Partial purification and characterization of the novel halotolerant and alkalophilic laccase produced by a new isolate of Bacillus subtilis LP2

Laccases (benzenediol: oxygen oxidoreductases, [EC1.10.3.2] are mostly known as members of the blue multicopper oxidase family that are used in very different industrial applications: textile, pulp and paper, food, cosmetics industries, bioremediation process, biosensor, biofuel and organic synthesis. Stability against the extreme conditions is an important property and it makes laccase suitable for several industrial processes. Laccase should have salt resistance to be used in textile dye degradation because the textile wastewaters include dyes with high concentrations of salts, especially NaCl. Bacterial laccases are preferable to be used for bioremediation process due to their high stability to extremely salt contaminated and alkalophilic environment. Bacillus subtilis LP2 was identified as a source of alkali-tolerant, salt resistant laccase. Laccase showed activity over a wide pH (4–10) and temperature (30–80?°C) range. Maximum laccase activity was observed as 140.4?U/mg (umol/min*mg) at pH 8 and 50?°C with the substrate guaiacol. Stability of laccase was determined as 60% and 20% after incubation of the enzyme for different time intervals of 20 and 40?min at 50?°C and pH 8. SDS (10?mM) and EDTA (5?mM) decreased laccase activity from 100% to 0% and 56%, respectively. Despite the other inhibitors, NaCI increased the activity of laccase to 167% at 500?mM concentration. Laccase from Bacillus subtilis LP2 barely showed the activity on the substrates vanillin and L-tyrosine. These results clearly show that laccase from Bacillus subtilis LP2 has high potential to be used for several applications in textile industry.     

A combined treatment using ethylmethane sulfonate and ultraviolet light to compare amylase production by three Bacillus sp. isolates

Abstract

In this study, three Bacillus sp.-producing amylase enzymes were isolated from soil samples and identified using 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Amylase production and total protein productions were spectrophotometrically measured. The following media were tested to increase enzyme production: LB medium and molasses. Three Bacillus sp. were identified as follows: Bacillus subtilis subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, and Bacillus cereus. Amylase production levels were in the range of 10?U/mL, whereas total protein production levels were at 15?mg/mL. Higher amylase activity was found in the Bacillus subtilis isolate. Ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS) and ultraviolet (UV) mutagenesis in combination were applied to compare amylase production. Amylase activity was increased to around 58% in the treatment with 0.03?mL of EMS and UV when compared to the control group. A pilot scale bioreactor with a total working volume of 10 liters was used to produce amylase by B. subtilis subtilis. In conclusion, B. subtilis subtilis can be used to produce amylase enzyme for various industrial purposes, and, for the first time, the amylase activities of B. subtilis can be enhanced with EMS and UV treatment.     

Indicator dye based screening of glutaminase free L-asparaginase producer and kinetic evaluation of enzyme production process

Abstract

Several soil isolates from 1 g of soil sample were isolated and screened for the production of L-asparaginase. Primary screening was performed using rapid plate assay; dye indicator studies were conducted, and phenol red with 0.005% concentration was found to be optimum. The secondary screening was carried out using the Nesslerization method. The bacteria screened for L-asparaginase production with no glutaminase activity was identified as Bacillus subtilis. Crude L-asparaginase enzyme was partially purified 1.57 folds of purity and 110 U/mg of specific activity. The glutaminase-free L-asparaginase activity was also confirmed using LC-MS analysis. The presence of mass peaks at 147.0 in the reaction mixture suggested an absence of glutaminase activity. An optimized medium obtained comprised of Dextrose 1.5 g/L, K₂HPO₄ 1.2 g/L, L-asparagine 15 g/L, and Tryptone 5 g/L. The highest L-asparaginase activity was observed at 6.0 pH and 30 °C. Kinetic parameters associated with biomass and L-asparaginase production were also studied. The computed values were µ_m 0.104 h^?1, X_m 6g/L P₀ 1.7U/mL P_m 8.2 U/mL Y_X/S 4 g-cell/g-glucose µP_m 0.35 h^?1 q_p 5.46 U/g/h Y_P/x 13.6667 U/g-cell. The novel bacterial isolates showed promise as a potential glutaminase-free L-asparaginase producer, which can prove to be of industrial applications.     

