Requirement of Catalytic-Triad and Related Amino Acids for the Acyltransferase Activity of Tanacetum cinerariifolium GDSL Lipase/Esterase TcGLIP for Ester-Bond Formation in Pyrethrin Biosynthesis

We have recently discovered that a GDSL lipase/esterase (TcGLIP) in Tanacetum cinerariifolium catalyzed acyltransferase activity to form an ester bond in the natural insecticide, pyrethrin. TcGLIP contained Ser40 in Block I, Gly64 in Block II, Asn168 in Block III and Asp318 and His321 in Block V, suggesting underlying hydrolase activity, although little is known about their role in acyltransferase activity. We expressed TcGLIP here in Esherichia coli as a fusion with maltose-binding protein (MBP), part of the fusion being cleaved with a protease to obtain MBP-free TcGLIP. A kinetic analysis revealed that the MBP moiety scarcely influenced the kinetic parameters. The effects on acyltransferase activity of mutations of Gly64, Asn168, Asp318 and His321 were investigated by using MBP-fused TcGLIP. Mutations of these amino acids markedly reduced the acyltransferase activity, suggesting their critical role in the production of pyrethrins.     

Relationship between structure and biochemical phenotype of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) mutants causing fish-eye disease

In order to test the hypothesis that fish-eye disease (FED) is due to a deficient activation of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) by its co-factor apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, we overexpressed the natural mutants T123I, N131D, N391S, and other engineered mutants in Cos-1 cells. Esterase activity was measured on a monomeric phospholipid enelogue, phospholipase A(2) activity was measured on reconstituted high density lipoprotein (HDL), and acyltransferase activity was measured both on rHDL and on low density lipoprotein (LDL). The natural FED mutants have decreased phospholipase A(2) activity on rHDL, which accounts for the decreased acyltransferase activity previously reported. All mutants engineered at positions 131 and 391 had decreased esterase activity on a monomeric substrate and decreased acyltransferase activity on LDL. In contrast, mutations at position 123 preserved these activities and specifically decreased phospholipase A(2) and acyltransferase activites on rHDL. Mutations of hydrophilic residues in amphipathic helices alpha 3;-4 and alpha His to an alanine did not affect the mutants' activity on rHDL. Based upon the 3D model built for human LCAT, we designed a new mutant F382A, which had a biochemical phenotype similar to the natural T123I FED mutant.These data suggest that residues T123 and F382, located N-terminal of helices alpha 3-4 and alpha His, contribute specifically to the interaction of LCAT with HDL and possibly with its co-factor apoA-I. Residues N131 and N391 seem critical for the optimal orientation of the two amphipathic helices necessary for the recognition of a lipoprotein substrate by the enzyme.     

Mammalian wax biosynthesis. II. Expression cloning of wax synthase cDNAs encoding a member of the acyltransferase enzyme family

Wax monoesters are synthesized by the esterification of fatty alcohols and fatty acids. A mammalian enzyme that catalyzes this reaction has not been isolated. We used expression cloning to identify cDNAs encoding a wax synthase in the mouse preputial gland. The wax synthase gene is located on the X chromosome and encodes a member of the acyltransferase family of enzymes that synthesize neutral lipids. Expression of wax synthase in cultured cells led to the formation of wax monoesters from straight chain saturated, unsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty alcohols and acids. Polyisoprenols also were incorporated into wax monoesters by the enzyme. The wax synthase had little or no ability to synthesize cholesteryl esters, diacylglycerols, or triacylglycerols, whereas other acyltransferases, including the acyl-CoA:monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 and 2 enzymes and the acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 and 2 enzymes, exhibited modest wax monoester synthesis activities. Confocal light microscopy indicated that the wax synthase was localized in membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum. Wax synthase mRNA was abundant in tissues rich in sebaceous glands such as the preputial gland and eyelid and was present at lower levels in other tissues. Coexpression of cDNAs specifying fatty acyl-CoA reductase 1 and wax synthase led to the synthesis of wax monoesters. The data suggest that wax monoester synthesis in mammals involves a two step biosynthetic pathway catalyzed by fatty acyl-CoA reductase and wax synthase enzymes.     

