The Inhibition of 3-Mercaptopyruvate Sulfurtransferase by Three Alpha- Keto Acids

Abstract

3-MERCAPTOPYRUVATE SULFURTRANSFERASE (3-MPST: E.C. 2.8.1.2) is an enzyme located in the cytosol and mitochondria of cells and is believed be involved in the endogenous detoxification of cyanide (CN) because it is capable of transferring sulfur from 3-mercaptopyruvate (3-MP) to CN, forming thiocyanate (SCN). In addition, 3-MPST activity is present in the erythrocyte and cyanide appears to be converted to SCN primarily in the blood, providing further evidence that 3-MPST may make a significant contribution to the endogenous detoxification of cyanide. In vitro studies of 3-MPST were designed to determine the enzymatic rate of SCN production by purified 3-MPST. 3-MPST activity was measured in 220 mM 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol buffer (pH 9.5) with 20 mM potassium cyanide and initial 3-MP concentrations ranging from 3.3-39.5 mM (0. 10-20.0 mM when corrected for cyanohydrin formation). SCN production was determined by a colorimetric assay at 460 nm. The enzyme kinetic constants were determined to be k sub (m) = 0.29 + or - 0.04 mM 3-MP and V sub (max)= 2.12 + or - 0.05 micromoles SCN/mg protein/min for 3-MPST (N=4).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 13, 1993
Accession Number
ADP008840

Entities

People

  • Dale W. Porter
  • Edward U. Maduh
  • Eric W. Nealley
  • Steven I. Baskin

Organizations

  • United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Albumins
  • Analysis Of Variance
  • Blood
  • Cyanides
  • Detoxification
  • Inhibition
  • Inhibitors
  • Keto Acids
  • Proteins
  • Pyruvates
  • Regression Analysis
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Substrates
  • Sulfur
  • Sulfur Compounds
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Electrochemical Surface Science
  • Molecular Genetics