Lipase catalysed synthesis of sebacic and phthalic esters

The enzymatic synthesis and hydrolysis of alkyl sebacates and o-, m-, p-phthalates were studied. Biosyntheses were conducted through alcoholysis of dimethyl phthalates and dimethyl sebacate with 2-ethylhexanol and 3,5,5-trimethylhexanol in a solvent-free medium, using lipases from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435), Rhizomucor miehei (Lipozyme IM) and Porcine pancreas (PPL). It was found that the synthesis and hydrolysis of sebacic acid esters were characterised by a satisfactory rate, however, by low enantioselectivity. The yield of synthesis of di-3,5,5-trimethylhexyl sebacate catalysed by Novozym 435 at 50 °C was 84%, after 20 h of reaction. The degree of conversion, 62.9% after 350 h, was obtained for alcoholysis reaction of dimethyl m-phthalate with 3,5,5-trimethylhexanol. For the enzymes used, no activity was detected at all on both the synthesis and hydrolysis of di-2-ethylhexyl o-phthalate and di-3,5,5-trimethylhexyl o-phthalate.     

Oxidation of both termini of p- and m-xylene by Escherichia coli transformed with xylene monooxygenase gene

Xylene monooxygenase (XMO) from Pseudomonas putida mt-2 catalyzes oxidation of methyl group of toluene and xylenes. While it has been postulated that this enzyme oxidizes one methyl group of xylene, we observed that both methyl groups in p- and m-xylene were oxidized to alcohol and aldehyde when the relevant genes (xylM and xylA) were co-expressed in Escherichia coli C600 and MC4100. When p-xylene was used as a substrate, p-hydroxymethylbenzaldehyde and p-xylyleneglycol were identified, in addition to p-methylbenzylalcohol and p-tolualdehyde. When m-xylene was used as a substrate, m-hydroxymethylbenzaldehyde and m-xylyleneglycol were identified, in addition to m-methylbenzylalcohol and m-tolualdehyde. Ratio of the products varied significantly according to the reaction condition and host strain, presumably reflecting the relative activity of XMO and host-derived dehydrogenase(s). Using various oxidized compounds as substrates, it was indicated that dialcohol (p- or m-xylyleneglycol) was formed via p- or m-hydroxymethylbenzaldehyde, respectively, rather than directly from corresponding monoalcohol (p- or m-methybenzylalcohol).     

Bis-phenacetyl and phenoxyacetyl groups as substrates for penG and penV amidases

o-, m-, p-Bis-phenylacetic and -bis-phenoxyacetic acid esters with solketal are prepared and submitted to enzymatic hydrolysis with penicillin V (PVA) and G (PGA) amidases. While the para-isomers are recovered unchanged, ortho- and meta-bis-esters are completely hydrolysed. PVA shows a reversed substrate specificity, hydrolysing phenylacetates faster than its natural substrate. The use of the bis-acids as alcohol-protecting groups is proposed.     

Inhibition of chemical oxidation and reduction of cytochromes ƒ and b-559 by carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxy phenylhydrazone

The presence of low (1–4 μM) concentrations of carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone during actinic illumination of chloroplasts generally inhibits the rate of subsequent dark chemical oxidation-reduction reactions of cytochrome ƒ and b-559. Ferricyanide oxidation and ascorbate reduction of cytochromes ƒ and b-559 are inhibited, as is hydroquinone reduction of cytochrome b-559. Inhibition by carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone of hydroquinone reduction of cytochrome ƒ, the most rapid of these chemical oxidation-reduction reactions, cannot be detected. The rate of the chemical redox reactions of the cytochromes in the presence of carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone are all markedly dependent upon the concentration of oxidant or reductant except the hydroquinone reduction of cytochrome b-559 photooxidized in the presence of carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone.

The data is interpreted in terms of an effect of carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone on thylakoid membrane structure which generally inhibits accessibility to the hydrophobic interior of the membrane, possibly through an increase in membrane microviscosity. The question of whether such an effect on membrane structure could be involved in uncoupling or inhibition effects of the carbonylcyanidephenylhydrazone compounds is discussed, as is the special effect of these compounds on the cytochrome b-559 photoreactions at room temperature.     

