Glyoxylic acid prevents NAD+ and NADH depletion in K562 cells cultured at limiting dilution

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1990 Nov 30;173(1):179-85. doi: 10.1016/s0006-291x(05)81038-1.

Abstract

K562 erythroleukemic cells cultured at low population density in the absence of serum die within 12-24 hours, unless 0.1 mM glyoxylic acid is added to the culture medium. Earlier events, preceding cell death and occurring within 2 hours culture, are: a) a marked drop of both the NAD+/NADH ratio and the NAD+ concentration, which is prevented by 10mM benzamide, b) an increased biosynthesis of NAD+, leading to extensive depletion of cellular ATP. In the presence of 0.1 mM glyoxylic acid the NAD+/NADH ratio as well as their absolute concentrations remain unchanged, while NAD+ biosynthesis is absent. A NAD+/NADH glycohydrolase activity is present in the cell extract, inhibited by 10 mM benzamide and with a higher affinity for NADH than for NAD+. Preservation of a high NAD+/NADH ratio by glyoxylic acid apparently prevents enzyme activity and the related loss of pyridine nucleotides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / metabolism
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Cell Line
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Glyoxylates / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute
  • NAD / metabolism*
  • Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

  • Benzamides
  • Glyoxylates
  • NAD
  • benzamide
  • glyoxylic acid
  • Adenosine