草菇漆酶基因vv-lac1和vv-lac6的克隆及异源表达

【目的】克隆草菇漆酶基因vv-lac1和vv-lac6的全长cDNA,证实其编码的蛋白具有漆酶活性,最终建立草菇漆酶基因的异源表达及纯化体系。【方法】利用RACE技术克隆全长cDNA序列,并利用生物信息学技术进行序列分析,在此基础上,去除全长cDNA的编码信号肽的序列并在3'端添加His-tag碱基序列,把修饰后的cDNA片段克隆到表达载体pPIC9K上,并转化到毕赤酵母GS115中进行表达,对重组蛋白利用Ni柱进行分离纯化并以ABTS底物法检测重组蛋白的漆酶活性。【结果】vv-lac1和vv-lac6的全长cDNA的长度分别为1599 bp和1554 bp,且分别含有19和15个外显子;其编码的蛋白的理论分子量分别是57.3 kDa和56.3 kDa,理论等电点分别为4.73和5.62,且都属于分泌型的胞外蛋白;表达出的重组蛋白RBvvlac1和RBvvlac6,其分子量大小约为70 kDa,说明存在翻译后修饰;含有150 mmol/L咪唑的缓冲液对RBvvlac1和RBvvlac6发酵液进行洗脱所得到的蛋白溶液具有最高漆酶活性(333.17 U/L和227.63 U/L)。【结论】草菇漆酶基因vv-lac1和vv-lac6能够编码有活性的漆酶蛋白,本研究建立的异源表达及纯化体系适用于草菇或其它漆酶基因的异源表达与纯化。     

真核生物来源漆酶的异源表达研究进展

漆酶属于多铜氧化酶家族中的一种,广泛存在于昆虫、植物、真菌和细菌中。由于其作用的底物范围较广,因此在纺织、制浆、食品以及木质素的降解等方面有广阔的应用前景。但是自然界中的漆酶存在表达量和酶活低、高温易失活等问题,限制了它的应用。对漆酶进行大量高效的异源表达,是解决这一问题的有效途径。近年来,越来越多不同来源的漆酶基因被克隆,并在不同宿主中异源表达。但这些大多局限于实验室研究,还未达到工业化生产的水平。笔者对真核生物来源漆酶的异源表达研究进展进行综述,重点介绍了真核生物来源的漆酶在不同表达系统中的异源表达情况以及在酵母细胞中表达漆酶时提高表达量和酶活性能的方法,以期为研究者们提供参考。     

梯棱羊肚菌镉胁迫响应基因ATX1功能分析

梯棱羊肚菌Morchella importuna是一种可以大田覆土栽培的珍稀食用菌,而土壤重金属污染状况日益严重,对梯棱羊肚菌菌丝生长和子实体产品质量安全构成了潜在的威胁。本研究先采用镉离子胁迫处理梯棱羊肚菌菌丝体,RT-PCR检测发现候选基因ATX1的表达量显著下调。克隆梯棱羊肚菌ATX1基因,对ATX1p蛋白结构进行功能预测,发现ATX1p可能与铜离子转运及重金属胁迫相关。然后分别构建ATX1的超表达和RNAi基因沉默载体,采用农杆菌介导的转化方法,将其转入梯棱羊肚菌同核体菌株A50中,分别筛选到4个ATX1表达显著上调的超表达转化子和4个ATX1表达显著下调的RNAi基因沉默转化子,镉敏感性检测发现ATX1的RNAi基因沉默转化子表现为镉抗性增强,而ATX1超表达转化子则表现为镉抗性减弱。结果表明,梯棱羊肚菌ATX1基因表达与镉抗性呈负相关,ATX1p可能在梯棱羊肚菌镉胁迫响应过程中发挥着某种重要作用。     

