The mechanism of cyclic nucleotide hydrolysis in the phosphodiesterase catalytic site

The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase superfamily of enzymes (PDEs) catalyzes the stereospecific hydrolysis of the second messengers adenosine and guanosine 3',5'- cyclic monophosphate (cAMP, cGMP) to produce 5'-AMP and 5'-GMP, respectively. The PDEs are targets of high-throughput screening to determine selective inhibitors for a variety of therapeutic purposes. The catalytic pocket where the hydrolysis takes place is a highly conserved region and has several residues which are absolutely conserved across the PDE families. In this study, we consider a model cyclic substrate in which the adenine/guanine base has been replaced with a hydrogen atom, and we present results of a quantum computational investigation of the hydrolysis reaction as it occurs within the PDE catalytic site using the ONIOM hybrid (B3LYP/6-31g(d):PM3) method. We characterize the bound substrate, the bound hydrolyzed product, and the transition state which connects them for our model cyclic substrate placed in a truncated model of the PDE4D2 catalytic site. We address the role that the conserved histidine proximal to the bimetal system of the catalytic site, along with its conserved glutamine partner, plays in the generation of the hydroxide nucleophile. Our study provides computational evidence for several key features of the cAMP/cGMP hydrolysis mechanism as it occurs within the protein environment across the PDE superfamily.     

Rapid automated high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate. Synthesis in brain tissues

A rapid and sensitive automated system for measuring cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) synthesized from either radiolabelled adenine or adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) in intact and broken cell tissue preparations, respectively, is described. After incubation with radiolabelled precursor, tissue samples are deproteinized and then injected directly onto a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic column. The column effluent fraction which contains cAMP is collected into scintillation vials and assayed for tritium by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Since the high-performance liquid chromatographic and fraction collection procedures are automated, over fifty samples can be analyzed in duplicate in a single day. The utility of this assay is illustrated by investigations of the effects of beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation on cAMP synthesis in tissue slices prepared from rat cerebral cortex and dopamine on cAMP synthesis in striatal membrane preparations.     

Photosensitive signal transduction induces membrane hyperpolarization in Paramecium bursaria

The protozoan ciliate Paramecium bursaria exhibits membrane hyperpolarization in response to photostimulation, accompanied with an increased swimming speed. The external addition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, either theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine) or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthin (IBMX), increased in both amplitudes of the membrane hyperpolarization and the increase in swimming speed. Moreover, the addition of membrane permeable cyclic nucleotide analogs, either 8-bromo-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (Br-cAMP) or 8-Br-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (Br-cGMP), increased these amplitudes. On the other hand, the addition of l-cis-diltiazem, known to block the conductance of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, partially decreased both amplitudes of the membrane hyperpolarization and the increase in swimming speed. An enzyme immunoassay of cellular cyclic nucleotide contents showed that photostimulation induced a rapid increase in adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), but little increase in guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), raising the possibility that a rapid increase in cAMP mediates the light-induced hyperpolarization in P. bursaria.     

Separation and some characteristics of two factors from rat liver particulate fraction which stimulate and inhibit the low-Km adenosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) phosphodiesterase of rat fat cells.

Two factors were separated from rat liver particulate fraction treated with insulin, one of them having a stimulating effect on low-Km adenosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) phosphodiesterase activity of crude microsomal fraction (P-2 fraction) and the other having an inhibiting effect on the activity of low-Km cAMP phosphodiesterase solubilized with 0.3% Brij 58 from P-2 fraction. Trypsin and heat treatments had essentially no effect on these two factors. The stimulating factor did not significantly change the apparent Km value of enzyme in P-2 fraction but increased the maximal velocity of the reaction. The inhibiting factor raised the Km value of solubilized enzyme without affecting the maximal velocity of the reaction. The stimulating factor level in diabetic rat was larger than that in normal rat while the inhibiting factor level in diabetic rat was smaller than that in normal rat. Possible participation of both factors in insulin action is discussed.     

