文摘
The dynamics of interactions between rat liver cytosolic proteins and arsenicals were examined in anin vitromethylation system that contained cytosol, glutathione,S-adenosylmethionine, and 1 μm[73As]arsenite. After incubation at 37°C for up to 90 min, low-molecular-weight components of the assay system (<10 kDa) were removed by ultrafiltration and cytosolic proteins were separated by size-exclusion chromatography on Sephacryl S-300 gel. Five73As-labeled protein peaks were found in chromatographic profiles. The estimated molecular masses of73As-labeled proteins eluting in the three earliest peaks were as follows:Vo, ≥1000 kDa; A, 135 kDa; and B, 38 kDa. Peak C eluted immediately before the total volume (VT) of the chromatographic column; peak D eluted after theVT.73As bound to proteins was released by CuCl treatment and speciated by thin-layer chromatography. Amounts and ratios of inorganic As, methyl As, and dimethyl As associated with cytosolic proteins depended upon the incubation interval. Inorganic As was present in all protein peaks. Methyl As was primarily associated with peaks A and C; dimethyl As was associated with peaks B and C. To examine the effect of valence on the binding of methylarsenicals to cytosolic proteins, trivalent or pentavalent14C-labeled methyl As or dimethyl As was incubated in anin vitrosystem designed to minimize the enzymatically catalyzed production of methylated arsenicals. Proteins in peaks A, B, and C bound preferentially trivalent methyl and dimethyl As. Peak D bound either trivalent or pentavalent methyl and dimethyl As. Protein-bound inorganic and methyl As were substrates for the production of dimethyl As in anin vitromethylation system, suggesting a role for protein-bound arsenicals in the biomethylation of this metalloid.