The Contribution of Arabidopsis Homologs of L-Gulono-1,4-lactone Oxidase to the Biosynthesis of Ascorbic Acid

To clarify the involvement of seven Arabidopsis homologs of rat L-gulono-1,4-lactone (L-GulL) oxidase, AtGulLOs, in the biosynthesis of L-ascorbic acid (AsA), transgenic tobacco cells overexpressing the various AtGulLOs were generated. Under treatment with L-GulL, the levels of total AsA in three transgenic tobacco cell lines, overexpressing AtGulLO2, 3, or 5, were significantly increased as compared with those in control cells.     

Confirmation of the structure of tetra-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-D-glucono-1,4-lactone formed by silylation of D-glucono-1,5-lactone

The structure of tetra-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-D-glucono-1,4-lactone made by the silylation of D-glucono-1,5-lactone has been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis.     

Ascorbic acid synthesis due to L-gulono-1,4-lactone oxidase expression enhances NO production in endothelial cells

As a primary antioxidant, ascorbic acid (AA) provides beneficial effects for vascular health mitigating oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. However, the association of intracellular AA with NO production occurring inside the endothelial cells remains unclear. In the present study, we addressed this issue by increasing intracellular AA directly through de novo synthesis. To restore AA synthesis pathway, bovine aortic endothelial cells were transfected with the plasmid vector encoding L-gulono-1,4-lactone oxidase (GULO, EC 1.1.3.8), the missing enzyme converting L-gulono-1,4-lactone (GUL) to AA. Functional expression of GULO was verified by Western blotting and in vitro enzyme activity assay. GULO expression alone did not lead to AA synthesis but the supply of GUL resulted in a marked increase of intracellular AA. When the cells were stimulated with calcium ionophore, A23187, NO production was more active in the GULO-expressing cells supplied with GUL, in comparison with the cells without GULO expression or without GUL supply, indicating that intracellular AA regulated NO production. Enhancement of NO production by intracellular AA was further verified in aortic endothelial cells obtained from eNOS knockout mice that were cotransfected with eNOS and GULO constructs. GULO-dependent AA synthesis also elevated intracellular tetrahydrobiopterin content, implicating that this essential cofactor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) might mediate the AA effect. The present study strongly suggests that intracellular AA plays critical roles in vascular physiology through enhancing endothelial NO production.     

An improved synthesis of 5-thio-D-ribose from D-ribono-1,4-lactone

5-Thio-D-ribopyranose was synthesized from D-ribono-1,4-lactone (1) by two approaches: (i) 5-bromo-5-deoxy-D-ribono-1,4-lactone (2) was successively transformed into 5-bromo-5-deoxy, 5-S-acetyl-5-thio or 5-thiocyanato-D-ribofuranose derivatives; appropriate treatment then lead to 5-thio-D-ribopyranose (7) in 46-48% overall yield and; (ii) 2 was transformed into the 5-S-acetyl-5-thio-D-ribono-1,4-lactone derivative (11). Reduction and deprotection of 11 afforded 5-thio-D-ribopyranose (7) in 57% overall yield.     

Photoinduced electron-transfer alpha-deoxygenation of aldonolactones. Efficient synthesis of 2-deoxy-D-arabino-hexono-1,4-lactone

A photoinduced electron-transfer (PET) reaction was used for the deoxygenation at C-2 of aldonolactones derivatized as 2-O-[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl] or benzoyl esters. By irradiation of different D-galactono- and D-glucono-1,4-derivatives, with a 450W lamp, using 9-methylcarbazole as photosensitizer, the corresponding 2-deoxy-D-lyxo- and 2-deoxy-D-arabino-hexono-1,4-lactones were efficiently obtained.     

Characterization of Mesorhizobium loti L-Rhamnose Isomerase and Its Application to L-Talose Production

The L-rhamnose isomerase gene (rhi) of Mesorhizobium loti was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and then characterized. The enzyme exhibited activity with respect to various aldoses, including D-allose and L-talose. Application of it in L-talose production from galactitol was achieved by a two-step reaction, indicating that it can be utilized in the large-scale production of L-talose.     

