Characterization of an Agrobacterium tumefaciens D-psicose 3-epimerase that converts D-fructose to D-psicose

The noncharacterized gene previously proposed as the D-tagatose 3-epimerase gene from Agrobacterium tumefaciens was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed enzyme was purified by three-step chromatography with a final specific activity of 8.89 U/mg. The molecular mass of the purified protein was estimated to be 132 kDa of four identical subunits. Mn2+ significantly increased the epimerization rate from D-fructose to D-psicose. The enzyme exhibited maximal activity at 50 degrees C and pH 8.0 with Mn2+. The turnover number (k(cat)) and catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/Km) of the enzyme for D-psicose were markedly higher than those for d-tagatose, suggesting that the enzyme is not D-tagatose 3-epimerase but D-psicose 3-epimerase. The equilibrium ratio between D-psicose and D-fructose was 32:68 at 30 degrees C. D-Psicose was produced at 230 g/liter from 700-g/liter D-fructose at 50 degrees C after 100 min, corresponding to a conversion yield of 32.9%.     

生物转化生产D-塔格糖的食品级菌种选育及L-阿拉伯糖异构酶的克隆表达

L-阿拉伯糖异构酶(L-arabinose isomerase,L-AI)是一种可以催化D-半乳糖为D-塔格糖的胞内异构化酶。随着塔格糖在食品工业中越来越广泛的应用,能够将半乳糖转化为塔格糖的食品级微生物以及食品级来源的L-AI受到更大的关注。文中从各种酸奶制品、泡菜及其他一些食品中采集不同的样品,筛选出1株具有L-AI酶活的食品级菌株,经过生理生化鉴定以及16S rDNA序列测定,确定该菌株为戊糖片球菌,命名为Pediococcus pentosaceus PC-5。以该菌基因组为模板,克隆L-AI基因,并在大肠杆菌BL21成功地异源表达。表达产物经粗提取后,在40℃下加入Mn2+,使D-半乳糖转化为D-塔格糖的转化率为33%。     

Kinetic effects of ATP, divalent metal ions and pH on chicken liver mevalonate 5-diphosphate decarboxylase

The activity of chicken liver mevalonate 5-diphosphate decarboxylase was measured over a wide range of Mg2+ and ATP concentrations. It was found that free ATP activated the enzyme, whereas free Mg2+ had no effect on the enzyme activity. Computed analyses of free species concentrations and pH studies indicated that MgATP2- is the true substrate. The relative efficiencies of Mg2+, Mn2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ as activating metal ions were evaluated in terms of V/Km for the corresponding (metal-ATP)2- complexes, and the relative ratios were: Mn2+ 100, Cd2+ 37, Mg2+ 14, Zn2+ 1.7. Inhibitory effects were demonstrated for all free divalent cations tested, except for Mg2+, and were in the order Zn2+ greater than Cd2+ greater than Mn2+.     

Characterization of a mutated Geobacillus stearothermophilus L-arabinose isomerase that increases the production rate of D-tagatose

AIMS: Characterization of a mutated Geobacillus stearothermophilus L-arabinose isomerase used to increase the production rate of D-tagatose. METHODS AND RESULTS: A mutated gene was obtained by an error-prone polymerase chain reaction using L-arabinose isomerase gene from G. stearothermophilus as a template and the gene was expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed mutated L-arabinose isomerase exhibited the change of three amino acids (Met322-->Val, Ser393-->Thr, and Val408-->Ala), compared with the wild-type enzyme and was then purified to homogeneity. The mutated enzyme had a maximum galactose isomerization activity at pH 8.0, 65 degrees C, and 1.0 mM Co2+, while the wild-type enzyme had a maximum activity at pH 8.0, 60 degrees C, and 1.0-mM Mn2+. The mutated L-arabinose isomerase exhibited increases in D-galactose isomerization activity, optimum temperature, catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) for D-galactose, and the production rate of D-tagatose from D-galactose. CONCLUSIONS: The mutated L-arabinose isomerase from G. stearothermophilus is valuable for the commercial production of D-tagatose. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work contributes knowledge on the characterization of a mutated L-arabinose isomerase, and allows an increased production rate for D-tagatose from D-galactose using the mutated enzyme.     

