Production of β-fructofuranosidase byAspergillus japonicus

A newly isolated strain, MU-2, which produces very high -fructofuranosidase activity, was identified asAspergillus japonicus. For enzyme production by the strain, sucrose at 20% (w/v) was the best carbon source and yeast extract at 1.5 to 3% (w/v) the best nitrogen source. Total enzymatic activity and cell growth were at maximum after 48 h, at 1.57×10⁴ U/flask and 0.81 g dry cells/flask, respectively. The optimum pH value of the enzymatic reaction was between 5.0 and 5.5 and the optimum temperature 60 to 65°C. The enzyme produced 1-kestose (O--d-fructofuranosyl-(21)--d-fructofuranosyl -d-glucopyranoside) and nystose (O--d-fructofuranosyl-(21)--d-fructofuranosyl-(21)--d-fructofuranosyl -d-glucopyranoside) from sucrose by fructosyl-transferring activity. The strain was found to be very useful for industrial production of -fructofuranosidase.     

Glycosylation with thioglycosides activated by dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium tetrafluoroborate: synthesis of two trisaccharide glycosides corresponding to the blood group A and B determinants

Two trisaccharide glycosides,p-trifluoroacetamidophenylethyl 3-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy--d-galactopyranosyl)-2-O-(-l-fucopyranosyl)--d-galactopyranoside andp-trifluoroa-cetamidophenylethyl 2-O-(-l-fucopyranosyl)-3-O-(-d-galactopyranosyl)--d-galactopyranoside, corresponding to the human blood group A and B determinants, were synthesized. A key fucosylgalactosyl disaccharide derivative was glycosylated with galactosaminyl or galactosyl donors, respectively. Dimethyl (thiomethyl)sulfonium tetrafluoroborate was used for thioglycoside activation in coupling reactions.     

Sodiumd-glucose cotransport in the gill of marine mussels: Studies with intact tissue and brush-border membrane vesicles

Summary Glucose transport was studied in marine mussels of the genusMytilus. Initial observations, with intact animals and isolated gills, indicated that net uptake of glucose occurred in mussels by a carrier-mediated, Na⁺-sensitive process. Subsequent studies included use of brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) in order to characterize this transport in greater detail. The highest activity of Na⁺-dependent glucose transport was found in the brush-border membrane fractions used in this study, while basal-lateral membrane fractions contained the highest specific binding of ouabain. Glucose uptake into BBMV showed specificity for Na⁺, and concentrative glucose transport was observed in the presence of an inwardly directed Na⁺ gradient. There was a single saturable pathway for glucose uptake, with an apparentK _t of 3 m in BBMV and 9 m in intact gills. The kinetics of Na⁺ activation of glucose uptake were sigmoidal, with apparent Hill coefficients of 1.5 in BBMV and 1.2 in isolated gills, indicating that more than one Na⁺ may be involved in the transport of each glucose. Harmaline inhibited glucose transport in mussel BBMV with aK _i of 44 m. The uptake of glucose was electrogenic and stimulated by an inside-negative membrane potential. The substrate specificity in intact gills and BBMV resembled that of Na⁺-glucose cotransporters in other systems;d-glucose and -methyl glucopyranoside were the most effective inhibitors of Na⁺-glucose transport,d-galactose was intermediate in its inhibition, and there was little or no effect ofl-glucose,d-fructose, 2-deoxy-glucose, or 3-O-methyl glucose. Phlorizin was an effective inhibitor of Na⁺-glucose uptake, with an apparentK _i of 154nm in BBMV and 21nm in intact gills. While the qualitative characteristics of glucose transport in the mussel gill were similar to those in other epithelia, the quantitative characteristics of this process reflect adaptation to the seawater environment of this animal.     

