Purification and chemical characterization of thermostable amylases produced by Bacillus stearothermophilus

The amylases produced by a Bacillus stearothermophilus were purified through a series of four steps. Two separable enzyme fractions having starch hydrolysing activity were eluted from a DEAE-cellulose column by NaCl gradient elution. The homogeneity of the purified enzymes was checked on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The product formation studies indicated that fraction I was an -amylase whereas fraction II was a β-amylase. The molecular weights were determined to be 48 000 and 57 000 and the carbohydrate moiety was found to be 13.2 and 0.8% for - and β-amylase, respectively. The protein digest of these enzymes indicated a total number of 15 amino acids with aspartic and glutamic acid showing the highest value. The purified amylase showed maximal activity at 80°C and pH 6.9. Fe³⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Ag¹⁺ were potent inhibitors whereas Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Al³⁺ were mild inhibitors. Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺ and K⁺ stimulated amylase activity in the order of Ca²⁺ > Ba²⁺ > Sr²⁺ > K⁺. PCMB, EDTA and sodium iodoacetate were inhibitory whereas glutathione (GSH) and cysteine afforded protection of enzyme activity. EDTA showed dose-dependent noncompetitive inhibition of both - as well as β-amylase activities. EDTA inhibition was reversed by the addition of Ca²⁺ and PCMB inhibition by the addition of glutathione (reduced). The K_m for - and β-amylases were found to be 1.05 and 1.25 mg starch per ml, respectively.     

Glucose 6-Phosphate and Fructose 1,6-Bisphosphate Can Be Used as ATP-Regenerating Systems by Cerebellum Ca2+-Transport ATPase

Abstract : In this work, it is shown that the Ca²⁺-transport ATPase found in the microsomal fraction of the cerebellum can use both glucose 6-phosphate/hexokinase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate/phosphofructokinase as ATP-regenerating systems. The vesicles derived from the cerebellum were able to accumulate Ca²⁺ in a medium containing ADP when either glucose 6-phosphate and hexokinase or fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and phosphofructokinase were added to the medium. There was no Ca²⁺ uptake if one of these components was omitted from the medium. The transport of Ca²⁺ was associated with the cleavage of sugar phosphate. The maximal amount of Ca²⁺ accumulated by the vesicles with the fructose 1,6-bisphosphate system was larger than that measured either with glucose 6-phosphate or with a low ATP concentration and phosphoenolpyruvate/pyruvate kinase. The Ca²⁺ uptake supported by glucose 6-phosphate was inhibited by glucose, but not by fructose 6-phosphate. In contrast, the Ca²⁺ uptake supported by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate was inhibited by fructose 6-phosphate, but not by glucose. Thapsigargin, a specific SERCA inhibitor, impaired the transport of Ca²⁺ sustained by either glucose 6-phosphate or fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. It is proposed that the use of glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate as an ATP-regenerating system by the cerebellum Ca²⁺-ATPase may represent a salvage route used at early stages of ischemia ; this could be used to energize the Ca²⁺ transport, avoiding the deleterious effects derived from the cellular acidosis promoted by lactic acid.     

Chloroplast inorganic pyrophosphatase

An alkaline, Mg²⁺-dependent inorganic pyrophosphatase has been isolated from previously isolated spinach chloroplast. The activity of the enzyme was increased 100-fold, with a 42% yield, upon purification from the total soluble chloroplast enzymes. The pH optimum for the enzyme shifts from 9.0 at 5 mM Mg²⁺ to 7.0 at 40 mM Mg²⁺. The substrate for the reaction appears to be magnesium pyrophosphate, and anionic pyrophosphate is an effective inhibitor. There seems to be also an activating effect of Mg²⁺ on the enzyme at pH 7. No other cation substitutes for Mg²⁺ in activating the hydrolysis of pyrophosphate. Among anions tested, only F⁻ caused severe inhibition. The enzyme is inactive towards fructose 1,6-diphosphate, thiamine pyrophosphate, ATP, and ADP. The possibility that this enzyme is subject to metabolic regulation is discussed in relation to an indicated role of pyrophosphate in the regulation of photosynthetic carbon reduction.     

