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Effects of essential fatty acid deficiency and supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) on cellular fatty acid compositions and fatty acyl desaturation in a cell culture model.

The desaturation of [1-(14)C] 18:3n-3 to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) is enhanced in an essential fatty acid deficient cell line (EPC-EFAD) in comparison with the parent cell line (EPC) from carp. In the present study, the effects of DHA on lipid and fatty acid compositions, and the metabolism of [1-(14)C]18:3n-3 were investigated in EPC-EFAD cells in comparison with EPC cells. DHA supplementation had only relatively minor effects on lipid content and lipid class compositions in both EPC and EPC-EFAD cells, but significantly increased the amount of DHA, 22:5n-3, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3), total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), total PUFA and saturated fatty acids in total lipid and total polar lipid in both cell lines. Retroconversion of supplemental DHA to EPA was significantly greater in EPC cells. Monounsaturated fatty acids, n-9 and n-6PUFA were all decreased in total lipid and total polar lipid in both cell lines by DHA supplementation. The incorporation of [1-(14)C]18:3n-3 was greater into EPC-EFAD compared to EPC cells but DHA had no effect on the incorporation of [1-(14)C]18:3n-3 in either cell line. In contrast, the conversion of [1-(14)C]18:3n-3 to tetraenes, pentaenes and total desaturation products was similar in the two cell lines and was significantly reduced by DHA supplementation in both cell lines. However, the production of DHA from [1-(14)C]18:3n-3 was significantly greater in EPC-EFAD cells compared to EPC cells and, whereas DHA supplementation had no effect on the production of DHA from [1-(14)C]18:3n-3 in EPC cells, DHA supplementation significantly reduced the production of DHA from [1-(14)C] 18:3n-3 in EPC-EFAD cells. Greater production of DHA in EPC-EFAD cells could be a direct result of significantly lower levels of end-product DHA in these cells' lipids compared to EPC cells. Consistent with this, the suppression of DHA production upon DHA supplementation was associated with increased cellular and membrane DHA concentrations in EPC-EFAD cells. However, an increase in cellular DHA content to similar levels failed to suppress DHA production in DHA-supplemented EPC cells. A possible explanation is that greatly increased levels of EPA, derived from retroconversion of the added DHA, acts to offset the suppression of the pathway by DHA by stimulating conversion of EPA to DHA in DHA-supplemented EPC cells.

Animals↗

Hydroxylation of quinaldic acid: quinaldic acid 4-monooxygenase from Alcaligenes sp. F-2 versus quinaldic acid 4-oxidoreductases.

The N-heterocycles quinaldic acid (quinoline 2-carboxylic acid), kynurenic acid (4-hydroxyquinoline 2-carboxylic acid), 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline, and xanthine are utilized by Alcaligenes sp. F-2 as sole source of carbon and energy. Although quinoline did not serve as growth substrate, 8-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline and 8-hydroxycoumarin, metabolites of the 'coumarin pathway' of quinoline catabolism, were isolated from the culture fluid during growth on 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline. Contrary to Serratia marcescens 2CC-1 and Pseudomonas sp. AK-2 (Sauter et al. (1993) Biol. Chem. Hoppe-Seyler 374, 1037-1046), which possess different molybdenum-containing hydroxylases catalysing the 4-hydroxylation of quinaldic acid to kynurenic acid with incorporation of oxygen derived from water and concomitant reduction of an electron acceptor, Alcaligenes sp. F-2 contains an inducible quinaldic acid 4-monooxygenase that catalyses the very same conversion in the presence of O2 and NADH. The activity of the monooxygenase was enhanced 1.5-fold by Fe2+ ions. The extremely thermolabile enzyme (apparent molecular mass: 155 kDa) exclusively accepted quinaldic acid as substrate. The 'pseudosubstrates' menadione, 8-hydroxyquinoline, and 8-hydroxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline effected consumption of NADH and oxygen without being hydroxylated. Quinaldic acid 4-monooxygenase was inhibited by sulfhydryl modifying and chelating agents, and by various divalent metal ions, whereas reducing agents did not affect enzymatic activity.

Alcaligenes↗

Synthesis, characterization, and use of 2-[(2H(9))butoxy]acetic acid and 2-(3-methylbutoxy)acetic acid as an internal standard and an instrument performance surrogate, respectively, for the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of 2-butoxyacetic acid, a human metabolite of 2-butoxyethanol.

