Chemical structure-dependent gene expression of proteasome subunits via regulation of the antioxidant response element

Antioxidants possess potent ability to regulate gene expression beyond their specific antioxidant activity. Genomic analysis reveals that three phenolic antioxidants, probucol, BO-653, and tBHQ, all of which have a phenoxyl group with one or two tert-butyl groups at the ortho-position, inhibit both the mRNA and protein levels of proteasome alpha-subunits in human endothelial cells. The chemical structure required for the gene regulation was studied by using derivatives of BO-653 and other antioxidants. It was found that the phenoxyl group and tert-butyl group at the ortho-position of the compounds were critical for down-regulation of the proteasome gene. Two antioxidant responsive elements (AREs) were identified in the promoter region of proteasome alpha subunit 3 (PSMA3). Results from promoter truncation analysis revealed that the proximal ARE region was necessary for the down-regulation of the expression of PSMA3. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that BO-653-mediated induction of DNA-binding to an upstream promoter region of PSMA3 containing the ARE motif was blocked by antibody against c-Jun but not Nrf2. These results indicate that the suppression of the proteasome alpha subunits expression by phenolic antioxidants is strictly dependent on both their chemical structure and the ARE consensus region in the promoter, which may be negatively regulated by AP-1.     

Structure-activity relationships of novel anti-malarial agents. Part 3: N-(4-acylamino-3-benzoylphenyl)-4-propoxycinnamic acid amides

We have described 5-(4-propoxycinnamoylamino)-2-(4-tolylacetylamino)benzophenone 6e as a novel lead for anti-malarial agents. Anti-malarial activity of these 5-(4-propoxycinnamoylamino)benzophenones proved to be quite sensitive against variations of the acyl substituent at the 2-amino group. Best activity was obtained with phenylacetic acid moieties carrying small substituents in the para-position. From the para-substituents evaluated, the trifluoromethyl group yielded the most active compound (6j) in this series (IC50=120 nM). Deviations from the phenylacetic acid substructure, shifting the substituent into the ortho-position or bulkier para-substituents resulted in a significant reduction in anti-malarial activity.     

Isolation and characterization of two aerobic bacterial strains that completely degrade ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE)

Two bacterial strains, E1 and E2, isolated from gasoline-polluted soil completely degraded ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), as the sole source of carbon and energy, at specific rates of about 80 mg g(-1) and 58 mg g(-1) of cell protein day(-1), respectively. On the basis of morphological and phenotypic characteristics, strain E1 was tentatively identified as Comamonas testosteroni and strain E2 as belonging to Centre for Disease Control group A-5. The inhibitory effect of metyrapone on the degradative ability of both strains was the first evidence indicating the involvement of a soluble cytochrome P-450 in the cleavage of the ETBE ether bond. This observation was confirmed by spectrophotometric analysis of reduced cell extracts that gave, in the presence of carbon monoxide, a major absorbance peak at about 450 nm. Both strains were also able to degrade, as the sole source of carbon and energy, ETBE's major metabolic intermediates (tert-butyl alcohol and tert-butyl formate) and other gasoline oxygenates (methyl tert-butyl ether and tert-amyl methyl ether). The degradation rates varied considerably, with both strains exhibiting a preferential activity for ETBE's metabolic intermediates.     

Response of the antioxidant defense system to tert-butyl hydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide in a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2)

The aim of this work was to investigate the response of the antioxidant defense system to two oxidative stressors, hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide, in HepG2 cells in culture. The parameters evaluated included enzyme activity and gene expression of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and activity of glutathione reductase. Besides, markers of the cell damage and oxidative stress evoked by the stressors such as cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species generation, malondialdehyde levels, and reduced glutathione concentration were evaluated. Both stressors, hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide, enhanced cell damage and reactive oxygen species generation at doses above 50 microM. The concentration of reduced glutathione decreased, and levels of malondialdehyde and activity of the antioxidant enzymes consistently increased only when HepG2 cells were treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide but not when hydrogen peroxide was used. A slight increase in the gene expression of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and catalase with 500 microM tert-butyl hydroperoxide and of catalase with 200 microM hydrogen peroxide was observed. The response of the components of the antioxidant defense system evaluated in this study indicates that tert-butyl hydroperoxide evokes a consistent cellular stress in HepG2.     