A CE assay for the detection of agonist-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity

A CE assay was developed for the detection of adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity stimulated at the AC and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) level. In the assay, cell membranes overexpressing GPCR and/or AC were incubated with modulators and substrate ATP to produce cAMP in a dose-dependent manner. In both the CE-UV and a radiochemical assay, the addition of forskolin (FSK) resulted in a two- to three-fold maximum increase in AC activity with EC50s of 4.2 +/- 0.7 and 2.4 +/- 0.7 microM, respectively, demonstrating that similar results were obtained by both assays. GPCR activation was also detected using cell membranes overexpressing AC and the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR) fused to the stimulatory G protein. Terbutaline (beta2AR agonist) increased the basal rate of cAMP formation 1.7 +/- 0.1-fold resulting in an EC50 of 62 +/- 10 nM. The assay's ability to detect antagonists is demonstrated by the expected right-shifted EC50 of terbutaline by the beta2AR antagonist propranolol. The CE-UV assay offers advantages over the traditional radioactivity assay in terms of safety and labor.     

Preliminary study of the use of dansyl chloride to determine cyclic-3',5'-AMP in tissues.

A highly sensitive method for the determination of cyclic-3',5'-AMP has been developed which involves the reaction of the substance with dansyl chloride and the subsequent separation of the dansyl-cyclic-3',5'-AMP derivative by thin-layer chromatography. Experiments with standard solutions of 3H-cyclic-3',5'-AMP have shown that there is a direct relationship between the amount of dansyl-3H-cyclic-3',5'-AMP recovered and that dansylated. The procedure is exceedingly sensitive, allowing milligram quantities of material to be analysed for its endogeneous cyclic-3',5'-AMP content. With the use of 14C-adenine as substrate, this method permits the separation of 14C-cyclic-3',5'-AMP formed from the substrate and other 14C-containing compounds, thus allowing the turn-over of cyclic-3'-5'-AMP to be studied. The usefullness of the method is demonstrated by analysing the turn-over and endogenous content of cyclic-3'-5'-AMP in rat nervous tissue.     

Adenine derivatives as phosphate-activating groups for the regioselective formation of 3',5'-linked oligoadenylates on montmorillonite: possible phosphate-activating groups for the prebiotic synthesis of RNA.

Methyladenine and adenine N-phosphoryl derivatives of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (5'-AMP) and uridine 5'-monophosphate (5'-UMP) are synthesized, and their structures are elucidated. The oligomerization reactions of the adenine derivatives of 5'-phosphoramidates of adenosine on montmorillonite are investigated. 1-Methyladenine and 3-methyladenine derivatives on montmorillonite yielded oligoadenylates as long as undecamer, and the 2-methyladenine and adenine derivatives on montmorillonite yielded oligomers up to hexamers and pentamers, respectively. The 1-methyladenine derivative yielded linear, cyclic, and A5'ppA-derived oligonucleotides with a regioselectivity for the 3',5'-phosphodiester linkages averaging 84%. The effect of pKa and amine structure of phosphate-activating groups on the montmorillonite-catalyzed oligomerization of the 5'-phosphoramidate of adenosine are discussed. The binding and reaction of methyladenine and adenine N-phosphoryl derivatives of adenosine are described.     

原油及重油的快速分析技术进展

近年来,随着我国原油加工量的不断增加,加工难度的不断增大,原油快速评价问题日益受到重视.原油评价是指在全面分析原油的物理及化学性质的基础上,对原油的可加工性能及加工过程中可能出现的问题进行综合分析的过程.目前飞速发展的计算机技术及仪器分析技术,为原油快评技术奠定了良好的基础.该文以不同分析方法进行分类,介绍了近红外光谱(NIR)、中红外光谱(IR)、核磁共振波谱(NMR)及其他分析方法在原油和重油快速分析领域的技术进展.     

Inhibition of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase by flavonoids from licorice roots and 4-arylcoumarins.