Purification and properties ofβ-fructofuranosidase from Aspergillus japonicus

-Fructofuranosidase fromAspergillus japonicus, which produces 1-kestose (O--d-fructofuranosyl-(21)--d-fructofuranosyl -d-glucopyranoside) and nystose (O--d-fructofuranosyl-(21)--d-fructofuranosyl-(21)--d-fructofuranosyl -d-glucopyranoside) from sucrose, was purified to homogeneity by fractionation with calcium acetate and ammonium sulphate and chromatography with DEAE-Cellulofine and Sephadex G-200. Its molecular size was estimated to be about 304,000 Da by gel filtration. The enzyme was a glycoprotein which contained about 20% (w/w) carbohydrate. Optimum pH for the enzymatic reaction was 5.5 to 6. The enzyme was stable over a wide pH range, from pH 4 to 9. Optimum reaction temperature for the enzyme was 60 to 65°C and it was stable below 60°C. The K_m value for sucrose was 0.21m. The enzyme was inhibited by metal ions, such as those of silver, lead and iron, and also byp-chloromercuribenzoate.     

Observations on the cell-wall compositions of the bracket fungi Laetiporus sulphureus and Piptoporus betulinus

Homogenized tissues and their alkali-soluble and alkali-insoluble fractions of fruiting bodies of the basidiomycetes Laetiporus sulphureus and Piptoporus betulinus were investigated using X-ray diffraction, infrared spectrometry and chemical methods. The presence of (13)--d-glucan, (13)--d-glucan and chitin was established. The relative amounts of these polysaccharides were different in the two species and differences were also found between context and trama. The proportion of (13)--d-glucan was exceptionally high in the context of L. sulphureus (about 78%). In addition, the trama of both species contained a substance resembling a cyclic wax by its X-ray pattern and solubility properties. The substances identified are considered to belong to the hyphal wall     

1H and13C-NMR analysis of four pentasaccharides from urine of blood-group A and B,Leb adults. Confirmation of the structure of two new oligosaccharides: Fuc(α1–2)[GalNAc(α1–3)]Gal(β1–3)[Fuc(α1–4)]Glc and Fuc(α1–2)[Gal(α1–3)]Gal(β1–3)[Fuc(α1–4)]Glc

The major pentasaccharides Fuc(1-2)[GalNAc(1-3)]Gal(1-4)[Fuc(1-3)]Glc and Fuc(1-2) [Gal(1-3)]Gal(1-4)[Fuc(1-3)]Glc, which are normally present in the urine of bloodgroup A Le^b and B Le^b healthy subjects, were each found to be contaminated by a minor component when analysed by¹H-NMR. The determination of these structures, Fuc(1-2) [GalNAc(1-3)]Gal(1-3)[Fuc(1-4)]Glc and Fuc(1-2) [Gal(1-3)]Gal(1-3)[Fuc(1-4)]Glc, was based on the results of methylation analysis and¹H/¹³C-NMR spectroscopy.Abbreviations HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - GLC gas liquid chromatography - NMR nuclear magnetic resonance - COSY correlation spectroscopy - Gal d-galactopyranose - GalNAc 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-galactopyranose - Glc d-glucopyranose - Fuc l-fucopyranose - LNDFH I lacto-N-difucohexaose I (Le^b determinant     

The xylogalactan sulfate from Chondria macrocarpa (Ceramiales,Rhodophyta)

A structure is proposed for the complex xylogalactan sulfate from Chondria macrocarpa. The hot-water extract of C. macrocarpa was desulfated or alkali-treated and Smith degraded. Constituent sugars and their substitution patterns were identified using a modified Hakamori methylation procedure suited to sulfated polysaccharides and a double hydrolysis-reduction protocol that yielded derivatives from all of the sugar residues, including the labile 3,6-anhydrogalactosyl residues. The polymer has an agar-type backbone of alternating 3-linked \-d- and 4-linked -L-galactopyranosyl units. The d-residues are partially sulfated on O-2 (50%) and O-6 (20–30%). About 40% of the l-residues are present as the 3,6-anhydride and 25% as its precursor l-galactose 6-sulfate. A significant proportion of the remaining l-galactosyl residues have both a d-xylopyranosyl substituent on O-3 and a sulfate ester on O-6 and are stable to alkali.     

