Seasonal changes in activity of the enzyme system producing cis-3-hexenal and n-hexanal from linolenic and linoleic acids in tea leaves

The enzyme system producing cis-3-hexenal, a precursor of cis-3-hexenol(leaf alcohol) and trans-2-hexenal (leaf aldehyde), from linolenicacid showed high activity in summer and no activity in winterin tea (Thea sinensis) leaves and isolated chloroplasts. Theenzyme system producing n-hexanal from linoleic acid also showedsimilar seasonal changes in activity. These changes were closelyrelated to temperature and solar radiation. Enzyme activitycould not be induced after the leaves had been cut and was notaccompanied by de novo protein synthesis. (Received July 9, 1976; )     

Enzyme system catalyzing formation of cis-3-hexenal and n-hexanal from linolenic and linoleic acids in Japanese silver (Farfugium iaponicum Kitamura) leaves

Leaf alcohol (cis-3-hexenol) and leaf aldehyde (trans-2-hexenal)are responsible for the green odor in leaves and fruits. cis-3-Hexenal,a precursor of cis-3-hexenol and trans-2-hexenal, was producedfrom linolenic acid by a homogenate of Farfugium japonicum (Japanesesilver) leaves. n-Hexanal was produced from linoleic acid bya homogenate of the leaves. The enzyme system catalyzing formationof C₆-aldehydes from linolenic and linoleic acids was localizedin chloroplast lamellae, and required oxygen for reaction. C₁₈-unsaturatedfatty acids such as linolenic acid, linoleic acid and -linolenicacid, which have carboxyl groups and cis-1, cis-4-pentadienesystems including a double bond at C-12, acted as substrates,and C₆-aldehydes (cis-3-hexenal or n-hexanal), but not C₉-aldehydes,were produced from them. The properties of the enzyme systemin chloroplasts were as follows: optimal pH 7.0; stable at pH5 to 7; thermolabile and no activity at 50?C. These propertieswere very similar to those of tea chloroplasts. The enzyme systemcould be solubilized from chloroplasts by 2% Triton X-100, butwas very unstable in solubilized form. (Received July 9, 1976; )     

Seasonal variations in trans-2-hexenal and linolenic acid in homogenates of Thea sinensis leaves

The seasonal variations in the amounts of C₆-volatile components cis-3-hexenal trans-2-hexenal n-hexanal) and their precursors (linoleic and linolenic acid) in homogenates of Thea sinensis leaves were quantitatively analyzed throughout the year. Formation of trans-2-hexenal began in the middle of April and reached a maximum during July. Towards autumn the aldehyde gradually decreased and, in winter (December to March), was virtually absent. The levels of cis-3-hexenol remained constant during May–December. cis-3-Hexenal showed a similar variation pattern to that of trans-2-hexenal. The major fatty acids in the leaves were palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid, and occurred in non-ionic lipids and phospholipid fractions. The amounts of linoleic and linolenic acid did not show any marked variation except for a big peak in October.     

Overexpression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 results in an increase of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and n-7 fatty acids in 293 cells

The effect of human SCD1 heterologous expression on cellular fatty acid synthesis was investigated in the current study. The SCD1 gene expression cassette and PGK-neomycin-selectable marker cassette were co-introduced into HEK 293 cells by electroporation, and subsequently, SCD1 expression was evaluated by fatty acid analysis. RT-PCR analysis indicated that the foreign SCD1 gene could be expressed in transformed cell lines. Total lipid analysis of the transformed cells fed with vaccenic acid (t11-18:1) as a substrate showed that SCD1 expression resulted in an increase in c9t11-CLA from 0.73-1.03% to 2.69-2.86% (p < 0.05) and that the conversion efficiency was elevated from 5.11-6.88% to 16.49-20.06% (p < 0.05). Surprisingly, the concentration of t10c12-CLA was also increased, from 0.10-0.41% to 1.35-1.69% in SCD1 cells (p < 0.05). SCD1 expression also resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in palmitoleic acid (16:1 n-7) from 1.56-2.26% to 3.47-4.04% and cis-vaccenic acid (18:1 n-7) from 2.42-3.97% to 6.20-7.22%, and the corresponding conversion ratio of n-7 fatty acid was elevated from 12.01-16.70% to 22.62-24.13% (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that the foreign SCD1 gene was expressed with high efficiency and induced elevated c9t11-CLA, t10c12-CLA, and n-7 fatty acid levels in mammalian cells.     