温度对梯棱羊肚菌抗氧化酶活及其基因表达的影响

大田栽培条件下,环境温度无法精确调控,温度胁迫是影响羊肚菌生长发育的重要因素。抗氧化酶和抗氧化活性物质是羊肚菌抵御逆境胁迫的重要因子。温度胁迫下,羊肚菌菌丝会通过增加相应酶活性来减少活性氧的积累,降低对细胞的损伤。作者研究了不同温度对梯棱羊肚菌菌丝生长、抗氧化酶（超氧化物歧化酶SOD、过氧化氢酶CAT、谷胱甘肽还原酶GR、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶GPX）活性及其基因表达和抗氧化活性物质的影响,结果显示：在5-25℃的温度区间内,随着温度的增加,菌丝生长速度加快,菌丝的老化速度也加快;对抗氧化酶活性研究发现,SOD、GPX和GR在低温下活性更高,CAT在高温下活性更高;抗氧化活性物质含量会随温度升高而增加,如还原型抗坏血酸（AsA）和还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）;温度越高,羊肚菌菌丝中H₂O₂、O^2-和丙二醛含量也随之增加。因此,在温度胁迫下,羊肚菌通过启动不同的抗氧化酶和抗氧化活性物质来减少活性氧含量,缓解菌丝损伤,本研究为探讨温度对羊肚菌种质质量的影响和栽培条件优化提供了基础数据支撑。     

CAZy-AA3家族酶及其在生物传感器中的应用研究进展

碳水化合物活性酶数据库（CAZy）中位于“辅助活性”（auxiliary activities,AA）3家族的酶属于葡萄糖-甲醇-胆碱氧化还原酶大家族。它们以黄素腺嘌呤二核苷酸（FAD）作为辅酶,通过反应产物（H₂O₂或对苯二酚）协助其他AA家族酶发挥作用,或辅助糖苷水解酶降解木质纤维素。根据结构序列相似性,AA3家族酶进一步细分为4个亚家族,包括 AA3_1（纤维二糖脱氢酶）、AA3_2（芳醇氧化酶、葡萄糖氧化还原酶）、AA3_3（醇氧化酶）、AA3_4（吡喃糖氧化还原酶）。AA3家族酶因其独特的结构、广泛的用途,近几十年来受到人们的广泛关注。本文系统综述了CAZy-AA3家族酶来源、分子结构及改造,对部分AA3家族酶在生物传感器中的最新研究进展进行了重点综述,并对未来研究方向进行了展望。     

梯棱羊肚菌类膨大素蛋白Cerato-Platanin (CP)生物信息学分析及原核表达

梯棱羊肚菌Morchella importuna是一种珍稀食药用菌,经济价值极高,但其生活史及子实体发育过程并未完全明确,栽培技术尚不稳定.通过查阅文献和比对梯棱羊肚菌基因组信息,找到2个Cerato-platanin(CP,类膨大素)家族的基因,分别命名为Mi-CP1与Mi-CP2.采用生物信息学方法分析了Mi-CP1和Mi-CP2蛋白的结构及理化性质,构建了系统发育树,并采用qRT-PCR检测Mi-CP1和Mi-CP2基因在菌丝期、白菌核期、黄菌核期、原基期、幼菇期、成熟子囊果期6个不同生长发育阶段的相对表达量.结果 显示:Mi-CP1仅在菌丝期显著表达,而Mi-CP2在原基期和幼菇期大量表达,其中原基期是幼菇期的4.7倍,表明Cerato-platanin(CP)蛋白不仅与梯棱羊肚菌的营养生长有关,还可能参与了子囊果的发育.通过去除信号肽,分别构建pMAL-c2X-CP1X和pMAL-c2X-CP2X的原核表达载体,在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)菌株中诱导表达,结果仅Mi-CP1X蛋白成功诱导表达,而Mi-CP2X蛋白未能成功诱导表达,推测可能与使用的表达载体有关.本研究为揭示CP蛋白在羊肚菌生长发育过程中的作用奠定了基础.     

真菌漆酶及其应用

漆酶是一种含铜多酚氧化酶,在白腐菌中普遍存在,少数低等真菌和植物中也产生,多为分泌型糖蛋白。至少20种漆酶得到了分离和纯化。该酶是一种氨基酸残基在500个左右的单体酶,一般都为酸性蛋白,含有4个铜离子,形成3个活性区域;表面一些氨基酸被不同程度地糖基化。晶体结构和其它一些波谱学研究解释了其空间结构和可能的电子传递机制。运用PCR技术和cDNA文库技术,越来越多的漆酶基因被克隆,许多来源的基因都是以家族形式存在于染色体上的。已研究的漆酶基因中都含有10个左右的内含子,这些内含子在活性域位置上有比较高的保守性。一些特殊序列的存在与否决定了该酶的表达形式-诱导型或组成型,诱导型菌株的调控序列中含有一段受酚类化合物作用的序列,而不含有该序列的酶基因则都是组成型表达的。漆酶在S.cerevisiae、Trichodermareesei、A.oryzaeTATAamylase和Pichiapasti等异源表达系统中有成功表达的报道。漆酶的应用集中在以下几方面:漆酶参与的有机合成;生物检测;有毒化合物的消除;工业废水处理;纸浆的生物漂白;等等。     

