Changes in the rate of production of superoxide anion in tails of Rana catesbeiana tadpoles during spontaneous and triiodothyronine-induced metamorphosis

1. The time course of changes in the rate of production of superoxide anion (O2) was compared with that of beta-glucuronidase in tails of Rana catesbeiana tadpoles during spontaneous and triiodothyronine (T3)-induced metamorphosis. 2. Superoxide production increases in tadpole tail tissue undergoing regression in vivo during spontaneous metamorphosis and in response to T3 treatment. 3. The specific activity of beta-glucuronidase rises three-fold relative to control levels in tadpoles treated with T3 in vivo. 4. The time of onset of the rise in beta-glucuronidase activity precedes the onset of tissue regression and the onset of the increase in superoxide production precedes the rise in beta-glucuronidase activity.     

Detection of early changes in androgen-induced mouse renal beta-glucuronidase messenger ribonucleic acid using cloned complementary deoxyribonucleic acid

beta-Glucuronidase mRNA was purified from androgen-induced mouse kidney by immunoadsorption of polysomes to protein A-Sepharose. Cell-free translation of mRNA isolated from the protein A bound RNA followed by immunoprecipitation revealed that beta-glucuronidase mRNA represented approximately 2% of the purified mRNA fraction. This mRNA preparation was used to produce complementary DNA clones by recombination with pBR322. Clones containing sequences that were enriched during the purification procedure were selected by differential colony hybridization. These were further screened for homology with beta-glucuronidase mRNA by hybrid-selected translation. A beta-glucuronidase cDNA clone, designated pGUS7, was identified by these criteria. With this plasmid, the abundance of beta-glucuronidase mRNA in total poly(A) mRNA from androgen-induced mouse kidney was estimated to be less than 0.04%. The beta-glucuronidase cDNA plasmid hybridized to a mRNA of 2.6 kb in length, which was induced in an androgen receptor dependent fashion over a time course of 21 days. Treatment of female mice with a single dose of testosterone (10 mg) revealed that beta-glucuronidase mRNA concentration begins to increase between 12 and 24 h after hormone administration.     

Inhibition of polyamine synthesis blocks urinary secretion of beta-glucuronidase from mouse kidney

The effect of inhibition of polyamine synthesis on castrated male mouse kidney beta-glucuronidase induction and secretion by testosterone was studied. Inhibition of the activities of polyamine synthesis key-enzymes, L-ornithine and S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylases, was performed with the combined treatment of 2-difluoromethylornithine and methylglyoxal' bis(guanylhydrazone). Blockage of polyamine synthesis did not affect testosterone-induced increase in renal beta-glucuronidase but blocked its secretion into the urine. After withdrawal of inhibitor-treatment beta-glucuronidase secretion normalized, and repeated testosterone administration produced undisturbed beta-glucuronidase secretion peak in urine suggesting that blockage of beta-glucuronidase secretion was not due to the tissue damage produced by inhibitors. These results indicate that the stimulation of renal polyamine synthesis by testosterone is not necessary for the induction of beta-glucuronidase but is required for the urinary secretion of this protein.     

Isolation and characterization of the major form of beta-glucuronidase from human seminal plasma

Human seminal plasma contain two forms of beta-glucuronidase (beta-D-glucuronidase glucuronosohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.31) which are present in the ratio of 4:1. The major form of beta-glucuronidase with a slow moving band in electrophoresis was purified to homogeneity as revealed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, double immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. The major form of beta-glucuronidase shows dual optimum pH at 4.3 and 4.7 with a dip in the activity at pH 4.5. The Km of this form of beta-glucuronidase is dependent on pH and was found to be 0.95, 3.08 and 0.67 mM at pH 4.4, 4.5 and 4.7, respectively. The major form of beta-glucuronidase from seminal plasma is stable at 55 degrees C for 30 min but it denatures at 65 degrees C. Heat denaturation is faster at acidic pH (4.7) than at alkaline pH (7.8). However, the activity of enzyme increased linearly with increase in temperature up to 70 degrees C during incubation with substrate. Cu, Ag, Hg and Ni salts inhibited enzyme activity significantly at 0.1 and 1.0 mM concentration, but the inhibition of HgCl2 was protected by cysteine. 1,4-D-Saccharic acid lactone and ascorbic acid inhibited seminal beta-glucuronidase competitively, yielding Ki values of 1.7 . 10(-3) mM and 10.3 mM, respectively. Though fructose and mannose also showed significant inhibition of beta-glucuronidase at 10-100 mM, glucose did not show any effect. The molecular weight of the major form of beta-glucuronidase was found to be 279 000, and it appears to be composed of four subunits each having a molecular weight of 74 000.     

