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In vitro import into mitochondria of the precursor of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase.

The import of the precursor of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase was reconstituted in vitro with isolated mitochondria thus corroborating the earlier conclusion of a post-translational uptake. The higher Mr precursor was synthesized in a reticulocyte lysate programmed with free polysomes from chicken liver. After incubation with intact mitochondria from chicken heart about 50% of the precursor was converted to the mature form in a time-dependent process, its rate being a function of the amount of mitochondria added. The same amount of precursor was processed to the mature form on addition of a mitochondrial extract. No conversion to the mature enzyme took place when the precursor was incubated with intact mitochondria in the presence of the uncoupling agent carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone or of the chelator o-phenanthroline which penetrates the mitochondrial inner membrane. In contrast, the chelator bathophenanthroline disulfonate which does not diffuse into the mitochondrial matrix did not inhibit the appearance of the mature form. The results indicate that that precursor must pass through an energized inner mitochondrial membrane before it is processed by a chelator-sensitive protease in the mitochondrial matrix. Excess mature mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase did not compete with the precursor for its uptake into mitochondria. Mature mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase is an alpha 2-dimer with Mr = 2 X 45,000. Both the precursor synthesized in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate and the precursor accumulated in the cytosol of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone-treated chicken embryo fibroblasts were found to exist as homodimer or hetero-oligomer and high Mr complexes (Mr greater than 300,000).

Animals↗

The precursor of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase is translocated into mitochondria as apoprotein.

Mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase is synthesized on free polysomes as a higher molecular weight precursor (Sonderegger, P., Jaussi, R., Christen, P., and Gehring, H. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 3339-3345). The present study examines whether the coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate or pyridoxamine phosphate is required for the uptake of the precursor into mitochondria. Chicken embryo fibroblasts were cultured in medium prepared with and without pyridoxal. In cells grown in the presence of pyridoxal only holoform of aspartate aminotransferase and no apoenzyme was detected. Cells cultured under pyridoxal deficiency contained about 30% of apoenzyme in secondary cultures. All of this apoform was identified as mitochondrial isoenzyme. In order to differentiate whether this apoenzyme corresponded to newly synthesized protein or originated from pre-existing holoenzyme, double isotope-labeling experiments were performed. Secondary cultures of chicken embryo fibroblasts grown under pyridoxal depletion were labeled with [3H]methionine, and then pulsed with [35S]methionine. In another series of experiments, the 3H-labeled cells were pulsed with [35S]methionine in the presence of the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone in order to accumulate the precursor. Subsequently, the accumulated precursor was chased into the mitochondria by addition of the carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone antagonist cysteamine. The holo- and apoenzyme from the ultrasonic extract of the double-labeled cells were separated by affinity chromatography on a phosphopyridoxyl-AH-Sepharose column, immunoprecipitated, and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. Under both experimental conditions, the 3H/35S ratio of the apoenzyme was less than half of that of the holoenzyme. Therefore, the apoenzyme and not the holoenzyme is the first product of the precursor in the mitochondria. Apparently, the precursor of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase is transported into mitochondria as apoprotein and is processed there independently of the coenzyme.

Animals↗

Quantitative distributions of aspartate aminotransferase and glutaminase activities in the rat cochlea.

The intra-cochlear distributions of aspartate aminotransferase and glutaminase, prominent enzymes of aspartate and glutamate metabolism, have been studied by quantitative microchemical techniques. Also measured was choline acetyltransferase, the enzyme synthesizing acetylcholine, and a marker for the olivocochlear bundle. Aspartate aminotransferase activity was highest in the stria vascularis, about half this high in the organ of Corti synaptic (hair cell) zones, somewhat lower in the organ of Corti non-synaptic (Hensen's cell) zones, lower yet in Reissner's and lowest in the tectorial membrane. Glutaminase, on the other hand, had its highest activity in synaptic zones, about a third of that activity in the organ of Corti non-synaptic zones, and a barely detectable activity in Reissner's and tectorial membranes, and stria vascularis. Seven days after transection of the olivocochlear bundle, no significant difference was found between lesion- and control-side aspartate aminotransferase or glutaminase activities, even though no choline acetyltransferase activity remained in the lesion-side of the organ of Corti. Both the distribution of aspartate aminotransferase activity and the lesion results would seem to implicate it in energy more so than neurotransmitter metabolism. The distribution of glutaminase activity could be consistent with a role in neurotransmission; however, the lesion data were unable to demonstrate a specific association with the olivocochlear bundle.