Photooxidation of cytochrome b-559 in leaves and chloroplasts at room temperature

1. Light-induced absorbance changes of cytochrome b-559 and cytochrome f in the -band region were examined in leaves and in isolated chloroplasts.

2. Absorbance changes of cytochrome b-559 were not detected in untreated leaves or in most preparations of isolated chloroplasts. After treatment of leaves or chloroplasts with carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, high rates of photooxidation of cytochrome b-559 were obtained, both in far-red (>700 nm) and red actinic light. Cytochrome f was photooxidized in far-red light, but in red light it remained mainly in the reduced state. The initial rates of photooxidation of cytochrome b-559 in leaves or chloroplasts treated with carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone were considerably decreased by 3-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea.

3. A slow photoreduction of cytochrome b-559 was observed in aged mutant pea chloroplasts in red light.

4. The results do not support the view that cytochrome b-559 is a component of the electron transport chain between the light reactions. It is suggested that cytochrome b-559 is located on a side path from Photosystem II, but with a possible additional link to Photosystem I.     

Quantitative structure-activity studies of octopaminergic 2-(Arylimino)thiazolidines and Oxazolidines against the nervous system of Periplaneta americana L.

The quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) of octopaminergic 2-(arylimino)thiazolidines (AITs) and 2-(arylimino)oxazolidines (AIOs) against the thoracic nerve cord of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana L., was analysed using reported physicochemical parameters and regression analysis. The more electron-donating, the less bulky at m-position, and the more hydrophobic the substituent, the greater the activity. The plots of observed log V_max values against calculated log V_max values having substituents on the m-position deviated downwards from those of compounds having substituents at the o- and/or p-positions. The more hydrophobic and the more electron-withdrawing the substituent, the greater the activity. AIO with a 2,3,4-trichlorophenyl group (58) was more active than its thiazolidine derivative, 2-(2,3,4-trichlorophenylimino)thiazolidine (38) in terms of V_max:V_max of 58 was 30% relative to octopamine (OA), whereas that of 38 has been 9% relative to OA, respectively. Superimposition of energy-minimized OA and 58 revealed structural and conformational similarities that might account for the high activity of 58.     

Physiological relevance of successive hydroxylations of toluene by toluene para-monooxygenase of Ralstonia pickettii PKO1

We have recently found that toluene para-monooxygenase (TpMO) of Ralstonia pickettii PKO1 (encoded by tbuA1UBVA2C) performs successive hydroxylations of benzene (Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70: 3814, 2004) as well as hydroxylates toluene to a mixture of 90% p-cresol and 10% m-cresol which are then further oxidized to 100% 4-methylcatechol (J. Bacteriol. 186: 3117, 2004) whereas it was thought previously that TpMO forms 100% m-cresol and is not capable of successive hydroxylations. Here we propose a modification of the degradation pathway originally described by Olsen et al. (J. Bacteriol. 176: 3749, 1994) that now relies primarily on TpMO for conversion of toluene to 4-methylcatechol (instead of m-cresol) since both m-cresol and p-cresol are shown here to be good substrates for Escherichia coli expressing TpMO (V_max/K_m=0.046, 0.036, and 0.055 mL min^-1 mg^-1 protein for the oxidation of toluene, m-cresol, and p-cresol, respectively). In light of the broader activity of TpMO, phenol hydroxylase (encoded by tbuD) appears to facilitate conversion of any m-cresol or p-cresol formed from toluene oxidation by TpMO to 4-methylcatechol; hence, the cell has a redundant method for making this important intermediate 4-methylcatechol. Further, it is suggested that the physiological relevance of the 10% m-cresol formed from toluene oxidation by TpMO is needed for induction of the meta cleavage operon tbuWEFGKIHJ to enable full metabolism of toluene since p-cresol (and o-cresol) do not induce the meta-cleavage pathway. Therefore both the successive hydroxylation of toluene by TpMO and the product distribution are of physiological relevance to the cell.     

