Rare earth complexation with 1,3,5-trideoxy-1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxybenzyl)amino-cis-inositol

The protonation constants of 1,3,5-trideoxy-1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyl-benzyl)amino-cis-inositol (thci) in I = 1 M (NaClO₄) were determined to be: pK_a1 5.96 ± 0.03, pK_a2 7.21 ± 0.01, pK_a3 8.32 ± 0.07, pK_a4 8.95 ± 0.06. The solvent extraction studies were consistent with the formation of the Ln(thci)³⁺ and complexes. The log of the stability constants (log β₁ and log β₂) at 25 °C in 1 M (NaClO₄) at pH 4 for formation of these complexes are reported. Laser luminescence measurements of the ⁷F₀-⁵D₀ transition of Eu(III) complexed by thci indicated two species. The shifts in the peaks relative to that of Eu(aq)³⁺ were comparable to the values reported for other complexes of Eu(III) with organic ligands, but the intensities were greater. Luminescence lifetime measurements of the fluorescence spectra indicated that the complex has 5 inner sphere water molecules bound to the Eu(III) cation at pH 6.71-8.52. This was consistent with bidentate chelation of Eu(III) with each thci molecule. gaussian view energy calculations indicated bonding for M(III) to the amino and hydroxyl groups of the cyclohexanetriol and (2-hydroxybenzyl)amino moieties in the Ln(thci)³⁺ complex.     

High level expression and characterization of a novel thermostable, organic solvent tolerant, 1,3-regioselective lipase from Geobacillus sp. strain ARM

The mature ARM lipase gene was cloned into the pTrcHis expression vector and over-expressed in Escherichia coli TOP10 host. The optimum lipase expression was obtained after 18 h post induction incubation with 1.0 mM IPTG, where the lipase activity was approximately 1623-fold higher than wild type. A rapid, high efficient, one-step purification of the His-tagged recombinant lipase was achieved using immobilized metal affinity chromatography with 63.2% recovery and purification factor of 14.6. The purified lipase was characterized as a high active (7092 U mg⁻¹), serine-hydrolase, thermostable, organic solvent tolerant, 1,3-specific lipase with a molecular weight of about 44 kDa. The enzyme was a monomer with disulfide bond(s) in its structure, but was not a metalloenzyme. ARM lipase was active in a broad range of temperature and pH with optimum lipolytic activity at pH 8.0 and 65 °C. The enzyme retained 50% residual activity at pH 6.0-7.0, 50 °C for more than 150 min.     

Purification,characterization, sequencing and molecular cloning of a novel cysteine methyltransferase that regulates trehalose-6-phosphate synthase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Background

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae methylation at cysteine residue displayed enhanced activity of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS).

Methods

The cysteine methyltransferase (CMT) responsible for methylating TPS was purified and characterized. The amino acid sequence of the enzyme protein was determined by a combination of N-terminal sequencing and MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis. The nucleotide sequence of the CMT gene was determined, isolated from S. cerevisiae and expressed in E. coli. Targeted disruption of the CMT gene by PCR based homologous recombination in S. cerevisiae was followed by metabolite characterization in the mutant.

Results

The purified enzyme was observed to enhance the activity of TPS by a factor of 1.76. The 14 kDa enzyme was found to be cysteine specific. The optimum temperature and pH of enzyme activity was calculated as 30 °C and 7.0 respectively. The K_m V_max and K_cat against S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet) were 4.95 μM, 3.2 U/mg and 6.4 s^− 1 respectively. Competitive inhibitor S-Adenosyl-l-homocysteine achieved a K_i as 10.9 μM against AdoMet. The protein sequence contained three putative AdoMet binding motifs. The purified recombinant CMT activity exhibited similar physicochemical characteristics with the native counterpart. The mutant, Mataα, cmt:: kan^r exhibited almost 50% reduction in intracellular trehalose concentration.

Conclusion

A novel cysteine methyltransferase is purified, which is responsible for enhanced levels of trehalose in S. cerevisiae.

