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QUESTION: Does Nitisinone prevent the clinical progression of the Alkaptonuria? FINDINGS: In this observational study on 39 patients, 2 mg of daily nitisinone inhibited ochronosis and significantly slowed the progression of AKU over a three-year period. MEANING: Nitisinone is a beneficial therapy in Alkaptonuria. BACKGROUND: Nitisinone decreases homogentisic acid (HGA), but has not been shown to modify progression of Alkaptonuria (AKU). METHODS: Thirty-nine AKU patients attended the National AKU Centre (NAC) in Liverpool for assessments and treatment. Nitisinone was commenced at V1 or baseline. Thirty nine, 34 and 22 AKU patients completed 1, 2 and 3 years of monitoring respectively (V2, V3 and V4) in the VAR group. Seventeen patients also attended a pre-baseline visit (V0) in the VAR group. Within the 39 patients, a subgroup of the same ten patients attended V0, V1, V2, V3 and V4 visits constituting the SAME Group. Severity of AKU was assessed by calculation of the AKU Severity Score Index (AKUSSI) allowing comparison between the pre-nitisinone and the nitisinone treatment phases. RESULTS: The ALL (sum of clinical, joint and spine AKUSSI features) AKUSSI rate of change of scores/patient/month, in the SAME group, was significantly lower at two (0.32 ± 0.19) and three (0.15 ± 0.13) years post-nitisinone when compared to pre-nitisinone (0.65 ± 0.15) (p

Subsolidus phase equilibria in the system Fe2O3–Al2O3–TiO2 were investigated between 1000° and 1300°C. Quenched samples were examined using powder X-ray diffraction and electron probe microanalytical methods. The main features of the phase relations were: (a) the presence of an M3O5 solid solution series between end members Fe2TiO5 and Al2TiO5, (b) a miscibility gap along the Fe2O3–Al2O3 binary, (c) an α-M2O3(ss) ternary solid-solution region based on mutual solubility between Fe2O3, Al2O3, and TiO2, and (d) an extensive three-phase region characterized by the assemblage M3O5+α-M2O3(ss) + Cor(ss). A comparison of results with previously established phase relations for the Fe2O3–Al2O3–TiO2 system shows considerable discrepancy.

Major impurity elements in iron ore are silicon, aluminum, phosphorus, and sulfur. Often, a chemical separation is the only method able to remove phosphorus from iron ores. Phosphorus can occur as phosphorus-containing minerals (e.g., apatite) and being finely dispersed in hematite in oolitic ironstones or in goethite in goethite–hematite banded iron formation ores. An acid leach can remove phosphate present as discrete minerals and associated with hematite in oolitic ironstones. With goethitic ores, a heating treatment before a caustic or acid leach is necessary to make the phosphorus accessible to chemical separation. The amount of phosphorus removed increases with an increasing heating temperature up to 1300 °C. Silica, alumina, and sulfur usually are removed along with the phosphorus.

Administration of the nonsteroidal ecdysteroid agonist RH-5849 or 20-hydroxyecdysone to final larval instar tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, has been shown to induce an ecdysteroid inactivation enzyme, ecdysteroid 26-hydroxylase, and the cytosolic inactivation enzymes ecdysone oxidase and ecdysteroid phosphotransferase. In this work, we show that induction of ecdysteroid 26-hydroxylase by the ecdysteroid agonists RH-5849, RH-5992 (tebufenozide), and RH-0345 (halofenozide) appears universal in lepidopteran species that show susceptibility to the agonists. Interestingly, the waxmoth, Galleria mellonella, which shows very low susceptibility to the agonists but whose ecdysteroid receptor is capable of binding the agonist, shows no induction of a 26-hydroxylase activity. It appears that the more potent ecdysteroid agonists in Lepidoptera, RH-5992 and RH-0345, show in general a greater induction of 26-hydroxylase than RH-5849. Feeding RH-5849 to the dipteran housefly Musca domestica results in the induction of an ecdysteroid phosphotransferase. The low toxicity of these ecdysteroid agonists in orthopteran and coleopteran orders also correlates with a lack of induction of ecdysteroid 26-hydroxylase activity. We propose that in species where ecdysteroid agonists are effective in stimulating an untimely premature molt, a response to a state of hyperecdysonism elicited by the agonists is induction of enzymes of ecdysteroid inactivation.

