Purification and biochemical properties of glutathione S-transferase from Lactuca sativa

A glutathione S-transferase (GST) from Lactuca sativa was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity approximately 403-fold with a 9.6% activity yield by DEAE-Sephacel and glutathione (GSH)-Sepharose column chromatography. The molecular weight of the enzyme was determined to be approximately 23,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and 48,000 by gel chromatography, indicating a homodimeric structure. The activity of the enzyme was significantly inhibited by ShexylGSH and S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) glutathione. The enzyme displayed activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, a general GST substrate and high activities towards ethacrynic acid. It also exhibited glutathione peroxidase activity toward cumene hydroperoxide.     

Interrelationship between anionic and cationic forms of glutathione S-transferases of human liver.

Human liver glutathione S-transferases (GSH S-transferases) were fractionated into cationic and anionic proteins. During fractionation with (NH4)2SO4 the anionic GSH S-transferases are concentrated in the 65%-saturated-(NH4)2SO4 fraction, whereas the cationic GSH S-transferases separate in the 80%-saturated-(NH4)2SO4 fraction. From the 65%-saturated-(NH4)2SO4 fraction two new anionic GSH S-transferases, omega and psi, were purified to homogeneity by using ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, affinity chromatography on GSH bound to epoxy-activated Sepharose and isoelectric focusing. By a similar procedure, cationic GSH S-transferases were purified from the 80%-saturated-(NH4)2SO4 fraction. Isoelectric points of GSH S-transferases omega and psi are 4.6 and 5.4 respectively. GSH S-transferase omega is the major anionic GSH S-transferase of human liver, whereas GSH S-transferase psi is present only in traces. The subunit mol.wt. of GSH S-transferase omega is about 22500, whereas that of cationic GSH S-transferases is about 24500. Kinetic and structural properties as well as the amino acid composition of GSH S-transferase omega are described. The antibodies raised against cationic GSH S-transferases cross-react with GSH S-transferase omega. There are significant differences between the catalytic properties of GSH S-transferase omega and the cationic GSH S-transferases. GSH peroxidase II activity is displayed by all five cationic GSH S-transferases, whereas both anionic GSH S-transferases do not display this activity.     

Enzymatic properties of a new peptide deformylase from pathogenic bacterium Leptospira interrogans

Membrane-associated prostaglandin E synthase (mPGE synthase) was previously purified to apparent homogeneity from the microsomal fraction of bovine heart (Watanabe, K., et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1439, 406--414, 1999). The N-terminal 22-amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme was identical to that of the 88th to 109th amino acids deduced from the monkey (AB046026) or human (AK024100) cDNA that encodes a hypothetical protein with unknown function. The primary structure has the consensus region of glutaredoxin and of thioredoxin. We constructed an expression plasmid, using the vector (pTrc-HisA) and the monkey cDNA for the 290-amino-acid polypeptide. The recombinant protein with a M(r) of 33 kDa exhibited PGE synthase activity and was purified to apparent homogeneity by nickel-chelating column chromatography. The V(max) and K(m) values for PGH(2) of the purified recombinant mPGE synthase were about 3.3 mumol/min center dot mg of protein and 28 muM, respectively. The recombinant enzyme was activated by various SH-reducing reagents, i.e., dithiothreitol, glutathione (GSH), and beta-mercaptoethanol, in order of decreasing effectiveness. Moreover, the mRNA distribution was high in the heart and brain, but the mRNA was not expressed in the seminal vesicles. These results indicate that the recombinant mPGE synthase is identical to the enzyme purified from the microsomal fraction of bovine heart, and is a novel type of mPGE synthase based on the primary structure, a broad specificity of thiol requirement, and tissue distribution.     

Transforming growth factor beta 1 treatment of AKR-2B cells is coupled through a pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-protein(s).