Mannose 6-phosphate-independent endocytosis of beta-glucuronidase by human fibroblasts. I. Evidence for the existence of a membrane-binding activity

Prior work has shown that endocytosis of bovine beta-glucuronidase by human fibroblasts can be mediated by the existence of a Man6P-independent receptor for the recapture and targeting to lysosomes. In this study, we have isolated a peptide (IIIb2) from pronase digested bovine beta-glucuronidase that behaved as competitive inhibitor of the endocytosis of bovine beta-glucuronidase by human fibroblasts. This peptide contained a Ser-X-Ser sequence, where X is probably a posttranslational modified Trp. Antibodies raised against this peptide impaired the endocytosis of the bovine but not the human beta-glucuronidase, implying that the new recognition marker for the endocytosis of acid hydrolases might reside in a single discrete stretch of amino acid sequence. On the other hand, bovine beta-glucuronidase has been shown to bind specifically to receptors of human fibroblast membranes. The binding was saturable, divalent cation-dependent and was competitively inhibited by the IIIb2 peptide, but not by mannose 6-phosphate. Results presented suggested an interplay between manganese concentrations, temperature and pH on the dissociation of the beta-glucuronidase-receptor complexes. All together, these data reinforce the presence of two endocytic systems for the recapture and targeting of beta-glucuronidase in human fibroblasts.     

Inhibition of cholesterol crystallization under bilirubin deconjugation: partial characterization of mechanisms whereby infected bile accelerates pigment stone formation

Pigment gallstones have been reported to be closely associated with biliary tract infection. We previously reported that addition of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB), which is deconjugated by beta-glucuronidase in infected bile, could enhance cholesterol crystal formation in supersaturated model bile (MB). The present study evaluated the effect of beta-glucuronidase on the processes of pigment gallstone formation and cholesterol crystallization. Supersaturated MB (taurocholate/lecithin/cholesterol at 71:18:11, a total lipid concentration of 10.0 g/dl and a cholesterol saturation index (CSI) of 2.0) and native rat bile were mixed at a ratio of 3:1. Then, mixed bile was incubated with or without beta-glucuronidase and changes of the following parameters were investigated over time: (1) the UCB/total bilirubin ratio; (2) cholesterol crystal formation; (3) the precipitate weight and the cholesterol concentration in the precipitate and supernatant; and (4) the lipid distribution of vesicles in the supernatant. Compared with beta-glucuronidase-free bile, (1) beta-glucuronidase-containing bile showed a significant increase of the UCB/total bilirubin ratio, (2) as well as a significantly longer nucleation time (96+/-17.0 vs. 114+/-20.0) and fewer cholesterol crystals. (3) The precipitate weight and the cholesterol concentration in the precipitate were significantly increased, while the cholesterol concentration in supernatant was decreased. (4) When mixed bile was incubated with beta-glucuronidase, the cholesterol concentration in the vesicles was lower than in bile without beta-glucuronidase. The precipitate weight and the cholesterol concentration in the precipitate was increased by incubation with beta-glucuronidase, while cholesterol concentration was decreased in the supernatant (especially in the vesicles). This means that bile vesicles were more stable and it was more difficult for cholesterol crystals to form. Thus, the presence of beta-glucuronidase may inhibit the formation of pure cholesterol stones even in the presence of cholesterol supersaturation.     

