Genetically engineered tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) with the ability to synthesize glycinebetaine was generated by introducing the codA gene encoding choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis. Integration of the codA gene in transgenic tomato plants was verified by PCR analysis and DNA blot hybridization. Transgenic expression of gene was verified by RT-PCR analysis and RNA blot hybridi...

Choline plays a central role in many physiological pathways, including neurotransmitter synthesis (acetylcholine), cell-membrane signaling (phospholipids), lipid transport (lipoproteins), and methyl-group metabolism (homocysteine reduction). Endurance exercise might stress several of these pathways, increasing the demand for choline as a metabolic substrate. This review examines the current lit...

GB is a zwitterionic, fully N-methyl-substituted derivative of Gly that is found in a large variety of microorganisms, higher plants, and animals (Rhodes and Hanson, 1993). At high concentrations, GB does not interfere with cytoplasmic functions and it efficiently stabilizes the structure and function of many macromolecules. Thus, it belongs to a group of compounds that are known collectively a...

Benzoic acid has been reported to inhibit the oxidation of succinic acid by muscle (l), the oxidation of butyric acid and crotonic acid by liver slices (2), and the oxidation of acetoacetic acid by kidney slices (3). It has also been reported to inhibit the oxygen uptake of liver and kidney slices, diaphragm, minced liver, kidney, and brain (4). In the present work it was found that benzoic aci...

We describe methods for automated enzymatic measurement of lecithin, sphingomyelin, and phosphatidylglycerol in amniotic fluid. Phospholipase C (EC 3.1.4.3) and sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.12) are reacted with lecithin and sphingomyelin, respectively, to liberate phosphocholine. Phosphocholine is then reacted with alkaline phosphatase, choline oxidase, peroxidase, and 4-aminoantip...

In contrast with results on the rat, in the rabbit no arteriovenous differences were found in the plasma concentrations of free choline, phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine. The phospholipid values agreed with those of Nelson (1967). Blood samples were taken at intervals and the blood volume was replaced by infusing a dextran solution in which blood cells from earlier samplings were...

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in choline metabolizing genes are associated with disease risk and greater susceptibility to organ dysfunction under conditions of dietary choline restriction. However, the underlying metabolic signatures of these variants are not well characterized and it is unknown whether genotypic differences persist at recommended choline intakes. Thus, we sought to d...

BACKGROUND In 1998 choline Adequate Intakes of 425 and 450 mg/d were established for nonpregnant and pregnant women, respectively. However, to our knowledge, no dose-response studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of pregnancy or maternal choline intake on biomarkers of choline metabolism. OBJECTIVE We sought to quantify the effects of pregnancy and maternal choline intake on mat...

The CKI1-encoded choline kinase (ATP:choline phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.32) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was phosphorylated in vivo on multiple serine residues. Activation of protein kinase A activity in vivo resulted in a transient increase in the phosphorylation of choline kinase. This phosphorylation was accompanied by a stimulation in choline kinase activity. In vitro, protein kinase A p...

Recent developments in nutrition have established that choline is an essential nutrient for mammals when a sufficient supply in methionine and folates are not available in the diet. Vitamin B12 is also involved in this process. The dynamic interactions between these components introduced the concept of choline as vitamin-like compound. Two types of choline functions are known: as choline per se...