QSAR study on the affinity of some arylpiperazines towards the 5-HT1A/alpha1-adrenergic receptor using the E-state index

QSAR models represent the relationship of biological activity with either physicochemical parameters or structural indices. QSAR study was performed on some arylpiperazines as 5-HT(1A)/alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonists using E-state indices to identify the pharmacophoric requirements. It was found that some of the atoms played important roles to both activities and some played important role in selectivity of compound to the 5-HT(1A) antagonistic activity. The presence of COONHPr group at the ortho-position of the phenyl ring might be disadvantageous and Br at meta-position might be conducive to the activity. COOPr at the ortho-position might be disfavored the adrenergic alpha(1)-antagonistic activity, thus increase the selectivity.     

Isoferulic acid action against glycation-induced changes in structural and functional attributes of human high-density lipoprotein

Glycation-induced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) modification by aldehydes can result in loss of its antiinflammatory/antioxidative properties, contributing to diabetes-associated cardiovascular diseases. Isoferulic acid, a major active ingredient of Cimicifuga heracleifolia, shows antiinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties. Thus, this study investigated the antiglycation effect of isoferulic acid against compositional modifications of HDL and loss of biological activity of HDL-paraoxonase induced on incubation with different aldehydes. Protective effect of isoferulic acid was assessed by subjecting purified HDL from human plasma to glycation with methylglyoxal, glyoxal, or glycolaldehyde and varying concentrations of isoferulic acid. The effect of isoferulic acid was analyzed by determining amino group number, tryptophan and advanced glycation end-product fluorescence, thermal denaturation studies, carboxymethyl lysine content, and activity of HDL-paraoxonase. Concentration-dependent inhibitory action of isoferulic acid was observed against extensive structural perturbations, decrease in amino group number, increase in carboxymethyl lysine content, and decrease in the activity of HDL-paraoxonase caused by aldehyde-associated glycation in the HDL molecule. Isoferulic acid, when taken in concentration equal to that of aldehydes, was most protective, as 82-88% of paraoxonase activity was retained for all studied aldehydes. Isoferulic acid shows antiglycation action against aldehyde-associated glycation in HDL, which indicates its therapeutic potential for diabetic patients, especially those with micro-/macrovascular complications.     

Anti-influenza virus activities of 2-alkoxyimino-n-(2-isoxazolin-3-ylmethyl)acetamides.

A series of 2-alkoxyimino-N-(2-isoxazolin-3-ylmethyl)acetamides and related compounds were synthesized and their antiviral activities against human influenza A virus were assessed. Studies of the structure-activity relationships revealed the strongest antiviral activity when position-5 of the isoxazoline ring was substituted with a tert-butyl group. When the alkoxyimino moiety was substituted with a methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or allyl group, good antiviral activity was obtained. Among the geometrical isomers at the oxime moiety, the E-isomers were more active than the Z-isomers. Among the compounds examined, (E)-2-allyloxyimino-2-cyano-N-(5-tert-butyl-2-isoxazolin-3-ylmethyl)acetamide (1j) was the most active inhibitor with an EC(50) of 3 microg/mL in vitro.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of linear phenylethynylbenzenesulfonamide regioisomers as cyclooxygenase-1/-2 (COX-1/-2) inhibitors