Identification of an insulin-regulated lysophospholipase with homology to neuropathy target esterase

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is a member of the family of patatin domain-containing proteins and exhibits phospholipase activity in brain and cultured cells. NTE was originally identified as target enzyme for organophosphorus compounds that cause a delayed paralyzing syndrome with degeneration of nerve axons. Here we show that the structurally related murine protein NTE-related esterase (NRE) is a potent lysophospholipase. The enzyme efficiently hydrolyzes sn-1 esters in lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidic acid. No lipase activity was observed when triacylglycerols, cholesteryl esters, retinyl esters, phosphatidylcholine, or monoacylglycerol were used as substrates. Although NTE is predominantly expressed in the nervous system, we found the highest NRE mRNA levels in testes, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and adipose tissue. Induction of NRE mRNA concentrations in these tissues during fasting suggested a nutritional regulation of enzyme expression and, in accordance with this observation, insulin reduced NRE mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. A green fluorescent protein-NRE fusion protein colocalized to the endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets. Thus, NRE is a previously unrecognized ER- and lipid droplet-associated lysophospholipase. Regulation of enzyme expression by the nutritional status and insulin suggests a role of NRE in the catabolism of lipid precursors and/or mediators that affect energy metabolism in mammals.     

Regulation of neutral cholesterol esterase and acyl-CoA : cholesterol acyltransferase in the rat adrenal gland.

The activities of neutral cholesterol esterase and acyl-CoA : cholesterol acyltransferase in rat adrenal gland were measured at various time intervals over 24 h. The activity of cholesterol esterase displayed diurnal rhythm, with a major peak at the onset of darkness coinciding with the peak in the diurnal rhythm of plasma corticosterone concentration. The activity of acyl-CoA : cholesterol acyltransferase also exhibited a characteristic diurnal rhythm, with the minimum activity occurring 3 h after the onset of darkness. The profile of the rhythm exhibited by the activity of the esterifying enzyme was similar to the mirror image of the pattern of diurnal rhythm in the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase. Microsomal non-esterified cholesterol showed a gradual decline with a significant decrease in concentration at the onset of darkness, thus suggesting that diurnal removal of cholesterol in the environment of the esterifying enzyme and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase leads to such diurnal decrease or increase in the activities of these two enzymes. Acute administration of corticotropin led to a 3-fold increase in the activity of cholesterol esterase, a 50% decrease in the activity of acyl-CoA : cholesterol acyltransferase and a 2-fold increase in the activity of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase. Corticotropin administration also resulted in a significant decrease in microsomal non-esterified cholesterol and increase in plasma corticosterone concentration. These observations suggest that corticotropin plays an important part in generating the diurnal rhythm in the activities of the three enzymes.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of a bifunctional xylanolytic enzyme from Neocallimastix patriciarum

A cDNA encoding a bifunctional acetylxylan esterase/xylanase, XynS20E, was cloned from the ruminal fungus Neocallimastix patriciarum. A putative conserved domain of carbohydrate esterase family 1 was observed at the N-terminus and a putative conserved domain of glycosyl hydrolase family 11 was detected at the C-terminus of XynS20E. To examine the enzyme activities, XynS20E was expressed in Escherichia coli as a recombinant His₆ fusion protein and purified by immobilized metal ion-affinity chromatography. Response surface modeling combined with central composite design and regression analysis was then applied to determine the optimal temperature and pH conditions of the recombinant XynS20E. The optimal conditions for the highest xylanase activity of the recombinant XynS20E were observed at a temperature of 49°C and a pH of 5.8, while those for the highest carbohydrate esterase activity were observed at a temperature of 58°C and a pH of 8.2. Under the optimal conditions for the enzyme activity, the xylanase and acetylxylan esterase specific activities of the recombinant XynS20E toward birchwood xylan were 128.7 and 873.1 U mg⁻¹, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a bifunctional xylanolytic enzyme with acetylxylan esterase and xylanase activities from rumen fungus.     

