Characterization of a New Allelic Variant of Triosephosphate Isomerase from the LNCaP Human Prostate Cancer Cell

Valeria Guzmán-Luna1, Leticia Olvera-Rodríguez1, Peniel Bustamante-Villalobos1

  • 1Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal 510-3, 62250Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.

Current Enzyme Inhibition
|November 11, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The G233D variant of triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) shows reduced activity in a key step of glycolysis. This altered enzyme function may enhance the flow of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GAP) through the glycolytic pathway in tumor cells.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The glycolytic pathway is crucial for tumor cell metabolism.
  • Triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) is a key enzyme in glycolysis, catalyzing the interconversion of D-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GAP) and dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP).
  • A novel G233D TIM variant was identified in prostate cancer cells, necessitating biochemical characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct the first biochemical and biophysical characterization of the G233D allelic variant of TIM.
  • To compare the enzymatic properties and stability of the G233D variant with the wild-type (WT) TIM.

Main Methods:

  • Enzyme kinetics (Michaelis-Menten) were determined for both substrates (GAP and DHAP).
  • The effect of the competitive inhibitor phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) was assessed.
  • Thermal stability was analyzed using circular dichroism spectroscopy in the presence and absence of PEP.

Main Results:

  • The G233D variant displayed a 4-fold lower catalytic rate (kcat) for GAP to DHAP isomerization compared to WT TIM.
  • Inhibition constants (Ki) and IC50 values for the G233D variant were comparable to WT TIM.
  • PEP binding induced increased thermal unfolding cooperativity in the G233D variant, indicating a more rigid conformation.

Conclusions:

  • The reduced catalytic activity of the G233D TIM variant in DHAP formation may enhance GAP flux through glycolysis.
  • This finding has implications for understanding metabolic reprogramming in prostate cancer.