The first committed step in DNA biosynthesis occurs by direct reduction of ribonucleotides. This reduction is catalyzed by ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), an enzyme which uses a unique radical mechanism to facilitate the transformation. All four DNA precursors are synthesized by a single enzyme. Therefore, an intricate pattern of regulation has evolved to insure that RNR generates the proper quantity of each deoxyribonucleotide. It is this regulation, and conditions that influence this regulation, that are the central focal points of this dissertation. The studies described in this thesis have been aided by the development of a novel RNR assay. Unlike the traditional assay, this new procedure permits the simultaneous monitoring of all four RNR activities. This four-substrate assay was used to investigate whether the four enzyme activities of RNR were differentially sensitive to inhibition by the radical scavenger, hydroxyurea. The assay results, along with the results of a technique that measured enzyme inhibition as a function of radical decay, suggest that all activities of RNR are equally inhibited by hydroxyurea. Instead of differential inhibition, it appears that the activity level of RNR determines the relative sensitivity to hydroxyurea. The effects of nucleotide effectors and substrates on the relative turnover rates of the vaccinia virus and T4 phage RNR were also investigated by use of the four-substrate assay. When physiological concentrations of the allosteric effectors and substrates were added to the reaction mixtures, both enzyme forms produced dNDPs in ratios that approximate the nucleotide composition of their respective genomes. Non-physiological nucleotide concentrations generated significantly different product profiles, indicating that RNR has evolved to function within a defined nucleotide environment. Interestingly, the substrate component of the nucleotide environment proved to be as important as the allosteric effectors in modulating the reaction rates. Although the allosteric effects of nucleoside triphosphates have been known for some time, little attention has been given to the potential role that substrates play in the regulation of RNR. The results from my research suggest that the regulation of RNR in vivo results from a complex interplay between the enzyme and its substrates, products, and allosteric effectors. / Graduation date: 1998

No description available.

Long-term stimuli of many systems leads to decreased cellular responsiveness, or desensitization. We characterized the desensitization of angiotensin II (Ang 11)-mediated inositol phospholipid (IP) hydrolysis in cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Although it has been suggested that the desensitization induced by long-term Mg II exposure may result partially from down-regulation of Ang II receptor, this is not sufficient to explain fully desensitization in many systems. Post-receptor desensitization of IP hydrolysis may also result from phosphorylation or changes in protein levels of the effector enzyme, PLC-β. We identified the major PLC-β isoenzymes expressed by HASMC as PLC-β1 and PLC-β3. Ang II pretreatment reduced IP accumulation induced by Ang II (1μM) in a time-dependent manner. Phorbol ester-12-myristrate-13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, also reduced Ang II-stimulated IP accumulation. These results suggest that PKC activation may negatively regulate Ang II-stimulated IP signaling in HASMC, similar to rat cells. In addition, PKC also reduced IP accumulation stimulated by A1F₄⁻, directly activating the G protein. It suggests that the majority of PKC-induced desensitization of Ang II-stimulated IP signaling occurs downstream of the Ang II receptor in HASMC. However, both PLC-β1 and PLC-β3, expected candidates for PKC phosphorylation, were phosphorylated independently of PKC activation or inhibition, indicating that PKC might not be involved in direct phosphorylation of PLC-β1 and PLC-β3. Furthermore, PLC-β1, but not PLC-β3, was highly phosphorylated under basal conditions, suggesting that PLC-β1 and PLC-β3 may play different roles in IP signaling in HASMC. / Graduation date: 2003

published_or_final_version / Zoology / Master / Master of Philosophy

Immobilized boronates were evaluated for studies of adenine nucleotide metabolism. These studies were performed using Affi-gel 601, a commercial boronate gel, and dihydroxyboryl Sepharose and dihydroxyboryl-Bio Rex which were synthesized in the laboratory. The studies performed included the determination of the relative binding affinity of a variety of adenine containing compounds for the three immobilized boronates under differing chromatographic conditions.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 J32 / Master of Science

No description available.

Copy of author's previously published work inserted. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-182). Concentrates mainly on the characterisation of the molecular mechanism of action of the tec protein tyrosine kinase using biochemical and genetic approaches.

Bibliography: leaves 139-165.

Bibliography: leaves 139-165. / ix, 183 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Biochemistry, 2001