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B6db references: 17355287

type Journal Article
authors Andersen G, Andersen B, Dobritzsch D, Schnackerz KD, Piskur J.
title A gene duplication led to specialized gamma-aminobutyrate and beta-alanine aminotransferase in yeast
journal FEBS J
Activity 2.6.1.19
Family 2.6.1.19.a
sel selected
ui 17355287
year (2007)
volume 274
number 7
pages 1804-17
 
abstract In humans, beta-alanine (BAL) and the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) are transaminated by a single aminotransferase enzyme. Apparently, yeast originally also had a single enzyme, but the corresponding gene was duplicated in the Saccharomyces kluyveri lineage. SkUGA1 encodes a homologue of Saccharomyces cerevisiae GABA aminotransferase, and SkPYD4 encodes an enzyme involved in both BAL and GABA transamination. SkPYD4 and SkUGA1 as well as S. cerevisiae UGA1 and Schizosaccharomyces pombe UGA1 were subcloned, over-expressed and purified. One discontinuous and two continuous coupled assays were used to characterize the substrate specificity and kinetic parameters of the four enzymes. It was found that the cofactor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is needed for enzymatic activity and alpha-ketoglutarate, and not pyruvate, as the amino group acceptor. SkPyd4p preferentially uses BAL as the amino group donor (V(max)/K(m)=0.78 U x mg(-1) x mm(-1)), but can also use GABA (V(max)/K(m)=0.42 U x mg(-1) x mm(-1)), while SkUga1p only uses GABA (V(max)/K(m)=4.01 U x mg(-1) x mm(-1)). SpUga1p and ScUga1p transaminate only GABA and not BAL. While mammals degrade BAL and GABA with only one enzyme, but in different tissues, S. kluyveri and related yeasts have two different genes/enzymes to apparently 'distinguish' between the two reactions in a single cell. It is likely that upon duplication approximately 200 million years ago, a specialized Uga1p evolved into a 'novel' transaminase enzyme with broader substrate specificity.
last changed 2007/10/30 15:09

B6db references