Bioconversion of D-galactose to D-tagatose: continuous packed bed reaction with an immobilized thermostable L-arabinose isomerase and efficient purification by selective microbial degradation

The continuous enzymatic conversion of D-galactose to D-tagatose with an immobilized thermostable L-arabinose isomerase in packed-bed reactor and a novel method for D-tagatose purification were studied. L-arabinose isomerase from Thermoanaerobacter mathranii (TMAI) was recombinantly overexpressed and immobilized in calcium alginate. The effects of pH and temperature on D-tagatose production reaction catalyzed by free and immobilized TMAI were investigated. The optimal condition for free enzyme was pH 8.0, 60°C, 5 mM MnCl(2). However, that for immobilized enzyme was pH 7.5, 75°C, 5 mM MnCl(2). In addition, the catalytic activity of immobilized enzyme at high temperature and low pH was significantly improved compared with free enzyme. The optimum reaction yield with immobilized TMAI increased by four percentage points to 43.9% compared with that of free TMAI. The highest productivity of 10 g/L h was achieved with the yield of 23.3%. Continuous production was performed at 70°C; after 168 h, the reaction yield was still above 30%. The resultant syrup was then incubated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae L1 cells. The selective degradation of D-galactose was achieved, obtaining D-tagatose with the purity above 95%. The established production and separation methods further potentiate the industrial production of D-tagatose via bioconversion and biopurification processes.     

An L-arabinose isomerase from Acidothermus cellulolytics ATCC 43068: cloning, expression, purification, and characterization

The araA gene encoding an L-arabinose isomerase (L-AI) from the acido-thermophilic bacterium Acidothermus cellulolytics ATCC 43068 was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The open reading frame of the L-AI consisted of 1,503 nucleotides encoding 501 amino acid residues. The recombinant L-AI was purified to homogeneity by heat treatment, ion-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be approximately 55 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme was optimally active at 75°C and pH 7.5. It required divalent metal ions, either Mn²⁺ or Co²⁺, for both enzymatic activity and thermostability improvement at higher temperatures. The enzyme showed relatively high activity and stability at acidic pH. It exhibited over 90% of its maximal activity at pH 6.0 and retained 80% of activity after 12 h incubation at pH 6.0. Catalytic property study showed that the enzyme had an interesting catalytic efficiency. Its apparent K _m, V _max, and catalytic efficiency (k _cat/K _m) for D-galactose was 28.9 mM, 4.9 U/mg, and 9.3 mM⁻¹ min⁻¹, respectively. The enzyme carried out the isomerization of D-galactose to D-tagatose with a conversion yield over 50% after 12 h under optimal conditions, suggesting its potential in D-tagatose production.     

A method for the production of D-tagatose using a recombinant Pichia pastoris strain secreting ß-D-galactosidase from Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus and a recombinant L-arabinose isomerase from

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: D-Tagatose is a natural monosaccharide which can be used as a low-calorie sugar substitute in food, beverages and pharmaceutical products. It is also currently being tested as an anti-diabetic and obesity control drug. D-Tagatose is a rare sugar, but it can be manufactured by the chemical or enzymatic isomerization of D-galactose obtained by a beta-D-galactosidase-catalyzed hydrolysis of milk sugar lactose and the separation of D-glucose and D-galactose. L-Arabinose isomerases catalyze in vitro the conversion of D-galactose to D-tagatose and are the most promising enzymes for the large-scale production of D-tagatose. RESULTS: In this study, the araA gene from psychrotolerant Antarctic bacterium Arthrobacter sp. 22c was isolated, cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The active form of recombinant Arthrobacter sp. 22c L-arabinose isomerase consists of six subunits with a combined molecular weight of approximately 335 kDa. The maximum activity of this enzyme towards D-galactose was determined as occurring at 52[DEGREE SIGN]C; however, it exhibited over 60% of maximum activity at 30[DEGREE SIGN]C. The recombinant Arthrobacter sp. 22c L-arabinose isomerase was optimally active at a broad pH range of 5 to 9. This enzyme is not dependent on divalent metal ions, since it was only marginally activated by Mg2+, Mn2+ or Ca2+ and slightly inhibited by Co2+ or Ni2+. The bioconversion yield of D-galactose to D-tagatose by the purified L-arabinose isomerase reached 30% after 36 h at 50[DEGREE SIGN]C. In this study, a recombinant Pichia pastoris yeast strain secreting beta-D-galactosidase Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus was also constructed. During cultivation of this strain in a whey permeate, lactose was hydrolyzed and D-glucose was metabolized, whereas D-galactose was accumulated in the medium. Moreover, cultivation of the P. pastoris strain secreting beta-D-galactosidase in a whey permeate supplemented with Arthrobacter sp. 22c L-arabinose isomerase resulted in a 90% yield of lactose hydrolysis, the complete utilization of D-glucose and a 30% conversion of D-galactose to D-tagatose. CONCLUSIONS: The method developed for the simultaneous hydrolysis of lactose, utilization of D-glucose and isomerization of D-galactose using a P. pastoris strain secreting beta-D-galactosidase and recombinant L-arabinose isomerase seems to offer an interesting alternative for the production of D-tagatose from lactose-containing feedstock.     

