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Kandatege Wimalasena - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Kinetic Evidence for Channeling of Dopamine between Monoamine Transporter and Membranous Dopamine-β-monooxygenase in Chromaffin Granule Ghosts
The Journal of biological chemistry, 2004Co-Authors: D.s. Wimalasena, Kandatege WimalasenaAbstract:The nature of coupling between the uptake and Dopamine-Beta-Monooxygenase (DbetaM) catalyzed hydroxylation of Dopamine (DA) was studied in bovine chromaffin granule ghosts. Initial rate and transient kinetics of DA uptake and conversion were determined under a variety of conditions. The uptake kinetics of DA, norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine demonstrate that DA is a better substrate than NE and epinephrine under optimal uptake conditions. The transient kinetics of DA accumulation and NE production under both optimal uptake and uptake and conversion conditions were zero-order with no detectable lag or burst periods. The mathematical analyses of the data show that a normal sequential uptake followed by the conversion process could not explain the observed kinetics, under any condition. On the other hand, all experimental data are in agreement with a mechanism in which DA is efficiently channeled from the vesicular monoamine transporter to membranous DbetaM for hydroxylation, prior to the release into the bulk medium of the ghost interior. The slow accumulation of DA under optimal conversion conditions appears to be caused by the slow leakage of DA from the channeling pathway to the ghost interior. Because DbetaM activity in intact granules is equally distributed between soluble and membranous forms of DbetaM, if an efficient channeling mechanism is operative in vivo, soluble DbetaM may not have access to the substrate, making the catalytic activity of soluble DbetaM physiologically insignificant, which is consistent with the increasing experimental evidence that membranous DbetaM may be the physiologically functional form.
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pH-induced alteration and oxidative destruction of heme in purified chromaffin granule cytochrome b(561): implications for the oxidative stress in catecholaminergic neurons.
Biochemistry, 2003Co-Authors: Srimevan Wanduragala, Donovan C. Haines, D.s. Wimalasena, Pawan K. Kahol, Kandatege WimalasenaAbstract:The transmembrane hemoprotein, cytochrome b(561) (b(561)), in the neuroendocrine secretory vesicles is shown to shuttle electrons from the cytosolic ascorbate (Asc) to the intravesicular matrix to provide reducing equivalents for the Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase (DbetaM) reaction. Intravesicular Asc may also play a role in relieving catecholamine-induced oxidative stress in catecholaminergic neurons. In the present study, we have examined the alteration of purified oxidized b(561) (b(561,ox)) under mild alkaline conditions to probe the structural and functional characteristics of the protein, using UV-vis and EPR spectroscopic and kinetic techniques. Our results show that low spin heme in oxidized b(561) (b(561,ox)) readily transforms to an altered high spin form and then slowly to an Asc nonreducible form, in a pH-, temperature-, and time-dependent manner, which can be described by single-exponential rate equations, A(t) = A(o)(1- e (-kt)) and A(t) = A(o)e(-kt), respectively. More than half of the Asc nonreducible altered b(561) could be converted back to the native b(561) by pH adjustment followed by dithionite reduction, suggesting the reversibility of the process. The heme center of the transformed Asc nonreducible protein is completely bleached instantaneously by dithionite in the presence of atmospheric oxygen, which appears to be mediated by molecular oxygen and/or hydrogen peroxide. These results demonstrate that the heme centers of the protein are susceptible to the pH-induced alteration and oxidative destruction, raising some questions regarding the proposed one alkaline labile, two-heme model of b(561) [Tsubaki, M.; Nakayama, M.; Okuyama, E.; Ichikawa, Y. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 23206-23210]. The pH-induced alteration and the destruction of heme under oxidative conditions may play a significant role in the amplification of oxidative stress in catecholaminergic neurons.
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Mode of substrate interaction and energetics of carbon-oxygen bond formation of the Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase reaction.
