A cytoskeleton-associated plasma membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan in Schwann cells

Schwann cells cocultured with sensory neurons in a serum-free medium accumulate a single species of radiolabeled heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HS-PG) during incubation in medium containing 35SO4. This HS-PG was poorly extracted from cultures by solutions containing 1% Triton X-100 in low salt buffer or by solutions containing 1 M KCl, 4 M urea plus dithiothreitol, 1 mM Tris-HCl, 5 mM EDTA, or 100 micrograms/ml of heparin. The HS-PG was efficiently extracted, however, by 1% Triton X-100 in the presence of 1 M KCl or by 1% deoxycholate. These treatments solubilize both cell membranes and the Schwann cell cytoskeleton. In intact cells the HS-PG was digested by trypsin, indicating it was at least partially exposed on the cell surface. When solubilized HS-PG was applied to a column of octyl-sepharose CL-4B, more than 90% was retained by the column, but was quantitatively eluted by a solution containing 1% Triton X-100. In addition, the solubilized HS-PG could be incorporated into artificial phospholipid vesicles. These results indicate the HS-PG is an integral plasma membrane protein. The inability of low ionic strength solutions containing Triton X-100 to solubilize the HS-PG suggested it was bound to an additional structure. To determine whether the HS-PG was associated with the cytoskeleton we isolated cytoskeletons by detergent lysis of cells and centrifugation. The major protein components of isolated cytoskeletons were spectrin (Mr 225,000), vimentin (Mr 58,000), and actin (Mr 45,000). When 35SO4-labeled cells were used to prepare cytoskeletons approximately 80% of the total HS-PG was recovered in the cytoskeleton fraction. These results suggest the HS-PG is an externally exposed integral plasma membrane protein that is anchored to the Schwann cell cytoskeleton.     

Calcium-Stimulated Proteolysis in Myelin: Evidence for a Ca2+-Activated Neutral Proteinase Associated with Purified Myelin of Rat CNS

Incubation of myelin purified from rat spinal cord with CaCl2 (1-5 mM) in 10-50 mM Tris-HCl buffer at pH 7.6 containing 2 mM dithiothreitol resulted in the loss of both the large and small myelin basic proteins (MBPs), whereas incubation of myelin with Triton X-100 (0.25-0.5%) and 5 mM EGTA in the absence of calcium produced preferential extensive loss of proteolipid protein (PLP) relative to MBP. Inclusion of CaCl2 but not EGTA in the medium containing Triton X-100 enhanced degradation of both PLP and MBPs. The Ca2+-activated neutral proteinase (CANP) activity is inhibited by EGTA (5 mM) and partially inhibited by leupeptin and/or E-64c. CANP is active at pH 5.5-9.0, with the optimum at 7-8. The threshold of Ca2+ activation is approximately 100 microM. The 150K neurofilament protein (NFP) was progressively degraded when incubated with purified myelin in the presence of Ca2+. These results indicate that purified myelin is associated with and/or contains a CANP whose substrates include MBP, PLP, and 150K NFP. The degradation of PLP (trypsin-resistant) in the presence of detergent suggests either release of enzyme from membrane and/or structural alteration in the protein molecule rendering it accessible to proteolysis. The myelin-associated CANP may be important not only in the turnover of myelin proteins but also in myelin breakdown in brain diseases.     

Comparative studies of four protein preparation methods for proteomic study of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium sp. using two-dimensional electrophoresis

Alexandrium is a wide-spread genus of dinoflagellate causing harmful algal blooms and paralytic shellfish poisoning around the world. Proteomics has been introduced to the study of Alexandrium, but the protein preparation method is still unsatisfactory with respect to protein spot number, separation and resolution, and this has limited the application of a proteomic approach to the study of dinoflagellates. In this study we compared four protein preparation methods for the two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) analysis of A. tamarense: (1) urea/Triton X-100 buffer extraction with trichloroacetic acid (TCA)/acetone precipitation; (2) direct precipitation with TCA/acetone; (3) 40 mM Tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (Tris) buffer extraction; and (4) 50 mM Tris/5% glycerol buffer extraction. The results showed that, among the four protein preparation methods, the method combining the urea/Triton X-100 buffer extraction and TCA/acetone precipitation allowed detection of the highest number and quality of protein spots with a clear background. Although the direct TCA/acetone precipitation method also detected a high number of protein spots with a clear background, the spot number, separation and intensity were not as good as those obtained from the urea/Triton X-100 buffer extraction with TCA/acetone precipitation method. The 40 mM Tris buffer and 50 mM Tris/5% glycerol buffer methods allowed the detection of fewer protein spots and a pH range only from 4 to 7. Subsequently, the urea/Triton X-100 buffer extraction with TCA/acetone precipitation method was successfully applied to profiling protein expression in A. catenella under light stress conditions and the differential expression proteins were identified using MALDI TOF–TOF mass spectrometry. The method developed here appears to be promising for further proteomic studies of this organism and related species.     

