Crystal structure of a phenol-coupling P450 monooxygenase involved in teicoplanin biosynthesis

The lipoglycopeptide antibiotic teicoplanin has proven efficacy against gram‐positive pathogens. Teicoplanin is distinguished from the vancomycin‐type glycopeptide antibiotics, by the presence of an additional cross‐link between the aromatic amino acids 1 and 3 that is catalyzed by the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase Orf6* (CYP165D3). As a goal towards understanding the mechanism of this phenol‐coupling reaction, we have characterized recombinant Orf6* and determined its crystal structure to 2.2‐Å resolution. Although the structure of Orf6* reveals the core fold common to other P450 monooxygenases, there are subtle differences in the disposition of secondary structure elements near the active site cavity necessary to accommodate its complex heptapeptide substrate. Specifically, the orientation of the F and G helices in Orf6* results in a more closed active site than found in the vancomycin oxidative enzymes OxyB and OxyC. In addition, Met226 in the I helix replaces the more typical Gly/Ala residue that is positioned above the heme porphyrin ring, where it forms a hydrogen bond with a heme iron‐bound water molecule. Sequence comparisons with other phenol‐coupling P450 monooxygenases suggest that Met226 plays a role in determining the substrate regiospecificity of Orf6*. These features provide further insights into the mechanism of the cross‐linking mechanisms that occur during glycopeptide antibiotics biosynthesis. Proteins 2011; © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The cytochrome P450-containing monooxygenase of Trichosporon cutaneum: Occurrence and properties

Trichosporon cutaneum metabolizes glucose purely oxidatively and cytochrome P450 was not detected in the reduced CO-difference spectrum of whole cells. However, in the isolated microsomal fraction the corresponding monooxygenase was present as shown by the appearence of cytochrome P450, NADPH-cytochrome c (P450) reductase and cytochrome b₅. The absorption maximum of the terminal oxidase in the reduced CO-difference spectrum shifted between 447 and 448 nm. Derepression of biosynthesis of all components was achieved by transition of the cells from carbon- to oxygen-limited growth in continuous culture. The monooxygenase exhibited aminopyrine demethylation activity but not -hydroxylation activity of lauric acid. With respect to the growth limiting nutrient (carbon and oxygen respectively), mitochondrial cytochrome content showed an analogous behavior as cytochrome P450 and cytochrome b₅.     

Time ofAspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin formation in ripening of figs

Figs in an orchard were inoculated with an aflatoxigenicAspergillus flavus strain in two ways by spore injection or by dusting at three maturation stages: firm ripe, shrivelled, and dried. Fruits were individually examined for fungal development and analyzed for aflatoxin B₁ (AF B₁) after 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days. Fruit injected at the first stage showed fungal development and AF B₁ contamination within two days. The toxin level increased sharply to 1 ppm after 10 days. The mean level of AF B₁ (284.75 ng/g) was significantly higher than those observed in other conditions. Figs dusted at the first stage showed only a tiny fungal growth even after 10 days. AF B₁ appeared after 6 days with a low frequency (35%), mean level (7.6 ng/g) and a great variation among figs (0.22–15 ng/g). Among fruits inoculated during the shrivelled fig and dried fruit stages, no fungal growth was observed and AF B₁ was detected with a lower incidence in association with low mean levels (less than 1.25 ng/g). Methods of prevention of aflatoxin contamination at the critical step, the firm ripe stage, are discussed.     