Animals↗

Characterization of tryptophan phosphorescence of aspartate aminotransferase from Escherichia coli.

The Trp phosphorescence spectrum, intensity and decay kinetics of apo-aspartate aminotransferase, pyridoxamine-5P-aspartate-aminotransferase and pyridoxal-5P-aspartate aminotransferase were measured over a temperature range 160-273 K. The fine structure of the phosphorescence spectra in low-temperature glasses, with 0-0 vibrational bands centered at 408, 415 and 417 nm, for both apoenzyme and pyridoxamine-5P-enzyme reveals a marked heterogeneity of the chromophore environments. Only for the pyridoxal-5P form of the enzyme is the triplet emission strongly quenched and, in this case, the spectrum displays a unique 0-0 vibrational band centered at 415 nm. Concomitant to quenching, there is Trp-sensitized delayed fluorescence of the Schiff base, an indication that quenching of the excited triplet state is due, at least in part, to a process of triplet singlet energy transfer to the ketoenamine tautomer. All three forms of the enzyme are phosphorescent for temperatures up to 273 K. However, across the glass transition temperature the pyridoxal-5P enzyme shows a decrease in lifetime-normalized phosphorescence intensity, a thermal quenching that reduces even further the number of phosphorescing residues at ambient temperature. In fluid solution, the triplet decay is nonexponential and multiple lifetimes stress the heterogeneity in dynamical structure of the chromophores' sites. For the pyridoxal-5P enzyme, where only one or at most two residues are phosphorescent at 273 K, the nonexponential nature of the decay implies the presence of different conformers of the protein not interconverting in the millisecond time scale.

Apoenzymes↗

Kinetic studies of chicken and turkey liver mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase.

The kinetic behaviour of chicken liver and turkey liver aspartate aminotransferases (L-aspartate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.1) was studied. Steady-state data were obtained from a wide range of concentrations of substrates and product L-glutamate. The data were fitted by rational functions of degree 1:1, 1:2 and 2:2 with respect to substrates and 0:1, 1:1, 0:2 and 1:2 with regard to product (L-glutamate), by using a non-linear regression program that guarantees the fit. The goodness of fit was improved by the use of a computer program that combines model discrimination parameter refinement and sequential experimental design. It was concluded that aspartate aminotransferase requires a minimum velocity equation of degree 2:2 for L-aspartate, 2:2 for 2-oxoglutarate and 1:2 for L-glutamate. Finally, a plausible kinetic mechanism that justifies these experimental results is proposed.

Animals↗

Interactions of pyridoxal kinase and aspartate aminotransferase emission anisotropy and compartmentation studies.

Physical interactions between pyridoxal kinase and aspartate aminotransferase were detected by means of emission anisotropy and affinity chromatography techniques. Binding of aspartate aminotransferase (apoenzymes) to pyridoxal kinase tagged with a fluorescent probe was detected by emission anisotropy measurements at pH 6.8 (150 mM KCl). Upon saturation of the kinase with the aminotransferase, the emission anisotropy increases 22%. The protein complex is characterized by a dissociation constant of 3 microM. Time-dependent emission anisotropy measurements conducted with the mixture 5-naphthylamine-1-sulfonic acid-kinase aspartate aminotransferase (apoenzyme), revealed the presence of two rotational correlation times of phi 1 = 36 and phi 2 = 62 ns. The longer correlation time is attributed to the stable protein complex. By immobilizing one enzyme (pyridoxal kinase) through interactions with pyridoxal-Sepharose, it was possible to demonstrate that aspartate aminotransferase releases pyridoxal kinase. A test of compartmentation of pyridoxal-5-phosphate within the protein complex using alkaline phosphatase as trapping agent, indicates that the cofactor generated by the catalytic action of the kinase is channeled to the apotransaminase. The main function of the stable complex formed by the kinase and the aminotransferase is to hinder the release of free pyridoxal-5-phosphate into the bulk solvent.

