Heat-shock response of the upper intertidal barnacle Balanus glandula: thermal stress and acclimation

In the intertidal zone in the Pacific Northwest, body temperatures of sessile marine organisms can reach 35 degrees C for an extended time during low tide, resulting in potential physiological stress. We used immunochemical assays to examine the effects of thermal stress on endogenous Hsp70 levels in the intertidal barnacle Balanus glandula. After thermal stress, endogenous Hsp70 levels did not increase above control levels in B. glandula exposed to 20 and 28 degrees C. In a separate experiment, endogenous Hsp70 levels were higher than control levels when B. glandula was exposed to 34 degrees C for 8.5 h. Although an induced heat-shock response was observed, levels of conjugated ubiquitin failed to indicate irreversible protein damage at temperatures up to 34 degrees C. With metabolic labeling, we examined temperature acclimation and thermally induced heat-shock proteins in B. glandula. An induced heat-shock response of proteins in the 70-kDa region (Hsp70) occurred in B. glandula above 23 degrees C. This heat-shock response was similar in molting and non-molting barnacles. Acclimation of B. glandula to relatively higher temperatures resulted in higher levels of protein synthesis in the 70-kDa region and lack of an upward shift in the induction temperature for heat-shock proteins. Our results suggest that B. glandula may be well adapted to life in the high intertidal zone but may lack the plasticity to acclimate to higher temperatures.     

Hormonal effects on the activities of glycosidases in the endometrium of rabbit uterus

The activities of several glycosidases in the lysosomal fraction of the uterine endometrium of rabbit were measured using 4-MU-glycosides as substrates. The specific activity of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase was the highest, which was followed by beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase, and alpha-galactosidase in this order. beta-Glucosidase had the lowest activity among the glycosidases examined. In order to examine the hormonal effects on these glycosidases, the lysosomal fractions were prepared from the uterine endometrium of the control, estrogen-treated, and progesterone-treated rabbits. In all glycosidases examined, except for beta-glucosidase, the specific activity was highest in the lysosome obtained from estrogen-treated rabbit. The specific activity in the lysosome from the progesterone-treated rabbit was between that from the estrogen-treated rabbit and that from control. Hormonal treatments, however, affected neither pH optimum curves nor isozyme patterns of these glycosidases.     

糖苷酶耐热性改造策略与应用

糖苷酶作为绿色温和的生物催化剂,能够水解包含糖苷、寡糖、多糖等在内的各种含糖化合物的糖苷键生成具有高生理和药理活性的衍生物,在食品、医药等工业领域应用广泛。而工业应用的糖苷酶经常需在高温条件下进行催化,以提高反应效率并减少污染,但大多数糖苷酶属于中温酶,在实际生产条件下的活性较低且损失较快,因此,提高糖苷酶在高温下的稳定性非常重要。本文综述了近年来利用定向进化、理性设计和半理性设计等策略改造糖苷酶耐热性的研究进展与应用,比较了不同策略之间的优势与不足,并对未来糖苷酶耐热性的改造方向进行了展望。     

Formation of glycosidases in batch and continuous culture of Bacteroides fragilis.

Nine strains of bacteroides fragilis were cultivated in stirred fermentors and tested for their ability to produce glycosidases. B. fragilis subsp. vulgatus B70 was used for optimizing the production of glycosidases. The highest bacterial yield was obtained in proteose peptone-yeast extract medium. The optimum pH for maximal bacterial yield was 7.0, and the optimum temperature for growth was 37 degrees C. The formation of glycosidases was optimal between pH 6.5 and 7.5, and the optimum temperature for synthesis of glycosidases was between 33 and 37 degrees C. Culture under controlled conditions in fermentors gave more reproducible production of glycosidases than static cultures in bottles. The strain was also grown in continuous culture at a dilution rate of 0.1 liter/h at pH 7.0 and 37 degrees C with a yield of 2.0 mg of dry weight per ml in the complex medium. The formation of glycosidases remained constant during the entire continuous process.     

Formation of glycosidases in batch and continuous culture of Bacteroides fragilis.