General significance

This is the first report about a cysteine methyltransferase which performs S methylation at cysteine residue regulating TPS activity by 50%, which resulted in an increase of the intercellular stress sugar, trehalose.     

A novel dienelactone hydrolase from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus P1: Purification,characterization, and expression

Background

Dienelactone hydrolases catalyze the hydrolysis of dienelactone to maleylacetate, which play a key role for the microbial degradation of chloroaromatics via chlorocatechols. Here, a thermostable dienelactone hydrolase from thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus P1 was the first purified and characterized and then expressed in Escherichia coli.

Methods

The enzyme was purified by using several column chromatographys and characterized by determining the enzyme activity using p-nitrophenyl caprylate and dienelactones. In addition, the amino acids related to the catalytic mechanism were examined by site-directed mutagenesis using the identified gene.

Results

The enzyme, approximately 29 kDa monomeric, showed the maximal activity at 74 °C and pH 5.0, respectively. The enzyme displayed remarkable thermostability: it retained approximately 50% of its activity after 50 h of incubation at 90 °C, and showed high stability against denaturing agents, including various detergents, urea, and organic solvents. The enzyme displayed substrate specificities toward trans-dienelactone, not cis-isomer, and also carboxylesterase activity toward p-nitrophenyl esters ranging from butyrate (C₄) to laurate (C₁₂). The k_cat/K_m ratios for trans-dienelactone and p-nitrophenyl caprylate (C₈), the best substrate, were 92.5 and 54.7 s⁻¹ μM⁻¹, respectively.

Conclusions

The enzyme is a typical dienelactone hydrolase belonging to α/β hydrolase family and containing a catalytic triad composed of Cys151, Asp198, and His229 in the active site.

General significance

The enzyme is the first characterized archaeal dienelactone hydrolase.     

The SGNH-hydrolase of Streptomyces coelicolor has (aryl)esterase and a true lipase activity

The Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) gene SCI11.14c was overexpressed and purified as a His-tagged protein from heterologous host, Streptomyces lividans. The purification procedure resulted in 34.1-fold increase in specific activity with an overall yield of 21.4%. Biochemical and physical properties of the purified enzyme were investigated and it was shown that it possesses (aryl)esterase and a true lipase activity. The enzyme was able to hydrolyze p-nitrophenyl-, α- and β-naphthyl esters and poly(oxyethylene) sorbitan monoesters (Tween 20–80). It showed pronounced activity towards p-nitrophenyl and α- and β-naphthyl esters of C₁₂–C₁₆. Higher activity was observed with α-naphthyl esters. The enzyme hydrolyzed triolein (specific activity: 91.9 U/mg) and a wide range of oils with a preference for those having higher content of linoleic or oleic acid (C18:2; C18:1, cis). The active-site serine specific inhibitor 3,4-dichloroisocoumarin (DCI) strongly inhibited the enzyme, while tetrahydrofurane and 1,4-dioxane significantly increased (2- and 4- fold, respectively) hydrolytic activity of lipase towards p-nitrophenyl caprylate. The enzyme exhibited relatively high temperature optimum (55 °C) and thermal stability. CD analysis revealed predominance of α-helical structure (54% α-helix, 21% β-sheet) and a T_m value at 66 °C.     

Production of an acidic and thermostable lipase of the mesophilic fungus Penicillium simplicissimum by solid-state fermentation

The production of a lipase by a wild-type Brazilian strain of Penicillium simplicissimum in solid-state fermentation of babassu cake, an abundant residue of the oil industry, was studied. The enzyme production reached about 90 U/g in 72 h, with a specific activity of 4.5 U/mg of total proteins. The crude lipase showed high activities at 35–60 °C and pH 4.0–6.0, with a maximum activity at 50 °C and pH 4.0–5.0. Enzyme stability was enhanced at pH 5.0 and 6.0, with a maximum half-life of 5.02 h at 50 °C and pH 5.0. Thus, this lipase shows a thermophilic and thermostable behavior, what is not common among lipases from mesophilic filamentous fungi. The crude enzyme catalysed the hydrolysis of triglycerides and p-nitrophenyl esters (C4:0–C18:0), preferably acting on substrates with medium-chain fatty acids. This non-purified lipase in addition to interesting properties showed a reduced production cost making feasible its applicability in many fields.     