Covalent immobilization of lipase from Candida rugosa onto poly(acrylonitrile-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) electrospun fibrous membranes for potential bioreactor application

A simple way of fabricating enzymatic membrane reactor with high enzyme loading and activity retention from the conjugation between nanofibrous membrane and lipase was devised. Poly(acrylonitrile-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PANCHEMA) was electrospun into fibrous membrane and used as support for enzyme immobilization. The hydroxyl groups on the fibrous membrane surface were activated with epichlorohydrin, cyanuric chloride or p-benzoquinone, respectively. Lipase from Candida rugosa was covalently immobilized on these fibrous membranes. The resulted bioactive fibrous membranes were examined in catalytic efficiency and activity for hydrolysis. The observed enzyme loading on the fibrous membrane with fiber diameter of 80–150 nm was up to 1.6% (wt/wt), which was as thrice as that on the fibrous membrane with fiber diameter of 800–1000 nm. Activity retention for the immobilized lipase varied between 32.5% and 40.6% with the activation methods of hydroxyl groups. Stabilities of the immobilized lipase were obviously improved. In addition, continuous hydrolysis was carried out with an enzyme-immobilized fibrous membrane bioreactor and a steady hydrolysis conversion (3.6%) was obtained at a 0.23 mL/min flow rate under optimum condition.     

Enzymatic polymerization on the surface of functionalized cellulose fibers

Enzymatic coating of functionalized cellulose fibers with catechol was performed in the presence of Trametes hirsuta laccase. Cellulose functionalization was done by covalent fixation of aromatic amines onto the cellulose surface using a dyeing procedure with C.I. Reactive Black 5 (RB5) followed by reduction with sodium hydrosulfite. Cellulase enzymes were used on coated and control samples to obtain the analytes linked with the soluble sugars in solution, to prove the reaction concepts described in this paper. Hydrolyzed coated-cellulose showed lower concentration of reducing sugars (1188 mg/L) than control samples (2011 mg/L). The structures of these compounds were checked by LC/MS analysis confirming the presence of functionalized glucose and cellobiose units coupled to poly(catechol) molecules (m/z 580 and m/z 633). Alkali extraction method showed to be very promising to coat cellulose fibers with phenols in the presence of enzymes, at mild conditions of temperature and pH.     

Enantioselective cleavage of activated amino acid esters promoted by chiral palladacycles

The ester cleavage of R- and S-isomers N-CBZ-leucine p-nitrophenyl ester intermolecularly catalyzed by R- (a) and S-stereoisomers (b) of the Pd(II) metallacycle [Pd(C₆H₄C^*HMeNMe₂)Cl(py)] (3) follows the rate expression k_obs = k_o + k_cat [3], where the rate constants k_cat equal 25.8 ± 0.4 and 7.6 ± 0.5 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the S- and R-ester, respectively, in the case of 3a, but are 5.7 ± 0.6 and 26.7 ± 0.5 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the S- and R-ester, respectively, in the case of 3b (pH 6.23 and 25°C). Thus, the best catalysis occurs when the asymmetric carbons of the leucine ester and Pd(II) complex are R and S, or S and R configured, respectively. Molecular modeling suggests that the stereoselection results from the spatial interaction between the CH₂CHMe₂ radical of the ester and the -methyl group of 3. A hydrophobic/stacking contact between the leaving 4-nitrophenolate and the coordinated pyridine also seems to play a role. Less efficient intramolecular enantioselection was observed for the hydrolysis of N-t-BOC-S-metthionine p-nitrophenyl ester with R- and S-enantiomers of [Pd(C₆H₄C*HMeNMe₂)Cl] coordinated to sulfur.     

Substrate selectivity of imidazole-appended dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin

The substrate selectivity of the hydrolysis reaction by imidazole-appended dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin (2) was studied using different kinds of p-nitrophenyl esters of amino acids. The tendency for the hydrolysis reaction of the amino acid ester by 2 reflected a difference in K_m rather than in k_cat. 2 had the ability to undergo a stereo-selective hydrolysis reaction.     

