A tryptophan decarboxylase from cucumber seedlings

The formation of tryptamine from tryptophan by extracts of cucumberhypocotyls is mediated by a tryptophan decarboxylase. The enzymerequires pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, and the pH optimum of thisenzyme is 7.0. The activity of the enzyme is inhibited by potassiumcyanide, but not by sodium azide or sodium fluoride; indicatingthat this enzyme is a decarboxylase rather than a peroxidase.The removal of contaminating epiphytic bacteria does not significantlyaffect the enzyme activity, and preincubation of enzyme extractsin streptomycin is also without effect. Neither aerobic noranaerobic cultures of internal bacteria which contaminate cucumberhypocotyb exhibit enzymic activity at pH 7.0. ¹Present address: P.O. Box 59 Prineville, Oregon 97754, U.S.A. (Received August 1, 1970; )     

pH dependence and thermostability of lipases from cultures from the ARS culture collection

Summary Previously we used a simple, sensitive agar plate method to screen lipase activity from 1229 selected cultures including 508 bacteria, 479 yeasts, 230 actinomycetes and 12 fungi covering many genera and species. About 25% of the cultures tested were lipase-positive. These lipase-positive strains were further classified as good, moderate or weak enzyme producers. We have expanded our screening method to focus specifically on the pH dependence and thermostability of these lipase activities. The lipases exhibited various pH sensitivities and were divided into three groups: (i) lipases which are active at pH 5.5 but not at pH 7.5—produced by 36 bacteria, 23 yeasts and four actinomycetes; (ii) lipases which are active at pH 7.5 but not at pH 5.5—produced by 17 bacteria, four yeasts, two actinomycetes and one fungus; and (iii) lipases which are active at both pH 5.5 and pH 7.5—produced by 112 bacteria, 90 yeasts, 15 actinomycetes and five fungi. By screening at 60°C and pH 9.0, we further identified 50 bacteria and 26 yeasts that produce thermostable alkali-tolerant lipases. Product analyses confirmed our screening results. Lipases with specific pH dependency and thermostability have potential to be developed into industrial enzymes.     

A bacteriolytic muramidase from the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune

The basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune produces an extracellular bacteriolytic enzyme when grown on heat-killed cells of Bacillus subtilis as sole C, N and P source. The enzyme catalyses the dissolution of isolated B. subtilis cell walls at an optimum pH of 3.2-3.4, releasing muramyl reducing groups, which indicates that it is a muramidase. Although low levels of enzyme activity are present when the fungus is grown in the absence of bacteria, full enzyme production appears to be induced by bacterial cells and repressed by glucose. Whole bacteria are not lysed by the enzyme at pH 3.3, but are rendered osmotically fragile, and lyse when the pH is raised to 7 or higher. The muramidase is effective against several Gram-positive bacteria but did not lyse any of the Gram-negative species tested.     

Antibacterial properties of recombinant human non-pancreatic secretory phospholipase A2

Human non-pancreatic secretory phospholipase A₂ (hnpsPLA₂) is a group IIA phospholipase A₂ which plays an important role in the innate immune response. This enzyme was found to exhibit bactericidal activity toward Gram-positive bacteria, but not Gram-negative ones. Though native hnpsPLA₂ is active over a broad pH range, it is only highly active at alkaline conditions with the optimum activity pH of about 8.5. In order to make it highly active at neutral pH, we have obtained two hnpsPLA₂ mutants, Glu89Lys and Arg100Glu that work better at neutral pH in a previous study. In the present study, we tested the bactericidal effects of the native hnpsPLA₂ and the two mutants. Both native hnpsPLA₂ and the two mutants exhibit bactericidal activity toward Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, they can also kill Escherichia coli, a Gram-negative bacterium. The two mutants showed better bactericidal activity for E. coli at neutral pH than the native enzyme, which is consistent with the enzyme activities. As hnpsPLA₂ is highly stable and biocompatible, it may provide a promising therapy for bacteria infection treatment or other bactericidal applications.     

