Isolation and characterization of six human hepatic isometallothioneins.

Human brain contains one cationic (pI8.3) and two anionic (pI5.5 and 4.6) forms of glutathione S-transferase. The cationic form (pI8.3) and the less-anionic form (pI5.5) do not correspond to any of the glutathione S-transferases previously characterized in human tissues. Both of these forms are dimers of 26500-Mr subunits; however, immunological and catalytic properties indicate that these two enzyme forms are different from each other. The cationic form (pI8.3) cross-reacts with antibodies raised against cationic glutathione S-transferases of human liver, whereas the anionic form (pI5.5) does not. Additionally, only the cationic form expresses glutathione peroxidase activity. The other anionic form (pI4.6) is a dimer of 24500-Mr and 22500-Mr subunits. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis demonstrates that there are three types of 26500-Mr subunits, two types of 24500-Mr subunits and two types of 22500-Mr subunits present in the glutathione S-transferases of human brain.     

Identification of a basic hybrid glutathione S-transferase from human liver. Glutathione S-transferase delta is composed of two distinct subunits (B1 and B2).

The purification of a hybrid glutathione S-transferase (B1 B2) from human liver is described. This enzyme has an isoelectric point of 8.75 and the B1 and B2 subunits are distinguishable immunologically and are ionically distinct. Hybridization experiments demonstrated that B1 B1 and B2 B2 could be resolved by CM-cellulose chromatography and have pI values of 8.9 and 8.4 respectively. Transferase B1 B2, and the two homodimers from which it is formed, are electrophoretically and immunochemically distinct from the neutral enzyme (transferase mu) and two acidic enzymes (transferases rho and lambda). Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis demonstrated that B1 and B2 both have an Mr of 26 000, whereas, in contrast, transferase mu comprises subunits of Mr 27 000 and transferases rho and lambda both comprise subunits of Mr 24 500. Antisera raised against B1 or B2 monomers did not cross-react with the neutral or acidic glutathione S-transferases. The identity of transferase B1 B2 with glutathione S-transferase delta prepared by the method of Kamisaka, Habig, Ketley, Arias & Jakoby [(1975) Eur. J. Biochem. 60, 153-161] has been demonstrated, as well as its relationship to other previously described transferases.     

Rat lung glutathione S-transferases. Evidence for two distinct types of 22000-Mr subunits.

Two immunologically distinct types of 22000-Mr subunits are present in rat lung glutathione S-transferases. One of these subunits is probably similar to Ya subunits of rat liver glutathione S-transferases, whereas the other subunit Ya' is immunologically distinct. Glutathione S-transferase II (pI7.2) of rat lung is a heterodimer (YaYa') of these subunits, and glutathione S-transferase VI (pI4.8) of rat lung is a homodimer of Ya' subunits. On hybridization in vitro of the subunits of glutathione S-transferase II of rat lung three active dimers having pI values 9.4, 7.2 and 4.8 are obtained. Immunological properties and substrate specificities indicate that the hybridized enzymes having pI7.2 and 4.8 correspond to glutathione S-transferases II and VI of rat lung respectively.     

The identification and characterization of two separate carboxylesterases in guinea-pig serum.

The esterase activity of guinea-pig serum was investigated. A 3-fold purification was achieved by removing the serum albumin by Blue Sepharose CL-6B affinity chromatography. The partially purified enzyme preparation had carboxylesterase and cholinesterase activities of 1.0 and 0.22 mumol of substrate/min per mg of protein respectively. The esterases were labelled with [3H]di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DiPF) and separated electrophoretically on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gels. Two main labelled bands were detected: band I had Mr 80 000 and bound 18-19 pmol of [3H]DiPF/mg of protein, and band II had Mr 58 000 and bound 7 pmol of [3H]DiPF/mg of protein. Bis-p-nitrophenyl phosphate (a selective inhibitor of carboxylesterase) inhibited most of the labelling of bands I and II. The residual labelling (8%) of band I but not band II (4%) was removed by preincubation of partially purified enzyme preparation with neostigmine (a selective inhibitor of cholinesterase). Paraoxon totally prevented the [3H]DiPF labelling of the partially purified enzyme preparation. Isoelectrofocusing of [3H]DiPF-labelled and uninhibited partially purified enzyme preparation revealed that there were at least two separate carboxylesterases, which had pI3.9 and pI6.2, a cholinesterase enzyme (pI4.3) and an unidentified protein that reacts with [3H]DiPF and has a pI5.0. Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of these enzymes showed that the carboxylesterase enzymes at pI3.9 and pI6.2 corresponded to the 80 000-Mr subunit (band I) and 58 000-Mr subunit (band II). The cholinesterase enzyme was also composed of 80 000-Mr subunits (i.e. the residual labelling in band I after bis-p-nitrophenyl phosphate treatment). The unidentified protein at pI5.0 corresponded to the residual labelling in band II (Mr 58 000), which was insensitive to neostigmine and bis-p-nitrophenyl phosphate. These studies show that the carboxylesterase activity of guinea-pig serum is the result of at least two separate and distinct enzymes.     

