PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “PYROPHOSPHATES”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 739 records · Page 41Linked to original sources

In vitro and in vivo age-related modification of human erythrocyte phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase.

Upon storage, human erythrocyte phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase (PRibPP synthetase, EC 2.7.6.1) from normal individuals was found to undergo a spontaneous dissociation into active enzyme components of much smaller molecular mass (60 000--90 000). These modified forms of enzyme exhibit kinetic properties different from the original large molecular weight enzyme (over 200 000). The small active components can be reversibly associated to form larger molecules in the presence of purine ribonucleotides as well as phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRibPP). ATP was found to be most effective in associating PRibPP synthetase, while guanylate nucleotides seem to have no effect. The large molecular weight components, once separated from the milieu, were not able to undergo further dissociation. Fresh or stored human white cell tissue homogenates were found to lack the low-molecular-weight enzyme under all our experimental conditions. A characteristic enzyme modification similar to that observed in stored erythrocyte was also noted in erythrocytes of increasing ages. The physiological significance of these findings to the regulatory function of PRibPP synthetase in purine metabolism in vivo is discussed.

Erythrocyte Aging↗

Thermodynamic limits on the size and size distribution of nucleic acids synthesized in vitro: the role of pyrophosphate hydrolysis.

The free-energy change of phosphodiester bond formation from nucleoside triphosphates is more favorable than with nucleoside diphosphates as substrates. Base-stacking interactions can make significant contributions to both delta G degrees ' values. Pyrophosphate hydrolysis when it accompanies the former reaction dominates all thermodynamic considerations. Three experimental situations are discussed in which high-molecular-weight polynucleotides are synthesized without a strong driving force for covalent bond formation. For one of these, a kinetic scheme is presented which encompasses an early narrow Poisson distribution of chain lengths with ultimate passage to a disperse equilibrium population of chain sizes. Hydrolytic removal of pyrophosphate expands the time scale for this undesirable process by a factor of 10(9), while it enormously elevates the thermodynamic ceiling for the average degrees of polymerization in the other two examples. The electron micrographically revealed broad size population from an early study of partial replication of a T7 DNA template is found to adhere (fortuitously) to a disperse most probable representation. Some possible origins are examined for the branched structures in this product, as well as in a later investigation of replication of this nucleic acid. The achievement of both very high molecular weights and sharply peaked size distributions in polynucleotides synthesized in vitro will require coupling to inorganic pyrophosphatase action as in vivo.

Calorimetry↗

Evidence for differential folding of farnesyl pyrophosphate in the active site of aristolochene synthase: a single-point mutation converts aristolochene synthase into an (E)-beta-farnesene synthase.

Sesquiterpene cyclases, many of which share significant structural similarity, catalyze the cyclization reactions of the universal alicyclic precursor farnesyl pyrophosphate to produce more than 300 different hydrocarbon skeletons with high regio- and stereospecificity. The molecular basis of this exquisite specificity is not well-understood, but the conformation adopted by FPP in the active site of a sesquiterpene cyclase is thought to be an important determinant of the reaction pathway. Aristolochene synthase (AS) from Penicillium roqueforti catalyzes the cyclization of farnesyl pyrophosphate to the bicyclic sesquiterpene aristolochene. The X-ray structure of AS suggested that the steric bulk of residue 92 was central in binding of FPP to the active site of AS in a quasi-cyclic conformation, thereby facilitating attack of C1 by the C10-C11 double bond to produce the cis-fused Decalin S-germacrene A. We demonstrate here that reduction of the size of the side chain of residue 92 leads to the production of the alicyclic sesquiterpenes (E)-beta- and (E,E)-alpha-farnesene. The relative amounts of linear products formed depended linearly on the size of the residues at position 92. ASY92A, in which Tyr92 had been replaced with Ala, produced almost 80% of alicyclic sesquiterpenes, suggesting an energetic separation of less than 0.8 kcal/mol between the cyclic and noncyclic reaction pathways. A mechanism by which FPP binds to the mutant enzymes in an extended conformation is proposed to explain the altered selectivity. The mutants also produced small amounts of additional hydrocarbons with a molecular weight of 204, namely, alpha-selinene, beta-selinene, selina-4,11-diene, (E,Z)-alpha-farnesene, and beta-bisabolene. The production of (E)-beta-farnesene and beta-bisabolene suggested that the initial cyclization of FPP to germacrene A in AS proceeded in a stepwise fashion through farnesyl cation.