Biochemistry, 1999Co-Authors: Kandatege Wimalasena, Kevin R. AllistonAbstract:Previous studies have shown that the Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase (DbetaM; E.C. 1.14.17.1)/1-(2-aminoethyl)-1,4-cyclohexadiene (CHDEA) reaction partitions between side chain and ring H-abstraction to produce the side-chain-hydroxylated product, 2-amino-1-(1, 4-cyclohexadienyl)ethanol, and the aromatized product, phenylethylamine, and that the two pathways do not crossover. [Wimalasena, K., and May, S. W. (1989) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111, 2729-2731; Wimalasena, K., and Alliston, K. R. (1995) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 117, 1220-1224]. We now report that the ring H-abstraction pathway of the reaction further partitions to produce the ring hydroxylated product, CHDEA-6OH, and the aromatized product, PEA, at the carbon-oxygen bond formation step. The ring hydroxylation is shown to be stereospecific, exclusively producing the (S) product. The absolute stereospecificity of the ring and side-chain hydroxylations of the DbetaM/CHDEA reaction suggests that the side-chain pro-R hydrogen of the enzyme-bound substrate is close to perpendicular to the aromatic ring of the phenylethylamine substrate or cyclohexadiene ring of CHDEA. The relative activation energy parameters suggest that the partitioning of the ring H abstraction pathway between aromatized and ring hydroxylated products is due to the partitioning of the high-energy intermediates, the cyclohexadienyl radical and the Cu(II)-O(*) species, between carbon-oxygen bond formation and direct electron transfer. The relatively high activation enthalpic favorability and entropic unfavorability for the carbon-oxygen bond formation strongly suggest that the critical balancing of these two opposing forces is mandatory for the desired product formation.
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Chiral multisubstrate inhibitors of Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase: evidence for dual modes of interaction
Biochemistry, 1997Co-Authors: Kandatege Wimalasena, Silpadipathialage Dharmasena, D.s. Wimalasena, Donovan C. HainesAbstract:The electronic and steric constraints of the Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase (DbetaM; E.C. 1.14.17.1) active site were studied using a series of chiral bisubstrate inhibitors. The (R) and (S) enantiomers of 5-phenyl-2-thiooxazolidone were apparent bisubstrate inhibitors for DbetaM with respect to tyramine and dioxygen, but with small enantiomeric selectivity. In contrast to the substrate specificity of the enzyme, N-methylation of both inhibitors increased the potency without altering the enantiomeric selectivity. The (S) C-4-methyl substitution was more detrimental toward the inhibition potency compared to (R) C-4-methyl substitution for both the (R) and (S) series, which was also opposite of the substrate specificity of the enzyme. The high inhibition potency and apparent bisubstrate behavior of 3-phenyl-1,5-bisthioglutarimide (XVI), a probe designed to mimic two distinct binding modes for the (R) and (S) inhibitors, suggested that they may interact with the enzyme by two different modes involving both coppers in the active site. Direct support for the interaction of the thione group(s) of XVI with the reduced DbetaM copper(s) is provided by the UV-vis spectroscopic studies. The complete disappearance of the characteristic UV absorption of XVI at 336 nm in the presence of stoichiometric amounts of reduced DbetaM demonstrate that it could be an active site titrant for reduced DbetaM. The ability of the enzyme to interact with these inhibitors by more than one mode suggests that the DbetaM active site possesses high steric and electronic tolerance.
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Ascorbate based novel high affinity alternate reductants and competitive inhibitors of Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1994Co-Authors: Kandatege Wimalasena, Silpadipathialage Dharmasena, D.s. WimalasenaAbstract:A series of ascorbate derivatives has been used to examine the specificity and the chemistry of the reduction site of Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase (D beta M). Replacement of the 6-OH group of ascorbic acid with either bromine or hydrogen does not alter the enzyme reduction efficiency significantly. Unexpectedly, the 6-OH modified ascorbate derivatives, 6-S-phenyl-6-thio-L-ascorbic acid and 6-O-phenyl-L-ascorbic acid were found to have much higher affinity for the enzyme than the most effective known electron donor, ascorbic acid (AscH-). The affinity of 2-amino-6-S-phenyl-L-ascorbic acid was found to be similar to that of 2-amino-L-ascorbic acid. 6-Amino-6-deoxy-L-ascorbic acid is neither a substrate nor an inhibitor for the enzyme. Although glucoascorbic acid is an excellent substrate for the enzyme, imino glucoascorbic acid was found to be an extremely potent competitive inhibitor for the enzyme. The stereoelectronic properties and alternate binding modes of these molecules have been considered in explaining the observations.
