Synthesis and degradation of tyrosinase in cultured melanoma cells

The tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) activity of cultured B-16 mouse melanoma cells (C2M) in the stationary phase depends greatly on whether the culture medium contains glucose or galactose. The activity in medium containing galactose was about ten times that in medium containing glucose at pH 7.2. This difference in tyrosinase activity was concluded to be due to a shift of balance between synthesis and degradation of the enzyme. Experiments were conducted with stationary phase cultures in the presence of cycloheximide. The melanoma cells did not synthesize tyrosinase in medium containing glucose in the stationary phase. But when they were cultured under identical conditions, except that glucose was replaced by galactose, they continued to synthesize tyrosinase. The rate of synthesis in medium containing galactose at pH 6.3 was one third of that in the same medium at about pH 7, in which the increase in specific activity of tyrosinase per day was about 30 nmoles/mg cell protein per hr. The rate of degradation of the enzyme was practically the same in medium containing glucose as in medium containing galactose, and largely depended on the pH of the culture medium. At pH 6.3, the half-life was about one third of that at pH 7.2, where it was about 1.8 days. The degradation at acidic pH values was much reduced by ammonium salt and was strongly inhibited by the protease inhibitor, leupeptin.     

Growth responses of cell cultures in a galactose medium

Under specific conditions utilized, Eagle's minimum essential medium containing “substantially glucose-free” galactose instead of glucose supported the growth of every cell culture tested with the exception of embryonic cells. Growth of various primary kidney cultures in galactose-EMEM was greater or, at least, equal to that obtained with the same medium containing glucose. Cell lines of non-human origin showed extensive growth in galactose-EMEM and were further stimulated by supplemental pyruvate. Only limited, if any, growth of human cell lines occurred in galactose-EMEM under routine conditions of culture. The growth response of these cells was greatly increased and approached that with glucose if the initial pH of the galactose medium was adjusted in the acid pH range or, with WISH cells, if the galactose medium was supplemented with pyruvate.     

Lactose Uptake Driven by Galactose Efflux in Streptococcus thermophilus: Evidence for a Galactose-Lactose Antiporter

Galactose-nonfermenting (Gal^-) Streptococcus thermophilus TS2 releases galactose into the extracellular medium when grown in medium containing excess lactose. Starved and de-energized Gal^- cells, however, could be loaded with galactose to levels approximately equal to the extracellular concentration (0 to 50 mM). When loaded cells were separated from the medium and resuspended in fresh broth containing 5 mM lactose, galactose efflux occurred. De-energized, galactose-loaded cells, resuspended in buffer or medium, accumulated [¹⁴C]lactose at a greater rate and to significantly higher intracellular concentrations than unloaded cells. Uptake of lactose by loaded cells was inhibited more than that by unloaded cells in the presence of extracellular galactose, indicating that a galactose gradient was involved in the exchange system. When de-energized, galactose-loaded cells were resuspended in carbohydrate-free medium at pH 6.7, a proton motive force (Δp) of 86 to 90 mV was formed, whereas de-energized, nonloaded cells maintained a Δp of about 56 mV. However, uptake of lactose by loaded cells occurred when the proton motive force was abolished by the addition of an uncoupler or in the presence of a proton-translocating ATPase inhibitor. These results support the hypothesis that galactose efflux in Gal^-S. thermophilus is electrogenic and that the exchange reaction (lactose uptake and galactose efflux) probably occurs via an antiporter system.     

The effect of pH on the propagation of the diploid cell WI-38 in galactose medium

The pH range for optimal growth of WI-38 in Eagle's minimum essential medium varies with the carbohydrate utilized. Growth with glucose occurred only in the pH range 6.8–7.4. Glucose-free galactose supported growth only if the pH of the medium was adjusted to 6.4–6.8. Supplementing the galactose medium with pyruvate extended the pH range for growth to 7.4. The addition of 0.01% glucose to the galactose medium increased growth at pH 7.0–7.4, reduced growth at pH 6.8, and completely inhibited growth at pH 6.6. This toxic effect of glucose under conditions impairing glycolysis was considered to be a contributing factor to the post-confluent growth rate decline associated with “contact inhibition.”     

Phenotypic expression of Kluyveromyces lactis killer toxin against Saccharomyces spp.

