人血清中膦酸单酯酶性质的研究

本文采用4-甲基伞形酮苯基磷酸酯为底物检测人血清中酶活性情况,发现在人血清中存在一种能够选择性水解苯基膦酸单酯键的酶活性成份。该酶具有最适pH8.8—9.1,在60℃(反应30分钟)条件下具有最大活性。Km=1.72×10~(-4)mol/L,Na_3PO_4、EDTA和半胱氨酸可抑制其活性,而CuSO_4、腺苷、胸苷、NaN_3、E600、PCMB、DFP和毒扁豆碱等对其活性没有影响。Mg~(++)可激活酶活性,并能解除EDTA的抑制作用。 此酶不能水解5′-NPDase和APase的底物,有关性质也与5′-NPDase和APasc有区别。本文将此酶暂定名为“膦酸单酯酶”。     

Enzymic activity of cholera toxin. II. Relationships to proteolytic processing, disulfide bond reduction, and subunit composition.

Cholera toxin containing intact A chain (Mr = 29,000) was isolated, and its enzymic properties were characterized. The "unnicked" form of the toxin, produced by a protease-deficient, hypertoxinogenic mutant of Vibrio cholerae 569B, had greatly reduced activity in catalyzing the NAD+-glycohydrolase and ADP-ribosyltransferase reactions as compared to the naturally nicked form commonly isolated. In the latter, the intact A chain has been cleaved by bacterial proteases to yield disulfide-linked A1 and A2 chains (Mr = 23,000 and 6,000, respectively). Digestion of unnicked toxin with trypsin or elastase yielded a nicked form similar to or identical with the naturally nicked toxin, but chymotryptic digestion did not. Disulfide bond reduction was necessary for expression of enzymic activity by naturally nicked or trypsin-nicked toxin, or the A1A2 protomer. Fractionation of thiol-treated, nicked cholera toxin by ion exchange, molecular exclusion, or affinity chromatography gave results suggesting that the reduced toxin displays enzymic activity while remaining structurally intact.     

PHrmonal specificity of the melanotropin-sensitive adenylate cyclase of mouse melanoma and effect of cyclic AMP on the tyrosinase activity of mouse melanoma cells, in vitro.

Transplantable mouse melanomas possess a melanotropin-sensitive adenylate cyclase system which is responsive to alpha-melanotropin, beta-melanotropin, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and prostaglandin E1. It was found that sensitivity to ACTH was not directed towards the ACTH activity but to the intrinsic melanotropin activity of the ACTH molecule. Therefore, the melanotropin-sensitive adenylate cyclase system is hormonally specific to the intrinsic melanotropin activity of peptide hormones and is unique in the melanoma tissue. The significance of the sensitivity to prostaglandin E1 is obscure at present. The melanotropin-sensitive adenylate cyclase requires the presence of Mg2+ or Mn2+, for its enzymic activity. Ca2+ inhibit the enzyme in the presence of a wide range of concentrations of Mg2+. The enzymic activity is ATP concentration-dependent and the saturation concentration appears to be 1 mM. The enzyme is very labile in the unfractionated tumor homogenates. A washed 11000 X g particulate fraction, representing about 30-60% of the total enzymic activity, was found to be more stable and could be stored at 5 degrees C for 2 h without appreciable loss of the activity. This fraction retained sensitivity to melanotropin, prostaglandin E1 and NaF. About 20% of the activity of the tumor homogenate could not be sedimented by centrifugation at 105000 X g for 60 min. This "soluble" fraction was not responsive to melanotropin, prostaglandin E1 and NaF and might be a degradative product produced by the fractionation. Cyclic AMP and alpha-melanotropin were able to increase the tyrosinase activity of isolated mouse melanoma-cells in vitro under the same conditions.     