Spermidine synthase was purified to apparent homogeneity from human spleens (8700-fold) by affinity chromatography. The native enzyme was composed of two subunits of identical Mr (35,000) and showed an apparent Mr of 62,000 in pore-gradient gel electrophoresis. Its pI was 5.1, Spermine synthase was purified to apparent homogeneity from placenta (5300-fold) and from kidney (4600-fold). The native enzyme was composed of two subunits of identical Mr (45,000) and showed an apparent Mr of 78,000 in pore-gradient gel electrophoresis. In isoelectric focusing it revealed two bands, with pI values of 4.9 and 5.0. Both synthases were present in all human tissues studied, but revealed a clear tissue-specific pattern. Mouse antisera against spermidine synthase revealed only one band, of Mr 35,000, in all purified enzyme preparations and in crude human tissue extracts in immunoblotting. Antisera against spermine synthase showed an immunoreactive band corresponding to the Mr of the subunit of spermine synthase. These antisera did not indicate any cross-reactivity in immunoblotting. Thus spermine synthase and spermidine synthase do not share homologous antigenic sites and are totally different proteins.     

Flavanone synthase from Petroselinum hortense. Molecular weight, subunit composition, size of messenger RNA, and absence of pantetheinyl residue.

Flavanone synthase from irradiated cell suspension cultures of parsley was purified to apparent homogeneity. Molecular weights of about 77 000 for the enzyme and about 42 000 for the subunits were determined respectively by sedimentation-equilibrium measurements and disc-gel electrophoresis in the presence of dodecyl sulfate. A specific antiserum was prepared for the enzyme and was used in an assay for flavanone synthase mRNA activity in partially purified RNA preparations. The apparent molecular size of flavanone synthase mRNA was estimated by sucrose gradient centrifugation and gel electrophoresis under partially denaturing conditions. Values of about 17 S and Mr = 0.62 X 10(6) were obtained. The fractionation patterns suggested that flavanone synthase mRNA was homogeneous in size. All together, the results support the idea that the enzyme is composed of two subunits which are probably identical. Amino acid analysis and a microbial assay were carried out to test the possible occurrence of cysteamine, beta-alanine, and pantothenate in the enzyme. The results were negative, indicating the absence of pantetheine or a similar residue. The possible similarity in mechanism between flavanone synthase and 3-oxoacyl-(acyl carrier protein) synthase is discussed.     

Purification of nitric oxide synthase from rat macrophages.

Nitric oxide (NO) synthase (EC 1.14.23) has been purified to apparent homogeneity from rat macrophages. The purification procedure involves affinity chromatography with adenosine 2',5'-diphosphate-agarose and gel filtration chromatography on a Superose 12 HR 10/30 column. The apparent molecular weight is 300,000 by gel filtration. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate, the enzyme migrates as a single protein band with Mr = 150,000. The purified enzyme is colorless, and an absorption maximum is observed at 280 nm. The half-life of the enzyme activity is 6 h at pH 7.4 and 4 degrees C. The enzyme activity required the presence of NADPH, (6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin, and dithiothreitol. Although the cerebellar and endothelial enzyme require Ca2+ and calmodulin, these are not required by the macrophage enzyme. The macrophage nitric oxide synthase (an inducible enzyme) seems to be different from the cerebellar and endothelial enzyme (a constitutive enzyme).     

Interrelationship between cationic and anionic forms of glutathione S-transferases of bovine ocular lens.

Since the eye is constantly exposed to potentially damaging chemical compounds present in the atmosphere and vascular system, we investigated the physiological role of glutathione S-transferase (GSH S-transferase) in detoxification mechanisms operative in the ocular lens. We have purified an anionic and a cationic GSH S-transferase from the bovine lens to homogeneity through a combination of gel filtration, ion-exchange and affinity chromatography. The anionic (pI 5.6) and cationic (pI 7.4) S-transferases were found to have distinct kinetic parameters (apparent Km and Vmax. pH optimum and energy of activation). However, both species were demonstrated to have similar molecular weights and amino acid compositions. Double-immunodiffusion and immunotitration studies showed that both lens S-transferases were immunologically similar. The very close similarity in amino acid compositions and immunological properties strongly indicates that these two transferases either originate from the same gene or at least share common antigenic determinants and originate from similar genes. The bovine lens GSH S-transferases had no glutathione peroxidase activity with either t-butyl hydroperoxide or cumene hydroperoxide as substrate. However, the antibody raised against the homogeneous anionic glutathione S-transferase from the bovine lens was found to precipitate both glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase activities out of solution in the supernatant of a crude bovine liver homogenate.     