Phase relations and the stability of crystallographic shear (CS) structure compounds (Cr,Fe)2Tin−2O2n−1 in the system Fe2O3–Cr2O3–TiO2 were investigated between 1000 and 1300°C. The ternary comprises five major solid solution series. These are as follows: an M2O3 series; an M3O5 series made up of two separate solid solution series—the first an orthorhombic pseudobrookite M3O5 solid solution and the second a monoclinic M3O5 series based on the V3O5 structure type; an M4O7 series; and an M5O9 series. These latter three series represent lower homologues (n=3, 4, and 5) of the (Cr,Fe)2Tin−2O2n−1CS compound series. Between adjacent M3O5 and M4O7 and M4O7 and M5O9 solid solutions, ordered intergrowths may occur. The stability and compositional limits of the solid solution series and intergrowth phases are dependent upon the temperature and Fe:Cr ratio. At high-TiO2 contents, assemblages may contain either members of the Andersson phase series Cr2Tin−2O2n−1, a continuous CS structure series extending into the ternary, or a rutile-based solid solution. A comparison of results from this study with previously published phase relations has led to a revised version of the Fe2O3–Cr2O3–TiO2 phase diagram.

Insect molting hormone (ecdysteroid) inactivation occurs by several routes, including 26-hydroxylation and further oxidation to the 26-oic acids. Thus, the ecdysteroid 26-hydroxylase is a critical enzyme involved in precise regulation of ecdysteroid titers during insect development. Administration of the ecdysteroid agonist, RH-5849 (1,2-dibenzoyl, 1-tert-butyl hydrazone), or 20-hydroxyecdysone to the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, results in induction of ecdysteroid 26-hydroxylase activity in midgut mitochondria and microsomes. The biochemical and kinetic properties of the ecdysteroid 26-hydroxylase were investigated. The mitochondrial enzyme was found to have optimal activity at a pH of 7. 5 in a Hepes or sodium phosphate buffer at 30-37 degrees C. The apparent K(m) of the microsomal 26-hydroxylase for 20-hydroxyecdysone substrate was lower than that of the mitochondrial enzyme for either 20-hydroxyecdysone or ecdysone substrate. The V(max) of the 26-hydroxylase in both subcellular fractions was slightly higher using 20-hydroxyecdysone as substrate compared to ecdysone. Demonstration that activity of the mitochondrial 26-hydroxylase was inhibited by incubation in a CO (or N(2)) atmosphere, taken together with the requirement for reducing cofactor and the efficacy of the P450 inhibitors, ketoconazole and fenarimol, provided strong evidence that the hydroxylase is cytochrome P450-dependent. Indirect evidence suggested that the mitochondrial and microsomal ecdysteroid 26-hydroxylase(s) could exist in a less active dephosphorylated state or more active phosphorylated state. Using Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase to remove covalently bound phosphate groups, the activity of the 26-hydroxylase was decreased and, conversely, activity was enhanced using a cAMP-dependent protein kinase with appropriate cofactors. In addition, the protein kinase was shown to reactivate the 26-hydroxylase activity in alkaline phosphatase-treated fractions.

Detailed phase relations have been determined within the systems Fe2O3-MgO-TiO2 and FeO-MgO-TiO2. Experiments were performed over the temperature interval 1173–1473 K by equilibrating pelletized, fine-grained oxide mixtures in either inert calcia-stabilized zirconia pots (Fe2O3-MgO-TiO2 system) or evacuated silica tubes (FeO-MgO-TiO2 system). Equilibrium phase assemblages were determined by combined optical microscope, X-ray diffraction and EMP examination. Phase relations in the Fe2O3-MgO-TiO2 ternary are dominated by the instability of the M2O3 solid solution relative to the phase assemblage M3O4 + M3O5. A miscibility gap along the M2O3 binary also gives rise to two, 3-phase fields (α-M2O3 + M3O5 + M3O4 and α′-M2O3 + M3O5 + M3O4) separated by the M3O4 + M3O5 phase field. Phase relations in the FeO-MgO-TiO2 ternary were divided into two sub-systems. For the FeTiO3-MgTiO3-TiO2 sub-ternary, there is complete solid solution along the M2O3 and M3O5 binary joins at high temperature. At low temperatures (T < 1373 K) the M3O5 pseudobrookite solid solution decomposes to M2O3 + TiO2. Increasing the concentration of MgO in M3O5 phase results in a decrease in the temperature at which M3O5 becomes unstable and compositional tie lines linking M2O3 and TiO2 fan out, before the appearance of a three-phase region where M2O3, M3O5, and TiO2 coexist. Within the expanded FeO-MgO-TiO2 system, at temperatures above ∼1273 K there is a continuous solid solution along the M3O4 binary. At low temperatures (T < 1273 K) the Mg2TiO4 end-member breaks down to MgO and MgTiO3. The M3O4 phase shows significant non-stoichiometry, down to at least 1173 K. Fe2+-Mg partitioning data were obtained for coexisting M2O3-M3O5 and M2O3-M3O4 pairs in the FeO-MgO-TiO2 ternary. Assuming a regular solution mixing model for all phases, the M2O3 and M3O4 solid solutions were both found to exhibit moderate positive deviations from ideality (∼2600 J/mol), whereas the data for the M3O5 binary suggest close to ideal behaviour.