Nine strains of bacteroides fragilis were cultivated in stirred fermentors and tested for their ability to produce glycosidases. B. fragilis subsp. vulgatus B70 was used for optimizing the production of glycosidases. The highest bacterial yield was obtained in proteose peptone-yeast extract medium. The optimum pH for maximal bacterial yield was 7.0, and the optimum temperature for growth was 37 degrees C. The formation of glycosidases was optimal between pH 6.5 and 7.5, and the optimum temperature for synthesis of glycosidases was between 33 and 37 degrees C. Culture under controlled conditions in fermentors gave more reproducible production of glycosidases than static cultures in bottles. The strain was also grown in continuous culture at a dilution rate of 0.1 liter/h at pH 7.0 and 37 degrees C with a yield of 2.0 mg of dry weight per ml in the complex medium. The formation of glycosidases remained constant during the entire continuous process.     

Occurrence of glycoprotein glycosidases in mature seeds of mung bean (vigna radiata)

The presence of nine different glycosidases was demonstrated in the crude extract of mature mung bean seeds. N-Acetyl β-D-glucosaminidase, α-D-galactosidase and β-D-glucosidase were each resolved into two respective active forms by gel filtration. The other glycosidases showed single forms only. The apparent MWs of the glycosidases were determined. The glycosidases were absorbed to Con A-Sepharose column, with the exception of a small percentage of α-galactosidase and α-mannosidase which were eluted unretarded. The bound enzymes displayed varying affinities for the immobilized lectin, indicating differences in glycosylation. With the exception of β-galactosidase and invertase, all the glycosidase activities were detected in the protein bodies isolated from the seeds.     

Effect of hermaphroditic gland homogenate on the regulation of the gametogenesis in Helix pomatia (Gastropoda, Pulmonata)

On the effect of ovotestis (glandula hermaphroditica) homogenate the number of ovocytes of 1st and 2nd order and of the eggs increased very significantly, while spermiocytes of 1st order sperms significantly decreased in number. When snails with extirpated tentacles were injected with ovotestis homogenate the ovogenesis was activated which was proved by a significant increase in the number of ova.     

Patterns of glycosidases in the histiocytic cell line U-937. Effects of agents inducing cell differentiation

1. The cell bound glycosidases in sublines and clones of the histiocytic cell line U-937 have previously been shown to display characteristic patterns. 2. In this paper the effects of differentiation inducing agents upon glycosidase patterns of one subline, U-937 GTB, are presented. 3. Teleocidin, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO), dihydroxyvitamin D3 and supernatants from mixed lymphocyte culture (MCL) all induce cellular differentiation of U-937 GTB. 4. Significant changes of the levels of cell bound glycosidases were seen after addition of inducing agents. 5. Alterations have been monitored as relative effects upon the absolute glycosidase activities and as effects upon selected ratios of different glycosidases. 6. The separate inducing agents show distinct enzyme patterns.     

Role of peroxidases and glycosidases in regulation of sink size in developing seeds of Hibiscus esculentum

Changes in peroxidases and glycosidases activities in cytoplasmic and ionically wall-bound fraction of developing seed of Hibiscus esculentum were studied. In both fractions, the activity of peroxiases assayed with ferulic acid and caffeic acid as a hydrogen donors, showed inverse correlation with the cell enlargement (sink size development phase). Activities of glycosidases, on the other hand, showed positive correlation with the sink development and sink filling period of the developing seed. The role of both the enzymes, glycosidases and peoxidase in seed development is discussed.     

Acid glycosidases in the isthmus of the hen oviduct and egg shell membranes

Specific activities of seven acid glycosidases: beta-hexosaminidase, alpha- and beta-galactosidase, alpha- and beta-mannosidase, alpha-glucosidase and alpha-fucosidase were determined in various parts of the domestic hen oviduct (infundibulum, isthmus, shell gland and vagina). The activity of most enzymes was the highest in the isthmus. Multiple forms of all acid glycosidases from the isthmus were separated by strong anion exchange chromatography at pH 6.0. The isoelectric points of the isthmus forms of beta-hexosaminidase, beta-galactosidase and alpha- and beta-mannosidase were determined by chromatofocusing. For the first time the high beta-galactosidase activity was found in hen egg shell membranes.     

