Factors affecting the oligomeric structure of yeast external invertase

It has been assumed that yeast external invertase is a dimer, with each subunit composed of a 60-kDa polypeptide chain. We now present evidence that at its optimal pH of 5.0, the predominant form of external invertase is an octamer with an average size of 8 X 10(5) Da. During ultracentrifugation the octamer dissociated to lower molecular weight forms, including a hexamer, tetramer, and dimer. All forms of the enzyme were shown to possess identical specific activities and to contain a similar carbohydrate to protein ratio. Although the monomer subunits (1 X 10(5) Da) were heterogenous in carbohydrate content, each subunit possessed nine oligosaccharide chains. When stained for protein and enzyme activity following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, only the oligomeric form of the enzyme appeared to be active. Thus, on partially inactivating invertase with 4 M guanidine hydrochloride both octamer and monomer were evident on the gels but only the former was active. Similarly, incubating at pH 2.5 in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate yielded only inactive monomer. The monomer, unlike the active oligomeric aggregate, was unable to hydrolyze sucrose after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Consistent with the in vitro studies, freshly prepared yeast lysate was shown to contain the octameric species of external invertase as the major active form of this enzyme. From these studies and others which employed deglycosylated invertase, it is concluded that the carbohydrate component of external invertase contributes not only to stabilizing enzyme activity, but also to maintaining its oligomeric structure.     

Structure, assembly, and secretion of octameric invertase

Yeast invertase forms a homo-octamer of core glycosylated subunits during assembly in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. This form has been purified from mutant cells (sec18) in which transport of secreted proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum is blocked. No heterologous protein subunits are found in the purified material. Analysis of invertase derived from wild type cells or from mutant cells blocked at subsequent stages in secretion demonstrates that invertase remains a homo-octamer throughout the pathway even though the extent of subunit glycosylation increases. Purified octameric invertase is dissociated into dimer units that reassociate in the presence of polyethylene glycol. Negatively stained preparations show the dissociated enzyme as individual spheres, whereas octameric invertase appears as four associated spheres. Assembly of the octamer in vitro and in vivo is facilitated by the presence of N-linked carbohydrate. Selective release of dimeric glycosylated invertase from intact yeast cells suggests that oligomerization helps retain the enzyme in the periplasmic space.     

Proteinaceous Inhibitor Versus Fructose as Modulators of Pteris deflexa Invertase Activity

An acid invertase from the fern Pteris deflexa Link was purified and the effect of reaction products on enzyme activity was studied. Fructose and glucose were competitive and non-competitive inhibitors of the enzyme, respectively. Since proteins suppressed glucose and fructose inhibition of the enzyme, an invertase modulation by reaction products is unlikely; nevertheless, an invertase proteinaceous inhibitor previously reported could have a role in this respect. The purified enzyme was an heterodimer M r 90,000 Daltons composed of subunits of 66,000 and 30,000 Daltons. The enzyme had β -fructofuranosidase activity and hydrolyzed mainly sucrose but also raffinose and stachyose, with K m of 3.22, 10.80 and 38.50 mM, respectively. Invertase activity with an optimum pH at 5.0 was present in almost every leaf fern tissue. Pinnas (sporophyll leaflets) had the higher enzyme levels. Invertase histochemical and immunochemical localization studies showed the enzyme mainly in phloem cells. Epidermis, collenchyma and parenchyma cells also showed invertase protein.     

Proteinaceous inhibitor versus fructose as modulators of Pteris deflexa invertase activity

An acid invertase from the fern Pteris deflexa Link was purified and the effect of reaction products on enzyme activity was studied. Fructose and glucose were competitive and non-competitive inhibitors of the enzyme, respectively. Since proteins suppressed glucose and fructose inhibition of the enzyme, an invertase modulation by reaction products is unlikely; nevertheless, an invertase proteinaceous inhibitor previously reported could have a role in this respect. The purified enzyme was an heterodimer Mr 90,000 Daltons composed of subunits of 66,000 and 30,000 Daltons. The enzyme had beta-fructofuranosidase activity and hydrolyzed mainly sucrose but also raffinose and stachyose, with Km of 3.22, 10.80 and 38.50 mM, respectively. Invertase activity with an optimum pH at 5.0 was present in almost every leaf fern tissue. Pinnas (sporophyll leaflets) had the higher enzyme levels. Invertase histochemical and immunochemical localization studies showed the enzyme mainly in phloem cells. Epidermis, collenchyma and parenchyma cells also showed invertase protein.     

