水牛瘤胃宏基因组的一个新的b-葡萄糖苷酶基因umcel3G的克隆、表达及其表达产物的酶学特性

以木质纤维素为原料、应用同步糖化共发酵工艺发酵生产酒精时需要酸性中低温高活力纤维素酶包括b-葡萄糖苷酶。本工作分6次构建了水牛瘤胃未培养微生物宏基因组文库, 获得1.26×105个克隆, 文库含外源DNA的总长度 约为4.8×106 kb。从文库中筛选到118个表达b-葡萄糖苷酶活性的独立克隆。发现其中8个克隆表达的b-葡萄糖苷酶在pH5.0、37oC条件下活性较强。对其中一个克隆进行了亚克隆, 序列分析发现一个2223 bp的潜在的编码b-葡萄糖苷酶基因(umcel3G)的开放阅读框(ORF), 其编码产物的氨基酸序列与来自于 Bacillus sp.的一个b-葡萄糖苷酶同源性最高, 具有60%的一致性和73%的相似性。该ORF在E.coli中的表达产物Umcel3G的分子量与预测大小相似, 酶谱分析表明该表达产物具有b-葡萄糖苷酶活性, 证实该基因为一个b-葡萄糖苷酶基因。测定了用Ni-NTA纯化的Umcel3G的酶学特性, 其最适pH和最适温度分别为6.0~6.5和45oC。一些金属离子如Ca2+、Zn2+能显著提高该酶的酶活, 而另外一些金属离子如Fe3+、Cu2+能抑制Umcel3G的活性。在pH4.5、35oC和5 mmol/L的 Ca2+存在的条件下, 用Ni-NTA纯化的重组酶的比活为22.8 IU/mg, 说明该酶在用SSCF工艺发酵生产酒精中有潜在的应用价值。     

水牛瘤胃宏基因组的一个新的β-葡萄糖苷酶基因umcel3G 的克隆、表达及其表达产物的酶学特性

以木质纤维素为原料、应用同步糖化共发酵工艺发酵生产酒精时需要酸性中低温高活力纤维素酶包括β-葡萄糖苷酶.本工作分 6 次构建了水牛瘤胃未培养微生物宏基因组文库,获得 1.26×105个克隆,文库含外源 DNA 的总长度约为 4.8×106kb.从文库中筛选到118个表达β-葡萄糖苷酶活性的独立克隆.发现其中 8 个克隆表达的β-葡萄糖苷酶在pH5.0、37℃条件下活性较强.对其中一个克隆进行了亚克隆,序列分析发现一个 2223 bp 的潜在的编码β-葡萄糖苷酶基因(umcel3G)的开放阅读框(ORF),其编码产物的氨基酸序列与来自于 Bacillus sp.的一个β-葡萄糖苷酶同源性最高,具有 60%的一致性和73%的相似性.该ORF在 E.coli中的表达产物Umcel3G的分子量与预测大小相似,酶谱分析表明该表达产物具有β-葡萄糖苷酶活性,证实该基因为一个β-葡萄糖苷酶基因.测定了用Ni-NTA纯化的Umcel3G 的酶学特性,其最适 pH 和最适温度分别为 6.0～6.5 和 45℃.一些金属离子如 Ca2+、Zn2+能显著提高该酶的酶活,而另外一些金属离子如 Fe3+、Cu2+能抑制 Umcel3G 的活性.在 pH4.5、35℃和 5 mmol/L 的 Ca2+存在的条件下,用 Ni-NTA 纯化的重组酶的比活为 22.8 IU/mg,说明该酶在用SSCF工艺发酵生产酒精中有潜在的应用价值.     