1 To characterize the P2 receptors present on the human umbilical vein endothelial-derived cell line, ECV304, cytosolic Ca2+, ([Ca2+]c), responses were recorded in single cells and in cell suspensions to a series of nucleotides and nucleotide agonists. 2 Concentration response curves were obtained in fura-2-loaded ECV304 cell suspensions, with EC50 values of 4.2 μM for ATP, 2.5 μM for UTP and 14 μM for adenosine-5′-O-(3-thio)triphosphate (ATPγS). EC50 values for 2-methylthioATP, ADP, adenosine-5′-O-(2-thio)diphosphate (ADPβS) and AMP were 0.5 μM, 3.5 μM, 15 μM and 4.7 μM respectively, but maximal [Ca2+]c responses were less than those produced by a maximal addition of ATP/UTP. ECV304 cells were unresponsive to UDP and β,γ,methyleneATP. 3 Cross-desensitization studies on ECV304 cells suggested that ATP and UTP recognized the same receptor. However, ADP recognized a receptor distinct from the UTP-sensitive receptor and AMP recognized a third distinct receptor. 4 ECV304 [Ca2+]c responses to 2-methylthioATP were inhibited in the presence of 30 μM pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulphonic acid (PPADS), whereas [Ca2+]c responses to UTP were unaffected by this treatment. 5 ECV304 cells responded to the diadenosine polyphosphate Ap3A with rises in [Ca2+]c. Apparent responses to Ap4A, Ap5A and Ap6A, were shown to be due to a minor nucleotide contaminant that could be removed by pre-treatment of the diadenosine samples with either alkaline phosphatase or apyrase. 6 ECV304 cells display a pharmacology consistent with the presence of at least two P2 receptors; a P2Y2 receptor insensitive to the diadenosine polyphosphates and a P2Y1 receptor sensitive to Ap3A. In addition, ECV304 cells respond to AMP with increases in [Ca2+]cvia an as yet uncharacterized receptor. British Journal of Pharmacology (1998) 125, 357–364; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0702082

Diadenosine polyphosphates (Ap n As) can, through interaction with appropriate purinoceptors, affect a range of cellular activities. Ap 4 A, the most prominent naturally occurring diadenosine polyphosphate, stimulates alterations in intracellular calcium homeostasis and subsdquent activation of glycogen breakdown in isolated liver cells. Here we show that Ap 4 A, and other naturally occurring diadenosine polyphosphates, also stimulates phospholipase D (PLD) activity in isolated rat liver cells. The characteristics of Ap 4 A-mediated activation of PLD are similar to those for the activation of PLD by extracellular ATP. These results are discussed in the context of the relation between diadenosine polyphosphate– and adenine mononucleotide–mediated cellular signalling processes.

