Isolation from a softwood xylan of oligosaccharides containing two 4-O-methyl-d-glucuronic acid residues

Partial hydrolysis of a larch arabino(4-O-methylglucurono)xylan afforded two series of oligouronides composed of 4-O-methyl- d-glucuronic acid and d-xylose residues. The first series included aldouronic acids up to the aldopentaouronic acid. Methylation analysis indicated that the aldopentao- and aldotetrao-uronic acids were mixtures of isomers. One aldotetraouronic acid was isolated and identified as O-β-d-Xylp-(1 → 4)-O-β-d-Xylp-(1 → 4)-O-(4-O-Me-α-d-GlcAp)-(1 → 2)-d-Xyl. The two isomeric aldotriouronic acids were separated from each other. The acids of the second series, which were composed of two uronic acids and 2-4 d-xylose residues, were identified as follows: O-β-d-Xylp-(1 → 4)-O-(4-O-Me-α-d-GlcAp)-(1 → 2)-O-β-d-Xylp-(1 → 4)-O(4-O-Me-α-d-GlcAp)-(1 → 2)-O-β-d-Xylp-(1 → 4)-d-Xyl, O-(4-O-Me-α-d-GlcAp)-(1 → 2)-O-β-d-Xylp-(1 → 4)-O-(4-O-Me-α-d-GlcAp)-(1 → 2)-O-β-d-Xylp-(1 → 4)-O-β-d -Xylp-(1 → 4)-D-Xyl, O-(4-O-Me-α-d-GlcAp)-(1 → 2)-O-β-d-Xylp-(1 → 4)-O-(4-O-Mec-α-d-GlcAp)-(1 → 2)-O-β-d-Xylp-(1 → 4)-D-Xyl, and O-(4-O-Me-α-d-GlcAp)-(1 → 2)-O-β-d-Xylp-(1 → 4)-O-(4-O-Me-α-d-GlcAp)-(1 → 2)-D-Xyl. The first three compounds were new acidic oligosaccharides. The 4-O-methyl-d-glucuronic acid in the second series was present in a larger proportion than in the first series, indicating that a large proportion of the uronic acid side-chains were located on two contiguous D-xylose residues in the backbone of the softwood xylan.     

The preparation and microbiological evaluation of the inhibitory effects of some acrylic acid derivatives

The following acrylic acid derivatives have been prepared and microbiologically evaluated as possible inhibitors of the growth of lactobacilli; indoleacrylic acid, β-(2-quinolyl)-, β-(3-quinolyl)-, β-(4-quinolyl) acrylic acids, cinnamic acid, p-hydroxycinnamic acid, p-dimethylaminocinnamic acid, p-diethylaminocinnamic acid, thienylacrylic acid, furylacrylic acid, and α-ethylacrylic acid.The utilization of tryptophan by Leuconostoc mesenteroides P-60 and Lactobacillus arabinosus was inhibited by the isomeric quinolylacrylic acid derivatives as well as by indoleacrylic acid. With this latter compound and the β-(3-quinolyl)acrylic acid, competitive inhibition was shown.p-Hydroxycinnamic acid inhibited the utilization of phenylalanine and tyrosine by all the organisms tested. At similar concentrations neither cinnamic acid nor phenol exerted any inhibitory effect.The effects of all inhibitors could be at least partially reversed by the addition of larger quantities of the corresponding amino acids.     

Disaccharide 1-phosphate polymers of some representatives of the Bacillus subtilis group

Disaccharide 1-phosphate polymers as well as teichoic acids of various structures have been found in the cell walls of the representatives of the Bacillus subtilis group, namely Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii VKM B-720 and VKM B-916, B. subtilis VKM B-517, and Bacillus vallismortis VKM B-2653^T. Disaccharide 1-phosphate polymers are composed of repeating units of the following structure: -P-4)-β-D-GlcpNAc-(1→6)-α-D-Galp-(1-, the N-acetylglucosamine residues are partially acetylated at positions O3 and O6 (VKM B-720 and VKM B-916); -P-4)-β-D-Glcp-(1→6)-α-D-GlcpNAc-(1-, the glucopyranose residues are partially acetylated at positions O2 or O3 (VKM B-517); -P-6)-α-D-GlcpNH ₃ ⁺ /α-D-GlcpNAc-(1→2)-α-D-Glcp-(1-, the N-acetylglucosamine residues are partially deacetylated (VKM B-2653^T). The structures of the two last disaccharide 1-phosphate polymers have not been reported so far for Gram-positive bacteria. The teichoic acids in the studied strains are O-D-alanyl-1,5-poly(ribitol phosphates) substituted with β-D-glucopyranose (VKM B-517, VKM B-720, VKM B-916) or 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranose (VKM B-2653^T). The structures of the phosphate-containing polymers have been studied by chemical methods and by NMR spectroscopy.     