Circular Dichroism↗

Toward rational design of ribonuclease inhibitors: high-resolution crystal structure of a ribonuclease A complex with a potent 3',5'-pyrophosphate-linked dinucleotide inhibitor.

The crystal structure of ribonuclease A (RNase A) in complex with pdUppA-3'-p [5'-phospho-2'-deoxyuridine-3'-pyrophosphate (P'-->5') adenosine 3'-phosphate] has been determined at 1.7 A resolution. This dinucleotide is the most potent low molecular weight inhibitor of RNase A reported to date (K(i) = 27 nM) and is also effective against two major nonpancreatic RNases: eosinophil-derived neurotoxin and RNase-4; in all cases, tight binding in large part derives from the unusual 3',5'-pyrophosphate internucleotide linkage [Russo, N., and Shapiro, R. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 14902-14908]. The design of pdUppA-3'-p was based on the crystal structure of RNase A complexed with 5'-diphosphoadenosine 3'-phosphate (ppA-3'-p) [Leonidas, D. D., Shapiro, R., Irons, L. I., Russo, N., and Acharya, K. R. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 5578-5588]. The adenosine of pdUppA-3'-p adopts an atypical syn conformation not observed for standard adenosine nucleotides bound to RNase A. This conformation, which allows extensive interactions with Asn 67, Gln 69, Asn 71, and His 119, is associated with the placement of the 5'-beta-phosphate of the adenylate, rather than alpha-phosphate, at the site where substrate phosphodiester bond cleavage occurs. The contacts of the deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate portion of pdUppA-3'-p appear to be responsible for the 9-fold increased affinity of this compound as compared to ppA-3'-p: the uracil base binds to Thr 45 in the same manner as previous pyrimidine inhibitors, and the terminal 5'-phosphate is positioned to form medium-range Coulombic interactions with Lys 66. The full potential benefit of these added interactions is not realized because of compensatory losses of hydrogen bonds of Lys 7 and Gln 11 with the terminal 3'-phosphate and the adenylate 5'-alpha-phosphate, which were not predicted by modeling. The results reported here have important implications for the design of improved inhibitors of RNase A and for the development of therapeutic agents to control the activities of RNase homologues such as eosinophil-derived neurotoxin and angiogenin that have roles in human pathologies.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Photoaffinity analogues of farnesyl pyrophosphate transferable by protein farnesyl transferase.

Farnesylation is a posttranslational lipid modification in which a 15-carbon farnesyl isoprenoid is linked via a thioether bond to specific cysteine residues of proteins in a reaction catalyzed by protein farnesyltransferase (FTase). We synthesized analogues (3-6) of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) to probe the range of modifications possible to the FPP skeleton which allow for efficient transfer by FTase. Photoaffinity analogues of FPP (5, 6) were prepared by substituting perfluorophenyl azide functional groups for the omega-terminal isoprene of FPP. Substituted anilines replace the omega-terminal isoprene in analogues 3 and 4. Compounds 3-5 were prepared by reductive amination of the appropriate anilines with 8-oxo-geranyl acetate, followed by ester hydrolysis, chlorination, and pyrophosphorylation. Additional substitution of three methylenes for the beta-isoprene of FPP gave photoprobe 6 in nine steps. Preparation of the analogues required TiCl(4)-mediated imine formation prior to NaBH(OAc)(3) reduction for anilines with a pK(a) < 1. The azide moiety was not affected by Ph(3)PCl(2) conversion of allylic alcohols 13-16 into corresponding chlorides 17-20. Analogues 3-6 are efficiently transferred to target N-dansyl-GCVLS peptide substrate by mammalian FTase. Comparison of analogue structures and kinetics of transfer to those of FPP reveals that ring fluorination and para substituents have little effect on the affinity of the analogue pyrophosphate for FTase and its transfer efficiency. These results are also supported with models of the analogue binding modes in the active site of FTase. The transferable azide photoprobe 5 photoinactivates FTase. Transferable analogues 5 and 6 allow the formation of appropriately posttranslationally modified photoreactive peptide probes of isoprene function.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Phosphorylation of ovalbumin by dry-heating in the presence of pyrophosphate: effect on protein structure and some properties.

