Purification and Characterization of a New Pigment from the Green Alga, Bryopsis maxima

Several, new, water-soluble pigments have been detected in thematured thalli of the green alga, Bryopsis maxima. Among thepigments, a major red one has been purified and characterized.The red pigment has absorption maxima at 237, 268, 331, 450,485 and 520 nm and a shoulder at 570 nm. Its fluorescence emissionspectrum has maxima at 659 and 730 nm. The pigment has minuscharge at the pH above 3.0 and is soluble in water and polarorganic solvents but not in nonpolar solvents. Its molecularweight was estimated to be 1,490. The infrared, N.m.r. and massspectra suggest that the pigment has an open tetra pyrrole structure. ⁵Present address: Department of Biochemistry, Nippon MedicalSchool, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113, Japan. (Received July 2, 1987; Accepted August 26, 1987)     

Purification of Ribulose 5-phosphate Kinase and Minor Polypeptides of Pyrenoid from the Green Alga Bryopsis maxima

Ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P) kinase (ATP:D-ribulose 5-phosphate1-phosphotrans- ferase; EC 2.7.1.19 [EC] ), an enzyme in the reductivepentose phosphate cycle, was purified from the green alga Bryopsismaxima and its activity and peptide composition were studied.The specific activity of purified Ru5P kinase was 20 µmoleRuBP formed (mg protein)^–1 min^–1 corresponding toa 490-fold purification from the supernatant of chloroplasts.The K_m values of Ru5P kinase for ATP and Ru5P were 69 µMand 330 µM, respectively. The molecular size of Ru5P kinase was estimated as 90 kDa bygel filtration and that of its polypeptide as 41 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis. A small portion of the Ru5P kinase wasfound in a large molecular state (500 kDa) which was consideredto be an inactive form of the enzyme. Ru5P kinase activity has been reported in the pyrenoid of Eremosphaeraviridis as well as ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase(RuBisCO) and ribose 5-phosphate isomerase activity (Holdsworth1971). In Bryopsis maxima, among the pyrenoid polypeptides otherthan that of RuBisCO, we found a polypeptide of 42 kDa, similarto that of Ru5P kinase in molecular size and ratio to RuBisCO.A peptide map of the 42 kDa pyrenoid polypeptide, however, showedthat it differed from that of Ru5P kinase. In conclusion, Ru5Pkinase may be not involved in the pyrenoid of this alga. (Received January 19, 1985; Accepted May 15, 1985)     

Pigment Composition of Chlorophyll-Protein Complexes Isolated from the Green Alga Bryopsis maxima

SDS-solubilized thylakoid membranes of Bryopsis maxima showeda similar pattern to those of higher plants in SDS-poIyacrylamidegel electrophoresis. Absorption spectra and pigment compositionof both CP1 and CPa bands were similar to those of higher plantsand other algae. Five bands containing chlorophyll (Chl) b weredivided into three categories; a group of major light-harvestingChl a/b-protein complexes (LHCP 1, LHCP 2 and LHCP 3), a minorLHCP (LHCP 3') and a photosystem I complex (CP1a). LHCP 1, thehigh molecular form, showed the lowest Chl a/b ratio among theLHCPs, and contained only xanthophylls as carotenoids. LHCP2, LHCP 3 and LHCP 3' bands contained xanthophylls and carotene.Carotenoid composition of LHCP 3' was different from that ofthe major LHCPs. CP1a band contained a considerable amount ofsiphonaxanthin and siphonein. (Received May 24, 1985; Accepted December 13, 1985)     

Purification and Further Characterization of Pyrenoid Proteins and Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase-Oxygenase from the Green Alga Bryopsis maxima