Animals↗

[Selection of optimal conditions for measuring aspartate aminotransferase activity].

Various systems for estimation of aspartate aminotransferase activity were compare with regard to national and international recommendations. An increase of 1-aspartate concentration from 33 mM/1 to 200 mM/1 and of alpha-ketoglutarate from 6.7 mM/1 to 12 mM/1 elevated the enzymatic activity by 30-40%. Addition of pyridoxal phosphate into reaction mixture caused a decrease in the activation from 33% to 7.3%, respectively. The ratio of activation varied from 9.9% to 53.3% in the optimal test using blood serum from patients and phosphate buffer. Thus, one of requirements on evaluation of maximal aspartate aminotransferase activity and on production of reproducible results is application of optimal concentrations of reagents with addition of pyridoxal phosphate into reaction mixture.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗

[Aspartate aminotransferase activity of different strains of Escherichia coli].

Aspartate-aminotransferase activity was measured in strains of Escherichia coli grown no meat infusion broth. As an enzyme cells with damaged permeability of the cytoplasmatic membrane were used. The cells were damaged by an addition of toluene at a concentration of 1% of the reaction mixture by volume. These cells showed 50--60% aspartate-aminotransferase activity as compared with aliquotes of the cell-free extract. E. coli synthesized oxalacetic and glutamic acids from L-aspartic acid and alpha-ketoglutaric acid. Glutamic acid was identified by thin-layer chromatography on Fixion plates. E. coli str. 85 cells and their extracts grown on the synthetic medium containing glucose or glycerol showed a two-fold specific aspartate-aminotransferase activity as compared with those cultivated on meat-infusion broth.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗

Coupled reaction of immobilized aspartate aminotransferase and malate dehydrogenase. A plausible model for the cellular behaviour of these enzymes.

To study the effect of facilitated diffusion of the intermediate metabolite, oxaloacetate, on the coupled reaction of aspartate aminotransferase (L-aspartate: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.1) and malate dehydrogenase (L-malate:NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.37), these enzymes were co-immobilized on the surface of a collagen film. The kinetic properties of the immobilized enzymes were compared with those observed with the enzymes in solution. Since the reactions correspond to the cytosolic enzymes, they have been studied in the direction aspartate aminotransferase toward malate dehydrogenase. Coupled enzymes in solution showed classical behaviour. A lag-time was observed before they reached a steady state and this lag-time was dependent on the kinetic properties of the second enzyme, malate dehydrogenase. The same lag-time was observed when malate dehydrogenase in solution was coupled with aspartate aminotransferase bound to the film. When aspartate aminotransferase in solution was coupled with malate dehydrogenase bound to the collagen film, a very long lag-time was observed. Theoretical considerations showed that in the latter case, the lag-time was dependent on the kinetic properties of the second enzyme and the transport coefficient of the intermediate substrate through the boundary layer near the surface of the film. Then both enzymes were co-immobilized on the collagen film. The coupled activity of aspartate aminotransferase and malate dehydrogenase was compared for films with an activity ratio of 5 and 0.8. In both cases, a highly efficient coupling was observed. In the former case, where malate dehydrogenase was rate-limiting, 81% of this limiting activity was observed. In the latter case, aspartate aminotransferase was rate-limiting and 82% of its rate was obtained for the final product formation. The linear increase of product formation with time corresponded fairly well to the theoretical equations developed in the paper. To interpret these rate equations, one should assume that the intermediate substrate oxaloacetate formed by aspartate aminotransferase was used by malate dehydrogenase in the diffusion layer near the film, before diffusing in the bulk solution.

Animals↗

Induction of cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase by a high-protein diet.