Increase of xylan synthetase activity during xylem differentiation of the vascular cambium of sycamore and poplar trees

The activity of a -(1-4)-xylan synthetase, a membrane-bound enzymic system, was measured in particulate enzymic preparations (1,000 g and 1,000–100,000 g pellets) obtained from homogenates of cambial cells, differentiating xylem cells and differentiated xylem cells isolated from actively growing trees of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatamus) and poplar (Populus robusta). The specific activity (nmol of xylan formed min^–1 mg^–1 of protein) as well as the activity calculated on a per cell basis (nmol of xylan formed min^–1 cell^–1) of this enzymic system, markedly increased as cells differentiate from the vascular cambium to xylem. This increase is closely correlated with the enhanced deposition of xylan occurring during the formation of secondary thickening. The possible control of xylan synthesis during the biogenesis of plant cell wall is discussed.     

Multiple parameter kinetic studies of the oxidative folding of reduced lysozyme

We have compared the oxidative renaturation of reduced hen egg white lysozyme promoted by Cu(II) + O2 with that promoted by a glutathione redox buffer. The progress curves for protein fluorescence, circular dicroism, thiol oxidation, hydrodynamic volume, and enzymic activity were determined for both regeneration systems. All of these processes were more rapid in the glutathione regeneration than in the copper-catalyzed. Comparison of the two systems was carried out by normalizing the progress curves with a coordinate system where "time" is replaced by "extent of protein thiol oxidation." While similar progress curves were obtained for circular dichroism, the two systems produced distinctly different progress curves for enzymic activity, fluorescence, and gel permeation chromatographic reflection of protein hydrodynamic volume. We infer that all these differences result from differences in relative amounts and/or kind of reaction intermediates. Thus, there are substantial differences between the renaturation mechanisms of the glutathione- and the copper-promoted systems.     

A biochemical logic gate using an enzyme and its inhibitor. Part II: The logic gate

Enzyme-Based Logic Gates (ENLOGs) are key components in bio-molecular systems for information processing. This report and the previous one in this series address the characterization of two bio-molecular switching elements, namely the alpha-chymotrypsin (alphaCT) derivative p-phenylazobenzoyl-alpha-chymotrypsin (PABalphaCT) and its inhibitor (proflavine), as well as their assembly into a logic gate.The experimental output of the proposed system is expressed in terms of enzymic activity and this was translated into logic output (i.e. "1" or "0") relative to a predetermined threshold value. We have found that an univalent link exists between the dominant isomers of PABalphaCT (cis or trans), the dominant form of either acridine (proflavine) or acridan and the logic output of the system. Thus, of all possible combinations, only the trans-PABalphaCT and the acridan lead to an enzymic activity that can be defined as logic output "1". The system operates under the rules of Boolean algebra and performs as an "AND" logic gate.     

Acid phosphatase activity in Golgi apparatus and related structures in pars recta of rat kidney studied by thin and semi-thin section cytochemistry

Summary Using 0.5 thick (i.e., semi-thin) and conventional thin sections, observations have been made on the localization of acid phosphatase in the Golgi apparatus and related structures in the pars recta of rat kidney. In thin sections one or two Golgi cisternae located at the concave (basilar) aspect of the stack had enzymic activity. The periphery of these cisternae may be fenestrated. Coated vesicles were seen apparently free in the cytoplasm and in continuity with both reactive Golgi cisternae and smooth tubular elements. Smooth vesicular profiles with electron-lucent matrices and low enzymic activity were seen, apparently free, in the central Golgi zone. Semi-thin sections demonstrated more fully the extent of the reactive Golgi elements, their architecture and their relationships with other organelles. Within a stack the reactive Golgi cisternae were continuous with one another. A network of anastomosing tubular elements formed the periphery of the cisternae and linked some adjacent cisternae. Tubules extended considerable distances from this network in apical and lateral directions. Vesicular protuberances formed ends to the tubular extensions but free vesicles were not obvious. Apparent continuity was seen between reactive tubules and dense bodies (secondary lysosomes). Vesicular profiles with electron-lucent matrices andlow enzymic activity appeared to be continuous with the periphery of reactive Golgi cisternae and may represent the formation of primary lysosomes. This study demonstrates that semi-thin sections could be used to great advantage in the study of organelle interactions in both normal and pathological states.     