Isoliquiritigenin, glabridin, licoarylcoumarin and licoricidin were identified as strong inhibitors of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) phosphodiesterase in waste materials which were obtained during the industrial extraction of glycyrrhizin from licorice roots. The structure-activity relationships of 12 flavonoids from licorice roots and 34 4-arylcoumarins were studied. In 4-arylcoumarins, 5,7-dihydroxy derivatives were generally highly inhibitory towards cAMP phosphodiesterase.     

Preparation of 5-Aminomethyl-1,6-dihydro-2-methyl-6-oxo-3,4′-bipyridine (tetrahydromilrinone): A Potential Affinity Ligand for cGMP-Inhibited Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase

The 5-carbonitrile group of milrinone ([3,4′-bipyridine]-5-carbonitrile, 1,6-dihydro-2-methyl-6-oxo) was catalytically hydrogenated to yield its 5-aminomethyl derivative (tetrahydromilrinone). The IC₅₀ of tetrahydromilrinone for cGMP-inhibited cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase was estimated to be 8.4 μM. Milamino coupled to cyanogen-bromide-activated Sepharose was able to bind cGMP-inhibited phosphodiesterase from crude bovine heart extracts. The cGMP-inhibited phosphodiesterase was then eluted from tetrahydromilrinone-Sepharose with milrinone.     

Regulation of Stimulated Cyclic AMP Synthesis by Urocanic Acid

Urocanic acid (UCA) has been shown to mediate the UVB radiation-induced immunosuppression initiated i'the skin by UV-induced isomerization from the trans to the cis isomer. However, the mechanism by which cis . UCA acts is still unclear. Therefore, the present stud was undertaken to determine the effect of trans - and cis UCA on cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts, Golden Syria'hamster hepatocytes and in the human adenocarcinoms cell line, HT29. Neither trans - nor cis -UCA was able is stimulate cAMP synthesis directly in any of the model: tested. In human dermal fibroblasts, cis -UCA, in contras to trans -UCA, specifically inhibited cAMP synthesis in duced by either prostaglandin (PG) El or PGE2 with s maximum inhibitory effect of 25-30% at cis -UCA con centrations greater than 1 μ M and half-maximum inhib itory effect (ECso) observed at 35 n M . The effect of cis -UCA was not to stimulate phosphodiesterase and cAMP breakdown. The inhibitory effect of cis -UCA (an imid azole derivative) was not mediated through stimulatiot of the α2-adrenergic receptor. The inhibitory effect of cis UCA on stimulated cAMP synthesis was a function of the cell density and was only significant when the fibroblast were confluent or postconfluent. In contrast to the studie with human dermal fibroblasts, an inhibitory effect of cis -UCA was not observed in either isolated hamster he patocytes or HT29 cells, in which cAMP synthesis wa stimulated by glucagon and vasoactive intestinal peptide respectively. These results point to a possible regulation of cAMP synthesis in fibroblasts as one mechanism by which cis -UCA exerts its biological effect in the skin.     

Spectrophotometric determination of methyldopa and dopamine in pharmaceutical formulations using a crude extract of sweet potato root (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) as enzymatic source

A rapid, precise and low cost spectrophotometric method is proposed for the determination of methyldopa and dopamine in pharmaceutical formulations. The crude extract of sweet potato root (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) was used as an enzymatic source of polyphenol oxidase (PPO; EC.1.14.18.1). This enzyme catalyses the oxidation of catecholamines to the corresponding methyldopaquinone and dopaminequinone. Those compounds are converted by a rapid spontaneous auto-oxidation to methyldopachrome and dopaminechrome which have a strong absorption at 480 or 470 nm, respectively. The calibration graphs are linear from 2.0x10(-4) to 6.0x10(-3) M. The results obtained by the proposed enzymatic method are in close agreement with those obtained using a Pharmacopoeia procedure and also with the label values. The detection limit (three times the signal blank/slope) was 3.4x10(-5) and 3.0x10(-5) M for methyldopa and dopamine, respectively, the recovery of methyldopa and dopamine from three samples ranged from 97.5 to 102.9% of the added amount.     