The secretion of killer toxins by some strains of yeasts is a phenomenon of significant industrial importance. The activity of a recently discovered Kluyveromyces lactis killer strain against a sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain was determined on peptone-yeast extract-nutrient agar plates containing as the carbon source glucose, fructose, galactose, maltose, or glycerol at pH 4.5 or 6.5. Enhanced activity (50 to 90% increase) was found at pH 6.5, particularly on the plates containing galactose, maltose, or glycerol, although production of the toxin in liquid medium was not significantly different with either glucose or galactose as the carbon source. Results indicated that the action of the K. lactis toxin was not mediated by catabolite repression in the sensitive strain. Sensitivities of different haploid and polyploid Saccharomyces yeasts to the two different killer yeasts S. cerevisiae (RNA-plasmid-coded toxin) and K. lactis (DNA-plasmid-coded toxin) were tested. Three industrial polyploid yeasts sensitive to the S. cerevisiae killer yeast were resistant to the K. lactis killer yeast. The S. cerevisiae killer strain itself, however, was sensitive to the K. lactis killer yeast.     

Phenotypic expression of Kluyveromyces lactis killer toxin against Saccharomyces spp

The secretion of killer toxins by some strains of yeasts is a phenomenon of significant industrial importance. The activity of a recently discovered Kluyveromyces lactis killer strain against a sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain was determined on peptone-yeast extract-nutrient agar plates containing as the carbon source glucose, fructose, galactose, maltose, or glycerol at pH 4.5 or 6.5. Enhanced activity (50 to 90% increase) was found at pH 6.5, particularly on the plates containing galactose, maltose, or glycerol, although production of the toxin in liquid medium was not significantly different with either glucose or galactose as the carbon source. Results indicated that the action of the K. lactis toxin was not mediated by catabolite repression in the sensitive strain. Sensitivities of different haploid and polyploid Saccharomyces yeasts to the two different killer yeasts S. cerevisiae (RNA-plasmid-coded toxin) and K. lactis (DNA-plasmid-coded toxin) were tested. Three industrial polyploid yeasts sensitive to the S. cerevisiae killer yeast were resistant to the K. lactis killer yeast. The S. cerevisiae killer strain itself, however, was sensitive to the K. lactis killer yeast.     

Isolation and characterization of β-galactosidase fromLactobacillus crispatus

β-Galactosidase was isolated from the cell-free extracts ofLactobacillus crispatus strain ATCC 33820 and the effects of temperature, pH, sugars and monovalent and divalent cations on the activity of the enzyme were examined.L. crispatus produced the maximum amount of enzyme when grown in MRS medium containing galactose (as carbon source) at 37°C and pH 6.5 for 2 d, addition of glucose repressing enzyme production. Addition of lactose to the growth medium containing galactose inhibited the enzyme synthesis. The enzyme was active between 20 and 60°C and in the pH range of 4–9. However, the optimum enzyme activity was at 45°C and pH 6.5. The enzyme was stable up to 45°C when incubated at various temperatures for 15 min at pH 6.5. When the enzyme was exposed to various pH values at 45°C for 1 h, it retained the original activity over the pH range of 6.0–7.0. Presence of divalent cations, such as Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺, in the reaction mixture increased enzyme activity, whereas Zn²⁺ was inhibitory. TheK _m was 1.16 mmol/L for 2-nitrophenyl-β-d-galactopyranose and 14.2 mmol/L for lactose.     

大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素的表达及其纯化保存策略

编码完整大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素(LT)的基因被引入pET11c形成pET11-LT,该质粒在E.coli BL21(DE3)中得到较高效率的表达,约46mg/L。用D(+)Immobilized galactose柱可以在很宽的pH范围(pH7.3～10.4)内用多种方法对LT进行纯化且保持其结构完整。溶于TEAN(pH7.3)或碳酸盐缓冲液(pH10.4)的LT,冻干后保存于4℃,可长久保持其完整结构,此为保存LT的较好策略。与GM1结合实验、CHO细胞及Patentmouse毒性检测实验证明纯化的LT具有生物学活性。     

Influence of sugar source (lactose,glucose, galactose) on 2,3-butanediol production by Klebsiella oxytoca NRRL-B199