Partial purification and characterization of nitrous oxide reductase fromParacoccus denitrificans

We report the first partial purification of nitrous oxide reductase, a unique and labile enzyme of denitrifying bacteria. The procedure, which required anaerobic conditions throughout, resulted in a 60-fold purification relative to crude lysate in the case ofParococcus denitrificans. The molecular weight was estimated by gel exclusion chromatography to be about 85,000. The partially purified enzyme is inactivated rapidly by O₂, dithionite, and mercaptoethanol and is reversibly inhibited by moderate concentrations of common salts. Up to 80% of the original activity can be reconstituted following O₂ inactivation by incubating the enzyme with reduced benzyl viologen for 2 to 3 h. TheV _max pH profile shows a broad maximum at pH 8. The enzyme is irreversibly retained by common anion exchangers in the range pH 7 to 8 but can be eluted in acceptable yield as one of the last components from an imidazole-based anion exchange material by means of a pH gradient. This behavior implies that nitrous oxide reductase is very acidic. Among the several peptides observed by sodium dodecyl sulfate slab electrophoresis, only two, with apparent molecular weights of 58,000 and 25,000, correlated closely with the activity of fractions eluted from the imidazole column. These two peptides together comprised about 30% of the total protein in the fractions with highest specific activity.     

Physiological and biochemical characteristics of an isomaltulose synthase producer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erwinia rhapontici</Emphasis>

The following conditions of isomaltulose synthase synthesis by Erwinia rhapontici bacteria at submerged cultivation were optimized: cultivating temperature of 30°C, culturing media initial pH of 7.5, and cultivation for 54 h in the media containing 10% sucrose. Electrophoretically homogeneous preparation with specific activity of 210 U/mg of protein was obtained. Optimal conditions for enzyme functioning were 30°C at pH 6.0–7.0. The enzyme activity was 3300 U/ml, which is 40–50 times higher, than catalytic activity of any of the strains studied previously.     

A bacteriolytic enzyme from Chaetomium globosum,a marine-isolate

Summary When a marine-isolate, Chaetomium globosum was cultivated in a medium with an increased MgCl₂ content, a bacteriolytic enzyme was extracellularly produced. The enzyme was purified approximately 130-fold. It lyzed Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus lysodeikticus and several other Gram-positive bacteria. Optimal pH and temperature for the lysis were 8.0 and 37°C, respectively. The enzyme was heat-labile with maximum stability at neutral pH. Enzymatic activity was greatly stimulated by NaCl and CaCl₂ with maximum activity obtained in the presence of 0.1 M NaCl and 0.003 M to 0.005 M CaCl₂. The activity was stimulated by SH-compounds and was inhibited by SH-reactants.The enzyme is an N-acetylhexosaminidase.     

Xylanase Produced by Alkalophilic Bacillus No. C-59-2

Bacillus No. C–59–2 isolated from soil produced a xylanase in alkaline media. The characteristic point of this bacteria was especially good growth in alkaline media, and no growth was observed in neutral media such as nutrient broth. The xylanase of this bacteria was purified by CM-celluIose, hydroxyl apatite and Sephadex G–75 columns. The enzyme was most active at pH 5.5~9 which was much broader and higher than those of other xylanases. The sedimentation constant was about 3.5 S and isoelectric point was pH 6.3. The enzyme was most stable at pH 7 and calcium ion was effective to stabilize the enzyme. The enzyme activity was inhibited by Hg²⁺, Ag²⁺ and Cd^{2 +} Maximum hydrolysis rate of xylan by the enzyme was about 40%. The enzyme split xylan and yielded xylobiose and higher oligosaccharides. Therefore, this enzyme is considered to be a type of endo-xylanase.     

Purification and Properties of Adenylyl Sulfate Reductase from the Phototrophic Sulfur Bacterium, Thiocapsa roseopersicina

Adenylyl sulfate reductase was purified from Thiocapsa roseopersicina 60- to 80- fold, and the properties were studied. The molecular weight is 180,000. The enzyme contains, per molecule; one flavine group, two heme groups of cytochrome c character, four atoms of nonheme iron, and six labile sulfide groups. Cytochrome c and ferricyanide serve as electron acceptors. With ferricyanide as the electron acceptor, the pH optimum of the enzyme is at 8.0; with cytochrome c, the pH optimum is at 9.0. Of the nucleotides studied, adenosine 5'-monophosphate is most effective. The influence of substrate concentrations on the activity of the enzyme was studied, and the K(m) values for sulfite, adenosine 5'-monophosphate, ferricyanide, and cytochrome c were determined. The properties of the enzyme are compared with those of adenylyl sulfate reductases purified from sulfate-reducing bacteria and thiobacilli.     

pH-dependency of Escherichia coli catalase activity under modified culture conditions