Cytochrome b5 involvement in cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities in house fly microsomes

The involvement of cytochrome b₅ in different cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and palmitoyl CoA desaturase activities in microsomes from insecticide-resistant (LPR) house flies was determined using a specific polyclonal antiserum developed against house fly cytochrome b₅. Anti-b₅ antiserum inhibited the reduction of cytochrome b₅ by NADH-cytochrome b₅ reductase. The antiserum also inhibited palmitoyl CoA desaturase, methoxycoumarin-O-demethylase (MCOD), ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (ECOD), and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase (aromatic hydrocarbon hydroxylase, AHH) activities. However, methoxyresorufin-O-demethylase (MROD) and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethy-lase (EROD) activities were not affected by this antiserum. These results demonstrate that cytochrome b₅ is involved in fatty acyl CoA desaturase activities and in certain cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities (i.e., MCOD, ECOD, and AHH) in LPR house fly microsomes. Other cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities (i.e., MROD and EROD) may not require cytochrome b₅. The results suggest that cytochrome b₅ involvement with cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities is dependent upon the cytochrome P450 isoform involved. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fluorometric analysis of iodinated aflatoxin in minicultures ofAspergillus flavus andAspergillus parasiticus

Summary A convenient miniassay for aflatoxin has been developed for cultures ofAspergillus flavus andA. parasiticus grown for 3–10 days in 10 ml of a coconut extract medium. The sensitivity of the assay, as measured by photofluorometry (365 nm maximum excitation; 445 nm maximum emission), is of the order of 0.01 M (3.12 ng/ml) for aflatoxin B₁ dissolved in aqueous iodine (0.26 mM). High performance liquid chromatography, monitored by fluorometric analysis of both an aflatoxin B₁ standard and selected culture filtrates, confirmed the sensitivity of the assay and indicated specificity for iodine-enhanced fluorescence of aflatoxin in the coconut extract medium. Thin layer chromatography further confirmed the aflatoxin titers and the specificity for enhancement of aflatoxins B₁ and G₁ in culture filtrates.Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Journal No. 6-871297.     

Preharvest seed infection byAspergillus flavus group fungi and subsequent aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts in relation to soil types

Preharvest seed infection byAspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination in selected groundnut genotypes (fourA. flavus-resistant and fourA. flavus-susceptible) were examined in different soil types at several locations in India in 1985–1990. Undamaged mature pods were sampled at harvest and seed examined forA. flavus infection and aflatoxin content in two or more trials at ICRISAT Center on light sandy soils and red sandy loam soils (Alfisols), and on Vertisols, at Anantapur on light sandy soils, and at Dharwad and Parbhani on Vertisols. Rainy season trials (1985–1989) were all rainfed. Post-rainy season trials were irrigated; late-season drought stress (90 days after sowing (DAS) until harvest at 125 DAS) was imposed in the 1987/88 and 1989/90 seasons.A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination levels were much lower in seed of all genotypes from Vertisols than in seed from Alfisols across locations and seasons. Vertisols also had significantly lower populations ofA. flavus than Alfisols. There were no marked differences between light sandy soils and red sandy loam soils (Alfisols) in respect of seed infection byA. flavus and aflatoxin contamination. Significant interactions between genotypes and soil types were evident, especially in theA. flavus-susceptible genotypes. Irrespective of soil types,A. flavus-resistant genotypes showed lower levels of seed infection byA. flavus and other fungi than didA. flavus-susceptible genotypes. The significance of the low preharvest aflatoxin risk in groundnuts grown on Vertisols is highlighted.ICRISAT Journal Article No. JA 1122     

Influence of iturin A on mycelial weight and aflatoxin production byAspergillus flavus andAspergillus parasiticus in shake culture

Iturin A, a peptidolipid produced byBacillus subtilis, inhibits growth of a large number of fungi. In this study, the effects of iturin A were evaluated on nine isolates ofA. flavus and seven isolates ofA. parasiticus in liquid shake culture. The mycelial dry weight of theA. flavus isolates was not significantly influenced by iturin A, however, there was a significant reduction in mycelial dry weight for two of theA. parasiticus isolates. Aflatoxin production was significantly reduced in five of theA. flavus isolates and three of the six aflatoxigenicA. parasiticus isolates. For the other seven isolates, aflatoxin levels were either unchanged or significantly increased in the presence of iturin A. These results indicate that iturin A does not consistently reduce growth or aflatoxin production of these fungi in pure culture.     

