Regulation of the supramolecular structure and the catalytic activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase in the reversed micelle system

Regulation mechanisms of the supramolecular structure and the catalytic activity of a heterodimeric enzyme, gamma-glutamyltransferase, in the system of Aerosol OT (AOT) reversed micelles in octane have been studied. gamma-(3-carboxy-4-nitro)-glutamic acid anilide (L- and D-isomers) and glycylglycine were used as substrates to explore the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolase, autotransferase, and transferase reactions. For all types of reactions, the catalytic activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase as a function of the hydration degree has a shape of curves with three optima. The optima of the catalytic activity were detected at hydration degrees [( H2O]/[AOT] = 11, 17, and 26) when radii of the micelle's inner cavity are commensurate with the light and heavy subunits (Mr 21,000 and 54,000, respectively) of gamma-glutamyltransferase as well as with the dimer (Mr 75,000). As ultracentrifugation the change in hydration degree caused a reversible dissociation of the enzyme to the light and heavy subunits. Both subunits catalyze the hydrolase and transferase reactions, whereas the autotransferase activity was detected only for the heavy subunit. Dependencies of catalytic activities of the subunits on the hydration degree have one optimum each (at [H2O]/[AOT] = 11 and 17 for the light and heavy subunits, respectively). When mixing micellar solutions containing both subunits, a third optimum was detected corresponding to the dimer [( H2O]/[AOT] = 26).     

Alkaline phosphatase in reverse micelles of surfactants in organic solvent]

A dimeric enzyme (alkaline phosphatase from calf intestinal mucosa) was studied in the reversed micellar medium of Aerosol OT (AOT) in octane. The dependence of the enzyme's activity on the hydration degree (on the size of micelles) is a curve with two optima corresponding to the hydration degrees [H2O]/[AOT] = 17 and 25; when the inner cavity radii of reversed micelles are equal to the size of the enzyme's monomer (Mr = 70 000) and of the dimer (Mr = 140 000). Ultracentrifugation experiments showed that a reversible dissociation of the enzyme into subunits takes place as a result of the change of the hydration degree; the first and second maxima corresponding to the functioning of the monomeric and dimeric forms of the enzyme, respectively.     

Regulation of the catalytic activity and supermolecular structure of penicillin acylase from Escherichia coli in an aerosol OT reversed micelle system in octane]

The properties of penicillin acylase from E. coli solubilized by hydrated reversed micelles of Aerozol OT (AOT) in octane were studied. The catalytic activity dependence on the hydration degree, a parameter which determines the size of the micelle inner cavity, represents a curve with three optima, each corresponding to the enzyme functioning either in a dimer form (omega 0 = 23) or in the form of separate subunits--heavy, beta, and light, alpha, at omega 0 = 20 and 14, respectively. Reversible dissociation of the enzyme was confirmed by ultracentrifugation followed by electrophoresis. Preparative isolation of penicillin acylase subunits, their catalytic activity being retained, was shown to be possible.     

Subunit separation in reversed micelle system reveals the existence of active centers both on light and heavy gamma-glutamyltransferase subunits.

Regulation of supra-macromolecular composition and catalytic activity of a heterodimeric enzyme, gamma-glutamyltransferase, in the system of Aerosol OT (sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate) reversed micelles in octane were studied. Variation of the surfactant hydration degree (parameter, determining dimensions of the polar inner cavity of the micelle) causes a reversible dissociation of the enzyme to light and heavy subunits. Both enzyme subunits possess catalytic activity. The light and heavy subunits of the enzyme were separated on a preparative scale in a reversed micelle system using ultracentrifugation. The active centers of gamma-glutamyltransferase were studied using its irreversible inhibitor--AT-125 (L-(alpha S, 5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid). Separation of the gamma-glutamyltransferase subunits results in the 'opening' of a new active center located at the heavy subunit. In the dimer form of the enzyme this center is masked and it is not accessible to both substrate and inhibitor molecules.     