Pyrenoid proteins and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase(RuBisCO) in the green alga Bryopsis maxima were purified tohigh degrees and their peptide compositions were studied bySDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. RuBisCO had a largesubunit of 50 kDa and a small one of 16 kDa. The apparent molecularweight of the purified RuBisCO was estimated as 460 kDa by gelfiltration. Pyrenoid proteins had two major polypeptides: 52kDa and 17 kDa. The peptide map of the 52 kDa pyrenoid polypeptidecoincided well with that of the large subunit of RuBisCO, stronglysuggesting that the major component of the pyrenoid of thisalga was RuBisCO. We attempted to survey the distribution ofRuBisCO in the chloroplasts. The results suggested that muchof the RuBisCO of Bryopsis maxima was localized in the pyrenoid.The pyrenoid also contained more than 10 minor polypeptidesnot found in the RuBisCO fraction. The minor polypeptides comprisedabout 15% of the total pyrenoid protein and differed from thepolypeptides of the thylakoid membranes and from those foundin the starch grains surrounding the pyrenoid. (Received February 3, 1984; Accepted July 21, 1984)     

Chlorophyll-Protein Complexes Associated with Photosystem I Isolated from the Green Alga, Bryopsis maxima

Six chlorophyll (Chl)-protein complexes associated with photosystemI (CPla), and the PS I reaction center complex (CPl) were isolatedfrom the thylakoid membranes of the green alga, Bryopsis maxima,by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. CPla had four polypeptides(22, 24, 25, 26 kDa) in addition to the 67 kDa polypeptide ofCPl. These complexes may thus possibly be a combination of CPland antenna complexes for PS I. Six CPla showed almost the sameoptical properties, with absorption maxima at 650 and 677 nmand contained carotene and a small amount of xanthophylls. TheChl a/b ratios of these CPla were about 2, while that of CPlwas 14. CPla showed a fluorescence emission maximum at 695 nm;its excitation spectrum had peaks at 438, 470 and 540 nm, correspondingto the absorption maxima of Chl a, Chl b, xanthophylls, respectively.An antenna complex free of CPl has been detected in some plantsbut was not found in the present alga. ¹Present address: Department of Botany, The University of Adelaide,Adelaide, S.A. 5001, Australia (Received April 17, 1986; Accepted June 26, 1986)     

Nitrate Reductase Activity and Nitrite in Native Pyrenoids Purified from the Green Alga Bryopsis maxima

The native, starchless pyrenoids purified from Bryopsis maximashowed NADH-nitrate reductase [NR, EC 1.6.6.1 [EC] ] activity andcontained nitrite. The specific activity of NR was 0.024 µmolNO₂ formed per min per mg of protein. The value was 80 timesgreater than that in the crude extract of chloroplasts. Theamount of nitrite in the pyrenoids was 2.37 µmol per mgof protein, showing that nitrite was concentrated by a factorof 66 times. These results suggest a physiological role forpyrenoids in the assimilation of nitrate. (Received November 15, 1989; Accepted February 27, 1990)     

Fluorescence Induction in Chloroplasts Isolated from the Green Alga, Bryopsis maxima IV. The I-D Dip

Fluorescence induction of intact Bryopsis chloroplasts whichpreviously had been illuminated in the presence of dithionitethen kept in the dark prior to measurement showed marked quenchingfrom an intermediary peak I to a lower level D before a secondaryrise to a peak P. A small hump (H), related to the membranepotential formed across the thylakoid membranes, overlappedD. The maximum extent of quenching—the I-D dip—wasattained in chloroplasts which had been illuminated for 1 secprior to dark incubation for 1 min. This illumination causedthe complete reduction of secondary electron acceptors and thepartial reduction of Q, the primary electron acceptor of photosystemII. Chloroplasts developed the capacity for transient photooxidationof cytochrome f during subsequent dark incubation, indicatingthat there was dark oxidation of electron acceptors of photosystemI which had been reduced by the illumination. A close correlationwas found between the I-D dip and the transient photooxidationof cytochrome f with respect to the kinetics of light inducedchanges as well as dark restoration after the illumination.Inhibitor studies showed that the dip decreased when the poolsize of photosystem I acceptors was reduced. Our results showthat the I-D dip and the transient photooxidation of cytochromef depend upon a common acceptor pool of photosystem I. We concludedthat the I-D dip is due to the oxidation of Q by photosystemI with a limited electron acceptor pool. (Received September 12, 1980; Accepted November 14, 1980)     

Water Soluble Pigments Containing Xylose and Glucose in Gametangia of the Green Alga, Bryopsis maxima