植物多铜氧化酶及其亚家族成员SKS蛋白

多铜氧化酶包括抗坏血酸氧化酶、漆酶、血浆铜蓝蛋白等多种类型,是植物体内非常重要的一类金属氧化酶,并在植物多种生理过程中发挥着举足轻重的作用。SKS(The skewed5simliar)蛋白是多铜氧化酶家族中一类缺乏铜离子连接所必需的组氨酸残基的特殊成员,由于缺失正常的多铜氧化酶酶活性中心,可能在植物发育中被赋予了新的功能。本文就多铜氧化酶铜离子连接位点、底物选择、演化过程以及植物SKS家族基因的研究进行了阐述。     

真菌漆酶及其应用

漆酶是一种含铜多酚氧化酶,在白腐菌中普遍存在,少数低等真菌和植物中也产生,多为分泌型糖蛋白,至少20种漆酶得到了分离和纯化。该酶是一种氨基酸残基在500个左右的单体酶,一般都为酸性蛋白,含有4个铜离子,形成3个活性区域。表面一些氨基酸被不同程度地糖基化,晶体结构和其它一些波谱学研究解释了其空间结构和可能的电子传递机制,运用PCR技术和cDNA文库技术,越来越多的漆酶基因被克隆,许多来源的基因都是以家族形式存在于染色体上的。已研究的漆酶基因中都含有10个左右的内含子,这些内含子在活性域位置上有比较高的保守性。一些特殊序列的存在与否决定了该酶的表达形式－诱导型或组成型,诱导型菌株的调控序列中含有一段受酚类化合物作用的序列,而不含有该序列的酶基因则都是组成型表达的。漆酶在S.cervisiae,Trichnoderma reesei,A.oryzae TATA amylase和Pichia pasti等异源表达系统中有成功表达的报道。漆酶的应用集中在在以下几方面：漆酶参与的有机合成,生物检测,有毒化合物的消除。工业废水处理,纸浆的生物漂白;等等。     

漆酶空间结构、反应机理及应用

漆酶 (EC 1.10.3.2) 属于多铜氧化酶家族,可以催化氧化酚类和芳香类化合物,利用自由基反应机理完成4个电子的转移,并将分子氧还原成水。漆酶具有非常保守的拓扑学结构,结合作者自身工作实践,对漆酶结构与功能的最新研究进展进行综述,其中对漆酶的三维结构、活性中心、催化机理研究和最新的应用进展作重点阐述。     

The ScCas9++ variant expands the CRISPR toolbox for genome editing in plants

The development of clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein (Cas) variants with a broader recognition scope is critical for further improvement of CRISPR/Cas systems. The original Cas9 protein from Streptococcus canis (ScCas9) can recognize simple NNG-protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) targets, and therefore possesses a broader range relative to current CRISPR/Cas systems, but its editing efficiency is low in plants. Evolved ScCas9⁺ and ScCas9⁺⁺ variants have been shown to possess higher editing efficiencies in human cells, but their activities in plants are currently unknown. Here, we utilized codon-optimized ScCas9, ScCas9⁺ and ScCas9⁺⁺ and a nickase variant ScCas9n⁺⁺ to systematically investigate genome cleavage activity and cytidine base editing efficiency in rice (Oryza sativa L.). This analysis revealed that ScCas9⁺⁺ has higher editing efficiency than ScCas9 and ScCas9⁺ in rice. Furthermore, we fused the evolved cytidine deaminase PmCDA1 with ScCas9n⁺⁺ to generate a new evoBE4max-type cytidine base editor, termed PevoCDA1-ScCas9n⁺⁺. This base editor achieved stable and efficient multiplex-site base editing at NNG-PAM sites with wider editing windows (C₋₁–C₁₇) and without target sequence context preference. Multiplex-site base editing of the rice genes OsWx (three targets) and OsEui1 (two targets) achieved simultaneous editing and produced new rice germplasm. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ScCas9⁺⁺ represents a crucial new tool for improving plant editing.     