A group of regioisomeric phenylethynylbenzenesulfonamides possessing a COX-2 SO2NH2 pharmacophore at the para-, meta- or ortho-position of the C-1 phenyl ring, in conjunction with a C-2 substituted-phenyl (H, OMe, OH, Me, F) group, were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isozymes. The target 1,2-diphenylacetylenes were synthesized via a palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. In vitro COX-1/-2 isozyme inhibition structure-activity data showed that COX-1/-2 inhibition and the COX selectivity index (SI) are sensitive to the regioisomeric placement of the COX-2 SO2NH2 pharmacophore where the COX-2 potency order for the benzenesulfonamide regioisomers was generally meta>para and ortho. Among this group of compounds, the in vitro COX-1/-2 isozyme inhibition studies identified 3-(2-phenylethynyl)benzenesulfonamide (10a) as a COX-2 inhibitor (COX-2 IC50=0.45 microM) with a good COX-2 selectivity (COX-2 SI=70). In contrast, 2-[2-(3-fluorophenyl)ethynyl]benzenesulfonamide (11c) possessing a SO2NH2 COX-2 pharmacophore at the ortho-position of the C-1 phenyl ring exhibited COX-1 inhibition and selectivity (COX-1 IC50=3.6 microM). A molecular modeling study where 10a was docked in the binding site of COX-2 shows that the meta-SO2NH2 COX-2 pharmacophore was inserted inside the COX-2 secondary pocket (Arg513, Phe518, Val523, and His90). Similar docking of 10a within the COX-1 binding site shows that the meta-SO2NH2 pharmacophore is unable to interact with the respective amino acid residues in COX-1 that correspond to those near the secondary pocket in COX-2 due to the presence of the larger Ile523 in COX-1 that replaces Val523 in COX-2.     

Amino acid-azetidine chimeras: synthesis of enantiopure 3-substituted azetidine-2-carboxylic acids.

Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (Aze) analogs possessing various heteroatomic side chains at the 3-position have been synthesized by modification of 1-9-(9-phenylfluorenyl) (PhF)-3-allyl-Aze tert-butyl ester (2S,3S)-1. 3-Allyl-Aze 1 was synthesized by regioselective allylation of alpha-tert-butyl beta-methyl N-(PhF)aspartate 13, followed by selective omega-carboxylate reduction, tosylation, and intramolecular N-alkylation. Removal of the PhF group and olefin reduction by hydrogenation followed by Fmoc protection produced nor-leucine-Aze chimera 2. Regioselective olefin hydroboration of (2S,3S)-1 produced primary alcohol 23, which was protected as a silyl ether, hydrogenated and N-protected to give 1-Fmoc-3-hydroxypropyl-Aze 26. Enantiopure (2S,3S)-3-(3-azidopropyl)-1-Fmoc-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester 3 was prepared as a Lys-Aze chimera by activation of 3-hydroxypropyl-Aze 26 as a methanesulfonate and displacement with sodium azide. Moreover, orthogonally protected azetidine dicarboxylic acid 4 was synthesized as an alpha-aminoadipate-Aze chimera by oxidation of alcohol 26. These orthogonally protected amino acid-Aze chimeras are designed to serve as tools for studying the influence of conformation on peptide activity.     

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) degradation by a microbial consortium

The widespread use of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as a gasoline additive has resulted in a large number of cases of groundwater contamination. Bioremediation is often proposed as the most promising alternative after treatment. However, MTBE biodegradation appears to be quite different from the biodegradation of usual gasoline contaminants such as benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene (BTEX). In the present paper, the characteristics of a consortium degrading MTBE in liquid cultures are presented and discussed. MTBE degradation rate was fast and followed zero order kinetics when added at 100 mg l(-1). The residual MTBE concentration in batch degradation experiments ranged from below the detection limit (1 microg l(-1)) to 50 microg l(-1). The specific activity of the consortium ranged from 7 to 52 mgMTBE g(dw)(-1) h(-1) (i.e. 19-141 mgCOD g(dw) (-1) h(-1)). Radioisotope experiments showed that 79% of the carbon-MTBE was converted to carbon-carbon dioxide. The consortium was also capable of degrading a variety of hydrocarbons, including tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) and gasoline constituents such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX). The consortium was also characterized by a very slow growth rate (0.1 d(-1)), a low overall biomass yield (0.11 gdw g(-1)MTBE; i.e. 0.040 gdw gCOD(-1)), a high affinity for MTBE and a low affinity for oxygen, which may be a reason for the slow or absence of MTBE biodegradation in situ. Still, the results presented here show promising perspectives for engineering the in situ bioremediation of MTBE.     

Measurement of non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs induced gastric microbleeding.

