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Affinity chromatography of Ruta graveolens L. O-methyltransferases. Studies demonstrating the potential of the technique in the mechanistic investigation of O-methyltransferases.

Two discrete furanocoumarin (5- and 8-)O-methyltransferases and a caffeic acid 3-O-methyl-transferase from cell cultures of Ruta graveoleus L. have been copurified by affinity chromatography on 1,6-diaminohexane agarose (AH-Sepharose 4B) linked with S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH). The furanocoumarin O-methyltransferases, which transfer a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to the 5- or 8-hydroxyls of linear furanocoumarins, were not retarded by 5-(3-carboxypropanamido)-xanthotoxin (CPAX) immobilized to AH-Sepharose 4B, but addition of SAM to the irrigant buffer led to complete retardation of both enzymes on this affinity system. An analogous phenomenon was observed for the caffeic acid O-methyltransferase, with a ferulic acid ligand coupled to the same insoluble support. SAH was as effective as SAM in promoting binding of the furanocoumarin O-methyltransferases to CPAX and caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase to immobilized ferulic acid, respectively. The strong and specific adsorption of these enzymes was abolished by exclusion of SAM or SAH from the irrigant buffer. It is concluded that the enzymes bind first to SAM or SAH, and that this binding process in turn induces the binding site for their specific phenolic substrates or their analogs. Based on these findings, a compulsory-ordered kinetic mechanism for the action of these O-methyltransferases is postulated.

Cells, Cultured

Affinity chromatography of an S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase using immobilized S-adenosylhomocysteine. Purification of the indolethylamine N-methyltransferases of phalaris tuberosa.

In the cases that have been studied so far, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) is a powerful inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) binding to SAM-dependent methyltransferases. We deduced, from the available data on the binding of SAM and SAH analogues to SAM dependent methyltransferases, that linkage of SAH through the carboxyl group to an immobilized support would lead to a more general affinity adsorbent for SAM-dependent methyltransferases than linkage through other functional groups. This paper describes the synthesis of this affinity adsorbent and its use to purify the two indolethylamine N-methyltransferases of Phalaris tuberosa.

Australia

Sinefungin, a potent inhibitor of virion mRNA(guanine-7-)-methyltransferase, mRNA(nucleoside-2'-)-methyltransferase, and viral multiplication.

Sinefungin (A9145) and a related metabolite, A9145C, were found to be potent inhibitors of Newcastle disease virion and vaccinia virion mRNA(guanine-7-)-methyltransferase and vaccinia virion mRNA(nucleoside-2'-)-methyltransferase. Both Sinefungin and A9145C were competitive inhibitors of these S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent enzymes having inhibition constants substantially less than S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine. These compounds also inhibited plaque formation by vaccinia virus in mouse L-cells.

Adenosine

[Effect of androgens (testosterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 3 alpha, 17-beta androstanediol and 3 beta, 17 beta androstenediol) on the nocturnal activity of N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase and hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase in the pineal body of castrated rats].

To prove the effect of sex steroid hormones on the specificity of the pineal organ metabolism the activity of melatonin-synthesizing enzymes--N-acetylserotonine transferase (AST) and hydroxyindol-O-methyltransferase (HIMT) in the circadian rhythm was studied in castrated animals and in those administered androgens (testosterone 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 3 alpha, 17 beta-androstandiol). Male Wistar rats, aged 30 days, kept for 12 hours under light conditions and for 12 hours in darkness were used in these experiments. Androgens (50 micrograms) were injected to rats two days after castration and 1 to 6 hours before the animals were sacrificed (at 2 a.m.). Activity of the enzymes under study was maximal at night (between 2 and 3 a.m.). Castration of rats weakened the peaks of the AST and HIMT activities by 30 and 40%, respectively. A single androgen administration stimulated the nocturnal rise of both androgens activities in 2 to 4 hours. By physiological activity the androgens were distributed in the following way: 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 3 alpha, 17 beta-androstandiol, testosterone. beta-Epimer of androstandiol produced no effect on AST and HIMT activities in the epiphyses of castrated rats. Experimental data demonstrate that epiphysis serves as the target organ for sex steroid hormones, and that androgens are capable of modulating the melatonin-synthesizing enzymes' activity.

Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase

Purification and characterization of two tRNA-(guanine)-methyltransferases from rat liver.

tRNA(guanine-1-)-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.31) and tRNA(N2-guanine)-methyltransferase I (EC 2.1.1.32) were isolated from rat liver. The (guanine-1-)-methyltransferase preparation is 6800-fold purified and is free from contaminating methyltransferases or ribonuclease. The molecular weight of (guanine-1-)-methyltransferase is 83 000. Of seven purified Escherichia coli tRNAs examined, only tRNAMetf was utilized as substrate by (guanine-1-)-methyltransferase. The methylation of tRNAMetf is maximally stimulated by 40 mM putrescine with a pH optimum of 8.0. Using E. coli K-12 tRNA, the Km for S-adenosylmethionine is 3 micrometer and Ki for S-adenosylhomocysteine is 0.11 micrometer for (guanine-1-)-methyltransferase. (N2-Guanine-)-methyltransferase is 6200-fold purified and is also free of interfering enzymes. It has a molecular weight of 69 000. E. coli tRNAPhe, tRNAVal and tRNAArg are substrates for this enzyme which introduces a methyl at the 2-amino group of the guanine at position 10 from the 5'-terminus of these tRNAs. The methylation of tRNAPhe is maximally stimulated by 100 micrometer spermidine with a pH optimum of 8.0. (N2-Guanine-)-methyltransferase has a Km for S-adenosylmethionine of 2 micrometer and a Ki for S-adenosylhomocysteine of 23 micrometer with E. coli K-12 tRNA as methyl acceptor.

Animals

Genetic control of cobalamin binding in normal and mutant cells: assignment of the gene for 5-methyltetrahydrofolate:L-homocysteine S-methyltransferase to human chromosome 1.

When extracts prepared from cultured human or rodent fibroblasts grown in medium containing [(57)Co]cobalamin were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, most of the intracellular radioactivity migrated with the activity of the cobalamin-dependent enzyme 5-methyltetrahydrofolate:L-homocysteine S-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.13). Because the rodent and human forms of this enzyme are electrophoretically different, we used the binding of [(57)Co]cobalamin to detect the presence of the human methyltransferase isozyme in rodent-human somatic cell hybrids. As expected, binding and methyltransferase activities were found to cosegregate, thus confirming genetically their electrophoretic identity. Accordingly, we examined the [(57)Co]cobalamin-binding patterns and human chromosome contents of a panel of 12 rodent-human hybrid clones, and concluded that the gene for the methyltransferase (designated Mtr) is located on human chromosome 1. Using this information, we probed the nature of the molecular defect exhibited by fibroblasts cultured from patients expressing the cbl C mutation. Although these cells are unable to associate newly taken up [(57)Co]cobalamin with the methyltransferase, hybrids of mouse L-cells and cbl C cells containing chromosome 1 show a "reappearance" of the human [(57)Co]cobalamin-methyltransferase. These results indicate that the cbl C mutation does not affect the methyltransferase apoprotein, but rather some metabolic step that must convert cobalamin to a chemical form capable of attaching to the enzyme.

5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltran

tRNA methyltransferases from rat liver. Differences in response of partially purified enzymes to polyamines and inorganic salts.

