whose X-ray three-dimensional structure is established. In each of the two pairings (vancomycin with peptide and DD-peptidase with peptide), polypeptide backbones were antiparallel, and the antibiotic or enzyme enveloped the peptide substrate from opposite sides. Hydrogen-bonding groups on the substrate which are involved with the DD-peptidase were shown to be different from the ones reported from nuclear magnetic resonance studies to be involved with vancomycin. Because of steric hindrance, the binding of either molecule to the substrate prevents the binding of the other molecule. Binding to the substrate by a D-alanyl-D-alanine-recognizing protein in a manner similar to that used by the DD-peptidase could explain recent observations of vancomycin resistance, in which a new membrane-associated protein has been detected.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed1989

Inhibition of a class C beta-lactamase by a specific phosphonate monoester.

A phosphonate monoester, m-carboxyphenyl phenylacetamidomethylphosphonate, has been found to be a specific inhibitor of the class C beta-lactamase of Enterobacter cloacae P99. Inactivation is rapid (10(3) per second per molar concentration) and reactivation very slow (2.2 X 10(-6) per second). Apparently concerted with the inactivation, one equivalent (with respect to the enzyme) of m-hydroxybenzoate is released. Reactivation is accelerated by hydroxylamine and benzohydroxamate. This suggests that the loss of enzyme activity is due to phosphonylation of an active site functional group. This discovery holds the promise of a new general class of beta-lactamase inhibitors and, perhaps, antibiotics.

Enterobacter↗

PubMed1989

Beta-lactamase-catalyzed aminolysis of depsipeptides: amine specificity and steady-state kinetics.

beta-Lactamases catalyze not only the hydrolysis but also the aminolysis of certain depsipeptides [Pratt, R. F., & Govardhan, C. P. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81, 1302-1306]. This paper explores further the specificity of the aminolysis reaction with respect to the structure of the amine and also the steady-state kinetics of the reaction. The amines preferred by the class C beta-lactamase of Enterobacter cloacae P99 appear to be aromatic D-alpha-amino acids. The general order of substrate effectiveness at pH 7.5 appears to be aromatic D-alpha-amino acids greater than large aliphatic D-alpha-amino acids greater than small aliphatic D-alpha-amino acids approximately small aliphatic L-alpha-amino acids greater than large L-alpha-amino acids. Charges on the aliphatic side chains seem unimportant. Ineffective as acyl acceptors were beta-amino acids, alpha-amino phosphonic acids, and, in general, amines, including amino acid carboxyl derivatives and peptides. There is thus strong evidence for specific interaction between the amine and the enzyme. A detailed kinetics study was made of the P99 beta-lactamase-catalyzed aminolysis of m-[[(phenylacetyl)glycyl]oxy]benzoic acid by D-phenylalanine. The steady-state kinetics were complex because of the presence of parallel enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis and aminolysis reactions. An empirical rate equation was obtained for the total reaction. This has important elements in common with that previously found for the aminolysis of specific peptides by the DD-peptidases of various Streptomyces strains [e.g., Frere, J.-M., Ghuysen, J.-M., Perkins, H.R., & Nieto, M. (1973) Biochem. J. 135, 483-492].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1989

Beta-lactamase-catalyzed aminolysis of depsipeptides: proof of the nonexistence of a specific D-phenylalanine/enzyme complex by double-label isotope trapping.

The steady-state kinetics of the Enterobacter cloacae P99 beta-lactamase-catalyzed aminolysis of the depsipeptide m-[[(phenylacetyl)glycyl]oxy]benzoic acid by D-phenylalanine were consistent with an ordered sequential mechanism with D-phenylalanine binding first [Pazhanisamy, S., Govardhan, C. P., & Pratt, R. F. (1989) Biochemistry (first of three papers in this issue)]. In terms of this mechanism, the kinetics data required that in 20 mM MOPS buffer, pH 7.5, the dissociation constant of the initially formed enzyme/D-phenylalanine complex be around 1.3 mM; at pH 9.0 in 0.1 M carbonate buffer, the complex should be somewhat more stable. Attempts to detect this complex in a binary mixture by spectroscopic methods (fluorescence, circular dichroic, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra) failed. Kinetic methods were also unsuccessful--the presence of 20 mM D-phenylalanine did not appear to affect beta-lactamase activity nor inhibition of the enzyme by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, phenylboronic acid, or (3-dansylamidophenyl)boronic acid. Equilibrium dialysis experiments appeared to indicate that the dissociation constant of any binary enzyme/D-phenylalanine complex must be somewhat higher than the kinetics allowed (greater than 2 mM). Since the kinetics also required that, at high depsipeptide concentrations, and again with the assumption of the ordered sequential mechanism, the reaction of the enzyme/D-phenylalanine complex to aminolysis products be faster than its reversion to enzyme and D-phenylalanine, a double-label isotope-trapping experiment was performed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Circular Dichroism↗