2-[(2H(9))Butoxy]acetic acid and 2-(3-methylbutoxy)acetic acid were synthesized, mixed with 2-butoxyacetic acid, and separated by capillary gas chromatography on a fused-silica column with a length of 50 m, inside diameter of 0.200 mm, and a "free fatty acid phase" wall coating of 0.3 microm film. 2-[(2H(9))Butoxy]acetic acid, 2-butoxyacetic acid, and 2-(3-methylbutoxy)acetic acid were baseline resolved at retention times of 13.55, 13.78, and 15.20 min; 2-(3-methylbutoxy)acetic acid having a peak efficiency of 360,000. Mass spectrometric detection using selected ion monitoring at m/z 66, 57, and 71 showed linear analytical responses from 0.04 ng to at least 200 ng with a limit of detection of 0.04 ng for 2-butoxyacetic acid.

Calibration↗

High-acidity determination in salt-containing acids by optical sensors. The scope of a dual-transducer approach and the Hammett acidity function.

A dual-transducer approach based on sol-gel optical sensors was recently reported to measure acid and salt concentrations, C(acid) and C(salt), in concentrated aqueous LiCl-HCl, CaCl2-HCl, and AlCl3-HCl solutions (C(acid) at 5-6 M; C(salt) < or = 2 M). The scope of this new approach has been studied in salt-containing HCl solutions with C(acid) at 2-9 M, and factors that influence sensor responses and accuracy have been investigated. A linear relationship between (deltaA/deltaC(salt))C(acid) and (dA/dC(acid))C(salt)=0, which is the basis of this dual-transducer approach, was found to lead to an empirical linear relationship between (deltaH0)C(acid) and (deltaC(salt))C(acid) (H0: Hammett acidity function of the indicator encapsulated in the sensor).

Journal Article↗

Rationale for the acidity of Meldrum's acid. Consistent relation of C-H acidities to the properties of localized reactive orbital.

Detailed investigation on the origin of the acidity of the alpha-protons of a set of the carbonyl molecules was carried out on the basis of properties of the localized molecular orbital. An anomalously high acidity of Meldrum's acid, as compared with those of dimedone and dimethyl malonate, is one of the well-known but unresolved issues. The well-localized sigma orbitals of the C-H bonds at the alpha-position of the carbonyl groups can be obtained with the reactive hybrid orbital (RHO) theory. We found that the energy levels of the unoccupied RHOs of the C-H moiety of Meldrum's acid and other carbonyl compounds showed a good linear correlation with the experimental deprotonation energies. This is probably because the deprotonation reaction to form the proposed naked anions in a polar solvent is a highly endothermic process, in which the thermodynamic energy differences between the neutral molecules and the corresponding anions approximately coincide with the activation energies. We also investigated the effect of the conformational change upon deprotonation on the electron-accepting energy level of the relevant C-H bonds of cyclic/acyclic and monocarbonyl/dicarbonyl compounds. A conformational change occurs in the cases of cyclic six-membered compounds, but its influence on the reactivity of the C-H bond is small. The acidity of dicarbonyl compounds, including Meldrum's acid, showed a good correlation with the deviations from the perpendicular position of the dihedral angles of the relevant C-H bond with respect to the adjacent carbonyl C=O bond. This angle parameter can be related to the magnitude of the in-phase orbital interaction between the sigma(CH) and pi(C)(=)(O) orbitals, which facilitate electron acceptance. These results indicated that the acidity of the alpha-proton of carbonyl compounds can be represented in terms of the electron-accepting orbital levels of the unoccupied RHO of the C-H moiety. All the linear relationships found in the present work strongly suggested that the acidity of Meldrum's acid, which is conventionally regarded as an anomaly, is consistent with those of the other carbonyl compounds.

Journal Article↗

Production of succinic Acid from citric Acid and related acids by lactobacillus strains.

A number of Lactobacillus strains produced succinic acid in de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe broth to various extents. Among 86 fresh isolates from fermented cane molasses in Thailand, 30 strains (35%) produced succinic acid; namely, 23 of 39 Lactobacillus reuteri strains, 6 of 18 L. cellobiosus strains, and 1 of 6 unidentified strains. All of 10 L. casei subsp. casei strains, 5 L. casei subsp. rhamnosus strains, 6 L. mali strains, and 2 L. buchneri strains did not produce succinic acid. Among 58 known strains including 48 type strains of different Lactobacillus species, the strains of L. acidophilus, L. crispatus, L. jensenii, and L. parvus produced succinic acid to the same extent as the most active fresh isolates, and those of L. alimentarius, L. collinoides, L. farciminis, L. fructivorans (1 of 2 strains tested), L. malefermentans, and L. reuteri were also positive, to lesser extents. Diammonium citrate in de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe broth was determined as a precursor of the succinic acid produced. Production rates were about 70% on a molar basis with two fresh strains tested. Succinic acid was also produced from fumaric and malic acids but not from dl-isocitric, alpha-ketoglutaric, and pyruvic acids. The present study is considered to provide the first evidence on the production of succinic acid, an important flavoring substance in dairy products and fermented beverages, from citrate by lactobacilli.