Betty A. Eipper - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Cell type-specific storage of Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase.
The Journal of biological chemistry, 2000Co-Authors: Ana Maria Oyarce, Betty A. EipperAbstract:Expression of Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase (DBM), the enzyme that converts Dopamine into norepinephrine, is limited to adrenal chromaffin cells and a small population of neurons. We studied DBM trafficking to regulated granules by stably expressing rat DBM in AtT-20 corticotrope tumor cells, which contain regulated granules, and in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, which lack regulated granules. The behavior of exogenous DBM in both cell lines was compared with endogenous DBM in adrenal chromaffin cells. CHO cells secreted active DBM, indicating that production of active enzyme does not require features unique to neuroendocrine cells. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that early steps in DBM maturation followed a similar time course in AtT-20, CHO, and adrenal chromaffin cells. Use of a conformation-sensitive DBM antiserum indicated that acquisition of a folded structure occurred with a similar time course in all three cell types. Cell type-specific differences in DBM trafficking became apparent only when storage in granules was examined. As expected, DBM was stored in secretory granules in chromaffin cells; CHO cells failed to store DBM. Despite the fact that AtT-20 cells have regulated granules, exogenous DBM was not stored in these granules. Thus storage of DBM in secretory granules requires cell type specific factors.
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New insights into copper monooxygenases and peptide amidation: structure, mechanism and function.
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS, 2000Co-Authors: Sean T. Prigge, Betty A. Eipper, L M AmzelAbstract:Many bioactive peptides must be amidated at their carboxy terminus to exhibit full activity. Surprisingly, the amides are not generated by a transamidation reaction. Instead, the hormones are synthesized from glycine-extended intermediates that are transformed into active amidated hormones by oxidative cleavage of the glycine N-C alpha bond. In higher organisms, this reaction is catalyzed by a single bifunctional enzyme, peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM). The PAM gene encodes one polypeptide with two enzymes that catalyze the two sequential reactions required for amidation. Peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM; EC 1.14.17.3) catalyzes the stereospecific hydroxylation of the glycine alpha-carbon of all the peptidylglycine substrates. The second enzyme, peptidyl-alpha-hydroxyglycine alpha-amidating lyase (PAL; EC 4.3.2.5), generates alpha-amidated peptide product and glyoxylate. PHM contains two redox-active copper atoms that, after reduction by ascorbate, catalyze the reduction of molecular oxygen for the hydroxylation of glycine-extended substrates. The structure of the catalytic core of rat PHM at atomic resolution provides a framework for understanding the broad substrate specificity of PHM, identifying residues critical for PHM activity, and proposing mechanisms for the chemical and electron-transfer steps in catalysis. Since PHM is homologous in sequence and mechanism to Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase (DBM; EC 1.14.17.1), the enzyme that converts Dopamine to norepinephrine during catecholamine biosynthesis, these structural and mechanistic insights are extended to DBM.
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The catalytic core of peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase: investigation by site-directed mutagenesis, Cu X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance.
Biochemistry, 1995Co-Authors: Betty A. Eipper, Richard E. Mains, Andrew S. W. Quon, John S. Boswell, Ninian J. BlackburnAbstract:Peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM) is a copper, ascorbate, and molecular oxygen dependent enzyme that plays a key role in the biosynthesis of many peptides. Using site-directed mutagenesis, the catalytic core of PHM was found not to extend beyond Asp359. Shorter PHM proteins were eliminated intracellularly, suggesting that they failed to fold correctly. A set of mutant PHM proteins whose design was based on the structural and mechanistic similarities of PHM and Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase (D beta M) was characterized. Mutation of Tyr79, the residue equivalent to a p-cresol target in D beta M, to Phe79 altered the kinetic parameters of PHM. Disruption of either His-rich cluster contained within the PHM/D beta M homology domain eliminated activity, while deletion of a third His-rich cluster unique to PHM failed to affect activity; the catalytically inactive mutant PHM proteins still bound to a peptidylglycine substrate affinity resin. EPR and EXAFS studies of oxidized PHM indicate that the active site contains type 2 copper in a tetragonal environment; the copper is coordinated to two to three His and one to two additional O/N ligands, probably solvent, again supporting the structural homology of PHM and D beta M. Mutation of the Met residues common to PHM and D beta M to Ile identified Met314 as critical for catalytic activity.