Several water-soluble pigments were purified from gametangiaof Bryopsis maxima by liquid chromatography and characterizedby pyridylamination and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography.The structure of the main red pigment is proposed based on thedata of infrared spectrum, Mass spectrum, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectraand pyridylamino analysis. As a consequence, this pigment containeda tetrapyrrole with phytol and a sugar chain comprised of xyloseand glucose. The sequence of the sugars in the chain was determinedbased on its Mass spectrum. The pigment was similar to chlorophyll-originpigments observed in other plants. No aldehyde group, however,was present at C5 in the open tetrapyrrole chain. (Received August 3, 1994; Accepted November 10, 1994)     

Isolation of Native Pyrenoid Core Matrix Having Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate Caxrboxylase Activity from the Green Alga Bryopsis maxima

The native pyrenoid core matrix of the green alga Bryopsis maximawas isolated by diethyl ether treatment and sucrose densitygradient centrifugation using 1.8 M phosphate buffer. The purityof the pyrenoids was examined by microscopy, polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis and marker materials. The purified pyrenoidscontained the large subunit and the small subunit of ribulose1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase) and more than 10 minorpolypeptides. They also showed RuBPCase activity when solubilizedon being transferred to a low-concentration buffer. The specificactivity was 0.62 µmol CO₂ fixed (mg protein)^–1min^–1. This isolation method is suitable for obtainingintact pyrenoids not covered by starch sheaths or membraneswithout the need for chloroplast fixation. (Received July 27, 1987; Accepted October 20, 1987)     

Purification and Characterization of Glutamine Synthetase and NADP-Glutamate Dehydrogenase from the Ectomycorrhizal Fungus Laccaria laccata

Glutamine synthetase (GS) and NADP-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (NADP-GDH) play a key role in nitrogen assimilation in the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria laccata (Scop. ex Fr. Cke) strain S 238. The two enzymes were purified to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity by a three-step procedure involving diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Trisacryl and affinity chromatography, and DEAE-5PW fast protein liquid chromatography. This purification scheme resulted in a 23 and 62% recovery of the initial activity for GS and NADP-GDH, respectively. Purified GS had a specific activity of 713 nanomoles per second per milligram protein and a pH optimum of 7.2. Michaelis constants (millimolar) for the substrates were NH₄⁺ (0.024), glutamate (3.2), glutamine (30), ATP (0.18), and ADP (0.002). The molecular weight (M_r) of native GS was approximately 380,000; it was composed of eight identical subunits of M_r 42,000. Purified NADP-GDH had a specific activity of 4130 nanomoles per second per milligram protein and a pH optimum of 7.2 (amination reaction). Michaelis constants (millimolar) for the substrates were NH₄⁺ (5), 2-oxoglutarate (1), glutamate (26), NADPH (0.01), and NADP (0.03). Native NADP-GDH was a hexamer with a M_r of about 298,000 composed of identical subunits with M_r 47,000. Polyclonal antibodies were produced against purified GS and NADP-GDH. Immunoprecipitation tests and immunoblot analysis showed the high reactivity and specificity of the immune sera against the purified enzymes.     

An NADP-dependent Glutamate Dehydrogenase in Chloroplasts from the Marine Green Alga Caulerpa simpliciuscula

NADP-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase was partially purified from extracts of the marine siphonous green alga Caulerpa simpliciuscula. The enzyme had an apparent Km NH(4) (+) of 0.4 to 0.7 mm and was highly specific for NADPH, alpha-ketoglutarate, and ammonium ions.The bulk of the NADP-glutamate dehydrogenase was isolated with the chloroplast fraction in cell-free preparations of this alga and was released from these "chloroplast fractions" as a soluble enzyme on gentle lysis of chloroplast membranes.     

