Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.6.1.44 (AGT)
770 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We examine the suitability of a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatographic technique to determine L-alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT) activity in human liver. Homogenised tissue was incubated for 30 min in the presence of substrates and the generated pyruvate was converted into the corresponding phenylhydrazone which was determined using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The procedure allowed the detection of the enzyme activity expressed by 10 micrograms of liver protein and was rapid enough resulting more sensitive and less time-consuming than the previous colorimetric one. We found that AGT activity in two hyperoxaluria type 1 patients was reduced as compared with controls. Also, cirrhotic patients had very low enzyme activities, even in the absence of detectable disorders of oxalate metabolism and this was ascribed to abnormal liver morphology. This may represent a misleading drawback if diagnosis of type 1 primary hyperoxaluria (PH1) uniquely relies on AGT assay.
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PMID:High-performance liquid chromatographic microassay for L-alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase activity in human liver. 149 37

1. The activity of alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT; EC 2.6.1.44) has been measured in the unfractionated livers of 20 patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1), three patients with other forms of primary hyperoxaluria and one PH1 heterozygote. The subcellular distribution of AGT activity was examined in four of the PH1 livers and in the liver of the PH1 heterozygote. 2. The mean AGT activity in the unfractionated PH1 livers was 12.6% of the mean control value. The activities of other aminotransferases and the peroxisomal marker enzymes were normal. When corrected for cross-over from glutamate:glyoxylate aminotransferase (GGT; EC 2.6.1.4), the mean AGT activity in the PH1 livers was reduced to 3.3% of the control values. 3. The livers from a patient with primary hyperoxaluria type 2 (D-glycerate dehydrogenase deficiency) and one with an undefined form of primary hyperoxaluria (possibly oxalate hyperabsorption) had normal AGT levels. The livers of a very mild PH1-type variant and a PH1 heterozygote had intermediate levels of AGT activity. 4. Subcellular fractionation of four PH1 livers by sucrose gradient isopycnic centrifugation demonstrated a complete absence of peroxisomal AGT activity. The subcellular distribution of the residual AGT activity was very similar to that of GGT activity (i.e. mainly cytosolic with a small amount mitochondrial). There were no alterations in the subcellular distributions of any of the peroxisomal marker enzymes. The subcellular distribution of AGT activity in the PH1 heterozygote liver was similar to that of the control (i.e. mainly peroxisomal).
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PMID:Further studies on the activity and subcellular distribution of alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase in the livers of patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1. 341 63

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH 1), an inborn error of glyoxylate metabolism characterized by excessive synthesis of oxalate and glycolate, is caused by a defect in serine:pyruvate/alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (SPT/AGT). This enzyme is peroxisomal in human liver. Recently, we cloned SPT/AGT-cDNA from a PH 1 case, and demonstrated a point mutation of T to C in the coding region of the SPT/AGT gene encoding a Ser to Pro substitution at residue 205 (Nishiyama, K., T. Funai, R. Katafuchi, F. Hattori, K. Onoyama, and A. Ichiyama. 1991. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 176:1093-1099). In the liver of this patient, SPT/AGT was very low with respect to not only activity but also protein detectable on Western blot and immunoprecipitation analyses. Immunocytochemically detectable SPT/AGT labeling was also low, although it was detected predominantly in peroxisomes. On the other hand, the level of translatable SPT/AGT-mRNA was higher than normal, indicating that SPT/AGT had been synthesized in the patient's liver at least as effectively as in normal liver. Rapid degradation of the mutant SPT/AGT was then demonstrated in transfected COS cells and transformed Escherichia coli, accounting for the low level of immunodetectable mutant SPT/AGT in the patient's liver. The mutant SPT/AGT was also degraded much faster than normal in an in vitro system with a rabbit reticulocyte extract, and the degradation in vitro was ATP dependent. These results indicate that a single amino acid substitution in SPT/AGT found in the PH1 case leads to a reduced half-life of this protein. It appears that the mutant SPT/AGT is recognized in cells as an abnormal protein to be eliminated by degradation.
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PMID:ATP-dependent degradation of a mutant serine: pyruvate/alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase in a primary hyperoxaluria type 1 case. 824 28