Comparison of cytochrome P-450 species which catalyze the hydroxylations of the aromatic ring of estradiol and estradiol 17-sulfate

For identification of microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450) enzymes which catalyze 2- or 4-hydroxylations of estrogens in the rat liver, estradiol (E₂) and estradiol 17-sulfate (E₂-17-S) were selected as the substrates and incubated with various kinds of purified P-450 enzymes: PB-1, PB-2, PB-4 and PB-5 obtained from phenobarbital-treated male rats (Sprague-Dawley); MC-1 and MC-5 from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated male rats; and UT-1, UT-2, UT-4 and UT-5 from untreated animals. The reactions were carried out under the P-450-reconstructed system, and the resulting products were determined by HPLC using electrochemical detection. All the enzymes tested were shown to have varying degrees of catalytic activities for 2-hydroxylation of the two substrates; UT-1 and UT-2 had the highest activity. Of the induced P-450 enzymes, PB-2 and MC-1 showed fairly high catalytic activity for 4-hydroxylation of E₂. The P-450 enzymes obtained from the untreated male rats, especially UT-4, showed the highest catalytic activity for 4-hydroxylation of the two substrates. From these results and also from kinetic experiments, the P-450 enzymes which catalyze 2- and 4-hydroxylations of estrogen were considered to be different species. A part of E₂ was converted to such metabolites as estrone and those having a hydroxyl group at positions 6β, 15 or 16, each production of which was estimated to be catalyzed by single or multiple P-450s.     

Effects of phenobarbital and sodium salicylate on cytochrome P-450 mixed function oxygenase and glutathione S-transferase activities in rat brain

The effects of acute and therapeutic doses of phenobarbital and sodium salicylate on cytochrome P-450 mixed function oxygenase (EC 1.14.14.1) and glutathione S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) activities have been studied in rat brain and compared with those of rat liver. P-450 enzymic activity was assayed by N-demethylation of p-chloro-N-methylaniline and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene was used as substrate for glutathione S-transferase activity. The acute effects of a single daily dose of phenobarbital (75 mg/kg/day;i.p.) and sodium salicylate (500 mg/kg/day;i.p.) for 3 days increased cytochrome P-450 as well as glutathione S-transferase in rat liver. But the same doses of both drugs decreased glutathione S-transferase levels in rat brain and increased cytochrome P-450 dependent N-demethylation of p-chloro-N-methylaniline. The therapeutic doses of sodium salicylate (50 mg/kg/day;i.p.) and phenobarbital (10 mg/kg/day;i.p.) daily for 21 days increased cytochrome P-450 in rat liver as well as in brain. The increase in brain glutathione S-transferase by prolonged treatment of phenobarbital was significant compared to the control values.     

Chemical structure and conformational features of cell-wall polysaccharides isolated from Aphanoascus mephitalus and related species

The structures of cell-wall mannans isolated from Aphamoascus mephitalus, A. Fulvescens, A. verrucosus, and A. reticulisporus have been investigated by chemical analyses and 1D and 2D ¹H and ¹³C NMR techniques. It was found that all of them consists of a relatively simple comb-like structure of the disaccharide repeating block {→ 6)-[-Man p-(1 → 2)]--Man p-(1 →}. The conformations around the -(1 → 2) and -(1 → 6) linkages in thes kinds of polymers were also studied by using molecular mechanics and dynamics calculations, together with NOE data. The results are similar to those found within the oligosaccharide chains of glycoproteins, with a well-defined conformation for the -(1 → 2) linkage and a certain restriction around the -(1 → 6) bonding imposed by the 2-substitution.     

Synthesis of [2S-2-H]- and [2R-2-H]hexadecanoic acids

[2S-2-²H]- and [2R-2-²H]hexadecanoic acids were synthesized in overall yields of 59–67%. Methyl(2R)-2-hydroxyhexadecanoate, from the acid produced by Hansenula sydowiorum, was converted to the p-toluenesulphonate, reduced to trideutero alcohol with lithium aluminium deuteride and oxidized to [2S-2-²H]hexadecanoic acid. Methyl (2S)-2-chlorohexadecanoate, which was a by-product of tosylation and was also prepared by chlorinatioon of the hydroxy ester with thionyl chloride, on reduction and oxidation as before gave [2R-2-²H]-hexadecanoic acid. Intermediates were fully characterized, isotopic purity was 97% and optical purity was maintained throughout the syntheses. Attempts to reduce the tosyl or chloro groups, only, with sodium borodeuteride gave low yields probably due to preferential reduction of the ester group; 1,2-epoxyhexadecane was obtained from the tosylate and 2-chlorohexadecan-1-ol from the chloro ester.     

