Turnover of Putrescine in a Pseudomonas Species

A Pseudomonas species was found to readily take up labeled putrescine added in trace amounts to any of four growth media, bis-(3-aminopropyl)-amine, 4-aminobutyrate, glucose-NH(3), and Casamino Acids, although the rate of uptake varied considerably from one medium to another. Putrescine degradation, as well as excretion and conversion to hydroxyputrescine, was demonstrated in all four media, indicating that this organism has a constitutive putrescine degradation pathway. The extents of putrescine degradation, excretion, and conversion to hydroxyputrescine are shown for these four growth media through an incubation period of 1 hr. These results document more fully the experimental details behind a previous communication which postulated that the constitutive degradation of putrescine participates in the regulation of intracellular putrescine concentration. The significance of this apparent violation of the general concept that synthetic end products are normally not degraded is discussed.     

Physiological Studies of Methane- and Methanol-Oxidizing Bacteria: Comparison of a Primary Alcohol Dehydrogenase from Methylococcus capsulatus (Texas Strain) and Pseudomonas Species M27

A primary alcohol dehydrogenase has been purified from Methylococcus capsulatus (Texas strain). The purified enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of methanol and formaldehyde to formate; other primary alcohols are oxidized to their corresponding aldehydes. Ammonium ions are required for enzyme activity. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 120,000 daltons and consists of two 62,000 molecular-weight subunits which dissociate at acidic pH. The enzyme is similar to an alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme isolated from Pseudomonas sp. M27.     

Controlling Carrageenan Structure Using a Novel Formylglycine-Dependent Sulfatase, an Endo-4S-iota-Carrageenan Sulfatase

Carrageenans are sulfated polysaccharides that are found in the cell walls of red algae. These polysaccharides have gelling and texturizing properties that are widely appreciated in industrial applications. However, these functional properties depend strongly on the sulfation of the moieties of the carrabiose repetition unit. Here we aimed to monitor the sulfate composition of gelling carrageenan. To do so, we screened and purified from Pseudoalteromonas atlantica a 4S-iota carrageenan sulfatase that converts ι-carrabiose into α-carrabiose units. The sequence of this protein matched the annotated Q15XH3 (Uniprot databank) formylglycine-dependent sulfatase found in the P. atlantica genome. With pure enzyme, ι-carrageenan could be transformed into a hybrid ι-/α-carrageenan or pure α-carrageenan. Analysis of the distribution of the carrabiose moieties in hybrid carrageenan chain using enzymatic degradation with Alteromonas fortis ι-carrageenase, coupled with chromatography and NMR spectroscopy experiments, showed that the sulfatase has an endo mode of action. The endo-character and the specificity of the sulfatase made it possible to prepare hybrid κ-/ι-/α-carrageenan and κ-/α-carrageenan starting from κ-/ι-carrageenan.     

Purification,Crystallization and Properties of Primary Alcohol Dehydrogenase from a Methanol-oxidizing Pseudomonas sp. No. 2941

A simple method for purification and crystallization of primary alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99.8) is reported. The purification procedures consisted of four steps: protamine sulfate treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation, passage through a column of DEAE-cellulose at pH 8.0 and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. Crystallization was performed by the addition of ammonium sulfate at 65 % saturation with an overall yield of 39 %. The crystalline enzyme had an isoelectric point of pH 7.38 and a sedimentation coefficient 8.44s. A molecular weight of 128,000 was estimated, and the enzyme consisted of two subunits each having a molecular weight of 62,000. The enzyme showed an affinity toward the lower primary alcohols, methanol to n-pentanol. Formaldehyde was also oxidized by the crystalline enzyme. The Km values for methanol and formaldehyde were found to be 20 μm and 70 μm, respectively. Ammonium ions were required for enzyme activity.     

Pyocin Sensitivity of Pseudomonas Species

Only the fluorescent pseudomonads, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. putida, and P. fluorescens, were sensitive to pyocins produced from P. aeruginosa.     