新型海洋微生物β-葡萄糖苷酶基因的克隆、表达及重组酶性质

通过功能筛选方法,从中国南海海洋表层海水微生物元基因组文库筛选得到了6个β-葡萄糖苷酶阳性克隆。对其中的一个阳性克隆pSB47B2进一步亚克隆和序列分析,获得一新型β-葡萄糖苷酶基因(命名为bgl1B)开放阅读框。以pET22b(+)为载体、Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)为宿主菌,bgl1B被高效活性重组表达。通过Ni-NTA亲和层析柱纯化了重组Bgl1B(rBgl1B)。纯化的rBgl1B催化pNPG水解反应的最适pH为6.5,最适温度为40oC。在最适反应条件下,rBgl1B水解pNPG的活性达到39.7U/mg,Km和Vmax分别为0.288mmol/L、36.9μmol/min。纤维二糖是rBgl1B的有效作用底物,其Km和Vmax分别为0.173mmol/L、35μmol/min。但rBgl1B不能催化转化蔗糖、乳糖、麦芽糖以及CMC。rBgl1B催化pNPG的水解反应对高浓度的Na+有较好的耐受性,而低浓度的Ca2+、Mn2+对该酶活有一定促进作用。不同于许多来源于真菌的酸性β-葡萄糖苷酶,rBgl1B在pH7.0～9.0范围内具有比较高的酶活力并具有较好的稳定性。     

极耐热性b-葡萄糖醛酸酶的高效表达和酶学性质及其 应用

从海栖热袍菌克隆出编码热稳定性b-葡萄糖醛酸酶基因, 以热激载体pHsh为表达质粒, 在大肠杆菌中得到高效表达。基因表达产物通过一步热处理后, 酶纯度达电泳均一。纯化重组酶酶学性质研究表明, b-葡萄糖醛酸酶的最适反应温度为80oC, 最适反应pH为5.0, pH 5.8~ 8.2之间酶的稳定性较好, 80oC的半衰期为2 h, SDS-PAGE结果显示分子量为65.9 kD, 与理论推算值相吻合。以对硝基苯-b-葡萄糖醛酸苷(pNPG)为底物时, 其动力学参数Km值0.18 mmol/L, Vmax值为312 u/mg。初步的应用分析表明, 该重组酶能催化甘草酸转化为甘草次酸。     

碱性土壤微生物基因的克隆和多样性分析

从碱性土壤样品中直接抽提和分离宏基因组DNA, 首先构建了包含5 562个阳性克隆的碱性土壤16S rDNA文库, 随机抽取9个克隆测序后构建的系统进化树表明了碱性土壤环境微生物种群基因的多样性。纯化土壤宏基因组DNA后采用EcoRⅠ酶部分酶切处理, 我们又构建了以pGEM-3Zf(+)为载体的DNA部分文库AL01。AL01文库包含23650个克隆, 随机插入载体的外源DNA片段平均大小为3.2 kb左右, DNA文库的总容量为75.68 Mb。建库效率为从每克环境样品中获得6 000个左右的含随机外源DNA片段插入载体的克隆。采用酶活筛选策略, 我们从AL01文库中筛选到一个编号为pGXAA2011的阳性克隆携带有一个完整的碱性蛋白酶基因。蛋白酶活性检测其酶活作用最佳温度为40℃, 最适作用pH 值为9.5。另外, 我们还克隆和表达了一个新型b-葡萄糖苷酶基因unglu01, 该基因和现有数据库中的b-葡萄糖苷酶基因没有任何DNA或者氨基酸水平的同源性。将unglu01基因的ORF与表达载体pETBlue-2连接后导入宿主菌株Tuner(DE3)pLacI中, 该重组表达克隆在含柠檬酸高铁铵和七叶苷的LA平板上表现清晰的b-葡萄糖苷酶活性, SDS-PAGE电泳可以检测到29 kDa大小的目的蛋白。     