Considering the clinical heterogeneity of primary hyperoxaluria type I (PH1) and the fact that in many instances this diagnosis was made without enzymatic and immunohistochemical investigation, other disturbances of oxalate metabolism than those presently known can be expected in PH1. Using a gaschromatographic/mass spectrometric method that allows quantification of these acids, hyperoxaluria and hyperglycoluria was found repeatedly in two unrelated patients. The hyperoxaluria was unresponsive to pyridoxine. There was no nephrocalcinosis or urolithiasis. In the liver biopsy normal AGT activity and normal localization of this enzyme in the peroxisome was found. In one patient abnormal Km and maximal activity and mozaicism of AGT were excluded. Hyperoxaluria and hyperglycoluria were also found in other family members, suggesting autosomal dominant transmission. Although the underlying defect leading to hyperoxaluria and hyperglycoluria could not be identified in these patients, it is probable that they represent a separate type of primary hyperoxaluria.
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PMID:Hyperoxaluria with hyperglycoluria not due to alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase defect: a novel type of primary hyperoxaluria. 891 45

The hyperoxaluria syndromes can be differentiated by the assessment of associated abnormalities in generation and urine excretion of metabolically related molecules. Based on the experience gained in our laboratory during the last decade, we have developed a comprehensive diagnostic work-up, which includes measurements of oxalate, glycolate and L-glycerate in plasma, urine and dialysis fluids, and an assay for AGT activity on liver biopsy. The availability of reliable assays for each of these parameters is indispensable for the recognition and differentiation of hyperoxalurias. Patients suspected to have abnormalities in oxalate metabolism are first screened by analysing spot urines and serum, and subsequently are subjected to more extensive studies using properly pre-treated blood samples and 24-hour urine collection. AGT activity, in the case of PH1, is assayed on few milligrams liver specimen by using a sensitive chromatographic procedure. Pertinent biochemistries will also assist in the long-term medical follow-up of these patients and in view of the choice of renal replacement or transplantation strategies.
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PMID:Biochemical approach to diagnosis and differentiation of primary hyperoxalurias: an update. 960 5

Urolithiasis is uncommon in adolescence and rare in early childhood. In pediatric populations, congenital urinary tract anomalies associated with stasis and infection, idiopathic urolithiasis (adolescents), and nephrocalcinosis (premature infants) account for the majority of urolithiasis patients. Inborn errors of metabolism, such as the primary hyperoxalurias, are rare causes of urolithiasis in childhood. We report six children (mean age at symptom onset 1.3 years; range 0.32-4.1 years) with moderate hyperoxaluria (mean 1.10 +/- 0.58 mmoL/1.73m2 per day; range 0.69-2.19 mmoL/1.73m2 per day). Urolithiasis was present in four. Stones from two children were comprised of calcium oxalate dihydrate. Calcium oxalate crystalluria was seen in two of the patients. Findings included a mean urine calcium concentration of 6.61 +/- 2.28 mg/kg per day, urine citrate of 925.5 +/- 291.29 mg/g of creatinine per day, and mean renal clearance of 99.83 +/- 23.27 mL/min. All children were born full term, none was receiving diuretics, and none had recurrent urinary tract infections. Secondary causes of hyperoxaluria, including dietary oxalate excess, pyridoxine deficiency, and malabsorption, were excluded. Urine glycolate and glycerate were normal in all patients. In one hyperoxaluric member of each sibship, hepatic alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase and D-glycerate dehydrogenase/glyoxylate reductase activity were normal. The clinical and biochemical features of these children are unlike those in previously recognized hyperoxaluric states. Thus, our description of a separate hyperoxaluric entity, referred to as unclassified hyperoxaluria.
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PMID:Hyperoxaluria and urolithiasis in young children: an atypical presentation. 1060 14

Computer-based approaches identified three distinct human 2-hydroxy acid oxidase genes, HAOX1, HAOX2, and HAOX3, that encode proteins with significant sequence similarity to plant glycolate oxidase, a prototypical 2-hydroxy acid oxidase. The products of these genes are targeted to peroxisomes and have 2-hydroxy acid oxidase activities. Each gene displays a distinct tissue-specific pattern of expression, and each enzyme exhibits distinct substrate preferences. HAOX1 is expressed primarily in liver and pancreas and is most active on the two-carbon substrate, glycolate, but is also active on 2-hydroxy fatty acids. HAOX2 is expressed predominantly in liver and kidney and displays highest activity toward 2-hydroxypalmitate. HAOX3 expression was detected only in pancreas, and this enzyme displayed a preference for the medium chain substrate 2-hydroxyoctanoate. These results indicate that all three human 2-hydroxy acid oxidases are involved in the oxidation of 2-hydroxy fatty acids and may also contribute to the general pathway of fatty acid alpha-oxidation. Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is caused by defects in peroxisomal alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase, the enzyme that normally eliminates intraperoxisomal glyoxylate. The presence of HAOX1 in liver and kidney peroxisomes and the ability of HAOX1 to oxidize glyoxylate to oxalate implicate HAOX1 as a mediator of PH1 pathophysiology.
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PMID:Identification and characterization of HAOX1, HAOX2, and HAOX3, three human peroxisomal 2-hydroxy acid oxidases. 1077 49