Preparative elution of proteins blotted to Immobilon membranes

Conditions for the preparative elution of proteins from Immobilon membranes after transfer of proteins to this matrix from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels have been established. Proteins were completely eluted from the membrane at room temperature by short incubation in 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 9.0, containing 2% SDS and 1% Triton X-100. Good protein recoveries were also obtained in the same buffer containing 1% Triton X-100 only. The efficiency of elution was practically independent of the molecular weight of proteins, the method allowed for the precise excision of protein bands, and the proteins eluted from the matrix were not degraded. In some cases it was possible to recover enzymatic activity of the eluted proteins.     

Influence of NaCl on the kinetic behaviour of mammalian muscle acetylcholinesterase

Acetylcholinesterase was solubilized from rabbit white muscle by means of dilute buffer and Triton X-100 (0.5%). About 50% of total activity was brought into solution with buffer, the rest being solubilized by extracting the tissue with buffer and Triton X-100. The enzyme activity recovered in the supernatants was 170% of that found in the homogenate in the absence of Triton X-100 indicating that, to some extent, the enzyme could be found in an occluded form in muscle. At suboptimum substrate concentration the Triton-solubilized acetylcholinesterase displayed a negative cooperativity, this phenomenon being greatly modified in the presence of NaCl. As the salt concentration increased (0-400 mM) the enzyme activity decreased, the Km values being linearly-dependent on the NaCl concentration in the assay medium. We propose a kinetic pattern to explain both the negative cooperativity produced by the substrate and the effect of NaCl on the kinetic behaviour on this enzyme. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis of binding of substrate to both the catalytic anionic site and a peripheral anionic site, the salt showing the capacity to compete with the substrate for these two binding sites.     

Vesicle release from rat red cell ghosts and increased association of cell membrane proteins with cytoskeletons induced by cadmium

When rat red cell ghosts were incubated with 0.1-0.5 mM CdCl2 in 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4) at 37 degrees C for 30 min, they became irregular in shape and released small vesicles. The release of vesicles was dependent on the incubation temperature and Cd2+ concentration. The maximum release occurred at 37 degrees C in the presence of 0.2 mM Cd2+. The protein composition of Cd2+-induced vesicles was similar to that of the vesicles released from ATP-depleted red cells. Upon incubation with 0.1-0.2 mM Cd2+, more than 90% of the Cd2+ added to the incubation buffer was recovered in ghosts and 15-20% of the ghost Cd2+ was located on the cytoskeletons prepared by washing ghosts with 0.5% Triton X-100 solution containing 0.1 M KCl and 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4). Moreover, the cytoskeletons prepared from Cd2+-treated ghosts markedly contained cell membrane proteins, bands 2.1, 3, 4.2 and 4.5, and glycophorins. The association of bands 3 and 4.2 with cytoskeletons increased with increasing concentrations of Cd2+ added to the incubation buffer and saturated at 0.2 mM Cd2+. The solubilization of cytoskeletal proteins, bands 1, 2 and 5, from ghosts at low ionic strength was almost completely suppressed by preincubation of ghosts with 0.1 mM Cd2+. HgCl2, PbCl2 and ZnCl2 at 0.2 mM each also produced an increased association of cell membrane proteins with cytoskeletons, whereas CaCl2 and MgCl2 did not.     