Ovalbumin (OVA) was phosphorylated by dry-heating in the presence of pyrophosphate at pH 4.0 and 85 degrees C for 1 and 5 days, and the physicochemical and structural properties of phosphorylated OVA were investigated. The phosphorus content of OVA increased to 1.01% by phosphorylation, and the electrophoretic mobility of PP-OVA also increased. Although the solubility of dry-heated OVA decreased, the decrease was slightly depressed by phosphorylation. The circular dichroism spectra showed that the change of the secondary structure in the OVA molecule, as measured by alpha-helix content, was mild by phosphorylation. The exchange reaction between the sulfhydryl and disulfide groups was enhanced and the surface hydrophobicity of OVA increased by phosphorylation. The tryptophan fluorescence intensity of OVA decreased by phosphorylation, suggesting that the conformational change occurred in the OVA molecule by phosphorylation. Although the differential scanning calorimetry thermograms of OVA showed a lowering of the denaturation temperature from 78.3 to 70.1 degrees C by phosphorylation, the stability of OVA against heat-induced insolubility at pH 7.0 was improved. The results indicated molten (partially unfolded) conformations of OVA formed by dry-heating in the presence of pyrophosphate.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

3-D QSAR investigations of the inhibition of Leishmania major farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase by bisphosphonates.

We report the activities of 62 bisphosphonates as inhibitors of the Leishmania major mevalonate/isoprene biosynthesis pathway enzyme, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase. The compounds investigated exhibit activities (IC(50) values) ranging from approximately 100 nM to approximately 80 microM (corresponding to K(i) values as low as 10 nM). The most active compounds were found to be zoledronate (whose single-crystal X-ray structure is reported), pyridinyl-ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-bisphosphonates or picolyl aminomethylene bisphosphonates. However, N-alicyclic aminomethylene bisphosphonates, such as incadronate (N-cycloheptyl aminomethylene bisphosphonate), as well as aliphatic aminomethylene bisphosphonates containing short (n = 4, 5) alkyl chains, were also active, with IC(50) values in the 200-1700 nM range (corresponding to K(i) values of approximately 20-170 nM). Bisphosphonates containing longer or multiple (N,N-) alkyl substitutions were inactive, as were aromatic species lacking an o- or m-nitrogen atom in the ring, or possessing multiple halogen substitutions or a p-amino group. To put these observations on a more quantitative structural basis, we used three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship techniques: comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA), to investigate which structural features correlated with high activity. Training set results (N = 62 compounds) yielded good correlations with each technique (R(2) = 0.87 and 0.88, respectively), and were further validated by using a training/test set approach. Test set results (N = 24 compounds) indicated that IC(50) values could be predicted within factors of 2.9 and 2.7 for the CoMFA and CoMSIA methods, respectively. The CoMSIA fields indicated that a positive charge in the bisphosphonate side chain and a hydrophobic feature contributed significantly to activity. Overall, these results are of general interest since they represent the first detailed quantitative structure-activity relationship study of the inhibition of an expressed farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase enzyme by bisphosphonate inhibitors and that the activity of these inhibitors can be predicted within about a factor of 3 by using 3D-QSAR techniques.

Animals↗

Photoactive Analogs of Farnesyl Pyrophosphate Containing Benzoylbenzoate Esters: Synthesis and Application to Photoaffinity Labeling of Yeast Protein Farnesyltransferase.

Farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) is involved in a large number of cellular processes including the prenylation of transforming mutants of Ras proteins implicated in cancer. Photoactive analogs could provide useful information about enzyme active sites that bind farnesyl pyrophosphate; however, the availability of such compounds is extremely limited. Molecules that incorporate benzophenone moieties are attractive photoaffinity labeling reagents because of their useful photochemical properties. Here, the syntheses of two compounds, 3a and 3b, containing para- and meta-substituted benzoylbenzoates are described. Compounds 3a and 3b are competitive inhibitors (with respect to FPP) of yeast protein farnesyltransferase (PFTase) with K(i) values of 910 and 380 nM, respectively. Both compounds inactivate PFTase upon photolysis, resulting in as much as 44% inactivation of enzyme activity. Photolysis of PFTase in the presence of [(32)P]3a or of [(32)P]3b results in preferential labeling of the beta subunit, suggesting that this subunit is involved in prenyl group recognition. These compounds should be valuable tools for studying enzymes that utilize FPP as a substrate.