The ability of Klebsiella oxytoca NRRL-B199 to use either lactose or the mixture of glucose and galactose as substrate for the production of 2,3-butanediol was studied in batch fermentations with different conditions of aeration and pH. 2,3-butanediol was undetected, or present in minute concentration in the fermentation broths with lactose, while it was the main product from glucose+galactose with final concentrations of up to 18.8 g/l in media at pH 6.0. Under conditions optimal for 2,3-butanediol synthesis, when aeration limited growth, the rate of biomass growth was more tightly related to the aeration rate in lactose medium than in glucose+galactose medium. These relations suggest that the growth rate is very low on lactose but still considerable on glucose+galactose when aeration rate tends toward zero. Correspondingly, the metabolism is more oxidative in the former medium, yielding mainly acetate as product.Abbreviations CDW cell dry weight     

Production and Properties of Galactosidases from Corticium rolfsii

When Corticum rolfsii was grown in a medium containing bran extract under aerobic conditions, it secreted alpha-D-galactosidase and beta-D-galactosidase into the culture fluid. Pectin also stimulated the production of these enzymes, whereas galactose, glucose, and sucrose stimulated their production to a lesser degree. C. rolfsii produced greater amounts of both enzymes than Aspergillus niger. Both galactosidases in the culture medium hydrolyzed alpha- and beta-p-nitrophenyl-D-galactosides as well as lactose, stachyose, melibiose, and raffinose. Both exhibited optimal activity at pH 2 to 4 and were quite stable under acidic conditions. alpha-Galactosidase was separated from beta-galactosidase by column chromatography.     

Production of a Novel Extracellular Polysaccharide by a Bacillus Strain Isolated from Soil

A bacterium that was isolated from soil and identified as Bacillus circulans was found to produce a highly viscous extracellular polysaccharide when it was grown aerobically in a medium containing glucose as a sole source of carbon. The product was characterized by TLC and GC analyses as a novel heteropolysaccharide consisted of rhamnose, mannose, galactose, and mannuronic acid as sugar components. A maximal yield of polysaccharide reached about 2 g/liter by jar-fermentor culture at 30°C for 48 hr with a medium containing 1% glucose, 0.05% asparagine, 0.005% yeast extract, and small amounts of inorganic salts. Some culture conditions for the production of polysaccharide were investigated with flask culture; an optimal production was attained with a medium containing 0.1–1 % glucose and 0.01–0.05% asparagine, pH 7–8, at 30°C under aerobic conditions.     

Factors affecting exocellular polysaccharide production by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus grown in a chemically defined medium

We developed a chemically defined medium (CDM) containing lactose or glucose as the carbon source that supports growth and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production of two strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. The factors found to affect EPS production in this medium were oxygen, pH, temperature, and medium constituents, such as orotic acid and the carbon source. EPS production was greatest during the stationary phase. Composition analysis of EPS isolated at different growth phases and produced under different fermentation conditions (varying carbon source or pH) revealed that the component sugars were the same. The EPS from strain L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus CNRZ 1187 contained galactose and glucose, and that of strain L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus CNRZ 416 contained galactose, glucose, and rhamnose. However, the relative proportions of the individual monosaccharides differed, suggesting that repeating unit structures can vary according to specific medium alterations. Under pH-controlled fermentation conditions, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains produced as much EPS in the CDM as in milk. Furthermore, the relative proportions of individual monosaccharides of EPS produced in pH-controlled CDM or in milk were very similar. The CDM we developed may be a useful model and an alternative to milk in studies of EPS production.     

Catabolite inhibition and sequential metabolism of sugars by Streptococcus lactis.