Stanley H. Pollock - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The oral antihypertensive activity of the methylated derivatives of phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 1993Co-Authors: Stanley H. Pollock, M I Reichbaum, J C Colbert, P A Husain, J M Holbrook, A A Ogonowski, J S KhliefAbstract:We have reported previously that phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide and its derivatives are excellent substrates for Dopamine-Beta-Monooxygenase and produce an antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats after i.p. administration. In the studies reported herein, we demonstrate that alpha-methyl-phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide and 4-hydroxy-alpha-methyl-phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide, the methylated and hydroxymethylated derivatives of phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide, respectively, decrease mean arterial pressure in conscious, unrestrained spontaneously hypertensive rats after p.o. administration. This antihypertensive effect after p.o. administration occurs without the undesirable transient rise in blood pressure observed previously after i.p. administration. Results using the methodology of food-reinforced operant conditioned behavior are consistent with the interpretation that the ring hydroxylated derivatives, 4-hydroxy-phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide and 4-hydroxy-alpha-methyl-phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide, do not penetrate into the central nervous system. This finding supports our contention that the primary site of action for the antihypertensive activity of the sulfides may be the peripheral adrenergic nerve ending. In view of the current high degree of interest in chiral development, the enantiomeric specificity of the antihypertensive activity of alpha-methyl-phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide was also evaluated. Results from these studies demonstrate that the (S)-enantiomer of alpha-methyl-phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide is more effective in lowering blood pressure after p.o. administration than the (R)-enantiomer. The implications of our findings in terms of the mechanism of action of these compounds are discussed.
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The enantiomeric specificity of the antihypertensive activity of 1-(phenylthio)-2-aminopropane, a synthetic substrate analogue for Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 1991Co-Authors: Heath H Herman, Lydia C Fowler, Philip A. Husain, James E. Colbert, Margaret M. Schweri, Stanley H. Pollock, Sheldon W. MayAbstract:We have found that (R,S)-1-(phenylthio)-aminopropane (4a), a synthetic alternate substrate for the terminal enzyme of norepinephrine biosynthesis, Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase (DBM), is both an indirect sympathomimetic and a potent antihypertensive agent in spontaneously hypertensive rats. We demonstrate herein that there is a distinct enantiospecific difference in the activities of (R)-1-(phenylthio)-2-aminopropane (4b) and (S)-1-(phenylthio)-2-aminopropane (4c). We find that 4c, the more potent DBM substrate analogue, exhibits both the indirect sympathomimetic activity and the antihypertensive activity previously observed for the racemate and inhibits the active transport of catecholamines at the nerve terminal. In contrast, 4b, which is less potent as a DBM substrate or as an inhibitor of catecholamine uptake, does not exhibit an indirect sympathomimetic effect and is not an effective antihypertensive agent. These results suggest that the greater selectivity of the S enantiomer for both the catecholamine reuptake transporter and the target enzyme DBM accounts for its greater potency as an indirect-acting sympathomimetic agent as well as its activity as an antihypertensive agent. These results are also consistent with the hypothesized mechanism of action of this class of sulfur-containing DBM substrate analogues.