Aims—To study the eVect of prenatal glucocorticoid treatment on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in rats with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Methods—CDH was induced in fetal rats by the maternal administration of nitrofen on day 9.5 of gestation. Dexamethasone was administered on days 18.5 and 19.5 before delivery of the fetuses on days 20.5 and 21.5. Pulmonary eNOS protein expression was studied by western immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Results—On day 20.5, eNOS expression was significantly reduced in CDH pups compared with normal control rats. Dexamethasone treated CDH pups had eNOS concentrations equivalent to those of normal animals. By day 21.5, however, there was no detectable diVerence in eNOS expression between the experimental groups. Conclusions—eNOS is deficient in near term (day 20.5) CDH rats. Dexamethasone restores eNOS expression in these animals to that seen in normal rat lungs. At term, the precise role of eNOS in the pathophysiology of CDH remains uncertain. (Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 1998;78:F204‐F208)

Neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) have a high morbidity and mortality rate caused by pulmonary hypoplasia associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH). In experimental CDH, antenatal glucocorticoid therapy improves surfactant biochemical immaturity, enhances lung compliance, and induces morphological maturation in CDH rats. The effects of steroid therapy on preventing or treating PH in this condition have not been studied. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), which is produced by the vascular endothelium, is implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of antenatal glucocorticoid therapy on ACE activity and expression in CDH rat lungs.CDH was induced in fetal rats by the maternal administration of 100 mg nitrofen on day 9.5 of gestation (term, day 22). Dexamethasone (Dex) (0.25 mg/kg) was given by intraperitoneal injection on days 18.5 and 19.5 before delivery of the fetuses by cesarean section on day 21.5. Control animals received olive oil (OO) by gavage and normal saline (NS) as vehicle injection. ACE activity was measured spectrophotometrically in the lungs of rats from four treatment groups: CDH-NS, non-CDH-NS, CDH-Dex, and OO-NS controls. Total lung ACE activity (mU per lung) was significantly lower in CDH-NS (P = .002) and CDH-Dex (P = .004) rats compared with non-CDH-NS and OO-NS controls (9.1 +/- 1.0 and 10.7 +/- 1.3 v 16.2 +/- 1.6 and 15.4 +/- 1.7). When specific ACE activity (mU/mg protein) was derived by expressing ACE activity per milligram of lung protein, CDH-NS animals showed elevated specific ACE activity (P = .05) compared with OO-NS controls (6.31 +/- 1.1 v 4.4 +/- 0.4). CDH-Dex animals had a significantly lower specific ACE activity (P = .01) compared with CDH-NS and Non-CDH-NS rats (4.0 +/- 0.4 v 6.31 +/- 1.1 and 5.83 +/- 0.54). The specific ACE activity levels of CDH-Dex rats were equivalent to those seen in the lungs of OO-NS controls (P = .24).Antenatal steroid therapy, by suppressing pulmonary ACE activity, may reduce the risk of pulmonary hypertension developing in human newborns with antenatally diagnosed CDH.

Diadenosine polyphosphates released into the extracellular environment influence a variety of metabolic and other cellular activities in a wide range of target tissues. Here we have studied the impact of these novel nucleotides on gluconeogenesis in isolated rat proximal tubules. Gluconeogenesis was stimulated following exposure of isolated proximal tubules to a range of adenine-containing nucleotides including ADP, ATP, Ap3A, Ap4A, Ap5A and Ap6A. The concentration-dependence of ATP-, Ap3A- and Ap4A-mediated stimulation of gluconeogenesis was similar and was consistent with a role for these agents in the physiological control of renal metabolism. Nucleotide-stimulated gluconeogenesis was diminished in the presence of agents that interfere with phospholipase C activation or intracellular Ca2+ metabolism, indicative of a role for polyphosphoinositide-mediated Ca2+ mobilization in the mechanism of action of ATP, Ap3A and Ap4A. The characteristics of binding of [2-3H]Ap4 A to renal plasma-membrane preparations suggest that Ap4A mediates its effects on proximal tubule gluconeogenesis via interaction with P2y-like purinoceptor(s) also recognized by extracellular ATP.

A rapid, highly-specific ELISA for tyrosine kinases readily detects such activity in crude extracts prepared from rat mammary epithelial and fibroblastic cells that have been stimulated with epidermal growth factor or basic fibroblast growth factor. Tyrosine kinase activity is also found in extracts of pupae of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis. Both the mammalian and the insect tyrosine kinases are ATP-dependent. Both cytosol and membrane-associated (Triton-X-100-soluble) fractions of Spodoptera littoralis pupae contain tyrosine kinase activity. The growth factor-stimulated tyrosine kinase activities in extracts of growth factor-stimulated rat mammary cells are inhibited by genistein and an analogue of erbstatin: methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate. However, the tyrosine kinase activities present in pupae of Spodoptera littoralis are not sensitive to these inhibitors, suggesting that the major tyrosine kinases of Spodoptera littoralis pupae may be distinct from the growth factor-stimulated mammalian tyrosine kinases.