Three tRNA methyltransferases, purified from rat liver, have been compared for their activity in the presence of various amines and Mg2+. The enzymes differ with respect to the ion which permits maximal activity; they also differ with respect to the concentration of a given ion necessary for maximal activity. The methyltransferase which forms N2-methylguanine in the region between the dihydrouridine loop and the acceptor stem (2mG I), when assayed using purified tRNA as substrate, shows high activity with 3--5 mM sperimidine or 20 mM putrescine and significantly lower rates of methylation with 200--350 mM ammonium acetate or 1--10 mM magnesium acetate. The enzyme responsible for forming N2-methylguanine between the dihydrouridine and anticodon loops (2mG II) works well in the presence of 0.2--0.5 mM spermidine, 10 mM putrescine or 200--300 mM ammonium acetate and shows slightly lower activity with 1 mM magnesium acetate. The optimal conditions for assaying 1-adenine methyltransferase (1mA) with purified tRNAs are either 200--300 mM ammonium acetate or 30 mM putrescine; spermidine is slightly less effective and magnesium acetate permits less than 25% of maximal activity. The addition of 10 mM Mg2+, in combination with polyamines or NH4+, depresses slightly the activity of the guanine methyltransferases but completely abolishes the polyamine or ammonium-stimulated activity of the adenine methyltransferase. When unfractionated (Escherichia coli) tRNA is used as substrate, the concentrations of polyamines required for optimal methyltransferase activity are increased but the patterns of response of the three enzymes do not differ significantly from those obtained with purified tRNA substrates. Based on the studies with these three enzymes, unfractionated tRNA and 40 mM putrescine should provide the most reliable system for detecting methylating activity if the nature of the tRNA methyltransferase is unknown.

Ammonia

Composition, associated tissue methyltransferase activity, and catabolic end products of transfer RNA from carcinogen-induced hepatoma and normal monkey livers.

This investigation was designed to explore transfer RNA (TRNA) methyltransferase activity, urinary excretion levels of tRNA degradation products, and tRNA base composition in normal monkeys and in those with hepatocellular carcinomas induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine. After the development of the tumor, 24-hr urine specimens were collected, the monkeys were sacrificed, and the livers were removed for tRNA isolation and methyltransferase activity studies. The tRNA methyltransferase activity and capacity and the urinary excretion levels for selected tRNA degradation products (pseudouridine, N2,N2-dimethylguanosine, 1-methylinosine, 7-methylguanine, and beta-aminoisobutyric acid) were elevated for the hepatoma-bearing monkeys when compared to those with normal liver. The isolated tRNA pools were analyzed by high-resolution liquid chromatography, and similar base compositions were found for the hepatoma-bearing and normal monkeys. With the use of methyl-deficient Escherichia coli tRNA as the methyl receptor and the analytical procedure for tRNA anlysis, the methylating ability of the tRNA methyltransferases in hepatoma and normal liver extracts was determined. The hepatoma methyltransferase homogenates were found to produce increased levels of 7-methylguanine, N2,N2-dimethylguanine, and thymine, while the normal liver extracts gave higher levels of N2-methylguanine. These differences were not apparent in the base composition of the tRNA pools. The increased urinary excretion and higher methyltransferase activity of the hepatoma-bearing monkeys without an apparent increase in the methylated base content of their tRNA suggest increased tRNA tf individual isoaccepting tRNA's would be missed by analyzing the tRNA pools. The variations in the individual tRNA methyltransferase activities of the hepatoma and normal liver homogenates indicate a difference in the methlation of their tRNA's.