Journal Article↗

Comparison of acid ethanol extraction and acid gel filtration prior to IGF-I and IGF-II radioimmunoassays: improvement of determinations in acid ethanol extracts by the use of truncated IGF-I as radioligand.

Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins interfere in the IGF-I and -II radioimmunoassays. In an attempt to overcome this problem, we have compared the use of truncated IGF-I, with reduced IGFBP affinity, and IGF-I as radioligands for IGF-I RIA measurements in serum separated by acid gel filtration or acid ethanol extraction followed by cryo-precipitation. With truncated IGF-I as radioligand the IGF-I measurements in acid gel filtrates and acid ethanol extracts were significantly correlated in healthy subjects (N = 42, r = 0.91, p less than 0.001) and in patients with acromegaly (N = 10, r = 0.85, p less than 0.01), GH deficiency (N = 10, r = 0.88, p less than 0.001) or Type I diabetes mellitus (N = 10, r = 0.90, p less than 0.001). In contrast, the IGF-I concentrations in acid ethanol extracts determined with IGF-I as radioligand did not correlate with those in acid gel filtrates using truncated IGF-I radioligand in patients with acromegaly (r = 0.61, NS) or GH deficiency (r = 0.46, NS). In the latter group the mean IGF-I concentrations measured in acid ethanol extracts were erroneously elevated by 112%. Low-affinity antibodies used for IGF-II RIA determinations failed to give reliable results in acid ethanol extracts from patients with Type I diabetes mellitus or GH deficiency. In conclusion, erroneously high IGF-I concentrations owing to binding of the radioligand to IGFBPs not completely removed by acid ethanol extraction can be avoided by the use of truncated IGF-I as radioligand.

Acromegaly↗

The omega-hydroxlyation of lauric acid: oxidation of 12-hydroxlauric acid to dodecanedioic acid by a purified recombinant fusion protein containing P450 4A1 and NADPH-P450 reductase.

The recombinant fusion protein rF450[mRat4Al/mRatOR]L1, containing the heme domain of P450 4A1 and the flavin domains of NADPH-P450 reductase, when incubated with dilaurylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC), Chaps, cytochrome b5, and a 20-fold excess of purified NADPH-P450 reductase, catalyzes the omega- oxidation of lauric acid at a rate of about 300 nmol/min/nmol P450. This is the first report of a mammalian P450 enzyme with such a high turnover number. The resultant 12-hydroxydodecanoic acid [12-hydroxylauric acid (12-OH LA)] is further oxidized by the P450 oxygenase reaction to dodecanedioic acid (decane-1,10-dicarboxylic acid) via 12,12-dihydroxydodecanoic acid. Spectral binding studies show that 12-OH LA inhibits the binding of lauric acid to the active site of P450 with a Ki of about 1.9 microM. The construction and expression of recombinant P450 4A1 containing a six-member polyhistidine domain at the carboxy-terminus of the protein is described. Reconstitution experiments with this purified recombinant P450 4A1, DLPC, Chaps, b5, and purified NADPH-P450 reductase show results similar to those obtained with the purified fusion protein, albeit at lower turnover rates. The requirement for normal-phase HPLC in resolving the metabolites formed during lauric acid metabolism is demonstrated.

Animals↗

Activities of fatty acid desaturases and fatty acid composition of liver microsomes in rats fed beta-carotene and 13-cis-retinoic acid.