The determination of the anomeric configuration of glycosyl-phosphoryl linkages of immunogenic phosphoglycans

Phosphoglycans from the cell wall of many strains of Streptococci contain terminal carbohydrate units linked by phosphodiester bridges to other residues of the glycans. In the immune response to phosphoglycans, the terminal carbohydrate-phosphate moieties function as antigenic determinants and induce the synthesis of antibodies with specificity for the glycosyl-phosphoryl units. It has now been found that such terminal carbohydrate units can be removed by treatment of the glycans with appropriate glycosidases. Thus, an almond beta-glucosidase releases glucose from a streptococcal Group D phosphoglycan with beta-glucosyl phosphate units, a jack bean N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase releases N-acetylglucosamine from a streptococcal Group L phosphoglycan with N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl phosphate units, and a rice alpha-glucosidase releases glucose from a yeast phosphoglycan with alpha-glucosyl phosphate units. The glycosidases also hydrolyze the hexose phosphates of the proper anomeric configuration and structure. The preparations of glycosidases used in this study exhibit specificity for single types of carbohydrate residues and are devoid of phosphatase and phosphodiesterase activities. The glycosidases act on glycosyl-phosphoryl linkages by a stereospecific mechanism and can therefore be used for the determination of the anomeric configuration of glycosyl-phosphoryl units of complex carbohydrates.     

Mechanisms of enzymatic glycoside hydrolysis

The determination of a large number of three-dimensional structures of glycosidases, both free and in complex with ligands, has provided valuable new insights into glycosidase catalysis, especially when coupled with results from studies of specifically labelled glycosidases and kinetic analyses of point mutants.     

Distribution of acid glycosidases in the male genital tract of the pheasant

The distribution of the activity of seven acid glycosidases in the reproductive organs of the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) was studied. The study was carried out on seven mature birds at the age of 11 months during the reproductive season (May). Significant (p<0.01) differences in acid glycosidase activity dependent on enzyme origin were observed. Generally, the highest activity of acid glycosidases was found in the epididymis, intermediate in the ductus deferens and the lowest in the testes. Exceptionally, alpha-mannosidase had the highest activity in the ductus deferens. Anion-exchange chromatography elution profiles of most enzymes from the tested reproductive organs were similar, however evident differences were observed for beta-mannosidase forms.     

Glycosidase activity in phenotypically different pathologic lymphoid cells, found at various stages of differentiation

The activities of seven glycosidases (six lysosomal and one cytosolic) were determined in B- and T-lymphoid cells differing by immunological phenotypes and occurring at various differentiation stages. The cells were isolated from the circulating blood, bone marrow or spleens of patients with various forms of lymphoproliferative disorders. The glycosidase activities varied significantly depending on the phenotype. The highest activity of all glycosidases was observed in cells with a common lymphoid cell progenitor phenotype. In cells having the phenotype of mature T- and B-cells the glycosidase activities were comparatively low. The changes in all glycosidase activities depending on the phenotype and differentiation stage usually occurred in the same direction; however, the degree of elevation or decline of activities of individual glycosidases was different. The activities of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase and alpha-D-mannosidase changed dramatically, whereas the changes in the activity of cytosolic neutral alpha-D-glucosidase were less apparent. These data suggest that lysosomal glycosidases play specific roles in lymphoid cell differentiation.     

Role of cathepsin A and cathepsin C in the regulation of glycosidase activity

Increased tissue activity of cathepsin A and cathepsin C can be observed in many pathological conditions. It is associated with an enhanced degradation of glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, and glycoproteins, and results in their decreased tissue content. Cathepsin C releases the glycosidases from complexes formed with cathepsin A, and reinstates their activity. In this review a current state of knowledge is presented concerning the regulation of selected glycosidases activity by cathepsin A (EC 3.4.16.1) and C (EC 3.4.14.1).     

Activity of Peptidases and Glycosidases: Effect of Light Deprivation and Heavy Metals on the Effects of Serotonin and Cholecystokinin in the Carp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>

The dependence of the effects of serotonin and cholecystokinin on the activity of peptidases and glycosidases in the intestine of the carp Cyprinus carpio from the content of zinc and copper ions in different photoperiods (6: 18 and 0: 24 h) was studied. It was shown that the activity of enzymes in the intestine of fish under the influence of both hormones in conditions of light deprivation significantly increases, especially under the action of copper. The mechanisms of the influence of these factors on the activity of peptidases and glycosidases of fish intestines are discussed.     