Primary hyperoxaluria Type 1 (PH1) is caused by a functional deficiency of a liver enzyme, serine:pyruvate/alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (SPT/AGT), which catalyzes transamination between L-serine or l-alanine as an amino acid substrate and glyoxylate or pyruvate as an alpha-keto acid substrate. A high affinity for glyoxylate is a notable feature of this enzyme, suggesting a role in glyoxylate metabolism in vivo. Another conspicuous feature of SPT/AGT is its species-specific and food habit-dependent subcellular distribution. Thus, the enzyme is located in peroxisomes in herbivores and man, largely in mitochondria in carnivores, and in both the organelles in rodents. The mechanism of the species-specific dual organelle localization of SPT/AGT is either transcription of the gene from two different start sites or loss of the upstream translation initiation ATG codon by mutations. It appears that the mitochondrial versus peroxisomal distribution of SPT/AGT in different animal species is indispensable in meeting the metabolic needs caused by their respective food habits. As for the peroxisomal localization, glycolate is contained in plants much more than in animal tissues, and when ingested, it is converted to glyoxylate, an immediate precursor of oxalate, in liver peroxisomes. Therefore, peroxisomal localization of SPT/AGT may be indispensable for herbivores to convert the glyoxylate formed in peroxisomes into glycine in situ rather than forming oxalate. On the other hand, our recent studies showed that SPT/AGT contributed substantially to serine metabolism in rabbit, human, and dog livers; i.e., irrespective of its mitochondrial or peroxisomal localization. Thus, the mitochondrial localization of SPT/AGT was not a prerequisite for the metabolism of L-serine. Another source of glyoxylate is the metabolism of L-hydroxyproline, and in this case, the enzyme responsible for the glyoxylate formation has been reported to be a mitochondrial matrix enzyme. Collagen accounts for about 30% of total animal proteins and contains about 13% (w/w) hydroxyproline. It is therefore possible that both mitochondrial and peroxisomal SPT/AGT contribute to the metabolism of glyoxylate and serine, but the subcellular site for glyoxylate metabolism is different in herbivores and carnivores.
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PMID:Oxalate synthesis in mammals: properties and subcellular distribution of serine:pyruvate/alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase in the liver. 1115

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is caused by deficiency of peroxisomal alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase which is in humans exclusively expressed in liver cells. The disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, and initial symptoms usually occur in early childhood. Up to the age of 25 years, 90% of the patients are symptomatic, and many patients develop end-stage renal failure. Pronounced medical care is necessary in PH1 patients to prevent generalized oxalosis with complications due to bone disease and peripheral gangrene. The rather short survival of patients on hemodialysis is caused by sudden arrhythmias and heart block. As no dialysis procedure is able to remove the daily produced oxalate, early transplantation is mandatory. Our 45-year-old patient is remarkable on the basis of the late manifestations of PH1. The diagnosis was delayed by unspecific symptoms of nephrolithiasis with recurrent pyelonephritis. Clinical course and diagnostic cornerstones of primary hyperoxaluria are outlined. The principles of conservative treatment and experiences with dialysis and transplantation are discussed.
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PMID:Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 causing end-stage renal disease in a 45-year-old patient. 1117 30

Glyoxylate is an immediate precursor of oxalate, but in its metabolism the conversion into glycine catalyzed by serine:pyruvate/alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (SPT/AGT) appears to be the main route. When SPT/AGT is missing as in the case of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) more glyoxylate is used for the oxalate production, resulting in calcium oxalate urolithiasis and finally systemic oxalosis. SPT/AGT is a unique enzyme of species-specific dual organelle localization; it is located largely in mitochondria in carnivores and entirely in peroxisomes in herbivores and man. For herbivores, the peroxisomal localization of SPT/AGT is indispensable to avoid massive production of oxalate, probably because liver peroxisomes are the main site of glyoxylate production from glycolate, and plants contain glycolate much more than animal tissues. Recently, we took charge of laboratory examination for 8 cases of primary hyperoxaluria in Japan, and felt that symptoms of some of the Japanese PH1 patients are apparently milder than those of Western patients. The reason of this is not clear, but from the above mentioned seemingly indispensable association of grass-eating with the peroxisomal localization of SPT/AGT it may be related, at least in part, to the food habit of Japanese, especially that of old generation, that they prefer boiled greens rather than frying or raw vegetables.
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PMID:Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 in Japan. 1133 44


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