Functional insight for beta-glucuronidase in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus sp. RLH1

Glycosyl hydrolases hydrolyze the glycosidic bond either in carbohydrates or between carbohydrate and non-carbohydrate moiety. The beta-glucuronidase (beta D-glucuronoside glucuronosohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.31) enzyme belongs to the family-2 glycosyl hydrolase. The E. coli borne beta-glucuronidase gene (uidA) was devised as a gene fusion marker in plant genetic transformation experiments. Recent plant transformation vectors contain a novel beta-glucuronidase (gusA) derived from Staphylococcus sp. RLH1 for E. coli uidA. It is known to have a ten fold higher sensitivity compared to E. coli beta-glucuronidase. The functional superiority of Staphylococcus (gusA) over E. coli (uidA) activity is not fully known. The comparison of secondary structural elements among them revealed an increased percentage of random coils in Staphylococcus beta-glucuronidase. The 3D model of gusA shows catalytic site residues 396Glu, 508Glu and 471Tyr of gusA in loop regions. Accessible surface area (ASA) calculations on the 3D model showed increased ASA for active site residues in Staphylococcus beta-glucuronidase. Increased random coil, the presence of catalytic residues in loops, greater solvent accessibility of active residues and increased charged residues in gusA of Staphylococcus might facilitate interaction with the solvent. This hypothesizes the enhanced catalytic activity of beta-glucuronidase in Staphylococcus sp. RLH1 compared to that in E. coli.     

Effect of calcium glucarate on beta-glucuronidase activity and glucarate content of certain vegetables and fruits

Glucarate is normally present in tissues and body fluids and is in equilibrium with D-glucaro-1,4-lactone, a natural inhibitor of beta-glucuronidase activity. Dietary calcium glucarate, a sustained-release from of glucarate, elevates the blood level of D-glucaro-1,4-lactone which suppresses blood and tissue beta-glucuronidase activity. A single dose of CaG (4.5 mmole/kg body weight) inhibited beta-glucuronidase activity in serum and liver, lung, and intestinal microsomes by 57, 44, 37, and 39%, respectively. A chronic administration of calcium glucarate (4% in diet) also decreased beta-glucuronidase activity in intestinal and liver microsomes. Maximal inhibition of beta-glucuronidase activity in serum was observed from 12 noon to 2:00 PM. In contrast, maximum inhibition of beta-glucuronidase activity in intestinal and liver microsomes occurred during mornings, although a secondary depression in intestinal microsomes also occurred around 4 PM. A 4% calcium glucarate supplemented diet also inhibited beta-glucuronidase activity by 70% and 54%, of the bacterial flora obtained from proximal (small intestine) and distal (colon) segments of intestine, respectively. Due to the potential effect of dietary glucarate on net glucuronidation and on other metabolic pathways, glucaric acid levels in various foods were determined. The glucaric acid content varied from a low of 1.12-1.73 mg/100 g for broccoli and potatoes to a high of 4.53 mg/100 g for oranges.     

beta-Glucuronidase in the bull seminal plasma and reproductive organs

The biochemical distribution of beta-glucuronidase activity was studied in different reproductive organs, seminal plasma and spermatozoa of the bull. The highest specific activity was found in the epididymis, where the activity seemed to be mostly in nonsecretory and only partly in secretory form. A molecular weight of 340 X 10(3) to 360 X 10(3) was recorded for beta-glucuronidase in the bull seminal plasma and different reproductive organs with gel filtration on Sepharose 6B. In chromatofocusing four activity areas (CF-1 to CF-4) were usually obtained for beta-glucuronidase in the bull seminal plasma. The major peak CF-2 (also in the different reproductive organs) had a pI value of 5.6-5.3 and the two minor activity areas CF-1 and CF-3 had pI values of 6.0-5.8 and 5.2-4.5, respectively. Peak CF-4 eluted with a NaCl gradient after the Polybuffer elution and possibly represents an enzyme form incompletely detached from negatively charged cellular material. Isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gel confirmed the heterogeneity of beta-glucuronidase, since several activity bands were detected in the secretion of the different parts of the epididymis. beta-Glucuronidase activities CF-1, CF-2 and CF-3 had similar pH activity profiles (pH optimum around pH 3.0-4.0) and response to thermal inactivation at 50 degrees C. The multiple beta-glucuronidase activities of the bull seminal plasma are proposed to derive mainly from the secretion of the cauda epididymidis.     