Peroxynitrite detoxification by ferryl Mycobacterium leprae truncated hemoglobin O

During infection, Mycobacterium leprae is faced with the host macrophagic environment limiting the growth of the bacilli. However, (pseudo-)enzymatic detoxification systems, including truncated hemoglobin O (Ml-trHbO), could allow this mycobacterium to persist in vivo. Here, kinetics of peroxynitrite (ONOOH/ONOO⁻) detoxification by ferryl Ml-trHbO (Ml-trHbOFe(IV)O), obtained by treatment with H₂O₂, is reported. Values of the second-order rate constant for peroxynitrite detoxification by Ml-trHbOFe(IV)O (i.e., of Ml-trHbOFe(III) formation; k_on), at pH 7.2 and 22.0 °C, are 1.5 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, and 2.2 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, in the absence of and presence of physiological levels of CO₂ (∼1.2 × 10⁻³ M), respectively. Values of k_on increase on decreasing pH with a pK_a value of 6.7, this suggests that ONOOH reacts preferentially with Ml-trHbOFe(IV)O. In turn, peroxynitrite acts as an antioxidant of Ml-trHbOFe(IV)O, which could be responsible for the oxidative damage of the mycobacterium. As a whole, Ml-trHbO can undertake within the same cycle H₂O₂ and peroxynitrite detoxification.     

The aluminium(III)-sialic acid interaction: A potential role in aluminium-induced cellular membrane degeneration

The coordination between Al(III) and sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid, HL, pK_a = 2.58 ± 0.01) was studied by potentiometric titrations at 25 °C in aqueous 0.2 M KCl, by ¹H NMR, and by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The potentiometric measurements gave the following aluminium complex stoichiometries and stability constants: , log β(AlLH₋₂) = −6.34 ± 0.02, and log β(AlL₂H₋₁) = −1.14 ± 0.04. The ¹H NMR spectra yielded structural information on species . The ESI-MS data confirmed the metal-ligand stoichiometry of the complexes.The metal-ligand speciation at micromolar Al(III) concentrations (i.e., under in vivo conditions) at physiological pH values reveals that considerable amount of Al(III) is complexed. This suggests that the toxic effect of Al(III) towards cellular membranes might be due to its coordination by protein-bound sialic acid.     

Synthesis, structural determination and magnetic properties of a heterobimetallic CuRe complex containing a macrocyclic ligand

Reaction of the rhenium(IV) compound, [Bu₄N]₂ReCl₄ox, with the highly unsaturated tetraazabismacrocyclic copper(II) complex cation [CuCuL]⁴⁺ (L = 6,13-Bis(dodecylaminomethylidene)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-4,7,11,14-tetraene) produced a new kind of heterobimetallic compound: [CuCuL][ReCl₄ox]₂ · 2DMF in which [ReCl₄ox]²⁻ anions and [CuCuL]⁴⁺ cations are linked by electrostatic forces. The crystal structure of this compound was determined at 173(2) K. It crystallizes triclinic, space group , with a = 9.441(4), b = 11.032(5), c = 15.261(7) Å, α = 89.05(1)°, β = 88.93(1)°, γ = 77.09(1)°, Z = 1, R₁ = 0.0557, wR₂ = 0.1332. The magnetic behavior of this compound has been investigated over the temperature range 1.72-300 K. The compound behaves as a ferrimagnetic Cu^IIRe^IV bimetallic, chain with intrachain antiferromagnetic coupling.     