Purification and kinetics of a protease-resistant,neutral, and thermostable phytase from Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis JJBS250 ameliorating food nutrition

Abstract

A novel protease-resistant and thermostable phytase from Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis JJBS250 was purified 36-fold to homogeneity with a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by Q-Sepharose and Sephadex G-50 chromatographic techniques. The estimated molecular mass of the purified phytase was 46?kDa by electrophoresis with optimal activity at pH 7.0 and 70?°C. About 19% of original activity was maintained at 80?°C for 10?min. Phytase activity was stimulated in presence of surfactants like Tween-20, Tween-80, and Triton X-100 and metal ions like Ca⁺², K⁺, and Co⁺² and it was inhibited by SDS and Mg⁺², Al⁺², and Fe⁺². Purified enzyme showed specificity to different salts of phytic acid and values of K_m and V_max were 0.293?mM and 11.49 nmoles s^?1, respectively for sodium phytate. The purified enzyme was resistant to proteases (trypsin and pepsin) that resulted in amelioration of food nutrition with simultaneous release of inorganic phosphate, reducing sugars, and soluble protein.     

Purification and characterization of a propanol-tolerant neutral protease from Bacillus sp. ZG20

Abstract

A propanol-tolerant neutral protease was purified and characterized from Bacillus sp. ZG20 in this study. This protease was purified to homogeneity with a specific activity of 26,655?U/mg. The recovery rate and purification fold of the protease were 13.7% and 31.5, respectively. The SDS-PAGE results showed that the molecular weight of the protease was about 29?kDa. The optimal temperature and pH of the protease were 45?°C and 7.0, respectively. The protease exhibited a good thermal- and pH stability, and was tolerant to 50% propanol. Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ and Tween-80 could improve its activity. The calculated K_m and V_max values of the protease towards α-casein were 12.74?mg/mL and 28.57?µg/(min mL), respectively. This study lays a good foundation for the future use of the neutral protease from Bacillus sp. ZG20.     

Bioprocess optimization for production of thermoalkali-stable protease from Bacillus subtilis K-1 under solid-state fermentation

Cost-effective production of proteases, which are robust enough to function under harsh process conditions, is always sought after due to their wide industrial application spectra. Solid-state production of enzymes using agro-industrial wastes as substrates is an environment-friendly approach, and it has several advantages such as high productivity, cost-effectiveness, being less labor-intensive, and less effluent production, among others. In the current study, different agro-wastes were employed for thermoalkali-stable protease production from Bacillus subtilis K-1 under solid-state fermentation. Agricultural residues such as cotton seed cake supported maximum protease production (728?U?ml^?1), which was followed by gram husk (714?U?ml^?1), mustard cake (680?U?ml^?1), and soybean meal (653?U?ml^?1). Plackett–Burman design of experiment showed that peptone, moisture content, temperature, phosphates, and inoculum size were the significant variables that influenced the protease production. Furthermore, statistical optimization of three variables, namely peptone, moisture content, and incubation temperature, by response surface methodology resulted in 40% enhanced protease production as compared to that under unoptimized conditions (from initial 728 to 1020?U?ml^?1). Thus, solid-state fermentation coupled with design of experiment tools represents a cost-effective strategy for production of industrial enzymes.     

A breakthrough column study for removal of malachite green using coco-peat

Abstract

A continuous adsorption study in a fixed bed column using coco-peat (CP) as an adsorbent was carried out for the removal of toxic malachite green (MG) from contaminated water. Fixed bed column studies were carried out to check field application viability. Various parameters like particle size, pH, concentration, dose and interference were exercised to optimize dye removal. Data obtained from breakthrough column studies were evaluated using Thomas and BDST model. Thomas rate constants K_t (0.22?ml min^?1 mg^?1) and adsorption capacity q_o (181.04?mg g^?1) were estimated and found to favor efficiency of CP. Thomas model was tested with several parameters like flow rate, concentration, and bed depth. Upon increase in input dye concentration, flow rate and bed height, adsorption coefficients increased. According to BDST model, maximum dye uptake of 468.26?mg/l was obtained with an input dye concentration of 5?mg/l. HYBRID and MPSD error functions were tested and found that Thomas model fits best. Dilute hydrochloric acid was found best for desorption. Real wastewater from textile industry was analyzed and confirmed the prospect of large-scale industrial application. In conclusion, coco-peat can be used as a promising bio-sorbent in column bed for scavenging of MG from contaminated water.     

Surface charge engineering of Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase improves enzymatic activity and biodiesel synthesis

Objectives

This study was aimed at engineering charged residues on the surface of Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase (TLL) to obtain TLL variant with elevated performance for industrial applications.

