Mechanism of inactivation of glutamine amidotransferases by the antitumor drug L-(alpha S, 5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid (AT-125).

L-(alphaS, 5S)-alpha-Amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid (AT-125), an antitumor drug isolated from Streptomyces sviceus, is an active site-directed affinity analog of glutamine. It selectively inactivates the glutamine-dependent activities of two bacterial glutamine amidotransferases, anthranilate synthase and glutamate synthase. A reversible noncovalent complex is formed prior to irreversible enzyme modification. Inactivation of anthranilate synthase results from incorporation of approximately 1 eq of AT-125/enzyme protomer. Active site cysteine-83 in Serratia marcescens anthranilate synthase Component II is the residue alkylated by AT-125. Anthranilate synthase is rapidly inactivated by AT-125 IN S. marcescens cells. In vivo inactivation is by the same mechanism as in vitro.