J S Khlief - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The oral antihypertensive activity of the methylated derivatives of phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 1993Co-Authors: Stanley H. Pollock, M I Reichbaum, J C Colbert, P A Husain, J M Holbrook, A A Ogonowski, J S KhliefAbstract:We have reported previously that phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide and its derivatives are excellent substrates for Dopamine-Beta-Monooxygenase and produce an antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats after i.p. administration. In the studies reported herein, we demonstrate that alpha-methyl-phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide and 4-hydroxy-alpha-methyl-phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide, the methylated and hydroxymethylated derivatives of phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide, respectively, decrease mean arterial pressure in conscious, unrestrained spontaneously hypertensive rats after p.o. administration. This antihypertensive effect after p.o. administration occurs without the undesirable transient rise in blood pressure observed previously after i.p. administration. Results using the methodology of food-reinforced operant conditioned behavior are consistent with the interpretation that the ring hydroxylated derivatives, 4-hydroxy-phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide and 4-hydroxy-alpha-methyl-phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide, do not penetrate into the central nervous system. This finding supports our contention that the primary site of action for the antihypertensive activity of the sulfides may be the peripheral adrenergic nerve ending. In view of the current high degree of interest in chiral development, the enantiomeric specificity of the antihypertensive activity of alpha-methyl-phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide was also evaluated. Results from these studies demonstrate that the (S)-enantiomer of alpha-methyl-phenyl-2-aminoethyl sulfide is more effective in lowering blood pressure after p.o. administration than the (R)-enantiomer. The implications of our findings in terms of the mechanism of action of these compounds are discussed.
D.s. Wimalasena - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Kinetic Evidence for Channeling of Dopamine between Monoamine Transporter and Membranous Dopamine-β-monooxygenase in Chromaffin Granule Ghosts
The Journal of biological chemistry, 2004Co-Authors: D.s. Wimalasena, Kandatege WimalasenaAbstract:The nature of coupling between the uptake and Dopamine-Beta-Monooxygenase (DbetaM) catalyzed hydroxylation of Dopamine (DA) was studied in bovine chromaffin granule ghosts. Initial rate and transient kinetics of DA uptake and conversion were determined under a variety of conditions. The uptake kinetics of DA, norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine demonstrate that DA is a better substrate than NE and epinephrine under optimal uptake conditions. The transient kinetics of DA accumulation and NE production under both optimal uptake and uptake and conversion conditions were zero-order with no detectable lag or burst periods. The mathematical analyses of the data show that a normal sequential uptake followed by the conversion process could not explain the observed kinetics, under any condition. On the other hand, all experimental data are in agreement with a mechanism in which DA is efficiently channeled from the vesicular monoamine transporter to membranous DbetaM for hydroxylation, prior to the release into the bulk medium of the ghost interior. The slow accumulation of DA under optimal conversion conditions appears to be caused by the slow leakage of DA from the channeling pathway to the ghost interior. Because DbetaM activity in intact granules is equally distributed between soluble and membranous forms of DbetaM, if an efficient channeling mechanism is operative in vivo, soluble DbetaM may not have access to the substrate, making the catalytic activity of soluble DbetaM physiologically insignificant, which is consistent with the increasing experimental evidence that membranous DbetaM may be the physiologically functional form.
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pH-induced alteration and oxidative destruction of heme in purified chromaffin granule cytochrome b(561): implications for the oxidative stress in catecholaminergic neurons.