Active centers of gamma-glutamyltransferase in the aerosol OT reverse micellar system in octane by an inhibitor analysis method]

Regulation of the supramolecular structure and catalytic activity of the heterodimeric enzyme gamma-glutamyltransferase in the system of Aerosol OT reversed micelles in octane was studied. Variation of the hydration degree causes a reversible dissociation of the enzyme to the light and heavy subunits, both possessing the catalytic activity. The subunits were separated on the preparative scale in the reversed micelle system using ultracentrifugation. The active centres of gamma-glutamyltransferase were studied using the enzyme's irreversible inhibitor AT-125 (L-(alpha S, 5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid). It is shown that the separation of the gamma-glutamyltransferase subunits results in "opening" of a new active centre in the heavy subunit, whereas in the enzyme's dimeric form this centre is masked and not accessible to the inhibitor's molecule. The kinetic and inhibitor analysis data indicate that the active centres in the light and heavy subunits are similar.     

Catalysis by enzymes entrapped into reversed micelles of surfactants in organic solvents. Peroxidase in the aerosol OT-water-octane system

Spectral and catalytic parameters of peroxidase solubilized in the aerosol OT-water-octane system have been studied. The spectrum of peroxidase solubilized in octane with AOT reversed micelles, a degree of surfactant hydration being above 12, is actually identical to that of the enzyme aqueous solution. On the other hand, significant spectral changes have been detected when transferring the enzyme from water to the reversed micelle medium at low degrees of surfactant hydration, precisely [H2O]/[AOT] less than 12. The reversed micelle-entrapped peroxidase catalyses the oxidation of pyrogallol with hydrogen peroxide much more actively (at [H2O]/[surfactant] approximately 13) than that in aqueous solution. The entrapment of peroxidase into surfactant reversed micelles increases precisely the catalytic constant of the reaction, i.e. the virtual reactivity of the enzyme increases ten and hundred times depending on degrees of surfactant hydration and concentration. The systems of reversed micelles may be considered as models of biomembranes. Our findings hence show that enzymes in vivo can be much more catalytically active then it appears possible to reveal in conventional experiments in vitro in aqueous solutions.     

The principal difference in regulation of the catalytic activity of water-soluble and membrane forms of enzymes in reversed micelles. Gamma-glutamyltransferase and aminopeptidase

The regularities of their functioning of enzyme, water-soluble and membrane forms, in the systems of the reversed micelles of surfactants in organic solvents are compared. Using as examples gamma-glutamyltransferase (in AOT reversed micelles in octane) and aminopeptidase (in Brij 96 reversed micelles in cyclohexane), the principal difference in the catalytic activity regulation of water-soluble and membrane forms is demonstrated. The catalytic activity of the membrane form depends considerably on the surfactant concentration at the constant degree of hydration, whereas the activity of the water-soluble form is constant under these conditions. The catalytic activity dependence on the surfactant concentration is regarded as a test for enzyme membrane activity.     

Kinetics of soybean lipoxygenase reaction in hydrated reversed micelles

The rate of linoleic acid peroxidation catalysed by soybean lipoxygenase I was studied as a function of the hydration degree of aerosol OT (bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate sodium salt) reversed micelles in octane. Lipoxygenase reaction parameters for the micelle-bound substrate were spectrophotometrically determined. The linoleic acid distribution between the micelles and octane was detected by the sedimentation method, with the concentration of linoleic acid in supernatant after settling of micelles (i.e. the concentration of free linoleic acid) being estimated by the enzymatic method. The apparent constant of linoleic acid distribution (the ratio of the bound and free substrate concentrations) was enhanced with increasing hydration of reversed micelles. The dependence of the enzymatic reaction rate on the bound substrate concentration obeyed the empiric Hill equation. The Hill coefficient remained practically constant (h = 1.34) as the hydration degree changed. Parameters of the lipoxygenase reaction, enzyme reaction limiting rate V and semi-saturation substrate concentration [S]0.5 increased with increasing degree of hydration and reached the optimum at [H2O]/[AOT] approximately 30, where dimensions of the micellar internal cavity coincided with those of the enzyme molecule. Some aspects of kinetic behavior of membrane-bound enzymes participating in chemical transformation of non-polar compounds dispersed in lipid phase are discussed.     