Study on synthesis, structure, and DNA-binding of Ni, Zn complexes with 2-phenylquinoline-4-carboylhydrazide

2-Phenylquinoline-4-carboylhydrazide (HL), and its novel nickel(II), zinc(II) complexes [M(HL)₂(L)]·2H₂O·NO₃ (M = Ni (1), M = Zn (2)), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, and IR spectra. The crystal structure of [Ni(HL)₂(L)]·2H₂O·NO₃ obtained from ethanol solution was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, crystallized in the rhombohedral system, space group , Z = 18, a = 31.913(3) Å, b = 31.913(3) Å, c = 27.709(2) Å, α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 120°, R₁ = 0.0647. The interactions of the complexes and the ligand with calf thymus DNA had been investigated using UV-Vis spectra, fluorescent spectra, CD (circular dichroism) spectra, CV (cyclic voltammetry) and viscosity measurements. These compounds were tested against MFC (mouse forestomach carcinoma) cell lines. The complex 1 showed significant cytotoxic activity against MFC cell lines. The cleavage reaction on plasmid DNA has been monitored by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results suggest that the two complexes bound to DNA via a groove binding mode and the complexes can cleave pBR322 DNA.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of a new inorganic-organic hybrid compound AMP[ZnCl3] (AMP = 2-aminomethylpyridinium)

A novel organic-inorganic hybrid complex [(2-NH₂CH₂C₅H₄N)ZnCl₃] has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and spectroscopic studies. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group , a = 7.5339(9), b = 7.589(2), c = 9.365(2) Å, α = 104.55(2)°, β = 97.22(1)°, γ = 87.88(2)°, V = 513.6(2), Z = 2. In the title compound the 2-aminomethylpyridine acts as a ligand covalently linked to Zn(II) cation to form a slightly distorted ZnCl₃N tetrahedral environment. Each [Zn(C₆H₈N₂)Cl₃] unit is connected to one neighbor by a pair of hydrogen bonds between the apical chlorides and amine hydrogen atoms and to the other by a couple of π-π stacking interactions between the aromatic rings of the coordinated ligands forming a novel one-dimensional chain-like arrangement. The title complex is the first one that contains both coordinated and hydrogen bonded 2-aminomethylpyridine. Solid state ¹³C and ¹⁵N CP-MAS-NMR spectroscopies are in agreement with the X-ray structure. Ab initio calculations allow the attribution of carbons and nitrogen to the independent crystallographic sites. The Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Zn-Cl and Zn-N bonds.     

A new cyano-bridged one-dimensional GdFe coordination polymer with o-phenanthroline as the blocking ligand: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties

Synthesis, structural characterization, and magnetic properties of a new cyano-bridged one-dimensional iron (III)-gadolinium (III) compound, trans-[Gd(o-phen)₂(H₂O)₂(μ-CN)₂Fe(CN)₄]_n · 2no-phen (o-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been described. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group with the following unit cell parameters: a = 10.538(14) Å, b = 12.004(14) Å, c = 20.61(2) Å, α = 92.41(1)°, β = 92.76(1)°, γ = 112.72(1)°, and Z = 2. In this complex, each gadolinium (III) is coordinated to two nitrile nitrogens of the CN groups coming from two different ferricyanides, the mutually trans cyanides of each of which links another different Gd^III to create -NC-Fe(CN)₄-CN-Gd-NC- type 1-D chain structure. The one-dimensional chains are self-assembled in two-dimensions via weak C-H?N hydrogen bonds. Both the variable-temperature (2-300 K, 0.01 T and 0.8 T) and variable-field (0-50 000 Gauss, 2 K) magnetic measurements reveal the existence of very weak interaction in this molecule. The temperature dependence of the susceptibilities has been analyzed using a model for a chain of alternating classic (7/2) and quantum (1/2) spins.     