Effect of eosin Y on Ca2+ -independent, Mg2+ -dependent ATPase activity of smooth muscle cell plasma membranes

The effect of eosin Y (2',4',5',7'-tetrabromofluorescin) on basic kinetic parameters of the reaction of Mg2+ -dependent hydrolysis of ATP catalysed "basal" Mg2+ -ATPase myometrial cells plasma membrane has been studied. The eosin Y (10-100 microM) inhibited initial maximal velocity of the "basal" Mg2+ -ATPase of plasma membrane assayed for Mg2+ and ATP. At the same time the given inhibitor reduces the affinity of Mg2+ -ATPase for ATP. However, the difficult effect of the inhibitor action is observed for Mg ions: eosin Y in concentration of 10-50 microM increases the enzyme affinity for the ion-activator, while in concentration of 100 microM the affinity of Mg2+ -ATPase for Mg2+ is reduced. An analysis of eosin Y effect on catalytic efficiency of "basal" Mg2+ -ATPase of plasma membrane has shown, that at saturating concentrations of ATP (1 mM) the enzyme activity is less sensitive to the action of inhibitor. On this basis the conclusion is made that ATP in high concentrations can compete with eosin Y for active centre of Mg2+ -ATPase of smooth muscle cells plasma membrane.     

Comparison between calcium transport and adenosine triphosphatase activity in membrane vesicles derived from rabbit kidney proximal tubules

Characteristics of Ca2+ uptake were studied in a vesicular preparation of proximal tubule plasma membranes from rabbit kidney and compared with the properties of both membrane-bound and solubilized Ca2+-ATPase activities. Calcium uptake required both ATP and MgCl2 and revealed two kinetic components with respect to Ca2+ concentration requirements, one with a high affinity for Ca2+ (1.8 microM), operative in the range of cytosolic Ca2+ activity, and one with a low affinity for Ca2+ (250 microM) which may become active only at abnormally high cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations. The high- and low-affinity components were stimulated to similar extents by phosphate, and required similar concentrations of ATP (0.6 mM) for half-maximal activity. The amount of membrane-bound phosphoenzyme formed from ATP in the presence of Ca2+ was the same regardless of whether only one or both sites were saturated, suggesting that occupancy of the second Ca2+ binding site accelerates the enzyme turnover. Inhibition of Ca2+ transport by Na+ was reversed by the addition of ouabain or an ATP-regenerating system, indicating that this inhibitory effect of Na+ on Ca2+ uptake may be due to the accumulation of ADP in the medium as a result of Na+ pump activity. Low concentrations of carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone and valinomycin (2.5 and 1 microM, respectively) were without effect on Ca2+ uptake in the presence of phosphate, whereas higher concentrations of the ionophores (200 and 100 microM, respectively) reduced uptake by 60% or more. The calmodulin antagonist 48/80 also reduced Ca2+ uptake with half-maximal effectiveness at 100 micrograms/ml. None of these drugs affected either ATPase activity or the EGTA-induced Ca2+ efflux from preloaded vesicles. The Ca2+ dependence of ATP hydrolysis by the membrane-bound enzyme preparation was similar to that observed for Ca2+ uptake by the vesicles. However, with solubilized enzyme, concentrations of Ca2+ similar to that found in the plasma reduced Ca2+-stimulated ATP hydrolysis to one-half of its maximal rate. This indicates that peritubular Ca2+ may play a role in the regulation of Ca2+ transport across the tubular epithelium. ATP could not be replaced by ITP as a substrate for Ca2+ uptake, and the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)ITPase activity of soluble enzyme was 25-fold lower than in the presence of ATP. This is an indication that the active Ca2+ pumping mechanism in proximal tubules is critically dependent on the nucleoside moiety of the substrate.     

