Human 1-D-myo-inositol-3-phosphate synthase is functional in yeast

Shulin Ju, Galit Shaltiel, Alon Shamir, Galila Agam, Miriam L. Greenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have cloned, sequenced, and expressed a human cDNA encoding 1-D-myo-inositol-3-phosphate (MIP) synthase (hIN01). The encoded 62-kDa human enzyme converted D-glucose 6-phosphate to 1-D-myo-inositol 3-phosphate, the rate-limiting step for de novo inositol biosynthesis. Activity of the recombinant human MIP synthase purified from Escherichia coli was optimal at pH 8.0 at 37 °C and exhibited Km values of 0.57 mM and 8 μM for glucose 6-phosphate and NAD+, respectively. NH4 + and K+ were better activators than other cations tested (Na+, Li+, Mg2+, Mn2+), and Zn 2+ strongly inhibited activity. Expression of the protein in the yeast ino1Δ mutant lacking MIP synthase (ino1Δ/hIN01) complemented the inositol auxotrophy of the mutant and led to inositol excretion. MIP synthase activity and intracellular inositol were decreased about 35 and 25%, respectively, when ino1Δ/hIN01 was grown in the presence of a therapeutically relevant concentration of the anti-bipolar drug valproate (0.6 mM). However, in vitro activity of purified MIP synthase was not inhibited by valproate at this concentration, suggesting that inhibition by the drug is indirect. Because inositol metabolism may play a key role in the etiology and treatment of bipolar illness, functional conservation of the key enzyme in inositol biosynthesis underscores the power of the yeast model in studies of this disorder.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)21759-21765
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume279
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - 21 May 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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