Synthesis of new N-substituted 3,4,5-trihydroxypiperidin-2-ones from d-ribono-1,4-lactone

d-Ribono-1,4-lactone was treated with ethylamine in DMF to afford N-ethyl-d-ribonamide 8a in quantitative yield. Using this reaction procedure, N-butyl, N-hexyl, N-dodecyl, N-benzyl, N-(3-methyl-pyridinyl)-, N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-, and N-(2-cyano-ethyl)-d-ribonamides 8b-h were obtained in quantitative yield. Bromination of the amides 8a-e with acetyl bromide in dioxane followed by acetylation gave 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-5-bromo-5-deoxy-N-ethyl, N-butyl, N-hexyl, N-dodecyl, and N-benzyl-d-ribonamides 9a-e in 40-54% yields. To obtain 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-5-bromo-5-deoxy-N-(3-methyl-pyridinyl)-, N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-, and N-(2-cyano-ethyl)-9f-h, the bromination is necessary before the amidation reaction. Treatment of the bromoamides 9a-h with NaH in DMF followed by methanolysis affords N-alkyl-d-ribono-1,5-lactams 12a-h in quantitative yield.     

Facile synthesis of a D-galactono-1,6-lactone derivative, a precursor of a copolyester

2,3,4,6-Tetra-O-methyl-d-galactonic acid (5) was readily prepared from d-galactono-1,4-lactone (1) in 47% yield. The sequence involves tritylation of HO-6 of 1, followed by O-permethylation and deprotection. Lactonization of 5 led to the per-O-methyl-d-galactono-1,6-lactone, which was copolymerized with epsilon-caprolactone by ring-opening polymerization catalyzed by scandium triflate. The incorporation of the sugar comonomer into the polyester chain was about 10%.     

Preparation of Phgsphatioyll2-3Hjinositgl from Yeast Grown in Medium Containing N;Yol2-3Hjinositol

Phosphatidy[2-³]jinositol was prepared from Saccharoniycts cerevisiae (YSC-2), grown in synthetic meaiurn containing myo[2-³H]inositol. Over 44 μCi (or 81 %) of the racio-labeleo inositol was taken up by the organism, with 34 yCi incorporated into phospnatiaylinositol. Upon purification d) silicic acia-meaium pressure liquia chrcnatography (MPLC), a final yield of 24 to 2b μCi of phosphatiayl[2-³h]inositot with a specific radioactivity of 40 ± 10³ apm/nmoie wäs obtained. The purified phosphatiuyl[2-³H] inositol was founo to be a suitable substrate for phospholipase C from human platelets     

Gene Cloning and Characterization of α-Amino Acid Ester Acyl Transferase in Empedobacter brevis ATCC14234 and Sphingobacterium siyangensis AJ2458

The gene encoding α-amino acid ester acyl transferase (AET), the enzyme that catalyzes the peptide-forming reaction from amino acid methyl esters and amino acids, was cloned from Empedobacter brevis ATCC14234 and Sphingobacterium siyangensis AJ2458 and expressed in Escherichia coli. This is the first report on the aet gene. It encodes a polypeptide composed of 616 (ATCC14234) and 619 (AJ2458) amino acids residues. The V _max values of these recombinant enzymes during the catalysis of L-alanyl-L-glutamine formation from L-alanine methylester and L-glutamine were 1,010 U/mg (ATCC14234) and 1,154 U/mg (AJ2458). An amino acid sequence similarity search revealed 35% (ATCC14234) and 36% (AJ2458) identity with an α-amino acid ester hydrolase from Acetobacter pasteurianus, which contains an active-site serine in the consensus serine enzyme motif, GxSYxG. In the deduced amino acid sequences of AET from both bacteria, the GxSYxG motif was conserved, suggesting that AET is a serine enzyme.     