The damage of the mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract caused by non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs are well known. The gastrointestinal microbleeding was measured by the method of Fischer and Hunt before and after the intake of indomethacin (4 x 25 mg), naproxen-sodium (4 x 275 mg), diclofenac (3 x 50 mg) and azapropazone (2 x 600 mg). In the indomethacin group microbleeding increased from 0.91 +/- 0.12 ml/24 h to 7.30 +/- 1.20 ml/h. In the naproxen-sodium group from 1.22 +/- 0.16 ml/24 h to 3.56 +/- 0.40 ml/24 h, in the diclofenac group from 0.86 +/- 0.14 ml/24 h to 3.18 +/- 0.28 ml/24 h, in azapropazone group from 0.92 +/- 0.18 ml/24 h to 2.50 +/- 0.20 ml/24 h, respectively. All non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs increased the gastric microbleeding, however, there were considerable differences in the degree of enhancement. This can be explained by the different inhibitory activities of the drugs on the cyclooxygenase enzyme activity.     

Mineralization of methyl tert-butyl ether and other gasoline oxygenates by Pseudomonads using short n-alkanes as growth source

Biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) by cometabolism has shown to produce recalcitrant metabolic intermediates that often accumulate. In this work, a consortium containing Pseudomonads was studied for its ability to fully degrade oxygenates by cometabolism. This consortium mineralized MTBE and TBA with C3-C7 n-alkanes. The highest degradation rates for MTBE (75 +/- 5 mg g(protein) (-1) h(-1)) and TBA (86.9 +/- 7.3 mg g(protein) (-1) h(-1)) were obtained with n-pentane and n-propane, respectively. When incubated with radiolabeled MTBE and n-pentane, it converted more than 96% of the added MTBE to (14)C-CO(2). Furthermore, the consortium degraded tert-amyl methyl ether, tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), tert-amyl alcohol, ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) when n-pentane was used as growth source. Three Pseudomonads were isolated but only two showed independent MTBE degradation activity. The maximum degradation rates were 101 and 182 mg g(protein) (-1) h(-1) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas citronellolis, respectively. The highest specific affinity (a degrees (MTBE)) value of 4.39 l g(protein) (-1) h(-1) was obtained for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and complete mineralization was attained with a MTBE: n-pentane ratio (w/w) of 0.7. This is the first time that Pseudomonads have been reported to fully mineralize MTBE by cometabolic degradation.     

Lead optimization of methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2) inhibitors containing sulfonamides of 5,6-disubstituted anthranilic acids

A series of aryl sulfonamides of 5,6-disubstituted anthranilic acids were identified as potent inhibitors of methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP2). Small alkyl groups and 3-furyl were tolerated at the 5-position of anthranilic acid, while -OCH(3), CH(3), and Cl were found optimal for the 6-position. Placement of 2-aminoethoxy group at the 6-position enabled interaction with the second Mn(2+) but did not result in enhancement in potency. Introduction of a tertiary amino moiety at the ortho-position of the sulfonyl phenyl ring gave reduced protein binding and improved cellular activity, but led to lower oral bioavailability.     

New analogues of AHMA as potential antitumor agents: synthesis and biological activity

A series of new analogues of 3-(9-acridinylamino)-5-hydroxymethylaniline (AHMA, 1) and AHMA-ethylcarbamate (2) were synthesized by introducing an O-alkylcarboxylic acid esters to the CH(2)OH function, displacing the CH(2)OH function with a dimethylaminocarboxamido group or with a methyl function introduced at the meta-, para- or ortho-position to the NH(2) group to form 5-(9-acridinylamino)-m-toluidines (AMTs), 5-(9-acridinylamino)-p-toluidines (APTs) or 5-(9-acridinylamino)-o-toluidines (AOTs), respectively. The inhibitions of a variety of human tumor cell growth, interactions with DNA as well as inhibitory effect against topoisomerase II (Topo II) of these new agents were studied. Among AMT, APT and AOT derivatives with dimethylaminoethylcarboxamido and Me at C4 and C5 of acridine moiety (i.e., 21c, 23c and 26c) were more cytotoxic than AHMA (1) and AHMA-ethylcarbamate (2), depending upon the tumor cell line tested. Detailed structure-activity relationships of the new analogues were studied.     