PubMed1989

Beta-lactamase-catalyzed aminolysis of depsipeptides: peptide inhibition and a new kinetic mechanism.

The aminolysis of the depsipeptide m-[[(phenylacetyl)glycyl]oxy]benzoic acid (1) by D-phenylalanine, catalyzed by the beta-lactamase of Enterobacter cloacae P99, is inhibited by the product of the reaction, (phenylacetyl)glycyl-D-phenylalanine (2), by the peptide analogue of 1, m-[(phenylacetyl)-glycinamido]benzoic acid (3), and by (3-dansylamidophenyl)boronic acid. Analysis of the steady-state kinetics of the effect of 2 and 3 on the reaction indicated that both a competitive binding mode and a noncompetitive binding mode existed for each peptide. Thus, there probably are two distinct binding sites (sites 1 and 2) that 2 and 3, and by implication 1, are able to simultaneously occupy on the enzyme surface. Given this information, it was possible to devise a new kinetic mechanism for the aminolysis reaction which yielded the experimentally observed empirical rate equation [Pazhanisamy, S., Govardhan, C. P., & Pratt, R. F. (1989) Biochemistry (first of three papers in this issue)] but did not involve initial binding of D-phenylalanine to the free enzyme, which has been shown not to occur [Pazhanisamy, S., & Pratt, R. F. (1989) Biochemistry (second of three papers in this issue)]. The mechanism requires two different 1:1 enzyme/1 complexes, only one of which leads to the hydrolysis and aminolysis reactions (1 in site 1), and a 1:2 enzyme/1 complex (1 in both sites), which leads only to hydrolysis. The dansyl boronate inhibits by binding competitively with 1 in site 1. It is suggested that this scheme also applies to the analogous transpeptidase reactions of small model peptides catalyzed by the bacterial cell wall DD-peptidases, where similar steady-state kinetics have been observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1989

Effect of the 3'-leaving group on turnover of cephem antibiotics by a class C beta-lactamase.

It has been previously demonstrated for class A beta-lactamases and the DD-peptidase of Streptomyces R61 that the presence of a leaving group at the 3'-position of a cephalosporin can lead to the generation of more-inert acyl-enzyme intermediates than from cephalosporins lacking such a leaving group, and thus to beta-lactamase inhibitors and potentially better antibiotics. In the present work we extend this result to a class C beta-lactamase, that of Enterobacter cloacae P99. The effect is not seen with first-generation cephalosporins, since here deacylation generally seems faster than elimination of the leaving group, but it does clearly appear with cephamycins and third-generation cephalosporins. The structural and/or mechanistic features of the active site giving rise to this phenomenon may thus be common to all serine beta-lactamases and transpeptidases.

Cephalexin↗

PubMed1989

A thiono-beta-lactam substrate for the beta-lactamase II of Bacillus cereus. Evidence for direct interaction between the essential metal ion and substrate.

An 8-thionocephalosporin was shown to be a substrate of the beta-lactamase II of Bacillus cereus, a zinc metalloenzyme. Although it is a poorer substrate, as judged by the Kcat./Km parameter, than the corresponding 8-oxocephalosporin, the discrimination against sulphur decreased when the bivalent metal ion in the enzyme active site was varied in the order Mn2+ (the manganese enzyme catalysed the hydrolysis of the oxo compound but not that of the thiono compound), Zn2+, Co2+ and Cd2+. This result is taken as evidence for kinetically significant direct contact between the active-site metal ion of beta-lactamase II and the beta-lactam carbonyl heteroatom. No evidence was obtained, however, for accumulation of an intermediate with such co-ordination present.

Bacillus cereus↗

PubMed1989

Chemical modification of the RTEM-1 thiol beta-lactamase by thiol-selective reagents: evidence for activation of the primary nucleophile of the beta-lactamase active site by adjacent functional groups.

