Isolation and Characterization of Glutamyl Endopeptidase 2 from Bacillus intermedius 3-19

The culture filtrate of Bacillus intermedius 3-19 was used for isolation by chromatography on CM-cellulose and Mono S columns of a proteinase that is secreted during the late stages of growth. The enzyme is irreversibly inhibited by the inhibitor of serine proteinases diisopropyl fluorophosphate, has two pH optima (7.2 and 9.5) for casein hydrolysis and one at pH 8.5 for Z-Glu-pNA hydrolysis. The molecular weight of the enzyme is 26.5 kD. The K(m) for Z-Glu-pNA hydrolysis is 0.5 mM. The temperature and pH dependences of the stability of the proteinase were studied. The enzyme was identified as glutamyl endopeptidase 2. The N-terminal sequence (10 residues) and amino acid composition of the enzyme were determined. The enzyme hydrolyzes Glu4-Gln5, Glu17-Asp18, and Cys11-Ser12 bonds in the oxidized A-chain of insulin and Glu13-Ala14, Glu21-Arg22, Cys7-Gly8, and Cys19-Gly20 bonds in the oxidized B-chain of insulin.     

Membrane-Bound Forms of Serine Proteases in Bacillus intermedius

Proteolytic proteins solubilized from the membrane of Bacillus intermedius were studied by electrophoresis. The content of membrane-bound proteinases was lower in cells grown in the presence of glucose. Proteinase enzymograms revealed four molecular forms of subtilisin and four molecular forms of glutamyl endopeptidase. The electrophoretic mobility of one of the molecular forms was similar to those of the mature extracellular proteinases. Chromatography of membrane proteins on a MonoS column yielded four protein fractions that caused hydrolysis of Z-Glu-pNA and four fractions that caused hydrolysis of Z-Ala-Ala-Leu-pNA, which is in agreement with the results of electrophoresis. The molecular forms of proteinases identified in the membrane may reflect various stages of biogenesis of the corresponding extracellular enzymes.     

The cellular location of proteolytic enzymes ofBacillus intermedius

The activities of proteinases in the culture fluid and cellular fractions ofBacillus intermedius 3–19 grown under various conditions were studied. Thiol-dependent serine proteinase was the prevalent enzyme in the total pool of extracellular proteinases (70%); its catalytically active form was also detected in the cell membrane and, during active enzyme production, in the cell wall. Another enzyme, glutamyl endopeptidase (10% of the total pool), was detected in the cell membrane; it was also found in the cell wall and cytoplasm during active enzyme secretion into the growth medium. The production of these enzymes was maximal on medium containing inorganic phosphate and gelatin and decreased 2-to 4-fold on medium with glucose and lactate. The level of activity of extracellular enzymes correlated with that of corresponding membrane-bound proteins. The addition of C0Cl₂ (2 mM) into the medium caused an essential increase in extracellular glutamyl endopeptidase activity and promoted the release of the membrane-bound enzyme into the culture fluid. Proteolytic activity towards casein was also detected in the cytoplasm. The proteinases localized in the cytoplasm were shown to differ in their properties from those secreted.     

Synthesis and Secretion of Proteinases by Bacillus intermedius in the Late Stages of Sporulation

In the late stages of sporulation, cells of Bacillus intermedius 3-19 secreted into the medium two proteinases, glutamyl endopeptidase and subtilisin, whose maximum activities were recorded in the 40th and 44th hours of growth, respectively. By estimating -galactosidase activity as a marker of cytoplasmic membrane integrity, it was revealed that the accumulation of these proteinases in the medium was a result of their secretion and not of lysis of the cell envelope. Concentrations of peptone and inorganic phosphate ensuring the maximum production of the enzymes were established. Ammonium ions were shown to inhibit the production of proteinases by the mechanism of repression by nitrogen metabolites.     

Hydrolytic Enzymes and Sporulation in Bacillus intermedius

The investigation of the activity of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes and sporulation in the bacterium Bacillus intermedius 3-19 showed that the activity of ribonuclease is maximal in the glucose-containing growth medium, in which sporulation is suppressed. At the sporulation stages II–IV, the synthesis of phosphatase was not regulated by the factors that influence this synthesis in the phase of growth retardation. Caseinolytic activity exhibited two peaks. The first peak was observed when thiol-dependent proteinase began accumulating in the medium. The second peak corresponded to the late stages of sporulation, i.e., the stages of spore maturation and the autolysis of sporangium. The regulatory relationship between proteinase synthesis and sporulation and the possible role of extracellular phosphatases and proteinases in the sporulation are discussed.     