An-Overview on invertase in sugarcane

Saccharum officinarum is one of the most cultivated hybrid varieties among the sugarcane varieties. In sugarcane plant sucrose is the major carbohydrate which can be stored and transported. Different physiological and biochemical studies on this crop report that invertase activity and sucrose concentration some how are key limiting step in the process of sucrose accumulation. Significant efforts have been made in relation to the sucrose cycle by altering the sucrose phosphate synthetase, sucrose synthetase and invertase. In sugarcane two types of invertase enzymes have been reported on the basis of pH and cellular localization. Invertase breaks the sucrose into hexoses as a source of energy and carbon. It has also been reported that this enzyme is involved in the process of cell differentiation and plant development. Progress has been made for the understanding of invertase activity and its role in sugarcane plant. With the help of biotechnology it is possible to target the desired gene with genetic engineering approach to increase sucrose content by careful manipulation of invertase (enzyme) gene to increase the sucrose yield in sugarcane. Purpose of this mini review is to high-light the role of invertase in sugarcane and how to overcome sucrose recovery in sugarcane.     

Purification and characterization of neutral and alkaline invertase from carrot.

Neutral and alkaline invertase were identified in cells of a suspension culture of carrot (Daucus carota L.) and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. Neutral invertase is an octamer with a molecular mass of 456 kD and subunits of 57 kD, whereas alkaline invertase is a tetramer with a molecular mass of 504 kD and subunits of 126 kD. Both enzymes had sharp pH profiles, with maximal activities at pH 6.8 for neutral invertase and pH 8.0 for alkaline invertase, and both hydrolyzed sucrose with typical hyperbolic kinetics and similar Km values of about 20 mM at pH 7.5. Neutral invertase also hydrolyzed raffinose and stachyose and, therefore, is a beta-fructofuranosidase. In contrast, alkaline invertase was highly specific for sucrose. Fructose acted as a competitive inhibitor of both enzymes, with Ki values of about 15 mM. Glucose was a noncompetitive inhibitor of both neutral and alkaline invertase, with a Ki of about 30 mM. Neither enzyme was inhibited by HgCl2. Alkaline invertase was markedly inhibited by CaCl2, MgCl2, and MnCl2, and neutral invertase was not. In contrast to alkaline invertase, neutral invertase was inhibited by the nucleotides ATP, CTP, GTP, and UTP.     

Characterization of the heterologous invertase produced by Schizosaccharomyces pombe from the SUC2 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In order to gain information on the ability of Schizosaccharomyces pombe to process heterologous glycoproteins, the heterologous invertase, obtained from the expression in Schiz. pombe of the SUC2 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae , was characterized. In Schiz. pombe the heterologous invertase is secreted into the cell wall and seems to be firmly bound to this structure. After the isolation of the heterologous invertase the study of its enzymatic characteristics revealed that it is more similar to the Sacch. cerevisiae external invertase than to the Schiz. pombe invertase. However, it is glycosylated like the Schiz. pombe invertase since it reacts with the lectin from Bandeiraea simplicifolia seeds conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate, which indicates the presence of terminal galactose residues in the enzyme. Moreover, the presence of galactose in the heterologous invertase has been confirmed after analysis of the sugars present in its carbohydrate moiety by gas liquid chromatography.     