Biochemistry, 2003Co-Authors: Srimevan Wanduragala, Donovan C. Haines, D.s. Wimalasena, Pawan K. Kahol, Kandatege WimalasenaAbstract:The transmembrane hemoprotein, cytochrome b(561) (b(561)), in the neuroendocrine secretory vesicles is shown to shuttle electrons from the cytosolic ascorbate (Asc) to the intravesicular matrix to provide reducing equivalents for the Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase (DbetaM) reaction. Intravesicular Asc may also play a role in relieving catecholamine-induced oxidative stress in catecholaminergic neurons. In the present study, we have examined the alteration of purified oxidized b(561) (b(561,ox)) under mild alkaline conditions to probe the structural and functional characteristics of the protein, using UV-vis and EPR spectroscopic and kinetic techniques. Our results show that low spin heme in oxidized b(561) (b(561,ox)) readily transforms to an altered high spin form and then slowly to an Asc nonreducible form, in a pH-, temperature-, and time-dependent manner, which can be described by single-exponential rate equations, A(t) = A(o)(1- e (-kt)) and A(t) = A(o)e(-kt), respectively. More than half of the Asc nonreducible altered b(561) could be converted back to the native b(561) by pH adjustment followed by dithionite reduction, suggesting the reversibility of the process. The heme center of the transformed Asc nonreducible protein is completely bleached instantaneously by dithionite in the presence of atmospheric oxygen, which appears to be mediated by molecular oxygen and/or hydrogen peroxide. These results demonstrate that the heme centers of the protein are susceptible to the pH-induced alteration and oxidative destruction, raising some questions regarding the proposed one alkaline labile, two-heme model of b(561) [Tsubaki, M.; Nakayama, M.; Okuyama, E.; Ichikawa, Y. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 23206-23210]. The pH-induced alteration and the destruction of heme under oxidative conditions may play a significant role in the amplification of oxidative stress in catecholaminergic neurons.
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Chiral multisubstrate inhibitors of Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase: evidence for dual modes of interaction
Biochemistry, 1997Co-Authors: Kandatege Wimalasena, Silpadipathialage Dharmasena, D.s. Wimalasena, Donovan C. HainesAbstract:The electronic and steric constraints of the Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase (DbetaM; E.C. 1.14.17.1) active site were studied using a series of chiral bisubstrate inhibitors. The (R) and (S) enantiomers of 5-phenyl-2-thiooxazolidone were apparent bisubstrate inhibitors for DbetaM with respect to tyramine and dioxygen, but with small enantiomeric selectivity. In contrast to the substrate specificity of the enzyme, N-methylation of both inhibitors increased the potency without altering the enantiomeric selectivity. The (S) C-4-methyl substitution was more detrimental toward the inhibition potency compared to (R) C-4-methyl substitution for both the (R) and (S) series, which was also opposite of the substrate specificity of the enzyme. The high inhibition potency and apparent bisubstrate behavior of 3-phenyl-1,5-bisthioglutarimide (XVI), a probe designed to mimic two distinct binding modes for the (R) and (S) inhibitors, suggested that they may interact with the enzyme by two different modes involving both coppers in the active site. Direct support for the interaction of the thione group(s) of XVI with the reduced DbetaM copper(s) is provided by the UV-vis spectroscopic studies. The complete disappearance of the characteristic UV absorption of XVI at 336 nm in the presence of stoichiometric amounts of reduced DbetaM demonstrate that it could be an active site titrant for reduced DbetaM. The ability of the enzyme to interact with these inhibitors by more than one mode suggests that the DbetaM active site possesses high steric and electronic tolerance.
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Ascorbate based novel high affinity alternate reductants and competitive inhibitors of Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1994Co-Authors: Kandatege Wimalasena, Silpadipathialage Dharmasena, D.s. WimalasenaAbstract:A series of ascorbate derivatives has been used to examine the specificity and the chemistry of the reduction site of Dopamine Beta-Monooxygenase (D beta M). Replacement of the 6-OH group of ascorbic acid with either bromine or hydrogen does not alter the enzyme reduction efficiency significantly. Unexpectedly, the 6-OH modified ascorbate derivatives, 6-S-phenyl-6-thio-L-ascorbic acid and 6-O-phenyl-L-ascorbic acid were found to have much higher affinity for the enzyme than the most effective known electron donor, ascorbic acid (AscH-). The affinity of 2-amino-6-S-phenyl-L-ascorbic acid was found to be similar to that of 2-amino-L-ascorbic acid. 6-Amino-6-deoxy-L-ascorbic acid is neither a substrate nor an inhibitor for the enzyme. Although glucoascorbic acid is an excellent substrate for the enzyme, imino glucoascorbic acid was found to be an extremely potent competitive inhibitor for the enzyme. The stereoelectronic properties and alternate binding modes of these molecules have been considered in explaining the observations.