Arylsulfatase K,a Novel Lysosomal Sulfatase

The human sulfatase family has 17 members, 13 of which have been characterized biochemically. These enzymes specifically hydrolyze sulfate esters in glycosaminoglycans, sulfolipids, or steroid sulfates, thereby playing key roles in cellular degradation, cell signaling, and hormone regulation. The loss of sulfatase activity has been linked to severe pathophysiological conditions such as lysosomal storage disorders, developmental abnormalities, or cancer. A novel member of this family, arylsulfatase K (ARSK), was identified bioinformatically through its conserved sulfatase signature sequence directing posttranslational generation of the catalytic formylglycine residue in sulfatases. However, overall sequence identity of ARSK with other human sulfatases is low (18–22%). Here we demonstrate that ARSK indeed shows desulfation activity toward arylsulfate pseudosubstrates. When expressed in human cells, ARSK was detected as a 68-kDa glycoprotein carrying at least four N-glycans of both the complex and high-mannose type. Purified ARSK turned over p-nitrocatechol and p-nitrophenyl sulfate. This activity was dependent on cysteine 80, which was verified to undergo conversion to formylglycine. Kinetic parameters were similar to those of several lysosomal sulfatases involved in degradation of sulfated glycosaminoglycans. An acidic pH optimum (∼4.6) and colocalization with LAMP1 verified lysosomal functioning of ARSK. Further, it carries mannose 6-phosphate, indicating lysosomal sorting via mannose 6-phosphate receptors. ARSK mRNA expression was found in all tissues tested, suggesting a ubiquitous physiological substrate and a so far non-classified lysosomal storage disorder in the case of ARSK deficiency, as shown before for all other lysosomal sulfatases.     

Metabolism of Pipecolic Acid in a Pseudomonas Species IV. Electron Transport Particle of Pseudomonas putida

Baginsky, Marietta L. (University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco), and Victor W. Rodwell. Metabolism of pipecolic acid in a Pseudomonas species. IV. Electron transport particle of Pseudomonas putida. J. Bacteriol. 92:424-432. 1966.-Enzymes of Pseudomonas putida P2 catalyzing oxidation of pipecolate to Delta(1)-piperideine-6-carboxylate are located in a subcellular fraction sedimenting at 105,000 x g. Since this fraction resembles the mammalian electron transport particle in both chemical composition and enzymatic activities, it was termed Pseudomonas P2 electron transport particle (P2-ETP). P2-ETP contains flavin adenine dinucleotide, flavin mononucleotide, iron, copper, and both b- and c-type cytochromes. The reduced type b cytochrome has absorption maxima at 558 to 559, 530, and 427 mmu. Its oxidized pyridine hemochromogen has an absorption maximum at 406 mmu, with a shoulder at 564 mmu. On dithionite reduction, absorption bands with maxima at 556, 522, and 418 mmu are obtained. The reduced type c cytochrome has absorption maxima at 552, 520, and 422 mmu; its reduced pyridine hemochromogen has maxima at 551, 516 to 519, and 418 mmu. No type a cytochrome was detected. P2-ETP catalyzes oxidation of pipecolate and of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH(2)) by oxygen. It can also oxidize these compounds, as well as succinate and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, with 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol as electron acceptor. Mammalian cytochrome c can be used as an alternate artificial electron acceptor for the oxidation of pipecolate and succinate, but not for oxidation of NADH(2).     

Biotransformation of Benzyl Alcohol by Pseudomonas cepacia

To cDNAs encoding class I chitinases of rice were expressed in Escherichia coli. The cDNAs were fused to the MS2-polymerase gene in an expression vector, pEx31. The fusion proteins, expressed under the control of the λP_L-promoter, showed the chitinase activity independent of the existence of the hevein domain. The enzymatic hydrolysis of colloidal chitin by the fusion proteins showed that the proteins were endo-type enzymes.     