Characterisation of a thermo-alkali-stable lipase from oil-contaminated soil using a metagenomic approach

Lipases are widely used for a variety of biotechnological applications. Screening these industrial enzymes directly from environmental microorganisms is a more efficient and practical approach than conventional cultivation-dependent methods. Combined with activity-based functional screening, six clones with lipase activity were detected and a gene (termed lipZ01) isolated from a target clone with the highest lipase activity was cloned from an oil-contaminated soil-derived metagenomic library and then sequenced. Gene lipZ01 was expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115 and the molecular weight of the recombinant lipase LipZ01 was estimated by electrophoresis analysis to be approximately 50 kDa. The maximum activity of the purified lipase was 42 U/mL, and the optimum reaction temperature and pH value were 45 °C and 8.0, respectively. The enzyme was highly stable in the temperature range 35–60 °C and under alkaline conditions (pH 7–10). The presence of Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions could significantly enhance the activity of the lipase. The purified lipase preferentially hydrolysed triacylglycerols with acyl chain lengths ≥8 carbon atoms, and the conversion degree of biodiesel production was nearly 92% in a transesterification reaction using olive oil and methanol. Some attractive properties suggested that the recombinant lipase may be valuable in industrial applications.     

The first examples of benzidinium cations templated low-dimensional molybdates

For the first time, use of benzidine as a structure-directing agent has resulted in the crystallization of two novel organic/inorganic hybrid molybdates under hydrothermal condition (180 °C and autogenous pressure). The presence of monoprotonated benzidinium ions in aqueous molybdate solution appears to engineer two new hybrid solids: one-dimensional chains in [H₂NC₁₂H₈NH₃]₂Mo₂O₇, 1 (a = 5.9686, b = 7.0761 and c = 14.3293 Å, α = 77.17°, β = 85.25° and γ = 88.56°; and Z = 2) and two-dimensional step-wise layered molybdate [H₂NC₁₂H₈NH₃]₂Mo₅O₁₆, 2 (a = 5.6843, b = 14.3024 and c = 19.4787Å, α = 108.1°, β = 98.4° and γ = 90.0°; , Z = 2). 1 is an unusual solid wherein the anionic chains are charge compensated by counter cations which also act as ligands to the metal and 2 is a new layered molybdate built of MoO₅ square pyramids and MoO₆ octahedra.     

Kinetic studies of the reduction of hexaaquacobalt(III) perchlorate by a cobaloxime, [Co(dmgBF2)2(H2O)2]

The reaction of with Co(dmgBF₂)₂(H₂O)₂ in 1.0 M HClO₄/LiClO₄ was found to be first-order in both reactants and the [H⁺] dependence of the second-order rate constant is given by k_2obs = b/[H⁺], b at 25 °C is 9.23 ± 0.14 × 10² s⁻¹. The [H⁺] dependence at lower temperatures shows some saturation effect that allowed an estimate of the hydrolysis constant for as K_a = 9.5 × 10⁻³ M at 10 and 15 °C. Marcus theory and the known self-exchange rate constant for Co(OH₂)₅OH^2+/+ were used to estimate an electron self-exchange rate constant of k₂₂ = 1.7 × 10⁻⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for .     

Counter-anions and their coordination behavior with Cu(II) complexes of thiophen-3-yl-dipicolylamine

A new ligand, 1-(pyridin-2-yl)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-N-(thiophen-3-ylmethyl)methanamine, ThDPA, was synthesized, as a new example of an N₃S donor. Cu(II) complexes of this ligand were isolated. When Cu(NO₃)₂ was used as the metal source, a homobinuclear complex with the formula [CuThDPA(NO₃)₂]₂·H₂O, 1, with two different types of nitro coordination was isolated. 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2₁/n space group with a = 15.193, b = 8.181, c = 32.827 Å, β = 103.3° and V = 3971.9 Å³. In the case of CuSO₄ as the source of copper(II), uncommon sulfato-bridged structures were isolated. The homobinuclear complex crystallized in two different lattices, depending on the solvent evaporation rate. Compound 2, with the formula [CuThDPA(SO₄)]₂·3H₂O, crystallizes with 3 water molecules per binuclear structure in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a = 10.143, b = 17.013, c = 11.793 Å, β = 97.18° and V = 2019.1 Å³, and 3, [CuThDPA(SO₄)]₂·4H₂O, crystallizes with 4 water molecules per binuclear structure in the triclinic space group, with a = 9.2906, b = 10.7297, c = 12.7236 Å, α = 79.66, β = 72.18, γ = 67.1° and V = 1109.7 Å³.     