不同固体发酵培养基下三种白腐真菌分泌的木质纤维素酶活性

本研究选取众所周知的典型白腐真菌树舌灵芝Ganoderma applanatum、毛栓孔菌Trametes hirsuta和木蹄层孔菌Fomes fomentarius作为研究对象,对其利用木质纤维生物质进行发酵及添加有机营养、无机盐、金属离子、表面活性剂等进行了探索,期间以测定漆酶、滤纸纤维素酶、木聚糖酶活性表征3种菌株对木质纤维生物质的预处理能力,为确定白腐真菌菌株及单环境因子而达到高效预处理木质纤维生物质提高生物转化效率的目的奠定了重要的理论基础。结果显示,3种菌株分泌的木质纤维素酶在10周内基本都呈现先上升后下降的趋势,且酶活都较高,均可作为木质纤维生物质预处理的备选菌株。相比于针叶树（落叶松）基质,阔叶树（白桦）基质更适宜于3种菌株生长及分泌木质纤维素酶。各环境因子中,Cu²⁺的添加可提高漆酶活性,表面活性剂对于3种酶活的诱导作用均十分显著。     

硬毛粗盖孔菌过氧化氢酶家族基因鉴定及表达分析

硬毛粗盖孔菌是一种结实能力强的耐热真菌,为了探究其过氧化氢酶(CAT)基因家族的基本特征和功能,分别对不同交配型单核体Ct001_29和Ct001_31基因组的CAT基因家族进行了鉴定,并分析了不同CAT家族基因在不同温度条件下培养的菌丝、原基和子实体中的表达特征。硬毛粗盖孔菌基因组上有3个CAT基因(Ctcat1-Ctcat3),编码510-743个氨基酸;Ctcat1、Ctcat2和Ctcat3的等位基因之间的结构及序列相对保守,但编码区也存在少量SNP变异(6-14个)。在25 ℃培养菌丝和35 ℃培养菌丝、原基及子实体中,35 ℃菌丝的CAT酶活最高,为278 U/mg蛋白,原基期CAT酶活最低,为4 U/mg蛋白。Ctcat2的表达丰度显著高于Ctcat1和Ctcat3,Ctcat1和Ctcat3具有相似的表达模式,在35 ℃菌丝、原基和子实体中均上调表达;而Ctcat2具有相反的表达模式,在35 ℃菌丝、原基和子实体中均下调表达。此外,Ctcat2在原基时期、Ctcat3在25 ℃菌丝和35 ℃菌丝中具有偏好表达,Ct29cat2和Ct29cat3的表达量均高于各自的等位基因。本研究所发现的CAT等位基因表达偏好为进一步揭示大型真菌CAT的基因功能奠定了基础。     

Identification of a cDNA encoding a novel C18-Δ polyunsaturated fatty acid-specific elongating activity from the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-producing microalga, Isochrysis galbana

Isochrysis galbana, a marine prymnesiophyte microalga, is rich in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3, Δ^{4,7,10,13,16,19}). We used a polymerase chain reaction-based strategy to isolate a cDNA, designated IgASE1, encoding a polyunsaturated fatty acid-elongating activity from I. galbana. The coding region of 263 amino acids predicts a protein of 30 kDa that shares only limited homology to animal and fungal proteins with elongating activity. Functional analysis of IgASE1, by expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was used to determine its activity and substrate specificity. Transformed yeast cells specifically elongated the C18-Δ⁹ polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid (C18:2n-6, Δ^9,12) and -linolenic acid (C18:3n-3, Δ^9,12,15), to eicosadienoic acid (C20:2n-6, Δ^11,14) and eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3n-3, Δ^11,14,17), respectively. To our knowledge this is the first time such an elongating activity has been functionally characterised. The results also suggest that a major route for eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3, Δ^5,8,11,14,17) and docosahexaenoic acid syntheses in I. galbana may involve a Δ⁸ desaturation pathway.     

Production, purification and partial enzymatic and molecular characterization of a laccase from the wood-rotting ascomycete Xylaria polymorpha

The hard wood-colonizing ascomycete Xylaria polymorpha, that is seemingly lacking peroxidases, produces laccase as sole ligninolytic oxidoreductase. The fungus secreted the enzyme preferably during the growth in complex media based on tomato juice. Addition of 2,5-xylidine considerably stimulated laccase production (up to 14,000 U l⁻¹). The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by anion exchange and size exclusion chromatography and characterized by biochemical and molecular methods. Xylaria laccase has a molecular mass of 67 kDa, a pI of 3.1 and an absorption maximum at 605 nm that is characteristic for blue copper proteins. It oxidized all typical laccase substrates including ABTS, 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, guaiacol as well as syringaldazine (catalytic efficiencies 3 × 10³ to 7 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹). The deduced amino acid sequence of one amplified laccase gene sequence between the copper binding regions 1 and 3 showed a high level of identity to some other laccases from ascomycetes. Furthermore, the sequence of an internal peptide fragment of the purified laccase was identical with an amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the laccase gene. Xylaria laccase was found to oxidize a non-phenolic β-O-4 lignin model compound in presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole into the corresponding keto-form. The results of this study show that – in addition to ligninolytic basidiomycetes – also wood-dwelling ascomycetes can produce high titers of laccase that may be involved in the oxidation of lignin.     