嗜热脱氮土壤芽孢杆菌β-葡萄糖苷酶的克隆与重组表达及其酶学性质研究

【目的】克隆嗜热脱氮土壤芽孢杆菌中的β-葡萄糖苷酶基因bglB,在E.coli中异源表达,纯化并研究其酶学性质。【方法】利用PCR技术从嗜热脱氮土壤芽孢杆菌的基因组DNA中克隆得到bglB基因,将该基因克隆到表达载体pGEX-2TL上并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达,对纯化后的β-葡萄糖苷酶的酶学性质及寡聚状态进行分析。【结果】重组表达的β-葡萄糖苷酶最适温度为65°C,最适pH为7.0,能在pH 5-10、60°C下稳定存在4 h,并能在较高的离子强度(880 mmol/L K+)下发挥其功能。Al3+离子对其有强烈的激活作用,Co2+有一定的抑制作用。最适反应条件下该酶比活力为0.043 IU/mg。该酶具有多种寡聚体形式,这些寡聚体均有β-葡萄糖苷酶活性。【结论】获得一个耐热耐盐的中性β-葡萄糖苷酶,为进一步研究β-葡萄糖苷酶的催化作用机理,提高其热稳定性提供一定的帮助。     

烟曲霉β-葡萄糖苷酶的基因克隆、表达及酶学性质分析

探索获得优良的β-葡萄糖苷酶基因,对实现其工业化生产具有重要意义。烟曲霉Aspergillus fumigatus基因组中含有一个bgl基因(1 752 bp),编码的蛋白约65 kDa,推测为属于糖苷水解酶家族的β-葡萄糖苷酶。将bgl基因克隆并构建了重组表达载体pGEX-bgl,转化大肠杆菌Escherichia coli BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导获得表达。重组蛋白经亲和层析纯化后,以七叶苷为底物进行了酶学分析,结果表明该酶的最适温度是45℃,最适pH在5.5~6.0之间,对七叶苷的Km值为17.7 mmol/L。该酶在pH 4~7范围内稳定;70℃保温2 h后仍能保持60%的活性。金属离子和化学试剂对酶活性有不同程度的影响,Ca2+对重组酶有轻微的激活作用,而SDS可强烈抑制其活性。由于其相对于真菌来源的其他葡萄糖苷酶稳定性较高,为进一步的研究与应用奠定了基础。     

麻类脱胶高效菌株果胶裂解酶基因克隆与表达

【目的】克隆麻类脱胶高效菌株Dickeya sp.DCE-01的果胶裂解酶基因并进行原核表达,对表达产物进行纯化和酶学性质研究。【方法】根据该菌株全基因组序列预测的果胶裂解酶基因Q59419设计引物,PCR扩增后将该基因连接到pEASY-E1和pACYCDuet-1载体上,导入E.coli BL21(DE3)进行表达。选择酶活力高的阳性克隆子进行大量诱导表达后,采用超滤和Sephadex G-100凝胶层析两步法纯化出果胶裂解酶,研究其酶学性质。【结果】克隆到果胶裂解酶基因pel(GenBank登录号:JX964997),其序列全长1 128 bp,编码375个氨基酸。pACYCDuet-1-pel-BL表达胞外果胶裂解酶活力最高,发酵液粗酶活达298.8 IU/mL。其最适反应温度为50°C,最适pH为9.0;保温1 h,酶活稳定温度≤45°C,稳定pH为9.0?10.0。酶催化作用依赖于Ca2+,其最适作用浓度为2 mmol/L;Zn2+、Ca2+和NH4+促进酶活力,Fe3+和Pb2+严重抑制酶活力;聚半乳糖醛酸钠为该酶的最适底物。【结论】从麻类脱胶高效菌株中发掘到碱性果胶裂解酶基因,其表达产物在生物质加工过程中具有重要工业化应用前景。     

