Organization and control in the arginine biosynthetic pathway of Neurospora. 1975

J Cybis, and R H Davis

Eight enzymes involved in the conversion of acetylglutamate to arginine in Neurospora crassa were studied. The data indicate that of three enzymes early in the sequence, only the first, acetylglutamate kinase, is a nonorganellar enzyme. The next two, N-acetyl-gamma-glutamyl-phosphate reductase and acetylornithine aminotransferase, are in the mitochondrion, which was previously shown to contain the subsequent enzymes: acetylornithine-glutamate acetyltransferase, ornithine carbamyltransferase, and carbamyl-phosphate synthetase A (arginine specific). The last two enzymes of the pathway, argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase, were previously shown to be cytosolic. All enzymes but one have low amplitudes or repression. Their levels respond little to arginine excess and are about twofold elevated (threefold for ornithine carbamyltransferase) as a result of arginine limitation in the arg-12-8 strain. No restriction of the incorporation of mitochondrial enzymes into mitochondria could be detected when the levels of these enzymes were elevated. Two enzymes, acetylglutamate kinase and carbamyl-phosphate synthetase A, which initiate the synthesis of the ornithine and guanidino moieties of arginine, respectively, show the lowest specific activities in crude extract. These enzymes display special regulatroy features. Acetylglutamate kinase, which has a typically low amplitude of repression, is subject to feedback inhibition. Carbamyl-phosphate synthetase A is wholly insensitive to arginine or citrulline in vitro or in vivo, but displays a very large amplitude of repression (about 60-fold). It is unique in that it can be almost completely repressed by growth of mycelia in excess arginine. These data suggest that mitochondrial localization may be incompatible with a mechanism of feedback inhibition by a cytosolic effector, arginine. Further, they suggest that the high repressibility of carbamyl-phosphate synthetase A compensates for its feedback insensitivity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008928 Mitochondria Semiautonomous, self-reproducing organelles that occur in the cytoplasm of all cells of most, but not all, eukaryotes. Each mitochondrion is surrounded by a double limiting membrane. The inner membrane is highly invaginated, and its projections are called cristae. Mitochondria are the sites of the reactions of oxidative phosphorylation, which result in the formation of ATP. They contain distinctive RIBOSOMES, transfer RNAs (RNA, TRANSFER); AMINO ACYL T RNA SYNTHETASES; and elongation and termination factors. Mitochondria depend upon genes within the nucleus of the cells in which they reside for many essential messenger RNAs (RNA, MESSENGER). Mitochondria are believed to have arisen from aerobic bacteria that established a symbiotic relationship with primitive protoeukaryotes. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed) Mitochondrial Contraction,Mitochondrion,Contraction, Mitochondrial,Contractions, Mitochondrial,Mitochondrial Contractions
D009491 Neurospora A genus of ascomycetous fungi, family Sordariaceae, order SORDARIALES, comprising bread molds. They are capable of converting tryptophan to nicotinic acid and are used extensively in genetic and enzyme research. (Dorland, 27th ed) Neurosporas
D009492 Neurospora crassa A species of ascomycetous fungi of the family Sordariaceae, order SORDARIALES, much used in biochemical, genetic, and physiologic studies. Chrysonilia crassa
D009954 Ornithine Carbamoyltransferase A urea cycle enzyme that catalyzes the formation of orthophosphate and L-citrulline (CITRULLINE) from CARBAMOYL PHOSPHATE and L-ornithine (ORNITHINE). Deficiency of this enzyme may be transmitted as an X-linked trait. EC 2.1.3.3. Ornithine Transcarbamylase,Ornithine Carbamylphosphate Transferase,Carbamoyltransferase, Ornithine,Carbamylphosphate Transferase, Ornithine,Transcarbamylase, Ornithine,Transferase, Ornithine Carbamylphosphate
D010770 Phosphotransferases A rather large group of enzymes comprising not only those transferring phosphate but also diphosphate, nucleotidyl residues, and others. These have also been subdivided according to the acceptor group. (From Enzyme Nomenclature, 1992) EC 2.7. Kinases,Phosphotransferase,Phosphotransferases, ATP,Transphosphorylase,Transphosphorylases,Kinase,ATP Phosphotransferases
D002221 Carbamyl Phosphate The monoanhydride of carbamic acid with PHOSPHORIC ACID. It is an important intermediate metabolite and is synthesized enzymatically by CARBAMYL-PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE (AMMONIA) and CARBAMOYL-PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE (GLUTAMINE-HYDROLYZING). Carbamoyl Phosphate,Dilithium Carbamyl Phosphate,Carbamyl Phosphate, Dilithium,Phosphate, Carbamoyl,Phosphate, Carbamyl,Phosphate, Dilithium Carbamyl
D004794 Enzyme Repression The interference in synthesis of an enzyme due to the elevated level of an effector substance, usually a metabolite, whose presence would cause depression of the gene responsible for enzyme synthesis. Repression, Enzyme
D005971 Glutamates Derivatives of GLUTAMIC ACID. Included under this heading are a broad variety of acid forms, salts, esters, and amides that contain the 2-aminopentanedioic acid structure. Glutamic Acid Derivatives,Glutamic Acids,Glutaminic Acids
D000123 Acetyltransferases Enzymes catalyzing the transfer of an acetyl group, usually from acetyl coenzyme A, to another compound. EC 2.3.1. Acetyltransferase
D000445 Aldehyde Oxidoreductases Oxidoreductases that are specific for ALDEHYDES. Aldehyde Oxidoreductase,Oxidoreductase, Aldehyde,Oxidoreductases, Aldehyde

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