Quercetin-4′-glucoside: a physiological inhibitor of the activities of dominant glutathione <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-transferases in onion (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium cepa</Emphasis> L.) bulb

The onion (Allium cepa L.) bulb has a high level of glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, and it is a rich source of sulfur compounds as well as flavonoids. To investigate interactions between onion bulb GSTs and metabolites, we separated onion bulb GSTs (GSTa and GSTb as minor GSTs and GSTc, GSTd and GSTe as dominant GSTs) by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. In Western blot analysis with anti-CmGSTF1 antiserum, GSTc and GSTd fractions showed a thick band. A cDNA (AcGSTF1) corresponding to GSTc was immunoscreened with the same antiserum from an onion bulb cDNA library and its bacterial expression product was also subjected to investigation. Among the sulfur compounds, nonphysiological compounds, S-hexyl glutathione (GSH) and S-butyl GSH, showed strong inhibitory effects on 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenezene (CDNB)-conjugating activities of GSTa, GSTb and GSTe. However, physiological sulfur compounds, S-methyl GSH, S-propyl GSH, S-lactoyl GSH and S-ethyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide, had small or almost no inhibitory effects. Therefore, onion sulfur compounds might have the least possibility to be substantial inhibitors of onion GSTs. On the other hand, the activities of GSTc, GSTd and AcGSTF1 were strongly inhibited by flavonoids, quercetin, luteolin, apigenin and kaempferol. Ethylacetate (EtOAc) extract of onion bulb contained quercetin-4′-glucoside as a major inhibitory substance. The strong inhibitory effects of quercetin-4′-glucoside on GSTc and GSTd as well as on AcGSTF1 (50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀): 9.5, 7.5 and 11.2 μM, respectively) along with its high concentration (226 μM) in the onion bulb indicates that quercetin-4′-glucoside is a physiological inhibitor of dominant GSTs in the onion bulb.     

Comparative genomics identifies new alpha class genes within the avian glutathione S-transferase gene cluster

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs: EC2.5.1.18) are a superfamily of multifunctional dimeric enzymes that catalyze the conjugation of glutathione (GSH) to electrophilic chemicals. In most animals and in humans, GSTs are the principal enzymes responsible for detoxifying the mycotoxin aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and GST dysfunction is a known risk factor for susceptibility towards AFB₁. Turkeys are one of the most susceptible animals known to AFB₁, which is a common contaminant of poultry feeds. The extreme susceptibility of turkeys is associated with hepatic GSTs unable to detoxify the highly reactive and electrophilic metabolite exo-AFB₁-8,9-epoxide (AFBO). In this study, comparative genomic approaches were used to amplify and identify the α-class tGST genes (tGSTA1.1, tGSTA1.2, tGSTA1.3, tGSTA2, tGSTA3 and tGSTA4) from turkey liver. The conserved GST domains and four α-class signature motifs in turkey GSTs (with the exception of tGSTA1.1 which lacked one motif) confirm the presence of hepatic α-class GSTs in the turkey. Four signature motifs and conserved residues found in α-class tGSTs are (1) xMExxxWLLAAAGVE, (2) YGKDxKERAxIDMYVxG, (3) PVxEKVLKxHGxxxL and (4) PxIKKFLXPGSxxKPxxx. A BAC clone containing the α-class GST gene cluster was isolated and sequenced. The turkey α-class GTS genes genetically map to chromosome MGA2 with synteny between turkey and human α-class GSTs and flanking genes. This study identifies the α-class tGST gene cluster and genetic markers (SNPs, single nucleotide polymorphisms) that can be used to further examine AFB₁ susceptibility and resistance in turkeys. Functional characterization of heterologously expressed proteins from these genes is currently underway.     

Characterization of two Arabidopsis thaliana glutathione S-transferases

Glutathione S-transferases (GST) are multifunctional proteins encoded by a large gene family, divided on the basis of sequence identity into phi, tau, theta, zeta and lambda classes. The phi and tau classes are present only in plants. GSTs appear to be ubiquitous in plants and are involved in herbicide detoxification and stress response, but little is known about the precise role of GSTs in normal plant physiology and during biotic and abiotic stress response. Two cDNAs representing the two plant classes tau and phi, AtGSTF9 and AtGSTU26, were expressed in vitro and the corresponding proteins were analysed. Both GSTs were able to catalyse a glutathione conjugation to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), but they were inactive as transferases towards p-nitrobenzylchloride (pNBC). AtGSTF9 showed activity towards benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and an activity as glutathione peroxidase with cumene hydroperoxide (CumHPO). AtGSTU26 was not active as glutathione peroxidase and towards BITC. RT-PCR analysis was used to evaluate the expression of the two genes in response to treatment with herbicides and safeners, chemicals, low and high temperature. Our results reveal that AtGSTU26 is induced by the chloroacetanilide herbicides alachlor and metolachlor and the safener benoxacor, and after exposure to low temperatures. In contrast, AtGSTF9 seems not to be influenced by the treatments employed.     