Partial purification and properties of a cis-3: trans-2-enal isomerase from cucumber fruit

An enzyme, which catalyses the isomerisation of cis-3-enals to trans-2-enals, has been partially purified from cucumber fruit. The isomerase activity has been resolved from significant contamination by the related activities, lipoxygenase and hydroperoxide cleavage enzymes. An examination of the substrate specificity of the isomerase enzyme showed it to be specific for the cis-3-enals. The most efficient isomerisation was achieved with cis-3-hexenal and cis-3-nonenal which are, physiologically, the two most significant substrates. The trans-3-enal and cis-3-enol were not suitable substrates for the enzyme.     

The pathway from arachidonic to docosapentaenoic acid (20:4n-6 to 22:5n-6) and from eicosapentaenoic to docosahexaenoic acid (20:5n-3 to 22:6n-3) studied in testicular cells from immature rats

The concentration-dependent metabolism of 1-¹⁴C-labelled precursors of 22:5n-6 and 22:6n-3 was compared in rat testis cells. The amounts of [¹⁴C]22- and 24-carbon metabolites were measured by HPLC. The conversion of [1-¹⁴C]20:5n-3 to [3-¹⁴C]22:6n-3 was more efficient than that of [1-¹⁴C]20:4n-6 to [3-¹⁴C]22:5n-6. At low substrate concentration (4 μM) it was 3.4 times more efficient, reduced to 2.3 times at high substrate concentration (40 μM). The conversion of [1-¹⁴C]22:5n-3 to [1-¹⁴C]22:6n-3 was 1.7 times more efficient than that of [1-¹⁴C]22:4n-6 to [1-¹⁴C]22:5n-6 using a low, but almost equally efficient using a high substrate concentration. When unlabelled 20:5n-3 was added to a cell suspension incubated with [1-¹⁴C]20:4n-6 or unlabelled 22:5n-3 to a cell suspension incubated with [1-¹⁴C]22:4n-6, the unlabelled n-3 fatty acids strongly inhibited the conversion of [1-¹⁴C]20:4n-6 or [1-¹⁴C]22:4n-6 to [¹⁴C]22:5n-6. In the reciprocal experiment, unlabelled 20:4n-6 and 22:4n-6 only weakly inhibited the conversion of [1-¹⁴C]20:5n-3 and [1-¹⁴C]22:5n-3 to [¹⁴C]22:6n-3. The results indicate that if both n-6 and n-3 fatty acids are present, the n-3 fatty acids are preferred over the n-6 fatty acids in the elongation from 20- to 22- and from 22- to 24-carbon atom fatty acids. In vivo the demand for 22-carbon fatty acids for spermatogenesis in the rat may exceed the supply of n-3 precursors and thus facilitate the formation of 22:5n-6 from the more abundant n-6 precursors.     

Distribution of an enzyme system producing seaweed flavor: conversion of fatty acids to long-chain aldehydes in seaweeds

The long chain aldehyde-forming enzyme (LCAE) activity that catalyzes formation of long chain aldehydes, such as (8Z, 11Z, 14Z)-heptadecatrienal, (8Z, 11Z)-heptadecadienal, (8Z)-heptadermal, (7Z, 10Z, 13Z)-hexadecatrienal and pentadecanal from linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and palmitic acid, in that order, occurs in a wide range of green, brown and red seaweeds. The LCAE activity increased with maturation of juvenile fronds of Enteromorpha sp. in culture. Thus, cultivation of seaweeds for flavor foods is of interest. The release of long chain aldehydes from the thallus into the medium was confirmed by a quantitative high performance liquid chromatography of volatile compounds, using a closed loop stripping technique, during the culture of the green alga, Ulva pertusa. This finding suggests physiological roles of long chain aldehydes and LCAE activity in marine ecosystems.     

In vivo oxidation of carboxyl-labelled cyclic fatty acids formed from linoleic and linolenic acids in the rat

Cyclic fatty acid monomers (CFAM), which occur from the intramolecular cyclisation of linoleic and linolenic acids, are subsequently present in some edible oils and are suspected to induce metabolic disorders. One may suggest that the presence of a ring would alter the ability of the organism to oxidise these molecules. In order to test this hypothesis, we assessed the oxidative metabolism of CFAM in rats. For this purpose, rats were force-fed from 1.5 to 2.6 MBq of [1-(14)C]-linoleic acid, [1-(14)C]-linolenic acid, [1-(14)C]-CFAM-18:2 or [1-(14)C]-CFAM-18:3, and 14CO2 production was monitored for 24 h. The animals were then sacrificed and the radioactivity was determined in different tissues. No significant differences in 14CO2 production were found 24 h after the administration of CFAM and their respective precursors. Our data clearly demonstrate that, at least for the first beta-oxidation cycle, CFAM are oxidised in a similar way as both essential fatty acids.     