Purification and characterization of glutathione S-transferases of human kidney.

Several forms of glutathione S-transferase (GST) are present in human kidney, and the overall isoenzyme pattern of kidney differs significantly from those of other human tissues. All the three major classes of GST isoenzymes (alpha, mu and pi) are present in significant amounts in kidney, indicating that GST1, GST2 and GST3 gene loci are expressed in this tissue. More than one form of GST is present in each of these classes of enzymes, and individual variations are observed for these classes. The structural, immunological and functional properties of GST isoenzymes of three classes differ significantly from each other, whereas the isoenzymes belonging to the same class have similar properties. All the cationic GST isoenzymes of human kidney except for GST 9.1 are heterodimers of 26,500-Mr and 24,500-Mr subunits. GST 9.1 is a dimer of 24,500-Mr subunits. All the cationic isoenzymes of kidney GST cross-react with antibodies raised against a mixture of GST alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon isoenzymes of liver. GST 6.6 and GST 5.5 of kidney are dimers of 26,500-Mr subunits and are immunologically similar to GST psi of liver. Unlike other human tissues, kidney has at least two isoenzymes (pI 4.7 and 4.9) associated with the GST3 locus. Both these isoenzymes are dimers of 22,500-Mr subunits and are immunologically similar to GST pi of placenta. Some of the isoenzymes of kidney do not correspond to known GST isoenzymes from other human tissues and may be specific to this tissue.     

Two immunologically distinct Yc-type subunits are present in rat lung glutathione S-transferases.

Two types of 25 000-Mr subunits are present in rat lung glutathione S-transferase I (pI 8.8). These subunits, designated Yc and Yc', are immunologically and functionally distinct from each other. The homodimers YcYc (pI 10.4) and Yc'Yc' (pI 7.6) obtained by hybridization in vitro of the two subunits of glutathione S-transferase I (pI 8.8) were isolated and characterized. Results of these studies indicate that only the Yc subunits express glutathione peroxidase activity and cross-react with the antibodies raised against glutathione S-transferase B (YaYc) or rat liver. The Yc' subunits do not express glutathione peroxidase activity and do not cross-react with the antibodies raised against glutathione S-transferase B of rat liver. The amino acid compositions of these two subunits are also different. These two subunits can also be separated by the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of glutathione S-transferase I (pI 8.8) of rat lung.     

Subunit structure of human and rat glutathione S-transferases

In rat tissues different forms of glutathione (GSH) S-transferases represent various dimeric combinations of at least four different classes of subunits categorized on the basis of their Mr values as seen on polyacrylamide gels. These subunit types represent heterogeneous populations and the actual number of subunits in rat GSH S-transferases may be far more than is known at present. Human GSH S-transferases arise from dimeric combinations of at least four immunologically and functionally distinct subunits which can be classified into three types, A (Mr 26,500), B (Mr 24,500) and C (Mr 22,500). There is evidence for considerable charge heterogeneity in each of these subunit types.     

Rat lung glutathione S-transferases: subunit structure and the interrelationship with the liver enzymes

Six forms of glutathione S-transferases designated as GSH S-transferase I (pI 8.8), II (pI 7.2), III (pI 6.8), IV (pI 6.0), V (pI 5.3) and VI (pI 4.8) have been purified from rat lung. GSH S-transferase I (pI 8.8) is a homodimer of Mr 25,000 subunits; GSH S-transferases II (pI 7.2) and VI (pI 4.8) are homodimers of Mr 22,000 subunits; and GSH S-transferases III (pI 6.8), IV (pI 6.0) and V (pI 5.3) are dimers composed of Mr 23,500 and 22,000 subunits. Immunological properties, peptide fragmentation analysis, and substrate specificity data indicate that Mr 22,000, 23,500 and 25,000, are distinct from each other and correspond to Ya, Yb, and Yc subunits, respectively, of rat liver.     

