Kulaev I.S., Vagabov V.M., Kulakovskaya T.V. The Biochemistry of Inorganic Polyphosphates

2nd edition. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 2004. - 277 p.
This book is devoted to the current problems of biochemistry of inorganic polyphosphates(PolyPs), linear polymers of orthophosphoric acid, which are important regulatory biopolymers widespread in living organisms. The great progress in the field of PolyP biochemistry over the last 15 to 20 years has contributed much to the appearance of this second edition.

The topics of this text include the following:
Data on the chemical structure and properties of condensed inorganic phosphates.
Comparative analysis of the methods of PolyP investigation in biological materials.
Data on PolyP distribution in living organisms.
Localization and forms of PolyPs in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Characteristics of the known enzymes of PolyP metabolism.
Description of the functions of PolyPs and PolyP-dependent enzymes, in particular, such
important functions as phosphate and energy reservation, sequestration and storage of
cations, formation of membrane channels, involvement in cell envelope formation and
function, gene activity control, regulation of enzyme activities, participation in stress
response, and stationary phase adaptation.

In addition, some chapters will be devoted to such problems as the peculiarities of PolyP metabolism in different organisms, applied aspects of PolyP biochemistry, and a discussion of the possible place of inorganic PolyPs in chemical and biological evolution. The originality of this present edition lies in a comprehensive presentation of the mode concepts of PolyP biochemistry, including a comparative description of PolyP metabolism in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, i.e. the role of these compounds in the cells of organisms at different stages of evolution, and offers a critical analysis of the methods of isolation and quantitative assessment of these compounds and methods of studying PolyP-dependent enzymes. The contemporary literature on these problems is presented to its maximal extent.
The book may therefore serve as a manual for researchers in this field, and in particular, as a textbook.

Contents

Foreword to the First Edition

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

The Chemical Structures and Properties of Condensed Inorganic Phosphates

The Structures of Condensed Phosphates
Cyclophosphates
Polyphosphates
Branched Inorganic Phosphates, or ‘Ultraphosphates1.2 Some Chemical Properties of Condensed
Inorganic Polyphosphates
Physico-Chemical Properties of Condensed Inorganic Polyphosphates

Methods of Polyphosphate Assay in Biological Materials

Methods of Extraction from Biological Materials
Chromatographic Methods
Colorimetric and Fluorimetric Methods
Cytochemical Methods
X-Ray Energy Dispersive Analysis
31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Other Physical Methods
Gel Electrophoresis
Enzymatic Methods

The Occurrence of Polyphosphates in Living Organisms

The Forms in which Polyphosphates are Present in Cells
Polyphosphate – Cation Complexes
Polyphosphate – Ca2+ – Polyhydroxybutyrate Complexes
Complexes of Polyphosphates with Nucleic Acids
Binding of Polyphosphates with Proteins

Localization of Polyphosphates in Cells of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Prokaryotes
Eukaryotes

Enzymes of Polyphosphate Biosynthesis and Degradation

Enzymes of Polyphosphate Biosynthesis
Polyphosphate Kinase (Polyphosphate: ADP Phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.4.1)
3-Phospho-D-Glyceroyl-Phosphate:Polyphosphate Phosphotransferase (EC 2.7.4.17)
Dolichyl-Diphosphate: Polyphosphate Phosphotransferase (EC 2.7.4.20)
Enzymes of Polyphosphate Degradation
Polyphosphate-Glucose Phosphotransferase (EC 2.7.1.63)
NAD Kinase (ATP: NAD 2-Phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.23)
Exopolyphosphatase (Polyphosphate Phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.11)
Adenosine–Tetraphosphate Phosphohydrolase (EC 3.6.1.14)
Triphosphatase (Tripolyphosphatase, EC 3.6.1.25)
Endopolyphosphatase (Polyphosphate Depolymerase, EC 3.6.1.10)
PolyP: AMP Phosphotransferase

The Functions of Polyphosphates and Polyphosphate-Dependent Enzymes

Phosphate Reserve
In Prokaryotes
In Eukaryotes
Energy Source
Polyphosphates in Bioenergetics of Prokaryotes
Polyphosphate in Bioenergetics of Eukaryotes
Cations Sequestration and Storage
In Prokaryotes
In Eukaryotes
Participation in Membrane Transport
Cell Envelope Formation and Function
Polyphosphates in the Cell Envelopes of Prokaryotes
Polyphosphates in the Cell Envelopes of Eukaryotes
Regulation of Enzyme Activities
Gene Activity Control, Development and Stress Response
In Prokaryotes
In Lower Eukaryotes
The Functions of Polyphosphates in Higher Eukaryotes

The Peculiarities of Polyphosphate Metabolism in Different Organisms

Escherichia coli
The Dynamics of Polyphosphates under Culture Growth
The Effects of Pi Limitation and Excess
The Effects of Mutations on Polyphosphate Levels and
Polyphosphate-Metabolizing Enzyme Activities
The Effects of Nutrition Deficiency and Environmental Stress
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Acinetobacter
Aerobacter aerogenes (Klebsiella aerogenes)
Azotobacter
Cyanobacteria (Blue–Green Algae) and other Photosynthetic Bacteria
Mycobacteria and Corynebacteria
Propionibacteria
Archae
Yeast
Yeast Cells Possess Different Polyphosphate Fractions
The Dynamics of PolyP Fractions during the Cell Cycle
The Relationship between the Metabolism of Polyphosphates and other Compounds
Polyphosphate Fractions at Growth on a Pi-Sufficient
Medium with Glucose
The Effects of Pi Limitation and Excess
The Effects of other Conditions on the Polyphosphate
Content in Yeast Cells
The Effects of Inhibitors on the Polyphosphate Content in Yeast Cells
The Effects of Mutations on the Content and Chain Lengths of Polyphosphate in Yeast
Other Fungi (Mould and Mushrooms)
Algae
Localization and Forms in Cells
The Dynamics of Polyphosphates in the Course of Growth
The Influence of Light and Darkness
The Effects of Pi Limitation and Excess Changes in Polyphosphate Content under Stress Conditions
Protozoa
Higher Plants
Animals

Applied Aspects of Polyphosphate Biochemistry

Bioremediation of the Environment
Enhanced Biological Phosphate Removal
Removal of Heavy Metals from Waste
Polyphosphates and Polyphosphate-Metabolizing Enzymes in Assay and Synthesis
Polyphosphates in Medicine
Antiseptic and Antiviral Agents
Polyphosphate Kinase as a Promising Antimicrobial Target
Polyphosphates as New Biomaterials
Polyphosphates in Bone Therapy and Stomathology
Polyphosphates in Agriculture
Polyphosphates in the Food Industry

Inorganic Polyphosphates in Chemical and Biological Evolution

Abiogenic Synthesis of Polyphosphates and Pyrophosphate
Phosphorus Compounds in Chemical Evolution
Polyphosphates and Pyrophosphates: Fossil Biochemical Reactions and the Course of Bioenergetic Evolution
Changes in the Role of Polyphosphates in Organisms at Different Evolutionary Stages

References

Index of Generic Names

Subject Index