Synthesis of new chiral cis-3-aminoazetidines and their use in catalytic asymmetric reactions

A new series of chiral cis-3-aminoazetidines have been prepared from (S)-1-phenylethylamine. The catalytic activity of the new ligands has been tested in standard asymmetric reactions, in most cases moderate to good yields and moderate enantioselectivity have been observed.     

The effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation of rams on semen quality and subsequent quality of liquid stored semen

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation of rams on semen quality and subsequent sperm function of liquid stored semen. Mature rams of proven fertility were individually housed and were blocked according to breed, body weight, and body condition score and randomly allocated within block to one of two dietary treatments (N = 7 per treatment). Rams were offered a base diet of hay and concentrate, with the concentrate enriched with either: (1) saturated palmitic acid (CON) or (2) high n-3 PUFA fish oil (FO) supplements. Both lipid supplements were added at 2% (wt/wt) of the total diet as fed and both were partially rumen-protected. The animals were fed their respective diets for a total of 9 weeks and blood samples were collected on weeks 0 (pre-experimental), 4, and 9, relative to initial allocation of diet (week 0), for measurement of plasma concentration of fatty acids, metabolites, insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin. Semen was collected from each ram (on 1 day in each week) in weeks 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9, and each ejaculate was assessed for volume, wave motion, and concentration of sperm, after which it was diluted in a skim milk-based extender and stored at 4 °C. A second ejaculate was collected on weeks 4, 7, and 9, centrifuged, and the sperm frozen for subsequent lipid analysis. A sample of semen from each ram was assessed at 24, 48, and 72 hours after collection for sperm progressive linear motion, ability to penetrate artificial mucus, and the ability to resist lipid peroxidation (at 24 and 48 hours only) using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay. There was no effect of diet on plasma insulin concentrations or on any of the metabolites measured, however, there was a diet by week interaction for plasma IGF-1 concentration (P < 0.05). This was manifested as the FO supplemented rams having higher IGF-1 concentrations on week 9 compared with the control treatment (P < 0.05), but not at the earlier sampling dates. Compared with the pre-experimental values, supplementation with FO increased plasma concentrations of total n-3 PUFAs by 3.1-fold and decreased n-6 PUFA concentrations by 1.84-fold. Consequently, the ratio of n-6 to n-3 PUFA was decreased in the FO-supplemented rams (P < 0.001). Dietary supplementation with FO increased the concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid in sperm from week 4 to 9 by 2.7-fold (P < 0.05) leading to a 1.5-fold increase in total n-3 PUFA in the same period. Ejaculates collected from rams supplemented with FO yielded a higher semen concentration (P < 0.05), however, there was no difference between diets on any of the other semen quality parameters including semen volume, wave motion, progressive linear motion, ability to penetrate artificial mucus, or ability to resist lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of rams with n-3 PUFA successfully increased the n-3 PUFA content of plasma and sperm but has limited effects on the quality of liquid stored semen.     

Biosynthesis of α-linolenic acid by desaturation of oleic and linoleic acids in several organs of higher and lower plants and in algae

The biosynthesis of α-linolenic acid by successive desaturations of oleic and linoleic acids has been shown to occur in the leaves, roots and seeds of many higher plants. The age and the physiological state of the plant organs are extremely important. This route occurs also in several lower plants including algae. It is concluded that the desaturation pathway is the major route for the biosynthesis of α-linolenic acid in plants.     

Comparison of the specific activity of ribulose-1,5-bis-phosphate carboxylase-oxygenase from some C3 and C4 plants

The specific activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco, EC 4.1.1.39) was measured from the crude extracts of five C₃ plants consisting of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. cv. Maris Mink), spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.), pea ( Pisum sativum L. cv. Greenfeast), pumpkin ( Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Jättiläismeloni) and Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid., and two C₄ plants, maize ( Zea mays L. ETA F₁) and sugar sorghum [ Sorghum saccharatum (L. emend, L.) Moench]. The amount of Rubisco in the crude extracts was estimated by polyacrylamide gel electro-phoresis with the Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining procedure. The amounts of the dye bound to the purified Rubisco of different higher plants were similar. The method gave a linear response for both purified enzyme and crude extracts, and the results agreed with those observed by immunochemical methods. The addition of positive effectors such as inorganic phosphate was necessary to obtain maximal activity in the crude extracts of all the studied plants except in that of maize. No significant differences in the specific carboxylase activity at 25°C were found between the C₃ and C₄ plants.     