The RTEM-1 thiol beta-lactamase (Sigal, I.S., Harwood, B.G., Arentzen, R., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 79:7157-7160, 1982) is inactivated by thiol-selective reagents such as iodoacetamide, methyl methanethiosulfonate, and 4,4'-dipyridyldisulfide, which modify the active site thiol group. The pH-rate profiles of these inactivation reactions show that there are two nucleophilic forms of the enzyme, EH2 and EH, both of which, by analogy with the situation with cysteine proteinases, probably contain the active site nucleophile in the thiolate form. The pKa of the active site thiol is therefore shown by the data to be below 4.0. This low pKa is thought to reflect the presence of adjacent functionality which stabilizes the thiolate anion. The low nucleophilicity of the thiolate in both EH2 and EH, with respect to that of cysteine proteinases and model compounds, suggests that the thiolate of the thiol beta-lactamase is stabilized by two hydrogen-bond donors. One of these, of pKa greater than 9.0, is suggested to be the conserved and essential Lys-73 ammonium group, while the identity of the other group, of pKa around 6.7, is less clear, but may be the conserved Glu-166 carboxylic acid. beta-Lactamase activity is associated with the EH2 form, and thus the beta-lactamase active site is proposed to contain one basic or nucleophilic group (the thiolate in the thiol beta-lactamase) and two acidic (hydrogen-bond donor) groups (one of which is likely to be the above-mentioned lysine ammonium group).

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1988

Evidence for an oxyanion hole in serine beta-lactamases and DD-peptidases.

A thionocephalosporin is shown to be a much poorer substrate of representative serine beta-lactamases of class A (RTEM-2) and class C (Enterobacter cloacae P99) and a much poorer inhibitor of the Streptomyces R61 DD-peptidase than is the analogous oxo beta-lactam. These results provide kinetic evidence for the existence of a catalytic oxyanion hole in these enzymes.

Carboxypeptidases↗

PubMed1988

Accumulation of acyl-enzyme intermediates during turnover of penicillins by the class A beta-lactamase of Staphylococcus aureus PC1.

The interaction of dansylpenicillin with the class A Staphylococcus aureus PCI beta-lactamase yielded an accumulating intermediate with fluorescence enhanced beyond that of the substrate. Acid quenching of the reaction mixture yielded a denatured enzyme with 1 molar equivalent of dansyl group covalently bound to it. A similar quenching experiment with the PC1 beta-lactamase and [14C]benzylpenicillin yielded an enzyme with 1 molar equivalent of 14C covalently bound. These data indicate that in turnover of S-type penicillins by the PC1 beta-lactamase deacylation is rate-determining. This has not indicate previously been demonstrated for a class A beta-lactamase.

Dansyl Compounds↗

PubMed1987

Kinetics and mechanism of inactivation of the RTEM-2 beta-lactamase by phenylpropynal. Identification of the characteristic chromophore.

beta-Lactamases of all three classes, A, B, and C, are inactivated by phenylpropynal and p-nitrophenylpropynal. The inactivation of RTEM-2 beta-lactamase and of Bacillus cereus beta-lactamase I is accelerated in the presence of A type substrates such as dicloxacillin, quinacillin, and cefoxitin, which are thought to expand or loosen the conformation of these enzymes. In the presence and absence of cefoxitin the inactivation of the RTEM-2 beta-lactamase is first and second order, respectively, in phenylpropynal concentration. The additional phenylpropynal molecule in the latter case may serve the same function as cefoxitin, viz. catalyze access to sensitive functional groups. Correlation of the loss of activity of the RTEM-2 enzyme with the extent of modification suggests that the modification of any one of about four kinetically equivalent groups leads to inactivation. Modification of all of the above mentioned enzymes leads to formation of a characteristic chromophore of unusual stability to nucleophiles, which absorbs maximally between 315 and 320 nm. A consideration of the properties of model compounds demonstrated that the protein-bound chromophore is that of a 1-phenyl-3-imino-1-propen-1-ammonium ion (Formula: see text), formed by reaction of phenylpropynal with two enzymic amine groups, and thus cross-linking the enzyme intramolecularly. Phenylpropynal may be a convenient general reagent for rapid and stable intramolecular cross-linking of proteins through lysine.