YesT: a new rhamnogalacturonan acetyl esterase from Bacillus subtilis

YesT, a putative protein from Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 that has been provisionally classified as a rhamnogalacturonan acetyl esterase (RGAE) in CE-12 family, was cloned, expressed in Escherichiacoli Rosetta (DE3), and purified. The enzyme is monomeric with a molecular mass of 37 kDa and presents thermophilic properties similar to RGAE from Aspergillus aculeatus, although YesT is more alkaliphilic. The study of inhibitors confirmed the importance of the His and the nucleophilic Ser for the esterase activity, apart from the Asp from the catalytic triad. This enzyme also presents broad substrate specificity, and is active toward 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, cephalosporin C, p-nitrophenyl acetate, beta-naphthyl acetate, glucose pentaacetate, and acetylated xylan. Moreover, YesT achieves a synergistic effect together with xylanase A toward acetylated xylan. As a member of the SGNH family, it does not adopt the common alpha/beta hydrolase fold. The primary sequence analysis and multiple sequence alignment revealed the lack of a two beta-stranded antiparallel sheet, which results in a clear change in the structure together with the disappearance of one of the three 3(10)-helices presented in RGAE structure. The similarities found in this article among the topological diagrams of RGAE, YesT, and Esterase A from Streptomyces scabies, Platelet-Activating Factor AcetylHydrolase, isoform Ib, alpha subunit [PAF-AH(Ib)alpha(1)], PAF-AH(Ib)alpha(2), the esterase domain from hemagglutinin esterase fusion glycoprotein (HEF1) from Influenza C virus, the thioesterase I (TAP) from E. coli, the hypothetical protein a1r1529 from Nostoc sp., and the hypothetical YxiM precursor that all belong to the SGNH family could indicate a possible divergence of such proteins from a common ancestor.     

除虫菊发状根的诱导及培养条件优化

以除虫菊（Pyrethrum cinerariifolium Trey.）无菌苗为外植体,研究除虫菊发状根的诱导、培养条件优化,并对发状根中的除虫菊素进行检测和生物活性测定。结果显示,乙酰丁香酮能促进除虫菊下胚轴和子叶发状根的诱导,当乙酰丁香酮浓度为150 μmol/L时除虫菊下胚轴和子叶的诱导率为对照的2.29倍和2.66倍,预培养6 d时,下胚轴发状根诱导率为对照的2.25倍,发根农杆菌A4的诱导率均高于ATCC15834,愈伤组织较适合发状根的诱导,愈伤组织侵染后适合在无激素的MS培养基上进行发状根诱导,250 mL三角瓶中添加50 mL MS培养基较适合发状根的生长。对除虫菊发状根进行PCR检测发现,发根农杆菌含有的Ri T-DNA的rolB基因已整合进入发状根基因组中。通过GCMS检测发现,愈伤组织中除虫菊素的6种成分均未检测到,而发状根中检测到瓜菊素Ⅰ、茉酮菊素Ⅰ和茉酮菊素Ⅱ 3种成分,发状根对粘虫的拒食作用明显优于愈伤组织。本研究为通过组织培养方式生产除虫菊素奠定了基础。     

Rat carboxylesterase ES-4 enzyme functions as a major hepatic neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase

Although esterification of free cholesterol to cholesteryl ester in the liver is known to be catalyzed by the enzyme acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase, ACAT, the neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase (nCEH) that catalyzes the reverse reaction has remained elusive. Because cholesterol undergoes continuous cycling between free and esterified forms, the steady-state concentrations in the liver of the two species and their metabolic availability for pathways, such as lipoprotein assembly and bile acid synthesis, depend upon nCEH activity. On the basis of the general characteristics of the family of rat carboxylesterases, we hypothesized that one member, ES-4, was a promising candidate as a hepatic nCEH. Using under- and overexpression approaches, we provide multiple lines of evidence that establish ES-4 as a bona fide endogenous nCEH that can account for the majority of cholesteryl ester hydrolysis in transformed rat hepatic cells and primary rat hepatocytes.     

A film technique for the biological evaluation of pyrethrum-in-oil insecticides for use against stored product insects in warehouses