Journal Article↗

Kinetics of template-directed pyrophosphate-linked dideoxyguanylate synthesis as a function of 2-MeImpdG and poly(C) concentration: insights into the mechanism.

Aqueous solutions of deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate 2-methylimidazolide, 2-MeImpdG, yield primarily deoxyguanosine 5'-monophosphate, 5'dGMP, and pyrophosphate-linked dideoxyguanylate, dG5'ppdG, abbreviated G2p (see Chart 1). The initial rate of G2p formation, d[G2p]/dt in M h-1, determined at 23 degrees C, pH 7.8, 1.0 M NaCl and 0.2 M Mg2+ by timed high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, exhibits a second-order dependence on 2-MeImpdG concentration, [G]o, indicating a bimolecular mechanism of dimerization in the range 0.02 M < or = [G]o < or = 0.09 M. In the presence of polycytidylate, poly(C), G2p synthesis is accelerated and oligodeoxyguanylate products are formed by incorporation of 2-MeImpdG molecules. The kinetics of G2p formation as a function of both monomer and polymer concentration, expressed in C equivalents, were also determined under the above conditions and exhibited a complex behavior. Specifically, at a constant [poly(C)], values of d[G2p]/dt typically increased with [G]o with a parabolic upward curvature. At a constant [G]o, values of d[G2p]/dt increase with [poly(C)], but level off at the higher poly(C) concentrations. As [G]o increases this saturation occurs at a higher poly(C) concentration, a result opposite to expectation for a simple complexation of two reacting monomers with the catalyst prior to reaction. Nevertheless, these results are shown to be quantitatively consistent with a template-directed (TD) mechanism of dimerization where poly(C) acts as the template to bind 2-MeImpdG in a cooperative manner and lead, for the first time, to the formulation of principles that govern template-directed chemistry. Analysis of the kinetic data via a proposed TD cooperative model provides association constants for the affinity between polymer and monomer and the intrinsic reactivity of 2-MeImpdG toward pyrophosphate synthesis. To the best of our knowledge, poly(C)/2-MeImpdG is the first system that could serve as a textbook example of a TD reaction under conditions such that the template is fully saturated by monomers and under conditions that it is not.

Computer Simulation↗

Design and synthesis of a transferable farnesyl pyrophosphate analogue to Ras by protein farnesyltransferase.

The posttranslational addition of a farnesyl moiety to the Ras oncoprotein is essential for its membrane localization and is required for both its biological activity and ability to induce malignant transformation. We describe the design and synthesis of a farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) analogue, 8-anilinogeranyl pyrophosphate 3 (AGPP), in which the omega-terminal isoprene unit of the farnesyl group has been replaced with an aniline functionality. The key steps in the synthesis are the reductive amination of the alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde 5 to form the lipid analogue 6, and the subsequent conversion of the allylic alcohol 7 to the chloride 8 via Ph(3)PCl(2) followed by displacement with [(n-Bu)(4)N](3)HP(2)O(7) to give AGPP (3). AGPP is a substrate for protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) and is transferred to Ras by FTase with the same kinetics as the natural substrate, FPP. AGPP is highly selective, showing little inhibitory activity against either geranylgeranyl-protein transferase type I (GGTase I) (K(i) = 0.06 microM, IC(50) = 20 microM) or squalene synthase (IC(50) = 1000 microM). AGPP is the first efficiently transferable analogue of FPP to be modified at the omega-terminus that provides a platform from which additional analogues can be made to probe the biological function of protein farnesylation. AGPP is the first example of a class of compounds that are alternate substrates for protein isoprenylation that are not inhibitors of squalene synthase.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Fluorescent sensing of pyrophosphate and bis-carboxylates with charge neutral PET chemosensors.

[reaction: see text] The fluorescent photoinduced electron transfer (PET) chemosensors 2 and 3 were designed for the recognition of anions possessing two binding sides such as dicarboxylates and pyrophosphate; the anion recognition in DMSO takes place through the two charge neutral thiourea receptor sites with concomitant PET quenching of the anthracene moiety. The anion binding of acetate, phosphate, and pyrophosphate to 2 and 3 was also evaluated by using 1H NMR in DMSO-d6.