Results

Site-directed mutagenesis of eight charged amino acids on the TLL surface were conducted and substitutions on the negatively charged residues D111, D158, D165, and E239 were identified with elevated specific activities and biodiesel yields. Synergistic effect was not discovered in the double mutants, D111E/D165E and D165E/E239R, when compared with the corresponding single mutants. One TLL mutant, D165E, was identified with increased specific activity (456.60 U/mg), catalytic efficiency (k_cat/K_m: 44.14 s^?1 mM^?1), the highest biodiesel conversion yield (93.56%), and comparable thermostability with that of the TLL.

Conclusions

Our study highlighted the importance of surface charge engineering in improving TLL activity and biodiesel production, and the resulting TLL mutant, D165E, is a promising candidate for biodiesel industry.

     

Sorption of Cadmium and Lead by Bacteria–Ferrihydrite Composites

The sorptive behavior of bacteria—iron oxide composites was investigated in batch metal sorption assays using ferrihydrite in isolation (0.13 and 0.14 g/L ferrihydrite in cadmium and lead systems, respectively) as well as in combination with Bacillus subtilis (0.25 g/L adsorbent mixture) and Escherichia coli (0.27 g/L adsorbent mixture). A pH range from 3.0 to 6.5 was studied using total metal concentrations of 1.0 × 10 ^{? 4.0} and 3.2 × 10 ^{? 5} M with adsorbent mixtures proportioned on a 1:1 mass/volume basis. The log of the apparent surface complex formation constants (log K ^S _M ) and sorption capacity (S _max ) values were determined by fitting the experimental data to one-site Langmuir sorption isotherms. The one-site model effectively described the sorption data (r ² > 0.9), where Cd ^{2 +} exhibited somewhat lower sorption affinities (log K ^S _M = ?3 for ferrihydrite, ?1.7 for B. subtilis–ferrihydrite, and ?1.1 for E. coli–ferrihydrite) than Pb ^{2 +} (log K ^S _M = ?0.9 for ferrihydrite, ? 0.2 forB. subtilis–ferrihydrite, and –0.1 for E. coli–ferrihydrite). The corresponding S _max values for Cd ^{2 +} and Pb ^{2 +} on ferrihydrite were 0.78 mmole/g and 1.34 mmole/g, respectively. For the B. subtilis–ferrihydrite composites, Cd ^{2 +} and Pb ^{2 +} S _max values were lower at 0.29 mmole/g and 0.5 mmole/g, respectively. Similar values were determined for the E. coli–ferrihydrite composites (0.15 mmole/g and 0.68 mmole/g for Cd ^{2 +} and Pb ^{2 +} , respectively). The sorption of Cd ^{2 +} and Pb ^{2 +} by each of the sorbent systems exhibited a strong dependence on pH with sorption edges in the range of pH 4.0 to 7.3. The observed S _max of the composites were lower than values predicted upon available site additivity (Cd ^{2 +} _{B. subtilis ?ferrihydrite} : 0.29 mmole/g (observed) < 0.57 mmole/g (calculated); Cd ^{2 +} _{E. coli ?ferrihydrite} : 0.15 mmole/g (observed) < 0.44 mmole/ g (calculated); Pb ^{2 +} _{B. subtilis ?ferrihydrite} : 0.5 mmole/g (observed) < 0.805 mmole/g (calculated); Pb ^{2 +} _{E. coli –ferrihydrite} : 0.68 mmole/g (observed) < 0.775 mmole/g (calculated)), implying that a masking of reactive surface sites by attachment had occurred between the bacteria and ferrihydrite. Electrophoretic mobility analysis indicated that the ferrihydrite surface properties dominate the net surface charge for each composite system with lesser contributions from the bacteria.     

Improving operational stability of thermostable Pythium myriotylum secretory serine protease by preparation of cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs)