Somatic embryogenesis and callus production from cotyledon explants of Eastern black walnut

Starting at 8 weeks and continuing until 23 weeks (nut drop) after anthesis,1 m² explants from cotyledons of immature seeds were extracted from Juglans nigra fruits. Explants were placed on Woody Plant Medium with 1 g l^-1 casein hydrolysate and 30 g l^-1 sucrose. The explants remained in light for 4 weeks on primary media containing a 3×3 factorial of 0.05, 0.5, or 5.0 M thidiazuron (TDZ) and 0.1, 1.0, or 10.0 M 2,4-d. Explants were transferred to a secondary medium containing no plant growth regulators and incubated in darkness for 11 weeks. The greatest number of somatic embryos was produced 8, 10, and 12 weeks after anthesis from explants on media with 0.5 or 5.0 M TDZ and 0.1 or 1.0 M 2,4-d. Explants produced the greatest callus volume and dry weight 10, 12, and 14 weeks after anthesis. Throughout the study, callus generally increased with increasing concentrations of both TDZ and 2,4-d.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - captan 3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-2-[(trichloromethyl)thio]-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IBA indolebutyric acid - Physan n-alkyl- dimethyl-benzyl ammonium chlorides and n-alkyl-dimethyl-ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides - TDZ-thidiazuron N-phenyl-N-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylurea     

Enzymic synthesis of lacto-N-triose II and its positional analogues

N-acetylhexosaminidase fromNocardia orientalis catalysed the synthesis of lacto-N-triose II glycoside (-d-GlcNAc-(1-3)--d-Gal-(1-4)--d-Glc-OMe,3) with its isomers -d-GlcNAc-(1-6)--d-Gal-(1-4)--d-Glc-OMe (4) and -d-Gal-(1-4)-[-d-GlcNAc-(1-6)]--d-Glc-OMe (5) throughN-acetylglucosaminyl transfer fromN,N-diacetylchitobiose (GlcNAc₂) to methyl -lactoside. The enzyme formed the mixture of trisac-charides3, 4 and5 in 17% overall yield based on GlcNAc₂, in a ratio of 20:21:59. Withp-nitrophenyl -lactoside as an acceptor, the enzyme also producedp-nitrophenyl -lacto-N-trioside II (-d-GlcNAc-(1-3)--d-Gal-(1-4)--d-Glc-OC₆H₄NO₂-p,6) with its isomers -d-GlcNAc-(1-6)--d-Gal-(1-4)--d-Glc-OC₆H₄NO₂-p (7) and -d-Gal-(1-4)-[-d-GlcNAc-(1-6)]--d-Glc-OC₆H₄NO₂-p (8). In this case, when an inclusion complex ofp-nitrophenyl lactoside acceptor with -cyclodextrin was used, the regioselectivity of glycosidase-catalysed formation of trisaccharide glycoside was substantially changed. It resulted not only in a significant increase of the overall yield of transfer products, but also in the proportion of the desired compound6.Abbreviations GlcNAc₂ 2-acetamido-2-deoxy--d-glucopyranosyl-(1-4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucose - NAHase N-acetylhexosaminidase - -CD -cyclodextrin     

Synthesis of chemically modified sialic acid-containing sialyl-LeX ganglioside analogues recognized by the selectin family

Sialyl Lewis X ganglioside analogues containing 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-l-arabino-2-heptulopyranosylonic acid (C7-Neu5Ac), 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-d-galacto-2-octulopyranosylonic acid (C8-Neu5Ac), and 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-l-glycero-d-galacto-1-2-nonulopyranosylonic acid (8-epi-Neu5Ac) in place ofN-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) have been synthesized. Glycosylation of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 6-O-benzoyl--d-galactopyranoside with the phenyl or methyl 2-thioglycoside derivatives of the respective sialic acids, usingN-iodosuccinimide (NIS)-trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as a promoter in acetonitrile, gave the three required 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl (2S)-sialyl-(2 3)--galactopyranosides. These were converted viaO-benzoylation, selective transformation of the 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl group to acetyl, and introduction of the methylthio group with methylthiotrimethylsilane into the corresponding glycosyl donors. Glycosylation of 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethylO-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl--l-fucopyranosyl)-(1 3)-O-(2-acetamido-6-O-benzyl-2-deoxy--d-glucopyranosyl)-(1 3)-2,4,6-tri-O-benzyl--d-galactopyranoside with these donors in the presence of dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium triflate (DMTST) afforded the expected -glycosides, which were converted into the corresponding -trichloroacetimidates, and these, on coupling with (2S, 3R, 4E)-2-azido-3-O-benzoyl-4-octadecene-1,3-diol, gave the required -glycosides. Finally, these were transformed via selective reduction of the azide group, condensation with octadecanoic acid,O-deacylation, and de-esterification into the target compounds in good yields.     