Effects of 60 Hz magnetic field exposure on polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation

We have investigated the effects of a sinusoidal 60 Hz magnetic field on free radical (superoxide anion) production, degranulation (beta-glucuronidase and lysozyme release) and viability in human neutrophils (PMNs). Experiments were performed blindly in very controlled conditions to examine the effects of a magnetic field in resting PMNs and in PMNs stimulated with a tumor promoter: phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Exposure of unstimulated human PMNs to a 60 Hz magnetic field did not affect the functions examined. In contrast, exposure of PMNs to a 22 milliTesla (mT), 60 Hz magnetic field induced significant increases in superoxide anion (O2-) production (26.5%) and in beta-glucuronidase release (53%) when the cells were incubated with a suboptimal stimulating dose of PMA. Release of lysozyme and lactate dehydrogenase was unchanged by the magnetic field, whether the cells were stimulated or not. A 60 Hz magnetic field did not have any effect on O2- generation by a cell-free system xanthine/xanthine oxidase, suggesting that a magnetic field could upregulate common cellular events (signal transduction) leading to O2- generation and beta-glucuronidase release. In conclusion, exposure of PMNs to a 22 mT, 60 Hz magnetic field potentiates the effect of PMA on O2- generation and beta-glucuronidase release. This effect could be the result of an alteration in the intracellular signaling.     

Implications of alpha-amylase production and beta-glucuronidase expression in Escherichia coli strains.

Two Escherichia coli strains in which alpha-amylase production differed were used to study in depth some characteristics related to beta-glucuronidase induction by starch. The beta-glucuronidase background activity in Luria broth medium was comparable for the two isolates, but only amylase positive S1 was able to grow on starch molecules supplied as the sole carbon source. In this case growth resulted at higher beta-glucuronidase levels (p < 0.01) with respect to basal activity and the induced expression was maximal (6.1-fold) when cultures reached the stationary phase. Growth in the presence of a protein synthesis inhibitor (chloramphenicol) was associated with a marked reduction of activity. The beta-glucuronidase activity of amylase negative M94 remained unchanged during starvation on starch medium, but an induced response was observed with methylumbelliferyl-glucuronide. These results further support the hypothesis that starch metabolism is involved in the complex beta-glucuronidase regulation of E. coli strains. This is relevant not only for basic research but also to investigating gut microbial enzymology.     

Behaviour of the NO-β-d-glucosiduronic acid of N-acetyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine as a substrate for β-glucuronidase

1. Biosynthetic sodium (N-acetyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine NO-beta-d-glucosid)-uronate is hydrolysed completely by purified mouse urinary beta-glucuronidase into the products N-acetyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine and glucuronic acid. The hydrolysis is inhibited by saccharo-(1-->4)-lactone. These results not only confirm the identity and purity of the substrate but also establish it as a substrate for beta-glucuronidase. 2. Mammalian and bacterial beta-glucuronidase preparations hydrolysed the substrate at a rate one-fifth of that for (phenolphthalein beta-d-glucosid)uronic acid under the optimum conditions of hydrolysis for each source. 3. The pH optimum is 4.1 and the Michaelis constant, K(m), is 3.3x10(-4)m with purified mouse urinary beta-glucuronidase as the enzyme source acting on the NO-beta-d-glucosiduronic acid. The aglycone after extraction into chloroform was quantitatively determined spectrophotometrically at its absorption maximum (256mmu). 4. The hydrolysis was studied as a function of time and temperature. 5. From a consideration of the chemical and enzymic properties of this NO-beta-d-glucosiduronic acid it is possible to suggest its catabolism in vivo.     

The cytochemical demonstration of beta-glucuronidase in colon neoplasms of rats exposed to azoxymethane

Colon tumors induced with azoxymethane in male Fischer rats were cytochemically analyzed for beta-glucuronidase using naphthol AS-B1 glucuronide (6-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-naphthoyl-O-anisidine) as a substrate and hexazonium pararosanin as a diazo reagent. This method effectively localizes the bulk of beta-glucuronidase in the surface epithelium, the lamina propria and in the endothelial cells of the lymphoid sinuses and postcapillary venules. Polypoid lesions, adenocarcinomas and mucinous adenocarcinomas show no difference in the amount or in the localization of beta-glucuronidase; however, mucinous adenocarcinomas show a slight increase in the amount of beta-glucuronidase. The few tumors that did metastasize to lymph nodes did not show any difference in their enzyme patterns. Intestinal crypts that show a change in size and shape have a definite increase in beta-glucuronidase activity. An increase in the activity of this enzyme can also be seen in well defined neoplasms as opposed to normal areas of the colon.     