深海沉积物微生物元基因组文库来源的新的酯酶基因的克隆、表达及酶学性质

【目的】从深海沉积物微生物元基因组文库中克隆新的酯酶基因,并进行酶学性质研究。【方法】利用含有三丁酸甘油酯的酯酶选择性筛选培养基,从深海沉积物微生物元基因组文库中筛选得到酯酶阳性Fosmid克隆。对筛选得到的fosmid FL10进行部分酶切构建亚克隆文库,筛选得到酯酶阳性亚克隆pFLS10。PCR扩增目的片段后与pET28a连接构建酯酶基因原核表达质粒,转化大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)BL21。纯化表达产物并对其进行活性测定及酶学性质研究。【结果】序列分析显示该pFLS10亚克隆质粒含有一段924bp的ORF(Open Reading Frame),与一海洋元基因组文库中筛选出的酯酶ADA70030序列一致性为71%。该酶为一新的低温酯酶,对C4底物(对硝基苯丁酸酯)水解能力最强。该酶最适作用温度为20℃,最适作用pH为7.5,20℃时较为稳定,pH8-10的范围内有良好的pH稳定性,K+、Mg2+对该酶具有一定的激活作用,Mn2+等对其具有不同程度的抑制作用。【结论】应用元基因组技术筛选到了新的酯酶基因fls10并进行了克隆表达,该酶在低温及碱性条件下较为稳定且活力较高,对于工业化生产具有一定的应用潜力。关键词:深海沉积物;元基因组文库;低温酯酶;酶学特征     

黑曲霉（Aspergillus niger）F044脂肪酶新型基因lipB的克隆、表达及酶学性质分析

摘要：【目的】本研究拟克隆新型的黑曲霉（Aspergillus niger）脂肪酶（EC 3.1.1.3）基因,实现其在大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）的高效表达,并对表达产物进行系统的酶学性质分析,为该脂肪酶的工业化生产及应用奠定基础。【方法】通过PCR和RT-PCR克隆脂肪酶基因,并将其开放式阅读框（ORF）克隆入融合表达载体pET28a;表达产物经Ni-agarose纯化后对LipB进行酶学性质分析,并通过圆二色谱进行结构分析。【结果】成功地从A. niger F044中克隆了一个新型的脂肪酶基因lipB,获得了该基因的全基因组序列和cDNA序列（GenBank: FJ536287、FJ536288）,并实现了其在E. coli中的高效表达。LipB分子量约为43.0 kDa,最适底物为pNPC（C8）,酶学动力学常数Km=5.98 mmol/L,最适反应温度为50℃,最适pH为6.0;该酶能在40℃条件下保持稳定,在60℃条件下处理1 h后残余酶活仅为18.8%;该酶对Ca2+敏感,当脂肪酶经2 mmol/L Ca2+处理1 h后,酶活提高了2.6倍。圆二色谱分析表明该酶在Ca2+处理前后具有明显的结构变化。【结论】新型A. niger脂肪酶lipB基因的克隆不仅积累了脂肪酶基因资源,而且为高效基因工程菌的构建及规模化应用奠定基础;对LipB的酶学性质分析表明该酶在食品和油酯化工等领域具有广阔的应用前景。     

Cloning and identification of cellulase genes from uncultured microorganisms in pulp sediments from paper mill effluent]

The metagenomic DNA of pulp sediments from paper mill effluent was extracted and purified. The 16S rDNA was amplified using the purified metagenomic DNA as template and a 16S rDNA library was prepared. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA clones showed that diverse of uncultured bacteria inhabit in this environment, which can be classified into 4 clusters as Spirochaetes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. A metagenomic library containing 10000 clones was constructed into cosmid vector, and the capacity of inserted DNA of which was 3.53 x 10(8) bp. Functional screening of the library resulted in isolation of two independent clones expressing endoglucanase activity, three independent clones expressing exoglucanase activity and two independent clones expressing beta-glucosidase activity. One clone expressing strongest enzyme activity from each activity category was chosen to be further analyzed. Three novel cellulase genes designated as umcel5L, umcel5M and umbgl3D were identified by subcloning, sequencing and expression. The umcel5L encodes an endoglucanase belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 5, which is most related to an endoglucanase from Bradyrhizobium japonicum at 43% identity and 59% similarity. The umcel5M encodes a cellodextrinase belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 5, which is most similar to a cellodextrinase from Fibrobacter succinogenes at 48% identity and 69% similarity. The umbgl3D encodes a putative beta-glucosidase belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 3, which shares highest homology with a beta-glucosidase from Thermotoga maritima at 46% identity and 61% similarity. It is the first time to reveal the bacterial diversity of pulp sediments from paper mill effluent and clone novel cellulase genes from the bacteria by culture-independent method.     