Partial Purification and Characterization of a 37 kDa Extracellular Proteinase from Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii

An exocellular proteinase synthesized by the geophilic dermatophyte Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii has been purified and characterized. The fungus obtained from soil in Iran was cultivated in modified Czapek–Dox liquid medium containing 0.1% bacteriological peptone and 1% glucose as the nitrogen and carbon sources. Partial purification of the proteinase was accomplished by (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation, followed by ion exchange chromatography. Analysis of the enzyme by SDS-PAGE revealed a single polypeptide chain with an apparent molecular mass of 37 kDa. Proteinase activity was optimum at pH 8, but remained high in the range of pH 7–11. Moreover, the partially purified enzyme presented a keratinolytic activity as evidenced by the keratin azure test. The inhibition profile and the good activity of the enzyme towards the synthetic substrate N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide suggested that it belonged to the chymotrypsin/subtilisin group of serine proteinases. The keratinolytic properties of T. vanbreuseghemii suggest that this fungus may be an alternative for the recycling of industrial keratinic wastes.     

Serine Proteinase Inhibitors from Eggs and Larvae of Tick Boophilus microplus: Purification and Biochemical Characterization

The present study describes the purification, characterization, and comparison of serine proteinase inhibitors during the development of egg and larva phases of the tick Boophilus microplus. Samples were collected of eggs between the first day of hatching and the beginning of eclosion (defined as E1, E2, and E3) and of larvae between the first day of eclosion and the infectant phase (defined as L1, L2, and L3). Crude extracts of the samples (2.5% w/v in Tris-HCl buffer) were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, and showed three major protein bands of 42, 62, and 85 kDa, differing in intensity, from E1 to L3 samples. The total protein of the larva extracts was 34% less than that of the egg extracts, while no differences in active protein were detected. The apparent dissociation constant K _i determined for trypsin was 10-fold lower from E1 to L3 samples. Serine proteinase inhibitors from tick eggs and larvae (BmTIs) were purified on trypsin-Sepharose column and analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The results showed a slight difference in protein pattern, with a protein band of 20 kDa in the E1 and E2 samples which did not appear in the other samples. The K _i for neutrophil elastase was 10-fold lower in L3 than E1. BmTI reverse-phase chromatography showed two and one major peaks in egg and larva samples, respectively. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the L3 main peak from a C8 column showed a mix of BmTIs with the major sequence AVDFDKGCVPTADPGPCKG. Changes indicated by molecular weight and inhibition activity suggest different roles for BmTIs during the development process.     

A novel secreted metzincin metalloproteinase from Bacillus intermedius

The mprBi gene from Bacillus intermedius 3-19 encoding a novel secreted metalloproteinase was identified. The mpriBi gene was expressed in an extracellular proteinase-deficient Bacillus subtilis BG 2036 strain and the corresponding protein was characterized biochemically. The 19 kDa MprBi protein was purified to homogeneity and sequenced by mass spectroscopy and Edman degradation methods. Amino acid sequence analysis of MprBi identified an active site motif HEYGHNFGLPHD and a conserved structural component Met-turn, both of which are unique features of the metzincin clan. Furthermore, MprBi harbors a number of distinct sequence elements characteristic of proteinase domains in eukaryotic adamalysins. We conclude that MprBi and similar proteins from other Bacillus species form a novel group of metzincin metalloproteinases in prokaryotes.     

Purification and Characterization of Alkaline Serine Proteinase from Photosynthetic Bacterium,Rubrivivax gelatinosus KDDS1

In order to reduce the protein content of wastewater, photosynthetic bacteria producing proteinases were screened from wastewater of various sources and stocked in culture. An isolated strain, KDDS1, was identified as Rubrivivax gelatinosus, a purple nonsulfur bacterium that secretes proteinase under micro-aerobic conditions under light at 35°C. Molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 32.5 kDa. The enzyme showed the highest activity at 45°C and pH 9.6, and the activity was completely inhibited by phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), but not by EDTA. The amino-terminal 24 amino acid sequence of the enzyme showed about 50% identity to those of serine proteinases from Pseudoalteromonas piscicida strain O-7 and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Thus, the enzyme from Rvi. gelatinosus KDDS1 was thought to be a serine-type proteinase. This was the first serine proteinase characterized from photosynthetic bacteria.     