Enzyme-Catalyzed oxidation of cholesterol in physically characterized water-in-oil microemulsions

The enzymatic conversion of cholesterol to cholestenone by cholesterol oxidase (Brevibacterium sp.)in reversed micelles in a system composed of AOT/isooctane/water/cholesterol has been examined. The catalytic activity of the enzyme was correlated with the physicochemical properties of water in water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsion systems. In a system consisting of 3 wt % AOT in isooctane, reversed micelles started to form as the [H(2)O]/[AOT] (e.g., the w(0)) ratio increased above 4-5. The formation of reversed micelles with a core of neat (bulk) water was verified from determinations of both the partial molar volume of water and the scissors vibration of water [with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy] in the w/o microemulsion systems. A plot of enzyme activity vs. w(0) indicated that the hydration of enzyme molecules per se was not sufficient to give rise to catalytic activity. Instead, it appeared that the formation of an aqueous micellar core was necessary for full activation of the enzyme. Based on micelle size distribution analysis, it was estimated that about one micelle per one thousand contained an enzyme molecule. Since the apparent reaction rate could be markedly enhanced by increasing the enzyme/water ratio, we conclude that the number of enzyme-containing micelles was an important rate-limiting factor in the system.     

Comparative study of the regulation of catalytic activity of soluble and membrane forms of enzymes in reverse micellar systems. Gamma-glutamyltransferase and aminopeptidase]

The regulations of functioning of water soluble and membrane forms of enzymes in the systems of reversed micelles of surfactants in organic solvents are compared. By an examples of gamma-glutamyltransferase (in AOT reversed micelles in octane) and amino-peptidase (in Brij 96 reversed micelles in cyclohexane) the principal difference in the catalytic activity regulation of water soluble and membrane forms is demonstrated. The catalytic activity of the membrane form depends largely on the surfactant concentration at the constant hydration degree, whereas the activity of the water soluble form is constant under these conditions. The catalytic activity dependence on the surfactant concentration is regarded as a "test for the enzyme's membrane activity".     

Engineering of functional supramacromolecular complexes of proteins (enzymes) using reversed micelles as matrix microreactors.

The size of the inner water cavity of reversed micelles formed in a triple system 'water-surfactant-organic solvent' can be widely varied by changing the degree of surfactant hydration. This gives grounds to use reversed micelles as matrix microreactors for the design of supramolecular complexes of proteins. Using ultracentrifugation analysis, it has been demonstrated that the oligomeric composition of various enzymes (ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) solubilized in reversed micelles of Aerosol OT [sodium bis(2-ethylehexyl)sulfosuccinate] in octane changes upon variation of the degree of hydration. An oligomeric complex forms under conditions when the radius of the micelle inner cavity is big enough to incorporate this complex as a whole. At lower degrees of hydration the micelles 'uncouple' such complexes to their components. The catalytic properties of various oligomeric complexes have been studied. Possibilities of using reversed micelles for the separation of subunits of oligomeric enzymes under non-denaturating conditions have been demonstrated. In particular, the isolated subunits of alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate have been found to be active in Aerosol OT reversed micelles. The dependences of the catalytic activity of oligomeric enzymes represent saw-like curves. The maxima of the catalytic activity observed at these curves relate to the functioning of various oligomeric forms of an enzyme. The radii of the micelle inner cavity under conditions when these maxima are observed correlate with the linear dimensions of the enzyme oligomeric forms. Correlation of the position of a maximum with the shape of an oligomeric complex is discussed.     