Abstract

Present study was undertaken to develop cross-linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA)of alkaline serine proteases (sp) from Pythium myriotylum (Pm), a necrotrophic oomycete reported to considerably secrete serine proteases. Among various precipitants screened for spPm1-CLEA preparation, ammonium sulfate at 80% saturation (w/v) yielded 100% activity recovery and retention of spherical morphology as observed by SEM analysis. Addition of glutaraldehyde as cross-linker at 1% (v/v) concentration with optimized ammonium sulfate concentration for 1?hour at 100?rpm yielded 100% activity recovery of spPm1-CLEA from 8-day old P. myriotylum culture filtrate. Addition of BSA (10?mg/ml) to CLEA cross-linking reaction mix reduced CLEA size from the range of 1.82–1.19?µm to 394–647?nm. spPm1-CLEA preparations retained 100% activity at temperature of 80?°C and pH 12.0 signifying their potential commercial applications. In terms of kinetic parameters, present process enhanced kinetic parameters as revealed by 1.67?U.mg^?1 specific activity, K_m of 0.062?mM and V_max of 0.145?µmol.min^?1.mg^?1 for the spPm1-CLEA compared to 0.288?U.mg^?1 specific activity, K_m of 0.060?mM and V_max of 0.20?µmol.min^?1.mg^?1 determined for the free spPm1 enzyme. Study has successfully demonstrated the concept of CLEA in enhancing spPm1 stability and the results so generated can be translated in future towards development of robust biocatalysts.     

Partial purification and characterization of lipase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus AH22

The lipase was partially purified by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration column chromatography, and was characterized from Geobacillus stearothermophilus AH22 strain. The lipase was purified 18.3-folds with 19.7% recovery. The lipase activity was determined by using p-nitrophenyl esters (C₂–C₁₂) as substrates. The K_m values of the enzyme for these substrates were found as 0.16, 0.02, 0.19 and 0.55?mM, respectively, while V_max values were 0.52, 1.03, 0.72 and 0.15?U?mg^?1. The enzyme showed maximum activity at 50?°C and between pH 8.0 and 9.0. The enzyme was found to be quite stable at pH range of 4.0–10.0, and thermal stability between 50 and 60?°C. It was found that the best inhibitory effect of the enzyme activity was of Hg²⁺. The inhibitory effect as orlistat, catechin, propyl paraben, p-coumaric acid, 3,4-dihydroxy hydro-cinnamic acid was examined. These results suggest that G. stearothermophilus AH22 lipase presents very suitable properties for industrial applications.     

The inhibitory kinetics and mechanism of glycolic acid on lipase

Abstract

Obesity is prone to cause a variety of chronic metabolic diseases, and it has aroused people’s attention that the rapid increase in the global population of obese people in the past years. As a kind of weight-loss drug acting in the intestine, lipase inhibitor does not enter the bloodstream without producing central nervous side effects. Because they do not affect the metabolism system, lipase inhibitors and obesity have become one of the hot spots in recent years. Glycolic acid is a new substrate analog inhibitor with the value of the semi-inhibitory concentration of lipase is estimated to be 17.29?±?0.14?mM. Using the plots of Lineweaver-Burk, the inhibition mechanism of lipase by glycolic acid was reversible and the inhibition type belongs to competitive inhibition with a K_I value of 19.61?±?0.26?mM. The inhibitory kinetics assay showed that the microscopic velocity constant k₊₀ of inhibition kinetics is 1.79?×?10^?3?mM^?1s^?1, and k_?0 is 0.73?×?10^?3 s^?1. The results of UV full-wavelength scanning on product cumulative, fluorescence quenching and molecular simulation also indicated that glycolic acid and substrate competitive with lipase by binding to Lys137. Thereby glycolic acid inhibiting the oxidation-catalyzed reaction and reducing the product of the enzyme and substrate. This adds a new direction for the search for lipase inhibitors and provides new ideas about the development of anti-obesity drugs.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Novel diphenyl esters of peptidyl α-aminoalkylphosphonates as inhibitors of chymotrypsin and subtilisin

The activities of novel Cbz-N-protected α-aminophosphonic phenyl esters, analogs of leucine (1–15) and phenylalanine (17–29), which are substituted at the phenyl ester rings, as well as of their peptidic derivatives (31–43), were investigated for their inhibitory effects on chymotrypsin and subtilisin. The chemical nature and position of the examined substituents clearly demonstrated a strong structure–activity relationship. Among all synthesized compounds the most potent phosphonic-type inhibitors of subtilisin and chymotrypsin were identified, with k₂/K_i values 114,380?M^?1s^?1 and 307,380?M^?1s^?1, respectively.     