There is need for a technique whereby a given insecticidal preparation can be compared with a standard containing 0.8% (w/v) pyrethrin 1 in a heavy white oil and pronounced biologically equal or inferior to the standard within known and reasonable limits. A film method was investigated, Tribolium castaneum beetles being used as the test insects.
Numerous factors which may influence the kill achieved are discussed. The results of preliminary work, planned to help in the standardization of some of these factors, are summarized.
Several materials were tested to ascertain their suitability for reception of the insecticidal film and, as thin greaseproof paper showed promise, its possibilities were explored. Although 0.3 % pyrethrin I could be distinguished from 0.4%, 0.5% could not be distinguished from 0.8%, and the results throughout were very heterogeneous.
Woven Nylon proved more satisfactory, since the test just failed to establish a significant difference between 0.6 and 0.8% pyrethrin 1. The origin of a pink coloration of the substrate, when T. castaneum beetles were confined on Nylon sprayed with pyrethrum in oil, was investigated.
Whatman filter paper no. 544 proved the best substrate, and a comparative test on it will distinguish 0.65% pyrethrin 1 from the standard 0.8%; the limit could probably be raised to 0.7%.
The influence of several factors on the homogeneity of the results was investigated, and the importance was shown of allowing beetles time to recover from the mechanical shock inherent in the method of counting into batches.
Directions are given for carrying out the film technique for comparing preparations of relatively high pyrethrin content. The method does not measure the direct spray or fumigant action of the insecticide.
The technique described is compared with the Peet-Grady method for evaluating liquid household insecticides of low pyrethrin content. A simplified, but less accurate, design for the test is indicated.     

Cloning and characterization a novel human 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase gene AGPAT7.

The 1-Acylglycerolphosphate acyltransferase is crucial enzyme for synthesis of glycerolipids as well as triacylglylcerol biosynthesis in eukaryotes. Six members of 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase family in human have been described, which were AGPAT1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Here we report the cloning and characterization of another novel human 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase member AGPAT7 (1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 7) gene, which was mapped to human chromosome 15q14. The AGPAT7 cDNA is 1898 bp in length, encoding a putative protein with 524 amino acid residues, which contains an acyltransferase domain in 123-234 aa. RT PCR amplification in 18 human tissues indicated that human AGPAT7 gene was widely expressed in uterus, thymus, pancreas, skeletal muscle, bladder, stomach, lung and testis. AGPAT7 protein was mainly localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in Hela cells.     

Molecular identification of a novel mammalian brain isoform of acyl-CoA:lysophospholipid acyltransferase with prominent ethanolamine lysophospholipid acylating activity, LPEAT2

Acyl-CoA-dependent lysophospholipid acyltransferases play an important role in attaining the appropriate molecular species of phospholipids. A number of genes encoding these activities were recently identified. It has become clear that multiple genes can encode one enzymatic activity and that a given gene may encode multiple activities. Here we report the identification of a gene encoding a mammalian acyl-CoA-dependent lysophospholipid acyltransferase with prominent activity toward ethanolamine-containing lysophospholipids, which we termed acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylethanolamine acyltransferase 2, LPEAT2 (previously annotated as AYTL3 or AGPAT7). LPEAT2 is predominantly expressed in brain, coinciding with an enrichment of phosphatidylethanolamine in this tissue. Ectopic expression of LPEAT2 in mammalian HEK293T cells led to a dramatic increase (up to 9-fold) in LPEAT activity when compared with cells transfected with empty vector or an unrelated acyltransferase. LPEAT2 also exhibited significant acyl-CoA-dependent acyltransferase activity toward 1-O-alkenyl-lysophosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylglycerol, 1-O-alkyl-lysophosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylserine, and lysophosphatidylcholine but lacked appreciable acylating activity toward glycerol 3-phosphate, lysophosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidylinositol, and diacylglycerol, demonstrating multiple but selective functions of LPEAT2 as an enzyme involved in phospholipid remodeling. LPEAT2 recognizes a broad range of medium and long chain fatty acyl-CoA, and its activity was not affected by Ca(2+). When overexpressed in mammalian cells, LPEAT2 is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum. siRNA-mediated knockdown of LPEAT2 in HEK293T cells significantly decreased LPEAT and 1-alkenyl-LPEAT activities but did not affect other lysophospholipid acylating activities. These findings identify LPEAT2 as an important enzyme in the biosynthesis of ethanolamine-containing phospholipids, especially in brain.     

