Isomerization of trans‐3‐methylglutaconic acid

Abstract

3‐Methylglutaconic (3MGC) aciduria is a common phenotypic feature of a growing number of inborn errors of metabolism. “Primary” 3MGC aciduria is caused by deficiencies in leucine pathway enzymes while “secondary” 3MGC aciduria results from inborn errors of metabolism that impact mitochondrial energy production. The metabolic precursor of 3MGC acid is trans‐3MGC CoA, an intermediate in the leucine catabolism pathway. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis of commercially available trans‐3MGC acid yielded a mixture of cis and trans isomers while 1H‐NMR spectroscopy of trans‐3MGC acid at 25°C provided no evidence for the cis isomer. When trans‐3MGC acid was incubated under conditions used for sample derivatization prior to GC‐MS (but with no trimethylsilane added), 1H‐NMR spectroscopy provided evidence of trans to cis isomerization. Incubation of trans‐3MGC acid at 37°C resulted in time‐dependent isomerization to cis‐3MGC acid. Cis‐3MGC acid behaved in a similar manner except that, under identical incubation conditions, less isomerization occurred. In agreement with these experimental results, molecular modeling studies provided evidence that the energy minimized structure of cis‐3MGC acid is 4 kJ/mol more stable than that for trans‐3MGC acid. Once generated in vivo, trans‐3MGC acid is proposed to isomerize via a mechanism involving π electron delocalization with formation of a resonance structure that permits bond rotation. The data presented are consistent with the occurrence of both diastereomers in urine samples of subjects with 3MGC aciduria.

Role of non‐enzymatic chemical reactions in 3‐methylglutaconic aciduria

“…Thus, whether generated directly by hydrolysis of cis-3MGC anhydride or by SIRT4mediated deacylation of 3MGCylated proteins, trans-3MGC CoA formed via the acetyl CoA diversion pathway is destined to generate cis-3MGC acid, which is excreted in urine as a waste product. As shown by Jones et al [14], cis-3MGC acid largely resists isomerisation to trans-3MGC acid under physiological conditions. Thus, once it is formed in vivo, cis-3MGC acid is excreted in urine as an organic acid waste product.…”

“…As shown by Jones et al. [14], cis ‐3MGC acid largely resists isomerisation to trans ‐3MGC acid under physiological conditions. Thus, once it is formed in vivo , cis ‐3MGC acid is excreted in urine as an organic acid waste product.…”

“…The corresponding filtrates were analysed by 1 H‐NMR spectroscopy as described by Jones et al. [14]. The amount of cis ‐3MGC acid in each sample was calculated utilising 0.1 m sodium acetate as internal standard and comparing integration of the methyl proton resonances of cis ‐3MGC acid.…”

“…Jones et al. [14] recently reported that, although trans ‐3MGC acid isomerisation occurs as a function of time and temperature, the rate of this reaction at 37 °C is far too slow to account for the cis : trans ratio observed in urine of subjects with 3MGC aciduria.…”

“…Second, 3MGC acid recovered in urine of subjects with primary 3MGC aciduria is present as a ~2 : 1 mixture of cis-and transdiastereomers, respectively [12,13]. Jones et al [14] recently reported that, although trans-3MGC acid isomerisation occurs as a function of time and temperature, the rate of this reaction at 37 °C is far too slow to account for the cis : trans ratio observed in urine of subjects with 3MGC aciduria.…”