Animals

Multiple molecular forms of catechol-O-methyltransferase. Evidence for two distinct forms, and their purification and physical characterization.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT: EC 2.1.1.6) has been shown to exist in the soluble fraction of rat liver as two distinct molecular forms, designated COMT I and COMT II, which are separable by gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, and sedimentation. The predominant form, COMT I, has a smaller Mr of about 24,000, as determined by gel filtration and sedimentation, and less negative charge, whereas the minor form, COMT II, has a larger Mr of about 47,500 and more negative charge. The COMT I and COMT II have been purified 450- and 205-fold, respectively, from rat liver by a newly developed procedure which gives homogeneous enzyme preparations with respect to catechol-methylating activities. The molecular properties of the predominant form, COMT I, were: s20,w, 2.7; D20,W, 10.5; Stokes radius, 20.1 A; f/fo, 1.08; and pI, 4.9. For the minor form, COMT II, the values were s20,w, 3.8; D20,w, 7.3; Stokes radius, 28.7 A; f/fo, 1.23; and pI, 4.8. Catechol-O-methyltransferase was found to exhibit tissue-specific isozymic patterns in the distribution of its two variant forms. In the rat tissues, the liver and kidney exhibited the presence of the two physically separable forms. Catechol-O-methyltransferase was also found as two distinct molecular forms in human tissues, including liver, brain, and placenta. The two forms of human catechol-O-methyltransferase were not distinguishable by the criteria of gel filtration from their counterparts in rat liver, indicating that the two molecular forms of human and rat liver catechol-O-methyltransferase are homologous. No interconversion of one molecular form of catechol-O-methyltransferase into the other was observed under experimental conditions employed. Available evidence indicates that the two molecular forms of catechol-O-methyltransferase are genetically dissimilar proteins.

Animals

Coordinated use of three homocysteine methyltransferases supports l-methionine biosynthesis and environmental adaptation among plant-associated bacteria.

Plant pathogens colonize multiple plant-associated habitats throughout their life cycle, encountering distinct nutrient conditions and microbial communities. l-methionine is required for bacterial growth and environmental adaptation. However, how plant pathogens coordinate l-methionine biosynthetic pathways to adapt to different plant-associated environments remains poorly understood. Here, using the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris strain XC1 as a model, we show that three homocysteine methyltransferase pathways allow XC1 to catalyze the final step of l-methionine biosynthesis using different methyl donors and cofactors under different environmental conditions. Bioinformatic and transcriptional analyses identified three homocysteine methyltransferase-associated operons in XC1, mesMXD, mmuPM, and metHRHaHb, corresponding to the MesD-, MmuM-, and MetHaHb-dependent pathways, respectively. MesD uses an endogenously synthesized methyl donor and functions as the dominant homocysteine methyltransferase under l-methionine-limiting conditions, supporting bacterial growth, intracellular l-methionine accumulation, and full virulence. Furthermore, MmuM enables XC1 to use plant-derived S-methylmethionine for l-methionine biosynthesis, whereas MetHaHb enables XC1 to use vitamin B12 supplied by a neighboring bacterium for l-methionine biosynthesis in co-culture. Expression analyses showed that mesMXD was the only homocysteine methyltransferase-associated operon that responded to l-methionine availability, and its expression also decreased when S-methylmethionine- or vitamin B12-dependent pathways supported l-methionine biosynthesis. Comparative genomic analysis further showed that the three-homocysteine methyltransferase configuration is conserved in Xanthomonas and is also present in other plant-associated bacteria. Together, these findings show that a plant pathogen can coordinate endogenous, plant-derived, and microbially supported homocysteine methyltransferase pathways to maintain l-methionine biosynthesis, providing a metabolic strategy for adaptation to plant-associated environments.

Methionine

Synthesis of mRNA guanylyltransferase and mRNA methyltransferases in cells infected with vaccinia virus.

Guanylyltransferase and methyltransferases that modify the 5'-terminals of viral mRNA's to form the structures m7G(5')pppAm- and m7G(5')pppGm- appear to be synthesized afte- vaccinia virus infection of HeLa cells. Elevations in these enzyme activities were detected within 1 h after virus inoculation and increased 15- to 30-fold by 4 to 10 h. Increases in the guanylyl- and methyltransferase activities were prevented by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, but not by cytosine arabinoside, an inhibitor of DNA synthesis. The latter results suggest that the mRNA guanylyl- and methyltransferases are "early" or prereplicative viral gene products. The guanylyltransferase and two methyltransferases, a guanine-7-methyltransferase and nucleoside-2'-methyltransferase, were isolated by column chromatography from infected cell extracts and found to have properties similar or identical to those of the corresponding enzyme previously isolated from vaccinia virus cores. In contrast, enzymes with these properties could not be isolated from uninfected cells.