Resolution and characterization of multiple cytosolic phosphatases capable of hydrolyzing fructose-1,6-bisphosphate in spinach and soybean leaves

The apparent activity of cytoplasmic fructose bisphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11) in crude extracts of spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.) and soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.) leaves was only partially dependent on Mg²⁺. At least two major non-chloroplastic fructose bisphosphatases that differed in dependence on Mg²⁺ were chromatographically resolved from spinach leaves. The Mg²⁺-dependent enzyme had an apparent Michaelis constant of 4 μM for fructose-1,6-P₂, was highly specific, and was strongly inhibited by fructose-2,6-P₂. Enzyme activity was inhibited by physiological levels of fructose-6-P.
Both species also contained at least one major enzyme, the activity of which was independent of Mg²⁺. These enzymes had pH optima near neutrality, Michaelis constants of 25 to 30 μM for fructose-1,6-P₂, and were inhibited by AMP. Although hexose monophosphates were not metabolized, the enzymes were not specific for fructose-1,6-P₂: phosphate was released from phosphoenolpyruvate and ribulose-1, 5-P₂, and with fructose-1,6-P₂, as substrate, Pi release was about 1.5-fold greater than fructose-6-P production. It is concluded that only the Mg²⁺-dependent fructose bisphosphatase, previously characterized, functions in the photosynthetic sucrose formation pathway. Inhibition of the Mg²⁺-dependent enzyme by fructose-6-P may be involved in regulation of sucrose formation.     

Properties and function of clostridial membrane ATPase

ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) was detected in the membrane fraction of the strict anaerobic bacterium, Clostridium pasteurianum. About 70% of the total activity was found in the particulate fraction. The enzyme was Mg²⁺ dependent; Co²⁺ and Mn²⁺ but not Ca²⁺ could replace Mg²⁺ to some extent; the activation by Mg²⁺ was slightly antagonized by Ca²⁺. Even in the presence of Mg²⁺, Na⁺ or K⁺ had no stimulatory effect. The ATPase reaction was effectively inhibited by one of its products, ADP, and only slightly by the other product, inorganic phosphate. Of the nucleoside triphosphates tested ATP was hydrolyzed with highest affinity ([S]_{0.5 V} = 1.3 mM) and maximal activity (120 U/g). The ATPase activity could be nearly completely solubilized by treatment of the membranes with 2 M LiCl in the absence of Mg²⁺. Solubilization, however, led to instability of the enzyme.

The clostridial solubilized and membrane-bound ATPase showed different properties similar to the “allotopic” properties of mitochondrial and other bacterial ATPases. The membrane-bound ATPase in contrast to the soluble ATPase was sensitive to the ATPase inhibitor dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD). DCCD, at 10^-4 M, led to 80% inhibition of the membrane-bound enzyme; oligomycin, ouabain, or NaN₃ had no effect. The membrane-bound ATPase could not be stimulated by trypsin pretreatment.

Since none of the mono- or divalent cations had any truly stimulatory effect, and since a pH gradient (interior alkaline), which was sensitive to the ATPase inhibitor DCCD, was maintained during growth of C. pasteurianum, it was concluded that the function of the clostridial ATPase was the same as that of the rather similar mitochondrial enzyme, namely H⁺ translocation. A H⁺-translocating, ATP-consuming ATPase appears to be intrinsic equipment of all prokaryotic cells and as such to be phylogenetically very old; in the course of evolution the enzyme might have been developed to a H⁺-(re)translocating, ATP-forming ATPase as probably realized in aerobic bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts.     

Effects of Cd2+ and EDTA on young sugar beets (Beta vulgaris). I. Cd2+ uptake and sugar accumulation

Sugar beets ( Beta vulgaris L. cv. Monohill) grown in a complete nutrient solution, were treated with Cd²⁺ (5 or 50 μ M ) and/or EDTA (10 or 100 μ M ) in different combinations. The Cd contents of five-week-old roots and shoots were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and the sucrose, glucose and fructose contents were measured enzymatically. The Cd²⁺ uptake in both roots and shoots shows a linear relationship to the concentration of free Cd²⁺ in the nutrient solution. This uptake is diminished in the presence of EDTA, suggesting that the Cd-EDTA complex is unable to penetrate the membranes. The contents of glucose, fructose and sucrose in both roots and shoots decrease with increasing uptake of free Cd²⁺. This may be a secondary effect caused by the inhibition of photosynthesis in the presence of Cd²⁺. EDTA reduces the inhibition of Cd²⁺ on sugar formation and accumulation. In the presence of EDTA alone the sugar content increases somewhat. EDTA slightly influences the dry weights of whole plants. The ratio roots:whole plants increases. Cd²⁺ (≤ 50 μ M ) increases the dry matter portion of roots by ca 30%, but not that of shoots.     