In the previous work we have found two peaks of catalase activity at acid and neutral pH in partially destroyed bacteria E. coli K12 KS400. The present study indicates that catalase activity with two pH-optimums is sensitive to pH of cultivation medium. The relative catalase activity of frozen-thawed bacteria preparations measured at pH 3.5 increased two-fold and activity measured at pH 7.0 didn't change by shift of medium pH from value 5.5 to 7.0. In analogical preparations of bacteria grown in slightly alkaline media activity with acid maximum was not observed, but activity with neutral maximum rose to 130% in comparison with the intact cells was revealed. Two peaks of activity differed in their sensitivity to bacteria destruction, heating, inhibition by NaN3 and AMT, oxidative stress. The analysis of recent literature information and experimental data leads us to conclude that the activity with neutral pH-optimum consists of two known catalase forms HPI and HPII in E. coli. The ratio of HPI and HPII is 70 and 30%, respectively what was concluded from inhibition of catalase activity with neutral pH-optimum by AMT. Properties of catalase activity with acid pH-optimum didn't corresponding to any known enzyme forms. It is suggested the activity measured at pH 3.5 is results of some unstable activator which acts in acid pH range. It is possible that the described activity with acid pH-optimum is specific for the used E. coli strain. Investigation of another strain of E. coli K12 AB1157 confirmed this idea where the activity peak with acid pH-optimum was not detected.     

Chitinase production by a newly isolated thermotolerant Paenibacillus sp. BISR-047

Chitinase is one of the important mycolytic enzymes with industrial significance, and is produced by a number of organisms, including bacteria. In this study, we describe isolation, characterization and media optimization for chitinase production from a newly isolated thermotolerant bacterial strain, BISR-047, isolated from desert soil and later identified as Paenibacillus sp. The production of extracellularly secreted chitinase by this strain was optimized by varying pH, temperature, incubation period, substrate concentrations, carbon and nitrogen source,etc. The maximum chitinase production was achieved at 45 °C with media containing (in g/l) chitin 2.0, yeast extract 1.5, glycerol 1.0, and ammonium sulphate 0.2 % (media pH 7.0). A three-fold increase in the chitinase production (712 IU/ml) was found at the optimized media conditions at 6 days of incubation. The enzyme showed activity at broad pH (3–10) and temperature (35–100 °C) ranges, with optimal activity displayed at pH 5.0 and 55 °C, respectively. The produced enzyme was found to be highly thermostable at higher temperatures, with a half-life of 4 h at 100 °C.     

Isolation and characterization of a thermostable intracellular enzyme with peroxidase activity from Bacillus sphaericus

During a screening for bacteria producing enzymes with peroxidase activity, a Bacillus sphaericus strain was isolated. This strain was found to contain an intracellular enzyme with peroxidase activity. The native enzyme had a molecular mass of above 300 kDa and precipitated at a salt concentration higher than 0.1 M. Proteolytic digestion with trypsin reduced the molecular mass of the active enzyme to 13 kDa (dimer) or 26 kDa (tetramer) and increased its solubility, allowing purification to homogeneity. Spectroscopic investigations showed the enzyme to be a hemoenzyme containing heme c as the covalently bound prosthetic group. The enzyme was stable up to 90 degrees C and at alkaline conditions up to pH 11, with a pH optimum at pH 8.5. It could be visualized by activity staining after SDS-PAGE and showed activity with a number of typical substrates for peroxidases, e.g., 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt, guaiacol and 2,4-dichlorophenol; however the enzyme had no catalase and cytochrome c peroxidase activity.     

Properties and regulation of the bifunctional enzyme HPr kinase/phosphatase in Bacillus subtilis

The bifunctional allosteric enzyme HPr kinase/phosphatase (HPrK/P) from Bacillus subtilis is a key enzyme in the main mechanism of carbon catabolite repression/activation (i.e. a means for the bacteria to adapt rapidly to environmental changes in carbon sources). In this regulation system, the enzyme can phosphorylate and dephosphorylate two proteins, HPr/HPr(Ser(P)) and Crh/Crh(Ser(P)), sensing the metabolic state of the cell. To acquire further insight into the properties of HPrK/P, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, dynamic light scattering, and BIACORE were used to determine the oligomeric state of the protein under native conditions, revealing that the enzyme exists as a hexamer at pH 6.8 and as a monomer and dimer at pH 9.5. Using an in vitro radioactive assay, the influence of divalent cations, pH, temperature, and different glycolytic intermediates on the activity as well as kinetic parameters were investigated. The presence of divalent cations was found to be essential for both opposing activities of the enzyme. Furthermore, pH values equal to the internal pH of vegetative cells seem to favor the kinase activity, whereas lower pH values increased the phosphatase activity. Among the glycolytic intermediates evaluated, fructose 1,6-diphosphate and fructose 2,6-diphosphate were found to be allosteric activators in the kinase assay, whereas high concentrations inhibited the phosphatase activity, except for fructose 1,6-diphosphate in the case of HPr(Ser(P)). Phosphatase activity was induced by inorganic phosphate as well as acetyl phosphate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. Kinetic parameters indicate a preference for binding of HPr compared with Crh to the enzyme and supported a strong positive cooperativity. This work suggests that the oligomeric state of the enzyme is influenced by several effectors and is correlated to the kinase or phosphatase activity. The phosphatase activity is mainly supported by the hexameric form.     

