Biochemistry of thiamine and thiamine phosphate compounds

in Lennarz, W. J.; Lane, M. D. (Eds.) The Encyclopedia of Biological Chemistry, vol 1 (2013)

An alternative role of FoF1-ATP synthase in Escherichia coli: synthesis of thiamine triphosphate

in Scientific Reports (2013), 3(1071),

In E. coli, thiamine triphosphate (ThTP), a putative signaling molecule, transiently accumulates in response to amino acid starvation. This accumulation requires the presence of an energy substrate ... [more ▼]

In E. coli, thiamine triphosphate (ThTP), a putative signaling molecule, transiently accumulates in response to amino acid starvation. This accumulation requires the presence of an energy substrate yielding pyruvate. Here we show that in intact bacteria ThTP is synthesized from free thiamine diphosphate (ThDP) and Pi, the reaction being energized by the proton-motive force (Dp) generated by the respiratory chain. ThTP production is suppressed in strains carrying mutations in F1 or a deletion of the atp operon. Transformation with a plasmid encoding the whole atp operon fully restored ThTP production, highlighting the requirement for FoF1-ATP synthase in ThTP synthesis. Our results show that, under specific conditions of nutritional downshift, FoF1-ATP synthase catalyzes the synthesis of ThTP, rather than ATP, through a highly regulated process requiring pyruvate oxidation. Moreover, this chemiosmotic mechanism for ThTP production is conserved from E. coli to mammalian brain mitochondria. [less ▲]

High inorganic triphosphatase activities in bacteria and mammalian cells: Identification of the enzymes involved.

in PLoS ONE (2012), 7(9), 43879

Background: We recently characterized a specific inorganic triphosphatase (PPPase) from Nitrosomonas europaea. This enzyme belongs to the CYTH superfamily of proteins. Many bacterial members of this ... [more ▼]

Background: We recently characterized a specific inorganic triphosphatase (PPPase) from Nitrosomonas europaea. This enzyme belongs to the CYTH superfamily of proteins. Many bacterial members of this family are annotated as predicted adenylate cyclases, because one of the founding members is CyaB adenylate cyclase from A. hydrophila. The aim of the present study is to determine whether other members of the CYTH protein family also have a PPPase activity, if there are PPPase activities in animal tissues and what enzymes are responsible for these activities. Methodology/Principal Findings: Recombinant enzymes were expressed and purified as GST- or His-tagged fusion proteins and the enzyme activities were determined by measuring the release of inorganic phosphate. We show that the hitherto uncharacterized E. coli CYTH protein ygiF is a specific PPPase, but it contributes only marginally to the total PPPase activity in this organism, where the main enzyme responsible for hydrolysis of inorganic triphosphate (PPPi) is inorganic pyrophosphatase. We further show that CyaB hydrolyzes PPPi but this activity is low compared to its adenylate cyclase activity. Finally we demonstrate a high PPPase activity in mammalian and quail tissue, particularly in the brain. We show that this activity is mainly due to Prune, an exopolyphosphatase overexpressed in metastatic tumors where it promotes cell motility. Conclusions and General Significance: We show for the first time that PPPase activities are widespread in bacteria and animals. We identified the enzymes responsible for these activities but we were unable to detect significant amounts of PPPi in E. coli or brain extracts using ion chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. The role of these enzymes may be to hydrolyze PPPi, which could be cytotoxic because of its high affinity for Ca2+, thereby interfering with Ca2+ signaling. [less ▲]

Simultaneous versus solitary pharmacological manipulation of NMDA- and AMPA- receptors: effects of new drugs on contextual learning and its extinction

Poster (2012, July 17)

Both the attenuation of the NMDA-receptor mediated transmission via low affinity blockade mechanism, and the stimulation of AMPA receptor-mediated signaling were shown to result in beneficial ... [more ▼]

Both the attenuation of the NMDA-receptor mediated transmission via low affinity blockade mechanism, and the stimulation of AMPA receptor-mediated signaling were shown to result in beneficial neurobiological effects, such as an enhancement of memory and neurogenesis. We aimed to compare the effects of acute pharmacological manipulations of these mechanisms, exerted simultaneously or solely in mice, on learning of two mouse tasks with distinct predominant dependency on either glutamate receptor subtype. In a step-down avoidance task, memantine, low affinity NMDA receptor blocker (5 mg/kg), but not ampakine QQX (5 mg/kg) increased memory scores. In contrast, extinction of contextual fear conditioning was significantly enhanced by the latter, but not by the first drug. Among four new isothiourea derivates used at the doses 0.5-1 mg/kg, one compound that showed a maximal potency with respect to both glutamatergic mechanisms, as well as dimebon (1 mg/kg), had the most prominent memory enhancing effects. Thus, simultaneous low affinity blocade of the NMDA receptor and stimulation of AMPA-mediated transmission can result in eminent pro-cognitive activities. These data point to the importance of multi-target drug mechanism in the regulation of cognitive functions and suggest its potential for clinical implications. [less ▲]

Chapter 5: The chemistry, biochemistry and metabolism of thiamin (vitamin B1)

in Preedy, Victor R. (Ed.) B Vitamins and Folate: Chemistry, Analysis, Function and Effects (2012)

Molecular evolution of the CYTH superfamily of proteins

in FEBS Journal (2012), 279(Suppl. s1), 438

Molecular evolution of the CYTH superfamily of proteins L. Bettendorff, D. Delvaux, G. Kohn, P. Wins, B. Lakaye GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, Belgium The CYTH superfamily of proteins was named ... [more ▼]

