Robert A. Kleps

13C NMR study of hepatic pyruvate carboxylase activity in tumor rats

Alanine and lactate, as major gluconeogenic substrates, must be converted into oxaloacetate by way of pyruvate carboxylase before their entry into gluconeogenesis. Although it is well known that hepatic gluconeogenesis from these substrates is increased in tumor hosts, the involvement of pyruvate carboxylase has not been demonstrated. In the present study, we examined pyruvate carboxylase activity in the perfused livers of tumor rats using 13C NMR spectroscopy with [3-13C]-alanine as the gluconeogenic substrate. A substantial increase in hepatic [3-13C]-aspartate production was found in the tumor rats. Since aspartate accumulation directly reflects fluxes of alanine through pyruvate carboxylase, the observed increase in hepatic production of [3-13C]-aspartate in tumor rats indicates that pyruvate carboxylase activity is significantly enhanced.

Gluconeogenesis in the liver of tumor rats.

Altered gluconeogenesis is frequently observed in cancerous hosts. To define its derangements in the liver, we studied glucose and glycogen production in the perfused livers of tumor-bearing rats using 13C NMR spectroscopy. Nine Fischer 344 rats were inoculated with mammary adenocarcinoma. After 5 weeks, the livers were removed and perfused with Krebs buffer containing 8 mM L-[3-13C]alanine, and 13C NMR spectroscopy was performed. Nine pair-fed rats were studied as controls. The peak heights of glucose and glycogen in the 13C NMR spectra of the perfused livers and final perfusates of the two groups of rats were compared. We found comparable amounts of C1-labeled glucose and glycogen in the two groups, but C2- to C5-labeled and C6-labeled glucose and glycogen, as well as total 13C-labeled glucose and glycogen, appeared in smaller quantities in the tumor rats than in the pair-fed rats. These findings suggest that appreciable amounts of unlabeled glycerol were utilized by both groups, but less so by the tumor rats than the pair-fed rats. In addition, there was decreased production of oxaloacetate through pyruvate dehydrogenase and the Krebs cycle in the livers of the tumor rats, where the overall metabolism of alanine into glucose and glycogen was also reduced.

A Sex-Specific Metabolite Identified in a Marine Invertebrate Utilizing Phosphorus-31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Hormone level differences are generally accepted as the primary cause for sexual dimorphism in animal and human development. Levels of low molecular weight metabolites also differ between men and women in circulating amino acids, lipids and carbohydrates and within brain tissue. While investigating the metabolism of blue crab tissues using Phosphorus-31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, we discovered that only the male blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) contained a phosphorus compound with a chemical shift well separated from the expected phosphate compounds. Spectra obtained from male gills were readily differentiated from female gill spectra. Analysis from six years of data from male and female crabs documented that the sex-specificity of this metabolite was normal for this species. Microscopic analysis of male and female gills found no differences in their gill anatomy or the presence of parasites or bacteria that might produce this phosphorus compound. Analysis of a rare gynandromorph blue crab (laterally, half male and half female) proved that this sex-specificity was an intrinsic biochemical process and was not caused by any variations in the diet or habitat of male versus female crabs. The existence of a sex-specific metabolite is a previously unrecognized, but potentially significant biochemical phenomenon. An entire enzyme system has been synthesized and activated only in one sex. Unless blue crabs are a unique species, sex-specific metabolites are likely to be present in other animals. Would the presence or absence of a sex-specific metabolite affect an animals development, anatomy and biochemistry?

Inhibition of Chloride Binding to the Anion Transport Site by Diethylpyrocarbonate Modification of Band 3

SummaryThe line widths of35Cl− nuclear magnetic resonances were used to measure chloride binding by Band 3. Since this procedure related directly to binding, the data obtained may be interpreted more unequivocally than affinities derived from kinetic data which could be related to either translocation or binding. Chloride binding to the active sites in Band 3 was assessed from that portion of the total line width which was sensitive to 4,4′-dinitrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid. These sites appeared to be completely inhibited by treatment of erythrocyte membranes with diethylpyrocarbonate. This result is consistent with our previous observation that this reagent inhibits anion transport in resealed erythrocyte ghosts (Izuhara, Okubo & Hamasaki, 1989,Biochemistry28:4725–4728). Hydroxylamine could not reverse the diethylpyrocarbonate inhibition of chloride binding to Band 3. The pH-dependence of diethylpyrocarbonate reactivity suggests that the modified residues may be those of histidine.

Apparent low free magnesium levels in blue crab vas deferens determined by 31P NMR

Abstract 1. 1. 31P NMR examination of blue crab vas deferens reveals an α-β ATP chemical shift differences on average of 9.8 ppm. 2. 2. This implies a free magnesium concentration well below 100 μM. 3. 3. Thus crab vas deferens represents a new model for a low free magnesium system. 4. 4. These results also point to a feature of carcine metabolism not previously recognized.