Synthesis of four novel trisaccharides by induction of loose acceptor specificity in Gal beta 1----4 transferase (EC 2.4.1.22): Galp(beta 1----4)Glcp(X)Glc where X = beta 1----3: beta 1----4: beta 1----6: alpha 1----4.

Development of tandem mass spectral methods for direct linkage determination in oligosaccharides requires sets of trisaccharides differing only in one structural parameter. In this case, we chose the position of linkage to the reducing-end hexose. These sets of compounds would also be useful for the development of high-resolution separation techniques geared to resolve linkage types. Conventional organic synthesis of such a set could take as long as 2-5 months for each member of the set. Each trisaccharide would require 10-20 steps of synthesis. Instead, we utilized low pH to induce a loose acceptor specificity for bovine milk galactosyltransferase (lactose synthase: EC 2.4.1.22) and by this method, within 2 weeks, generated four novel oligosaccharides for NMR and mass spectral studies. The disaccharides cellobiose (beta 1----4), laminaribiose (beta 1----3), gentiobiose (beta 1----6) and maltose (alpha 1----4) acted as acceptors for EC 2.4.1.22 under these conditions. The beta 1----2-linked disaccharide, sophorose, was not commercially available and is not included in this study. The alpha-linked disaccharides were also examined, but except for the alpha 1----4 disaccharide maltose, were very poor acceptors under a variety of conditions. From these four acceptors, the following four novel trisaccharides were synthesized in micromole amounts, suitable for studies of linkage position using low-energy collision-induced-dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (FAB-MS-CID-MS), and for NMR: Galp(beta 1----4)Glcp(beta 1----3)-Glc, Galp(beta 1----4)Glcp(beta 1----4)Glc, Galp(beta 1----4)Glcp(beta 1----6)-Glc and Galp(beta 1----4)Glcp(alpha 1----4)Glc.     

Biosynthesis of the yeast cell wall. I. Preparation and properties of beta-(1 leads to 3)glucan synthetase

The synthesis of the major linkage found in yeast cell wall structural polysaccharides, glucosyl-beta-(1 leads to 3)-glucosyl, was studied with a membrane preparation from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The sugar donor was UDP-glucose, and the reaction required addition of glycerol bovine serum albumin, and ATP or GTP for maximal activity. Under optimal conditions, extremely efficient glucose transfer was obtained, with 20 to 50% of the substrate utilized in 20 min at 30 degrees C. The polysaccharide formed in the reaction was insoluble in water and soluble in alkali; it was characterized enzymatically and chemically as a beta-(1 leads to 3)-linked linear glucan of chain length 60 to 80. The terminal reducing group was found to be labeled with 14C, as was the substrate used; therefore, the polysaccharide is synthesized de novo. For each glucosyl group transferred, one equivalent of UDP was formed. No evidence was found for a lipid-linked intermediate. When yeast protoplast lysates were subjected to fractionation by centrifugation in Renografin gradients, glucan synthetase was found in the plasma membrane fraction, with the same distribution and sidedness as chitin synthetase. Because of the spatially restricted growth of the cell wall during cell division in budding yeasts, this result suggests localized and reversible activation of the enzyme during the cell cycle.     

A comparison of nucleoside (beta-S)triphosphates and nucleoside (gamma-S)triphosphates as suitable substrates for measuring transcription initiation in preparations of cell nuclei

RNA chains initiated with nucleoside (beta-S)triphosphates and (gamma-S)triphosphates retain the thiol groups and can be separated from thiol-free RNA by chromatography on mercury-Sepharose. Thiol-containing mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) RNA synthesized by preparations of nuclei from virus-infected cells was quantitated by nucleic acid filter hybridization. With ATP beta S and GTP beta S, region-specific initiation of MMTV RNA chains was detected in the cell free system. However, with ATP gamma S and GTP gamma S, region-specific initiation was not clearly demonstrable. The nuclear preparations can also transfer thiol groups, presumably in the form of thiophosphate, from ATP gamma S or GTP gamma S onto preexisting RNA molecules; little or no thiol-transfer occurs with the two (beta-S)-analogues. The thiophosphate transfer activity apparently interferes with the measurement of RNA chain initiation with ATP gamma S and GTP gamma S.     