Characterization of L-asparaginase from Bacillus sp. isolated from an intertidal marine alga (Sargassum sp.)

B.R. MOHAPATRA, R.K. SANI AND U.C. BANERJEE. 1995. The bacterial flora associated with an intertidal marine alga ( Sargassum sp.) were screened for the presence of extracellular L-asparaginase; one out of five Bacillus strains was found positive. The maximum L-asparaginase activity was found at 37°C and pH 8.0. The optimum NaCl concentration for enzyme activity was found to be 2% (w/v). The enzyme activity was not affected by the addition of different metal ions (Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mg²⁺and Ni²⁺) at 10 mmol 1^-1, but was strongly inhibited by EDTA.     

Characterisation of maltase from enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

Abstract Enteropathogenic strains of faecal Escherichia coli produced significantly ( P < 0.01) more maltase than the non-pathogenic strains of the organism. The enzyme was induced by maltose but repressed by glucose and fructose. The maltase was partially purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, followed by dialysis and gel permeation chromatography. The partially purified maltase had an M _r of 144500 and an apparent K _m of approx. 7.6 mM for maltose. The enzyme was stimulated by Ca²⁺, inhibited by Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, Uo²⁺, IAA and EDTA, and exhibited optimum activity at pH 6.5 at 30°C.     

Purification and characterization of a streptomycete collagenase

A soil streptomycete designated as Streptomyces sp. A₈ produced an extracellular collagen hydrolysing enzyme that appeared to be 'true collagenase'as it degraded native collagen under physiological conditions and cleaved the synthetic hexapeptide 4-phenylazobenzyloxycarbonyl-L-prolyl-L-leucyl-glycyl-L-prolyl-D-arginine into two tripeptides. The enzyme was purified by diethyl aminoethyl cellulose chromatography and Sephadex G-150 gel filtration. The purified enzyme had an apparent molecular weight of about 75000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Treatment with lithium chloride did not dissociate it into subunits. A strong inhibition was observed with chelating agents such as α-α-dipyridyl and 8-hydroxyquinoline. Ethylene diamine tetracetate completely inhibited the enzyme activity. Among the cations tested only Ca^{2 +} and Mg^{2 +} enhanced the collagenase activity. Heavy metal ions like Pb^{2 +}, Ag⁺, Cu^{2 +} and Zn^{2 +} strongly inhibited the enzyme. The EDTA inhibition could be reversed with Ca^{2 +}. Cysteine and reduced glutathione caused significant reduction in enzyme activity. Parachloromercuribenzoate and iodoacetamide had no effect on the collagenase. Amino acid analysis revealed the absence of cysteine and tyrosine. Many of the properties were the same as collagenases of Clostridium histolyticum and Vibrio alginolyticus.     

Allosteric Properties of Ox Brain Nicotinamide–Adenine Dinucleotide Dependent Isocitrate Dehydrogenase

Abstract: The kinetic and regulatory properties of a partly purified preparation of ox brain NAD⁺-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase have been studied at pH 7.5. The enzyme exhibits rate cooperativity with respect to isocitrate but shows normal hyperbolic kinetics with respect to NAD⁺. ADP activates the enzyme by decreasing the substrate concentrations that are necessary to give half-maximal velocity, but it has no effect on the Hill constant for isocitrate unless Mg²⁺ ions are replaced by Mn²⁺ ions in the reaction mixture. Citrate and tricarballylate activate the enzyme in a similar fashion to ADP. Higher concentrations of citrate cause inhibition but this could be overcome by raising the concentration of Mg²⁺ ions, suggesting that the inhibition by this compound might be due to its acting as a chelating agent. NADH and NADPH were competitive inhibitors with respect to NAD⁺ but the product, 2-oxoglutarate, was not inhibitory. γ-Aminobutyrate and a number of other compounds involved in the γ-aminobutyrate pathway had no significant effect on the activity of the enzyme.     