A novel antiinflammatory maintains glucocorticoid efficacy with reduced side effects

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are commonly used to treat inflammatory disease; unfortunately, the long-term use of these steroids leads to a large number of debilitating side effects. The antiinflammatory effects of GCs are a result of GC receptor (GR)-mediated inhibition of expression of proinflammatory genes as well as GR-mediated activation of antiinflammatory genes. Similarly, side effects are most likely due to both activated and repressed GR target genes in affected tissues. An as yet unachieved pharmaceutical goal is the development of a compound capable of separating detrimental side effects from antiinflammatory activity. We describe the discovery and characterization of AL-438, a GR ligand that exhibits an altered gene regulation profile, able to repress and activate only a subset of the genes normally regulated by GCs. When tested in vivo, AL-438 retains full antiinflammatory efficacy and potency comparable to steroids but its negative effects on bone metabolism and glucose control are reduced at equivalently antiinflammatory doses. The mechanism underlying this selective in vitro and in vivo activity may be the result of differential cofactor recruitment in response to ligand. AL-438 reduces the interaction between GR and peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1, a cofactor critical for steroid-mediated glucose up-regulation, while maintaining normal interactions with GR-interacting protein 1. This compound serves as a prototype for a unique, nonsteroidal alternative to conventional GCs in treating inflammatory disease.     

Relationships between structure and molting hormonal activity of tebufenozide, methoxyfenozide, and their analogs in cultured integument system of Chilo suppressalis Walker

The molting hormonal activity of methoxyfenozide (RH-2485), tebufenozide (RH-5992), five analogs with various alkyl groups, and 18 acyl analogs was measured by using cultured integument of rice stem borers, Chilo suppressalis Walker. The hormonal activity of methoxyfenozide was remarkably high (EC(50) = 1.1 x 10(-9) M), being equivalent to that of tebufenozide (RH-5992). The hormonal activity of several tebufenozide analogs with varying alkyl groups such as CH(3), n-C(3)H(7), i-C(3)H(7), n-C(4)H(9) and n-C(5)H(11) at the para-position of the benzene ring furthest from the tert-butyl group was lower than that of tebufenozide (alkyl group is C(2)H(5)). The activity decreased to varying degrees as a result of replacement of the 3,5-dimethylphenyl moiety of tebufenozide with either a phenyl, naphthyl, or cyclohexyl group. Both 1- and 2-naphthyl derivatives were very active (EC(50) = 4.3 x 10(-8) M and 3.2 x 10(-8) M, respectively) without any significant difference between them. The activity of the 1-cyclohexenyl analog (EC(50) = 1.0 x 10(-7) M) was about 40x that of the corresponding 3-cyclohexenyl analog (EC(50) = 4.4 x 10(-6) M), but 1/100 that of tebufenozide. The activity varied parabolically with respect to the molecular hydrophobicity, and decreased with longer acyl moieties.     

Hydroperoxides selectively inhibit human erythrocyte membrane enzymes

Treatment of washed erythrocytes with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (0.5 mM, 10 min) inhibited basal Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase activity by 40% and calmodulin-stimulated activity by 54%. The inhibition was accompanied by the formation of methemoglobin and the aggregation of some membrane proteins into a high-molecular-weight polymer. Membranes, isolated from washed erythrocytes, showed a similar pattern of inhibition. Basal Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase activity was inhibited 50% at 10 min and 70% at 30 min while calmodulin-stimulated activity was inhibited 70% at 10 min and 84% at 30 min. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive products formed slowly during the first 10 min and then increased sharply between 10 and 30 min. The polymerization of membrane proteins was also observed during the tert-butyl hydroperoxide exposure. Inhibition of erythrocyte membrane enzymes was selective. The Na+ + K+-stimulated Mg2+ ATPase, like the Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase, was sensitive to membrane oxidation but the activities of Mg2+-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase were less inhibited by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Acetylcholinterase was found to be very resistant to hydroperoxide treatment with less than 10% loss of activity. The effects of two other hyproperoxides on enzyme inhibition were studied also. Cumene hydroperoxide (0.5 mM) was found to be as potent as tert-butyl hydroperoxide but hydrogen peroxide at 10 mM did not produce thiobarbituric acid-reactive products or inhibit Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase activity until after 20 min. The selective effects of peroxides on these enzyme activities are discussed.     

Mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 of nitroso and respective hydroxylamine compounds

Five aromatic nitroso compounds were prepared and their mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 compared with that of the corresponding hydroxylamines and the previously studied nitroarenes. A remarkable correspondence of the dose-response curves was observed between the nitroso and the respective hydroxylamine compounds. This effect could be observed in TA98 and TA100. It was only marginally dependent on the metabolical activation by rat liver S9-mix. Even the presence of a bulky alkyl substituent either near to the functional group, or far away from it, previously shown to considerably influence the mutagenic properties of nitroarenes, does not remarkably affect the properties of the nitroso and hydroxylamine species. The similarity between the latter two is likely to be due to a fast reduction of the nitrosoarenes to the hydroxylamine species under the test conditions. It seems that enzymes are not responsible for that reduction step, because sterical crowding near the functional group does not influence that behaviour.The test results of the aromatic hydroxylamines bearing a bulky substituent show that there are at least two ways to influence the mutagenicity of an aromatic nitro compound by such a group. A substituent near the functional group (ortho-position) disturbs the enzymatic reduction of the nitro group, because 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxylaminobiphenyl and its corresponding nitroso compound are highly mutagenic, whereas 3-tert-butyl-4-nitrobiphenyl was previously shown to be inactive even after addition of S9-mix. In contrast, 4'-tert-butyl-4-hydroxylaminobiphenyl with the tert-butyl group "far away" from the hydroxylamino functionality clearly shows decreased mutagenic activity suggesting a different influence of a substituent in that position. In addition, the substance shows only little cell toxicity even at higher concentrations. Both effects could be due to a reduced effective dose of the hydroxylamine in the cells compared to the non-alkylated compound, caused by a faster degradation of the hydroxylamine or a hindered interaction between that substance and the cells.     

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Alstonia macrophylla Wall ex A. DC. leaf extract.

Methanolic extract of dried leaves of Alstonia macrophylla Wall ex A. DC. and its fractions were investigated for its anti-inflammatory activity. The extract at a concentration of 200 mg kg(-1) and 400 mg kg(-1), p.o. and its fractions at 25 mg kg(-1) and 50 mg kg(-1), p.o. showed the significant dose dependent antiinflammatory activity in carrageenan and dextran-induced rats hind paw edema (acute models) as well as in cotton pellet-induced granuloma (chronic model) in rats. Anti-inflammatory activity of the tested extract and its fractions was comparable with that of the standard drug Indomethacin (10 mg kg(-1)).     

Characterization of the initial reactions during the cometabolic oxidation of methyl tert-butyl ether by propane-grown Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5

The initial reactions in the cometabolic oxidation of the gasoline oxygenate, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), by Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5 have been characterized. Two products, tert-butyl formate (TBF) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), rapidly accumulated extracellularly when propane-grown cells were incubated with MTBE. Lower rates of TBF and TBA production from MTBE were also observed with cells grown on 1- or 2-propanol, while neither product was generated from MTBE by cells grown on casein-yeast extract-dextrose broth. Kinetic studies with propane-grown cells demonstrated that TBF is the dominant (> or = 80%) initial product of MTBE oxidation and that TBA accumulates from further biotic and abiotic hydrolysis of TBF. Our results suggest that the biotic hydrolysis of TBF is catalyzed by a heat-stable esterase with activity toward several other tert-butyl esters. Propane-grown cells also oxidized TBA, but no further oxidation products were detected. Like the oxidation of MTBE, TBA oxidation was fully inhibited by acetylene, an inactivator of short-chain alkane monooxygenase in M. vaccae JOB5. Oxidation of both MTBE and TBA was also inhibited by propane (K(i) = 3.3 to 4.4 microM). Values for K(s) of 1.36 and 1.18 mM and for V(max) of 24.4 and 10.4 nmol min(-1) mg of protein(-1) were derived for MTBE and TBA, respectively. We conclude that the initial steps in the pathway of MTBE oxidation by M. vaccae JOB5 involve two reactions catalyzed by the same monooxygenase (MTBE and TBA oxidation) that are temporally separated by an esterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of TBF to TBA. These results that suggest the initial reactions in MTBE oxidation by M. vaccae JOB5 are the same as those that we have previously characterized in gaseous alkane-utilizing fungi.