Isolation and characterization of membrane-associated proteoglycans from normal and malignant human mammary epithelial cells

The plasma membrane-associated proteoglycans of a malignant human breast cell line (MDA-MB-231) were compared with the corresponding proteoglycans from a normal cell line (HBL-100). The labeled proteoglycans were isolated from the plasma membranes of cells grown in the presence of [³H]glucosamine and [³⁵S]Na₂SO₄ by extraction with guanidine hydrochloride and subsequently purified by DEAE-ion exchange chromatography. Their structural properties were established by treatment with nitrous acid, heparitinase and chondroitinase ABC, and by gel filtration before and after alkaline -elimination. About 18% of the proteoglycans synthesized by these cell lines were associated with the plasma membranes. The HBL plasma membranes contained 80% heparan sulfate and 20% chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans whereas MDA plasma membranes had 50% heparan sulfate and 50% chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. The MDA plasma membrane contained two heparan sulfate proteoglycans, both having nearly the same molecular size as the two species secreted into the medium by these cells. The HBL plasma membrane also contained two hydrodynamic size heparan sulfate proteoglycans. The larger hydrodynamic size species has a slightly lower molecular size than that secreted into the medium, and the smaller hydrodynamic size species was not detectable in the medium. Even though the major chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans from MDA plasma membranes were smaller in size than those from HBL plasma membrane, a larger proportion of the glycosaminoglycan chains of the former were bigger than those from the latter.Abbreviations CHAPS 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]propane-1-sulfonate - Di-OS 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(-d-gluco-4-ene-pyranosyluronic acid)-d-galactose - Di-4S 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(-d-gluco-4-ene-pyranosyluronic acid)-4-O-sulfo-d-galactose - Di-6S 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(-d-gluco-4-ene-pyranosyluronic acid)-6-O-sulfo-d-galactose - Gdn-HCl guanidine hydrochloride - WGA wheat germ agglutinin     

O-Glycosidically linked oligosaccharides from peptidorhamnomannans ofSporothrix schenckii

-Elimination of peptidorhamnomannans purified from yeast-like and mycelial phases ofSporothrix schenckii released neutral and acidic reduced oligosaccharides that were O linked to serine and/or threonine. Man-(1–2)Man-ol, Rha(1–3)Man(1–2)Man-ol, Rha(1–4)GlcA(1–2)Man(1–2)Man-ol, and Rha(1–4)[Rha(1–2)] GlcA(1–2)Man(1–2)Man-ol were characterized based on methylation analysis, proton magnetic resonance and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.Abbreviations FAB fast atom bombardment - GLC gas liquid chromatography - GlcA d-glucopyranosyluronic acid - Man d-mannopyranose - Man-ol d-mannitol - MS mass spectrometry - NMR nuclear magnetic resonance - Rha l-rhamnopyranose     