嗜热菌Anoxybacillus sp．DL3产蛋白酶条件及其酶学性质研究

目的：对Anoxybacillussp．DL3的产蛋白酶条件及其酶学性质进行研究,为下一步进行蛋白酶基因的克隆、表达提供依据。方法：应用常规方法液体培养细菌,研究温度、pH、培养基中碳源、氮源对菌株产蛋白酶的影响,硫酸铵盐析的方法提取酶液,并采用Folin法测酶活性。用紫外分光光度计在OD680hi／1测吸光值。并对提取的蛋白酶液进行酶的最适温度、pH以及酶的热稳定性和pH稳定性研究,向酶液中添加金属离子和EDTA、PMSF,研究其对酶活性的影响。结果：在培养基初始pH是6．5,培养温度为40℃时菌株产酶酶活性最大;培养基中以乳糖为碳源,酵母膏和硫酸铵为氮源,碳源与氮源的比例为1：2时,酶活最大。酶学性质研究结果显示：该酶的最适反应温度是55℃,最适反应pH是7．0;在50℃保温20min-80min内,酶活力下降幅度较小。60℃保温60min后,仍保持约60％的酶活。70℃保温60min后,残余酶活为30％。该酶在pH为6．0～8．0范围内,相对酶活差别不是很大,下降趋势大致相同。在强碱条件下,相对酶活下降很明显。Fe2＋、Cu2＋和Hg2＋对酶活性有明显的抑制作用;Ca2＋、Mg^2＋、Mn2＋等金属离子对酶活性有明显的促进作用;乙二胺四乙酸（EDTA）和苯甲基磺酰氟（PMSF）对酶活性也有一定抑制作用。结论：Anoxybacillussp．DL3所产的蛋白酶为嗜热中性蛋白酶,此酶具有较好的热稳定性和pH耐受性,该菌株具有进一步开发、利用的价值。     

Identification of antibacterial mechanism of L-amino acid oxidase derived from Trichoderma harzianum ETS 323

Although L-amino oxidase (LAAO; EC 1.4.3.2) has been reported to be a potent antibacterial agent, the mechanism responsible for its antibacterial activity has not been identified. The present study aimed to identify the mechanism responsible for the antibacterial activity of Th-LAAO, an LAAO recently isolated from the extracellular proteins of Trichoderma harzianum ETS 323, at the same time as elucidating the nature of this enzyme. The results obtained indicate that the enzyme activity and structure of Th-LAAO are stable at pH 6-8 and less stable at both pH 4-5.5 and pH 9. At pH 7.0, the optimum temperature for Th-LAAO was found to be 40 °C, comprising the temperature at which enzymatic activity is greatest, with enzymatic activity deceasing with further increases in temperature as a result of thermal denaturation of the enzyme, leading to partial denaturation at 50 °C. The results obtained by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry indicate that Th-LAAO interacts with bacteria to cause membrane permeabilization, and this interaction may be promoted by the amphipathic sequence in Th-LAAO and other cytotoxic LAAOs located at the N-terminus. The findings of increased exogenous H(2) O(2) production and reactive oxidative species accumulation in Th-LAAO-treated bacteria indicate that reactive oxidative species accumulation may trigger forms of cell damage, including lipid peroxidation and DNA strand breakage that results in bacterial growth inhibition. Taken together, the results indicate that the processes of bacterial interaction, membrane permeabilization and H(2)O(2) production are involved in the mechanism responsible for the antibacterial activity of Th-LAAO.     

A Ca-independent α-amylase that is active and stable at low pH from the Bacillus sp. KR-8104

Bacillus sp. KR-8104 was selected from a set of 18 bacteria strains isolated from soil samples and screened for production of amylase. The maximum productivity obtained at pH 5–6 and 60–65 h after cultivation in production medium. New extracellular Ca-independent α-amylase was highly purified using ion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, which showed a single band with an apparent molecular weight of 59 kDa by SDS-PAGE. This enzyme is active in a wide pH range with its maximum activity at low pH values (4.0–6.0) and has the 90% of its maximum activity at pH 3.5. The α-amylase is optimally active at 75–80 °C. The presence or absence of Ca²⁺ and EDTA did not affect enzyme activity and thermal stability.     