New thermophilic and thermostable esterase with sequence similarity to the hormone-sensitive lipase family, cloned from a metagenomic library

A gene coding for a thermostable esterase was isolated by functional screening of Escherichia coli cells that had been transformed with fosmid environmental DNA libraries constructed with metagenomes from thermal environmental samples. The gene conferring esterase activity on E. coli grown on tributyrin agar was composed of 936 bp, corresponding to 311 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 34 kDa. The enzyme showed significant amino acid similarity (64%) to the enzyme from a hyperthermophilic archaeon, Pyrobaculum calidifontis. An amino acid sequence comparison with other esterases and lipases revealed that the enzyme should be classified as a new member of the hormone-sensitive lipase family. The recombinant esterase that was overexpressed and purified from E. coli was active above 30 degrees C up to 95 degrees C and had a high thermal stability. It displayed a high degree of activity in a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5, with an optimal pH of approximately 6.0. The best substrate for the enzyme among the p-nitrophenyl esters (C(4) to C(16)) examined was p-nitrophenyl caproate (C(6)), and no lipolytic activity was observed with esters containing an acyl chain length of longer than 10 carbon atoms, indicating that the enzyme is an esterase and not a lipase.     

Microsomal and lysosomal enzymes of triacylglycerol metabolism in rat placenta.

The placenta plays a major role in transporting lipid to the developing foetus. Since previous studies have suggested that placental lipid transport involves intermediate esterification steps, we investigated selected microsomal and lysosomal enzymes of triacylglycerol metabolism in rat placenta. Between gestational days 10 and 14, microsomal phosphatidic acid phosphatase specific activity was 6-fold greater than the activity in adult rat liver. Phosphatidic acid phosphatase activity decreased 50% on day 15. Studies employing several different phosphorylated substrates indicated a high degree of substrate specificity. Lysosomal triacylglycerol lipase and cholesterol esterase activities decreased about 50% between days 15 and 18, then rose late in gestation. No changes were observed in the specific activities of fatty acid: CoA ligase, glycerolphosphate acyltransferase, lysophosphatidate acyltransferase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase or diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase during the final 12 days of gestation. Kinetic observations (competitive inhibition by alternative substrates, pH-dependence and thermal inactivation) were consistent with the hypothesis that glycerol phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate can be acylated by a single microsomal enzyme in placenta. Except for fatty acid: CoA ligase, the activities of microsomal and lysosomal enzymes of triacylglycerol metabolism were comparable with those in adult rat liver. These observations are consistent with physiological studies suggesting that triacylglycerol synthetic and degradative pathways are very active in rat placenta.     

Primary structure and catalytic properties of a cold-active esterase from a psychrotroph,Acinetobacter sp. strain No. 6. isolated from Siberian soil

We cloned a gene coding for a cold-active esterase from a genomic library of Acinetobacter sp. strain No. 6, a psychrotroph isolated from Siberian soil. The gene, aest, encoded a protein of 301 amino acid residues, the deduced sequence of which had less than 17% identity to sequences of known esterases and lipases. However, the esterase seemed to belong to the alpha/beta hydrolase superfamily, because it contained a sequence, Gly-Xaa-Ser-Xaa-Gly (with Xaa an arbitrary amino acid residue), found in most serine hydrolases of this superfamily. Sequence comparison earlier suggested a weak phylogenetic relationship of gene product AEST to the EST group of the esterase-lipase family, which has been found only in eukaryotes. The aest gene was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells under the control of the T7 promoter, and the expression product was purified to homogeneity and characterized. It catalyzed the hydrolysis of esters with short-chain acyl groups and had lower activation energy and lower thermostability than do mesophilic enzymes, as expected from the cold-adapted nature of this enzyme.     

The triacylglycerol synthesis enzyme DGAT1 also catalyzes the synthesis of diacylglycerols, waxes, and retinyl esters

The final step of triacylglycerol biosynthesis is catalyzed by acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) enzymes. The two known DGATs, DGAT1 and DGAT2, are encoded by unrelated genes. Although both DGAT1 and DGAT2 knockout mice have reduced tissue triacylglycerol contents, they have disparate phenotypes, prompting us to investigate whether the two enzymes have unrecognized functional differences. We now report that DGAT1 exhibits additional acyltransferase activities in vitro, including those of acyl CoA:monoacylglycerol acyltransferase (MGAT), wax monoester and wax diester synthases, and acyl CoA:retinol acyltransferase (ARAT), which catalyze the synthesis of diacylglycerols, wax esters, and retinyl esters, respectively. These activities were demonstrated in in vitro assays with membranes from insect cells or homogenates from COS7 cells overexpressing DGAT1. Wax synthase and ARAT activities were also demonstrated in intact COS7 cells expressing DGAT1. Additionally, cells and tissues from DGAT1-deficient mice exhibited reduced ARAT activity, and the mice had increased levels of unesterified retinol in their livers on a high-retinol diet. Our findings indicate that DGAT1 can utilize a variety of acyl acceptors as substrates in vitro and suggest that these activities may be relevant to the in vivo functions of DGAT1.     