Activation and stabilization of asparaginase by anti-asparaginase IgG and its Fab

Modified asparaginase, in which 4 tryptophan residues were modified with 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide, had little enzymic activity and retained immunoreactivity [(1976) FEBS Lett. 65, 11-15]. Addition of IgG or its Fab towards asparaginase to the modified asparaginase gave rise to marked enhancement of the enzymic activity. Native asparaginase (4 subunits) lost the enzymic activity due to dissociation into subunits by dilution of the enzyme solution. However, in the presence of Fab, asparaginase did not lose enzymic activity on dilution, probably due to no dissociation into subunits occurring.     

Thermal stability characteristics of cellulase enzymes produced by Sporotrichum thermophile

Summary The thermal stability characteristics of the cellulase enzymes present in culture filtrates of the thermophilic fungus Sporotrichum thermophile were investigated at different temperatures and at different times of exposure. Maximum enzymic activities under assay conditions were found at 68°C for the filter paper activity (FPA) and the Cx activity (carboxymethylcellulose), while the maxima for the C₁ activity (cotton) and -glucosidase activity (cellobiose) were found to be at 55°C and 72°C respectively. Culture filtrates were exposed to a given constant temperature for varying lengths of time to a maximum of 48 hrs. and then analyzed for residual enzymic activities under assay conditions. The exposure temperatures studied were 50°C, 60°C and 65°C. After 48 hrs. exposure time at 50°C the residual activities for the FPA, Cx and -glucosidase were found to be 88%, 98% and 93% of the original activities respectively.     

Thermogenesis of mesophilic, thermotolerant and thermophilic strains of microorganisms--producers of fungal cell wall--destroying enzymes]

Investigations were carried out to clarify the relationship between thermogenesis and production of yeast wall lyzing enzymes by the mesophilic strain of Bacillus subtilis, thermotolerant strain of Actinomyces sp. II and thermophilic strain of Actinomyces sp. 10. The enzymic lyzing activity was measured in the culture liquid filtrate of those microorganisms. The thermophilic strain of Actinomyces sp. 10 showed the highest enzymic activity. The thermogenetic curves of the cultures had several inflections. The mesophilic culture of Bacillus subtilis whose enzymic lyzing activity was the lowest displayed the highest heat release.     

Influence of a naturally occurring competing enzymic activity on studies of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity.

An enzymic activity which competes with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase for D-hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA has been found in isolated rat liver microsomes and in microsomal extracts. The presence of this activity in enzyme preparations causes a decrease in the rate of mevalonate formation leading to an underestimation of reductase activity and an overestimation of the apparent Km of the reductase. The product formed by this competing enzymic activity behaves similarly to, but not identically with, mevalonolactone when chromatographed on Bio-Rad AG 1-x8 formate, which is used in many reductase assay procedures to separate mevalonolactone from hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA. Removal of this competing enzymic activity from reductase preparations can be accomplished by gel filtration using Bio-Gel A 1.5m, by washing the microsomes or by incubating the microsomal extract at 37 degrees C. Using enzyme preparations free of this competing enzymic activity, the apparent Km values of the reductase for D-hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA and NADPH were found to be 1.3 and 26 micronM respectively.     

Mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase of bovine cerebrum. Characterization and mechanisms of inhibition by silver ions.