Anions↗

Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase encoded by the newly isolated gene GGPS6 from Arabidopsis thaliana is localized in mitochondria.

We have cloned a new geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) synthase gene, designated GGPS6, from Arabidopsis thaliana genomic DNA. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the GGPS6 gene contains an open reading frame coding for a protein of 343 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 37,507 Da. Also, the gene is not interrupted by an intron. The predicted amino acid sequence of the GGPS6 gene shows significant homology (34.0-57.7%) with other GGPP synthases from Arabidopsis. The GGPS6 protein contains a N-terminal signal peptide which is thought to function as an organelle targeting sequence. In fact, the GGPS6-GFP fusion protein was found to be localized exclusively in mitochondria when expressed in tobacco BY-2 cells. In vitro analysis of the enzyme activity as well as genetic complementation analysis with Erwinia uredovora crt gene cluster expressed in Escherichia coli showed that the GGPS6 gene most certainly encodes a GGPP synthase catalyzing the conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate to GGPP.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Effect of dinucleoside pyrophosphates on the oligomerization of activated mononucleotides on Na(+)-montmorillonite: reaction of 5'-phosphoro-4-(dimethylamino)pyridinium [4-(CH3)2NpypA] with A5'ppA.

The oligomerization of adenosine 5'-phosphoro-4-(dimethylamino)pyridinium (4-(CH3)2-NpypA) and diadenosine 5',5'-pyrophosphate (A5'ppA) (9:1) on Na(+)-montmorillonite was studied. The oligomers were isolated and analyzed by selective enzymatic hydrolyses and the oligomeric composition and the percent of 3',5'-phosphodiester linkages present in each fraction was determined. The longest oligomers formed (11-mers) are slightly shorter than those produced in the absence of A5'ppA (12-mers). Smaller amounts of A5'ppA are incorporated into the oligomers than in the ImpA/A5'ppA reaction. The regioselectivity of 3',5'-phosphodiester bond formation is comparable to that of the oligomerization of 4-(CH3)2NpypA alone. An explanation of these data is proposed and the possible effect of dinucleoside pyrophosphate on prebiotic RNA formation is discussed.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

A pyrophosphate bridge links the pyruvate-containing secondary cell wall polymer of Paenibacillus alvei CCM 2051 to muramic acid.

The peptidoglycan, the secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP), and the surface layer (S-layer) glycoprotein are the major glycosylated cell wall components of Paenibacillus alvei CCM 2051. In this report, the complete structure of the SCWP, its linkage to the peptidoglycan layer, and its physicochemical properties have been investigated. From the combined evidence of chemical and structural analyses together with one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the following structure of the SCWP-peptidoglycan complex is proposed: [(Pyr4,6)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->3)]n-11-(Pyr4,6)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1-->4)-alpha-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->O)-PO2-O-PO2-(O-->6)-MurNAc- Each disaccharide unit is substituted by 4,6-linked pyruvic acid residues. Under mild acidic conditions, up to 50% of them are lost, leaving non-substituted ManNAc residues. The anionic glycan chains constituting the SCWP are randomly linked via pyrophosphate groups to C-6 of muramic acid residues of the peptidoglycan layer. 31P NMR reveals two signals that, as a consequence of micelle formation, experience different line broadening. Therefore, their integral ratio deviates significantly from 1:1. By treatment with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and sonication immediately prior to NMR measurement, this ratio approaches unity. The reversibility of this behavior corroborates the presence of a pyrophosphate linker in this SCWP-peptidoglycan complex. In addition to the determination of the structure and linkage of the SCWP, a possible scenario for its biological function is discussed.

Bacillus↗

Amorphous calcium phosphate-mediated binding of matrix metalloproteinase-9 to fibrin is inhibited by pyrophosphate and bisphosphonate.