Rho1p mutations specific for regulation of beta(1-->3)glucan synthesis and the order of assembly of the yeast cell wall

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the GTP-binding protein Rho1 is required for beta(1-->3)glucan synthase activity, for activation of protein kinase C and the cell integrity pathway and for progression in G1, cell polarization and exocytosis. A genetic screen for cells that become permeabilized at non-permissive temperature was used to isolate in vitro-generated mutants of Rho1p. After undergoing a battery of tests, several of them appeared to be specifically defective in the beta(1-->3) glucan synthesis function of Rho1p. At the non-permissive temperature (37 degrees C), the mutants developed defects in the cell wall, especially at the tip of new buds. In the yeast cell wall, beta(1-->6)glucan is linked to both beta(1-->3)glucan and mannoprotein, as well as occasionally to chitin. We have used the rho1 mutants to study the order of assembly of the cell wall components. The incorporation of [(14)C]-glucose into beta(1-->3)glucan at 37 degrees C was decreased or abolished in the mutants. Concomitantly, a partial defect in the incorporation of label into cell wall mannoproteins and beta(1-->6)glucan was observed. In contrast, YW3458, an inhibitor of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor formation, prevented mannoprotein incorporation, whereas the beta(1-->3)-beta(1-->6)glucan complex was synthesized at almost normal levels. As beta(1-->3)glucan can be synthesized in vitro or in vivo independently, we conclude that the order of addition in vivo is beta(1-->3)glucan, beta(1-->6)glucan, mannoprotein. Previous observations indicate that chitin is the last component to be incorporated into the complex.     

Hydrolysis of (1----3)- and (1----2)-beta-D-xylosidic linkages by an endo-(1----4)-beta-D-xylanase of Cryptococcus albidus

The substrate specificity of an endo-(1----4)-beta-D-xylanase of the yeast Cryptococcus albidus was investigated using a series of methyl beta-D-xylotriosides. In addition to (1----4) linkages, the enzyme could cleave (1----3) and (1----2) linkages adjacent to a (1----4) linkage and further from the non-reducing end of the substrate. The enzyme could hydrolyse a (1----3) linkage that attached a terminal xylopyranosyl group to a (1----4)-linked xylobiosyl moiety. The enzyme did not attack alpha-D-xylosidic linkages. The rate of cleavage of (1----4) linkages was much higher than those of other linkages at 0.5mM substrate, but the rates were comparable at 20mM substrate when transglycosylation reactions also occurred that facilitated degradation of the substrates.     

Loss of cell wall alpha(1-3) glucan affects Cryptococcus neoformans from ultrastructure to virulence

Yeast cell walls are critical for maintaining cell integrity, particularly in the face of challenges such as growth in mammalian hosts. The pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans additionally anchors its polysaccharide capsule to the cell surface via alpha(1-3) glucan in the wall. Cryptococcal cells disrupted in their alpha glucan synthase gene were sensitive to stresses, including temperature, and showed difficulty dividing. These cells lacked surface capsule, although they continued to shed capsule material into the environment. Electron microscopy showed that the alpha glucan that is usually localized to the outer portion of the cell wall was absent, the outer region of the wall was highly disorganized, and the inner region was hypertrophic. Analysis of cell wall composition demonstrated complete loss of alpha glucan accompanied by a compensatory increase in chitin/chitosan and a redistribution of beta glucan between cell wall fractions. The mutants were unable to grow ina mouse model of infection, but caused death in nematodes. These studies integrate morphological and biochemical investigations of the role of alpha glucan in the cryptococcal cell wall.     

Synthesis of oligosaccharide fragments of O-specific Shigella flexneri polysaccharides. II. Synthesis of trisaccharide Glc alpha1----3RHa alpha1----2Rha alpha1----OMe and tetrasaccharide GlcNAc beta1----2(Llc alpha1----3)Rha alpha1----2Rh alpha1----OMe

Methyl glycosides of the title linear trisaccharide and branched tetrasaccharide were synthesized by stepwise glycosylation. These oligosaccharides represent the fragments of O-antigenic polysaccharides of Shigella flexneri serotypes 2b, 3a, 5b, and X.     

Defining the carbohydrate specificities of Abrus precatorius agglutinin as T (Gal beta 1----3GalNAc) greater than I/II (Gal beta 1----3/4GlcNAc).

The combining site of the nontoxic carbohydrate binding protein (Abrus precatorius agglutinin, APA) purified from the needs of Abrus precatorius (Jequirity bean), was studied by quantitative precipitin and precipitin-inhibition assays. Of 26 glycoproteins and polysaccharides tested, all, except sialic acid-containing glycoproteins and desialized ovine salivary glycoproteins, reacted strongly with the lectin, and precipitated over 70% of the lectin added, indicating that APA has a broad range of affinity and recognizes (internal) Gal beta 1----sequences of carbohydrate chains. The strong reaction with desialized porcine and rat salivary glycoproteins as well as pneumococcus type XIV polysaccharide suggests that APA has affinity for one or more of the following carbohydrate sequences: Thomsen-Friedenreich (T, Gal beta 1----3GalNAc), blood group precursor type I and/or type II (Gal beta 1----3/4GlcNAc) disaccharide determinants of complex carbohydrates. Among the oligosaccharides tested, the T structure was the best inhibitor; it was 2.4 and 3.2 times more active than type II and type I sequences, respectively. The blood group I Ma-active trisaccharide, Gal beta 1----4GlcNAc beta 1----6Gal, was about as active as the corresponding disaccharide (II). From the above results, we conclude that the size of the combining site of the A. precatorius agglutinin is probably as large as a disaccharide and most strongly complementary to the Gal beta 1----3GalNAc (T determinant) sequence. The carbohydrate specificities of this lectin will be further investigated once the related oligosaccharide structures become available.     