Glucomannan synthesis in pea epicotyls: The mannose and glucose transferases

Membrane fractions and digitonin-solubilized enzymes prepared from stem segments isolated from the third internode of etiolated pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) catalyzed the synthesis of a -1,4-[su14C]mannan from GDP-d-[U-¹⁴C]-mannose, a mixed -1,3- and -1,4-[¹⁴C]glucan from GDP-d-[U-¹⁴C]-glucose and a -1,4-[¹⁴C]-glucomannan from both GDP-d-[U-¹⁴C]mannose and GDP-d-[U-¹⁴C]glucose. The kinetics of the membrane-bound and soluble mannan and glucan synthases were determined. The effects of ions, chelators, inhibitors of lipid-linked saccharides, polyamines, polyols, nucleotides, nucleoside-diphosphate sugars, acetyl-CoA, group-specific chemical probes, phospholipases and detergents on the membrane-bound mannan and glucan synthases were investigated. The -glucan synthase had different properties from other preparations which bring about the synthesis of -1,3-glucans (callose) and mixed -1,3- and -1,4-glucans and which use UDP-d-glucose as substrate. It also differed from xyloglucan synthase because in the presence of several concentrations of UDP-d-xylose in addition to GDP-d-glucose no xyloglucan was formed. Using either the membrane-bound or the soluble mannan synthase, GDP-d-glucose acted competitively in the presence of GDP-d-mannose to inhibit the incorporation of mannose into the polymer. This was not due to an inhibition of the transferase activity but was a result of the incorporation of glucose residues from GDP-d-glucose into a glucomannan. The kinetics and the composition of the synthesized glucomannan depended on the ratio of the concentrations of GDP-d-glucose and GDP-d-mannose that were available. Our data indicated that a single enzyme has an active centre that can use both GDP-d-mannose and GDP-d-glucose to bring about the synthesis of the heteropolysaccharide.Abbreviations CHAPS 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate - CHAPSO 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonate - CHD 1,2-cyclohexanedione - CDP cytidine 5-diphosphate - EGTA ethylene glycol-bis(-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid - GDP guanosine 5-diphosphate - NAI N-acetyl-imidazole - NEM N-ethylmaleimide - PGO phenylglyoxal This work has been made possible by grants of M.A.F. and M.U.R.S.T. 40% of Italy. Dr. A. Zuppa wishes to thank the C.N.R. of Italy for his research scolarship.     

Organization of genes required for gellan polysaccharide biosynthesis in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Sphingomonas elodea</Emphasis> ATCC 31461

Sphingomonas elodea ATCC 31461 produces gellan, a capsular polysaccharide that is useful as a gelling agent for food and microbiological media. Complementation of nonmucoid S. elodea mutants with a gene library resulted in identification of genes essential for gellan biosynthesis. A cluster of 18 genes spanning 21 kb was isolated. These 18 genes are homologous to genes for synthesis of sphingan polysaccharide S-88 from Sphingomonas sp. ATCC 31554, with predicted amino acid identities varying from 61% to 98%. Both polysaccharides have the same tetrasaccharide repeat unit, comprised of [4)--l-rhamnose-(13)--d-glucose-(14)--d-glucuronic acid-(14)--d-glucose-(1]. Polysaccharide S-88, however, has mannose or rhamnose in the fourth position and has a rhamnosyl side chain, while gellan has no sugar side chain but is modified by glyceryl and acetyl substituents. Genes for synthesis of the precursor dTDP-l-rhamnose were highly conserved. The least conserved genes in this cluster encode putative glycosyl transferases III and IV and a gene of unknown function, gelF. Three genes (gelI, gelM, and gelN) affected the amount and rheology of gellan produced. Four additional genes present in the S-88 sphingan biosynthetic gene cluster did not have homologs in the gene cluster for gellan biosynthesis. Three of these gene homologs, gelR, gelS, and gelG, were found in an operon unlinked to the main gellan biosynthetic gene cluster. In a third region, a gene possibly involved in positive regulation of gellan biosynthesis was identified.     

D-Gluconate is an alternative growth substrate for cultivation of Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutants

Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells grow on d-gluconate as the sole carbon and energy source. d-Gluconate is taken up in symport with protons by a specific symporter, pH being the sole driving force. d-Gluconate uptake is independent of the sugar transporting system (e.g. for d-glucose) and of . The carrier is expressed constitutively, and its activity is not subject to glucose repression. Hence, d-gluconate is a suitable carbon and energy source for growth, when d-glucose or other hexoses have to be eliminated e.g. for selection of mutants deficient in hexose transport.Abbreviations 2-DG 2-deoxy-d-glucose - CCCP carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone - pH pH-gradient - electrical potential difference across the plasma membrane - SD standard deviation - SEM standard error of the mean - TPP⁺ tetraphenylphosphonium     