Partial purification and characterization of a novel Mg2+-dependent ATPase present in the cytosol from human erythrocytes

Mg2+-ATPase activity was identified in the cytosol of human erythrocytes. A partial purification of this activity was achieved by an initial DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography, followed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and then a second DEAE-Sephadex chromatography procedure. The enzyme appeared in the void volume of the Sephadex G-100 column and was retained on an Amicon XM100A ultrafiltration membrane. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 113 000 from SD gels. The above purification protocol yielded an enzyme with an optimal pH between 7.6 and 8.2. The enzyme activity increased linearly between 30 and 44 degrees C. It was stable for several months at -20 degrees C. Magnesium was essential for activity, but the rate attainable with Mn2+ was at least as great as that due to Mg2+. No other divalent cation was able to substitute for Mg2+ or Mn2+. Neither low nor high Ca2+ concentrations significantly affected the enzymatic activity. Substrate specificity studies showed that ATP was the preferred substrate followed by CTP (46% of the rate produced by ATP). Hydrolysis of GTP, UTP, ITP and ADP was less than 10% of the rate seen with ATP. No phosphatase, pyrophosphatase, phosphodiesterase, hexokinase, phosphofructokinase or adenylate cyclase activity could be detected in this enzyme preparation. Calmodulin, which stimulates the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of the human erythrocyte membrane, failed to enhance the Mg2+-ATPase activity. Of considerable interest, the activity of this Mg2+-ATPase was enhanced approximately 5-fold by low concentrations of mercuric ion, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and DTNB, but was much less sensitive to iodoacetamide.     

Changes in catalytic activity and association state of pyruvate carboxylase which are dependent on enzyme concentration

The specific activity of chicken liver pyruvate carboxylase has been shown to decrease with decreasing enzyme concentration, even at 100 microM, which is close to the estimated physiological concentration. The kinetics of the loss of enzyme specific activity following dilution were biphasic. Incubation of dilution-inactivated enzyme with ATP, acetyl CoA, Mg2+ + ATP or, to a lesser degree, with Mg2+ alone resulted in a high degree of reactivation, while no reactivation occurred in the presence of pyruvate. The association state of the enzyme before, during, and after dilution inactivation has been assessed by gel filtration chromatography. These studies indicate that on dilution, there is dissociation of the catalytically active tetrameric enzyme species into inactive dimers. Reactivation of the enzyme resulted in reassociation of enzymic dimers into tetramers. The enzyme was shown to form high molecular weight aggregates at high enzyme concentrations.     

Cloning, purification and biochemical characterization of metallic-ions independent and thermoactive l-arabinose isomerase from the Bacillus stearothermophilus US100 strain

The araA gene encoding L-arabinose isomerase from Bacillus stearothermophilus US100 strain was cloned, sequenced and over-expressed in E. coli. This gene encodes a 496-amino acid protein with a calculated molecular weight of 56.161 kDa. Its amino acid sequence displays the highest identity with L-AI from Thermus sp. IM6501 (98%) and that of Geobacillus stearothermophilus T6 (97%). According to SDS-PAGE analysis, under reducing and non-reducing conditions, the recombinant enzyme has an apparent molecular weight of nearly 225 kDa, composed of four identical 56-kDa subunits. The L-AI US100 was optimally active at pH 7.5 and 80 degrees C. It was distinguishable by its behavior towards divalent ions. Indeed, the L-AI US100 activity and thermostability were totally independent for metallic ions until 65 degrees C. At temperatures above 65 degrees C, the enzyme was also independent for metallic ions for its activity but its thermostability was obviously improved in presence of only 0.2 mM Co2+ and 1 mM Mn2+. The V(max) values were calculated to be 41.3 U/mg for L-arabinose and 8.9 U/mg for D-galactose. Their catalytic efficiencies (k(cat)/K(m)) for l-arabinose and D-galactose were, respectively, 71.4 and 8.46 mM(-1) min(-1). L-AI US100 converted the d-galactose into D-tagatose with a high conversion rate of 48% after 7 h at 70 degrees C.     