Glucose fermentation to acetate and alanine in resting cell suspensions of Pyrococcus furiosus: Proposal of a novel glycolytic pathway based on 13C labelling data and enzyme activities

Abstract Suspensions of maltose-grown cells of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus , when incubated at 90°C with 35 mM [1-¹³C]glucose or [3-¹³C]glucose, consumed glucose at a rate of about 10 nmol min⁻¹ (mg protein)⁻¹. Acetate (10 mM), alanine (3 mM), CO₂ and H₂ were the fermentation products. The ¹³C-labelling pattern in alamine and acetate were analyzed. With [1-¹³C]glucose the methyl group of both alanine and acetate was labelled; with [3-¹³C]glucose only the carboxyl group of alanine was labelled whereas acetate was unlabelled. Extracts of maltose-grown cells contained glucose isomerase (12.8 U mg⁻¹, 100°C), ketohexokinase (0.23 U mg⁻¹, 100°C), and fructose 1-phosphate aldolase (0.06 U mg^{−1, 100°C). Enzymes catalyzing the formation of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate from fructose 1-phosphate or fructose 6-phosphate could not be detected. As publihed previously by our group and other authors P. furiosus also contains enzymes of glyceraldehyde conversion to 2-phosphoglycerate according to a non-phosphorylated Entner-Doudoroff pathway, of dihydroxyacetone phosphate conversion to 2-phosphoglycerate according to the Embden-Meyerhof pathway, and of 2-phosphoglycerate conversion - via pyruvate - to acetate and alanine. Based on the enzyme activities in P. furiosus , the following pathway for glucose degradation to alanine and acetate in cell suspensions is proposed which can explain the [13}C]glucose labelling data: glucose→ fructose → fructose 1- phosphate → dihydroxyacetone phosphate + glyceraldehyde and further conversion of both trioses to alanine and acetate via pyruvate.     

Activation of chicken liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase by oxidized glutathione

Treatment of chicken liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase with oxidized glutathione (GSSG) leads to an increase in activity. This activation is markedly enhanced if treatment is performed in the presence of AMP or Mn²⁺. The effects of AMP and Mn²⁺ appear to be synergistic. The maximal activation is over 13-fold and is accompanied by the disappearance of 4 sulfhydryl groups per molecule of enzyme. Both fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate can largely prevent this activation. Activation can be reversed by dithiothreitol or cysteine. It appears that GSSG activates this enzyme by thiol/disulfide exchanges with the enzyme's specific sulfhydryl groups.     

The occurrence of inorganic pyrophosphate: d-fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase in higher plants. I. Initial characterization of partially purified enzyme from Sanseviera trifasciata leaves

Among 30 plant species examined, the PPi-phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.90) was found in leaves of 21 plants. Some of the plants exhibit no activity of ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase but display only activity of PPi-phosphofructokinase. A partly purified preparation of PPi-phosphofructokinase with specific activity of 8.4 Hmol (mg protein)⁻¹ min⁻¹ was obtained from Sanseviera trifasciata leaves. The enzyme is restricted to the cytoplasm, it exhibits pronounced substrate specifity, requires Mg²⁺ ions, is inhibited by AMP, PEP, methylenediphosphonate and stabilized by mercaptoethanol. At pH 7.8 with 1.5 m M MgCl₂ the following K_M values were observed: pyrophosphate, 0.58 m M ; fructose 6-phosphate, 0.8 m M . The K_M values for substrates of reverse reaction (pH 7.3; 2 m M MgCl₂) are of the same order of magnitude: 0.83 m M for fructose 1,6-diphosphate, and 0.14 m M for orthophosphate. The molecular weight of the studied enzyme is about 125 000 dalton as estimated by gel filtration.     

Inhibition of chitosan-immobilized urease by slow-binding inhibitors: Ni, F and acetohydroxamic acid

The inhibitions by Ni²⁺ and F⁻ ions and by acetohydroxamic acid of jack bean urease covalently immobilized on chitosan membrane was studied (pH 7.0, 25°C) and compared with those of the native enzyme. The reaction progress curves of the immobilized urease-catalyzed hydrolysis of urea were recorded in the absence and presence of the inhibitors. They revealed that the inhibitions are of the competitive slow-binding type similar to those of native urease. The immobilization weakened the inhibitory effect of the inhibitors on urease as measured by the inhibition constants K_i^*. The increase in their values: 17.9-fold for Ni²⁺, 26.5-fold for F⁻ and 1.7-fold for acetohydroxamic acid, was accounted for by environmental effects generated by heterogeneity of the urease–chitosan system: (1) mass transfer limitations imposed on substrate and reaction product in the external solution, and (2) the increase in local pH on the membrane produced by both the enzymatic reaction and the electric charge of the support. By relating the K_M/K_i^* ratio to the electrostatic potential of chitosan it was found that while the reduced Ni²⁺ inhibition is mainly brought about by the potential, inhibition by acetohydroxamic acid is independent of the potential, and the acid inhibits urease in its non-ionic form. The reduction in F⁻ inhibition was ascribed to the increased pH in the local environment of the immobilized enzyme.     