CLA对急性缺氧大鼠肝脏线粒体呼吸链酶活性及氧化应激的影响

目的:观察共轭亚油酸(CLA)对急性缺氧大鼠肝脏线粒体呼吸链酶活性及肝脏内氧化应激(OS)的影响。方法:将60只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组,模拟海拔5000米高原环境连续缺氧暴露3d的急性缺氧组,急性缺氧CLA干预组。生化法测定肝脏组织中丙二醛(MDA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,Clark氧电极法观察大鼠肝脏线粒体呼吸链酶活性。结果:成功诱导大鼠急性缺氧模型。与对照组比,急性缺氧组大鼠肝脏MDA含量明显升高(P<0.05),同时肝脏线粒体呼吸链酶活性以及抗氧化酶活性(SOD,CAT)及GSH显著降低(P<0.05),与急性缺氧相比,CLA治疗组大鼠以上各项指标均有改善,并存在一定的剂量效应关系。结论:CLA通过抑制氧化应激增强大鼠肝脏线粒体呼吸链酶活性改善了急性缺氧大鼠肝脏的能量代谢障碍,对急性缺氧引起的氧化损伤有保护作用。     

水稻内生固氮细菌的分离及鹑鸡肠球菌在水稻根中的分布

从福建省推广的谷杆两用水稻201中分离出内牛细菌12株,鉴定为阴沟肠杆菌（Enterobacter cloacae）、鹑鸡肠球菌（Enterococcus gallinarum）、短小芽孢杆菌（Bacillus pumilus）、地衣芽孢杆菌（Bacillus licheniformis）、巨大芽孢杆菌（Bacillus megaterium）、球形芽孢杆菌（Bacillus sphaericus）、蜡状芽孢杆菌（Bacillus cereus）、脂肪杆菌（Pimelobacter）和节杆菌（Arthrobacter）。选择固氮酶活性较大的3个菌株,对其抗性、革蓝氏染色特性进行了研究。采用三亲交配法将标记基因nifH-lacZ导入到鹑鸡肠球菌中,用该固氮细菌回接水稻,对感染鹑鸡肠球菌的水稻根进行β-半乳糖苷酶组织化学染色、光学显微镜和电子显微镜观察。结果表明,固氮细菌鹑鸡肠球菌在水稻根表皮细胞、内皮层细胞、维管组织细胞和细胞间隙中存在。     

On the enzyme system obtained from some mutants of Bacillus brevis deficient in gramicidin S formation

Twenty mutants of Bacillus brevis which were deficient in gramicidin S formation were isolated by N-methyl-N′-nitrosoguanidine treatment. In addition to three groups which have been previously classified, further two groups were established according to their characteristics of amino acid activating enzymes concerned with gramicidin S formation. The fourth group mutants had a phenylalanine activating enzyme, but they had an enzyme complex from which one specific enzyme among proline, valine and leucine activating enzymes was deleted. Some of them also the ability to form d-phenylalanyl-l-prolyl diketpiperazine (DKP) even though they had phenylalanine and proline activating enzymes. The fifth group mutants contained both a phenylalanine activating enzyme and a complex of prodine, valine, ornithine and leucine activating enzymes like as a wild strain, but did not synthesize gramicidin S, and also one of them could not form even DKP.Combination of enzymes from DKP (+) mutants of the fourth or fifth groups with the first group mutant which had an intact proline, valine, ornithine and leucine activating enzyme complex showed gramicidin S formation, but the combination of enzymes from DKP (−) mutants except a proline activating enzyme minus mutant with the first group mutant could not synthesize gramicidin S.     

Expression and functional analysis of an Entamoeba histolytica truncated adhesin in tomato plants

Several antigens from Entamoeba histolytica the agent causing human amoebiasis have been identified as potential vaccine candidates. One of them is the EhADH112 adhesin, which plays an important role during trophozoite adherence to and phagocytosis of target cells. We report here the expression of the EhADH112 carboxy-terminus of the gene (Adh240) in tomato plants. A 28 kDa band is recognized by specific antibodies in total proteins from transformed tomatoes. The plant-based adhesin conserves the ability to inhibit trophozoite adherence and phagocytosis of target cells by an average of 32.8 and 44.75% respectively.     