Synthesis of 2,3,4,5-tetra-O-methyl-D-glucono-1,6-lactone as a monomer for the preparation of copolyesters

2,3,4,5-tetra-O-methyl-D-glucono-1,6-lactone has been prepared as a crystalline compound in acceptable yield by two different routes. An initial assay of copolymerization with L-lactide by ring-opening polymerization was carried out. The incorporation of the carbohydrate monomer into the polymer chain was about 2%.     

Purification and Properties of Two Chitinases from Streptomyces sp. J-13-3

Two chitinases (Chi-A and Chi-B) purified from Streptomyces sp. J-13-3 had the same molecular weights (31,000) and enzymatic properties (optimum pH and temperature of pH 6.0 and 45°C) but had significantly different isoelectric points (3.9 for Chi-A, 3.5 for Chi-B). Chi-A and -B had identical N-terminal amino acid sequences (ADXAAAWNASSVYTGGGSASYNGHN), similar amino acid compositions, and immunological cross-reactivities. A concomitant decrease of Chi-A and increase of Chi-B was observed in their productions during cultivation.     

Enzymatic Quantification of L-Tartrate in Wines and Grapes by Using the Secondary Activity of D-Malate Dehydrogenase

L-Tartrate in wines and grapes was enzymatically quantified by using the secondary activity of D-malate dehydrogenase (D-MDH). NADH formed by the D-MDH reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically. Under the optimal conditions, L-tartrate (a 1.0 mM sample solution) was fully oxidized by D-MDH in 30 min. A linear relationship was obtained between the absorbance difference and the L-tartrate concentration in the range of a 0.02-1.0 mM sample solution with a correlation coefficient of 0.9991. The relative standard deviation from ten measurements was 1.71% at the 1.0 mM sample solution level. The proposed method was compared with HPLC, and the values determined by both methods were in good agreement.     

The Mode of Binding of Carbohydrate in Ricin D

Dehydro-L-ascorbic acid (DAA) exists mainly in its C2 hydrated bicyclic form (5) in an aqueous solution, and monocyclic DAA (3), which is the expected reaction product immediately after the oxidation of AA, has not been observed by NMR spectroscopy. The formation mechanism for 5 from 3 and the stability of 5 were examined by the semi-empirical molecular orbital method (MOPAC). It was indicated that the protonation reaction was the key step in the formation of 5, therefore, the formation of 5 is thought to be more difficult under physiological conditions which mostly involve in the neutral or slightly alkaline state. However, by NMR, it was confirmed that, even in a neutral or slightly alkaline state very close to physiological conditions, the predominant form of DAA existing in an aqueous solution immediately after the enzymatic oxidation of AA was confirmed to be 5, although the possible existence of other forms of DAA at very low concentrations could not be completely excluded.     

Synthesis of polyhydroxy amino acids based on D- and L-alanine from D-glycero-D-gulo-heptono-1,4-lactone

2-Amino-2,3-dideoxy-D-manno-heptonic acid (7) has been synthesized from 2,5,6,7-tetra-O-acetyl-3-deoxy-D-gluco-heptono-1,4-lactone (1), which was readily prepared from D-glycero-D-gulo-heptono-1,4-lactone. O-Deacetylation of 1 followed by treatment with 13:1 (v/v) 2,2-dimethoxypropane/acetone in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid gave methyl 3-deoxy-4,5:6,7-di-O-isopropylidene-D-gluco-heptonate (3) as a crystalline product (80% yield). The free hydroxyl group (OH-2) of 3 was mesylated and substituted by azide to give the corresponding azide derivative 5. Hydrogenolysis and further hydrolysis of the ester function of 5 afforded alpha-amino acid 7 (43% overall yield from 1). Compound 7 is an analog of L-alanine having a polyhydroxy chain attached to C-3. The diastereoisomer of 7 at C-2, 2-amino-2,3-dideoxy-D-gluco-heptonic acid (12) was also prepared from 3, by a route that involved 2,3-dideoxy-2-iodo derivative 8 as a key intermediate.     