Kinetics and thermodynamics of catalysis and thermal inactivation of a novel α-amylase (Tp-AmyS) from Thermotoga petrophila

Abstract

This research is focussed on kinetic, thermodynamic and thermal inactivation of a novel thermostable recombinant α-amylase (Tp-AmyS) from Thermotoga petrophila. The amylase gene was cloned in pHIS-parallel1 expression vector and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The steady-state kinetic parameters (V_max, K_m, k_cat and k_cat/K_m) for the hydrolysis of amylose (1.39?mg/min, 0.57?mg, 148.6?s^?1, 260.7), amylopectin (2.3?mg/min, 1.09?mg, 247.1?s^?1, 226.7), soluble starch (2.67?mg/min, 2.98?mg, 284.2?s^?1, 95.4) and raw starch (2.1?mg/min, 3.6?mg, 224.7?s^?1, 61.9) were determined. The activation energy (E_a), free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy of activation (ΔS) at 98?°C were 42.9?kJ mol^?1, 74?kJ mol^?1, 39.9?kJ mol^?1 and ?92.3 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively, for soluble starch hydrolysis. While ΔG of substrate binding (ΔG_E-S) and ΔG of transition state binding (ΔG_E-T) were 3.38 and ?14.1?kJ mol^?1, respectively. Whereas, EaD, Gibbs free energy (ΔG*), increase in the enthalpy (ΔH*) and activation entropy (ΔS*) for activation of the unfolding of transition state were 108, 107, 105?kJ mol^?1 and ?4.1 J mol^?1 K^?1. The thermodynamics of irreversible thermal inactivation of Tp-AmyS revealed that at high temperature the process involves the aggregation of the protein.     

Protective Effect of Some Anions on the Heat-Denaturation of Ovotransferrin

An alkaline serine-proteinase from Bacillus sp. PN51 isolated from bat feces collected in Phang Nga, Thailand, was purified and characterized. The molecular mass was estimated to be 35.0 kDa. The N-terminal 25 amino acid sequence was about 70% identical with that of Natrialba magadii halolysin-like extracellular serine protease. The enzyme showed the highest proteinase activity at 60 °C at pH 10.0. The activity was strongly inhibited by PMSF and chymostatin. The proteinase activity was not affected by the presence of 2% urea, 2% H₂O₂, 12% SDS, 15% triton X-100, or 15% tween 80. The proteinase preferred Met, Leu, Phe, and Tyr residues at the P₁ position, in descending order. The k _cat, K _m and k _cat/K _m values for Z-Val-Lys-Met-MCA were 16.8±0.14 min^?1, 5.1±0.28 μM, and 3.3±0.28 μM^?1 min^?1 respectively. This is the first report of an alkaline serine-proteinase with extremely high stability against detergents such as SDS.     

Biochemical characteristics of chitosanase from the Indonesian Bacillus licheniformis MB-2

Bacillus licheniformis MB-2, isolated from a hot spring water in Manado, Indonesia, secreted a unique chitosanase. Media consisted of 0.24% chitosan, 0.25% casiton, 1% MgSO₄, 1.4% K₂HPO₄, 0.02% CaCl₂·2H₂O, 0.002% FeSO₄·7H₂O (w/v) was used for enzyme production. Purification of the enzyme through the hydrophobic interaction chromatography system (butyl Sepharose 4 FF) resulted in two major active fractions; the F₂ fraction was shown as a single band at both sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and zymogram analysis with apparent molecular mass of 75 kDa. The enzyme worked best at 70°C and pH between 6.0 and 7.0. When incubated at 70, 80, and 90°C, the t_1/2 values were 26.56, 18.44, and 16.74 min, respectively with the k constant being at 0.026, 0.037, and 0.04/min. When heated at 90°C, the enzyme retained its activity up to 8 h in the presence of 1mM MnCl₂. The enzyme's activity was unaffected by the presence of 1 M NaCl and 6 M urea but was decreased by 2 M of guanidine hydrochloride. Albeit the enzyme did not degrade colloidal and glycol chitin, it hydrolyzed glycol chitosan up to 0.8% and colloidal chitosan up to 11%. The 85% deacetylated (DDA) soluble chitosan was the most susceptible to this enzyme, followed by 90% and 100% DDA chitosan. The K _{m app} values of the 85, 90, and 100% DDA soluble chitosans were found as 0.23, 0.24, and 0.58 mg/mL, whereas the V_max values were 843, 668, and 261 U/mg, respectively. The hydrolysis products of F₂ chitosanase at 24 h incubation (70°C) were pentasaccharide (GlcN)₅ and hexasaccharide (GlcN)₆. The prelimiaary test showed inhibitory effect of chitooligosaccharides resulted from enzymatic degradation toward Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium. Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.     