Aldehydes↗

PubMed1987

Inactivation of the thiol RTEM-1 beta-lactamase by 6-beta-bromopenicillanic acid. Identity of the primary active-site nucleophile.

The thiol RTEM-1 beta-lactamase [Sigal, Harwood & Arentzen (1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 79, 7157-7160] is inactivated by 6-beta-bromopenicillanic acid with formation of a characteristic chromophore, absorbing maximally at 350 nm, which is covalently bound to the enzyme. Model studies suggest that the chromophore is that of a 6-carboxylate thiol ester of 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-1,4-thiazine-3,6-dicarboxylate, which can arise by rearrangement of the thiol-penicilloate obtained by thiolysis of the beta-lactam of 6-beta-bromopenicillanate. Loss of activity of the enzyme is also concerted with disappearance of its single (cysteine) thiol group. These results indicate that the thiol group of this enzyme is indeed a nucleophilic catalyst in beta-lactam turnover. The thiol beta-lactamase is also inactivated by clavulanic acid with formation of a chromophore, presumably a 3-aminoacrylate thiol ester, at 308 nm. Both 6-beta-bromopenicillanate and clavulanate are hydrolysed more slowly by the thiol enzyme than by the native serine beta-lactamase, but, probably as a consequence of this, both compounds inactivate the former enzyme more efficiently. Cefoxitin, a poor substrate of the native enzyme, does not appear to interact covalently with the thiol beta-lactamase.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1987

Nucleophilic re-activation of the PC1 beta-lactamase of Staphylococcus aureus and of the DD-peptidase of Streptomyces R61 after their inactivation by cephalosporins and cephamycins.

It has been shown previously [Faraci & Pratt (1985) Biochemistry 24, 903-910; (1986) Biochemistry 25, 2934-2941; (1986) Biochem. J. 238, 309-312] that certain beta-lactam-processing enzymes form inert acyl-enzymes with cephems that possess good leaving groups at the C-3' position. These inert species arise by elimination of the leaving group from the initially formed and more rapidly hydrolysing acyl-enzyme, which has the 'normal' cephalosporoate structure. The present paper shows that a strong nucleophile, thiophenoxide, can catalyse the re-activation of three examples of these inert acyl-enzymes, generated on reaction of cephalothin and cefoxitin with the PC1 beta-lactamase of Staphylococcus aureus and of cephalothin with D-alanyl-D-alanine transpeptidase/carboxypeptidase of Streptomyces R61. In view of the reversibility of the elimination reaction, demonstrated in model systems [Pratt & Faraci (1986) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 108, 5328-5333], this catalysis is proposed to arise through nucleophilic addition to the exo-methylene carbon atom of the inert acyl-enzyme to regenerate a more rapidly hydrolysing normal cephalosporoate. Strong support for this scenario was obtained through comparison of the kinetics of the catalysed re-activation reaction with those of turnover of the relevant 3'-thiophenoxycephems, thiophenoxycephalothin and thiophenoxycefoxitin. The enzymes appear to stabilize the products of the elimination reaction with respect to the normal cephalosporoate, but more strongly to destabilize the transition states. The effects of other nucleophiles, including cysteine, glycine amide and imidazole, on the above enzymes and on other beta-lactamases can be understood in terms of the model reaction kinetics and thermodynamics.

Carboxypeptidases↗

PubMed1987

A fluorescent ligand for binding studies with glycopeptide antibiotics of the vancomycin class.

A fluorescent tripeptide, epsilon-N-acetyl-alpha-N-dansyl-L-lysyl-D-alanyl-D-alanine, has been prepared in order to study the thermodynamics and kinetics of the binding of peptides and peptide analogs to the glycopeptide antibiotics. On titration of the tripeptide with typical examples of these antibiotics (vancomycin, ristocetin, alpha- and beta-avoparcin, and teichoplanin), a substantial increase in dansyl fluorescence intensity is observed, allowing the ready determination of binding constants. The binding constants of nonfluorescent ligands can be determined by titration in competition with the fluorescent compound. This new general method for the determination of ligand-binding constants is superior to previous methods in ease of performance, in its sensitivity at low antibiotic concentrations, and in its applicability to ultraviolet-light-absorbing ligands. Biphenomycin gave no indication of binding to D-alanyl-D-alanine-terminating peptides.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