Identification and characteristics of concanavalin A-binding neurospecific glycoproteins in human brain and brain tumors

Soluble and membrane-bound neurospecific Con A-binding glycoproteins from human brain and tumours were identified and characterized, using a procedure which included stepwise extraction with low and high ionic strength buffers, buffered. Triton X-100 and sodium deoxycholate followed by ConA-Sepharose column chromatography, SDS-PAAG electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Adsorbed antisera against different types of neurospecific glycoproteins were used. The bulk of neurospecific glycoproteins (11 and 13) were revealed in protein fractions extracted with low ionic strength buffers and Triton X-100. In astrocytomas and glyoblastomas, some neurospecific glycoproteins were absent. Some glycoproteins were found in tumours, but were absent in brain tissue. Soluble, 77 kD glycoprotein, 11 and 16 kD glycoproteins solubilized with high ionic strength buffers and intrinsic membrane-bound 51, 57, 61, 74 and 77 kD glycoproteins can be viewed as stable neurospecific markers in malignant brain tumours.     

Interaction of 1,4-benzoquinone and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid with microsomal glutathione transferase from rat liver

Glutathione transferase (GST) was purified from the microsomes of rat liver by glutathione affinity chromatography. The interaction of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1,4-benzoquinone with microsomal GST was investigated and compared with cytosolic GST. The kinetic inhibition pattern of 1,4-benzoquinone towards microsomal GST was found to be different from that towards cytosolic GST. Microsomal GST purified by affinity chromatography was inhibited by 2,4-D in a non dose-dependent manner, while the crude microsomal GST was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. This difference was shown to be induced by a reaction on the affinity column, and not by Triton X-100 (also shown to be a GST inhibitor), glutathione, or the elution buffer 0.2% Triton X-100 and 5 mM glutathione in 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 9.6. The binding of microsomal GST to the affinity matrix caused a partial inactivation of the active site for 2,4-D interaction. The results show that the properties of soluble GST enzymes may not be extrapolated to the microsomal ones.     

Studies on the extraction and back-extraction of a recombinant cutinase in a reversed micellar extraction process

This work deals with the extraction and back-extraction of a recombinant cutinase using AOT reversed micelles in isooctane. The effect of pH, ionic strength, AOT concentration and temperature on the extraction and back-extraction of the cutinase was investigated. High extraction (97%) of the cutinase was achieved at pH 7.0 with a 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer solution containing 100 mM KCl, but a low activity was detected in the reversed micellar phase. At pH 9.0, cutinase was extracted (75%) to the reversed micelles with higher activity. Cutinase was recovered (50%) from a reversed micellar phase (100 mM AOT/isooctane) into a 50 mM Tris-HCl buffered solution at pH 9.0 with 100 mM KCl, and 20°C. Protein and cutinase activity global yields of 38 and 45%, respectively, were obtained for the global process, extraction and back-extraction steps, using low ionic strength, pH 9.0, 100 mM AOT and 20°C.Maria das Graças Carneiro da Cunha acknowledges a Ph.D. fellowship from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Brasil. This work was partly financed by the BRIDGE Programme (Contract BIOT-CT91-0274(DTEE)).     

A study of various properties of beta-galactocerebrosidase from human chorion using synthetic fluorescent substrates

The properties of beta-galactocerebrosidase from human chorionic villi, cultured chorionic villi and cultured skin fibroblasts were compared, using 6-hexadecanoylamino-4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (HMGaL) as substrate. The effects of bile salt and Triton X-100 on beta-galactocerebrosidase were examined. It was shown that optimization of the HMGaL assay system requires the presence of pure sodium taurocholate and Triton X-100 at concentrations of 4.5 mM and 0.28 mM, respectively. The optimal pH value was found to be equal to 4.5-5.0; Km for the substrate was 0.03 mM. A comparison of beta-galactocerebrosidase from chorionic villi and cultured chorionic villi with the enzyme from skin fibroblasts revealed the similarity of some properties of these enzymes. The experimental results suggest that HMGaL can be used as a substrate for the identification of chorionic villi beta-galactocerebrosidase in an early prenatal diagnosis of Krabbe's disease.     

Occurrence of differentiated keratin peptide(K1) in cultured human squamous cell carcinomas.

To date, the largest keratin peptide(K1, 68 KD) has been absent in cultured human squamous cell carcinomas. Using a low salt aqueous solution, not containing high salt and Triton X-100, as a washing buffer for keratin extraction, followed by two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunological techniques and Northern blot analysis, we demonstrated K1 peptide in two kinds of cultured human squamous cell carcinomas. Until now keratin extraction has been done using high salt/Triton X-100 solution during which K1 peptide may be removed together developed an affinity with the buffer. Many investigators may have therefore overlooked K1.     