Dinitrophenyl S-glutathione ATPase purified from human muscle catalyzes ATP hydrolysis in the presence of leukotrienes.

Dinitrophenyl S-glutathione (Dnp-SG) ATPase has been purified from human muscle to apparent homogeneity using Dnp-SG affinity chromatography and immunoaffinity chromatography using antibodies raised against human erythrocyte Dnp-SG ATPase. The enzyme purified from human muscle showed a subunit M(r) value of about 38 kDa in denaturing gels. The M(r) value of the native enzyme as determined by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration was found to be about 80 kDa, which indicates that it is a dimer. The N-terminus of the enzyme was blocked. Its immunological and kinetic properties were similar to Dnp-SG ATPase of human erythrocytes. Besides catalyzing the ATP hydrolysis in the presence of Dnp-SG, the muscle enzyme also catalyzed ATP hydrolysis in the presence of various leukotrienes, namely LTC4.LTD4, LTE4, and N-acetyl LTE4. The specific activity of the enzyme toward LTC4 was relatively higher than other GSH-xenobiotic conjugates. The muscle enzyme exhibits a low Km value for all leukotrienes as compared to Dnp-SG, indicating high affinity of the enzyme for leukotrienes as activators. The enzyme also catalyzed ATP hydrolysis in the presence of GSH conjugates of endogenously generated fatty acid epoxides. Our results might suggest that Dnp-SG ATPase is involved in the transport of GSH conjugates, leukotrienes, and other organic anions in muscle, erythrocytes, liver, and probably other tissues.     

Purification and partial characterization of glycogen synthase kinase-3 from rabbit liver

Summary Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) was purified from rabbit liver to homogeneity by ultracentrifugation, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Cellulose phosphate, CM-Sephadex and Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) on Mono-S column. The enzyme was purified approximately 20,000 fold with an approximate 2% recovery. The purified enzyme showed a single band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. GSK-3 is a monomeric enzyme with a molecular weight of 50,000–52,000 as derived from SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration. The purified enzyme was indeed a GSK-3 since it phosphorylated three sites, i.e., 3a, 3b, and 3c on liver glycogen synthase. GSK-3 incorporated up to 2.6 mol Pi/mol glycogen synthase subunit with a concomitant inactivation of glycogen synthase activity.     

Purification and some properties of rabbit liver cytosol thioltransferase

Thioltransferase was purified 650-fold from rabbit liver by procedures including acid treatment, heat treatment, gel filtration on Sephadex G-50, column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, isoelectric focusing (pH 3.5-10) and gel filtration on Sephadex G-75. The final enzyme preparation was almost homogeneous in polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis. Only one active peak with an apparent molecular weight (Mr) of 13,000 was detected by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 and only a single protein band with a molecular weight of 12,400 was detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Isoelectric focusing revealed only one enzyme species, having an isoelectric point (pI) of 5.3. The enzyme has an optimum pH about 3.0 with S-sulfocysteine and GSH as substrates. The purified enzyme utilized some disulfides including S-sulfocysteine, alpha-chymotrypsin, trypsin, bovine serum albumin, and insulin as substrates in the presence of GSH. The enzyme does not act as a protein : disulfide isomerase (the activity of which can be measured in terms of reactivation of randomly reoxidized soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor). The enzyme activity was inhibited by chloramphenicol, but not by bacitracin. The inhibition by chloramphenicol was non-competitive (apparent K1 of 0.5 mM). Thioltransferase activity was found in the cytosol of various rabbit tissues.