Induction of cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) was observed in rat liver on administration of a high-protein diet. The enzyme activity in the liver of rats given 60% and 80% protein diet increased to 1.8- and 1.9-fold that in the liver of rats maintained on 20% protein diet, with about 2-fold increases in the levels of functional sGOT mRNA, measured by in vitro translation. Whereas the activity of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase did not increase. Induction of cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase was also detected immunocytochemically.

Animals↗

Uptake of aspartate aminotransferase into mitochondria in vitro causes efflux of malate dehydrogenase and vice versa.

Incubation of intact mitochondria with aspartate aminotransferase results in efflux of malate dehydrogenase and vice versa. The export process is specific and rapid. It shows saturation kinetics with respect to the effector enzyme consistent with involvement of a receptor for the effector in the mitochondrial membrane system. Export is inhibited by both beta-mercaptoethanol and by the metal chelating agent bathophenanthroline; both substances inhibit release of malate dehydrogenase by aspartate aminotransferase competitively whereas for release of aspartate aminotransferase by malate dehydrogenase inhibition is non-competitive. The efflux process is dependent on a trans-membrane pH gradient. Exported enzymes differ from the native forms in their dependence of activity on pH. Export of both aspartate aminotransferase and malate dehydrogenase is effected by incubation of mitochondria with the newly-synthesised precursor of aspartate aminotransferase; this observation provides supporting evidence for the physiological significance of the other results reported here. It is speculated that exported enzymes are on a pathway to degradation, and that coupled uptake and export is involved in the co-ordination of synthesis and breakdown of mitochondrial proteins.

Animals↗

Reactivation of the apoenzyme of aspartate aminotransferase in serum.

Apoenzyme of aspartate aminotransferase in serum can be reactivated conveniently by addition of 100 mumoles/l pyridoxal phosphate to the reaction mixture, without extending the usual minimum pre-incubation period in the operation of the LKB 8600 reaction rate analyzer. Normal sera contain some apoenzyme, the amount of which, as well as that of holoenzyme, is greatly increased by damage to skeletal muscle. This may be due to direct injury or to the indirect effects of anoxia; e.g., following surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Myocardial infarction also increases the levels of both apo- and holoenzymes, but changes in the two levels follow similar time courses and apo- and holo-aminotransferases disappear from the circulation at similar rates.

Apoenzymes↗

Kinetic studies of the uptake of aspartate aminotransferase and malate dehydrogenase into mitochondria in vitro.

Kinetic measurements of the uptake of native mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase and malate dehydrogenase into mitochondria in vitro were carried out. The uptake of both the enzymes is essentially complete in 1 min and shows saturation characteristics. The rate of uptake of aspartate aminotransferase into mitochondria is decreased by malate dehydrogenase, and vice versa. The inhibition is exerted by isoenzyme remaining outside the mitochondria rather than by isoenzyme that has been imported. The thiol compound beta-mercaptoethanol decreases the rate of uptake of the tested enzymes; inhibition is a result of interaction of beta-mercaptoethanol with the mitochondria and not with the enzymes themselves. The rate of uptake of aspartate aminotransferase is inhibited non-competitively by malate dehydrogenase, but competitively by beta-mercaptoethanol. The rate of uptake of malate dehydrogenase is inhibited non-competitively by aspartate aminotransferase and by beta-mercaptoethanol. beta-Mercaptoethanol prevents the inhibition of the rate of uptake of malate dehydrogenase by aspartate aminotransferase. These results are interpreted in terms of a model system in which the two isoenzymes have separate but interacting binding sites within a receptor in the mitochondrial membrane system.

Animals↗

Aspartate aminotransferase of Pediococcus cerevisiae.

A five-step procedure is described for preparing highly purified aspartate aminotransferase (L-aspartate: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC.2.6.1.1) from cell-freee enzyme extracts of Pediococcus cerevisiae. An overall purification of 130-fold was achieved. Some of P. cerevisiae aspartate aminotransferase properties were studied, i.s. pH optimum (7.8--8.0), optimum of temperature (37 degrees), Michaelis constans for 4 enzyme substrates and substrate specificity of enzyme. The enzyme is very thermolabile. During purification the enzyme was stabilizated by 2-oxoglutarate. The highly purified preparation was stored in the solution containing ammonium sulphate. The obtained aspartate aminotransferase preparation was free of alanine and aromatic amino acids aminotransferase activites and did not reveal malate dehydrogenase activity.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗

Clinical and diagnostic significance of aspartate aminotransferase isoenzymes in sera of patients with liver diseases.