烟草细胞色素P450的基因组学分析

细胞色素P450是一类含血红素的单加氧酶超基因家族, 在植物多种代谢途径中起着重要作用。为了解烟草中的P450的种类和数量, 文章将植物代表性P450蛋白质序列与烟草基因组序列比对, 在烟草基因组中鉴定了44个P450家族共263个成员。将这些烟草P450基因与烟草表达序列标签(EST)比对, 发现173个成员有EST证据。通过与拟南芥中已知的P450蛋白序列比较, 分析了部分烟草P450蛋白序列的特征和二级结构。根据烟草基因芯片数据和部分基因的RT-PCR结果, 发现73个烟草P450基因能够在不同的生长发育时期表达, 其中部分基因具有组织特异性。这些研究结果为烟草P450基因功能的深入分析奠定了基础。     

A novel glass fiber disc culture system for testing of small amounts of compounds on growth and aflatoxin production byAspergillus flavus

A new method for growingAspergllius flavus for experimental studies is presented. The system consists of a humidified vial with a thick septum pierced by a pin on which a glass fiber disc is affixed. The disc contains the test solution and inoculum plus medium. The method has been used to assess the effect of variations in culture conditions on production of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁). The AFB₁ level was affected by the amount of medium placed on the disc and type of disc material. The results for different types of glass fiber and quartz discs were compared with AFB₁ produced by fungus grown in liquid medium or on paper discs. When compared to a liquid medium culture there was a 15 to 20-fold increase in AFB₁ for one type of disc. Incubations with less than 14 µl of medium gave satisfactory results. A crude phosphatidylcholine preparation at a concentration of 0.7% of the medium resulted in a 4-fold increase in AFB₁.Abbreviations AFB₁ aflatoxin B₁ - CV coefficient of variation - PC phosphatidylcholine - SD suspended disc     

Behaviour of Aspergillus flavus in presence of Aspergillus niger during biosynthesis of aflatoxin B1

Aspergillus niger or Aspergillus tamarii when grown as mixed cultures with toxigenic A. flavus inhibits biosynthesis of aflatoxin by A. flavus, owing primarily to its ability to produce inhibitors of aflatoxin biosynthesis and to their ability to degrade aflatoxin. Gluconic acid partly prevents aflatoxin production. The other factors such as changes in pH of the medium and the effect on the growth of A. flavus have no role in imparting capabilities to these cultures to inhibit aflatoxin production by A. flavus.     

Induction of a cytochrome P-450-dependent fatty acid monooxygenase in Bacillus megaterium by a barbiturate analog, 1-[2-phenylbutyryl]-3-methylurea

Summary In previous publications from our laboratory, we reported that a soluble, cytochrome P-450-dependent fatty acid monooxygenase from Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14581 can be induced by phenobarbital and a variety of other barbiturates. The tested barbiturates showed an excellent correlation between increasing lipophilicity and increasing inducer potency (Kim BH, Fulco AJ; Biochem Biophys Res Commun 116: 843–850, 1983). The only exception proved to be mephobarbital (N-methylphenobarbital) which, although more lipophilic than phenobarbital, is not an inducer of fatty acid monooxygenase activity. We have now found that 1-[2-phenylbutyryl]-3-methylurea (PBMU), an acylurea that can be derived from mephobarbital by hydrolytic cleavage of the barbiturate ring, is an excellent inducer of this activity. Paradoxically, the addition of mephobarbital to the bacterial growth medium containing PBMU significantly enhances the apparent potency of the acylurea to induce fatty acid monooxygenase activity as measured in cell-free extracts. When cell-free extracts of cells grown separately in PBMU or mephobarbital are mixed no enhancement of activity is seen. This finding suggests that the effect of mephobarbital is to somehow increase the efficiency of PBMU as an inducer of the P-450-dependent fatty acid monooxygenase rather than to induce an activator of this enzyme or a rate-limiting component of the monooxygenase system. Finally, both mephobarbital and PBMU induce the synthesis of total cytochrome P-450 in B. megaterium although PBMU is a much more potent P-450 inducer. For cytochrome P-450 induction, however, there is no synergistic or even additive effect when mephobarbital and PBMU are used together in the bacterial growth medium.Abbreviations PBMU 1-[2-phenylbutyryl]-3-methylurea - M.P. melting point     