Transcriptional analysis of the cyclophilin A gene (cypA) of Streptomyces chrysomallus

In the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus, invertase displays an unusual pattern of development: the induced activity begins to diminish even before any substantial quantity of sucrose has been utilized or an appreciable amount of biomass has been produced. Despite this pattern of invertase activity, neither the growth rate nor the final mycelial yield is affected adversely. T. lanuginosus invertase is a thiol protein and the enzyme is active when specific sulfhydryl group(s) is in the reduced state. Measurements of reduced coenzyme and glutathione pools in sucrose-growth mycelia excluded oxidative stress as the primary reason for the observed decline in invertase activity. Rather, this unusual pattern of invertase is considered to be due to its localization in the hyphal tips. At the early stage of growth, the number of hyphal tips per unit mass of mycelium is maximum, whereas at later times their numbers do not increase in proportion to the biomass. As a result invertase activity shows an apparent inverse relationship with biomass. The enzyme activity disappears when the inducing carbon source is consumed and growth is completed.     

Activity of gut invertase in phytophagous, saprophagous and carnivorous insects

The effect of hydrogen-ion concentration, temperature, substrate concentration, enzyme concentration and incubation period on invertase activity of Dactylosternum hydrophilioides, Catharsius molossus and Pheropsophus occipitalis has been studied. The optimum invertase activity was observed at pH 6.5, 6.8 and 6.0 and at temperatures 35, 38 and 37 degrees C in D. hydrophiliodes, C. molossus and P. occipitalis, respectively. With the increase in substrate (sucrose) concentration, an increase in invertase activity was recorded. For invertase activity estimation, 4% sucrose concentration was found suitable in these insects where an increase in enzyme concentration increases the invertase activity. The invertase activity also increases with lengthening of the incubation period but after some time it remains constant in the phytophagous, saprophagous and carnivorous insects. The activity of invertase in phytophagous, saprophagous and carnivorous insects shows their independent nature as regards the pH and temperature.     

Invertase activity associated with the walls of Solanum tuberosum tubers

Three fractions with invertase activity (beta-D-fructofuranoside fructohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.26) were isolated from mature Solanum tuberosum tubers: acid soluble invertase, invertase I and invertase II. The first two invertases were purified until electrophoretic homogeneity. They are made by two subunits with an apparent M(r) value of 35,000 and their optimal pH is 4.5. Invertase I was eluted from cell walls with ionic strength while invertase II remained tightly bound to cell walls after this treatment. This invertase was solubilized by enzymatic cell wall degradation (solubilized invertase II). Their K(m)s are 28, 20, 133 and 128 mM for acid soluble invertase, invertase I, invertase II and solubilized invertase II, respectively. Glucose is a non-competitive inhibitor of invertase activities and fructose produces a two site competitive inhibition with interaction between the sites. Bovine serum albumin produces activation of the acid soluble invertase and invertase I while a similar inhibition by lectins and endogenous proteinaceous inhibitor from mature S. tuberosum tubers was found. Invertase II (tightly bound to the cell walls) shows a different inhibition pattern. The test for reassociation of the acid soluble invertase or invertase I on cell wall, free of invertase activity, caused the reappearance of all invertase forms with their respective solubilization characteristics and molecular and kinetic properties. The invertase elution pattern, the recovery of cell wall firmly bound invertase and the coincidence in the immunological recognition, suggest that all three invertases may be originated from the same enzyme. The difference in some properties of invertase II and solubilized invertase II from the other two enzymes would be a consequence of the enzyme microenvironment in the cell wall or the result of its wall binding.     

Carbohydrate structure of yeast invertase. Demonstration of a form with only core oligosaccharides and a form with completed polysaccharide chains.