Attempts were made to characterize mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase [L-malate: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.37] (M-MDH) purified from bovine cerebrum and to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for inhibition of the enzymic activity by Ag+. The molecular weights of the native enzyme and its subunits were 54,000-55,000 and 30,000-32,000, respectively. In general, the physiochemical and catalytic properties of bovine cerebral M-MDH was not very different from those of other corresponding mammalian enzymes. Incubation of the enzyme with Ag+ caused the loss of equivalent amounts of sulfhydryls with a parallel decrease of the enzymic activity. When the enzyme was exposed to 2-, 3.5-, and 5-fold molar excesses of Ag+, the enzymic activity showed an initial rapid fall and a subsequent slow restoration to a partially inactivated level (60-70, 45-50, and 15-20% of an untreated control, respectively), while the alpha-helical content of the enzyme fell exponentially with time. A 7-fold molar excess of Ag+ reduced both the enzymic activity and the alpha-helical content to a much greater degree and no restoration of the enzymic activity was observed. The Km values of Ag+-inactivated enzyme for NADH and oxaloacetate were the same as those of the native enzyme. The data suggest that Ag+ could inhibit enzymic activity both by reducing the structural regularity of the enzyme molecule and by attacking sulfhydryl groups necessary for the catalytic activity of bovine cerebral M-MDH.     

Role of vitamin A in sulphate metabolism: Studies on the enzymic activation of sulphate by various tissue extracts of normal and vitamin A-deficient rats

1. The enzymic activation of sulphate by various tissue extracts of vitamin A-deficient rats and their pair-fed controls was studied. 2. Vitamin A deficiency does not impair the enzymic activity in liver, colon and brain. However, a significant decrease in activity was observed in epiphyseal cartilage.     

Correlative morphological and biochemical study of the effects of isoprenaline on the organelle and membrane content of the rabbit parotid gland

Synopsis A quantitative study has been made on the enzymic, chemical and ultrastructural changes that occur in the parotid glands of rabbits as a result of Isoprenaline-induced secretion. Emphasis has been placed on correlating changes in organelle and membrane content which are evident 2 hr after Isoprenaline administration and which have been measured stereologically with the levels of appropriate enzymic or chemical markers, taking into account the contribution made by both the acinar and duct tissue. Lower protein, -amylase and -glycerophosphatase levels correlated with reductions in zymogen granule and lysosome volume whilst plasmalemmal and Golgi membrane areas and their marker enzyme concentrations remained unchanged. However, declines in alkaline phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase activity (illustrated histochemically), andp-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity at pH 4.5 in the presence of tartrate occurred without any detectable decrease in membrane area. Conversely, an increase in rough endoplasmic reticulum area was measured stereologically but no increases in chemical markers were detected. The extent of correlation of the data is discussed in the context of the mechanism of secretion and the action of Isoprenaline.     

Antioxidants attenuate diabetes-induced activation of peroxisomal functions in the rat kidney

Diabetes is a multifactorial disease that has now been recognized to involve overproduction of reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Peroxisomes are subcellular organelles with several important metabolic functions, and their role in the regulation of cellular oxidative stress is now well established. Despite having their own antioxidant system, peroxisomes undergo functional alterations during various conditions that are associated with free radical production such as inflammation, ischemia-reperfusion, carcinogenesis and diabetes. In this study we investigated the effect of diabetes on peroxisomal functions in rat kidneys and show for the first time that experimental diabetes induces redox-sensitive enhancement of peroxisomal activities. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes significantly increased (p<0.01) -oxidation of lignoceric acid and the enzymic activity of acyl coenzyme A oxidase. Catalase activity was significantly reduced (p<0.01) in the kidneys of diabetic rats, whereas the enzymic activity of DHAPATase (dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase) was not markedly affected by diabetes. Treatment of diabetic rats with antioxidants, thiocetic acid and vitamin C attenuated the diabetes-induced modulation of peroxisomal functions. The present study shows that the diabetes-induced effects on kidney peroxisomal functions are redox sensitive, and antioxidants might prove useful tools to alleviate nephropathy in diabetes.     

