Ascorbic acid, deficiency proline

Hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine result from the hydroxylation by specific hydroxylases of proline and lysine residues after their incorporation into a-chains. The enzymes require ascorbic acid as a cofactor. [Note An ascorbic acid deficiency results in scurvy.] The hydroxyl group of the hydroxylysine residues of collagen may be enzymatically glycosy lated (most commonly, glucose and galactose are added sequentially to the triple helix). 

As indicated in Figure 2, when minces of tumor obtained from normal and ascorbic acid-deficient animals were incubated with C14-pro-line, much more radioactivity was incorporated into the collagen of the normal tissue. When the specific radioactivities of the isolated imino acids were examined (Table HI), several conclusions were possible. In the experiments with granuloma from normal animals and C14-proline, the values for hydroxyproline were not far from those of proline. With the scorbutic granulomas, the specific activity of the isolated proline was not greatly reduced, compared to that obtained from the normal granuloma. In contrast, the specific activity of the hydroxyproline isolated from the deficient tissues was markedly reduced. Similar results were obtained in the studies with tritiated proline. Thus, the specific activity of the proline isolated from the deficient granuloma was only moderately reduced, whereas the specific activity of the hydroxyproline was extremely low. This observation may be explained in terms of a dual-pathway mechanism of proline incorporation, considered below. 

Table VI. Stimulation of Hydroxylation of Proline 4>y Ascorbic Acid-Deficient Granuloma by in Vitro Addition of Ascorbic Acid...

Ascorbic Acid Deficiency. Scurvy is the classical disease associated with ascorbate deficiency. It is a disease of the connective tissue and probably is caused by inadequate crosslinking attributed to a lack of hydroxy-lated proline and lysine. Many consider scurvy to be an advanced stage of ascorbate deficiency. Chronic deficiencies may also (l)in-crease risk for malignancies, as evidenced by oxidized DNA markers and increased concentrations of reactive oxygen species (2) decreased immune function, as evidenced by less vitamin in neutrophils and lymphocytes (3) cardiovascular disease caused by the inflammatory response on the blood vessel walls and (4) cataract formation caused by decreased concentrations of ascorbate in the ocular tissues. 

L-ascorbic acid deficiency results in reduced hydroxylation of proline and lysine, thus destabilizing the collagen triple helix, and the impaired collagen synthesis leads mainly to defective connective tissue. 

A requirement for ascorbic acid in collagen formation has been well documented. This, it has been suggested, results from a utilization of this vitamin in the formation of hydroxjrproline from bound proline in a precollagen peptide (137,138) or for formation of an activated hydroxyproline (139). Mitoma and Smith (140) showed, however, that while ascorbic acid deficiency impaired collagen synthesis hydroxylation of proline was not affected. 

One-third of the amino acid residues in collagen are Gly, while another quarter are Pro. The hydroxylated amino acids 4-hydroxyproline (Hyp) and 5-hydroxylysine (Hyl) are formed post-translationally by the action of proline hydroxylase and lysine hydroxylase. These Fe2+-containing enzymes require ascorbic acid (vitamin C) for activity. In the vitamin C deficiency disease scurvy, collagen does not form correctly due to the inability to hydroxylate Pro and Lys. Hyl residues are often post-translationally modified with carbohydrate. 

Ascorbic acid is a vitamin in primates. In most other animals, it can be synthesized by a branch of the glucoronic acid pathway (Chapter 18). It is apparently not changed into any coenzyme in the human being and participates as a vitamin in a reducing capacity in several biochemical reactions. These include the post-translational hydroxylation of proline in collagen biosynthesis (Chapter 8) and in tyrosine metabolism (Chapter 20). Ascorbic acid is oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, a diketo derivative of ascorbate. Scurvy is a deficiency disease caused by a shortage of dietary ascorbic acid. In children, this results in defective bone formation in adults, extensive bleeding occurs in a number of locations. Scurvy is to be suspected if serum ascorbic acid levels fall below 1 jug/mL. 

The answer is e. (Murray, pp 627-661. Sciiver, pp 3897-3964. Sack, pp 121-138. Wilson, pp 287-320.) Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Deficiency of ascorbic acid produces scurvy, the sailor s disease. Ascorbic acid is necessary for the hydroxylation of proline to hydroxyproline in collagen, a process required in the formation and maintenance of connective tissue. The failure of mesenchymal cells to form collagen causes the skeletal, dental, and connective tissue deterioration seen in scurvy. Thiamine, niacin, cobalamin, and pantothenic acid can all be obtained from fish or meat products. The nomenclature of vitamins began by classifying fat-soluble vitamins as A (followed by subsequent letters of the alphabet such as D, E, and K) and water-soluble vitamins as B. Components of the B vitamin fraction were then given subscripts, e.g., thiamine (Bi), riboflavin (B2), niacin [nicotinic acid (B3)], panthothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (Bg), and cobalamin (B ). The water-soluble vitamins C, biotin, and folic acid do not follow the B nomenclature. 

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, Fig. 2) is a water-soluble vitamin that dissociates at physiological pH. It is essential as a cofactor of several enzymes, including proline hydroxylase and lysine hydroxylase. Scurvy is known as the result of malnutrition with ascorbic acid. This vitamin deficiency is characterized by instable collagen. This results from insufficient hydroxylation of collagen molecules. Besides this, ascorbic acid has a function as an antioxidant. 

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