Identification and characterization of a splice variant of the catalytic domain of mouse NTE-related esterase

Patatin-domain containing proteins constitute a large family of enzymes including known lipases that hydrolyze triglycerides, diglycerides, and phospholipids, some of which still remain to be characterized. One of those is NTE-related esterase (NRE), which exhibits sequence and domain homology to neuropathy target esterase (NTE). A splice variant of the catalytic domain of mouse NRE (mNRECV) was identified in multiple adult tissues, including brain, kidney, liver and testis. Genomic organization showed that mNRECV gene lacked the 22nd exon of mouse NRE and the 14th exon termination site of mNRECV was behind of 5 bp with the comparison of the 34th exon of mNRE gene. Over-expression of mNREC and mNRECV in mammalian cells showed that they had similar phenyl valerate esterase activities, but different from human NTE esterase domain. Subcellular distribution of an enhanced green fluorescent protein-mNRECV fusion protein was mainly observed to colocalize with endoplasmic reticulum in the juxtanuclear area and a little in cytoplasm. Moreover, autophagy/lysosome pathway was found to be involved in the degradation of mNRECV protein by inhibition and induction of autophagy, as well as co-location of mNRECV-EGFP with lysosomes. The high identity between mNRECV and mNREC suggested that mouse NRE has similar characteristics.     

Selective changes in enzymes of the sn-glycerol 3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone-phosphate pathways of triacylglycerol biosynthesis during differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Enzyme activities of the sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (glycerol-P) and of the dihydroxyacetone-phosphte (DHAP) pathway of glycerolipid biosynthesis were investigated during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes. Total particulate glycerol-P and DHAP acyltransferase activities increased 70- and 30-fold, respectively, during differentiation induced with methylisobutylxanthine and dexamethasone. The N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive (microsomal) glycerol-P and DHAP acyltransferase activities were virtually undetectable in nondifferentiated cells, and increased in parallel over 70-fold during differentiation. These and several kinetic observations are consistent with the induction of a single microsomal enzyme having dual activity. During differentiaion, the N-ethylmaleimide-resistant DHAP acyltransferase activity increased 10-fold, suggesting the presence of at least two DHAP acyltransferase isoenzymes. Qualitatively similar changes in microsomal glycerol-P and DHAP acyltransferase activities were observed when cell differentiation was induced with insulin or with insulin plus dexamethasone and methylisobutylxanthine. Acyl-DHAP oxidoreductase (EC 1.1.1.101) specific activity increased only 3- to 5-fold during adipocyte differentiation. Alkyl-DHAP synthase activity was not detected. These data demonstrate that selective changes in enzyme activities of the gycerol-P pathways of glycerolipid synthesis occur during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.     

Cloning and identification of a new group esterase (Est5S) from noncultured rumen bacterium

The gene encoding an esterase enzyme was cloned from a metagenomic library of cow rumen bacteria. The esterase gene (est5S) was 1,026 bp in length, encoding a protein of 366 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 40,168 Da. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 40,000 Da. The Est5S protein contains the Gly-X-Ser-X-Gly motif found in most bacterial and eukaryotic serine hydrolases. However, the Asp or Glu necessary for the catalytic triad [Ser-Asp-(Glu)-His] was not present, indicating Est5S represents a novel member of the GHSQG family of esterolytic enzymes. BlastP in the NCBI database analysis of Est5S revealed homology to hypothetical proteins and it had no homology to previous known lipases and esterases. Est5S was optimally active at pH 7.0 and 40 degrees C. Among the p-nitrophenyl acylesters tested, high enzymatic activities were observed on the short-chain p-nitrophenyl acylesters, such as p-nitrophenyl acetate, etc. The conserved serine residue (Ser190) was shown to be important for Est5S activity. The primers that amplified the est5S gene did not show any relative band with 49 species of culturable rumen bacteria. This implies that a new group esterase gene, est5S, may have come from a noncultured cow rumen bacterium.