The ability of purine nucleotides (e.g. ATP) to cause a dose-dependent activation of glycogen phosphorylase in isolated liver cells is well known known. These agents mediate their effects through interaction with specific P2-purinoceptors in the plasma membrane. We have investigated the ability of a range of synthetic and naturally occurring adenine dinucleotides to cause a similar stimulation of glycogen phosphorylase activity in isolated rat liver cells. Our results indicate that Ap3A and Ap4A, the most abundant naturally occurring adenine dinucleotides, cause a dose-dependent activation of glycogen phosphorylase similar to that observed with ATP. Similar responses were seen with Ap5A, Ap6A and a series of phosphorothioate analogues. In contrast, the response to phosphonate analogues depended on the position of the P-C-P bridged. The dinucleotides appear to exert their effects directly, rather than through hydrolytic products such as adenosine and/or ATP. The possibility that adenine dinucleotides are physiologically significant extracellular purinergic effectors is discussed in the light of these observations.

Covalent modification of eucaryotic proteins, involving addition of fatty acyl groups, is a widespread phenomenon. Here we describe the occurrence of this form of covalent modification in the free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. Following incubation in the presence of either [3H]-myristic acid or [3H]-palmitic acid, specific C. elegans polypeptides became labelled. Chemical analysis revealed that following incubation of C. elegans with [3H]-myristic acid, polypeptides became labelled with myristoyl, palmitoyl or stearoyl moieties; after incubation with [3H]-palmitic acid, palmitoyl or stearoyl moieties were incorporated into polypeptides. Fatty acyl groups were linked to target polypeptides, predominantly through alkali-labile thioester or ester linkages and acid-labile amide linkages. Where myristoylation involved an amide linkage, the modified amino acid was usually glycine. Preliminary immunological evidence indicated that heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein alpha subunit(s) are possible target(s) for acylation in C. elegans.

Diadenosine polyphosphates present in the extracellular environment can, through interaction with appropriate purinoceptors, influence a range of cellular activities. Here we have investigated the nature of the ligand:receptor interactions involved in diadenosine 5′,5″-P1,P4-tetraphosphate (Ap4A)-mediated stimulation of glycogen breakdown in isolated rat liver cells. [2-3H]Ap4A showed specific binding to both intact isolated liver cells and plasma membrane fractions prepared from isolated liver cells. HPLC analysis confirmed that binding was mediated by intact Ap4A and not by potential breakdown products (e.g. ATP, adenosine etc). Binding of [2-3H]Ap4A, to isolated liver cell plasma membrane preparations, was successfully displaced by a range of both naturally occurring and synthetic diadenosine polyphosphates with the rank order potency Ap4A ⩾Ap5A > Ap6A > Ap3A > Ap2A. [2-3H]Ap4A binding was not displaced by P1 effectors but was successfully displaced by a range of P2 effectors with the rank order potency 2-methylthio-ATP > ATP > ADP ⩾adenosine 5′-[αβ-methylene]triphosphate > adenosine 5′-[βγ-methylene]triphosphate. These findings are consistent with the interaction of Ap4A with a P2y-like subclass of purinoceptor and are discussed in relation to (1) the known purinoceptor populations in liver cell plasma membranes and (2) observations concerning the binding of diadenosine polyphosphates to purinoceptors in other tissues.

Single rat hepatocytes microinjected with aequorin respond to Cal’-mobilizing agonists, including ADP and ATP, with oscillations in cytosolic free Cal’. We show here that single rat hepatocytes also respond to the adenine dinucleotides Ap,A and Ap.,A with Cal’ oscillations which resemble those induced by ADP and ATP. Ca*’ oscillation; Adenine dinucleotide; Purinoceptor; Single hepatocyte