Ricin and Ricinus communis agglutinin subunits are all derived from a single-size polypeptide precursor

Antibodies have been raised in rabbits against the individually purified A and B subunits of the toxic castor bean lectin, ricin, and against the A' and B' subunits of Ricinus communis agglutinin type I. Each of the antisera recognised a single polypeptide species of Mr 60 500 when maturing castor bean endosperm mRNA was translated in vitro in a rabbit-reticulocyte-derived system. When dog pancreatic microsomal vesicles were included in the translational system, each subunit antiserum precipitated a group of 66 000-68 000-Mr core-glycosylated polypeptides which had been translocated into the lumen of the vesicles. The 60 500-Mr polypeptide appeared to be a common precursor to all four individual lectin subunits since (a) its glycosylated (66 000-68 000-Mr) forms were readily detected in the endoplasmic reticulum fraction isolated from maturing castor bean endosperm and (b) pulse-chase studies showed that the glycosylated precursors disappeared from the endoplasmic reticulum fraction with the concomittant appearance of authentic lectin subunits in a soluble protein fraction which included protein body matrix components. Antiserum prepared against whole R. communis agglutinin, type I, also precipitated the 65 000-Mr precursor in vitro and in vivo, but in addition precipitated a non-glycosylated 34 000-Mr polypeptide. This smaller protein is not a lectin subunit precursor, contradicting an earlier suggestion. It is most probably a precursor to the 2-S albumin storage proteins found in castor bean endosperm protein bodies.     

Detection and purification of the free A subunit of heat-labile enterotoxin produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

After removal of total B subunit and heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) from crude cell extracts of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (HB 101-EWD 299) by Bio-gel A 5 m column chromatography, the crude cell extract was shown to contain a free A subunit (A' subunit) that did not bind to the coligenoid of the B subunits. The A' subunit was found to be immunologically identical to the A subunit of holo-LT and was purified to show only one band in SDS-poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The mobility of the A' subunit was identical to that of the A subunit of holo-LT. The pI value of the A' subunit was also the same as that of the A subunit of holo-LT. These data suggest that in enterotoxigenic E. coli there is free A subunit which may be involved in formation of holo-LT, analogously to free B subunit (coligenoid), and that the free A subunit is physicochemically and immunologically identical to the A subunit of holo-LT.     

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.     

Purification and comparison of the structures of human liver acidic alpha-D-mannosidases A and B.

Human liver alpha-D-mannosidases A and B were purified 11 500-fold and 2000-fold respectively. Both showed microheterogeneity when analysed by isoelectric focusing. Alpha-D-Mannosidases A and B are immunologically identical but differ in their range of pI values, molecular masses, uptake into fibroblasts and subunit compositions. Alpha-D-Mannosidase A consists of equimolar proportions of subunits of molecular masses 62 kDa and 26 kDa, which are linked by disulphide bridges in the intact enzyme. Alpha-D-Mannosidase B also contains a small subunit, of molecular mass 26 kDa, and a variable mixture of larger subunits, of molecular masses 58 kDa and 62 kDa. The 62 kDa and 58 kDa subunits, but not the 26 kDa one, contain concanavalin A-recognizing glycans. The 58 kDa subunit has a lower pI, contains less high-mannose glycans but probably contains more mannose 6-phosphate than the 62 kDa subunit. It is postulated that the differences in structure and properties of alpha-D-mannosidases A and B are due to differences in the state of processing of the large subunit. This suggestion is consistent with a single locus on chromosome 19 for lysosomal alpha-D-mannosidase.     

Purification, characterization and comparison of two non-haem bromoperoxidases from Streptomyces aureofaciens ATCC 10762.