Sedimentation analysis of muscle glycogen phosphorylase b entrapped in hydrated reversed micelles of aerosol OT in octane

The oligomeric state and formation of supramolecular structures of glycogen phosphorylase b from rabbit skeletal muscles have been studied in the system of hydrated reversed micelles of aerosol OT (AOT) in octane. Sedimentation studies show that the oligomeric state of the enzyme is controlled by the degree of hydration of micelles. Monomeric, dimeric, trimeric, tetrameric, hexameric, or octameric forms of the enzyme were observed depending on the degree of micelle hydration.     

Oligomeric state of the muscle glycogen phosphorylase b in the system of reversed micelles of aerosol OT in octane

The oligomeric state and formation of supramolecular structures of glycogen phosphorylase b from rabbit skeletal muscle was studied in the system of aerosol OT (AOT) reversed micelles in octane. The sedimentation experiments have shown that the enzyme oligomeric state depends on the degree of micelle hydration. The enzyme monomer, dimer, trimer, tetramer, hexamer, and octamer were observed, depending on the degree of hydration.     

Effect of hydration degree of aerosol OT reversed micelles and surfactant concentration in heptane on spectral and catalytic properties of catalase.

The influence of micelle hydration degree (w0) and AOT concentration on fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD), catalytic activity, and stability of catalase in Aerosol OT (AOT) reversed micelles in heptane was investigated. The quantitative parameters--differential fluorescence of catalase (DeltaI), protein molar ellipticity ([theta]lambda), initial rate of catalytic reaction, catalase efficiency (kcat/Km), and rate constant of enzyme inactivation (kin, sec-1)--decreased with increasing AOT concentration in micellar systems, reflecting the interaction of solubilized catalase with the AOT micellar aggregates in heptane. The dependences of all these parameters on increasing hydration degree of micelles (w0) were characterized by the appearance of maxima at w0 of 8, 15-18, and 26-30. These maxima are suggested to reflect three different states of catalase in the micellar system, distinguished by their conformations and catalytic activity, which is determined by the micellar microenvironment of the enzyme.     

Effect of gallic acid polydisulfide on activity and stability of catalase in various media

The effect of the active bioantioxidant polydisulfide of gallic acid (PDSG) on the catalytic activity and operational and thermal stability of catalase was studied in three media: distilled water (pH approximately 5.6), phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, and reversed micelles of Aerosol OT (AOT) in heptane of varied hydration degree w0. PDSG inhibited the catalase-induced decomposition of H2O2 by the mixed or noncompetitive mechanism: in various media the inactivation constant Ki varied in the range of (0.63-2.32).10-5 M. PDSG nearly twofold decreased the rate constant of interaction of the complex I of catalase with H2O2 (k2, M-1.sec-1) in water and reversed micelles of AOT and 3-5 times increased the effective rate constant of catalase thermal inactivation, k*in, sec-1, depending on the reaction medium. PDSG significantly decreased the rate constant of catalase inactivation during the enzymatic reaction, kin, sec-1, and thus increased the enzyme operational stability in water and reversed AOT micelles in heptane. The interaction of PDSG with catalase in water and in phosphate buffer was accompanied by significant changes in CD spectra in the far UV-region that indicated disturbances in the secondary structure of catalase subunits induced by the bioantioxidant; the latter was suggested to initiate the reaction of thiol--disulfide exchange with the enzyme. The problem of the compatibility of catalase with disulfide bioantioxidants is discussed.     

Structural organization of membrane and soluble forms of somatic angiotensin-converting enzyme.

The catalytic activity and quaternary structure of soluble (s) and membrane (m) forms of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) were studied in reversed micelles of ternary system Aerosol OT--water--octane. The profile of the dependence of the catalytic activity of the two enzyme forms on the degree of surfactant hydration (micellar size) had several optima corresponding to the function of various active oligomeric enzyme forms; the curves for the s- and m-forms of ACE were different. Data of sedimentation analysis prove that in reversed micelles, s-ACE can exist as monomers, dimers, or tetramers depending on the hydration degree, and the m-form is present as dimers and tetramers only. The values of the kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of the substrate furylacryloyl-Phe-Gly-Gly by all the enzyme forms were determined, and the data indicate that the activity of the m-form is enhanced by oligomerization. The ACE activity strongly depends on the medium; it is higher when ACE is in contact with matrix or other enzyme molecules.     