Glycoconjugate stability in human milk: glycosidase activities and sugar release

Many human milk glycoconjugates (glycolipids, glycoproteins, mucins, glycosaminoglycans) and oligosaccharides are biologically active, and their activity depends on the precise structure of the glycan. The sugars on the terminus of the glycan are vulnerable to cleavage by glycosidases. Because glycoconjugates incubate together with endogenous glycosidases in the breast between feedings, and in expressed milk during storage, the presence and activity of glycosidases in human milk was investigated. alpha-L-Fucosidase, alpha-D-galactosidase, beta-D-galactosidase, beta-D-glucosidase, N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase, beta-D-glucuronidase, and neuraminidase were measured in milk samples from 4 donors by use of synthetic fluorogenic glycosides; fucosidase and hexosaminidase displayed the highest activity. The catabolic activity of the major glycosidases was confirmed by measuring the corresponding free sugars in milk. Free fucose, N-acetylneuraminic acid, and N-acetylhexosamines were measured and their identities were confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Incubation of samples for 16 hr at 37 degrees C and 20 degrees C, but not at 4 degrees C, resulted in time-dependent increases in the amount of free fucose, N-acetylneuraminic acid, and N-acetylhexosamines, consistent with their enzymatic release by the endogenous glycosidases. Stored frozen milk had the same levels of these sugars as did samples analyzed immediately after collection, indicating that glycosidases are inactive in the frozen milk. Samples analyzed immediately after collection contained only small amounts of free sugars, suggesting that glycoconjugate degradation during the typical residence time of milk in the breast is modest.     

Immobilization of the glycosidases: α- -arabinofuranosidase and β- -glucopyranosidase from Aspergillus niger on a chitosan derivative to increase the aroma of wine. Part II

The purpose of this paper was to study the immobilization of two glycosidases, α- -arabinofuranosidase (EC 3.2.1.55) and β- -glucopyranosidase (EC 3.2.1.21), contained in a commercial preparation and purified as reported in Part I. The procedure which proved to be the best is simple and inexpensive to perform, employing the chitosan derivative, glyceryl-chitosan, especially synthesized and characterized, as a support. The glycosidases were adsorbed on this support and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde to prevent them from being released into the wine. Subsequent reduction of the biocatalyst with sodium borohydride allowed for improved stability. Finally, the immobilized glycosidases were compared with free ones in terms of optimum pH and temperature, stability over time, and kinetics parameters (K_m and V_max) after which they were employed for aromatizing a model wine solution containing aromatic precursors.     

A Historical Perspective for the Catalytic Reaction Mechanism of Glycosidase; So As to Bring about Breakthrough in Confusing Situation

Various catalytic reaction models have been proposed as the reaction mechanisms of glycosidases, but a reasonable and unitary model capable of interpreting both “inverting” and “retaining” glycosidase reactions remains to be established. As for the models proposed to date, the nucleophilic displacement mechanism and the oxocarbenium ion intermediate mechanism are widely known, but recently the former is widely accepted, and so the general tendency of world opinion appears to favor it. This reaction model, however, is considered to comprise some inconsistencies that cannot be neglected from the viewpoint of reactivity in organic chemistry. While the nucleophilic displacement mechanism is often applied to reactions of glycosidases, it appears unlikely that such reactions actually occur. This review argues that the oxocarbenium ion intermediate reaction mechanism is more rational than the nucleophilic displacement reaction mechanism, as the action mode of glycosidases and related enzymes.     

A historical perspective for the catalytic reaction mechanism of glycosidase; so as to bring about breakthrough in confusing situation

Various catalytic reaction models have been proposed as the reaction mechanisms of glycosidases, but a reasonable and unitary model capable of interpreting both "inverting" and "retaining" glycosidase reactions remains to be established. As for the models proposed to date, the nucleophilic displacement mechanism and the oxocarbenium ion intermediate mechanism are widely known, but recently the former is widely accepted, and so the general tendency of world opinion appears to favor it. This reaction model, however, is considered to comprise some inconsistencies that cannot be neglected from the viewpoint of reactivity in organic chemistry. While the nucleophilic displacement mechanism is often applied to reactions of glycosidases, it appears unlikely that such reactions actually occur. This review argues that the oxocarbenium ion intermediate reaction mechanism is more rational than the nucleophilic displacement reaction mechanism, as the action mode of glycosidases and related enzymes.