Synthesis of a Precursor Dipeptide of Thymopentin in Organic Solvents by an Enzymatic Method

Abstract

The protease‐catalyzed, kinetically controlled synthesis of a precursor dipeptide of thymopentin(TP‐5), Z‐Arg‐Lys‐NH₂ in organic solvents was studied. Z‐Arg‐OMe was used as the acyl donor and Lys‐NH₂ was used as the nucleophile. An industrial alkaline protease alcalase and trypsin were used to catalyze the synthesis of the target dipeptide in water‐organic cosolvent systems. The conditions of the synthesis reaction were optimized by examining the effects of several factors, including organic solvents, water content, temperature, pH, and reaction time on the yield of Z‐Arg‐Lys‐NH₂. The optimum conditions using alcalase as the catalyst are pH 10.0, 35°C, in acetonitrile/DMF/Na₂CO₃‐NaHCO₃ buffer system (80∶10∶10, V/V), 6 h, with the dipeptide yield of 71.1%. Compared with alcalase, the optimum conditions for trypsin are pH 8.0, 35°C, in ethanol/Tris‐HCl buffer system (80∶20, V/V), 4 h, with the dipeptide yield of 76.1%.     

Synthesis of tripeptide RGD amide by a combination of chemical and enzymatic methods

The tripeptide Bz-Arg-Gly-Asp(NH₂)OH was synthesized by a combination of chemical and enzymatic methods in this study. Firstly, Gly-Asp-(NH₂)₂ was synthesized by a novel chemical method in three steps including chloroacetylation of l-aspartic acid, esterification of chloroacetyl l-aspartic acid and ammonolysis of chloroacetyl l-aspartic acid diethyl ester. Secondly, the linkage of the third amino acid (Bz-Arg-OEt) to Gly-Asp-(NH₂)₂ was completed by enzymatic method under kinetic control condition. An industrial alkaline protease alcalase was used in water–organic cosolvents systems. The synthesis reaction conditions were optimized by examining the effects of several factors including water content, temperature, pH and reaction time on the yield of the synthesis product Bz-Arg-Gly-Asp(NH₂)OH. The optimum conditions are pH 8.0, 35 °C, in ethanol/Tris–HCl buffer system (85:15, v/v), 8 h with the tripeptide yield of 73.6%.     

Isolation of α2 Macroglobulin Subunits from Human Serum

Subunits of α₂ macroglobulin (α₂M) with sedimentation rates lower than 10 S were found in ultrafiltrates (through macroglobulin-stopping membranes) of normal human sera. Five to six percent of the total α₂M in human sera exists in subunit form. After isolation by means of ammonium sulfate precipitation, curtain electrophoresis, gel filtration and ultrafiltration these subunits were shown to have sedimentation rates of 5–10 S.     

Papain Immobilization Study in Enzymatic Synthesis of Dipeptide Gly-Phe

Papain catalysed peptide synthesis was followed to determine the optimum conditions for adsorption and covalent binding immobilization methods. The synthesis of the dipeptide Gly-Phe was studied in two different reaction systems: a) For adsorbed papain, in an organic medium containing low water concentration, b) For covalently bound enzyme, in a two-liquid phase system, using trichloroethylene as organic phase. The amount of enzyme offered to the immobilization support and the p^H of the immobilization procedure were the main parameters studied.     

在AOT/异辛烷反相胶束体系中酶法合成RGD前体二肽

近十年来,在有机相中利用酶法合成短肽技术取得了长足的发展．但对于在有机相中合成含有亲水氨基酸的短肽,仍然是一个难题．利用反相胶束可以解决亲水氨基酸在有机相中的低溶解性问题［１］．Ａｒｇ－Ｇｌｙ－Ａｓｐ（ＲＧＤ）是近年来发现的一种具有粘合细胞作用的三肽...     