Ochratoxin A (OTA), is a myocotoxin contaminating food and feed stuffs, consisting of a chlorinated dihydroisocoumarin linked through a 7-carboxyl group to L-phenylalanine by an amide bond. When OTA (0.12-1.4 mM) is incubated with freshly isolated rat hepatocytes, it inhibits both the hydroxylation of phenylalanine (0.05 mM) to tyrosine, catalyzed by phenylalanine hydroxylase and the subsequent metabolism of tyrosine as measured by homogentisate oxidation. The IC50 of OTA for phenylalanine hydroxylation is 0.43 mM. OT alpha, (0.5-1.0 mM), the dihydroisocoumarin moiety of OTA, does not inhibit phenylalanine hydroxylase activity under these conditions. During incubations of hepatocytes with uniformly labelled [3H]-OTA and unlabelled phenylalanine, tyrosine-ochratoxin A is formed (up to 6% of the total mycotoxin added), indicating that ochratoxin can act as a substrate for phenylalanine hydroxylase. In vivo tyrosine-OTA is also found in liver of poisoned animals.

1. 1. Phenylalanine hydroxylation has been demonstrated to occur in isolated rat kidney tubules under physiological conditions. 2. 2. The hydroxylation flux response is hyperbolic with apparent Km and Vmax values of ca 85μM phenylalanine and 49 nmol tyrosine formed/mg dry wt per hr respectively. 3. 3. Hydroxylation in kidney tubules is substantially less sensitive to effectors of cyclic AMP turnover and Ca+ mobilization than phenylalanine hydroxylation in isolated liver cells.

The effects of polyamines on the oligomeric forms of protein phosphatase-1 (1G), protein phosphatase-2A (2A0, 2A1 and 2A2) and their free catalytic subunits (1C and 2AC) has been studied using homogeneous enzymes isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle. Spermine increased the activity of protein phosphatase-2A towards eight of nine substrates tested. Half-maximal activation was observed at 0.2 mM with optimal effects at 1-2 mM. Above 2 mM, spermine became inhibitory. The most impressive activation of protein phosphatase-2A was obtained with glycogen synthase, especially when phosphorylated at sites-3 (8-15-fold with protein phosphatase-2A1) and phenylalanine hydroxylase (6-7-fold with protein phosphatase-2A1) as substrates. Activation of protein phosphatases 2A0, 2A1 and 2A2 was greater than that observed with 2AC. Spermine was a more potent activator than spermidine, while putrescine had only a small effect. Qualitatively similar results were obtained with five other substrates, although maximal activation was much less (1.3-3-fold with protein phosphatase-2A1). The rate of dephosphorylation of glycogen phosphorylase was decreased by spermine, inhibition being more pronounced with protein phosphatase-2AC than with 2A0, 2A1 and 2A2. Spermine (I50 = 0.1 mM with protein phosphatase-2AC) was a more potent inhibitor than spermidine (I50 = 0.9 mM) or putrescine (I50 = 8 mM). Partially purified preparations of protein phosphatases-2A0, 2A1 and 2A2 from from rat liver were affected by spermine in a similar manner to the homogeneous enzymes from rabbit skeletal muscle. Spermine did not activate protein phosphatase-1 to the same extent as protein phosphatase-2A. Greatest stimulation (2.5-fold) was again observed with glycogen synthase labelled in sites-3, with half-maximal activation at 0.2 mM and optimal effects at 1-2 mM spermine. Spermine was a much more effective stimulator than spermidine, while putrescine was ineffective. Very similar results were obtained with protein phosphatases 1G and 1C. With four other substrates maximal activation by spermine was less than 1.5-fold, while the dephosphorylation of glycogen synthase (labelled in site-2), phosphorylase kinase, pyruvate kinase and glycogen phosphorylase were inhibited. Spermine (I50 = 0.04 mM) was a more potent inhibitor of the dephosphorylation of glycogen phosphorylase than spermidine (I50 = 0.9 mM) or putrescine (I50 = 9 mM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Evidence is presented for the reversible activation-inactivation of the microsomal ecdysone 20-monooxygenase from fat body of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis, in a manner commensurate with reversible changes in its phosphorylation state. The activity of the monooxygenase was higher following preincubation with fluoride (an inhibitor of phosphoprotein phosphatases) than in its absence. Preincubation with alkaline phosphatase or with cAMP-dependent protein kinase resulted in appreciable diminution or enhancement, respectively, in monooxygenase activity. Activation of ecdysone 20-monooxygenase activity could also be effected by incubation with a cytosolic fraction in the presence of cAMP, ATP, and fluoride; this activation was prevented by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor. Similarly, inactivation of the monooxygenase was achieved by preincubation with cytosol, the effect being enhanced by Ca2+-calmodulin or by Mg2+ ions. The combined results provide indirect evidence that the microsomal ecdysone 20-monooxygenase exists in an active phosphorylated form and an inactive dephosphorylated form, interconvertible by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase and a phosphoprotein phosphatase.