Two non-haem bromoperoxidases (BPO 1 and BPO 2) were purified from the 7-chlorotetracycline-producing strain Streptomyces aureofaciens ATCC 10762. Both enzymes showed azide-insensitive brominating activity, and bromide-dependent peroxidase activity. BPO 1 was a dimer (Mr 65,000) with subunits of identical size (Mr 31,000). The pI was estimated to be 4.5. The enzyme did not cross-react with antibodies raised against the non-haem bromoperoxidase (Mr 90,000) from S. aureofaciens Tü24, a strain that also produces 7-chlorotetracycline. The Mr of BPO 2 was estimated to be 90,000. The enzyme had three identical subunits (Mr 31,000), and its isoelectric point was 3.5, identical with that of the bromoperoxidase from S. aureofaciens Tü24. Moreover, BPO 2 was immunologically identical with the bromoperoxidase from S. aureofaciens Tü24, although both it and BPO 1 could be distinguished electrophoretically from the latter bromoperoxidase.     

Chitinase system of Bacillus circulans WL-12 and importance of chitinase A1 in chitin degradation.

Bacillus circulans WL-12, isolated as a yeast cell wall-lytic bacterium, secretes a variety of polysaccharide-degrading enzymes into culture medium. When chitinases of the bacterium were induced with chitin, six distinct chitinase molecules were detected in the culture supernatant. These chitinases (A1, A2, B1, B2, C, and D) showed the following distinct sizes and isoelectric points: Mr 74,000, pI 4.7 (A1); Mr 69,000, pI 4.5 (A2); Mr 38,000, pI 6.6 (B1); Mr 38,000, pI 5.9 (B2); Mr 39,000, pI 8.5 (C); and Mr 52,000, pI 5.2 (D). Among these chitinases, A1 and A2 had the highest colloidal-chitin-hydrolyzing activities. Chitinase A1 showed a strong affinity to insoluble substrate chitin. Purified chitinase A1 released predominantly chitobiose [(GlcNAc)2] and a trace amount of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) from colloidal chitin. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of chitinases A1 and A2 indicated that chitinase A2 was generated from chitinase A1, presumably by proteolytic removal of a C-terminal portion of chitinase A1. Since chitinase A2 did not have the ability to bind to chitin, the importance of the C-terminal region of chitinase A1 to the strong affinity of chitinase A1 to substrate chitin was suggested. Strong affinity of the chitinase seemed to be required for complete degradation of insoluble substrate chitin. From these results, it was concluded that chitinase A1 is the key enzyme in the chitinase system of this bacterium.     

Quaternary structure of bovine cytochrome oxidase

A hydrodynamically homogeneous preparation of bovine mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase can be obtained by anion-exchange chromatography of alkaline-treated enzyme, followed by a gel permeation chromatography step, which further removes some (aggregated) apoprotein. The molecular weight, Mr, of the monodisperse enzyme in Triton X-100 was found to be 210000. This complex is composed of six different polypeptides, with Mr summing up to about 110000 in toto, in a relative one-to-one stoichiometry. Two sets of these subunits constitute the 210000-Mr enzyme complex. In contrast to our earlier report [Saraste, Penttil?, Coggins, and Wikstr?m, FEBS Lett. 114 (1980) 35-38] the 210000-Mr enzyme contains four (and not two) haems A, and therefore represents the dimer of cytochrome aa3. One of the proposed seven subunits, number III, is lacking in this enzyme preparation.     

Heterogeneity of dog-liver glutathione S-transferases. Evidence for a unique temperature dependence of the catalytic process

Dog liver glutathione S-transferase activities are associated with five cytosolic proteins and to approximately 1.5% with microsomal proteins determined on the basis of activity conjugating to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. The four major cytosolic enzymes were purified to apparent homogeneity by sequential use of ion-exchange, hydrophobic, hydroxyapatite and affinity chromatography. The isolated transferases are binary combinations of three classes of subunits: alpha (Mr = 26,000), beta (Mr = 27,000), gamma (Mr = 28,500). They were classified by roman numerals assigned in order of increasing isoelectric point as DI alpha gamma (pI 6.4), DII alpha alpha (pI 6.9), DIII beta gamma (pI 8.1), and DIV beta gamma (pI 8.7). Additionally, traces of conjugating activity may be attributed to a, beta monomeric or dimeric protein with cationic character. The differences in catalytic specificity, temperature and pH dependence of activity, and sensitivity and kinetic response to inhibitory ligands may reflect the intrinsic structural heterogeneity of the transferases. At physiological glutathione concentrations DI alpha gamma accounted for roughly 60% of the total 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene-conjugating activity, the rank order of activity being DI alpha gamma greater than DII alpha alpha greater than DIV beta gamma greater than DIII beta gamma. The glutathione-dependent denitration of organic nitrates seems to be restricted to the cationic enzymes, whereas 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene-conjugating activity is exclusively associated with the anionic transferases, DI alpha gamma much greater than DII alpha alpha. Arrhenius plots from initial rate experiments performed over a range of temperatures (15-40 degrees C) exhibit an upward bend for DI alpha gamma, an apparently constant slope for DII alpha alpha and DIII beta gamma, and a downward bend for DIV beta gamma.     