Enzymatic Peptide Synthesis in Organic Media. Synthesis of CCK-8 Dipeptide Fragments

The enzymatic synthesis of the seven consecutive dipeptide fragments of the cholecysto kinin C-terminal octapeptide (CCK-8) in organic media is reported. The influence of the reaction medium composition, the protease, and the structure of N-α and C-α protecting groups of both carboxyl and amino components was evaluated. α-Chymotrypsin, papain and thermolysin adsorbed on Celite were used as catalysts, under thermodynamic and kinetic control. The carboxamidomethyl, methyl and allyl ester derivatives of acetyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, tert-butyloxycarbonyl and fluoren-9-ylmethoxycarbonyl amino acids, were assayed as carboxy components. Amino acid amide and ester derivatives were employed as nucleophiles with a preference for the latter, since the dipeptide product obtained could be used directly, without any further chemical modification, as acyl-donor in subsequent coupling steps. All dipeptides selected were successfully synthesized, using the optimal combination of protecting groups, reaction media and enzyme different for each coupling reaction. The information gained with this study should be instrumental in designing an optimal strategy for the total enzymatic synthesis of cholecystokinin C-terminal octapeptide (CCK-8).     

Aspects Of Biocatalyst Stability In Organic Solvents

The stability of biocatalysis in systems containing organic solvents is reviewed. Among the examples presented are homogeneous mixtures of water and water-miscible organic solvents, aqueous/organic two-phase systems, solid biocatalysts suspended in organic solvents, enzymes in reverse micelles and modified enzymes soluble in water immiscible solvents. The stability of biocatalysts in organic solvents depends very much on the conditions. The hydrophobicity or the polarity of the solvent is clearly of great importance. More hydrophobic solvents (higher log P values) are less harmful to enzymes than less hydrophobic solvents. The water content of the system is a very important parameter. Some water is essential for enzymatic activity; however, the stability of enzymes decreases with increasing water content. Mechanisms of enzyme inactivation are discussed.     

Biocatalysis in Organic Solvents with a Polymer-Bound Horseradish Peroxidase

This paper describes the preparation of polyethyleneglycol-bound horseradish peroxidase. Coupling with the polymer occurs via the glycolic moiety of the protein after an optimised oxidation process with periodate. Analysis of the modified enzyme shows that three chains of polymer are attached to the protein, which then becomes soluble and active in both chloroform and toluene.     

Biocatalysis in Organic Solvents with a Polymer-Bound Horseradish Peroxidase

This paper describes the preparation of polyethyleneglycol-bound horseradish peroxidase. Coupling with the polymer occurs via the glycolic moiety of the protein after an optimised oxidation process with periodate. Analysis of the modified enzyme shows that three chains of polymer are attached to the protein, which then becomes soluble and active in both chloroform and toluene.     

Enzymatic Synthesis of Various Aromatic Polyesters in Anhydrous Organic Solvents

Lipases and proteases from various sources were tested in aromatic polyester synthesis in organic solvents. A commercial protease from Bacillus licheniformis efficiently catalyzed the transesterifica-tion of a diester of terephthalic acid and 1,4-butanediol in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (THF). This protease was used as a catalyst in the synthesis of aromatic polyesters in THF. Oligomers with average molecular weights from 400 to 1000 daltons were obtained using various diols and aromatic diesters.     

Reactions Catalyzed by Peg-Modified α-Chymotrypsin in Organic Solvents. Influence of Water Content and Degree of Modification

-Chymotrypsin was modified with cyanuric chloride activated monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (MPEG) with molecular weights 1900 and 5000. Using the higher molecular weight MPEG a product that was soluble in benzene at moderate levels of modification was obtained, whereas with MPEG 1900 almost all the enzyme's amino groups had to be modified for dissolving the conjugate. The catalytic activity decreased with increasing degree of substitution. Apparent V_max was considerably higher for the less modified enzyme preparation than for the more modified one, while K_m,app stayed almost constant. The modified enzyme was used for peptide synthesis. The reaction was dependent on the content of dissolved water. Both V_max,app and K_m,app increased with increasing water content. It was possible to achieve a process with complete conversion of substrate to dipeptide.     

CO_2激光联合胸腺五肽治疗尖锐湿疣的临床效果分析

目的：探讨CO2激光联合胸腺五肽治疗尖锐湿疣的临床疗效。方法：将我院2010年2月-2011年8月期间收治的82例尖锐湿疣患者随机分为两组,治疗组50例采用CO2激光器治疗联合胸腺五肽肌注;对照组32例单纯采用CO2激光器治疗;两组治疗疗程结束后观察临床疗效。结果：治疗组50例,一次治愈者46例,占92%;二次治愈者4例,占8%。对照组32例,一次治愈者19例,占59.4%;二次治愈者13例,占40.6%。两组一次治愈率比较差异明显,具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。两组术后局部轻度水肿和疼痛,无需处理1~3天缓解或痊愈。结论：CO2激光联合胸腺五肽治疗尖锐湿疣临床疗效好,并具有治疗简便,术后不良反应少,治愈率高等特点。     