Invertase, extracted from broken cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae X-2180 mm2 mannan mutant, was separated into a fraction insoluble in 75% ammonium sulfate (P75 invertase, 36% carbohydrate) and a soluble fraction (S75 invertase, 53% carbohydrate). The latter reacted with antibodies specific for the alpha 1 leads to 6-linked mannose of the mannoprotein outer chain, whereas the P75 invertase failed to react with this antiserum although it did react with serum against terminal alpha 1 leads to 3-linked mannose units that are characteristic of the mannoprotein core. A bacterial endo alpha 1 leads to 6-mannanase removed the outer chains from the S75 invertase and converted it to a form that was similar in electrophoretic and immunochemical properties to the P75 invertase, whereas the endomannanase had little effect on the latter invertase. The results suggest that the P75 invertase is a form of the enzyme to which only the core oligosaccharide units had been added, and the S75 invertase represents an enzyme fraction to which the polysaccharide outer chains were also attached. A strong anomeric PMR signal for unsubstituted alpha 1 leads to 6-linked mannose in the S75 invertase, and a much reduced signal in the P75 invertase and endomannanase-digested S75 invertase, support these conclusions. Endo-N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase digestion of the S75 and P75 invertases, as well as of a purified wild type yeast invertase, produced an apparently identical series of 3 to 4 carbohydrate-containing proteins that were separable by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate but that migrated as a single band on isoelectric focusing. The bands ranged from about 63,000 to 69,000 daltons and differed by the size of one or more carbohydrate core units each of 15 mannoses and 1 N-acetylglucosamine. The results suggest that the external invertase molecules contain some core units without attached outer chains, and that the cells contain a precursor form of the enzyme to which only the core units have been added. In support of this conclusion, PMR spectra and chromatographic patterns show that the core fragments from the P75, S75, and wild type invertases are essentially identical.     

Partial purification, characterization and localization of the membrane-associated invertase of yeast

The membrane-associated isozyme of invertase (beta-D-fructofuranoside fructo-hydrolase, EC 3.2.1.26) -- precursor of the external glycoprotein invertase (Babczinski, P. and Tanner, W. (1978) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 538, 426-434) - has been purified 60-fold from deoxycholate extracts of derepressed yeast cells. The partially purified enzyme exhibits considerable stability as a salt-free lyophilized powder. Its molecular weight, in this precursor form, has been determined by by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) gel electrophoresis to be 180 000 daltons. This correlates well with the presence of only the inner core carbohydrate parts of the external invertase. The enzyme can be split completely by treatment with endo-beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase H from Streptomyces griseus, demonstrating the presence of a di-N-acetylchitobiosyl-asparagine linkage. The proteinaceous split product is still active and has a molecular weight of approx. 120 000. The enzyme cannot be transferred into a supernatant fraction upon osmotic shock treatment of yeast membrane vesicles, indicating that it is strictly membrane-bound. After separation of yeast membranes on a sucrose density gradient, precursor invertase is predominantly associated with two gradient membrane fractions which most probably represent rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum.     

Interaction of invertase with polyelectrolytes

In connection with our work on polyelectrolyte complex formation with polyampholytes, the interaction between invertase and several linear polyelectorlytes has been investigated by means of turbidimetry, light scattering measurements, and determination of the enzyme activity. Polyelectrolyte complex formation of invertase was shown to occur with cationic polyelectrolytes only. The light-scattering data yield information on aggregation and desegregation processes in complex formation. As indicated by our results, only a part of the protein molecules is engaged in this Coulombic interaction, and this part shows a rather small enzyme activity only. Thus, a direct interaction between invertase and a cationic polyelectrolyte is no effective approach to enzyme binding, but a complete immobilization of invertase can be achieved via an "inclusion flocculation" with a symplex formed by interaction between an anionic and a cationic linear polyelectrolyte or via immobilization in symplex microcapsules.     

Sucrolytic Enzyme Activities in Cotyledons of the Faba Bean (Developmental Changes and Purification of Alkaline Invertase)

In terms of maximum extractable catalytic activity, sucrose synthase is the predominant sucrolytic enzyme in developing cotyledons of faba bean (Vicia faba L.). Although acid invertase activity is extremely low, there is significant activity of alkaline invertase, the majority of which is extractable only with high concentrations of NaCl. Calculations of potential activity in vivo indicate that alkaline invertase is the predominant sucrolytic enzyme from 50 days after anthesis onward. However, at almost all stages of cotyledon development analyzed, the maximum extractable catalytic activities of both enzymes is in excess of the actual rate of starch deposition. Two forms of alkaline invertase were identified in developing cotyledons. The major form has been purified to homogeneity, and antibodies have been raised against it. The native protein has a molecular mass of about 238 [plus or minus] 4.5 kD. It is apparently a homotetramer (subunit molecular mass 53.4 [plus or minus] 0.9 kD). The enzyme has a pH optimum of 7.4, an isoelectric point of 5.2, and a Km[sucrose] of 10 mM and is inhibited by Tris (50% inhibition at 5 mM) and fructose (30% inhibition at 10 mM). Bean alkaline invertase is a [beta]-fructofuranosidase with no significant activity against raffinose, stachyose, trehalose, maltose, or lactose.     