Isolation and properties of an extracellular beta-glucosidase from the polycentric rumen fungus Orpinomyces sp. strain PC-2.

An extracellular beta-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) was purified from culture filtrate of the anaerobic rumen fungus Orpinomyces sp. strain PC-2 grown on 0.3% (wt vol-1) Avicel by using Q Sepharose anion-exchange chromatography, ammonium sulfate precipitation, chromatofocusing ion-exchange chromatography, and Superose 12 gel filtration. The enzyme is monomeric with a M(r) of 85,400, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, has a pI of 3.95, and contains about 8.5% (wt vol-1) carbohydrate. The N terminus appears to be blocked. The enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of cellobiose and p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucoside (PNPG). The Km and Vmax values with cellobiose as the substrate at pH 6.0 and 40 degrees C are 0.25 mM and 27.1 mumol.min-1 x mg-1, respectively; with PNPG as the substrate, the corresponding values are of 0.35 mM and 27.7 mumol.min-1 x mg-1. Glucose (Ki = 8.75 mM, with PNPG as the substrate) and gluconolactone (Ki = 1.68 x 10(-2) and 2.57 mM, with PNPG and cellobiose as the substrates, respectively) are competitive inhibitors. Optimal activity with PNPG and cellobiose as the substrates is at pH 6.2 and 50 degrees C. The enzyme has high activity against sophorose (beta-1,2-glucobiose) and laminaribiose (beta-1,3-glucobiose) but has no activity against gentiobiose (beta-1,6-glucobiose). The activity of the beta-glucosidase is stimulated by Mg2+, Mn2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ and inhibited by Ag+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, SDS, and p-chloromercuribenzoate.     

Cloning, expression, and characterization of a chitinase gene from the Antarctic psychrotolerant bacterium Vibrio sp. strain Fi:7

A marine psychrotolerant bacterium from the Antarctic Ocean showing high chitinolytic activity on chitin agar at 5 degrees C was isolated. The sequencing of the 16S rRNA indicates taxonomic affiliation of the isolate Fi:7 to the genus Vibrio. By chitinase activity screening of a genomic DNA library of Vibrio sp. strain Fi:7 in Escherichia coli, three chitinolytic clones could be isolated. Sequencing revealed, for two of these clones, the same open reading frame of 2,189 nt corresponding to a protein of 79.4 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of the open reading frame showed homology of 82% to the chitinase ChiA from Vibrio harveyi. The chitinase of isolate Fi:7 contains a signal peptide of 26 amino acids. Sequence alignment with known chitinases showed that the enzyme has a chitin-binding domain and a catalytic domain typical of other bacterial chitinases. The chitinase ChiA of isolate Fi:7 was overexpressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) and purified by anion-exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Maximal enzymatic activity was observed at a temperature of 35 degrees C and pH 8. Activity of the chitinase at 5 degrees C was 40% of that observed at 35 degrees C. Among the main cations contained in seawater, i.e., Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, the enzymatic activity of ChiA could be enhanced twofold by the addition of Ca2+.     