Growth of galactose-adapted cells of Streptococcus lactis ML(3) in a medium containing a mixture of glucose, galactose, and lactose was characterized initially by the simultaneous metabolism of glucose and lactose. Galactose was not significantly utilized until the latter sugars had been exhausted from the medium. The addition of glucose or lactose to a culture of S. lactis ML(3) growing exponentially on galactose caused immediate inhibition of galactose utilization and an increase in growth rate, concomitant with the preferential metabolism of the added sugar. Under nongrowing conditions, cells of S. lactis ML(3) grown previously on galactose metabolized the three separate sugars equally rapidly. However, cells suspended in buffer containing a mixture of glucose plus galactose or lactose plus galactose again consumed glucose or lactose preferentially. The rate of galactose metabolism was reduced by approximately 95% in the presence of the inhibitory sugar, but the maximum rate of metabolism was resumed upon exhaustion of glucose or lactose from the system. When presented with a mixture of glucose and lactose, the resting cells metabolized both sugars simultaneously. Lactose, glucose, and a non-metabolizable glucose analog (2-deoxy-d-glucose) prevented the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent uptake of thiomethyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside (TMG), but the accumulation of TMG, like galactose metabolism, commenced immediately upon exhaustion of the metabolizable sugars from the medium. Growth of galactose-adapted cells of the lactose-defective variant S. lactis 7962 in the triple-sugar medium was characterized by the sequential metabolism of glucose, galactose, and lactose. Growth of S. lactis ML(3) and 7962 in the triple-sugar medium occurred without apparent diauxie, and for each strain the patterns of sequential sugar metabolism under growing and nongrowing conditions were identical. Fine control of the activities of preexisting enzyme systems by catabolite inhibition may afford a satisfactory explanation for the observed sequential utilization of sugars by these two organisms.     

Effect of carbon source and pH of the growth medium on spore germination inPhycomyces blakesleeanus

Phycomyces blakesleeanus sporangiospores responded differently to activation by physical and chemical stimuli. Spores that were physically (heat shock) activated or chemically (ammonium acetate) activated germinated and grew at pH 4.5 with the hexoses glucose, fructose, galactose, andN-acetylglucosamine, and with glycerol and amino acids. Under these conditions, physically activated spores showed a lower, although significant growth with the hexoses fructose, galactose,N-acetylglucosamine and with glycerol. On the other hand, physically activated spores incubated at alkaline pH (pH 7.3) required glucose to germinate; a requirement not observed with chemically activated spores, which showed significant growth in the other hexoses tested. Both physically and chemically activated spores incubated at pH 7.3 were unable to germinate and grow with amino acids and glycerol. These results suggest that there are different targets for activation of the spores by physical and chemical treatments. The levels of the fermentative enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase and of the oxidative enzyme NAD⁺-isocitrate dehydrogenase were higher in cells grown at pH 4.5 in medium containing glucose; however, alcohol dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase appear not to be affected by a change in the pH of the growth medium.     

Cytochrome P-450 and the activation of promutagens in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae the cellular content of cytochrome P-450 was investigated and shown to be related to the growth phase of aerobic cultures when glucose was the carbon source. When grown on glucose medium the log-phase cells of the diploid strain D5 contained about 9× more cytochrome P-450 than log-phase cells of the diploid strain D4. The D4 cells grown on medium containing glucose contained about 10× more cytochrome P-450 than D4 cell grown on medium containing galactose as carbon source. Cells of strain D4, harvested from log-phase cultures grown on glucose, were capable of metabolizing aflatoxin B₁, dimethylnitrosamine, β-naphthylamine, ethyl carbamate, cyclophosphamide and dimethylsulphoxide to products active genetically in the same cells. The metabolism of the compounds tested was attributed to cyctochrome P-450-dependent mixed-function oxidation since genetic activity was high in log cells grown on medium containing glucose but negligible in log cells grown on medium containing galactose. However, aflatoxin B₁ differed from the other promutagens tested since the genetic activity of this compound in cells grown on galactose medium was similar to the activity in cells grown on glucose medium. This result is discussed in relation to enzyme systems which could metabolize aflatoxin B₁. The results of treating log-phase cells of the strain D5, grown on medium containing glucose, with aflatoxin B₁ and dimethylnitrosamine are presented and compared with the results from the strain D4.     

Effects of pH and type of sugar in the medium on tyrosinase activity in cultured melanoma cells.

The tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) activity of cultured mouse melanoma cells B16 in the stationary phase of growth, depends greatly on the pH of the medium and the kind of sugar present. The enzyme activity of a homogenate of cells grown at pH 7.2 in Eagles's MEM supplemented with 10% new born calf serum and con taining galactose in place of glucose, was about ten times that of a homogenate of cells cultured at pH 6.3 in the same medium. The tyrosinase activity changed reversibly on changing the pH of the culture medium. When cultured at a constant pH of 7.2, cells grown with 1 mM galactose had about five times higher tyrosinase activity than cells grown with 1 mM glucose. Only a small amount of lactate accumulated in cultures with glucose and it had little effect on the enzyme activity. These two findings explain the very low tyrosinase activity of cells cultured in medium with 5 mM glucose: the low activity is due to the presence of glucose and to the low pH resulting from conversion of glucose to lactic acid.     