Molecular evolution of the CYTH superfamily of proteins L. Bettendorff, D. Delvaux, G. Kohn, P. Wins, B. Lakaye GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, Belgium The CYTH superfamily of proteins was named after the two founding members, the CYaB adenylyl cyclase from Aeromonas hydrophila and the human 25-kDa THiamine triphosphatase (ThTPase). Members of this superfamily of proteins exist in all organisms including bacteria, archaea, plants and animals (except in birds) and can be traced back to the Last Universal Common Ancestor. They are characterized by a consensus sequence including several charged residues involved in divalent cation and triphosphate binding. Indeed, all members of the CYTH family that are characterized act on triphosphate derivatives and require at least one divalent cation for catalysis. The Nitrosomonas europaea (1) and E.coli CYTH proteins are specific inorganic triphosphatases. We propose that inorganic triphosphate (PPPi), the most simple triphosphate compound that can be imagined, is the primitive substrate of CYTH proteins. Other enzyme activities such as adenylate cyclase (in A. hydrophila), mRNA triphosphatase (in fungi and protozoans) and ThTPase (in metazoans) activities are secondary acquisitions. We show that ThTPase activity is not limited to mammals, but Sea anemone and Zebrafish CYTH proteins are already specific ThTPases and the acquisition of this enzyme activity is linked to the presence of a Trp (W53 in mammalian ThTPases) residue involved in the binding of the thiazole heterocycle of the thiamine molecule. The importance of W53 for the specificity of mammalian ThTPases is confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis. Furthermore, we propose a conserved catalytic mechanism between inorganic triphosphatases and ThTPases, based on a catalytic dyad comprising a Lys and a Tyr residue, explaining the alkaline pH optimum of CYTH proteins. (1) Delvaux et al. J. Biol. Chem 286 (2011) 34023-35 [less ▲]

Chapter 17: Thiamin (E-book)

in Erdman, Jr, John W.; MacDonald, Ian A.; Zeisel, Steven H. (Eds.) Present Knowledge in Nutrition (E-book) (2012)

Thiamin (vitamin B1) was the first vitamin characterized and its discovery was at the origin of the concept of vitamin. Thiamin deficiency mainly affects the nervous system and causes two classical ... [more ▼]

Thiamin (vitamin B1) was the first vitamin characterized and its discovery was at the origin of the concept of vitamin. Thiamin deficiency mainly affects the nervous system and causes two classical diseases, beriberi (a polyneuritic syndrome) and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (anterograde amnesia resulting from brain lesions in alcoholics). Thiamin transport through the membranes of intestinal and other cells requires specific carriers. As the process is rather slow, various lipid-soluble thiamin precursors with better bioavailability have been developed. In the cytosol, thiamin is pyrophosphorylated to thiamin diphosphate (ThDP), an indispenable cofactor in cell energy metabolism. Therefore, thiamin deficiency causes decreased cofactor function, leading to neuronal death. In addition, non-cofactor roles of the triphosphorylated derivatives thiamin triphosphate (ThTP) and adenosine thiamin triphosphate (AThTP) may play a role in metabolic regulation and may contribute to the pathology of thiamin deficiency-induced brain lesions. Current research interests are focused on the metabolism and role of thiamin derivatives (especially in catalysis by ThDP-dependent enzymes) and the biochemical and pathophysiological mechanisms by which thiamin deficiency induces specific brain lesions and may be implicated in other disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. [less ▲]

Une invitée surprise

Learning material (2011)

Dérivés triphosphorylés inhabituels à l’interface entre le métabolisme des nucléotides et le métabolisme énergétique des cellules

Scientific conference (2011)

A specific inorganic triphosphatase from Nitrosomonas europaea: structure and catalytic mechanism

in Journal of Biological Chemistry (2011), 286

The CYTH superfamily of proteins is named after its two founding members, the CyaB adenylyl cyclase from Aeromonas hydrophila and the human 25-kDa thiamine triphosphatase. Because these proteins often ... [more ▼]

The CYTH superfamily of proteins is named after its two founding members, the CyaB adenylyl cyclase from Aeromonas hydrophila and the human 25-kDa thiamine triphosphatase. Because these proteins often form a closed β-barrel, they are also referred to as “Triphosphate Tunnel Metalloenzymes” (TTM). Functionally, they are characterized by their ability to bind triphosphorylated substrates and divalent metal ions. These proteins exist in most organisms and catalyze different reactions, depending on their origin. Here we investigate structural and catalytic properties of the recombinant TTM protein from Nitrosomonas europaea (NeuTTM), a 19-kDa protein. Crystallographic data show that it crystallizes as a dimer and that, in contrast to other TTM proteins, it has an open β-barrel structure. We demonstrate that NeuTTM is a highly specific inorganic triphosphatase, hydrolyzing tripolyphosphate (PPPi) with high catalytic efficiency in the presence of Mg2+. These data are supported by native mass spectrometry analysis showing that the enzyme binds PPPi (and Mg-PPPi) with high affinity (Kd < 1.5 μM), while it has a low affinity for ATP or thiamine triphosphate. In contrast to Aeromonas and Yersinia CyaB proteins, NeuTTM has no adenylyl cyclase activity, but it shares several properties with other enzymes of the CYTH superfamily, e.g. heat-stability, alkaline pH optimum and inhibition by Ca2+ and Zn2+ ions. We suggest a catalytic mechanism involving a catalytic dyad formed by K52 and Y28. The present data provide the first characterization of a new type of phosphohydrolase (unrelated to pyrophosphatases or exopolyphosphatases), able to hydrolyze inorganic triphosphate with high specificity. [less ▲]