黄孢原毛平革菌产漆酶优化培养及其对刚果红的脱色降解

以白腐真菌模式菌株黄孢原毛平革菌Phanerochaete chrysosporium为研究对象,探讨培养条件、重金属和芳香族化合物对产漆酶的影响,并进一步研究漆酶对刚果红的降解效果。结果表明,P. chrysosporium产漆酶最适培养条件：葡萄糖为碳源,蛋白胨为氮源,碳氮比为90。培养8d后,漆酶酶活为911.1U/L;Mn²⁺严格地控制着P.chrysosporium产漆酶,而Cu²⁺对其影响不大,在添加4.0mmol/L Mn²⁺时,漆酶酶活为2 001.7U/L;芳香族化合物中藜芦醇（veratryl alcohol,VA）、4-香豆酸、香草醛和香草酸对菌体产漆酶能力均有促进作用,最高可提升至1 459.1U/L,而咖啡酸对菌体产漆酶稍有抑制。100U/L漆酶粗酶液可降解40mg/L刚果红,降解率为24.0%;而当介体物质VA存在时,该降解效率可提升至87.7%。     

Catalysis of plastocyanin electron self-exchange by redox-inert multivalent cations

Electron self-exchange in solutions of the ‘blue’ copper protein plastocyanin is catalysed by the redox-inert multivalent cations Mg²⁺ or Co(NH₃)³⁺₆. Measurements of specific ¹H-NMR line broadening with 50% reduced solutions in the presence of these cations show that electron exchange proceeds through encounters of cation-protein complexes which dissociate at high ionic strength. In the presence of 8mM (5 equivalents/total protein) Co(NH₃)³⁺₆, with 10 mM cacodylate (pH^*6.0) as background electrolyte, the bimolecular rate constant at 25°C is 7 × 10⁴ M⁻¹·s⁻¹. For comparison, the ‘electrostatically screened’ rate constant measured in 0.1 M KCl in the absence of added multivalent cations is ˜ 4 × 10³ M¹·s⁻¹.

Plastocyanin Electron self-exchange NMR Protein-protein interaction Multivalent cation Blue copper protein     

小檗碱对大鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用及免疫机制*

目的:探讨小檗碱对大鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用及免疫机制。方法:50只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(Sham group)、模型组(Model group)、小檗碱低剂量组(BBR-L,25 mg/kg)、小檗碱中剂量组(BBR-M,50 mg/kg)、小檗碱高剂量组(BBR-H,100 mg/kg),每组各10只。采用Longa线栓法建立脑缺血/再灌注大鼠模型,缺血2 h后再灌注24 h处理。于造模成功2 h后灌胃给药,假手术组和模型组组按上述方法同体积给予生理盐水。给药24 h后,测定各组大鼠神经功能缺损程度评分及脑梗死率;采用ELISA法检测抗氧化酶SOD和GSH-Px的活性、细胞因子TNF-α、IFN-β、IL-6和NO的含量;采用流式细胞术检测CD4⁺、CD8⁺及CD4⁺/CD8⁺血清含量;进一步采用RT-qPCR与Western blot技术检测大鼠脑组织内NF-κB-NLRP3信号轴关键基因及蛋白的表达情况。结果:与假手术组比较,模型组大鼠神经功能缺损程度、脑梗死率均升高(P＜0.05),且血清NO、TNF-α、IFN-β、IL-6含量和脑组织的NF-κB p65、NLRP3、ASC及caspase-1基因与蛋白表达水平均升高(P＜0.05),而血清中SOD、GSH-Px活性和CD4⁺、CD8⁺及CD4⁺/CD8⁺水平下降(P＜0.05);与模型组比较,BBR-H、BBR-M、BBR-L组大鼠神经功能缺损程度、脑梗死率均下降(P＜0.05),且血清NO、TNF-α、IFN-β、IL-6含量和脑组织的NF-κB p65、NLRP3、ASC及caspase-1基因与蛋白表达水平均降低(P＜0.05),而血清中SOD、GSH-Px活性和CD4⁺、CD8⁺及CD4⁺/CD8⁺水平升高(P＜0.05)。结论:小檗碱可通过减轻氧化应激,抑制炎症反应,增强免疫功能,减轻大鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤,其机制可能与抑制NF-κB-NLRP3信号有关。     