The fatty acid composition of microsomal lipids and the activities of delta 9- and delta 6-desaturases in liver microsomes of rats fed diets supplemented with beta-carotene and two levels of 13-cis-retinoic acid were studied. Four groups of male, weanling rats were fed semipurified diets containing 0 or 100 mg beta-carotene per kg diet, and 20 or 100 mg 13-cis-retinoic acid per kg diet. After 11 weeks of feeding, the rats were killed, liver microsomes were prepared and assayed for delta 9-desaturase and delta 6-desaturase activities. The activity of delta 9-desaturase was lower in liver microsomes of rats fed beta-carotene-supplemented diet or the diet supplemented with the higher level of 13-cis-retinoic acid. Microsomal delta 6-desaturase activity was, however, higher in liver of rats fed 13-cis retinoic acid; there was no effect of beta-carotene on delta 6-desaturase activity. The fatty acid compositional data on total lipids of liver microsomes were consistent with the diet-induced changes in fatty acid desaturases. Phospholipid composition of liver microsomes was also altered as a result of feeding beta-carotene or 13-cis-retinoic acid-containing diets. The proportions of phosphatidylethanolamine were generally higher, whereas those of phosphatidylcholine were lower in the experimental groups as compared with the control.

Animals↗

Effect of di-N-propylacetic acid (valproic acid) on the TSH response to TRH--a presumptive role for gamma aminobutyric acid.

The effect of di-n-propylacetic acid (valproic acid), an inhibitor of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) transaminase, was studied with reference to its effect on the serum concentration of thyroid hormones, baseline serum TSH concentration and TRH stimulated TSH release, in seven normal controls and six patients with primary hypothyroidism. All volunteers took 250 mg of valproic acid administered orally, four times daily for 3 days. Baseline serum T4 and TSH concentrations were unaffected by valproic acid administration (p less than 0.05) while serum T3 concentrations fell in all volunteers (p less than 0.001). Serum T3 concentration (mean +/- SD) fell from 116.3 +/- 18 ng/dl to 101.7 +/- 15 ng/dl in the control group and from 94.2 +/- 47.9 ng/dl to 81.5 +/- 43.2 ng/dl in the hypothyroid group. Valproic acid produced a decline in stimulated serum TSH concentrations (delta TSH--maximum increment above baseline) in all controls and patients studied (p less than 0.01). delta TSH (mean +/- SD) declined from 16.1 +/- 4.7 microunits/ml to 10.5 +/- 5.8 microunits/ml in the control subjects and from 43.1 +/- 25.4 microunits/ml to 29.7 +/- 18 microunits/ml in the hypothyroid patients. Based on the data presented, it is postulated that GABA plays an inhibitory role either by acting directly on the pituitary gland inhibiting TSH release, or by inducing the secretion of a hypothalamic TSH-inhibitory factor. The data do not exclude a direct pharmacological effect of valproic acid on pituitary TSH release. Decrease in serum T3 following valproic acid may be due to peripheral mechanisms.

4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase↗

Metabolism of icosa-5,11,14-trienoic acid in human platelets and the inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism in human platelets by icosa-5,8,14-triynoic and icosa-5,11,14-triynoic acids.

Two fatty acids differing from arachidonic acid in lacking one of the internal double bonds (20:35,8,14 and 20:35,11,14) and their 1-C14 and acetylenic analogues were synthesized. 20:35,8,14 was not metabolized by human platelets but 20:35,11,14 yielded a small amount (1.5% conversion) of two hydroxy fatty acids in a three (11-hydroxy-5,12,14-icosatrienoic acid) to one (15-hydroxy-5,11,13-icosatrienoic acid) proportion. Indomethacin inhibited formation of both hydroxy fatty acids indicating that they are produced via cyclooxygenase. Both ethylenic acids were weak inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (substrate 20 microM arachidonic acid) (ID50: 8.8 microM 20:35,8,14; 11.2 microM 20:35,11,14) but were inactive against lipoxygenase (ID50 greater than 100 microM). Similarly, both acetylenic analogues were poor inhibitors of lipoxygenase (ID50: 23.4 microM 20:35,8,14; 47.8 microM 20:35,11,14) but although 20:35,8,14 was inactive against cyclooxygenase (ID50 greater than 100 microM) the 20:35,11,14 was a potent inhibitor (ID50: 0.35 microM). The results are interpreted on the basis that hydrogen removal by the lipoxygenase is from C10 and by the cyclooxygenase from C13 but only in 20:35,11,14 are these hydrogens (C13) located at the center of a 1,4 cis cis pentadiene system (ethylenic) or a 1,4 pentadiyne system (acetylenic).

Arachidonate Lipoxygenases↗

Conductometric simultaneous determination of acetic acid, monochloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid using orthogonal signal correction-partial least squares.