Some catalytic and molecular properties of threonine deaminase from Bacillus stearothermophilus.

Threonine deaminase [EC 4.2.1.16] was highly purified from Bacillus stearothermophilus. The enzyme exhibited maximum activity at 65 degrees and at pH 9.2--9.6. It was inactivated on dilution and on storage at 4 degrees, but was protected by egg albumin. The enzyme was labile at 65 degrees, but became stable in the presence of egg albumin and isoleucine at pH 7.0. The substrate saturation curve for the enzyme reaction at 40 or 65 degrees was hyperbolic, but in the presence of isoleucine, the curve became sigmoidal (n = 2). The enzyme was more sensitive to isoleucine at 40 degrees than at 65 degrees, while valine slightly inhibited the enzyme at both 40 and 65 degrees. Inhibition of the enzyme by isoleucine was antagonized by valine at 40 and 65 degrees. These properties were essentially similar to those of the enzymes from mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria. The enzyme existed in two forms with different molecular sizes, 1.5-5 X 10(6) and 2 X 10(5) daltons, at pH 7.0 and at temperatures below 40 degrees. The larger component disaggregated into the small one at pH 8.5 or above, at temperatures above 50 degrees or in the presence of isoleucine and valine.     

Lipolytic activity of Antarctic cold-adapted marine bacteria (Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea)

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the lipolytic activity of cold-adapted Antarctic marine bacteria and, furthermore, the combined effect of some environmental factors on this enzymatic process. METHODS AND RESULTS: Strains were assayed for lipolytic activity on a basal medium amended with seven individual fatty acid esters. A significant activity was observed for 148 isolates (95.5% of the total screened). The interactive effect of pH, temperature and NaCl concentration on the substrates was tested for six representative isolates, identified as Pseudoalteromonas, Psychrobacter and Vibrio. Differences between strains according to NaCl and pH tolerances were observed. Only one strain degraded the substrate more efficiently at 4 degrees C than at 15 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that the lipolytic activity of Antarctic marine bacteria is rather variable, depending on culture conditions, and occurs in a wide range of salt concentration and pH. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Isolation and characterization of bacteria that are able to efficiently remove lipids at low temperatures will provide insight into the possibility to use cold-adapted bacteria as a source of exploitable enzymes. Moreover, research on the interactive effects of salt concentration, pH and temperature will be useful to understand the true enzyme potentialities for industrial applications.     

Production of a novel glycerol-inducible lipase from thermophilic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Geobacillus stearothermophilus</Emphasis> strain-5

In a screening program for isolation of thermophilic lipase-producing bacteria, a number of thermophilic bacteria were isolated from desert soil from Baltim, Egypt. Among 55 isolates, a potent bacterial candidate (starin-5) was characterized and identified by biochemical and PCR techniques, based on 16S rRNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed its closeness to geobacilli especially the thermophilic Geobacillus stearothermophilus with optimal growth and lipolytic enzyme activity at 60°C and pH 7.0. An inducible nature of lipolytic enzyme synthesis using glycerol and glucose was demonstrated. Approximately, 94–100% of the original activity was retained due to thermal stability of the crude enzyme after heat treatment for 15 min at 30–60°C. The enzyme retained 84.84% of its original activity during incubation at 70°C (pH 8.0) for 15 min. Lipase enzyme from G. stearothermophilus strain-5 was immobilized on various carriers and the most suitable carrier was chitin that showed 73.03% of activity yield.     

α-Glucosidase from a strain of deep-sea Geobacillus: a potential enzyme for the biosynthesis of complex carbohydrates

An α-glucosidase from Geobacillus sp. strain HTA-462, one of the deepest sea bacteria isolated from the sediment of the Mariana Trench, was purified to homogeneity and estimated to be a 65-kDa protein by SDS-PAGE. At low ion strength, the enzyme exists in the homodimeric form (130 kDa). It is a thermo- and alkaline-stable enzyme with a half-life of 13.4 h and a maximum hydrolytic activity at 60°C and pH 9.0 in 15 mM glycine–NaOH buffer. The enzyme exclusively hydrolyzed α-1,4-glycosidic linkages of oligosaccharides in an exo-type manner. The enzyme had an overwhelming transglycosylation activity and glycosylated various non-sugar molecules when maltose was used as a sugar donor. It converted maltose to isomaltose. The gene encoding the enzyme was cloned and sequenced. The recombinant enzyme could be extracellularly overproduced by Bacillus subtilis harboring its gene and preserved the primary properties of the native enzyme. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments showed that Asp98 is essential for the enzyme activity in addition to Asp199, Asp326, and Glu256.