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase from Clostridium acetobutylicum: a new alpha-fatty acid hydroxylase

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase from the anaerobic microorganism Clostridium acetobutylicum (CYP152A2) has been produced in Escherichia coli. CYP152A2 was shown to bind a broad range of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and corresponding methyl esters and demonstrated a high peroxygenase activity of up to 200min(-1) with myristic acid. Although a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide of 200microM was necessary for high activities of the enzyme, it led to a fast enzyme inactivation within 2-4min. This might reflect the natural function of CYP152A2 as a rapid hydrogen peroxide scavenging enzyme. In two different reconstituted systems with NADPH, CYP152A2 was able to convert 10 times more substrate, if provided with flavodoxin and flavodoxin reductase from E. coli and even 30-40 times more substrate with the CYP102A1-reductase from Bacillus megaterium. According to the clear preference for hydroxylation at alpha-position, CYP152A2 can be referred to as fatty acid alpha-hydroxylase.     

Alkaloid metabolism by cytochrome P-450 enzymes in Drosophila melanogaster

The cytochrome P-450 family of enzymes is the primary means of foreign compound detoxification in virtually all organisms. Cytochrome P-450s have been strongly implicated in the metabolism of cactus alkaloids, and consequently, the observed patterns of host plant utilization by cactophilic species of Drosophila in the Sonoran Desert. The current study looked for evidence of alkaloid-metabolizing P-450 enzymes in a non-cactophilic species, D. melanogaster. The results of in vitro metabolism assays indicate the presence of a phenobarbital-inducible P-450 in adult D. melanogaster which is capable of metabolizing alkaloids. P-450 quantification data suggest that the enhanced level of metabolism is not the result of an overall increase in total P-450 content. Results from larval viability and adult longevity studies indicate that D. melanogaster's in vitro activity does not produce an enhanced in vivo tolerance of alkaloids.     

The involvement of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases in methanol elimination in Drosophila melanogaster larvae

Methanol is one of the most common short-chain alcohols in fermenting fruits, the natural food of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. The larvae cope continuously with methanol at various concentrations in order to survive and develop. In the present article, we found toxicities of dietary methanol and formaldehyde were enhanced by piperonyl butoxide, but not by 3-amino-1, 2, 4-triazole, 4-methylpyrazole, diethylmeleate, and triphenyl phosphate, when assessing by the combination index method. These results reveal that cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs), rather than catalases, alcohol dehydrogenases, glutathione S-transferases, and esterases, participate in methanol metabolism. Moreover, methanol exposure dramatically increased CYP activity. The ratios of the CYP activities in treated larvae to those in control reached, respectively, up to 3.0-, 3.9-, and 2.7-fold, at methanol concentrations of 22.6, 27.9, and 34.5 mg/g diet. In addition, methanol exposure greatly up-regulated the mRNA expression level of five Cyp genes, which were Cyp304a1, Cyp9f2, Cyp28a5, Cyp4d2, and Cyp4e2. Their resulting proteins were suggested as the candidate enzymes for methanol metabolism in D. melanogaster larvae.     

A screening system for inhibitors of trichothecene biosynthesis: hydroxylation of trichodiene as a target

Fusarium Tri4 encodes a key cytochrome P450 monooxygenase for hydroxylation of trichodiene early in the biosynthesis of trichothecenes. In this study, we established a system for screening for inhibitors of trichothecene biosynthesis using transgenic Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing Tri4. For easy evaluation of the TRI4 activity, trichodiene-11-one was used as a substrate and the formation of 2α-hydroxytrichodiene-11-one was monitored by HPLC. Using this system, TRI4 proved to be inhibited by various flavones and furanocoumarins. We also found that a catechin-containing commercial beverage product, Catechin Supplement 300 (CS300), inhibited TRI4 activity, at a concentration which did not significantly affect the growth of the transgenic yeast. At an early stage of culture, both flavone and CS300 exhibited a toxin-inhibitory activity against Fusarium graminearum. However, inhibition of trichothecene production was not observed with longer incubation periods at minimum concentrations necessary to inhibit >50% of the TRI4 activity, presumably due to the metabolism by the fungus. The results suggest that this yeast screening system with TRI4 is useful for the rapid identification of lead compounds for the design of trichothecene biosynthesis inhibitors that are resistant to modification by the fungus. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Purification of a new cytochrome P-450 from human liver microsomes

