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Inhibition by propionyl-coenzyme A of N-acetylglutamate synthetase in rat liver mitochondria. A possible explanation for hyperammonemia in propionic and methylmalonic acidemia.

Abstract
In the search for the mechanism by which hyperammonemia complicates propionic and methylmalonic acidemia the effects of a series of acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) derivatives were studied on the activity of N-acetylglutamate synthetase in rat liver mitochondria using acetyl-CoA as substrate. Propionyl-CoA was found to be a competitive inhibitor. The inhibition constant of 0.71 mM is in the range of concentrations of propionate found in the serum of patients with propionic and methylmalonic acidemia. Propionyl-CoA was also found to be a substrate for N-acetylglutamate synthetase, forming N-propionylglutamate. This compound was a weak activator of rat liver carbamoylphosphate synthetase; the activation constant was 1.1 mM as compared with 0.12 mM for N-acetylglutamate. A decreased level of N-acetylglutamate in liver mitochondria that would follow inhibition of N-acetylglutamate synthetase by propionyl-CoA would be expected to lead to hyperammonemia. Methylmalonyl-CoA, tiglyl-CoA, and isovaleryl-CoA at a concentration of 3 mM caused 30-70% inhibition of N-acetylglutamate synthetase. 3the latter two compounds are readily detoxified by the formation of N-acylglycine conjugates in liver, which may prevent large accumulations and could explain why hyperammonemia is not characteristic of patients with beta-ketothiolase deficiency or isovaleric acidemia in whom these compounds would be expected to be elevated.
AuthorsF X Coude, L Sweetman, W L Nyhan
JournalThe Journal of clinical investigation (J Clin Invest) Vol. 64 Issue 6 Pg. 1544-51 (Dec 1979) ISSN: 0021-9738 [Print] United States
PMID500823 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
Chemical References
  • Acyl Coenzyme A
  • Glutamates
  • Malonates
  • Propionates
  • Acetyl Coenzyme A
  • Ammonia
  • Methylmalonic Acid
  • Acetyltransferases
Topics
  • Acetyl Coenzyme A
  • Acetyltransferases (antagonists & inhibitors)
  • Acidosis (metabolism)
  • Acyl Coenzyme A (pharmacology)
  • Ammonia (blood)
  • Animals
  • Glutamates
  • Kinetics
  • Malonates (blood)
  • Methylmalonic Acid (blood)
  • Mitochondria, Liver (enzymology)
  • Propionates (blood)
  • Rats
  • Substrate Specificity

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