Metabolism of D-glucuronolactone in mammalian systems. Inhibitory properties of the products of D-glucuronolactone-dehydrogenase action

1. d-Glucuronolactone was converted into d-glucaro-(1-->4)-lactone, a beta-glucuronidase inhibitor, probably via the intermediate d-glucaro-(1-->4)-(6-->3)-dilactone, by a dehydrogenase in human-liver extracts. 2. Similar experiments with mouse-liver extracts appeared to yield only d-glucaric acid or a non-inhibitory lactone. 3. A strong beta-glucuronidase inhibitor was present in mouse liver after the intraperitoneal administration of d-glucuronolactone. 4. d-Glucarodilactone decomposed spontaneously in aqueous solution to give 25% of d-glucaro-(1-->4)-lactone; the percentage conversion was unaffected by human-liver homogenates. but considerably increased by mouse-liver or pig-liver fractions.     

Rabbit β-glucuronidase. Subcellular distribution and immunochemical properties

1. The subcellular distribution of beta-glucuronidase and other hydrolases in rabbit liver was investigated. beta-Glucuronidase was found in both microsomal and lysosomal fractions. 2. Multiple forms of beta-glucuronidase were present in extracts of microsomal and lysosomal fractions. All forms were common to both fractions. 3. A specific antiserum against beta-glucuronidase was raised, and characterized by immunoprecipitation and affinity-chromatography procedures. 4. The immunological identity of the multiple forms in the pure beta-glucuronidase preparation, and the immunological identity of the beta-glucuronidase complement of lysosomal extracts with that of microsomal extracts, were demonstrated by means of the antiserum. The presence of inactive enzyme in various enzyme preparations was shown.     

Novel carbohydrate-binding activity of bovine liver beta-glucuronidase toward lactose/N-acetyllactosamine sequences

Beta-glucuronidase is a lysosomal enzyme that plays an essential role in normal turnover of glycosaminoglycans and remodeling of the extracellular matrix components in both physiological and inflammatory states. The regulation mechanisms of enzyme activity and protein targeting of beta-glucuronidase have implications for the development of a variety of therapeutics. In this study, the effectiveness of various carbohydrate-immobilized adsorbents for the isolation of bovine liver beta-glucuronidase (BLG) from other glycosidases was tested. Beta-glucuronidase and contaminating glycosidases in commercial BLG preparations bound to and were coeluted from adsorbents immobilized with the substrate or an inhibitor of beta-glucuronidase, whereas beta-glucuronidase was found to bind exclusively with lactamyl-Sepharose among the adsorbents tested and to be effectively separated from other enzymes. Binding and elution studies demonstrated that the interaction of beta-glucuronidase with lactamyl-Sepharose is pH dependent and carbohydrate specific. BLG was purified to homogeneity by lactamyl affinity chromatography and subsequent anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Lactose was found to activate beta-glucuronidase noncompetitively, indicating that the lactose-binding site is different from the substrate-binding site. Binding studies with biotinyl glycoproteins, lipids, and synthetic sugar probes revealed that beta-glucuronidase binds to N-acetyllactosamine/lactose-containing glycoconjugates at neutral pH. The results indicated the presence of N-acetyllactosamine/lactose-binding activity in BLG and provided an effective purification method utilizing the novel carbohydrate binding activity. The biological significance of the carbohydrate-specific interaction of beta-glucuronidase, which is different from the substrate recognition, is discussed.     

Purification and characterization of microsomal and lysosomal beta-glucuronidase from rat liver by use of immunoaffinity chromatography.