Arginine mediated purification of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) from Candida utilis: Its characterization and regulation

Background

Trehalose is the most important multifunctional, non-reducing disaccharide found in nature. It is synthesized in yeast by an enzyme complex: trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) and trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP).

Methods

In the present study TPS is purified using a new methodology from Candida utilis cells by inclusion of 100 mM l-arginine during cell lysis and in the mobile phase of high performance gel filtration liquid chromatography (HPGFLC).

Results

An electrophoretically homogenous TPS that was purified was a 60 kDa protein with 22.1 fold purification having a specific activity of 2.03 U/mg. Alignment of the N-terminal sequence with TPS from Saccharomyces cerevisiae confirmed the 60 kDa protein to be TPS. Optimum activity of TPS was observed at a protein concentration of 1 μg, at a temperature of 37 °C and pH 8.5. Aggregation mediated enzyme regulation was indicated. Metal cofactors, especially MnCl₂, MgCl₂ and ZnSO₄, acted as stimulators. Metal chelators like CDTA and EGTA stimulated enzyme activity. Among the four glucosyl donors, the highest V_max and lowest K_m values were calculated as 2.96 U/mg and 1.36 mM when adenosine di phosphate synthase (ADPG) was used as substrate. Among the glucosyl acceptors, glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P) showed maximum activity followed by fructose-6-phosphate (F-6-P). Polyanions heparin and chondroitin sulfate were seen to stimulate TPS activity with different glucosyl donors.

General significance

Substrate specificity, V_max and K_m values provided an insight into an altered trehalose metabolic pathway in the C. utilis strain where ADPG is the preferred substrate rather than the usual substrate uridine diphosphaphate glucose (UDPG). The present work employs a new purification strategy as well as highlights an altered pathway in C. utilis.     

Biochemical and catalytic properties of endo-1,4-β-xylanases from Thermomyces lanuginosus (wild and mutant strains)

Endoxylanases from the thermophilic fungus, Thermomyces lanuginosus ATCC 44008 (cellulase free wild and mutant strains), were purified to homogeneity by anion-exchange and molecular-sieve chromatographic methods. The purified enzymes were monomers with molecular masses of 22 kDa (wild type) and 24 kDa (mutant), estimated by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. As glycoproteins, the purified enzymes had 0.74% (wild type) and 11.8% (mutant) carbohydrate contents, and pI values of 5.8 and 6, respectively. The optimal pH and temperature values of wild type xylanase were determined to be pH 7 and 60 °C, whereas pH 6.7 and 70 °C, were optimal for the purified mutant enzyme (K _m and V _max values of 3.7 mg ml^–1 and 670 mol min^–1 xylose compared to the kinetic values of the purified wild type xylanase –5.1 mg ml^–1 and 385 mol min^–1 xylose). Inhibition studies suggested the possible involvement of histidine, tryptophan residues and carboxylic groups in the binding or catalysis.     

Coordination chemistry of acrylamide 3: Synthesis, crystal structure and IR spectroscopic properties of dichloro-tetrakis(O-acrylamide)copper(II), [Cu(O-OC(NH2)CHCH2)4Cl2]

The molecular structure of copper(II) chloride complex with acrylamide (AAmCH₂CHCONH₂), [Cu(AAm)₄Cl₂], was determined using X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex crystallizes in the cubic space group I-43d with a = 17. 8310(2) Å, β = 90°, and V = 5669.27(11) ų for Z = 12. The acrylamide molecules bind to the metal center via the carbonyl oxygen atom (Cu-O 1.996 Å). The coordination geometry of the metal center in the complex involves a tetragonally distorted octahedral structure with four O-donor atoms of acrylamide bonded in the equatorial positions and two chlorides in the apical positions. Comparison of crystal structure data of acrylamide and metal acrylamide complexes of those formed with divalent transition metal chlorides has been summarized.