Oxidation of Alkyl-substituted Cyclic Hydrocarbons by a Nocardia during Growth on n-Alkanes

Nocardia 107-332, a soil isolate, oxidizes short-chain alkyl-substituted cyclic hydrocarbons to cyclic acids while growing on n-alkanes. Cyclic acids are produced also from relatively long-chain alkyl-substituted cyclics such as n-nonylbenzene or n-dodecylbenzene which alone support growth in a mineral-salts medium. ω-Oxidation of the alkyl substituents is followed by β-oxidation. It is of particular interest that cyclic acids such as cyclohexaneacetic and phenylacetic with C₂ residual carboxylic acid substituents are resistant to further oxidation by the nocardia but cyclic acids with C₁ or C₃ substituents are readily oxidized and utilized for growth.

The specificity of microbial oxidations is demonstrated by the conversion of p-isopropyltoluene (p-cymene) to p-isopropylbenzoic acid in n-alkane, growth-supported nocardia cultures.

     

Phospholipid composition of the membrane of lutoids from Hevea brasiliensis latex

Intact lutoids were isolated from the latex of Hevea brasiliensis and purified on a sucrose density gradient. Lutoid membranes prepared by osmotic lysis are characterized by a high content of phosphatidic acid in which unsaturated and saturated fatty acids are present in equal proportions. Linolenic acid is absent. The results are discussed in relation to the biological role of lutoids in the latex vessels of Hevea brasiliensis.     

Kinetic study of possible intermediates in the biosynthesis of chlorogenic acid in Cestrum poeppigii

p-Coumaric and 3-O-p-coumarylquinic acid seem to be important precursors of chlorogenic acid in the leaves of Cestrum poeppigii. 3-O-Cinnamylquinic acid, which has a very small metabolic activity, is of little importance in this respect. The kinetics of incorporation of radioactivity from t-cinnamic acid-3-[¹⁴C] into p-coumaric, 3-O-p-coumarylquinic, chlorogenic and 3-O-cinnamylquinic acid showed that the biosynthetic rates for these products decrease in the order shown. For p-coumaric acid, which has a markedly high metabolic activity, a turnover rate of 28 μg/hr and per gram fresh plant leaf, was calculated. Some trapping experiments with caffeic acid, and the acids mentioned above and using either t-cinnamic acid-3-[¹⁴C] or p-coumaric acid-2-[¹⁴C] as precursor, are discussed. A HPLC method for the rapid determination of phenolic acids in plant extracts, is described.     

Conjugated fatty acids from latex of Euphorbia lathyris

The fatty acids esterified with triterpene and diterpene alcohols from the latex of Euphorbia lathyris were analyzed. 77% of the fatty acids esterified with triterpenes were conjugated, the main components of which were decadienoic and decatrienoic acids. Of the acids esterified with diterpenes, 81% were decatrienoic and dodecatrienoic acids.     

Euphorbia characias Latex Amine Oxidase and Peroxidase: Interacting Enzymes?

This minireview deals the enzymatic transformation of some amino acids as arginine and ornithine, amines as tyramine, putrescine, spermine and spermidine, and other substances as nitric oxide and thiocyanate. These reactions, catalyzed by two proteins purified from the latex of Euphorbia characias, a copper/quinone containing amine oxidase and a cationic peroxidase, show enzymatic activity interactions probably occurring between these proteins in Euphorbia latex.     

The p-coumaryl CoA ligase of potato tubers

The demonstration of activity of p-coumaryl CoA ligase in extracts of aged potato disks proved difficult owing to the presence of extremely high levels of apyrase which caused rapid hydrolysis of ATP, a co-factor for ligase activity. This problem was largely overcome by including an inhibitor of apyrase, sodium fluoride in the ligase assay and by initiation of the reaction with ATP. A method for the separation of apyrase and p-coumaryl CoA ligase by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose is described. p-Coumaryl CoA ligase was not detectable in freshly prepared disks of potato tubers. However on ageing in the light a large increase in the activity of this enzyme occurs, The enzyme of aged potato disks shows high activity with p-coumaric, ferulic, caffeic and with m- and p-methoxycinnamic acids. However the affinity of the enzyme for the methoxy derivatives is much lower than for cinnamic acids bearing free hydroxyl groups.     