Biochemical steps in visual transduction: roles for nucleotides and calcium ions

Abstract— Recent studies from this laboratory permit the suggestion of a scheme for describing molecular mechanisms which may regulate excitation and adaptation in amphibian rod photoreceptor cells. The experiments have studied several chemical changes which occur upon illumination of isolated rod outer segments: (1) activation of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase which is sensitive to calcium concentration, (2) a resulting rapid drop in cyclic GMP levels which has stoichiometry and time course appropriate for the internal transmitter presumed to mediate between photon absorption in the disc membrane system and the permeability decrease in the plasma membrane, (3) a dephosphorylation of two small proteins whose phosphorylation is controlled by cyclic GMP levels, and (4) a slower hydrolysis of GTP which may drive efflux of calcium from the outer segment. It is suggested that the rapid decrease in sodium conductance which follows illumination is caused by the dephosphorylation of the two small proteins, with their dephosphorylation being controlled by the cyclic GMP decrease. In a slower reaction light activates a GTP-dependent extrusion of calcium from the cytoplasmic space. This lowering of internal calcium causes desensitization of the light-sensitive phosphodiesterase enzyme responsible for the cyclic GMP decrease, so that its intensity-response function now resembles that of the light-adapted rod photoreceptor. Thus, changes in plasma membrane conductance are regulated by cyclic GMP, and the sensitivity of the system is controlled by slower calcium movements which set the light-sensitivity of the phosphodiesterase enzyme. Finally, the light-initiated phosphorylation of rhodopsin also appears to play a role, with phosphorylated rhodopsin causing desensitization of the phosphodiesterase enzyme.     

腺嘌呤、腺苷和5'-腺苷酸电化学氧化行为的比较研究

本文使用微分脉冲伏安法, 循环伏安法, 计时电流法, 和线性扫描伏安法对这三种生物分子在碳糊电极上的氧化行为进行比较研究, 并对典电极反应动力学参数(βnb)、扩散系数(D)及反应速度常数(Kb)进行测量比较.     

Isotachophoretic determination of 2-5A phosphodiesterase

Together with 2-5A synthetase and ribonuclease L, 2-5A phosphodiesterase belongs to the 2-5A system, which plays an important role in the action of interferon. Analytical capillary isotachophoresis was used for the determination of 2-5A phosphodiesterase activity. Enzyme assay was optimized using snake venom phosphodiesterase as a source of 2-5A phosphodiesterase activity. The 2-5A trimer core was used as a substrate. Enzyme activity was determined in time- and concentration-dependent reactions. In addition, 2-5A phosphodiesterase activity was determined in lysates of mononuclear blood cells.     

Determination of Urinary Oxalate With Disposable Oxalate Oxidase Hembrane Strips

Abstract

We describe in this paper a simple and easy method of entrapping oxalate oxidase and peroxidase in acrylamide membrane and demonstrate the use of such enzyme membrane strips in the rapid determination of urinary oxalate. A crude preparation of 45-60% acetone cut obtained from banana fruit peel (Musa paradisiaca; French plantain) homogenate serves as a source of oxalate oxidase, which decomposes oxalate into CO₂ and H₂O₂. the oxalate content of a given urine sample is determined by introducing a small enzyme membrane strip (1 × 1 cm) into an aliquot of buffered urine containing a suitable chromogen for peroxidase and then measuring the colour developed due to the interaction of peroxidase with the newly formed H₂O₂ and the chromogen. Urine samples are pretreated with sodium nitrite to eliminate the interference of ascorbic acid in the assay. the enzyme membrane assay compares well with that of wet enzyme assay of oxalate in sensitivity and reliability.     