Modified Proteases for Peptide Synthesis in Organic Media

We showed that modified proteases could catalyze synthesis of a wide variety of peptides of various lengths and structures both in solution and on solid phase in organic solvents. The following modified proteases were studied as catalysts for enzymatic peptide synthesis in polar organic solvents (acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, and ethanol): pepsin sorbed on celite, a noncovalent complex of subtilisin with sodium dodecylsulfate, and subtilisin or thermolysin covalently immobilized on a cryogel of polyvinyl alcohol. The use of the noncovalent complex of subtilisin with sodium dodecylsulfate and immobilized subtilisin is especially promising for the segment condensation of peptide fragments containing residues of trifunctional amino acids with unprotected ionogenic groups in side chains, such as Lys, Arg, His, Glu, and Asp.     

CO2 激光联合胸腺五肽治疗尖锐湿疣的临床效果分析

目的:探讨CO2激光联合胸腺五肽治疗尖锐湿疣的临床疗效。方法:将我院2010年2月-2011年8月期间收治的82例尖锐湿疣患者随机分为两组,治疗组50例采用CO2激光器治疗联合胸腺五肽肌注;对照组32例单纯采用CO2激光器治疗;两组治疗疗程结束后观察临床疗效。结果:治疗组50例,一次治愈者46例,占92%;二次治愈者4例,占8%。对照组32例,一次治愈者19例,占59.4%;二次治愈者13例,占40.6%。两组一次治愈率比较差异明显,具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组术后局部轻度水肿和疼痛,无需处理1~3天缓解或痊愈。结论:CO2激光联合胸腺五肽治疗尖锐湿疣临床疗效好,并具有治疗简便,术后不良反应少,治愈率高等特点。     

毛细管气相色谱法测定甲磺酸伊马替尼中残留有机溶剂

目的：建立可同时测定甲磺酸伊马替尼原料药中甲醇、乙醇和N''N - 二甲基甲酰胺（DMF）等3 种残留有机溶剂的毛细管气相色谱法。方法：采用WondaCAP WAX 毛细管柱为色谱柱,程序升温,N2 为载气,载气流速为4.0 mL ? min-1,氢火焰离子化检测器,检测器温度为250 ℃,进样口温度为200 ℃,进样量为1.0 μL。以正丁醇为内标,通过内标法计算样品中3 种有机溶剂残留量。结果：甲醇、乙醇和DMF 在所建立的色谱条件下均能完全分离,分别在2.94~44.11、4.91~73.68 和0.084~12.60 mg ? L-1 的质量浓度范围内线性关系良好（r =0.9940~0.9985）,进样精密度（RSD）均小于5.0%（n =6）,平均回收率为104.8%~105.8%（RSD<5.0%,n =9）,定量限分别为0.20、0.33 和0.08 ng（信噪比为10 ∶ 1）,检测限分别为0.05、0.11 和0.02 ng（信噪比为3 ∶ 1）。样品中未检出甲醇和DMF,乙醇含量低于有关限度规定。结论：该方法简便、准确、灵敏、重复性好,可用于甲磺酸伊马替尼原料药中残留有机溶剂的检测。     

Modification of the Microenvironment of Enzymes in Organic Solvents. Substitution of Water by Polar Solvents

Enzyme catalysis in water-immiscible organic solvents is strongly influenced by the amount of water present in the reaction mixture. Effects of substitution of part of the water by other polar solvents were studied. In an alcoholysis reaction catalyzed by chymotrypsin deposited on celite, it was possible to exchange half of the water by formamide, ethylene glycol or dimethyl sulfoxide with often increased initial reaction rate. Furthermore, these substitutions caused the suppression of the competing hydrolysis reaction. However, formamide caused enzyme inactivation, and ethylene glycol participated as a reactant in the alcoholysis to some extent, hence dimethyl sulfoxide was considered the best water substitute among the solvents tested. These effects were noted for chymotrypsin catalyzed alcoholysis in several water immiscible solvents and also for interesterification reactions catalyzed by Candida cylindracea lipase on celite. In the latter case a change in the stereoselectivity was observed. At a low water content a high stereoselectivity was observed; when the amount of polar solvent was increased, either by doubling the water content or adding an equal amount of DMSO, the stereoselectivity decreased.     