Cycloheximide

Guanidoacetate methyltransferase. Purification and molecular properties.

Guanidoacetate methyltransferase has been purified about 140-fold from pig liver. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme showed four protein bands, each of which is associated with guanidoacetate methyltransferase activity. During gel electrophoresis at pH 3 in 8 M urea, guanidoacetate methyltransferase migrated as a single component. The molecular weight of the purified guanidoacetate methyltransferase was estimated to be 31,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, which also showed only one protein component with guanidoacetate methyltransferase activity. This molecular weight is in agreement with that estimated by Sephadex G-75 chromatography. Guanidoacetate methyltransferase is inhibited by adenosylhomocysteine, 3-deazaadenosylhomocysteine, and sinefungin with Ki values of 16 microM, 39 microM, and 18 microM, respectively.

Amino Acids

Potential inhibitors of S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferases. 7. Role of the ribosyl moiety in enzymatic binding of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine and S-adenosyl-L-methionine.

A series of 2',3'-acyclic analogues of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferases. The 2',3'-acyclic analogues were prepared by periodate oxidation of the corresponding ribonucleosides, followed by reduction of the intermediate dialdehydes with sodium borohydride. These 2',3'-acyclic ribonucleosides were inactive as inhibitors of histamine N-methyltransferase, catechol O-methyltransferase, phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase, and hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase. These results suggest that the rigidity of the ribosyl ring of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine is crucial to its enzymatic bindings.

Animals

Subcellular localization of S-adenosyl-L-methionine:tRNA methyltransferases with aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in human and mouse: normal and leukemic leukocytes.

The subcellular distributions of S-adenosyl-L-methionine:tRNA methyltransferases and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases were investigated with the use of human and mouse normal and leukemic leukocyte cell lines. Differential centrifugation of homogenized cell suspensions produced three pelleted subcellular fractions (nuclear and membrane, microsomal, and postribosomal) and a supernatant fraction. Each fraction was assayed for both methyltransferase activity and synthetase activity. The largest amounts, 40-50%, of total methyltransferase and synthetase activities were localized in either the microsomal or the postribosomal fractions, depending on cell type. In addition, the highest specific activities of these two enzyme systems were found to be present in the microsomal and postribosomal fractions. The psotribosomal fraction from leukemic leukocytes had a methyltransferase specific activity higher than that of the microsomal fraction, while the same two fractions of normal leukocytes had approximately equal activities. Specific activities of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases were found to be approximately equal for these two fractions, whether they were from normal or leukemic leukocytes. The activity of tRNA methyltransferases and synthetases within the postribosomal fraction of the cytoplasm suggests the existence of high-molecular-weight enzyme complexes for the modification as well as the aminoacylation of tRNA.

Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases

Stringent regulation of the synthesis of a transfer ribonucleic acid biosynthetic enzyme: transfer ribonucleic acid(m5U)methyltransferase from Escherichia coli.

This paper describes the regulation of a transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) biosynthetic enzyme, the tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.35). This enzyme catalyzes the formation of 5-methyluridine (m5U, ribothymidine) in all tRNA chains of Escherichia coli. Partial deprivation of charged tRNAVal can be imposed by shifting strains carrying a temperature-sensitive valyl-tRNA ligase from a permissive to a semipermissive temperature. By using two such strains differing only in the allelic state of the relA gene, it was possible to show the tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase to be stringently regulated. Upon partial deprivation of charged tRNAVal, the differential rate of tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase synthesis was found to decrease in a strain with stringent RNA control (relA+), whereas it increased in the strain carrying the relA allele. This increase of accumulation of tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase activity required protein synthesis. Thus, when tRNA is partially uncharged in the cell, the relA gene product influences the expression of tRNA(m5U)methyltransferase gene.

Bacterial Proteins