Purification and Characterization of Light-Harvesting Chlorophyll a/b-Protein Complexes of Photosystem II from the Green alga, Bryopsis maxima

Light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-proteins of photosystem II(LHC II) were purified from thylakoid membranes of the greenalga, Bryopsis maxima. Extraction with digitonin did not solubilizechlorophylls (Chl) and carotenoids to any significant extent.Two forms of purified LHC II, P4 and P5, with respective apparentparticle sizes of 280 and 295 kDa, were obtained by sucrosedensity gradient centrifugation and column chromatography onDEAE-Toyopearl. P4 and P5 had similar spectral absorption at77 K with Chl a maxima at 674, 658 and 438 nm and Chl b maximaat 649 and 476 nm. Carotene was not present in P4 or P5. Fluorescenceexcitation spectra demonstrated that Chl b, siphonaxanthin andsiphonein can efficiently transfer absorbed light energy toChl a. P4 and P5 each contained two apoproteins of 28 and 32kDa, with similar but not identical amino acid compositions.P5 contained 6 molecules of Chl a, 8 of Chl b and 5 of xanthophyll(three molecules of siphonaxanthin and one each of siphoneinand neoxanthin) per polypeptide. (Received September 11, 1989; Accepted December 11, 1989)     

Purification and Properties of Methanol Dehydrogenase and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase from Methylobacillus glycogenes

Methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were purified to a homogenous state from Methylobacillus glycogenes, an obligate methylotroph. MDH (M_r 140,000) was composed of two different subunits (M_r 60,000 and 9,000) forming an α₂β₂ structure. MDH was indicated as a metalloquinoprotein containing one atom of calcium (Ca) per enzyme molecule. Binding of Ca was so tight that it was hard to remove Ca completely without denaturation of enzyme protein. A partially resolved enzyme resumed its original enzyme activity upon exogenous addition of Ca. Purified ALDH (M_r 144,000) was composed of two identical subunits of molecular mass of 72,000. ALDH was proved to be a quinoprotein in which PQQ is bound covalently.     

Immunochemical Studies on Ribulose 1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase in the Chloroplasts of the Marine Alga Bryopsis maxima

The localization of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase(RuBisCO) in chloroplasts of the green alga Bryopsis maximawas examined by immunological techniques. Three strains of hybridomaswere established between myeloma cells and the spleen cellsfrom mouse immunized against B. maxima RuBisCO. The antibodiesreacted with the large subunit of B. maxima RuBisCO but notwith spinach RuBisCO. Immunofluorescence and immunoenzymaticstudies showed that the large subunit of B. maxima RuBisCO wasconcentrated in pyrenoids and on the surface of starch grainssurrounding the pyrenoids. (Received September 22, 1987; Accepted March 2, 1988)     

Purification and Properties of Alcohol Dehydrogenase from Tea Seeds

The process of antigen presentation is not well understood. We screened for drugs that distinguish presentation of allogeneic class 2 antigens and exogenous antigens. When spleen cells were used as antigen presenting cells (APC), leupeptin and antipain preferentially inhibited allogeneic class 2 presentation, while they did not affect presentation of exogenous antigen and T cell growth. In contrast, they inhibited both presentations when spleen adherent cells (SAC) were used as APC. Our results suggest that SAC (mainly macrophages) and splenic B cells use different pathways to present exogenous antigens and that pathways to present allogeneic class 2 molecules are similar.     

Cytochrome components of green alga, Bryopsis maxima: Purification and properties of cytochrome f from membrane fragments

From the membrane fragments of the green alga Bryopsis maxima,a cytochrome which resembles cytochrome f of higher plants wassolubilized with methyl ethyl ketone. The cytochrome was partlypurified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, followed by gelfiltration. Its properties were similar to those of the algalcytochrome f reported by Wood (26). The approximate molar ratioof cytochromes f, c-553 and chlorophyll in B. maxima was 1 :1 : 600–700. ¹ In this communication, according to the recommendation byWood (26), cytochrome f is the membrane-bound c-component andcytochrome c-55 the soluble one. In some references cited, thesechloroplast cytochromes are called algal cytochrome f. (Received February 16, 1978; )     

Co-Localization of Particle Transport with Microtubules in Cytoplasmic Exudates of the Siphonous Green Alga Bryopsis