Genetic polymorphisms of GSTO2, GSTM1, and GSTT1 and risk of gastric cancer

Objective The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a superfamily of proteins that participates in detoxification. The GSTs were dividing into several classes including omega (GSTO), mu (GSTM) and theta (GSTT) classes. In human GSTO2, GSTM1, and GSTT1 are polymorphic. In order to study whether GSTO2, GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphisms are associated with increased gastric cancer risk in Iranian patients, the present case–control study was done. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 67 gastric cancer patients and 134 control subjects. The genotyping was performed using PCR-based method. The possible association of gastric cancer with the GSTO2 N142D polymorphism was estimated with assuming additive, dominant, and recessive effect of the variant 142D allele. To investigate whether profiles of GST genotypes are associated with the risk of gastric cancer, we used unconditional logistic regression analysis. Results The GSTO2 142D allele in additive, dominant and recessive models was not associated with the risk. Because GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTO2 genes belong to low-penetrance genes which might be involved in the carcinogenesis, patients and controls without family of cancer in first-degree relatives were also analyzes separately. To investigate whether profiles of GST genotypes are associated with the risk of gastric cancer, we used unconditional logistic regression analysis with GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTO2 genotypes as predictor factors. The GSTO2 DD genotype was associated with decreased risk as compared to GSTO2 NN genotype (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05–0.92, P = 0.038). Conclusions Present findings show that GSTO2 DD genotype decreases the risk of gastric cancer in individuals without history of cancer in their first-degree relatives.     

Induction of pumpkin glutathione S-transferases by different stresses and its possible mechanisms

Induction of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) by different stresses and endogenous trans-2-hexenal content were determined in search of a common signal for GST induction. All of the stresses showed significant induction, As₂O₃ causing the highest induction followed by trans-2-hexenal. The trans-2-hexenal content was highest in trans-2-hexenal-treated seedlings and next-highest in methyl jasmonate-treated seedlings, whereas high temperature- and As₂O₃-treated seedlings had trans-2-hexenal contents lower than that of control seedlings. Induction of GST, lipoxygenase (LOX) and hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) was compared, since trans-2-hexenal and methyl jasmonate are the products of the LOX pathway. All four stresses showed weak LOX induction, high temperature causing the highest induction. However, only methyl jasmonate caused weak HPL induction. Both antioxidants or oxidants induced GST to different degrees. Glutathione contents of reduced glutathione (GSH) or oxidized glutathione (GSSG)-treated seedlings were significantly higher than the content of control seedlings, whereas those treated with other antioxidants or oxidants had contents similar to or less than control seedlings. The GSH:GSSG ratio was lowest in GSSG-treated seedlings and next-lowest in GSH-treated seedlings. The results of this study suggest that pumpkin GSTs are not induced through a common signalling pathway and that redox perturbation plays a role in pumpkin GST induction.     

Isolation and characterization of glutathione-S-transferase isozyme Q3 from the northern quahog,Mercinaria mercinaria

Three glutathione-S-transferase (GST) isozymes (Q1, Q2, and Q3) from the northern quahog (Mercinaria mercinaria) were purified and separated with a combination of affinity and ion exchange chromatography. SDS-PAGE analysis of the separated quahog GSTs indicated there are four distinct subunits of the enzyme with molecular masses ranging between 23 and 27 kDa. The electrophoretic analysis in combination with GST information from literature indicates that among the quahog GST isozymes, there is a single homodimer and two heterodimers. Enzymatic kinetic analysis of the homodimeric quahog GST (Q3) using 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and glutathione as reactants resulted in V _max and K _m values of 33.2 mol min^–1 mg^–1 and 0.40 mM, respectively. A pH profile analysis of the Q3 GST indicates that the optimum catalytic pH is 7.6. The Q3 isozyme composes about 28% of the ion exchange purified GSTs but accounts for only 9% of the total GST enzymatic activity (25 mol min^–1 mg^–1). An analysis investigating the dependence of the Q3 GST activity on temperature resulted in a retention of enzymatic activity (50–30% at temperature extremes from –13°C to 100°C), suggesting a unconventional role for the Q3 GST in quahog metabolism.     