A simultaneous conductometric titration method for determination of mixtures of acetic acid, monochloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid based on the multivariate calibration partial least squares is proposed. It is possible to obtain an adjustable model to relate squared concentration values of the mixtures used in the calibration range by conductance. The effect of orthogonal signal correction (OSC) as a preprocessing technique used to remove the information unrelated to the target variables is studied. The calibration model was build using conductometric titrations data of 16 mixtures of three acids. The concentration matrix was designed by a orthogonal design. The root mean squares error of prediction (RMSEP) for acetic acid, monochloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid with and without OSC were 0.08, 0.30 and 0.08, and 0.15, 0.40 and 0.18, respectively. The results obtained by OSC-PLS are better than the PLS and this indicate the successful application of the OSC filter as a good preprocessing method in multivariate calibration methods. The proposed procedure allows the simultaneous determination of these acids, in the synthetic mixtures.

Acetates↗

Purification and characterization of cannabidiolic-acid synthase from Cannabis sativa L.. Biochemical analysis of a novel enzyme that catalyzes the oxidocyclization of cannabigerolic acid to cannabidiolic acid.

We identified a unique enzyme that catalyzes the oxidocyclization of cannabigerolic acid to cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) in Cannabis sativa L. (CBDA strain). The enzyme, named CBDA synthase, was purified to apparent homogeneity by a four-step procedure: ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B, and hydroxylapatite. The active enzyme consists of a single polypeptide with a molecular mass of 74 kDa and a pI of 6.1. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of CBDA synthase is similar to that of Delta1-tetrahydrocannabinolic-acid synthase. CBDA synthase does not require coenzymes, molecular oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and metal ion cofactors for the oxidocyclization reaction. These results indicate that CBDA synthase is neither an oxygenase nor a peroxidase and that the enzymatic cyclization does not proceed via oxygenated intermediates. CBDA synthase catalyzes the formation of CBDA from cannabinerolic acid as well as cannabigerolic acid, although the kcat for the former (0.03 s-1) is lower than that for the latter (0.19 s-1). Therefore, we conclude that CBDA is predominantly biosynthesized from cannabigerolic acid rather than cannabinerolic acid.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid increase systemic arterial compliance in humans.

BACKGROUND: n-3 Fatty acids influence vascular function, but the effect of individual fatty acids on systemic arterial compliance (SAC) has not been reported. SAC, which reflects arterial elasticity, is emerging as a new cardiovascular risk factor and appears to predict future cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVE: We tested whether the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improve SAC in dyslipidemic subjects. DESIGN: Thirty-eight dyslipidemic subjects were randomly assigned to receive 3 g EPA/d (n = 12), 3 g DHA/d (n = 12), or a placebo (n = 14) in a 7-wk parallel, double-blind trial. Arterial functions were measured at the beginning and end of the interventions. Plasma lipids and plasma fatty acids were also measured. RESULTS: Consumption of the n-3 fatty acids significantly increased SAC, whereas consumption of the placebo did not (P = 0.043; repeated-measures analysis of variance across the 3 groups); the increase was 36% with EPA and 27% with DHA. The major components contributing to the increase in SAC (systolic and pulse pressures and total vascular resistance) tended to decrease but not significantly. Plasma total and VLDL triacylglycerol were significantly lower in the n-3 fatty acid groups (P = 0.026 and 0.006, respectively; repeated-measures analysis of variance) than in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: EPA and DHA increase SAC and tend to reduce pulse pressure and total vascular resistance, effects that may reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events.

Adult↗

CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase of Escherichia coli: high level expression, purification and use in the enzymatic synthesis of CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid and CMP-neuraminic acid derivatives.

The gene encoding CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid (CMP-NeuAc) synthetase (EC 2.7.7.43) in Escherichia coli serotype O7 K1 was isolated and overexpressed in E.coli W3110. Maximum expression of 8-10% of the soluble E.coli protein was achieved by placing the gene with an engineered 5'-terminus and Shine-Dalgarno sequence into a pKK223 vector derivative behind the tac promoter. The overexpressed synthetase was purified to greater than 95% homogeneity in a single step by chromatography on high titre Orange A Matrex dye resin. Enzyme purified by this method was used directly for the synthesis of CMP-NeuAc and derivatives. The enzymatic synthesis of CMP-NeuAc was carried out on a multigram scale using equimolar CTP and N-acetylneuraminic acid as substrates. The resultant CMP-NeuAc, isolated as its disodium salt by ethanol precipitation, was prepared in an overall yield of 94% and was judged to be greater than 95% pure by 1H NMR analysis. N-Carbomethoxyneuraminic acid and N-carbobenzyloxyneuraminic acid were also found to be substrates of the enzyme; 5-azidoneuraminic acid was not a substrate of the enzyme. N-Carbomethoxyneuraminic acid was coupled to CMP at a rate similar to that observed with NeuAc, whereas N-carbobenzyloxyneuraminic acid was coupled greater than 100-fold more slowly. The high level of expression achieved with the E.coli synthetase, together with the high degree of purity readily obtainable from crude cell extracts, make the recombinant bacterial enzyme the preferred catalyst for the enzymatic synthesis of CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of cephamycin C synthesis, aspartokinase, dihydrodipicolinic acid synthetase, and homoserine dehydrogenase by aspartic acid family amino acids in Streptomyces clavuligerus.