Electrospray mass spectrometry of trans-[Ru(NO)Cl(dpaH)2] (dpaH=2,2′-dipyridylamine) and ‘caged NO’, [RuCl3(NO)(H2O)2]: loss of HCl and NO from positive ions versus NO and Cl from negative ions

The positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) of trans-[Ru(NO)Cl)(dpaH)₂]Cl₂ (dpaH=2,2′-dipyridylamine), obtained from the carrier solvent of H₂O–CH₃OH (50:50), revealed 1+ ions of the formulas [Ru^II(NO⁺)Cl(dpaH)(dpa)]⁺ (m/z=508), [Ru^IIICl(dpaH)(dpa⁻)]⁺ (m/z=478), [Ru^II(NO⁺)(dpa)₂]⁺ (m/z=472), [Ru^III(dpa)₂]⁺ (m/z=442), originating from proton dissociation from the parent [Ru^II(NO⁺)Cl(dpaH)₂]²⁺ ion with subsequent loss of NO (17.4% of dissociative events) or loss of HCl (82.6% of dissociative events). Further loss of NO from the m/z=472 fragment yields the m/z=442 fragment. Thus, ionization of the NH moiety of dpaH is a significant factor in controlling the net ionic charge in the gas phase, and allowing preferential dissociation of HCl in the fragmentation processes. With NaCl added, an ion pair, {Na[Ru^II(NO)Cl(dpa)₂]}⁺ (m/z=530; 532), is detectable. All these positive mass peaks that contain Ru carry a signature ‘handprint’ of adjacent m/z peaks due to the isotopic distribution of ¹⁰⁴Ru, ¹⁰²Ru, ¹⁰¹Ru, ⁹⁹Ru, ⁹⁸Ru and ⁹⁶Ru mass centered around ¹⁰¹Ru for each fragment, and have been matched to the theoretical isotopic distribution for each set of peaks centered on the main isotope peak. When the starting complex is allowed to undergo aquation for two weeks in H₂O, loss of the axial Cl⁻ is shown by the approximately 77% attenuation of the [Ru^II(NO⁺)Cl(dpaH)(dpa)]⁺ ion, being replaced by the [Ru^II(NO⁺)(H₂O)(dpa)₂]⁺ (m/z=490) as the most abundant high-mass species. Loss of H₂O is observed to form [Ru^II(NO⁺)(dpa)₂]⁺ (m/z=472). No positive ion mass spectral peaks were observed for RuCl₃(NO)(H₂O)₂, ‘caged NO’. Negative ions were observed by proton dissociation forming [Ru^II(NO)Cl₃(H₂O)(OH)]⁻ in the ionization chamber, detecting the parent 1− ion at m/z=274, followed by the loss of NO as the main dissociative pathway that produces [Ru^IIICl₃(H₂O)(OH)]⁻ (m/z=244). This species undergoes reductive elimination of a chlorine atom, forming [Ru^IICl₂(H₂O)(OH)]⁻ (m/z=208). The ease of the NO dissociation is increased for the negative ions, which should be more able to stabilize a Ru^III product upon NO loss.     

Cuprous oxidase activity of yeast Fet3p and human ceruloplasmin: implication for function

The Fet3 protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammalian ceruloplasmin are multicopper oxidases (MCO) that are required for iron homeostasis via their catalysis of the ferroxidase reaction, 4Fe(2+)+O(2)+4H(+)-->4Fe(3+)+2H(2)O. The enzymes may play an essential role in copper homeostasis since they exhibit a strikingly similar kinetic activity towards Cu(1+) as substrate. In contrast, laccase, an MCO that exhibits weak activity towards Fe(2+), exhibits a similarly weak activity towards Cu(1+). Kinetic analyses of the Fet3p reaction demonstrate that the ferroxidase and cuprous oxidase activities are due to the same electron transfer site on the enzyme. These two ferroxidases are fully competent kinetically to play a major role in maintaining the cuprous-cupric redox balance in aerobic organisms.