title: Is beta-poly(L-malate) synthesis catalysed by a combination of beta-L-malyl-AMP-ligase and beta-poly(L-malate) polymerase?
abstract: beta-Poly(L-malate) is supposed to function in the storage and transport of histones, DNA polymerases and other nuclear proteins in the giant syncytical cells (plasmodia) of myxomycetes. Here we report on the biosynthesis of [14C]beta-poly(L-malate) from injected L-[14C]malate in the plasmodium of Physarum polycephalum. The effects of KCN, arsenate, adenosine 5'-(alpha, beta-methylene)triphosphate, adenosine 5'-(beta, gamma-methylene)triphosphate, guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-methylene)triphosphate, desulfo coenzyme A and phenylarsinoxid on beta-poly(L-malate) synthesis were studied after their coinjection with L-[14C]malate. The synthesis was not affected by KCN or desulfo coenzyme A, but was blocked by arsenate and adenosine 5'-(alpha,beta-methylene)triphosphate. The plasmodium lysate catalysed an L-malate-dependent ATP-[32P]pyrophosphate exchange, but was devoid of beta-poly(L-malate) synthetic activity under all experimental conditions tested. The results suggested an extramitochondrial synthesis of beta-poly(L-malate), involving the polymerization of beta-L-malyl-AMP. It is assumed that the lack of synthesis in the lysate is caused by the inactivation of beta-poly(L-malate) polymerase involving a cell injury kinase pathway. Because injected guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-methylene)triphosphate blocks the synthesis, the injury signal is likely to be GTP dependent.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Biophysik und Physikalische Biochemie der Universität, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Willibald
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bildl
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holler
mesh_terms: D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005650:Fumarates / Q000378:metabolism; D008025:Ligases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008293:Malates / Q000378:metabolism*; D008845:Microinjections; D016839:Physarum polycephalum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011108:Polymers / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005650:Fumarates; D008293:Malates; D011108:Polymers; D019343:Citric Acid; D001224:Aspartic Acid; C074640:poly(malate); C030298:malic acid; C032005:fumaric acid; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D000217:Acyltransferases; C401267:beta-poly(L-malate) polymerase; D008025:Ligases; C401268:beta-L-malyl-AMP ligase