Inhibitors of the fungal cell wall. Synthesis of 4-aryl-4-N-arylamine-1-butenes and related compounds with inhibitory activities on beta(1-3) glucan and chitin synthases

As part of our project devoted to the search for antifungal agents, which act via a selective mode of action, we synthesized a series of new 4-aryl- or 4-alkyl-N-arylamine-1-butenes and transformed some of them into 2-substituted 4-methyl-tetrahydroquinolines and quinolines by using a novel three-step synthesis. Results obtained in agar dilution assays have shown that 4-aryl homoallylamines not possessing halogen in their structures, tetrahydroquinolines and quinolines, display a range of antifungal properties in particular against Epidermophyton floccosum and Microsporum canis. Regarding the mode of action, all active compounds showed in vitro inhibitory activities against beta(1-3) glucan-synthase and mainly against chitin-synthase. These enzymes catalyze the synthesis of beta(1-3) glucan and chitin, respectively, major polymers of the fungal cell wall. Since fungal but not mammalian cells are encased in a cell wall, its inhibition may represent a useful mode of action for these antifungal compounds.     

Primary structure determination of five sialylated oligosaccharides derived from bronchial mucus glycoproteins of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis. The occurrence of the NeuAc alpha(2----3)Gal beta(1----4)[Fuc alpha(1----3)] GlcNAc beta(1----.) structural element revealed by 500-MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy

The structure of sialylated carbohydrate units of bronchial mucins obtained from cystic fibrosis patients was investigated by 500-MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with sugar analysis. After subjecting the mucins to alkaline borohydride degradation, sialylated oligosaccharide-alditols were isolated by anion-exchange chromatography and fractionated by high performance liquid chromatography. Five compounds could be obtained in a rather pure state; their structures were established as the following: A-1, NeuAc alpha(2----3)Gal beta(1----4) [Fuc alpha(1----3)]GlcNAc beta(1----3)Gal-NAc-ol; A-2, NeuAc alpha(2----3)Gal beta(1----4)GlcNAc beta(1----6)-[GlcNAc beta (1----3)]GalNAc-o1; A-3, NeuAc alpha(2----3)Gal beta-(1----4)[Fuc alpha(1----3)]GlcNAc beta(1----3)Gal beta(1----3) GalNAc-o1; A-4, NeuAc alpha(2----3)Gal beta(1----4)[Fuc alpha(1----3)]Glc-NAc NAc beta(1----6)[GlcNAc beta(1----3)]GalNAc-o1; A-6,NeuAc alpha-(2----3) Gal beta(1----4)[Fuc alpha(1----3)]GlcNAc beta(1----6)[Gal beta-(1----4) GlcNAc beta(1----3)]GalNAc-o1. The simultaneous presence of sialic acid in alpha(2----3)-linkage to Gal and fucose in alpha(1----3)-linkage to GlcNAc of the same N-acetyllactosamine unit could be adequately proved by high resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy. This sequence constitutes a novel structural element for mucins.     

Mucin biosynthesis. Enzymic properties of human-tracheal epithelial GDP-L-fucose:beta-D-galactoside alpha-(1----2)-L-fucosyltransferase

The human-tracheal, epithelial alpha-(1----2)-L-fucosyltransferase that transfers L-fucose from GDP-L-fucose to an acceptor containing a beta-D-galactopyranosyl group at the nonreducing terminal was characterized. Optimal enzyme activity was obtained at pH 6.5. 20-30mM MnCl2 (or CaCl2), and 0.05% Triton X-100 or 0.5% Tween 20. Mg2+ and Ba2+ ions moderately enhanced the enzyme activity, whereas Fe2+, Co2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+ ions were inhibitory. The enzyme activity was inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide and nucleotides of guanine, inosine, xanthine, and uridine. However, ATP and dithiothreitol did not affect the enzyme activity. The apparent Michaelis constant for GDP-L-fucose, freezing point-depressing glycoproteins (expressed as Gal----GalNAc----Thr), and phenyl beta-D-galactopyranoside was 0.29, 5.70, and 25.4mM, respectively. Under alkali-borohydride conditions (0.05M NaOH-M NaBH4, 45 degrees, 20 h), an L-[14C]fucosyltrisaccharide was released from the product obtained by use of freezing point-depressing glycoprotein as the acceptor. The alpha-L anomeric configuration of the fucoside was determined by the release of L-[14C]fucose from the purified trisaccharide by Turbo cornutus alpha-L-fucosidase. The (1----2) linkage of the L-fucosyl group to the D-galactosyl residue was established by methylation technique (m.s.-g.l.c.). The present enzyme has properties similar to those of the human milk alpha-(1----2)-L-fucosyltransferase which is encoded by a secretor gene.     