The impact of experimentally induced diabetes on the expression of rat liver phenylalanine hydroxylase has been investigated. A significant elevation in maximal enzymic activity was observed in diabetes. This was associated with significant increases in the amount of enzyme, the phenylalanine hydroxylase-specific translational activity of hepatic RNA and the abundance of phenylalanine hydroxylase-specific mRNA. These changes in phenylalanine hydroxylase expression were not observed when diabetes was controlled by daily injections of insulin. These results are discussed in relation to the hormonal control of phenylalanine hydroxylase gene expression.

The total activity of three key enzymes and the flux through eight steps of aromatic amino acid metabolism have been determined in liver cells isolated from rats fed either control or pyridoxine-free diet for 5–6 weeks. The pyridoxine-free diet caused a decrease in the catabolism of tyrosine and phenylalanine because of a drop in the flux through tyrosine aminotransferase. This decrease of expressed cellular tyrosine aminotransferase activity can be fully explained in terms of loss of cofactor. Larger decreases in the catabolism of tryptophan were seen after pyridoxine deprivation. The decreased extent of tryptophan catabolism can be solely attributed to loss of cofactor or increased degradation of kynureninase. Inhibition of tryptophan 2,3dioxygenase was seen in pyridoxine deficiency, probably because of the buildup of the kynurenine metabolites. The control strength of kynureninase, for flux through kynureninase, was calculated to be less than or equal to 0.004, but 0.41 after pyridoxine deprivation. The sensitivity of the three pathways to pyridoxine deprivation is interpreted and discussed in terms of the different affinities for pyridoxal phosphate and the control strengths of the pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzymes, tyrosine aminotransferase and kynureninase.

Hormonal control of the phosphorylation of phenylalanine hydroxylase was studied by using rat liver cells incubated with [32P]Pi. After immunoprecipitation from cell extracts, the hydroxylase was subjected to proteinase digestion and subsequent sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. V8-proteinase digestion yielded one major 32P-labelled fragment, of approx. 9 kDa. Chymotrypsin digestion gave five 32P-labelled fragments ranging from approx. 39 kDa to approx. 10 kDa. Noradrenaline (10 microM) and glucagon (0.1 microM) enhanced the 32P content of all peptide fragments uniformly. Phorbol ester, in contrast with ionophore A23187, did not stimulate enzyme phosphorylation or enhance phenylalanine metabolism in liver cells. These results are discussed in relation to the nature of the protein kinase(s) that mediate phosphorylation of phenylalanine hydroxylase in liver cells.

Extracellular diadenosine polyphosphates (Ap n A), through their interactions with appropriate P 2 receptors, influence a diverse range of intracellular activities. In particular, Ap 4 A stimulates alterations in intracellular calcium homeostasis and subsequent activation of glycogen breakdown in isolated liver cells. Here we show that, like ATP, Ap 4 A and other naturally occurring diadenosine polyphosphates attenuate glucagon-stimulated accumulation of cyclic AMP in isolated rat liver cells. The characteristics of Ap 4 A- and ATP-dependent modulation of glucagon-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation are similar. These results are discussed in the context of the repertoire of intracellular signalling processes modulated by extracellular nucleotides.

The role of polyamines in the control of phenylalanine hydroxylase phosphorylation state and enzymic activity was investigated. Pre-treatment of liver cells with spermine (1 mM) abolishes the glucagon (1 nM)-stimulated increase in hydroxylase phosphorylation. Concurrently there is a decrease in phenylalanine hydroxylation flux, reflecting decreased enzyme activity; 50% inhibition occurs at approx. 10 microM-spermine. These results are discussed in the context of reports concerning the properties of protein phosphatase 2A.

The metabolic fate of [4-3H]phenylalanine incubated with isolated hepatocytes has been investigated. Analysis of3H2O production and fluorimetric estimation of tyrosine production has allowed calculation of flux through phenylalanine hydroxylase and homogentisate oxidase. The resulting flux determinations are physiologically relevant and hormonally sensitive.