Isolation and characterization of NADP+-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase of germinating pea seeds (Pisum sativum)

NADP+-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (E.C.1.1.1.42) has been purified to homogeneity from germinating pea seeds. The enzyme is a tetrameric protein (mol wt, about 146,000) made up of apparently identical monomers (subunit mol wt, about 36,000). Thermal inactivation of purified enzyme at 45 degrees and 50 degrees C shows simple first order kinetics. The enzyme shows optimum activity at pH range 7.5-8. Effect of substrate [S] on enzyme activity at different pH (6.5-8) suggests that the proton behaves formally as an "uncompetitive inhibitor". A basic group of the enzyme (site) is protonated in this pH range in the presence of substrate only, with a pKa equal to 6.78. On successive dialysis against EDTA and phosphate buffer, pH 7.8 at 0 degrees C, yields an enzymatically inactive protein showing kinetics of thermal inactivation identical to the untreated (native) enzyme. Maximum enzyme activity is observed in presence of Mn2+ and Mg2+ ions (3.75 mM). Addition of Zn2+, Cd2+, Co2+ and Ca2+ ions brings about partial recovery. Other metal ions Fe2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+ are ineffective.     

Production, purification, and characterization of lipase from thermophilic and alkaliphilic Bacillus coagulans BTS-3

A thermophilic isolate Bacillus coagulans BTS-3 produced an extracellular alkaline lipase, the production of which was substantially enhanced when the type of carbon source, nitrogen source, and the initial pH of culture medium were consecutively optimized. Lipase activity 1.16 U/ml of culture medium was obtained in 48 h at 55 degrees C and pH 8.5 with refined mustard oil as carbon source and a combination of peptone and yeast extract (1:1) as nitrogen sources. The enzyme was purified 40-fold to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation and DEAE-Sepharose column chromatography. Its molecular weight was 31 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The enzyme showed maximum activity at 55 degrees C and pH 8.5, and was stable between pH 8.0 and 10.5 and at temperatures up to 70 degrees C. The enzyme was found to be inhibited by Al3+, Co2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ ions while K+, Fe3+, Hg2+, and Mg2+ ions enhanced the enzyme activity; Na+ ions have no effect on enzyme activity. The purified lipase showed a variable specificity/hydrolytic activity towards various 4-nitrophenyl esters.     

Isolation of a gene encoding endoglucanase activity from uncultured microorganisms in buffalo rumen

A gene, umcel5N, was isolated from a metagenomic library constructed from the contents of buffalo rumen. Its putative product belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase family 5 and is most closely related to an endoglucanase (ABN54006.1) from Clostridium thermocellum with 44% identity and 60% similarity. Gene umcel5N was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant Umcel5N hydrolyzed carboxymethyl cellulose with a rapid decrease in the viscosity of the solution but with little release of reducing sugars, suggesting an endo mode of action. The enzyme exhibited optimal activity toward p-nitrophenyl β-d-cellobioside at pH 5.5 and 55°C, and had a Km of 1.56 mM and a Vmax of 285.6 U/mg. Two glutamic acids (E144 and E285) of the wild-type Umcel5N were predicted as a proton donor and a nucleophile, respectively. Site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that they were required for the enzyme’s activity.     

疏绵状嗜热丝孢菌热稳定几丁质酶的纯化及其性质研究

采用硫酸铵沉淀、DEAE SepharoseFastFlow阴离子层析、Phenyl Sepharose疏水层析等步骤获得了凝胶电泳均一的疏绵状嗜热丝孢菌 (Thermomyceslanuginosus)几丁质酶。经SDS PAGE和凝胶过滤层析测得纯酶蛋白的分子量在 4 8～ 4 9 .8kD之间。该酶反应的最适温度和最适pH分别为 5 5℃和 4 5 ,在pH4 5条件下 ,该酶在 5 0℃以下稳定 ;6 5℃的半衰期为 2 5min ;70℃保温 2 0min后 ,仍保留 2 4 %的酶活性。其N 端氨基酸序列为AQGYLSVQYFVNWAI。金属离子对几丁质酶的活性影响较大 ,Ca2 、Na 、K 、Ba2 对酶有激活作用 ;Ag 、Fe2 、Cu2 、Hg2 对酶有显著的抑制作用 ;以胶体几丁质为底物的Km 和Vmax值分别为 9 .5 6mg mL和 2 2 . 12 μmol min。抗菌活性显示 ,该酶对供试病原菌有不同程度的抑制作用。     