Oxidation of catechol in plants. 3. Purification and properties of the diphenylene dioxide 2,3-quinone-forming enzyme system from Tecoma leaves

In attempting to determine the nature of the enzyme system mediating the conversion of catechol to diphenylenedioxide 2,3-quinone, in Tecoma leaves, further purification of the enzyme was undertaken. The crude enzyme from Tecoma leaves was processed further by protamine sulfate precipitation, positive adsorption on tricalcium phosphate gel, and elution and chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex. This procedure yielded a 120-fold purified enzyme which stoichiometrically converted catechol to diphenylenedioxide 2,3-quinone. The purity of the enzyme system was assessed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The approximate molecular weight of the enzyme was assessed as 200,000 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150. The enzyme functioned optimally at pH 7.1 and at 35 °C. The K_m for catechol was determined as 4 × 10^?4m. The enzyme did not oxidize o-dihydric phenols other than catechol and it did not exhibit any activity toward monohydric and trihydric phenols and flavonoids. Copper-chelating agents did not inhibit the enzyme activity. Copper could not be detected in the purified enzyme preparations. The purified enzyme was not affected by extensive dialysis against copper-complexing agents. It did not show any peroxidase activity and it was not inhibited by catalase. Hydrogen peroxide formation could not be detected during the catalytic reaction. The enzymatic conversion of catechol to diphenylenedioxide 2,3-quinone by the purified Tecoma leaf enzyme was suppressed by such reducing agents as GSH and cysteamine. The purified enzyme was not sensitive to carbon monoxide. It was not inhibited by thiol inhibitors. The Tecoma leaf was found to be localized in the soluble fraction of the cell. Treatment of the purified enzyme with acid, alkali, and urea led to the progressive denaturation of the enzyme.     

Effects of inhibitors on the enzyme system producing C6-aldehydes from C18-unsaturated fatty acids in chloroplasts of Japanese silver (Farfugium japonicum) leaves

When chloroplasts isolated from Farfugium japonicum (Japanesesilver) leaves were used as an enzyme source, the activity ofthe enzyme system producing C₆-aldehydes (cis-3-hexenal andn-hexanal) from C₁₈-unsaturated fatty acids (linolenic and linoleicacids) decreased upon treatment with LAHase from potato. Thisenzyme system could not be separated from chlorophylls and lipidsby detergent treatment and was not affected by light illumination,CCCP or DCMU. The activity of the enzyme system was inhibitedby MB and NTB used as a redox reagent, SKF 525-A as an oxidaseinhibitor and DABCO as a quencher of singlet oxygen, but notby DCIP, PMS and SOD. These data suggest that; i) interactionof the enzyme system with lipids is required for maximal enzymeactivity, ii) this enzyme system may involve electron mediator(s),and iii) singlet oxygen takes part in the enzyme reaction. (Received October 28, 1977; )     

A dual function alpha-dioxygenase-peroxidase and NAD(+) oxidoreductase active enzyme from germinating pea rationalizing alpha-oxidation of fatty acids in plants

An enzyme with fatty acid alpha-oxidation activity (49 nkat mg(-1); substrate: lauric acid) was purified from germinating pea (Pisum sativum) by a five-step procedure to apparent homogeneity. The purified protein was found to be a 230-kD oligomer with two dominant subunits, i.e. a 50-kD subunit with NAD(+) oxidoreductase activity and a 70-kD subunit, homolog to a pathogen-induced oxygenase, which in turn shows significant homology to animal cyclooxygenase. On-line liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry revealed rapid alpha-oxidation of palmitic acid incubated at 0 degrees C with the purified alpha-oxidation enzyme, leading to (R)-2-hydroperoxypalmitic acid as the major product together with (R)-2-hydroxypalmitic acid, 1-pentadecanal, and pentadecanoic acid. Inherent peroxidase activity of the 70-kD fraction decreased the amount of the (R)-2-hydroperoxy product rapidly and increased the level of (R)-2-hydroxypalmitic acid. Incubations at room temperature accelerated the decline toward the chain-shortened aldehyde. With the identification of the dual function alpha-dioxygenase-peroxidase (70-kD unit) and the related NAD(+) oxidoreductase (50-kD unit) we provided novel data to rationalize all steps of the classical scheme of alpha-oxidation in plants.