Association of maternal and newly synthesized ribosomes with membranous noncytoskeletal structures in Xenopus laevis embryonic cells

In Xenopus laevis embryos a high concentration of both KCl and 0.5% DOC (sodium deoxycholate) is needed for maximal extraction of ribosomes and polysomes. We studied the nature of the structures that keep ribosomes and polysomes immobilized within the cytoplasm of embryonic cells at cleavage through tailbud stages, using various combinations of a low-salt buffer (20 mM KCl), a high-salt buffer (500 mM KCl), 0.5% DOC, and 0.5% Triton X-100. With a low-salt buffer and 0.5% DOC, but not Triton X-100, 80S ribosomal monomers and polysomes were liberated from the cytoplasmic rapidly sedimenting structures (RSS) to the soluble fraction. With a high-salt buffer (500 mM KCl), ribosomes were solubilized as 60S and 40S subunits together with about one-half of the total polysomes. When cells were homogenized in a low-salt buffer with added inhibitors of the cytoskeleton (cytochalasin B or colchicine), the majority of polysomes but not ribosomes were solubilized. These results provide evidence for the following conclusions. 1) Polysomes are bound to cytoskeletal structures in Xenopus embryos, but ribosomes, both maternal and newly synthesized, are associated with membranous noncytoskeletal structures. 2) The membranous structures consist of two compartments, one high-salt sensitive and the other high-salt resistant. 3) Ribosomes of the high-salt resistant group increase in amount with developmental stage and appear to be the precursor to the ribosomes of the high-salt sensitive group.     

Stabilization of diluted aqueous solutions of horseradish peroxidase

Effects of pH, enzyme concentration, and various supplements on the catalytic activity, temperature stability, and secondary structure of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were studied in diluted aqueous solutions. In 5.0 mM citrate-phosphate buffer (pH 4.2) at 55 degrees C and infinite dilution, HRP was inactivated with a rate constant of 2.86 x 10(-3) s-1. CaCl2, BSA, and glycerol caused protective effects, whereas KCl, LiCl, maltose, PEG-6000 (at a concentration above 3%), Triton X-100, ethanol, and Kathon CG had an opposite effect and altered the secondary structure of HRP. Two HRP-stabilizing media: the "glycerol-based" one containing 10% ethanol and 20% glycerol, or the "protein-based" one containing 0.1% Kathon CG and 0.2 g/l of BSA in 50.0 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.2) supplemented with 50 mM CaCl2 were developed, and the stability of HRP (0.36 nM) and its immunoglobulin, cortisol, and progesterone conjugates were compared in these two media. The protein-based medium displayed a greater stabilizing effect particularly on HRP-steroid conjugates.     

Identification of UEA I-binding surface glycoproteins of cultured human endothelial cells

Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEAI) binds mainly to endothelial cells in human tissues. In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells TRITC-UEAI gave an even surface staining but no binding to pericellular material. After permeabilization of the cells UEAI decorated the Golgi apparatus as a juxtanuclear structure. Electrophoresis of Triton X-100 lysates of 35S-methionine labeled cells bound to lectin agarose beads showed that a similar set of polypeptides was recognized by UEA-I and WGA while distinctly different polypeptides were bound to LcA-agarose. Surface labelling revealed major glycoproteins with Mr 220 kD, 160 kD, 140 kD, 120 kD, 80 kD and 50 kD, most of which could be extracted with Triton X-100. However, only the 140 kD gp, 120 kD gp and 80 kD gp showed binding to UEA 140 kD gp, 120 kD gp and 80 kD gp showed binding to UEA I-lectin. The results show that among a distinct set of surface glycoproteins in cultured human endothelial cells only a few have alpha-l-fucosyl moieties capable of binding to UEAI lectin.     