Homogeneous Biocatalysis in Organic Solvents and Water-Organic Mixtures

Biocatalysis in non-aqueous media has undergone tremendous development during the last decade, and numerous reactions have been introduced and optimized for synthetic applications. In contrast to aqueous enzymology, biotransformations in organic solvents offer unique industrially attractive advantages, such as: drastic changes in the enantioselectivity of the reaction, the reversal of the thermodynamic equilibrium of hydrolysis reactions, suppression of water-dependent side reactions, and resistance to bacterial contamination. Currently, the field is dominated by heterogeneous biocatalysis based primarily on lyophilized enzyme powders, cross-linked crystals, and enzymes immobilized on inert supports that are mainly applied in enantioselective synthesis. However, low reaction rates are an inherent problem of the heterogeneous biocatalysis, while the homogeneous systems have the advantage that the elimination of diffusional barriers of substrates and products between organic and water phases results in an increase in the reaction rate. Here the discussion is focused on the correlation between activity and structure of the intact enzymes dissolved in neat organic solvents, as well as modifications of natural enzymes, which make them soluble and catalytically active in non-aqueous environment. Factors that influence conformation and stability of the enzymes are also discussed. Current developments in non-aqueous biocatalysts that combine advantages of protein modification and immobilization, i.e., HIP plastics, enzyme chips, ionic liquids, are introduced. Finally, engineering enzymes for biotransformations in non-conventional media by directed evolution is summarized.     

Three Systems Used for Biocatalysis in Organic Solvents a Comparative Study

The activity and operational stability of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH) and α-chymotrypsin were investigated in three systems commonly used for biocatalysis in organic solvents:

1. enzyme adsorbed on a solid support (celite) and added to the organic solvent (isooctane)

2. enzyme powder directly added to the organic solvent (isooctane).

3. enzyme dissolved in a microemulsion (AOT/isooctane).

The activity and the operational stability in all systems were strongly dependent on the water content. The initial reaction rate was high in both the microemulsion and the celite system, but was much lower when adding the enzymes directly to the organic solvent. HLADH was observed to be more stable when added directly to the organic solvent or dissolved in the microemulsion than when adsorbed on celite, whereas for α-chymotrypsin stability was higher when adsorbed on celite or added directly to the organic solvent. For a hydrolytic reaction, a microemulsion was preferred due to the high water content. When adding the enzymes directly to the organic solvent both HLADH and chymotrypsin were adsorbed strongly to the glass walls of the reaction vessel. None of the systems were superior in all respects for the two enzymes studied.     

Polyethylene Glycol-Modified Lipase Soluble and Active in Organic Solvents

A new approach in biotechnological processes is to use lipase modified with polyethylene glycol(PEG) which has both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. The PEG-lipase is soluble in organic solvents such as benzene and chlorinated hydrocarbons and exhibits high enzymic activity in organic solvents. The PEG-lipase catalyses the reverse reaction of hydrolysis in organic solvents; ester synthesis and ester exchange reactions. The PEG-lipase can also be conjugated to magnetite (Fe₃O₄). The magnetic lipase catalyses ester synthesis in organic solvents and can be readily recovered by magnetic force without loss of enzymic activity.     

Expression of the lasB gene encoding an organic solvent-stable elastase in Pichia pastoris and potential applications of the recombinant enzymes in peptide synthesis

The lasB gene encoding a solvent-stable elastase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAE) was isolated and heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris, resulting in production of three heterogeneously glycosylated recombinant elastases (rPAEs). rPAEs showed higher solvent-stability and thermostability than native PAE, but these recombinant and native enzymes achieved similar values of specific activity (2393 U/mg and 2427 U/mg for rPAEs and the native one, respectively), apparent K_m (2.55 and 2.48 g/l for rPAEs and the native one, respectively) and k_cat (0.0489 and 0.0496/s for rPAEs and the native one, respectively) for casein hydrolysis. While rPAEs and their native counterpart displayed similar substrate specificity in bipeptide synthesis reactions in water-miscible organic solvents, the former gave higher synthesis rates and yields than the latter. The yields and rates of rPAEs-catalyzed bipeptide synthesis reactions substantially varied with the type of solvent, and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was found to be more suitable for these reactions than methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and n-butanol. The optimal reaction conditions for rPAEs-catalyzed Cbz-Ala-Phe-NH₂ synthesis were the presence of 50% (v/v) DMSO, and at pH 8.0 and temperature 20–30 °C.