An investigation into the altered binding mode of green tea polyphenols with human serum albumin on complexation with copper

Green tea is rich in several polyphenols, such as (?)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), (?)-epigallocatechin (EGC), and (?)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The biological importance of these polyphenols led us to study the major polyphenol EGCG with human serum albumin (HSA) in an earlier study. In this report, we have compared the binding of ECG, EGC, and EGCG and the Cu(II) complexes of EGCG and ECG with HSA. We observe that the gallate moiety of the polyphenols plays a crucial role in determining the mode of interaction with HSA. The binding constants obtained for the different systems are 5.86?±?0.72?×?10⁴ M^?1 (K _ECG-HSA), 4.22?±?0.15?×?10⁴ M^?1 (K _{ECG-Cu(II)-HSA}), and 9.51?±?0.31?×?10⁴ M^?1 (K _{EGCG-Cu(II)-HSA}) at 293?K. Thermodynamic parameters thus obtained suggest that apart from an initial hydrophobic association, van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonding are the major interactions which held together the polyphenols and HSA. However, thermodynamic parameters obtained from the interactions of the copper complexes with HSA are indicative of the involvement of the hydrophobic forces. Circular dichroism and the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic measurements reveal changes in α-helical content of HSA after binding with the ligands. Data obtained by fluorescence spectroscopy, displacement experiments along with the docking studies suggested that the ligands bind to the residues located in site 1 (subdomains IIA), whereas EGC, that lacks the gallate moiety, binds to the other hydrophobic site 2 (subdomain IIIA) of the protein.     

The absorption of metal ions by Eichhornia crassipes

Abstract

Uptake of metals by whole Eichhornia crassipes plants and excised roots was studied using a bioassay system. Results indicate that in time-series bioassay at concentration of 10 mg L^?1 of either Zn or Cu, rapid uptake by whole plants occurred during the first 4 h, but subsequently levelled off after 48 h. A greater proportion of metals absorbed remain in the root system rather than being translocated to other parts of plant. When treated with different combinations of both Cu and Zn, some synergistic effect of metals appeared to have occurred as indicated by enhanced uptake when bioassays involved combination of metals. Absorption kinetics of monovalent K⁺ by excised Eichhornia roots after a 24-h treatment, indicated an initial linear trend over the range of 1–10 mg K L^?1, but subsequently levelled off at 15 mg K L^?1 concentration with V_max of 7.5 × 10^–6 M K g^?1 dry tissue h^?1 and K_m of 1.1 × 10^?3 M K. Potentiometric titrations revealed existence of pH-dependent charge densities on root system which have variable affinities for cations and helps explain the ability of Eichhornia roots to absorb and accumulate large amounts of metal ions especially at high pH of media.     

Biochemical characterization of recombinant β-carbonic anhydrase (PgiCAb) identified in the genome of the oral pathogenic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis

Abstract

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) belonging to the α-, β-, γ-, δ- and ζ-CAs are ubiquitous metalloenzymes present in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. CAs started to be investigated in detail only recently in pathogenic bacteria, in the search for antibiotics with a novel mechanism of action, since it has been demonstrated that in many such organisms they are essential for the life cycle of the organism. CA inhibition leads to growth impairment or growth defects in several pathogenic bacteria. The microbiota of the human oral mucosa consists of a myriad of bacterial species, Porphyromonas gingivalis being one of them and the major pathogen responsible for the development of chronic periodontitis. The genome of P. gingivalis encodes for a β- and a γ-CAs. Recently, our group purified the recombinant γ-CA (named PgiCA) which was shown to possess a significant catalytic activity for the reaction that converts CO₂ to bicarbonate and protons, with a k_cat of 4.1?×?10^5?s^?1 and a k_cat/K_m of 5.4?×?10^7?M^?1?×?s^?1. We have also investigated its inhibition profile with a range of inorganic anions such as thiocyanate, cyanide, azide, hydrogen sulfide, sulfamate and trithiocarbonate. Here, we describe the cloning, purification and kinetic parameters of the other class of CA identified in the genome of P. gingivalis, the β-CA, named PgiCAb. This enzyme has a good catalytic activity, with a k_cat of 2.8?×?10^5?s^?1 and a k_cat/K_m of 1.5?×?10^7?M^?1?×?s^?1. PgiCAb was also inhibited by the clinically used sulfonamide acetazolamide, with an inhibition constant of 214?nM. The role of CAs as possible virulence factors of P. gingivalis is poorly understood at the moment but their good catalytic activity and the fact that they might be inhibited by a large number of compounds, which may pave the way for finding inhibitors with antibacterial activity that may elucidate these phenomena and lead to novel antibiotics.