Interrelationships between protein kinases and spectrin phosphorylation in human erythrocytes

Casein kinase and histone kinase(s) are solubilized from human erythrocyte membranes by buffered ionic solutions (0.1 mM EDTA and subsequent 0.8 M NaCl, pH 8) containing 0.2% Triton X-100. Casein kinase is separated from histone kinase(s) by submitting the crude extracts directly to chromatography on a phosphocellulose column, eluted with a continuous linear gradient of potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, containing 0.2% Triton X-100. Under these conditions, the membrane-bound casein kinase activity is almost completely recovered into a quite stable preparation, free of histone kinase activity. In contrast, it undergoes a dramatic loss of activity when the extraction and the subsequent phosphocellulose chromatography are carried out with buffers which do not contain Triton X-100. Isolated spectrin, the most abundant membrane protein, is phosphorylated, in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP, only by casein kinase while histone kinase is ineffective. Only the smaller subunit (band II) of isolated spectrin (and not the larger one (band I) is involved in such a phosphorylation process, as in the endogenous phosphorylation occurring in intact erythrocytes.     

Molecular Forms of Acetylcholinesterase in Bovine Caudate Nucleus and Superior Cervical Ganglion: Solubility Properties and Hydrophobic Character

Abstract: In the present paper, we report an analysis of acetylcholinesterase molecular forms in the bovine caudate nucleus and superior cervical ganglion. We show that: (1) The superior cervical ganglion contains a significant proportion (～ 15%) of collagen-tailed forms (mostly A₁₂ and A₈), but these molecules are found only as traces (ca. 0.002%) in the caudate nucleus, even in favorable extraction conditions (i.e., in the presence of 1 m -NaCl, 5 mm -EDTA, 1% Triton X-100). (2) The bulk of acetylcholinesterase corresponds to globular forms, mostly the tetrameric G₄ and the monomeric G₁ forms, with a smaller proportion of the dimeric G₂ form. (3) The tetrameric enzyme exists as a minor soluble component (G^S₄) that does not interact with Triton X-100, and a major hydrophobic component (G^H₄) that is partially solubilized in the absence of detergent in the caudate nucleus, but not in the superior cervical ganglion. (4) The monomeric G₁ form presents a marked hydrophobic character, as indicated by its interaction with Triton X-100, although it may be solubilized in large part in the absence of detergent in both tissues. (5) The detergentsolubilized forms aggregate upon removal of detergent. This property disappears after partial purification of G₄) that does not interact with Triton X-100, and a major hydrophobic component (G^H₄, but is restored upon addition of an inactivated crude extract, indicating that it is attributable to interactions with other hydrophobic components. (6) The proportions of molecular forms solubilized in detergent-free buffers vary with the ionic composition of the medium. Repeated extractions of caudate nucleus in Tris-HCl buffer produce a larger overall yield of G₁ form (e.g., 40%) than appears in a single quantitative detergent solubilization (<15%). This G₁ form apparently derives in part from a pool of G^H₄ form. (7) However, detergents that allow a quantitative solubilization of acetylcholinesterase yield the same proportions of forms (about 85% G₄) independently of the ionic conditions. (8) Modifications of the molecular forms occur spontaneously during purification, or storage of the crude aqueous ex-tracts, in a manner that depends on the ionic conditions. In Tris-HCl buffer, G₁ is converted into a well-defined 7.5S form. In Ringer, polydisperse components are formed. The effects observed in Ringer cannot be reproduced by addition of 5 mm -Ca_2- to the Tris buffer either during or after extraction. (9) Proteases, such as pronase, convert the hydrophobic forms into molecules that do not appear to interact with Triton X-100, and do not aggregate in its absence. These results raise fundamental questions regarding the status of acetylcholinesterase in situ, the structure and interactions of its molecular forms. They are discussed with reference to previous publications.     

Western blotting and immunochemical detection of histones electrophoretically resolved on acid-urea-Triton- and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels

We have developed a method for the efficient transfer of histones from acetic acid-urea-Triton X-100 (AUT)-polyacrylamide minislab gels to nitrocellulose. The AUT gel was equilibrated with 50 mM acetic acid and 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate and then with 62.5 mM Tris-HCl, pH 6.8, and 2.3% sodium dodecyl sulfate. An alkaline transfer buffer [25 mM 3-(cyclohexylamino)-1-propanesulfonic acid, pH 10, with 20% methanol] was used to electrophoretically transfer the strongly basic proteins from AUT or sodium dodecyl sulfate gels to nitrocellulose. The applicability of this approach in the immunochemical detection of ubiquitinated histone species is demonstrated.     