Coordinate regulation of fibrinolytic and collagenolytic systems is essential for normal tissue remodeling and wound healing. To define the molecular mechanisms which link these two proteolytic systems, we have investigated the role of fibrin in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) function. Both active and latent forms of MMP-9 (gelatinase B) bind to fibrin in a selective, dose-dependent manner; latent enzyme is activated by plasmin during fibrinolysis. Fibrin binding of MMP-9 is mediated by amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), and proceeds in a step-wise fashion with formation of ACP as the first and rate-limiting step. MMP-9 rapidly binds preformed ACP to yield a transient ACP: MMP-9 complex that avidly binds fibrin. Here we report the effect(s) on fibrin: ACP: MMP-9 formation/dissociation of pyrophosphate (POP), an endogenous calcification inhibitor, and its bisphosphonate analog, alendronate (PCP). MMP-9 was obtained from neutrophil lysate and ACP formation was monitored turbidimetrically. Free MMP-9, ACP: MMP-9 and fibrin: ACP: MMP-9 complexes were analyzed by gelatin zymography. POP at physiologic concentrations (0.5-2.5 microM) inhibited both ACP formation and subsequent fibrin binding of MMP-9 at orthophosphate concentrations of 250 microM. PCP exhibited a similar inhibitory effect. With both substances, inhibition was slightly overcome (>2.5 microM) by higher phosphate (500 microM). In contrast, supraphysiologic concentrations of either POP or PCP (>50 microM) were required to inhibit MMP-9 binding to preformed ACP or to induce dissociation of preformed ACP: MMP-9 complexes (50-100 microM). Neither POP nor PCP had any effect on preformed fibrin: ACP: MMP-9 at concentrations up 1 mM. POP is an endogenous by-product of numerous metabolic pathways and may regulate bone turnover, soft tissue calcification, and contribute to the pathogenesis of calcium pyrophosphate crystal disease (CPPD). These studies support another role for POP and fibrin: ACP: MMP-9 complexes in physiologic and pathologic processes, including tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis.

Binding, Competitive↗

[The effect of pyrophosphate analogues on the inorganic pyrophosphatase from Escherichia coli].

The effect of inorganic pyrophosphate analogues on the enzymic activity of inorganic pyrophosphatase from E. coli was studied. Hypophosphoric and diphosphonic acids were shown to inhibit inorganic pyrophosphatase, whereas pyrophosphorous acid exerts almost no effect on the hydrolysis of inorganic pyrophosphate. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2002, vol. 28, no. 6; see also http://www.maik.ru.

Diphosphates↗

Activation of pyrophosphate:fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase by fructose 2,6-bisphosphate stimulates conversion of hexose phosphates to triose phosphates but does not influence accumulation of carbohydrates in phosphate-deficient tobacco cells.

The aim of this work was to investigate the contribution of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate to the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism under phosphate stress. The study exploited heterotrophic tobacco callus lines expressing a modified mammalian 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase that increased the fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content of the tissue. The phosphate status of two transgenic and one untransformed cell line was perturbed by incubation with 2-deoxyglucose, a phosphate-sequestering agent, and by growth of callus on phosphate-depleted media. 31P-NMR spectroscopy confirmed that both treatments decreased cellular levels of inorganic phosphate and phosphorylated metabolites. Despite large decreases in the amounts of phosphate esters, UDPglucose and adenylates in response to phosphate deficiency, the fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content of each line was unaffected by 2-deoxyglucose and increased during growth on phosphate-limited media. Short-term treatment of callus with 2-deoxyglucose had only minor effects on the carbohydrate status of each line, whereas long-term phosphate deficiency caused an increase in starch and a decrease in soluble sugar content in both transgenic and control lines. There were no consistent differences between the three callus lines in metabolism of [U-14C]glucose in response to incubation with 2-deoxyglucose. In contrast, there was a decrease in partitioning of label into glycolytic products (particularly organic acids) in untransformed callus during growth on phosphate-depleted medium. This decrease was greatly attenuated in the transgenic lines with increased fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content. This suggests that the conversion of hexose phosphates to triose phosphates is constrained under phosphate-deficient conditions, and that this restriction can be relieved by activation of pyrophosphate:fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase. However, since the transgenic and control lines did not differ in the extent to which the carbohydrate content changed in response to growth on phosphate-depleted media, it is concluded that an increase in flux through pyrophosphate:fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase is not a major component of the metabolic response of heterotrophic tobacco cells to phosphate deficiency.

Journal Article↗