Using hydrated reversed micelles to evaluate the dimensions of polymer-protein adducts.

Hydrolysis of N-trans-cynnamoylimidazole catalyzed by conjugates and complexes of alpha-chymotrypsin (ChT) with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of different molecular mass (from 300 to 5000 daltons) was studied in the system of the hydrated reversed micelles of aerosol OT (AOT) in octane at 25 degrees C. The plot of the deacylation constant k3 for PEG--ChT conjugates and complexes versus the degree of hydration of reversed micelles (w0 = [H2O]/[AOT]) was studied. These plots are bell-shaped with maxima shifted to higher degrees of micelle hydration compared to the corresponding value of the shift for ChT. As for PEG--ChT conjugates, the value of the shift of w0 increases with increasing of molecular mass of the attached PEG and/or with the number of polymer chains per ChT molecule. Another picture was observed for PEG--ChT complexes for which the position of the maximum on k3 versusw0 curves was practically the same for all compounds. The values of the thickness of the polymer layer for PEG--ChT conjugates and complexes were calculated. Thus, polymer chains in conjugates placed in hydrated micelles are highly packed, whereas in the case of complexes they form a flat layer on the surface of the protein.     

Characteristics of antigen-antibody interaction in the reversed micelles of surface-active agents in heptane

The alterations in the catalytic activity of the horseradish peroxidase after its interaction with antibodies against this enzyme have been studied in buffered solution and in reversed Aerosol OT (AOT) micelles in heptane. The antibodies were obtained by immunizing the rabbits with electrophoretically homogeneous enzyme and were purified by affinity chromatography. In the AOT micelles and mixed micelles containing AOT and Triton X-45, the enzyme interacted with antibodies very rapidly (in less than 5 min), i.e. the micelles did not hinder effective interaction between the enzyme and antibodies. The decrease in the peroxidase catalytic activity upon its interaction with antibodies in a micellar medium was determined by [H2O]/[AOT] ratio, pH and molarity of polar nucleus, as well as by the initial concentration of antibody. In buffered solutions, the decrease n the peroxidase activity of the enzyme--antibody complex was only weakly dependent on pH and molarity of a buffer solution.     

Catalytic properties and stability of catalase in reversed micelles of aerosol OT in octane]

The catalytic function of catalase and its peroxidatic activity during tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation by cumene hydroperoxide were studied in reversed micelles of Aerosol OT (AOT) in octane relative to the [H2O]/[AOT] ratio and the initial catalase concentration. The optimum conditions permitting to retain the catalytic activity of the enzyme and its ability to induce peroxidation of TMB, were found. The catalytic function of the enzyme was shown to be dependent on its concentration in AOT micelles. The catalase stability monitored by the catalytic reaction and the decrease of the Soret band were analyzed. Both processes have two phases differing by the rate constants of the pseudo-first order. The catalase inserted into AOT micelles is characterized by the high stability as compared to other hemoproteins (cytochrome P-450, myoglobin, hemoglobin, peroxidase) under identical conditions.     

Fluorescence of hemoproteins in reversed micelles of surfactants in octanes

The fluorescence of myoglobin, cytochromes b5 and c in the reversed aerosol OT (AOT) micelles in octane has been investigated. The fluorescence intensity of all the three hemoproteins is higher than that in aqueous solutions. The maxima and intensities of fluorescence in the AOT micelles depend on the [H2O]/[AOT] ratio and reflect the protein structure. Aliphatic alcohols and secondary amines (piperidine and morpholine) quench the cytochrome c fluorescence in the AOT micelles, whereas dipolar aprotic solvents (dimethylsulfoxide, dimethylformamide) significantly increase the intensity of cytochrome c fluorescence in the same micelles. The transformations of the proteins solubilized by the reversed micelles of a surfactant are discussed.