Identification and cloning of a key insecticide-metabolizing glutathione S-transferase (MdGST-6A) from a hyper insecticide-resistant strain of the housefly Musca domestica

Strains of the housefly, Musca domestica, highly resistant to organophosphate (OP) and other insecticides are known because they overproduce glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Previous work has shown that overproduction in these strains involved numerous isozymes with glutathione conjugating activities (Pesticide Biochem. Physiol., 25 (1986) 169; Mol. General Genetics, 227 (1991) 355; J. Biol. Chem., 267 (1992) 1840; Mol. General Genetics, 245 (1994) 236; J. Mol. Evol., 43 (1996) 236). The current work describes the purification and identification of a M. domestica GST isozyme (pI 7.1) broadly specific for substrates from a housefly strain, Cornell-HR, that is highly resistant against OP-insecticides, and the isolation of two new MdGST genes using the antibody made against it. This isozyme, which was identified from amongst more than 20 isoelectric forms of GSTs of the same subunit size, was highly active for conjugating GSH to the model substrate 3,4-dichloronitrobenzne (DCNB). When expressed in Escherichia coli, one of the cloned GSTs, MdGST-6A, produces an enzyme that conjugates glutathione to the insecticides methyl parathion and lindane. On indication that it was the most active isozyme toward several xenobiotics among several MdGSTs tested, we advance the notion that MdGST-6A probably plays an important role in M. domestica Cornell-HR's resistance towards OP-insecticides. MdGST-6A and a second closely related one found in this work, MdGST-6B, are members of the traditional insect class I family (theta-class) and share the greatest homologies with a cluster of Drosophila GSTs on locus 55. In addition to having the unusually broad substrate specificity, the sequence of the new group of enzymes reveals that it has a highly diverged hydrophobic motif in its active site as compared to other class I GSTs from insects.     

Heterologous expression and functional characterization of avian mu-class glutathione S-transferases

Hepatic glutathione S-transferases (GSTs: EC2.5.1.1.8) catalyze the detoxification of reactive electrophilic compounds, many of which are toxic and carcinogenic intermediates, via conjugation with the endogenous tripeptide glutathione (GSH). Glutathione S-transferase (GST)-mediated detoxification is a critical determinant of species susceptibility to the toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), which in resistant animals efficiently detoxifies the toxic intermediate produced by hepatic cytochrome P450 bioactivation, the exo-AFB₁-8,9-epoxide (AFBO). Domestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are one of the most sensitive animals known to AFB₁, a condition associated with a deficiency of hepatic GST-mediated detoxification of AFBO. We have recently shown that unlike their domestic counterparts, wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris), which are relatively resistant, express hepatic GST-mediated detoxification activity toward AFBO. Because of the importance of GSTs in species susceptibility, and to explore possible GST classes involved in AFB₁ detoxification, we amplified, cloned, expressed and functionally characterized the hepatic mu-class GSTs tGSTM3 (GenBank accession no. JF340152), tGSTM4 (JF340153) from domestic turkeys, and a GSTM4 variant (ewGSTM4, JF340154) from Eastern wild turkeys. Predicted molecular masses of tGSTM3 and two tGSTM4 variants were 25.6 and 25.8 kDa, respectively. Multiple sequence comparisons revealed four GSTM motifs and the mu-loop in both proteins. tGSTM4 has 89% amino acid sequence identity to chicken GSTM2, while tGSTM3 has 73% sequence identity to human GSTM3 (hGSTM3). Specific activities of Escherichia coli-expressed tGSTM3 toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and peroxidase activity toward cumene hydroperoxide were five-fold greater than tGSTM4 while tGSTM4 possessed more than three-fold greater activity toward 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB). The two enzymes displayed equal activity toward ethacrynic acid (ECA). However, none of the GSTM proteins had AFBO detoxification capability, in contrast to recombinant alpha-class GSTs shown in our recent study to possess this important activity. In total, our data indicate that although turkey hepatic GSTMs may contribute to xenobiotic detoxification, they probably play no role in detoxification of AFBO in the liver.     