Co-ordinated induction of mRNAs for extracellular invertase and a glucose transporter in Chenopodium rubrum by cytokinins

Extracellular or cell wall invertase is regarded as crucial to supply sink tissues with carbohydrates via an apoplastic pathway. A cell wall invertase from Chenopodium rubrum was purified to homogeneity and the corresponding cDNA encoding CIN1 was identified via peptide sequences. The CIN1 mRNA was found to be highly induced by physiological concentrations of both adenine- and phenylurea-derived cytokinins in suspension culture cells. This was paralleled both by a higher steady-state protein level and a higher enzyme activity of the extracellular invertase. The cytokinin-inducible accumulation of CIN1 mRNA in tissues of C. rubrum plants supports the physiological significance of this regulatory mechanism. In contrast to the extracellular sucrose cleaving enzyme, the mRNA levels of the two putative intracellular invertases CIN2 and CIN3 and of sucrose synthase were not elevated. In addition, it has been found that the accumulation of mRNA for one out of three hexose transporters present in the suspension culture cells is induced co-ordinately with the mRNA for extracellular invertase by cytokinins. It has been shown that this regulatory mechanism results in higher uptake rates both for sucrose, via the hexose monomers, and for glucose. The increased level of both extracellular invertase and hexose transporters and the resulting higher carbohydrate supply are discussed with respect to the control of carbohydrate partitioning by plant hormones and the molecular basis for known physiological cytokinin responses such as the stimulation of cell division.     

An Invertase Inhibitory Protein From Pteris deflexa Link Fronds

Plant invertases play important roles in sucrose metabolism. Cell wall invertase was reported to participate in phloem loading and unloading. Soluble invertases would be involved in hexose level regulation in mature tissues and in stored sucrose utilization within vacuoles. Invertase inhibitory proteins were described as one of the possible mechanisms for invertase activity regulation in some plant species; nevertheless, these proteins were found only in sink tissues, suggesting that this mechanism would not be relevant in the sucrose turnover of leaves. This report describes the purification of invertase from Pteris deflexa fronds and the occurrence of an invertase inhibitory protein in this fern organ, as well as its purification and invertase-inhibitor interactions. The Mr of the invertase and of its inhibitory protein were 90,000 and 18,000, respectively. SDS-PAGE in the presence of 2-mercaptoetanol gave two subunits for the enzyme (Mr=66,000 and 30,000) and only one for the inhibitor. The inhibitor protein is a glycoprotein (12% w/w of neutral sugars) that did not show agglutinating activity like some others, and also showed a high heat stability at pH 5.0. The optimum pH of invertase activity is 5.0, while invertase inhibitory protein caused maximal inhibition at the same pH value. Invertase-inhibitor complex formation occurs in an immediate manner and a protease activity was discarded. The inhibition is non-competitive (Ki=1.5 × 10 ^?6 M) without interactions among the binding sites. The complex is slightly dissociable and sucrose was able to partially reduce the inhibitory effect. Up to the present, invertase inhibitory proteins have been found solely in heterotrophic tissues. In this work we demonstrate that this protein is also present in an autotrophic tissue of a lower vascular plant.     