Serum aspartate aminotransferase isoenzymes were measured in 123 hospital patients with various liver diseases, using a new and simple immunochemical method. Our findings show the usefulness of this determination in estimating the severity of hepatic damage, especially if accompanied by the measurement of other mitochondrial enzymes. During hepatic damage, the cytoplasmic isoenzyme is found in greater quantities than the mitochondrial isoenzyme, but the level of the latter increases to a greater extent in acute liver diseases. Moreover, the values of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase activity and the ratio of mitochondrial to total aspartate aminotransferase in alcoholic hepatitis are higher than expected if so-called hepatic enzymes commonly measured in serum are considered. These results indicate that there is significant mitochondrial damage in alcoholic hepatitis.

Adult↗

Characterization of aspartate aminotransferase from the cyanobacterium Phormidium lapideum.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AspAT) was purified to homogeneity from cell extracts of the non-N2-fixing cyanobacterium Phormidium lapideum. The NH2-terminal sequence of 25 amino acid residues was different from the sequences of the subfamily Ialpha of AspATs from eukaryotes and Escherichia coli, but it was similar to sequences of the subfamily Igamma of AspATs from archaebacteria and eubacteria. The enzyme was most active at 80 degrees C and was stable at up to 75 degrees C. Thermal inactivation (60-85 degrees C) of the enzyme followed first-order kinetics, with 2-oxoglutarate causing a shift of the thermal inactivation curves to higher temperatures. However, at 25 degrees C the kcat of P. lapideum AspAT was nearly equal to the values of AspATs from mesophilic organisms. The enzyme used L-aspartate and L-cysteine sulfinate as amino donors and 2-oxoglutarate as an amino acceptor. The Km values were 5.0 mM for L-aspartate, 5.7 mM for L-glutamate, 0.2 mM for 2-oxoglutarate, and 0.032 mM for oxaloacetate.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of aspartate aminotransferase from the halophile archaebacterium Haloferax mediterranei.

Aspartate aminotransferase from the archaebacterium Haloferax mediterranei was purified and found to be homogeneous. An average Mr of 66,000 was estimated. The native halophilic transaminase exhibited no maximum absorption at 410 nm, which indicates that the apo form is obtained by our purification procedure, and the molar absorption coefficient at 275 nm in 3.5 M-KCl (pH 7.8) was found to be 78.34 mM-1.cm-1. Plots of titration data show that 1 mol of halophilic aspartate aminotransferase binds 2 mol of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. The halophilic transaminase behaved as a dimer with two similar subunits and had a maximum activity in the pH range 7.6-7.9 and at 65 degrees C in 3.5 M-KCl. By differential scanning calorimetry, the denaturation temperature of the halophilic holo- and apo-transaminase was determined to be 78.5 and 68.0 degrees C respectively at 3.3 M-KCl (pH 7.8). At low salt concentration the halophilic transaminase was inactivated, following first-order kinetics. The Km values for 2-oxoglutarate and L-aspartate, in 3 M-KCl (pH 7.8), were 0.75 mM and 12.6 mM respectively.

Amino Acids↗

[Diagnostic value of aspartate aminotransferase in the cerebrospinal fluid].

As datum, the range of aspartate aminotransferase in the cerebrospinal fluid of adults was determined on the basis of 153 fluid samples and compared with the values obtained from 356 neurological patients. A significant increase in enzyme activity was established in respect of CVI, polyneuropathy, acute encephalitis, and SAB. It was possible to eliminate any dependence of the aspartate aminotransferase activity on serum activity, total protein, and cell count. The increase in activity of aspartate aminotransferase in the cerebrospinal fluid is thus identified as an independent pathological fact, and thus it can be incorporated in diagnostic routine more particularly in the diagnosis of CVI disorders.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