Lactose and D-galactose metabolism in Staphylococcus aureus. III. Purification and properties of D-tagatose-6-phosphate kinase

D-Tagatose-6-phosphate kinase, an inducible enzyme that functions in the metabolism of lactose and D-galactose in Staphylococcus aureus, was purified about 300-fold from an extract of D-galactose-grown cells. The enzyme catalyzed the nucleoside triphosphate-dependent phosphorylation of both D-tagatose 6-phosphate and D-fructose 6-phosphate. Although the Vmax values were equal for these two substrates, the apparent Km values differed by 10,000-fold, being 16 micro M for D-tagatose 6-phosphate and 150 mM for D-fructose 6-phosphate. The purified enzyme was free from the constitutive D-fructose-6-phosphate kinase. Phosphoryl donors used by D-tagatose-6-phosphate kinse, listed in order of decreasing rates at saturating concentrations were GTP, UTP ITP ATP, CTP, and TTP; the Km values were 0.38, 0.91, 0.17, 0.16, 18, and 20 mM, respectively. The enzyme appeared to be nonallosteric; it exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics and was not inhibited by high concentrations of MgATP. However, it was activated 3- to 4-fold by 33.3 mM K+, NH4+, Rb+, and Cs+, and was inhibited 31 to 65% by 33.3 mM Na+ and Li+. It was inactivated reversibly by the thiol reagent, N-ethylmaleimide. The subunit molecular weight was estimated to be 52,000, and the native enzyme appeared to be a dimer with a sedimentation coefficient of 6.8 S. Data on stability, pH optimum, and inducibility of the enzyme are also presented.     

Purification and characterization of membrane-bound phosphatidylinositol kinase from rat brain

A membrane-bound phosphatidylinositol (PI) kinase was purified from rat brain. The enzyme was solubilized with Triton X-100 from salt-washed membrane and purified 11,183-fold, with a final specific activity of 150 nmol/min/mg of protein. Purification steps included several chromatography using Q-Sepharose Fast Flow, cellulose phosphate, Toyopearl HW 55 and Affi-Gel Blue. The purified PI kinase had an estimated molecular weight of 80,000 by gel filtration and 76,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified kinase phosphorylated only PI and did not phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate or diacylglycerol. Km values for PI and ATP were found to be 115 and 150 microM, respectively. The enzyme required Mg2+ (5-20 mM) or Mn2+ (1-2 mM) for activity, was stimulated by 0.1-1.0% (w/v) Triton X-100, and completely inhibited by 0.05% sodium dodecyl sulfate. The enzyme activity showed a broad pH optimum at around 7.4. The enzyme utilized ATP and not GTP as phosphate donor. Nucleoside triphosphates other than ATP and diphosphates significantly inhibited the kinase activity. However, inhibitory effects of adenosine, cAMP, and quercetin were weak.     

Purification and properties of a vanadate- and N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive ATPase from chromaffin granule membranes