The effect of the cephalosporin precursors and amino acids of the aspartic acid family on antibiotic production by Streptomyces clavuligerus was investigated DL-meso-Diaminopimelate and L-lysine each stimulated specific antibiotic production by 75%. A fourfold increase in specific production was obtained by simultaneous addition of the two compounds. The stimulation could be further increased by adding valine to the two effectors. In the streptomycetes the alpha-aminoadipyl side chain of the cephalosporin antibiotics is derived from lysine. Streptomycetes, like other bacteria, are expected to produce lysine from aspartic acid; therefore, the feedback control mechanisms operating in the aspartic acid family pathway of S. clavuligerus, which may affect the flow of carbon to alpha-aminoadipic acid, were investigated. Threonine inhibited antibiotic production by 41% when added to minimal medium at a concentration of 10 mM. Simultaneous addition of 10 mM lysine completely reversed this inhibition. The aspartokinase of S. clavuligerus was found to be subject to concerted feedback inhibition by threonine and lysine. Threonine may act to limit the supply of lysine available for cephamycin C biosynthesis via this concerted mechanism. Single or simultaneous addition of any other amino acid of the aspartate family in the in vitro assay did not inhibit aspartokinase activity. Activity was stimulated by lysine. Aspartokinase biosynthesis was partially repressed by methionine or isoleucine at concentrations higher than 10 mM. Methionine, but not isoleucine, inhibited cephamycin C synthesis by 27% when added to minimal medium at a concentration of 10 mM. Dihydrodipicolinate synthetase, the first specific enzyme of the lysine branch, was not inhibited by lysine but was partially inhibited by high concentrations of 2,6-diaminopimelate and alpha-aminoadipate; it was slightly repressed by diaminopimelic acid. Homoserine dehydrogenase activity was inhibited by threonine and partially repressed by isoleucine. It appears that S. clavuligerus aspartokinase is a key step in the control of carbon flow toward alpha-aminoadipic acid.

2-Aminoadipic Acid↗

Methoxylated fatty acids reported in Rhizobium isolates arise from chemical alterations of common fatty acids upon acid-catalyzed transesterification procedures.

We obtained from a phospholipid extract of wild-type Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii ANU843 methoxylated fatty acids that had been previously reported as constitutive unusual Rhizobium fatty acids. The use of deuterated reagents and subsequent gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses showed that these methoxylated fatty acid derivatives are the products of chemical alterations of common cyclopropane-containing and unsaturated fatty acids occurring during various acid-catalyzed transesterification treatments aimed at producing the methyl ester derivatives. Similar results were obtained from a phospholipid extract of Escherichia coli K-12. In contrast, these chemical alterations were not induced by an alkaline methanolysis method of transesterification. If an acidic treatment is needed to release the fatty acids from the source molecule, the finding of unusual methoxylated fatty acids should be carefully confirmed with deuterated reagents.

Acids↗

Alternative lipids to usual omega 6 PUFAS: gamma-linolenic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, EPA, etc.

The intravenous administration of parenteral fat emulsions is widely used in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) to supply essential fatty acids and concentrated energy in a relatively small volume of isotonic solution. They contain very high amounts of linoleic acid and usually about 8% of alpha-linolenic acid calculated in the fat phase (10 or 20% of the total emulsion). Most of the time one emulsion is given as the sole source of fat, giving direct venous entry to a fatty acid composition substantially different from that encountered in a normal diet. Since the latter greatly influences the fatty acid composition of phospholipids which are critical determinants of membrane structural properties influencing a variety of membrane functions (Fig. 1) (enzyme activity, membrane transport, receptor function) and functional precursors of intracellular and intercellular mediators (diacylglycerols, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, hydroxy fatty acids), do we provide the right fatty acid at the right place and the right time for efficient cell cell interaction? In other words, given the three roles of fatty acids--energetic, structural, functional--are we using the best strategy to avoid imbalances between the three roles?

Animals↗