Bacillus intermedius glutamyl endopeptidase. Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of the structural gene

The glutamyl endopeptidase gene of Bacillus intermedius was cloned from a genomic library expressed in Bacillus subtilis and sequenced (EMBL accession number Y15136). The encoded preproenzyme contains 303 amino acid residues; the mature 23-kDa enzyme consists of 215 residues. The mature enzyme reveals 38% of identical residues when aligned with the glutamyl endopeptidase from Bacillus licheniformis, whereas only five invariant residues were found among all known glutamyl endopeptidases. The amino acid residues that form the catalytic triad (H47, D98, and S171) as well as H186 participating in the binding of the substrate carboxyl group were identified. It seems that the structural elements responsible for the function of glutamyl endopeptidases from various sources are highly variable.     

粘质赛氏菌胞外蛋白酶的提取、纯化及部分性质研究

经过硫酸铵３０％～５０％分级沉淀、二步柱层析可获聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳均一的粘质赛氏菌胞外蛋白酶制品,收率可达５３％,并制备了酶的结晶,该酶以ＳｅｐｈａｄｅｘＧ１００柱层析及ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ测得分子量约为８１０００,该酶的最适ｐＨ为７．０,最适温度为４５℃,Ｚｎ２＋、Ｍｎ２＋、Ｆｅ２＋、Ｃｕ２＋、Ｃｏ２＋等重金属离子不同程度地抑制酶活性。     

Purification and Characterization of Kininogens from Sheep Plasma

High molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) and low molecular weight kininogen (LMWK) have been purified from sheep ( Avis Arias) plasma in three steps involving ammonium sulphate precipitation, column chromatography on Sephacryl-300HR and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose. HMWK gave a single band on native and SDS-PAGE with a molecular weight corresponding to 280 kDa. Under reducing conditions purified HMWK was again resolved to a single band with molecular weight corresponding to 140 kDa indicative of its dimeric nature. LMWK was resolved into two isoforms named as LMWK1 and LMWK2, with an apparent molecular weight of 68 kDa. The yield of HMWK, LMWK1 and 2 was about 8.1, 5.63 and 10.65 respectively. HMWK, LMWK1 and 2 strongly inhibited activities of ficin and papain but not of trypsin, chymotrypsin and bromelain. K_i values estimated for HMWK with papain and ficin was 0.8 and 0.6 nM respectively. K_i values estimated for LMWK1 and 2 with papain were 2.40 and 2.00 nM respectively. Binding of HMWK, LMWK1 and 2 to activated papain were accompanied by pronounced changes in secondary and tertiary structure that are compatible with perturbations of environment of aromatic residues.     

丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂的研究及应用

丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂（serpin）是一类结构、序列同源的蛋白酶抑制剂,它是体内许多蛋白水解级联反应的调节因子,其遗传性结构或分泌异常将导致许多疾病．因此对于其结构及作用机理的研究将为临床应用提供依据．     

柞蚕卵组织蛋白酶B纯化及性质

昆虫卵内蛋白酶在胚胎发育中水解卵黄蛋白,为胚胎发育提供氨基酸,昆虫中已报道过几类卵蛋白酶,如家蚕中半胱氨酸蛋白酶和丝氨酸蛋白酶等。但是,目前尚不清楚这些蛋白酶是否存在于其他鳞翅目昆虫。了解这些蛋白酶的作用机理可以为我们提供害虫防治的新方法。并且,由于蛋白水解在许多生理过程中具有重要作用,如蛋白质的成熟和转运、受精、萌芽、肿瘤转移和其他形态发生等。因此,阐明这些蛋白酶的生物功能具有重要意义。由于（ｉ蚕卵粒大产卵量也很大,因此被选作研究鳞翅目昆虫卵蛋白酶的材料,我们希望通过对数种昆虫卵内蛋白酶的研究、找出卵黄蛋白水解的一般规律。在我们前一篇文章中报道了（ｉ蚕组织蛋白酶Ｂ的鉴定,该蛋白酶属于半胱氨酸蛋白酶类的组织蛋或最适ｐＨ为３．５,可被Ｅ－６４抑制。本文报道蛋白酶的纯化和性质。经过５步纯化过程,从（ｉ蚕卵母细胞中纯化出组织蛋白酶Ｂ,用ＳＤＳ聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳测得蛋白酶的亚基分子量在４７ｋＤａ左右。纯化的蛋白酶活性可被Ｅ－６４和Ｌｅｕｐｅｐｔｉｎ抑制。因此,该蛋白酶属于半胱氨酸蛋白酶。天冬氨酸蛋白酶特异性抑制剂ｐｅｐｓｔａｔｉｎ不抑制其活性。其活性可被ＤＦＰ和ＰＭＳＦ部分抑制。这两种抑制剂通常抑制丝氨酸蛋白酶活性     

The Effect of Thermal Treatment on the Catalytic Activity and Biological Properties of Bacillus intermedius Ribonuclease