A vanadate- and N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive ATPase was purified about 500-fold from chromaffin granule membranes. The purified preparation contained a single major polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of about 115 kDa, which was copurified with the ATPase activity. Immunological studies revealed that this polypeptide has no relation to subunit I (115 kDa) of the H+-ATPase from chromaffin granules. The ATPase activity of the enzyme is inhibited about 50% by 100 microM N-ethylmaleimide or 5 microM vanadate. The enzyme is not sensitive to dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, ouabain, SCH28080, and omeprazole, which distinguishes it from Na+/K+-ATPase and the gastric K+/H+-ATPase. ATP and 2-deoxy ATP are equally effective substrates for the enzyme. However, the enzyme exhibited only 10% activity with GTP as a substrate. UV illumination of the purified enzyme in the presence of [alpha-32P]ATP exclusively labeled the 115 kDa protein. This labeling was increased by Mg2+ and strongly inhibited by Ca2+ ions. Similarly, the ATPase activity was dependent on Mg2+ and inhibited by the presence of Ca2+ ions. The ATPase activity of the enzyme was largely insensitive to monovalent anions and cations, except for F-, which inhibited the vanadate-sensitive ATPase. Incubation of the enzyme in the presence of [14C]N-ethylmaleimide labeled the 115-kDa polypeptide, and this labeling could be prevented by the addition of ATP during the incubation. A reciprocal experiment showed that preincubation with N-ethylmaleimide inhibited the labeling of the 115-kDa polypeptide by [alpha-32P]ATP by UV illumination. This suggests a close proximity between the ATP-binding site and an essential sulfhydryl group. A possible connection between the isolated ATPase and organelle movement is discussed.     

Purification and characterization of two extremely thermostable enzymes, phosphate acetyltransferase and acetate kinase, from the hyperthermophilic eubacterium Thermotoga maritima

Phosphate acetyltransferase (PTA) and acetate kinase (AK) of the hyperthermophilic eubacterium Thermotoga maritima have been purified 1,500- and 250-fold, respectively, to apparent homogeneity. PTA had an apparent molecular mass of 170 kDa and was composed of one subunit with a molecular mass of 34 kDa, suggesting a homotetramer (alpha4) structure. The N-terminal amino acid sequence showed significant identity to that of phosphate butyryltransferases from Clostridium acetobutylicum rather than to those of known phosphate acetyltransferases. The kinetic constants of the reversible enzyme reaction (acetyl-CoA + Pi -->/<-- acetyl phosphate + CoA) were determined at the pH optimum of pH 6.5. The apparent Km values for acetyl-CoA, Pi, acetyl phosphate, and coenzyme A (CoA) were 23, 110, 24, and 30 microM, respectively; the apparent Vmax values (at 55 degrees C) were 260 U/mg (acetyl phosphate formation) and 570 U/mg (acetyl-CoA formation). In addition to acetyl-CoA (100%), the enzyme accepted propionyl-CoA (60%) and butyryl-CoA (30%). The enzyme had a temperature optimum at 90 degrees C and was not inactivated by heat upon incubation at 80 degrees C for more than 2 h. AK had an apparent molecular mass of 90 kDa and consisted of one 44-kDa subunit, indicating a homodimer (alpha2) structure. The N-terminal amino acid sequence showed significant similarity to those of all known acetate kinases from eubacteria as well that of the archaeon Methanosarcina thermophila. The kinetic constants of the reversible enzyme reaction (acetyl phosphate + ADP -->/<-- acetate + ATP) were determined at the pH optimum of pH 7.0. The apparent Km values for acetyl phosphate, ADP, acetate, and ATP were 0.44, 3, 40, and 0.7 mM, respectively; the apparent Vmax values (at 50 degrees C) were 2,600 U/mg (acetate formation) and 1,800 U/mg (acetyl phosphate formation). AK phosphorylated propionate (54%) in addition to acetate (100%) and used GTP (100%), ITP (163%), UTP (56%), and CTP (21%) as phosphoryl donors in addition to ATP (100%). Divalent cations were required for activity, with Mn2+ and Mg2+ being most effective. The enzyme had a temperature optimum at 90 degrees C and was stabilized against heat inactivation by salts. In the presence of (NH4)2SO4 (1 M), which was most effective, the enzyme did not lose activity upon incubation at 100 degrees C for 3 h. The temperature optimum at 90 degrees C and the high thermostability of both PTA and AK are in accordance with their physiological function under hyperthermophilic conditions.     