Purification and some important characters of extracellular inulinase of Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler

Protein precipitate of cell-free dialysate of extracellular inulinase (2,1-beta-fructan fructanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.7) of A. alternata was maximally obtained by methanol. Such protein was fractionated by using 2-step column chromatography on Sephadex G150 and DEAE-cellulose. The partially purified enzyme had activity of 81 x 10(3) U/mg protein, with a yield of 69% of the original activity and the fold of purification was 62. Optimum temperature and pH for the activity of the purified enzyme were found to be 55 degrees C and 4.5, respectively. The enzyme was found to be stable up to 55 degrees C and in pH range of 4 to 5. Ba2+ and Ca2+ were found to stimulate the enzyme activity while Cu2+, Fe3+, Hg2+, and iodoacetate were recorded as strong inhibitors. T(1/2) of the enzyme was estimated to be two weeks and its apparent Km was calculated to be 0.066 M. The enzyme recorded hydrolyzing activity against sucrose and raffinose recording I/S ratio of 0.50. Molecular mass of the enzyme preparation was estimated by gel filtration and found to be 115 +/- 5 kDa.     

Purification and physico-chemical properties of collagenase synthesized by a bacterium of the type Acinetobacter sp.]

The Acinetobacter spec collagenase has been almost completely purified. This enzyme is a true collagenase the activity of which is high on collagen. The enzyme is active on insoluble collagen, gelatin and the synthetic Pz-peptide, but has no proteolytic activity on casein or bovine serum-albumin. The collagenase was obtained on a simple medium with gelatin and yeast extract. The enzyme was purified by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation. DEAE cellulose column chromatography, Sephadex G 200 gel-filtration. The molecular weight of the enzyme was found to be 102 000 daltons, and its isoelectric point was found to be 7,7 +/- 0,2. The optimum pH and temperature for insoluble collagen hydrolysis were 7.6 and 37 degrees C, respectively; so, this collagenase corresponds to true collagenase. Hydrolysis of Pz-peptide is activated by Ca2+ and inhibited by metal ions (Cu2+, Fe3+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Hg2+). EDTA and o-phenanthroline induced a very significant reduction in enzyme activity. Iodoacetate and p-CMB induced a slight reduction in enzyme activity only at high concentrations (10-2M). The collagenase is most stable for temperatures less than or equal to 50 degrees C.     

Functional characterization of isoschizomeric His-Cys box homing endonucleases from Naegleria.

Several species within the amoeboflagellate genus Naegleria harbor an optional ORF containing group I introns in their nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA. The different ORFs encode homing endonucleases with 65 to 95% identity at the amino-acid level. I-NjaI, I-NanI and I-NitI, from introns in Naegleria jamiesoni, N. andersoni and N. italica, respectively, were analyzed in more detail and found to be isoschizomeric endonucleases that recognize and cleave an approximal 19-bp partially symmetrical sequence, creating a pentanucleotide 3' overhang upon cleavage. The optimal conditions for cleavage activity with respect to temperature, pH, salt and divalent metal ions were investigated. The optimal cleavage temperature for all three endonucleases was found to be 37 degrees C and the activity was dependent on the concentration of NaCl with an optimum at 200 mM. Divalent metal ions, primarily Mg2+, are essential for Naegleria endonuclease activity. Whereas both Mn2+ and Ca2+ could substitute for Mg2+, but with a slower cleavage rate, Zn2+ was unable to support cleavage. Interestingly, the pH dependence of DNA cleavage was found to vary significantly between the I-NitI and I-NjaI/I-NanI endonucleases with optimal pH values at 6.5 and 9, respectively. Site-directed mutagenesis of conserved I-NjaI residues strongly supports the hypothesis that Naegleria homing endonucleases share a similar zinc-binding structure and active site with the His-Cys box homing endonuclease I-PpoI.