Modified method for determination of hippuric acid and methylhippuric acid in urine by gas chromatography

A modified method for the simultaneous determination of hippuric acid (HA) and o-, m- and p-methylhippuric acids (o-, m- and p-MHAs) in urine is described. These metabolites were extracted, derivatized into their methyl ester derivatives and analyzed using a gas chromatograph equipped with flame ionization detector and a DB-1 capillary column. The derivatives of HA, o-, m- and p-MHAs were well separated within 11 min. The accuracy and precision in the present method were sufficient for quantitative analysis, and the results obtained by the GC method were highly correlated with those by the HPLC method (NIOSH 8301).     

Tyramine oxidation by copper/TPQ amine oxidase and peroxidase from Euphorbia characias latex

Tyramine, an important plant intermediate, was found to be a substrate for two proteins, a copper amine oxidase and a peroxidase from Euphorbia characias latex. The oxidation of tyramine took place by two different mechanisms: oxidative deamination to p-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde by the amine oxidase and formation of di-tyramine by the peroxidase. The di-tyramine was further oxidized at the two amino groups by the amino oxidase, whereas p-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde was transformed to di-p-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde by the peroxidase. Data obtained in this study indicate a new interesting scenario in the metabolism of tyramine.     

Aromatic and fatty acids of triterpene esters and rubber content of Hoya latices and their taxonomic significance

The acid composition and the rubber content of the latices of 20 Hoya species were determined. All acids isolated from the latices were esterified with triterpenols and particle-bound. Cinnamic acid was the main acid in most latices. Acetic acid occurred in all latices, and predominated in three of the investigated species. Isovaleric acid and benzoic acid were present in some species; in one latex (H. bella) isovaleric acid was the predominant acid. Almost all species contained small amounts of phenylpropionic acid, and in two species this acid was a major compound. Longchain fatty acids were present as minor compounds. Rubber occurred in all particle-containing latices; its contribution to the total lipid fraction ranged from 1.7–24.0%. The acid profiles proved to be species-specific in Hoya and may be useful in species identification. Patterns of latex particle synthesis are proposed.     

Growth of Azotobacter vinelandii on Soil Nutrients

Azotobacter vinelandii cells grew well in a medium made from soil and distilled water which contained little or no carbohydrate. They utilized p-hydroxybenzoic acid and other phenolic acids, soil nitrogen, and water-soluble mineral substances. Seventeen soils which supported excellent growth of A. vinelandii contained 11 to 18 different phenolic acids each, including p-hydroxybenzoic, m-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, p-coumeric, syringic, cis- and trans-ferrulic, and other unidentified aromatic acids. Three white, chalky “caliche” soils which were taken from areas where no plants grew failed to support the growth of A. vinelandii, and these contained no, two, and three phenolic acids, respectively. A. vinelandii did not fix nitrogen when growing in dialysates of soils which contained numerous phenolic acids. Growth was ample and rapid in most of the soils tested, but cell morphology was different from that usually seen in chemically defined, nitrogen-free media which contain glucose.     

Characterization of typo-, regio-, and stereo-selectivities of babaco latex lipase in aqueous and organic media

The unripe fruit of babaco (Vasconcellea × heilbornii; syn. Carica pentagona) contains a latex, similar to that in Carica papaya, which exhibits lipolytic activity. Herein, the regioselectivity, stereoselectivity and typoselectivity in both hydrolysis and acyltransfer reactions of babaco latex lipases were studied and compared to those of Carica papaya latex. In hydrolysis, both biocatalysts are 1,3-regioselective with ratios for 1,2-2,3-diacylglycerols/1,3-diacylglycerol of 6.5 and 21 for babaco and papaya, respectively. In contrast, papaya latex had a slight sn-3 stereopreference. Babaco latex displayed a higher activity on triacylglycerols with short chain and unsaturated fatty acids     

A nucleotide-independent nitroxide probe reports on site-specific stereomeric environment in DNA

In this report, stereospecific structural and dynamic features in DNA are studied using the site-directed spin labeling technique. A stable nitroxide radical, 1-oxyl-4-bromo-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrroline (R5a), was attached postsynthetically to phosphorothioates that were chemically introduced, one at a time, at five sites of a DNA duplex. The two phosphorothioate diastereomers (R_p or S_p) were separated, and nitroxide rotational motions were monitored using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The resulting spectra vary according to diastereomer identity and location of the labeling site, with R_p-R5a spectra effectively reporting on local DNA structural features and S_p-R5a spectra sensing variations in local DNA motions. This establishes R_p- and S_p-R5a as unique probes for investigating nucleic acids in a site- and stereospecific manner, which may aid studies of stereospecific DNA/protein interactions. In addition, weighted averages of individual R_p and S_p spectra match those of R5a attached to mixed diastereomers. This suggests that R5a linked to mixed diastereomers reports on the composite behaviors of R_p- and S_p-R5a and is useful in initial probing of the DNA local environment. This work advances understanding of R5a/DNA coupling, and is a key step forward in developing a nucleotide-independent spectroscopic probe for studying nucleic acids.     