Purification and characterization of an endocellulase from the thermophilic fungus Chaetomium thermophilum CT2

Chaetomium thermophilum CT2 produced endocellulases at 50 °C, when grown on 2% microcrystalline cellulose, 1% soluble starch, and 0.4% yeast extract medium. A major endocellulase component was purified to homogeneity by fractional ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose, Phenyl-Sepharose hydrophobic interaction chromatography and gel filtration on Sephacryl S-100. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 67.8 kDa and the enzyme was found to be a glycoprotein containing 18.9% carbohydrate. The K_m of the purified enzyme for carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium salt (CMC), was 4.6 mg ml⁻¹. The enzyme displayed highest activity towards CMC and significantly lower activities towards phosphoric acid swollen cellulose and filter paper. The activity was enhanced in the presence of Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ but inhibited by Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺, Mn²⁺, Ba²⁺, Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺ and NH₄⁺. Optimum activity was at 60 °C and pH 4.0. The enzyme was stable over 60 min incubation at 60 °C and half-life at 70, 80 and 90 °C was approximately 45, 24 and 7 min, respectively.     

Metabolic effects of trifluoperazine in the liver and the influence of calcium

The effects of trifluoperazine on hepatic cell metabolism were investigated using isolated perfused rat liver. The following effects of trifluoperazine were found: (1) trifluoperazine inhibited oxygen uptake, the site of action being the mitochondria. Half-maximal inhibition occurred at concentrations around 50 μM; with 100 μM trifluoperazine the effect was already maximal. When Ca²⁺ was withdrawn from the perfusion medium and the intracellular Ca²⁺ pools were exhausted, the inhibitory action on respiration was no longer observable. The rein-troduction of Ca²⁺ restored inhibition. (2) Glycogenolysis and glycolysis were not significantly affected during the infusion of trifluoperazine. After stopping trifluoperazine infusion, however, glycogenolysis (glucose release) experienced a transitory stimulation. (3) Gluconeogenesis from lactate as the carbon source was inhibited by trifluoperazine. This inhibition was approximately proportional to the inhibition of oxygen uptake. Withdrawal of Ca²⁺ diminished, but it did not eliminate, inhibition of gluconeogenesis. (4) Ketogenesis was also inhibited in parallel with the inhibition of oxygen uptake. Withdrawal of Ca²⁺ from the perfusion fluid also abolished this action. (5) The effects of trifluoperazine were reverted very slowly when its infusion was stopped. The recovery of oxygen uptake at 50 min after cessation of the infusion was only 30%. Uptake of the substance was very fast. Absence of Ca²⁺ did not affect uptake. It was concluded that inhibition of mitochondrial energy metabolism is one of the most prominent effects of trifluoperazine in the liver. The fact that this inhibition depends on Ca²⁺ is unique.     

The non-specific inhibition of enzymes by environmental pollutants: a study of a model system towards the development of electrochemical biosensor arrays

Previous research has shown that lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was competitively inhibited by pentachlorophenol (PCP) and a modified assay produced a detection limit of 1 μM (270 μg l⁻¹). This work used spectrophotometric rate-determination but in order to move towards biosensor development the selected detection method was electrochemical. The linkage of LDH to lactate oxidase (LOD) provided the electroactive species, hydrogen peroxide. This could be monitored using a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) incorporating the mediator, cobalt phthalocyanine, at a potential of +300 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl). A linked LDH/LOD system was optimised with respect to inhibition by PCP. It was found that the SPCE support material, PVC, acted to reduce inhibition, possibly by combining with PCP. A cellulose acetate membrane removed this effect. Inhibition of the system was greatest at enzyme activities of 5 U ml⁻¹ LDH and 0.8 U ml⁻¹ LOD in reactions containing 246 μM pyruvate and 7.5 μM NADPH. PCP detection limits were an EC₁₀ of 800 nM (213 μg l⁻¹) and a minimum inhibition detectable (MID) limit of 650 nM (173 μg l⁻¹). The inclusion of a third enzyme, glucose dehydrogenase (GDH), provided cofactor recycling to enable low concentrations of NADPH to be incorporated within the assay. NADPH was reduced from 7.5 to 2 μM. PCP detection limits were obtained for an assay containing 5 U ml⁻¹ LDH, 0.8 U ml⁻¹ LOD and 0.1 U ml⁻¹ GDH with 246 μM pyruvate, 400 mM glucose and 2 μM NADPH. The EC₁₀ limit was 150 nM (39.9 μg l⁻¹) and the MID was 100 nM (26.6 μg l⁻¹). The design of the inhibition assays discussed has significance as a model for other enzymes and moves forward the possibility of an electrochemical biosensor array for pollution monitoring.     