Organelles in the cortical cytoplasm of the siphonous green alga Bryopsis display various types of motile activities. One of them, saltatory movement along axially oriented linear tracks is typical for mitochondria and other small particles. A method is described which allows in vitro observation of such movements in thin layers of cytoplasm extruded from the alga and attached to a poly-l -lysine coated glass surface. By comparing video recordings of motile activities with the position of cytoskeletal elements visualized by immunofluorescence in the same area of a cytoplasmic exudate, it can be shown that tracks along which particles have moved in vitro are identical with microtubules (MTs). Depolymerization of MTs in the cytoplasmic exudates by MT-specific inhibitors stops particle movement, whereas depolymerization of actin filaments with cytochalasin D disrupts actin bundles but has little effect on particle motility. These data are consistent with the model of MT guided particle transport.     

假根羽藻主要捕光叶绿素a/b-蛋白复合体的特性(英文)

应用阴离子交换和凝胶过滤层析技术,从假根羽藻(Bryopsis corticulans Setch. )类囊体膜中直接分离、纯化获得了主要叶绿素a/b-蛋白复合体(LHCⅡ)。经蔗糖密度梯度超速离心获得了该色素蛋白复合体的单体和三聚体。反相液相色谱的色素分析结果显示,假根羽藻LHCⅡ的色素组成含有叶绿素a、叶绿素b、新黄质、紫黄质和管藻素等。其单体的电子跃迁能谱与三聚体的相似。园二色光谱分析显示,在LHCⅡ脱辅基蛋白质上分别存在着很强的叶绿素a偶极子之间和叶绿素b偶极子之间的分子内相互作用,然而这些偶极子之间的分子间的相互作用在三聚体中得到明显增强。在能量传递方面,LHCⅡ单体有着与三聚体相似的从叶绿素b到叶绿素a以及从管藻素到叶绿素a的高效传能能力。实验结果表明,假根羽藻中LHCⅡ单体具有像三聚体那样可以高效发挥吸能和传能生理功能的色素组成形式。因此,这些单体可能是假根羽藻类囊体膜上具有功能作用的LHCⅡ的结构形式。     

Purification and Properties of NAD-Dependent Sorbitol Dehydrogenase from Apple Fruit

This is the first report of the purification of NAD-dependentsorbitol dehydrogenase (NAD-SDH) from a plant source. The enzymewas extracted from apple (Malus domestica cv. Ourin) fruit andpurified until it appeared as a single polypeptide chain ona gel after SDS-PAGE. From the apparent molecular mass of 62kDa obtained by SDS-PAGE and that of 120 kDa by gel filtration,the enzyme appeared to be a homodimer. Maximum rates of oxidationof sorbitol and reduction of fructose were observed at pH 9.6and pH 6.0, respectively. The K_m for oxidation of sorbitol was40.3 mM and that for reduction of fructose was 215 mM. The maximumrate of oxidation of sorbitol was about 10 times higher thanthat of the reduction of fructose. The results of the kineticanalysis strongly suggest that in vivo the enzyme would favorthe conversion of sorbitol to fructose over the reverse reaction.None of the divalent cations tested had any effect on the oxidationof sorbitol by NAD-SDH. The reaction catalyzed by NAD-SDH wasnot specific to sorbitol and other substrates could also beoxidized. Among the tested substrates, ethyl alcohol had a particularlyhigh affinity for the enzyme. (Received February 2, 1994; Accepted May 31, 1994)     

Sarcosine Dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida: Purification and Some Properties

A sarcosine dehydrogenase was purified to homogeneity from cell free extract of Pseudomonas putida aerobically grown in a medium containing creatinine or betaine as the carbon and nitrogen sources. The enzyme catalyzed dehydrogenation of N-methyl derivatives of some amino acids but was inert toward dimethylglycine, betaine and choline. Phenazine methosulfate, 2, 6-dichlorophenol indophenol, methylene blue, meldora blue, nile blue and potassium ferricyanide served as electron carriers. The maximal activity was observed at pH 8.0–9.0. The Km and K_max values for sarcosine were 29 mm and 1.2 μmol/min/mg, respectively. The molecular weight was estimated to be about 170,000, presumably composed of four sub-units. Spectrophotometric and fluorometric analyses indicated that the enzyme was a flavoprotein.