Cyanide Formation from Oxidation of Glycine by a Pseudomonas Species

With whole cells of a hydrogen cyanide-producing bacterium strain C, of the genus Pseudomonas, it was found that the oxygen necessary for the oxidation of glycine to cyanide could be replaced by various artificial electron acceptors. The order of reactivity was: oxygen > phenazine methosulphate > methylene blue > 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol > ferricyanide. Cyanide production was inhibited by pyrrolnitrin, a well-known inhibitor of many flavine enzymes. The molar ratio of added glycine to cyanide produced was found to be 1.09. With whole bacteria the apparent K(m) (glycine) for the cyanide production was found to be 5.0 x 10(-4) M.     

Metabolism of l-Malate and d-Malate by a Species of Pseudomonas

Extracts of a fluorescent species of Pseudomonas grown with m-cresol, degrade gentisic acid without isomerization of the ring-fission compound, maleylpyruvate, to give eventually d-malate and pyruvate. d-Malate is also a growth substrate. l-Malate but not d-malate is oxidized by a particulate enzyme not requiring nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP). NAD- or NADP-linked malate dehydrogenases are absent but cells contain an NADP-dependent l-malic enzyme. Exposure of cells to exogenous d-malate induces an NAD-dependent d-malic enzyme, not present when d-malate is formed endogenously. Succinate- or m-cresol-grown cells, containing no d-malic enzyme, rapidly oxidize d-malate in the presence of chloramphenicol at a concentration suffient to inhibit protein synthesis. An NADP-dependent cell-free system, prepared from succinate-grown cells which oxidized d-malate, is described.     

Multipurpose Medium for Use with Pseudomonas Species

A medium is described which can be used to detect starch hydrolysis, gelatinase production, and denitrification by pseudomonads.     

Metabolites from the Sponge-Associated Bacterium Pseudomonas Species

Quinolones and a phosphatidyl glyceride were isolated from the sponge-associated bacterial strain Pseudomonas sp. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformations. Received March 24, 1998; accepted October 20, 1998.     

Deoxyribonucleic Acid Homologies Among Some Pseudomonas Species

Phylogenetic relationships among a number of strains belonging to the genus Pseudomonas were explored by the use of in vitro deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hybridization. The fluorescent nomenspecies (P. fluorescens, P. putida, P. aeruginosa, P. cichorii, P. syringae, and related species), as well as the nonfluorescent species P. stutzeri, P. mendocina, P. alcaligenes, and P. pseudoalcaligenes, were shown to belong to a single DNA homology complex which is isolated from other Pseudomonas species that have been studied [P. cepacia (= P. multivorans), P. caryophylli, P. marginata (= P. alliicola), P. pseudomallei, P. acidovorans, P. testosteroni, P. solanacearum, P. diminuta, P. facilis, P. delafieldii, P. saccharophila, P. palleronii]. A limited numerical analysis of the phenotypic properties of the examined strains supported, with some exceptions, their previous allocation to nomenspecies and biotypes. The internal structure and nomenclature of the "P. fluorescens homology complex" are discussed.     

Aryl Sulfatase in Ascospores of Neurospora crassa

Neurospora crassa ascospores normally do not contain aryl sulfatase even when formed under conditions of sulfur limitation. However, when one of the parental strains is the nonrepressible mutant scon(c), the resulting (mixed) ascospores contain significant levels of aryl sulfatase even when formed under conditions of sulfur abundance.     

Short-Chain Acids of Pseudomonas Species Encountered in Clinical Specimens

The short-chain acids of 36 strains of Pseudomonas grown on Trypticase soy agar were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Distinct acid profiles were observed for each of the eight species tested. Propionic, isobutyric, and isovaleric acids were the principal acids detected in media extracts of P. maltophilia, P. cepacia, P. pseudoalcaligenes, P. diminuta, and P. vesiculare. The presence and relative amounts of the isobutyric and isovaleric acids clearly distinguished P. maltophilia, P. pseudoalcaligenes, and P. cepacia from other species. P. diminuta could be distinguished from P. vesiculare by the production of glutaric acid; P. testosteroni was the only species tested which produced relatively large amounts of phenylacetic acid.