Detection of anti-oxidant enzymatic activities and purification of glutathione transferases from Angiostrongylus cantonensis

There are several anti-oxidant enzyme families that play pivotal roles in facilitating the survival of parasites. Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are members of the anti-oxidant family that can detoxify a broad range of exogenous or endogenous compounds including reactive oxidative species. GSTs have been studied as vaccine candidates, immunodiagnostic markers and as treatment targets. Helminths of the genus Angiostrongylus live inside arteries of vertebrates and two main species are associated with accidental human infections: Angiostrongylus costaricensis adult worms live inside the mesenteric arteries and larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis become trapped in the central nervous system vasculature. Since the interactions between angiostrongylid nematodes and their vertebrate hosts are poorly understood, this study characterized the anti-oxidant enzymatic activities of A. cantonensis from female worms by collecting excreted and secreted (ES) and total extract (TE) molecules. Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were found both in the ES and TE while glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and GST were found only in the TE. GSTs were purified by glutathione agarose affinity column (AcGST) and the pool of eluted GSTs was analyzed by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and de novo sequencing (Masslynx software). Sequences from two peptides (AcGSTpep1 and AcGSTpep2) present high identity to the N-terminal and C-terminal from sigma class GSTs of nematodes. It is known that these GST enzymes are associated with host immune regulation. Furthermore, understanding the role of parasite-derived anti-oxidant molecules is important in understanding host-parasite interactions.     

Purification and Characterization of Class Alpha and Mu Glutathione S-Transferases From Porcine Liver

Six cytosolic GSTs from porcine liver were purified by a combination of glutathione affinity chromatography and ion-exchange HPLC. The isoenzymes were characterized by SDS-PAGE, gel filtration, isoelectric focusing, immunoblotting analysis and determination of substrate specificities and inhibition characteristics. The purified GSTs belong to the alpha and mu classes, respectively. No class pi isoenzyme was isolated or detected. The class alpha GST pA1-1* exists as a homodimer (M_r = 25.3 kDa), whereas GST pA2-3* consists of two subunits with different M_r values (27.0 and 25.3 kDa). The estimated pI values were 9.5 and 8.8, respectively. Furthermore, four class mu porcine GSTs, pM1-1*, pM1-2*, pM3-?* and pM4-?*, were isolated. The isoenzyme pM1-1* possesses a relative molecular mass of 27.2 kDa and a pI value of 6.2. Additional pM1 isoenzymes hybridize with the subunit pM2* (M_r = 25.2) to furnish a heterodimer, which shows a pI value of 5.8. The other class mu isoenzymes are heterodimers with pI values of 5.45 and 5.05. Substrate specificities and inhibition characteristics correlate very well with those of the corresponding human isoenzymes. The results are discussed with regard to the usefulness of porcine GSTs as an in vitro testing model.     

Purification and Characterisation of Hepatic Glutathione Transferases from a Herbivorous Marsupial, the Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

A single glutathione transferase isoenzyme was purified from hepatic cytosol of the brushtail possum and shown to represent 3.6 ± 0.3% of the total cytosolic protein. Characterisation of the enzyme, termed Possum GST 1–1, indicated that it possessed similar catalytic activity and structural homology with isoenzymes belonging to the alpha class of glutathione transferases. This homodimeric GST exhibited a single band with an apparent molecular mass of 25.4 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gels and an apparent pI of 9.8. Inhibition studies demonstrated that Possum GST 1–1 displays binding affinity for a range of inhibitors similar to that shown by alpha class GSTs purified from other mammals. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated immuno-cross reactivity between Possum GST 1–1 and antisera raised against human alpha GST, while this GST did not cross-react with antisera raised against human mu and pi GST. N-terminal sequencing of purified Possum GST 1–1 revealed that the N-terminus of the protein is chemically blocked. Sequence analysis of three internal peptide sequences demonstrated homology with mammalian alpha GSTs. Of particular interest is the significant substrate specificity that Possum GST 1–1 displays with both organic and inorganic hydroperoxides. It is proposed that this substrate specificity is an evolutionary adaptation to a diet high in potentially toxic plant allelochemicals.     

Cooperative kinetics of the recombinant glutathione transferase of Taenia solium and characterization of the enzyme

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are essential enzymes in many organisms due their diverse functions and, in helminths they are the main detoxification system. For Taenia solium, two cytosolic GSTs with molecular masses of 25.5 and 26.5 kDa (Ts26GST) have been found. Ts26GST was cloned to be studied in its recombinant form (recTs26GST). Although the primary structure is related to the mu class, the kinetic parameters for CDNB (V_max = 51.5 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹; K_m = 1.06 mM; k_cat = 22.2 s⁻¹) are related with some alpha GSTs. The substrate and inhibitor class markers reaffirmed these bimodal characteristics. Inhibition studies with anthelminthics indicate that recTs26GST is sensitive to mebendazole, displaying a non competitive inhibition pattern suggesting that at least two molecules are binding to recTs26GST. On the other hand, the kinetic curves for CDNB and GSH showed a positive cooperativity that was corroborated using fluorometric assays. Those assays indicate that CDNB binding is highly influenced by GSH, probably by modulation of the Ts26GST conformational ensamble.     