Partial purification and characterization of a novel Mg2+- dependent ATPase present in the cytosol from human erthrocytes

Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was identified in the cytosol of human erythrocytes. A partial purification of this activity was achieved by an initial DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography, followed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and then a second DEAE-Sephadex chromatography procedure. The enzyme appeared in the void volume of the Sephadex G-100 column and was retained on an Amicon XM100A ultrafiltration membrane. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 113 000 from SDS gels. The above purification protocol yielded an enzyme with an optimal pH between 7.6 and 8.2. The enzyme activity increased linearly between 30 and 44°C. It was stable for several months at ?20°C. Magnesium was essential for activity, but the rate attainable with Mn²⁺ was at least as great as that due to Mg²⁺. No other divalent cation was able to substitute for Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺. Neither low nor high Ca²⁺ concentrations significantly affected the enzymatic activity. Substrate specificity studies showed that ATP was the preferred substrate followed by CTP (46% of the rate produced by ATP). Hydrolysis of GTP, UTP, ITP and ADP was less than 10% of the rate seen with ATP. No phosphatase, pyrophosphatase, phosphodiesterase, hexokinase, phosphofructokinase or adenylate cyclase activity could be detected in this enzyme preparation. Calmodulin, which stimulates the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase of the human erythrocyte membrane, failed to enhance the Mg²⁺-ATPase activity. Of considerable interest, the activity of this Mg²⁺-ATPase was enhanced approximately 5-fold by low concentrations of mercuric ion, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and DTNB, but was much less sensitive to iodoacetamide.     

Partial purification and characterization of a novel Mg- dependent ATPase present in the cytosol from human erthrocytes

Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was identified in the cytosol of human erythrocytes. A partial purification of this activity was achieved by an initial DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography, followed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and then a second DEAE-Sephadex chromatography procedure. The enzyme appeared in the void volume of the Sephadex G-100 column and was retained on an Amicon XM100A ultrafiltration membrane. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 113 000 from SDS gels. The above purification protocol yielded an enzyme with an optimal pH between 7.6 and 8.2. The enzyme activity increased linearly between 30 and 44°C. It was stable for several months at −20°C. Magnesium was essential for activity, but the rate attainable with Mn²⁺ was at least as great as that due to Mg²⁺. No other divalent cation was able to substitute for Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺. Neither low nor high Ca²⁺ concentrations significantly affected the enzymatic activity. Substrate specificity studies showed that ATP was the preferred substrate followed by CTP (46% of the rate produced by ATP). Hydrolysis of GTP, UTP, ITP and ADP was less than 10% of the rate seen with ATP. No phosphatase, pyrophosphatase, phosphodiesterase, hexokinase, phosphofructokinase or adenylate cyclase activity could be detected in this enzyme preparation. Calmodulin, which stimulates the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase of the human erythrocyte membrane, failed to enhance the Mg²⁺-ATPase activity. Of considerable interest, the activity of this Mg²⁺-ATPase was enhanced approximately 5-fold by low concentrations of mercuric ion, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate and DTNB, but was much less sensitive to iodoacetamide.     

High production of D-tagatose by the addition of boric acid

An L-arabinose isomerase mutant enzyme from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans was used to catalyze the isomerization of D-galactose to D-tagatose with boric acid. Maximum production of D-tagatose occurred at pH 8.5-9.0, 60 degrees C, and 0.4 molar ratio of boric acid to D-galactose, and the production increased with increasing enzyme concentration. Under the optimum conditions, the enzyme (10.8 units/mL) converted 300 g/L D-galactose to 230 g/L D-tagatose for 20 h with a yield of 77% (w/w); the production and conversion yield with boric acid were 1.5-fold and 24% higher than without boric acid, respectively. In 24 h, the enzyme produced 370 g/L D-tagatose from 500 g/L D-galactose with boric acid, corresponding to a conversion yield of 74% (w/w) and a production rate of 15.4 g/L.h. The production and yield of D-tagatose obtained in this study are unprecedented.     

Novel Microbial Inhibitors of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme,Aspergillomarasmines A and B

Brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from the midgut epithelial cells of silkworm larvae were prepared. ATP hydrolyzing activity (ATPase activity) was associated with the BBMV. ATPase activity without Mg^{2 +} was not observed at pH 7 but substantial ATP hydrolyzing activity was observed at pH 7 with Mg^{2 +}. The enzyme required Mn^{2 +}, Mg^{2 +}, or Ca²⁺ ions. The enzyme also hydrolyzed ITP and GTP but not p-NPP, ADP, or AMP. KNO₃ and NEM strongly inhibited the ATPase activity. Behaviours of the ATPase against inhibitors suggested that it resembled vacuolar type ATPase.