Callus proliferation from the protoplasts of embryogenic cells of Quercus serrata

Embryogenic culture was induced from the immature embryos of Quercus serrata using Marashige and Skoog's medium (MS) containing 0.1 M each of 2,4-d and BAP, and subcultured for seven months before isolation of protoplasts by using 1% Cellulase RS in 0.6 M mannitol solution. Efficient colony formation was obtained when protoplasts were cultured in a liquid MS medium containing 0.6 M mannitol, 3% sucrose and combination of 0.1 M or 1 M each of 2,4-d and BAP. Excluding ammonium nitrate from the MS medium resulted in the decrease of the percentage of colony formation. From colonies, both agar culture and liquid culture were sustained in the MS media without mannitol containing no plant growth regulator, or containing 0.1 M of BAP in combination with 0.1 M or 1 M of 2,4-d.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - MS medium after Murashige & Skoog (1962).     

Identification of aryl-phospho-β-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-glucosidases in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis>

Four aryl-phospho--d-glucosidases were identified in Bacillus subtilis by using 4-methylumbelliferyl-phospho--d-glucopyranoside as a substrate. Two of these enzymes are the products of the bglA and bglH genes, previously suggested to encode aryl-phospho--d-glucosidases, while the other enzymes are encoded by the yckE and ydhP genes. Together, these four genes account for >99.9% of the glucosidase activity in B. subtilis on aryl-phospho--d-glucosides. yckE was expressed at a low and constant level during growth, sporulation, and spore germination, and was not induced by aryl--d-glucosides. ydhP was also not induced by aryl--d-glucosides. However, while ydhP was expressed at only a very low level in exponential-phase cells and germinating spores, this gene was expressed at a higher levels upon entry into the stationary phase of growth. Strains lacking yckE or ydhP exhibited no defects in growth, sporulation, or spore germination or in growth on aryl--d-glucosides. However, a strain lacking bglA, bglH and yckE grew poorly if at all on aryl--d-glucosides as the sole carbon source.Abbreviations MU 4-Methylumbelliferone - MUG 4-Methylumbelliferyl--d-glucopyranoside - MUGal 4-Methylumbelliferyl--d-galactopyranoside - MUG-P 4-Methylumbelliferyl--d-glucopyranoside-6-phosphate     

A simple synthesis of octyl 3,6-di-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-β-d-mannopyranoside and its use as an acceptor for the assay ofN-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-I activity

A simple synthesis of octyl 3,6-di-O-(-d-mannopyranosyl)--d-mannopyranoside is described. The key features of the synthetic scheme are the formation of the -mannosidic linkage by 1-O-alkylation of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-,-d-mannopyranose with octyl iodide and glycosylation of unprotected octyl -d-mannopyranoside using limiting acetobromomannose. The trisaccharide is shown to be an acceptor forN-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-I with aK _M of 585 µm.     

Physiological comparison of d-cysteine desulfhydrase of Escherichia coli with 3-chloro-d-alanine dehydrochlorinase of Pseudomonas putida CR 1-1

d-Cysteine desulfhydrase of Escherichia coli W3110 trpED102/F trpED102 was physiologically characterized. It was found to be located in the cytosolic fraction, as 3-chloro-d-alanine dehydrochlorinase is. d-Cysteine desulfhydrase catalyzed not only the ,-elimination reaction of O-acetyl-d-serine to form pyruvate, acetic acid and ammonia, but also the -replacement reaction of O-acetyl-d-serine with sulfide to form d-cysteine. However, these reactions appeared not to proceed in vivo. No other activity of d-cysteine synthesis from O-acetyl-d-serine and sulfide was detected in a crude cell extract of E. coli which was immunotitrated with antibodies raised against the purified d-cysteine desulfhydrase. Although d-cysteine desulfhydrase catalyzes the degradation (,-elimination reaction) of 3-chloro-d-alanine, which is an effective antibacterial agent, E. coli W3110 trpED102/F trpED102 did not show resistance against 3-chloro-d-alanine. Therefore, d-cysteine desulfhydrase does not contribute to 3-chloro-d-alanine detoxification in vivo.