Bacillus intermedius ribonuclease (binase), which is known to exert a growth-stimulating effect at low concentrations and a genotoxic effect at high concentrations, loses these abilities completely after exposure to 100°C for 10 min, but retains approximately 95% of its catalytic activity and structural integrity. Other types of modification, such as photoinactivation and site-specific mutagenesis, gave rise to enzyme forms with unaltered structure but reduced (sometimes to trace amounts) catalytic activity. Genotoxicity was always proportional to the catalytic activity of the native enzyme, while a notable growth-stimulating effect could be exerted by enzymes with low activity. The loss of biological activity of thermoinactivated binase was related to the increase in the number of negatively charged groups on the enzyme surface, which led to a substantial decline in the adhesive properties of the enzyme.     

Purification and characterization of a serine alkaline protease from Bacillus clausii GMBAE 42

An extracellular serine alkaline protease of Bacillus clausii GMBAE 42 was produced in protein-rich medium in shake-flask cultures for 3 days at pH 10.5 and 37°C. Highest alkaline protease activity was observed in the late stationary phase of cell cultivation. The enzyme was purified 16-fold from culture filtrate by DEAE-cellulose chromatography followed by (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation, with a yield of 58%. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed the molecular weight of the enzyme to be 26.50 kDa. The optimum temperature for enzyme activity was 60°C; however, it is shifted to 70°C after addition of 5 mM Ca²⁺ ions. The enzyme was stable between 30 and 40°C for 2 h at pH 10.5; only 14% activity loss was observed at 50°C. The optimal pH of the enzyme was 11.3. The enzyme was also stable in the pH 9.0–12.2 range for 24 h at 30°C; however, activity losses of 38% and 76% were observed at pH values of 12.7 and 13.0, respectively. The activation energy of Hammarsten casein hydrolysis by the purified enzyme was 10.59 kcal mol⁻¹ (44.30 kJ mol⁻¹). The enzyme was stable in the presence of the 1% (w/v) Tween-20, Tween-40,Tween-60, Tween-80, and 0.2% (w/v) SDS for 1 h at 30°C and pH 10.5. Only 10% activity loss was observed with 1% sodium perborate under the same conditions. The enzyme was not inhibited by iodoacetate, ethylacetimidate, phenylglyoxal, iodoacetimidate, n-ethylmaleimidate, n-bromosuccinimide, diethylpyrocarbonate or n-ethyl-5-phenyl-iso-xazolium-3′-sulfonate. Its complete inhibition by phenylmethanesulfonylfluoride and relatively high k _cat value for N-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA hydrolysis indicates that the enzyme is a chymotrypsin-like serine protease. K _m and k _cat values were estimated at 0.655 μM N-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA and 4.21×10³ min⁻¹, respectively.     

Inhibition of phagocytic function of macrophages in vitro by dimer RNase of Bacillus intermedius

The interactions between rat peritoneal macrophage and Bacillus intermedius dimer RNase cross linked by dimethylsuberimidate was investigated in vitro. It has been found that dimer in the form of RNase at concentrations of 0.5–40μg/ml decreases the phagocytic function of macrophages. This is manifested as an inhibition of phagocytosis and suppression of the fusion of phagosomes with lysosomes in macrophages. Using atomic force microscopy, it is shown that the dimer RNase changes the surface structure of the cytoplasmic membrane more strongly than the monomer. The association between modifications of properties of the membrane and inhibition of the macrophage phagocytic function is discussed.     

Growth conditions and production of the Bacillus intermedius subtilisin-like serine proteinase by the recombinant Bacillus subtilis strain

The effect of the components of the nutrient medium on growth and production of the Bacillus intermedius subtilisin-like serine proteinase by the recombinant strain Bacillus subtilis AJ73(pCS9) was studied. The production of proteinase was found to be dependent on the composition of the nutrient medium and showed two peaks, at the 28th and 48th h of growth. The concentrations of the main components of the nutrient medium (peptone and inorganic phosphate) optimal for the biosyntheis of subtilisin-like serine proteinase at the 28th and 48th h of growth were determined in factorial experiments. Complex organic substances, casein at concentrations of 0.5–1%, gelatin at concentrations of 0.5–1%, and yeast extract at a concentration of 0.5%, stimulated the production of subtilisin-like serine proteinase by the recombinant strain. The study of the sporulation dynamics in this strain showed that the proteinase peaks at the 28th and 48th h of growth correspond, respectively, to the initial stage of sporulation and to the terminal stages of endospore formation (V–VII stages of sporulation).