D-Erythroascorbic acid activates cyanide-resistant respiration in Candida albicans

Higher plants, protists and fungi possess cyanide-resistant respiratory pathway, which is mediated by alternative oxidase (AOX). The activity of AOX has been found to be dependent on several regulatory mechanisms including gene expression and posttranslational regulation. In the present study, we report that the presence of cyanide in culture medium remarkably retarded the growth of alo1/alo1 mutant of Candida albicans, which lacks d-arabinono-1,4-lactone oxidase (ALO) that catalyzes the final step of d-erythroascorbic acid (EASC) biosynthesis. Measurement of respiratory activity and Western blot analysis revealed that increase in the intracellular EASC level induces the expression of AOX in C. albicans. AOX could still be induced by antimycin A, a respiratory inhibitor, in the absence of EASC, suggesting that several factors may act in parallel pathways to induce the expression of AOX. Taken together, our results suggest that EASC plays important roles in activation of cyanide-resistant respiration in C. albicans.     

Production of l-allose and d-talose from l-psicose and d-tagatose by l-ribose isomerase

l-ribose isomerase (L-RI) from Cellulomonas parahominis MB426 can convert l-psicose and d-tagatose to l-allose and d-talose, respectively. Partially purified recombinant L-RI from Escherichia coli JM109 was immobilized on DIAION HPA25L resin and then utilized to produce l-allose and d-talose. Conversion reaction was performed with the reaction mixture containing 10% l-psicose or d-tagatose and immobilized L-RI at 40 °C. At equilibrium state, the yield of l-allose and d-talose was 35.0% and 13.0%, respectively. Immobilized enzyme could convert l-psicose to l-allose without remarkable decrease in the enzyme activity over 7 times use and d-tagatose to d-talose over 37 times use. After separation and concentration, the mixture solution of l-allose and d-talose was concentrated up to 70% and crystallized by keeping at 4 °C. l-Allose and d-talose crystals were collected from the syrup by filtration. The final yield was 23.0% l-allose and 7.30% d-talose that were obtained from l-psicose and d-tagatose, respectively.     

A Novel L-Amino Acid Ligase Is Encoded by a Gene in the Phaseolotoxin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster from Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448A

In the phaseolotoxin biosynthetic gene cluster of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448A, the PSPPH_4299 gene encodes a novel L-amino acid ligase. The PSPPH_4299 protein synthesized various hetero-dipeptides containing basic amino acids in an ATP-dependent manner, and also synthesized alanyl-homoarginine, part of the phaseolotoxin scaffold.     

Structural Analysis of the Fundamental Polymer of the Sheath Constructed by Sphaerotilus natans

The sheath of Sphaerotilus natans is composed of cysteine-rich peptide and polysaccharide moieties. The polysaccharide was prepared by treating the sheath with hydrazine, and was determined to be a mucopolysaccharide containing β-D-GlcA, β-D-Glc, α-D-GalN, and β-D-GalN. To elucidate the structure of the peptide, the sheath was labeled with a thiol-selective fluorogenic reagent, 4-(aminosulfonyl)-7-fluoro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole. Enantiomeric determination of the S-derivatized Cys in the fluorescent sheath suggested that it contained L-Cys mainly. Fluorescent cysteinylglycine was detected in the partial acid hydrolysate of the fluorescent sheath. The sheath-degrading enzyme secreted by Paenibacillus koleovorans produced a fluorescent disaccharide-dipeptide composed of GalN, Gly, and N-acetylated Cys from the fluorescent sheath. The disaccharide and dipeptide moieties were found to be connected by an amide bond. Based on these results, the sheath was deduced to be formed by association of a mucopolysaccharide modified with N-acetyl-L-cysteinylglycine.