An invertase inhibitory protein from Pteris deflexa link fronds

Plant invertases play important roles in sucrose metabolism. Cell wall invertase was reported to participate in phloem loading and unloading. Soluble invertases would be involved in hexose level regulation in mature tissues and in stored sucrose utilization within vacuoles. Invertase inhibitory proteins were described as one of the possible mechanisms for invertase activity regulation in some plant species; nevertheless, these proteins were found only in sink tissues, suggesting that this mechanism would not be relevant in the sucrose turnover of leaves. This report describes the purification of invertase from Pteris deflexa fronds and the occurrence of an invertase inhibitory protein in this fern organ, as well as its purification and invertase-inhibitor interactions. The Mr of the invertase and of its inhibitory protein were 90,000 and 18,000, respectively. SDS-PAGE in the presence of 2-mercaptoetanol gave two subunits for the enzyme (Mr=66,000 and 30,000) and only one for the inhibitor. The inhibitor protein is a glycoprotein (12% w/w of neutral sugars) that did not show agglutinating activity like some others, and also showed a high heat stability at pH 5.0. The optimum pH of invertase activity is 5.0, while invertase inhibitory protein caused maximal inhibition at the same pH value. Invertase-inhibitor complex formation occurs in an immediate manner and a protease activity was discarded. The inhibition is non-competitive (Ki=1.5 x 10(-6) M) without interactions among the binding sites. The complex is slightly dissociable and sucrose was able to partially reduce the inhibitory effect. Up to the present, invertase inhibitory proteins have been found solely in heterotrophic tissues. In this work we demonstrate that this protein is also present in an autotrophic tissue of a lower vascular plant.     

Influence of Polyols on the Stability and Kinetic Parameters of Invertase from Candida utilis: Correlation with the Conformational Stability and Activity

Invertase (β-d-fructofuranoside fructohydrolase-E.C. 3.2.1.26) is a sucrose hydrolyzing enzyme found in microbial, plant and animal sources. Invertase from Candida utilis is a dimeric glycoprotein composed of two identical monomer subunits with an apparent molecular mass of 150 kDa. We investigated the mechanism of stabilization of invertase with polyols (glycerol, xylitol, and sorbitol). Activity, thermodynamic and kinetic measurements of invertase were performed as a function of polyol concentration and showed that polyols act as very effective stabilizing agents. The result from the solvent-invertase interaction shows preferential exclusion of the polyols from the protein domain leading to preferential hydration of protein. Apparent thermal denaturation temperature of the protein (T _m ) rose from 75 °C to a maximum of 85 °C in 30% glycerol. The stabilization has been attributed to the preferential hydration of the enzyme.     

Structure and properties of the extracellular inulinase of Kluyveromyces marxianus CBS 6556

In the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus two forms of inulinase were present, namely, an inulinase secreted into the culture fluid and an inulinase retained in the cell wall. Both forms were purified and analyzed by denaturing and nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With the use of endo-beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase H, it was established that the enzyme retained in the cell wall and the enzyme secreted into the culture fluid have similar subunits consisting of a 64-kDa polypeptide with varying amounts of carbohydrate (26 to 37% of the molecular mass). The two forms of inulinase differed in size because of their differences in subunit aggregation. The enzyme present in the culture fluid was a dimer, and the enzyme retained in the cell wall was a tetramer. The differences in oligomerization did not affect the apparent Km values towards the substrates sucrose and raffinose. These findings support the hypothesis that the retention of glycoproteins in the yeast cell wall may be caused by a permeability barrier towards larger glycoproteins. The amino-terminal end of inulinase was determined and compared with the amino terminus of the closely related invertase. The kinetic and structural evidence indicates that in yeasts two distinct beta-fructosidases exist, namely, invertase and inulinase.     

Structure and properties of the extracellular inulinase of Kluyveromyces marxianus CBS 6556.

In the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus two forms of inulinase were present, namely, an inulinase secreted into the culture fluid and an inulinase retained in the cell wall. Both forms were purified and analyzed by denaturing and nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With the use of endo-beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase H, it was established that the enzyme retained in the cell wall and the enzyme secreted into the culture fluid have similar subunits consisting of a 64-kDa polypeptide with varying amounts of carbohydrate (26 to 37% of the molecular mass). The two forms of inulinase differed in size because of their differences in subunit aggregation. The enzyme present in the culture fluid was a dimer, and the enzyme retained in the cell wall was a tetramer. The differences in oligomerization did not affect the apparent Km values towards the substrates sucrose and raffinose. These findings support the hypothesis that the retention of glycoproteins in the yeast cell wall may be caused by a permeability barrier towards larger glycoproteins. The amino-terminal end of inulinase was determined and compared with the amino terminus of the closely related invertase. The kinetic and structural evidence indicates that in yeasts two distinct beta-fructosidases exist, namely, invertase and inulinase.