Simple enzymatic detection method for urinary sulfated 7α-hydroxy bile acids in normal subjects and in patients with acute hepatitis

Urinary sulfated primary bile acids, 7α-hydroxy bile acids, are detected by an enzymatic method using 7α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.-, 7α-HSD) after chromatographic fractionation on Sephadex G-25. Urinary sulfated or glucuronated bile acids are hydrolyzed by β-glucuronidase/sulfatase (EC 3.2.1.31/EC 3.1.6.1) from Helix pomatia and then released 7α-hydroxy bile acids are detected with 7α-HSD in the presence of β-NAD⁺, diaphorase (EC 1.6.99.2, from Clostridium kluyveri) and 2-p-iodophenyl-3-p-nitrophenyl-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride. The absorbance of formazan formed during the enzymic reaction is measured at 500 nm. Excretion values of 7α-hydroxy bile acids in normal subjects and in patients with acute hepatitis were compared. This enzymatic detection method for the excretion pattern of urinary 7α-hydroxy bile acids may be useful for clinical diagnosis.     

Enhanced Lignin Monomer Production Caused by Cinnamic Acid and Its Hydroxylated Derivatives Inhibits Soybean Root Growth

Cinnamic acid and its hydroxylated derivatives (p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic and sinapic acids) are known allelochemicals that affect the seed germination and root growth of many plant species. Recent studies have indicated that the reduction of root growth by these allelochemicals is associated with premature cell wall lignification. We hypothesized that an influx of these compounds into the phenylpropanoid pathway increases the lignin monomer content and reduces the root growth. To confirm this hypothesis, we evaluated the effects of cinnamic, p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic and sinapic acids on soybean root growth, lignin and the composition of p-hydroxyphenyl (H), guaiacyl (G) and syringyl (S) monomers. To this end, three-day-old seedlings were cultivated in nutrient solution with or without allelochemical (or selective enzymatic inhibitors of the phenylpropanoid pathway) in a growth chamber for 24 h. In general, the results showed that 1) cinnamic, p-coumaric, caffeic and ferulic acids reduced root growth and increased lignin content; 2) cinnamic and p-coumaric acids increased p-hydroxyphenyl (H) monomer content, whereas p-coumaric, caffeic and ferulic acids increased guaiacyl (G) content, and sinapic acid increased sinapyl (S) content; 3) when applied in conjunction with piperonylic acid (PIP, an inhibitor of the cinnamate 4-hydroxylase, C4H), cinnamic acid reduced H, G and S contents; and 4) when applied in conjunction with 3,4-(methylenedioxy)cinnamic acid (MDCA, an inhibitor of the 4-coumarate:CoA ligase, 4CL), p-coumaric acid reduced H, G and S contents, whereas caffeic, ferulic and sinapic acids reduced G and S contents. These results confirm our hypothesis that exogenously applied allelochemicals are channeled into the phenylpropanoid pathway causing excessive production of lignin and its main monomers. By consequence, an enhanced stiffening of the cell wall restricts soybean root growth.     

Changes in isoperoxidases induced by hydroxyphenylacetic acids

The effects ofo-, m- andp-hydroxyphenylacetic acids on total peroxidase activity and isoperoxidase patterns of wheat coleoptile sections were studied.o-andm-HOPA reduced the total peroxidase activity whilep-HOPA increased it. Electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel revealed thato- andm-HOPA diminish the intensity of some anodic and cathodic bands, but thatp-HOPA increases anodic and reduces cathodic isoperoxidases. These results may explain the apparently paradoxical positive effects ofp-HOPA on both growth and total peroxidase activity.     

Multiple molecular forms of ficin-evidence against autolysis as explanation

While the total amount of proteolytic enzyme activity in the latex from Ficus carica varieties Kadota and Black Mission showed seasonal variation and was different between the 2 crops of figs in the latex collected at the same time and from the same tree, there is no difference in the number of multiple molecular forms of ficin present as demonstrated by chromatography on carboxymethyl-cellulose. The number of multiple forms of ficin is also the same, with 1 exception, among samples of latex which have been collected with no protection against proteolysis, samples which have been collected directly into sodium p-chloromercuribenzoate to inhibit all proteolysis and samples which have been held at an elevated temperature so as to encourage proteolysis. Evidence is presented to support the proposal that component C of Ficus carica variety Kadota is not present in the original latex but that it is produced from component D during the purification procedure. The data support the hypothesis that, with the possible exception of 1 component, the multiple molecular forms of ficin are not the result of artifacts produced by autolysis during collection, storage and purification of the sample.