Isolation and Characterization of UMP Synthase Mutants from Haploid Cell Suspensions of Nicotiana tabacum

Uridine 5′-monophosphate (UMP) synthase mutants of tobacco have been produced from haploid cell-suspension cultures of a transgenic Nicotiana tabacum line, Tr25. The mutants were induced by incubating the suspension-cultured cells with 1 mm N-nitroso-N-methylurea for either 5 or 12 hours. Twenty mutant calli were isolated on selection medium containing 20 milligrams per liter of 5-fluoroorotic acid. Of those tested, most had reduced regeneration capacity. Characterization of UMP synthase activities in the isolated calli showed that UMP synthase activity varied from 8 to nearly 100% of the wild-type activity. The growth of the calli on the media containing different levels of 5-fluoroorotic acid correlated with decreasing UMP synthase activity. Because the UMP synthase enzyme has two separate enzymic activities (orotate phosphoribosyl transferase and orotidine-5′-monophosphate decarboxylase), several mutants were further characterized to determine how the mutations affected each of the two enzymic activities. In each case, the enzymic activity affected was the orotate phosphoribosyl transferase and not the orotidine-5′-monophosphate decarboxylase. The wound-inducible phenotype of the Tr25 plants as measured by the activation of the pin2-CAT gene remained unchanged by introduction of the UMP synthase mutations.     

Localization of embryonal acetylcholinesterase during the early development of the chick embryo

The presence of "embryonic" acetylcholinesterase activity, as described by Drews (1975) was investigated during early chick embryonic development, mainly in the following systems: a) primitive streak and Hensen's node during gastrulation movements; b) area opaca during blood islets and vessels differentiation; c) mesoderma of lateral laminae, during delamination movements. The demonstration of enzymic activity was performed with slightly modified histochemical methods. The enzyme was thus localized around the nuclei, in the cytoplasm and associated to plasma membrane of cells engaged in morphogenetic movements. The enzyme activity localized at the plasma membrane was supposed to be involved in the regulation of membrane functions concerning intercellular communications, such as inductive message, perhaps mediated by ion fluxes.     

Immobilization of wood-rotting fungi laccases on modified cellulose and acrylic carriers

Extracellular laccases produced by three different wood-rotting fungi, Cerrena unicolor, Heterobasidion annosum and Trametes versicolor, were immobilized via covalent bonds formation on DEAE-Granocel 500, CM-Granocel 500, and acrylic carriers. Out of the tested carriers, only the DEAE-Granocel 500, which was activated by divinyl sulphone appeared to be a suitable matrix for the expression of enzymic activity. Only one laccase of all the tested enzymes produced by C. unicolor showed the best binding to the carrier and a satisfactory enzymic activity. The immobilized laccase exhibited the highest enzymic activity at pH 5.2 and it was more resistant to thermal denaturation than the native enzyme. At 90 °C, it retained 75% activity compared to the free enzyme. It was also more stable during storage at 4 °C: after 4 months the immobilized laccase retained 98% of initial activity. Immobilized C. unicolor laccase was active in 10–60% concentration of methanol, acetone, isopropanol or acetonitrile. The best enzymic activity was observed in 20% solution of acetonitrile in buffer.     

Histochemical studies on cell death and histolysis during regeneration. I. Distribution of acid phosphomonoesterase activity in the normal, the regenerating and the resorbing forelimb of the larval spotted salamander, Amblystoma maculatum

Histochemical methods, especially azo dye methods for detecting acid phosphomonoesterase activity were applied to normal, regenerating and denervated, amputated limbs from larval Amblystoma maculatum. Efforts were made to control inactivation of enzymic activity and diffusion of both enzyme and reaction product. “Base-line” values for enzymic activity were determined for normal limbs. Activity appeared most intense in macrophages, less intense in epidermis and cartilage matrix. Some activity was detected in Schwann cells, peri- and endoneurium and muscle fibers form normal limbs. Enzymic activity in regenerating limbs was strongest within macrophages which appeared in increased numbers especially in early stages. Wound tissue showed little increased activity. As the blastema formed, increased enzymic activity was detected in epidermis and within increased numbers of macrophages. Chondrocytes showed increased activity especially during cartilage matrix deposition. Amputated, denervated limbs showed large numbers of active macrophages beneath and within epidermis and along muscle. As regression commenced, areas of cartilage matrix breakdown showed increased enzymic activity but, in general, greatest activity was in macrophages. The various possible roles of acid phosphomonoesterase activity in the specific biological situations dealt with are considered in light of such observations.