Inhibition of Glutamate Uptake and Proton Pumping in Synaptic Vesicles by S-Nitrosylation

Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO; including NO^•, NO⁺, and NO⁻) was found to inhibit glutamate uptake by isolated synaptic vesicles of rat brain. This was observed when two unrelated NO donors, S -nitrosogluthathione and S -nitroso- N -acetylpenicillamine, were used. The primary target of NO is the H⁺-ATPase found in the synaptic vesicles, which leads to dissipation of the electrochemical proton gradient and inhibition of glutamate uptake. Oxyhemoglobin (12 µ M ) and, to a much lesser extent, methemoglobin protected the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase from inhibition. Inhibition of H⁺ pumping by NO was reversed by addition of 0.5 m M dithiothreitol. The results indicate that the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase from synaptic vesicles is inhibited by NO by a mechanism that involves S -nitrosylation of critical sulfhydryl groups in the enzyme. The interaction of NO with synaptic vesicles might be of importance for the understanding of the multiple effects of NO in neurotransmission.     

Chitinase production by Streptomyces viridificans: its potential in fungal cell wall lysis

R. GUPTA, R.K. SAXENA, P. CHATURVEDI AND J.S. VIRDI. 1995. Streptomyces viridificans was found to be a good chitinase producer among nine species of Streptomyces screened. Minimum levels of constitutive enzyme were observed with both simple and complex carbon substrate. Arabinose doubled the enzyme production amongst the various pentoses and hexoses used with chitin. However, with glucose end-product inhibition and catabolite repression were observed. The enzyme tolerated a wide range of temperature (30–55°C) and pH (3–7˙5). Among various divalent cations Mn²⁺ and Hg²⁺ completely inhibited the purified enzyme while β-mercaptoethanol stimulated its activity. Crude and purified enzyme had potential for cell wall lysis of many fungal pathogens tested.     

Role of calmodulin in the effect of guanyl nucleotides on rat hippocampal adenylate cyclase: involvement of adenosine and opiates

Abstract: The adenylate cyclase activity of rat hippocampal plasma membranes can be stimulated by vaso-active intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Low concentrations (10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁷M) of 5'-guanylyl-imido diphosphate (GppNHp) evoke a transient inhibition of the enzyme, which is followed by stimulation with increasing GppNHp concentrations (10⁻⁶ to 10⁻⁴M). Inclusion of ethyleneglycol - bis - (β - aminoethylether) - N,N' - tetraacetic acid (EGTA) during incubation abolishes the GppNHp inhibition while preserving GppNHp activation. The stimulation induced by GppNHp is amplified by VIP, but the inhibition is unaffected. Adenosine analogs and opiates are inhibitory ligands in the presence of GTP, and their effects can be reversed by the appropiate receptor antagonists, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and naloxone. Treatment of membranes with trypsin abolishes the GppNHp-induced inhibition without affecting the GppNHp stimulation. The inhibition induced by GppNHp is also abolished by EGTA treatment followed by washing, which coincides wtih a reduction in the adenosine- and opiate-mediated, GTP-dependent inhibition. The GppNHp inhibition can be restored in EGTA-treated but not in trypsin-treated membranes by addition of calcium-calmodulin but not by Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺. Calcium-calmodulindepleted membranes lack calcium stimulation as well as GppNHp-induced inhibition, whereas untreated membranes and calcium-calmodulin-depleted membranes plus exogenous calcium-calmodulin showed calcium stimulation and GppNHp inhibition. These results suggest that calmodulin is involved in both Ca²⁺ stimulation and guanine nucleotide-mediated inhibition of rat hippocampal adenylate cyclase.