Glutamine dependency of human skin fibroblasts: modulation by hexoses

The combined effects of carbohydrates and glutamine were investigated in diploid strains of normal human skin fibroblasts cultured for 21 days under eight different culture conditions: hexose-free medium or medium containing D-glucose, D-galactose, or D-fructose, with or without added glutamine. Cell growth, hexose consumption, lactate production, intracellular glycogen content and extracellular amino acid levels were measured every third to fourth day. In the presence of glutamine, cells reached a higher saturation density in fructose medium than in glucose or galactose medium but per cell consumption of fructose and galactose was much less than that of glucose. Consumption of all three carbohydrates per unit cell growth exhibited three distinct phases: Days 1-3, 3-10, and 10-20, respectively. In the absence of glutamine the rate of cell growth was not altered in glucose or galactose medium, but slowed down considerably in fructose medium. Glutamine deprivation also led to changes in hexose consumption. In hexose-free media the cell growth rate at first was very slow, but rose after 2 or 3 weeks of culture. The levels of extracellular nonessential amino acids varied according to medium and growth phase. One of the most exciting findings was that human fibroblasts are able to maintain a slight excess of glutamine in all media not supplemented with glutamine and, more surprisingly, to synthesize it in a medium containing galactose and glutamine.     

Glucose Inhibition of the Transport and Phosphoenolpyruvate-Dependent Phosphorylation of Galactose and Fructose in Vibrio cholerae

Vibrio cholerae followed a two-step pattern of growth in a medium containing glucose and either galactose or fructose. Glucose was utilized first. Glucose inhibited the uptake and phosphenolpyruvate-dependent phosphorylation of galactose and fructose.     

Production of zoogloea gum by Zoogloea ramigerawith glucose analogs

Zooglans with altered sugar composition were synthesized by Zoogloea ramigera by varying the glucose concentration and initial medium pH. The relative mol % of the sugar components, glucose and galactose, in the exopolymer made with 2% (w/v) glucose as the carbon source was 66 and 34%, respectively. By varying the glucose concentration and initial medium pH, the mol % ratios of glucose to galactose in zooglan ranged from 70 : 30 to 58 : 42. Also, glucose analogs, 3- O-methyl-D-glucose, 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose, and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, were used as a co-substrate with glucose to produce modified zooglans. The mol % ratios of glucose to galactose in exopolymers produced by co-feeding glucose analogs ranged from 70 : 30 to 9 : 91.     

Sporulation of Streptomyces venezuelae in submerged cultures

Shaken cultures of Streptomyces venezuelae ISP5230 in minimal medium with galactose and ammonium sulphate as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, showed extensive sporulation after 72 h incubation at 37 degrees C. The spores formed in these cultures resembled aerial spores in their characteristics. The ability of the spores to withstand lysozyme treatment was used to monitor the progress of sporulation in cultures and to determine the physiological requirements for sporulation. In media containing ammonium sulphate as the nitrogen source, galactose was the best of six carbon sources tested. With galactose S. venezuelae ISP5230 sporulated when supplied with any of several nitrogen sources; however, an excess of nitrogen source was inhibitory. In cultures containing galactose and ammonium sulphate, sporulation was suppressed by a peptone supplement. The onset of sporulation was accompanied by a drop in intracellular GTP content. When decoyinine, an inhibitor of GMP synthase, was added to a medium containing starch and ammonium sulphate, a slight increase in sporulation was seen after 2 d. The suppression of sporulation by peptone in liquid or agar cultures was not reversed by addition of decoyinine. A hypersporulating mutant of S. venezuelae ISP5230 was altered in its ability to assimilate sugars. In cultures containing glucose the mutant sporulated more profusely than did the wild-type and did not acidify the medium to the same extent. However, the suppressive effect of glucose on sporulation was not merely a secondary result of acid accumulation.