Liver cells from fed Sprague-Dawley rats metabolized phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan at rates consistent with the known kinetic properties of the first enzymes of each pathway. Starvation of rats for 48 h did not increase the maximal activities of phenylalanine hydroxylase, tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase and tyrosine aminotransferase in liver cell extracts, when results were expressed in terms of cellular DNA. Catabolic flux through the first two enzymes was unchanged; that through the aminotransferase was elevated relatively to enzyme activity. This is interpreted in terms of changes in the concentrations of 2-oxoglutarate and glutamate. Cells from tryptophan-treated animals exhibited significant increases in the catabolism of tyrosine and tryptophan, but not of phenylalanine. The activities of tyrosine aminotransferase and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase were also increased, although the changes in flux and enzyme activity did not correspond exactly. These results are discussed with reference to the control of aromatic amino acid catabolism in liver; the role of substrate concentration is emphasized.

Phenylalanine is transported rapidly into, but is not concentrated by, liver cells. Glucagon increased flux through phenylalanine hydroxylase; a half-maximal response was obtained at 0.7 nM. Under control conditions, 0.2-0.3 mol of phosphate were incorporated per mol of subunit of the hydroxylase at steady state. Glucagon increased this incorporation of phosphate into the hydroxylase to a maximal value of approx. 0.6 mol of phosphate per subunit; a half-maximal response was obtained at 0.3 nM. Glucagon, added simultaneously with [32P]Pi to liver cells, inhibited incorporation of 32P into the enzyme. The effects of glucagon were reproduced with dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Changes in phosphorylation correlated closely with changes in flux through phenylalanine hydroxylase in cell incubations.

Chronic (10-day) diabetes was associated with increased metabolic flux through phenylalanine hydroxylase in isolated liver cells. This flux was stimulated by 0.1 microM-glucagon, but not by 10 microM-noradrenaline; 0.1 microM-insulin affected neither basal nor glucagon-stimulated flux. The increased rate of phenylalanine hydroxylation in diabetes was accompanied by parallel increases in enzyme activity (as measured with artificial cofactor) and immunoreactive-enzyme-protein content. In contrast with total protein synthesis, which decreased, phenylalanine hydroxylase synthesis persisted at the control rate in cells from diabetic animals. These findings are discussed in relation to the hormonal regulation of the hydroxylase and the known metabolic consequences of chronic diabetes.

The adrenergic amines noradrenaline and adrenaline increased flux through phenylalanine hydroxylase by approx. 50%. This effect, which appears to be mediated by an alpha-adrenergic mechanism, was accompanied by a rapid increase in the phosphorylation of phenylalanine hydroxylase. Although ionophore A23187 mimicked the effects of the adrenergic amines, vasopressin was completely without effect on either phenylalanine hydroxylation or enzyme phosphorylation. Flux through phenylalanine hydroxylase in young rats (80 g) was insensitive to alpha-adrenergic, but sensitive to beta-adrenergic, agents. Consistent with previous observations [Fisher & Pogson (1984) Biochem. J. 219, 79-85] the present data indicate a close correlation between phosphorylation state and flux rate (i.e. enzyme activity).

The identities of the protein phosphatases involved in the regulation of hepatic glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and aromatic amino acid breakdown were investigated using 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, L-pyruvate kinase, phenylalanine hydroxylase and the bifunctional enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase as substrates. Purified preparations of protein phosphatases-1, 2A, 2B and 2C exhibited activity towards all five substrates in vitro, although phosphatases-1 and 2B were only weakly active. Studies in liver extracts using inhibitor-2 and trifluoperazine, which inhibit protein phosphatase-1 and 2B, respectively, confirmed that these phosphatases are unlikely to be important in dephosphorylating these substrates in vivo. Sequential fractionation of rat liver extracts by anion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration failed to resolve any protein phosphatases acting on each substrate, apart from protein phosphatases-2A and 2C. The present results, together with those described in the following paper (in this journal) indicate that under the assay conditions used, protein phosphatase-2A is the most powerful phosphatase acting on each substrate, although protein phosphatase-2C contributes a significant percentage of the activity towards 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase. No clear evidence was obtained for a role of metabolites in the regulation of dephosphorylation of the five substrates. This study reinforces our contention that only a few serine-specific and threonine-specific protein phosphatase catalytic subunits participate in cellular regulation.