Rat liver beta-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31), both from microsomal and lysosomal fractions, were purified about 9500-fold over the homogenate with high yield using affinity chromatography prepared by coupling purified specific immunoglobulin G against rat preputial gland beta-glucuronidase to Sepharose 2B and isoelectric focusing. The purified enzymes appeared homogeneous on electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel and had a molecular weight of approximately 310000. In dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the microsomal beta-glucuronidase showed a single band corresponding to a molecular weight of 79000, while the lysosomal beta-glucuronidase had three distinct bands which consisted of one major and two minor bands corresponding to molecular weight of 79000, 74000, and 70000, respectively. A broad pH activity curve with a single optimum at pH 4.4 was observed in both the microsomal and the lysosomal beta-glucuronidases. Immunological gel diffusion technique with rabbit antiserum against rat liver lysosomal beta-glucuronidase revealed that both enzymes had the same or quite similar antigenic determinants.     

Distribution of beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase activity and of beta-glucuronidase gene gus in human colonic bacteria

beta-Glycosidase activities present in the human colonic microbiota act on glycosidic plant secondary compounds and xenobiotics entering the colon, with potential health implications for the human host. Information on beta-glycosidases is currently limited to relatively few species of bacteria from the human colonic ecosystem. We therefore screened 40 different bacterial strains that are representative of dominant bacterial groups from human faeces for beta-glucosidase and beta-glucuronidase activity. More than half of the low G+C% Gram-positive firmicutes harboured beta-glucosidase activity, while beta-glucuronidase activity was only found in some firmicutes within clostridial clusters XIVa and IV. Most of the Bifidobacterium spp. and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron carried beta-glucosidase activity. A beta-glucuronidase gene belonging to family 2 glycosyl hydrolases was detected in 10 of the 40 isolates based on degenerate PCR. These included all nine isolates that gave positive assays for beta-glucuronidase activity, suggesting that the degenerate PCR could provide a useful assay for the capacity to produce beta-glucuronidase in the gut community. beta-Glucuronidase activity was induced by growth on d-glucuronic acid, or by addition of 4-nitrophenol-glucuronide, in Roseburia hominis A2-183, while beta-glucosidase activity was induced by 4-nitrophenol-glucopyranoside. Inducibility varied between strains.     

Molecular characterization of a novel beta-glucuronidase from Scutellaria baicalensis georgi

We cloned a gene encoding Scutellaria beta-glucuronidase (sGUS) that is involved in the initiation of H(2)O(2) metabolism in skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis). This gene consists of a 1581-nucleotide open reading frame, the deduced amino acid sequence of which contains an ATP/GTP binding site and a leucine zipper motif. sGUS has apparent similarity to the heparan sulfate-metabolizing beta-glucuronidase heparanase but no homology to family 2 beta-glucuronidases. In addition, neither the family 2 glycosylhydrolase signature nor family 2 acid-base catalyst was found in this enzyme. These results suggested that sGUS does not belong to the family 2 beta-glucuronidases. We modified several residues predicted to act as the acid-base or nucleophilic residue of sGUS by site-directed mutagenesis. Mutations at Glu(212) or Glu(329) resulted in much lower k(cat)/K(m) values in the mutants as compared with the wild-type enzyme, indicating that these are the acid-base and nucleophilic residues of the active site, respectively. Moreover, similar site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that Tyr(281) is also involved in the beta-glucuronidase activity. The amino acid sequences of small regions containing these active site residues were conserved in heparanases. As sGUS has various structural characteristics in common with heparanase, we concluded that sGUS and heparanase belong to the same new family.     

Purification and characterization of rat liver microsomal beta-glucuronidase.

Beta-Glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31) has been isolated from rat-liver microsomes by a novel chromatographic method employing antibody to rat preputial gland beta-glucuronidase coupled to Sepharose. The purified enzyme, homogeneous by several methods, was purified some 1700-fold. The microsomal beta-glucuronidase has been characterized with respect to catalysis, stability, and molecular weight. The purified enzyme is a tetramer of 290 000 daltons. Comparative studies with lysosomal beta-glucuronidase indicate that while these two enzymes are electrophoretically distinct, they are catalytically and immunologically identical and have indistinguishable molecular dimensions. The results suggest that microsomal and lysosomal beta-glucuronidase are charge isomers.