Activation and membrane binding of carboxypeptidase E

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) is a carboxypeptidase B-like enzyme that is thought to be involved in the processing of peptide hormones and neurotransmitters. Soluble and membrane-associated forms of CPE have been observed in purified secretory granules from various hormone-producing tissues. In this report, the influence of membrane association on CPE activity has been examined. A substantial amount of the membrane-associated CPE activity is solubilized upon extraction of bovine pituitary membranes with either 100 mM sodium acetate buffer (pH 5.6) containing 0.5% Triton X-100 and 1 M NaCl, or by extraction with high pH buffers (pH greater than 8). These treatments also lead to a two- to threefold increase in CPE activity. CPE extracted from membranes with either NaCl/Triton X-100 or high pH buffers hydrolyzes the dansyl-Phe-Ala-Arg substrate with a lower Km than the membrane-associated CPE. The Vmax of CPE present in extracts and membrane fractions after the NaCl/Triton X-100 treatment is twofold higher than in untreated membranes. Treatment of membranes with high pH buffers does not affect the Vmax of CPE in the soluble and particulate fractions. Pretreatment of membranes with bromoacetyl-D-arginine, an active site-directed irreversible inhibitor of CPE, blocks the activation by NaCl/Triton X-100 treatment. Thus the increase in CPE activity upon extraction from membranes is probably not because of the conversion of an inactive form to an active one, but is the result of changes in the conformation of the enzyme that effect the catalytic activity.     

Optimization of Protease Extraction from Horse Mango (Mangifera foetida Lour) Kernels by a Response Surface Methodology

Protease is one of the most important industrial enzymes with a multitude of applications in both food and non-food sectors. Although most commercial proteases are microbial proteases, the potential of non-conventional protease sources, especially plants, should not be overlooked. In this study, horse mango (Mangifera foetida Lour) fruit, known to produce latex with a blistering effect upon contact with human skin, was chosen as a source of protease, and the effect of the extraction process on its protease activity evaluated. The crude enzyme was extracted from the kernels and extraction was optimized by a response surface methodology (RSM) using a central composite rotatable design (CCRD). The variables studied were pH (x(1)), CaCl(2) (x(2)), Triton X-100 (x(3)), and 1,4-dithryeitol (x(4)). The results obtained indicate that the quadratic model is significant for all the variables tested. Based on the RSM model generated, optimal extraction conditions were obtained at pH 6.0, 8.16 mM CaCl(2), 5.0% Triton X-100, and 10.0 mM DTT, and the estimated response was 95.5% (w/w). Verification test results showed that the difference between the calculated and the experimental protease activity value was only 2%. Based on the t-value, the effects of the variables arranged in ascending order of strength were CaCl(2)< pH < DTT < Triton X-100.     

Partial Purification and Characterization of an Inducible Indole-3-Acetyl-L-Aspartic Acid Hydrolase from Enterobacter agglomerans

Indole-3-acetyl-amino acid conjugate hydrolases are believed to be important in the regulation of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) metabolism in plants and therefore have potential uses for the alteration of plant IAA metabolism. To isolate bacterial strains exhibiting significant indole-3-acetyl-aspartate (IAA-Asp) hydrolase activity, a sewage sludge inoculation was cultured under conditions in which IAA-Asp served as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. One isolate, Enterobacter agglomerans, showed hydrolase activity inducible by IAA-L-Asp or N-acetyl-L-Asp but not by IAA, (NH4)2SO4, urea, or indoleacetamide. Among a total of 17 IAA conjugates tested as potential substrates, the enzyme had an exclusively high substrate specificity for IAA-L-Asp. Substrate concentration curves and Lineweaver-Burk plots of the kinetic data showed a Michaelis constant value for IAA-L-Asp of 13.5 mM. The optimal pH for this enzyme was between 8.0 and 8.5. In extraction buffer containing 0.8 mM Mg2+ the hydrolase activity was inhibited to 80% by 1 mM dithiothreitol and to 60% by 1 mm CuSO4; the activity was increased by 40% with 1 mM MnSO4. However, in extraction buffer with no trace elements, the hydrolase activity was inhibited to 50% by either 1 mM dithiothreitol or 1% Triton X-100 (Sigma). These results suggest that disulfide bonding might be essential for enzyme activity. Purification of the hydrolase by hydroxyapatite and TSK-phenyl (HP-Genenchem, South San Francisco, CA) preparative high-performance liquid chromatography yielded a major 45-kD polypeptide as shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.