Innate immune response and disease resistance in Carassius auratus by triherbal solvent extracts

This study reports the effect of aqueous, ethanol and methanol triherbal solvent extract from Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum and Curcuma longa on innate immune mechanisms such as phagocytosis activity, respiratory burst activity, alternative complement activity and lysozyme activity and disease resistance in goldfish (Carassius auratus) against Aeromonas hydrophila. Fish were intraperitoneally injected with different doses of 0, 5, 50 and 100 mg kg⁻¹ body weight of each triherbal solvent extracts. The functional immunity in terms of percentage mortality and Relative Percent Survival (RPS) and innate immune response was assessed on week 1, 2 and 4 by challenging with live A. hydrophila (1 × 10⁷ cells ml⁻¹). All the chosen innate immune parameters were enhanced in the ethanol and methanol triherbal solvent extract treatment after week 2. However, the aqueous triherbal extract was enhanced only after week 4. The ethanol and methanol triherbal solvent extracts administration preceding the challenge with live A. hydrophila decreased the percentage mortality in the experimental groups with the consequence increase in RPS values. The study indicates that all the doses of ethanol or methanol triberbal solvent extracts could be positively influence the immune response and protect the heath status of goldfish against A. hydrophila infection.     

Biodeterioration of some herbal raw materials by storage fungi and aflatoxin and assessment of Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil and its components as antifungal

Deterioration of raw materials of six medicinal plants viz. Terminalia arjuna, Acorus calamus, Rauvolfia serpentina, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Withania somnifera and Boerhaavia diffusa was examined. Some of the contaminated raw materials were found to be deteriorated by toxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus and contain aflatoxin B₁ (41.0–95.4 μg kg⁻¹) which is above the permissible limit. Essential oil of Cymbopogon flexuosus and its components was found efficient in checking fungal growth and aflatoxin production. C. flexuosus essential oil absolutely inhibited the growth of A. flavus and aflatoxin B₁ production at 1.3 μl ml⁻¹ and 1.0 μl ml⁻¹ respectively. The individual oil components were more efficacious than the Cymbopogon oil as such which emphasizes masking of their efficacy when combined together. Eugenol exhibited potent antifungal and aflatoxin inhibitory activity at 0.3 μl ml⁻¹ and 0.1 μl ml⁻¹ respectively. Eugenol was found superior over some prevalent synthetic antimicrobials and exhibited broad fungitoxic spectrum against some biodeteriorating moulds. Prospects of exploitation of the oil and its components as acceptable plant based antimicrobials in qualitative as well as quantitative control of biodeterioration of herbal raw materials have been discussed.     

An Arabidopsis gene with homology to glutathione S-transferases is regulated by ethylene

A cDNA clone obtained from Arabidopsis leaf RNA encodes a 24 kDa protein with homology to glutathione S-transferases (GST). It is most homologous with a tobacco GST (57% identity). In Arabidopsis, expression of GST mRNA is regulated by ethylene. Exposure of plants to ethylene increased the abundance of GST mRNA, while treatment with norbornadiene had the reverse effect. Ethylene had no effect on the mRNA level in ethylene-insensitive etr1 plants. The abundance of this mRNA increased with the age of plants. DNA hybridizations indicate that GSTs are encoded by a large multigene family in Arabidopsis.     