Separation of purine and pyrimidine bases by ion chromatography with direct conductivity detection

A simple, rapid and accurate method for the simultaneous determination of four purine and pyrimidine bases (cytosine, 5-methylcytosine, adenine and N6-methyladenine) has been developed. The quantitative determination of these bases was accomplished by ion chromatography (IC) with direct conductivity detection (CD) based on their ionization in acidic medium without chemical suppression. The recovery of cytosine, 5-methylcytosine, and adenine in calf thymus DNA was more than 98% (n=3) and the relative standard deviation (RSD, n=5) less than 2.4%. In a single chromatographic run, the four bases could be separated and determined in less than 10 min. The detection limits were found to be 0.05 microg/mL for cytosine, 0.08 microg/mL for 5-methylcytosine, 0.07 microg/mL for adenine, and 0.07 microg/mL for N6-methyladenine. Linear ranges were 0.2-95.1 microg/mL for cytosine (r2=0.9996), 0.3-196.6 microg/mL for 5-methylcytosine (r2=0.9994), 0.3-105.5 microg/mL for adenine (r2=0.9998), and 0.3-159.1 microg/mL for N6-methyladenine (r2=0.9999). With the proposed method, purine and pyrimidine bases could be successfully detected in calf thymus DNA. We also determined these bases in calf thymus DNA using RP-HPLC. Compared to RP-HPLC, the IC method offers advantages such as high selectivity and simple mobile phase.     

Kinetic analysis of cyclic CMP-specific and multifunctional phosphodiesterases by quantitative positive-ion fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Two enzymes, cyclic CMP-specific phosphodiesterase and multifunctional phosphodiesterase, are responsible for the hydrolysis of cytidine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate in living cells. Quantitation of both enzymes has been carried out by positive-ion fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometric analysis of the enzyme incubates after termination of the reaction. The kinetic data obtained are in close agreement with parallel data obtained by the conventional radiometric assay. The extra facility of the mass spectrometry based assay to monitor several incubation components simultaneously has been exploited to study the concurrent hydrolysis of alternate cyclic nucleotide substrates and provides kinetic parameters of significance in interpreting substrate-enzyme interactions. This is extended by the use of collisionally-induced dissociation of the protonated molecules of the liberated products to identify the mononucleotide isomers resulting from the cyclic nucleotide hydrolysis.     

Poly(adenine) DNA-Templated Gold Nanocluster-Based Fluorescent Strategy for the Determination of Thiol-Containing Pharmaceuticals

The fluorescence intensity of poly(adenine) DNA-templated gold nanoclusters was shown to be significantly quenched by N-acetylcysteine through the formation of the Au-S metal-ligand bonds. On the basis of the fluorescence quenching phenomenon, a sensitive, turn-off, and label-free fluorescence method has been designed for the determination of thiol-containing pharmaceuticals using poly(adenine) DNA-templated gold nanoclusters as fluorescent probes. The assay exhibited sensitive determination of N-acetylcysteine with a linear dynamic range from 10?nM to 10?μM and a limit of detection of 3?nM. Furthermore, the proposed strategy was successfully applied for the determination of N-acetylcysteine levels in acetylcysteine granule samples. Thus, the method could provide a sensitive, simple, and rapid fluorescent sensing platform for the determination of thiol-containing pharmaceuticals.     

稀土元素对腺嘌呤及鸟嘌呤单核苷酸的水解断裂作用

本文研究稀土元素对5'-腺嘌呤核苷酸(5'-AMP)和5'-鸟嘌呤核苷酸(5'-GMP)的水解断裂作用。空气中CeCl~3在pH 9,37℃能有效地水解断裂5'-AMP及5'-GMP,而其它三价稀土对5'-AMP和5'-GMP的水解断裂作用很小, 铈对5'-AMP的水解断裂速度大于5'-GMP。紫外吸收光谱实验结果表明反应体系中Ce(Ⅲ)部分被氧化成Ce(Ⅳ), Ce(Ⅳ)的氢氧簇合物是使5'-AMP和5'-GMP水解的活性组分。