Using a classical methodlogy of purification consisting of three chromatographic steps (Octyl-Sepharose, DEAE-cellulose, CM-cellulos) we have purified a new cytochrome P-450 from human liver microsomes. It was called cytochrome P-450₉. It has been proven to be different from all preceedingly purified human liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 isozymes by its immunological and electrophoretical properties. It does not cross-react with any rat liver cytochrome P-450 and anti-cytochrome P-450₉, does not recognize rat liver microsomes; thus this cytochrome P-450₉ is specific to humans. This cytochrome P-450 isozyme exists in low amounts in human liver microsomes and exhibits an important quatitative polymorphism. In reconstituted system, cytochrome P-450₉ is able to hydroxylate all substrates tested but is not specific on any; its exatc role in xenobiotic metabolism in man remains to be elucidated.     

Different media and methodologies for the detection of aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus strains isolated from trout feed

We have studied the aflatoxin producing capacity of 41 Aspergillus flavus strains isolated from the mycoflora present of natural media (wheat, rice and mixed feed) synthetic medium (Aflatoxin Producing Ability Medium) and semisynthetic media (Coconut Agar Medium and Glucose Yeast Extract Agar) were compared. Aflatoxins were analysed on days 4 and 8 post-inoculation under an incubation temperature of 28 °C. A total of 30 strains (75.7%) were producers on natural media as detected by Thin Layer Chromatography: 23 strains on wheat, 27 on rice and 12 on mixed feed. The results by qualitative flourescence tests on synthetic and semisynthetic media were: 3 strains positive on Coconut Agar Medium (CAM) 1 on Glucose Yeast Extract Agar (GY + Agar) and none on Aflatoxin Producing Ability Medium (APA).     

Molecular analysis of two cytochrome P450 monooxygenase genes required for paxilline biosynthesis in Penicillium paxilli,and effects of paxilline intermediates on mammalian maxi-K ion channels

The gene cluster required for paxilline biosynthesis in Penicillium paxilli contains two cytochrome P450 monooxygenase genes, paxP and paxQ. The primary sequences of both proteins are very similar to those of proposed cytochrome P450 monooxygenases from other filamentous fungi, and contain several conserved motifs, including that for a haem-binding site. Alignment of these sequences with mammalian and bacterial P450 enzymes of known 3-D structure predicts that there is also considerable conservation at the level of secondary structure. Deletion of paxP and paxQ results in mutant strains that accumulate paspaline and 13-desoxypaxilline, respectively. These results confirm that paxP and paxQ are essential for paxilline biosynthesis and that paspaline and 13-desoxypaxilline are the most likely substrates for the corresponding enzymes. Chemical complementation of paxilline biosynthesis in paxG (geranygeranyl diphosphate synthase) and paxP, but not paxQ, mutants by the external addition of 13-desoxypaxilline confirms that PaxG and PaxP precede PaxQ, and are functionally part of the same biosynthetic pathway. A pathway for the biosynthesis of paxilline is proposed on the basis of these and earlier results. Electrophysiological experiments demonstrated that 13-desoxypaxilline is a weak inhibitor of mammalian maxi-K channels (K_i=730 nM) compared to paxilline (K_i=30 nM), indicating that the C-13 OH group of paxilline is crucial for the biological activity of this tremorgenic mycotoxin. Paspaline is essentially inactive as a channel blocker, causing only slight inhibition at concentrations up to 1 M.Communicated by E. Cerdà-Olmedo