Crh1p and Crh2p are required for the cross-linking of chitin to beta(1-6)glucan in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall

In budding yeast, chitin is found in three locations: at the primary septum, largely in free form, at the mother-bud neck, partially linked to beta(1-3)glucan, and in the lateral wall, attached in part to beta(1-6)glucan. By using a recently developed strategy for the study of cell wall cross-links, we have found that chitin linked to beta(1-6)glucan is diminished in mutants of the CRH1 or the CRH2/UTR2 gene and completely absent in a double mutant. This indicates that Crh1p and Crh2p, homologues of glycosyltransferases, ferry chitin chains from chitin synthase III to beta(1-6)glucan. Deletion of CRH1 and/or CRH2 aggravated the defects of fks1Delta and gas1Delta mutants, which are impaired in cell wall synthesis. A temperature shift from 30 degrees C to 38 degrees C increased the proportion of chitin attached to beta(1-6)glucan. The expression of CRH1, but not that of CRH2, was also higher at 38 degrees C in a manner dependent on the cell integrity pathway. Furthermore, the localization of both Crh1p and Crh2p at the cell cortex, the area where the chitin-beta(1-6)glucan complex is found, was greatly enhanced at 38 degrees C. Crh1p and Crh2p are the first proteins directly implicated in the formation of cross-links between cell wall components in fungi.     

Mycobacterium tuberculosis phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase: biochemical features of a crucial enzyme for mycobacterial cell wall biosynthesis

The selection and soaring spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant strains (XDR-TB) is a severe public health problem. Currently, there is an urgent need for new drugs for tuberculosis treatment, with novel mechanisms of action and, moreover, the necessity to identify new drug targets. Mycobacterial phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase (MtbPRPPase) is a crucial enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of decaprenylphosphoryl-arabinose, an essential precursor for the mycobacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Moreover, phosphoribosylpyrophosphate, which is the product of the PRPPase catalyzed reaction, is the precursor for the biosynthesis of nucleotides and of some amino acids such as histidine and tryptophan. In this context, the elucidation of the molecular and functional features of MtbPRPPase is mandatory. MtbPRPPase was obtained as a recombinant form, purified to homogeneity and characterized. According to its hexameric form, substrate specificity and requirement of phosphate for activity, the enzyme proved to belong to the class I of PRPPases. Although the sulfate mimicked the phosphate, it was less effective and required higher concentrations for the enzyme activation. MtbPRPPase showed hyperbolic response to ribose 5-phosphate, but sigmoidal behaviour towards Mg-ATP. The enzyme resulted to be allosterically activated by Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) and inhibited by Ca(2+) and Cu(2+) but, differently from other characterized PRPPases, it showed a better affinity for the Mn(2+) and Cu(2+) ions, indicating a different cation binding site geometry. Moreover, the enzyme from M. tuberculosis was allosterically inhibited by ADP, but less sensitive to inhibition by GDP. The characterization of M. tuberculosis PRPPase provides the starting point for the development of inhibitors for antitubercular drug design.     

Molecular and crystal structure of (1----3)-alpha-D-glucan triacetate.

A crystal and molecular structure for GTA I, the low temperature polymorph of (1----3)-alpha-D-glucan triacetate, is proposed on the basis of X-ray diffraction analysis of well-oriented films, combined with stereochemical model refinement. The unit cell is monoclinic with parameters a = 30.17 A, b = 17.42 A, c (fibre axis) = 12.11 A, and beta = 90 degrees C. The probable space group is P2(1) with b axis unique. Six molecular chains pass through the unit cell with alternating polarity and with three independent chains comprising the asymmetric unit. The chain axes are located in a hexagonal packing arrangement. The chain backbone conformation is a left-handed, three-fold helix, but all nine O(6) acetyl groups of the asymmetric unit are in non-equivalent rotational positions. The most probable structure is indicated by X-ray residuals R = 0.261 and R" = 0.283, based on 62 reflection intensities (41 observed and 21 unobserved).