Antagonism of Aeromonas hydrophila by propolis and its effect on the performance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Propolis, a resinous substance collected by Apis mellifera bees from various plant sources and mixed with secreted beeswax, is a multifunctional material used by bees in the construction, maintenance, and protection of their hives. The collected propolis sample, from High Egypt, was dark-green with olive-odor. The minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of propolis-ethanolic-extract, against Aeromonas hydrophila, was 80 μg Propolis-ethanolic-extract and crude propolis (1%) were added to artificial basal diet with (30% crude protein) to evaluate their efficacy on the fish growth-performance, immunostimulation and resistance to A. hydrophila. Two hundred and twenty-five Oreochromis niloticus (8 ± 0.45 g/fish) were divided into three equal treatments (T) of triplet replicates. The fish of T₁ were fed on basal diet (control). The fish of T₂ were given the basal diet, containing propolis-ethanolic-extract. The fish of T₃ were given the basal diet containing crude propolis for 28 day. The fish were intraperitoneally challenged by A. hydrophila (0.2 × 10⁷ cells ml⁻¹) at the end of the feeding period and kept for 15 more days.The best growth rate and feed conversion ratio were obtained with T_2. The increase in the average daily gain, specific growth rate and feed efficiency ratio were highly significances in T₂ followed by T₃ when compared with the control group. The HCT-level and monocyte-counts were increased (T₂). No significant change, in the large lymphocytic-count was found among the three treatments (28–27–28%), while the neutrophil-count was significantly decreased (7%) with T₂ and increased (13.11%) with the control. A significant increase in serum lysozyme and serum bactericidal activities was found with T₂. The RLP against A. hydrophila was high with T₂ and T₃.The propolis-ethanolic-extract enhanced the growth, immunity and resistance of O. niloticus against A. hydrophila more than the crude propolis.     

Characterization of natural rubber biosynthesisin Ficus benghalensis

Natural rubber was identified for the first time in the latex of Ficus benghalensis, and the rubber biosynthetic activity in latex and rubber particles was investigated. ¹³C NMR analysis of samples prepared by successive extractions with acetone and benzene confirmed that the benzene-soluble residues were natural rubber, cis-1,4-polyisoprene. The rubber content in the latex of F. benghalensis was approximately 17 %. Gel permeation chromatography revealed that the molecular mass of the natural rubber from F. benghalensis was approximately 1 500 kDa. The high rubber content and large molecular size suggest that F. benghalensis is a good candidate for an alternative rubber source. Examination of latex serum from F. benghalensis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a small number of proteins with major proteins of 31 and 55 kDa in size. The 31-kDa protein was predominant in catalytically-active rubber particles. Determination of metal ion concentration in latex and a comparison of the effect of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid on in vitro rubber biosynthesis in F. benghalensis, F. carica and Hevea brasiliensis suggest that the divalent metal ion present in latex serum is an important physiological factor controlling the rubber biosynthetic activities in these plant species. Microscopic examination revealed that the rubber in F. benghalensis occurred in a series of laticifer cells located in concentric zones in the inner bark of stems and branches.     

Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum calcium-dependent protein kinase 4

In Plasmodium berghei, the orthologous gene of P. falciparum calcium-dependent protein kinase 4 (PfCDPK4) was reported to be essential for the exflagellation of male gametocytes. To elucidate the role of PfCDPK4 in P. falciparum gametogenesis, we characterized the biological function of PfCDPK4 in vitro. PfCDPK4 was purified as a fusion protein that was labeled with [γ-³²P]ATP; this labeling was then eliminated by phosphatase. Phosphorylation activity of PfCDPK4 was eliminated when its putative catalytic lysine residue was replaced with alanine. In biochemical analyses, PfCDPK4 was found to have characteristics that were similar to those of homologous proteins from plants. PfCDPK4 phosphorylation was activated when experimental conditions were changed from those characteristic of human blood (37 °C, pH 7.4) to those of the mosquito bloodmeal (at least 5 °C below 37 °C, pH 7.6, with xanthurenic acid (XA)). PfCDPK4 was overexpressed in day 15 gametocytes exposed to XA or human serum. Thus, PfCDPK4 phosphorylation is activated by an increase in Ca²⁺ concentration or pH and by a decrease in temperature, and is associated with the Ca²⁺ signals that facilitate P. falciparum gametogenesis.     

Purification and characterization of two ascorbate peroxidases of rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa </Emphasis>L.) expressed in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

To clarify the diversity and function of isozymes of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in plants, a method of producing large quantities of these proteins is needed. Here, we describe an Escherichia coli expression system for the rapid and economic expression of two rice APX genes, APXa and APXb (GeneBank accession Nos. D45423 and AB053297, respectively). The two genes were cloned into the pGEX-6p-3 vector to allow expression of APX as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein. The GST-APXa and GST-APXb fusion proteins were purified by affinity chromatography using a glutathione-Sepharose 4B column, with final yields of 40 and 73 mg g^–1 dry cells, respectively. Specific activities were 15 and 20 mM ascorbate min^–1 mg^–1 protein, respectively. The K_m values for ascorbate were 4 and 1 mM, respectively, and those for H₂O₂ were 0.3 and 0.7 mM, respectively indicating that the two rice isoenzymes have different properties.Revisions requested 27 September 2004; Revisions received 12 November 2004