Studies on the subunits of human myeloperoxidase.

The subunit composition of human myeloperoxidase was studied with the use of sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and gel filtration. The subunit pattern observed depended on the manner in which the enzyme was treated before analysis. Reduction before heat treatment in detergent led to two main protein species (Mr 57 000 and 10 500), whereas reduction during or after heat treatment yielded an additional species of Mr 39 000. Heating without any reductive pretreatment yielded the 39 000-Mr form as the major electrophoretic species. Carbohydrate staining showed large amounts of sugar on the 57 000-Mr species and little on the 10 500-Mr form. Significant amounts of haem were associated with this latter subunit. Haem also seemed to be associated with the 57 000-Mr form but not with the 39 000-Mr one. These three subunit forms were isolated and their amino acid composition analysed. The 57 000-Mr and 39 000-Mr forms had very similar amino acid composition and yielded an apparently identical collection of fragments on incubation with CNBr. Once separated, the subunits could not be interconverted. Generally, minor amounts of other molecular-mass forms were observed. The nature of the various molecular-mass forms originating from myeloperoxidase is discussed.     

Characterization of a novel alpha-class anionic glutathione S-transferase isozyme from human liver

A novel, alpha-class glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozyme has been isolated from human liver using glutathione (GSH) affinity chromatography, DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, and immunoaffinity chromatography. The isozyme is a dimer of approximately 25,000 Mr with blocked N termini. Structural, kinetic, and immunological properties of this enzyme indicate that it belongs to the alpha class of GSTs. Noticeable differences between the properties of this enzyme and the other alpha-class GSTs of human liver are its anionic nature (pI 5.0), GSH peroxidase activity toward hydrogen peroxide, and relatively higher GSH conjugating activities toward CDNB and epoxide substrates as compared to other alpha-class GSTs. Results of these studies indicate that anionic GST omega characterized previously (Y. C. Awasthi, D. D. Dao, and R. P. Saneto, 1980, Biochem. J. 191, 1-10) from human liver is a mixture of GST pi and a novel alpha-class GST. We have, therefore, reassigned the name GST omega to this new alpha-class anionic GST of human liver.     

Subunit composition of glutathione S-transferases of rat lung

Rat lung glutathione S-transferases (GST) III (pI 6.8) and IV (pI 6.0) have two immunologically and kinetically distinct Yb types of subunits and these subunits are immunologically similar to the corresponding subunits of liver GST. It is demonstrated that GST III (pI 6.8) and IV (pI 6.0) of rat lung are heterodimers of Ya and Yb type of subunits, a combination not observed among liver GST. Unlike the Yb type subunits of rat liver GST, the Yb type subunits of rat lung GST hybridize with the Ya type subunits in vitro.     

Affinity purification and subunit structures of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases A and B from boar epididymis.

beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase from boar epididymis was separated into two forms, A and B, on DEAE-cellulose. Both these forms were excluded from Sepharose S-200 and had apparent Mr values of 510 000 on gradient gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions. Affinity chromatography on 2-acetamido-N-(6-aminohexanoyl)-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosylam ine coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B was used to separate and purify beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases A and B that had specific activities of 115 and 380 mumol/min per mg of protein respectively. Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of denatured beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase A gave a single major component of Mr 67 000. beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase B also had this component, and in addition had polypeptides of Mr 29 000 and 26 000. All these polypeptides were glycosylated. Antiserum to the B form precipitated form A from solution and reacted with the 67 000-Mr component or form A after electrophoretic transfer from sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gels to nitrocellulose sheets. The 67 000-Mr components of forms A and B yielded identical peptide maps when digested with Staphylococcus aureus V8 proteinase, and the 29 000-Mr and 26 000-Mr components in form B may be related to the 67 000-Mr polypeptide.