Regioselective metabolism of phenanthrene in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua): studies on the effects of monooxygenase inducers and role of cytochromes P-450

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon phenanthrene was converted mainly (>90%) to the 1,2-dihydrodiol when metabolized in vivo by the marine teleost cod. This is also found in other bony fishes, but contrary to what is known from cartilaginous fish, crustaceans and mammals, where the K-region 9,10-dihydrodiol is the main metabolite. When liver microsomal preparations from differently pretreated cod were incubated with phenanthrene in vitro, the metabolic profile was dramatically different from the in vivo pattern, as shown by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. The microsomes from untreated, phenanthrene, phenobarbital and pregnenolone-16-carbonitrile-treated cod converted phenanthrene mainly, but to a varying extent, to the 9,10-dihydrodiol. Treatment with β-naphthoflavone (BNF), however, resulted in a large increase in the oxidation at the 1,2-position, along with a four- to seven-fold increase in specific activity. The major cytochrome P-450 isozyme purified from BNF-treated cod liver (P-450c) showed highest activity with phenanthrene (a turnover of 0.18 nmol/min per nmol P-450), but with about equal selectivity for the 1,2- and 9,10-region of the substrate in a reconstituted system with phospholipid and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. The low regioselectivity was also observed as a lack of regioselective inhibition of microsomal phenanthrene metabolism with antiserum to cod P-450c. Two of the minor isozymes, cod cytochromes P-450b and d, showed a similar turnover to P-450c, but with a stronger selectivity for the 1,2-position (55–60%). The results indicate that other control systems, in addition to the content of individual P-450-forms in the regulatory systems, in addition to the content of individual P-450-forms in the endoplasmic reticulum, are involved in the in vivo transformation of phenanthrene by cod to the 1,2-dihydrodiol metabolite.     

Enantioselective biotransformations of racemic 2-aryl-3-methylbutyronitriles using Rhodococcus sp. AJ270

Rhodococcus sp. AJ270 is a useful biocatalyst for the synthesis of some enantiopure S-(+)-2-aryl-3-methylbutyric acids and R-(+)-2-aryl-3-methylbutyramides from the hydrolysis of 2-aryl-3-methylbutyronitriles under mild conditions. The nitrile-hydrolyzing enzymes involved in this novel microorganism are very sensitive to the steric effect of the para-substituent on the aromatic ring. While the nitrile hydratase displays a low S-enantioselectivity against nitriles, the amidase has a strict S-enantioselectivity against 2-aryl-3-methylbutyramides.     

A novel metalloprotease from Bacillus cereus for protein fibre processing

A novel protease produced by Bacillus cereus grown on wool as carbon and nitrogen source was purified. B. cereus protease is a neutral metalloprotease with a molecular mass of 45.6 kDa. The optimum activity was at 45 °C and pH 7.0. The substrate specificity was assessed using oxidized insulin B-chain and synthetic peptide substrates. The cleavage of the insulin B-chain was determined to be Asn³, Leu⁶, His¹⁰-Leu¹¹, Ala¹⁴, Glu²¹, after 12 h incubation. Among the peptide substrates, the enzyme did not exhibit activity towards ester substrates; with p-nitroanilide, the kinetic data indicate that aliphatic and aromatic amino acids were the preferred residues at the P₁ position. For furylacryloyl peptides substrates, which are typical substrates for thermolysin, the enzyme exhibited high hydrolytic activity with a K_m values of 0.858 and 2.363 mM for N-(3-[2-Furyl]acryloyl)-Ala-Phe amide and N-(3-[2-Furyl]acryloyl)-Gly-Leu amide, respectively. The purified protease hydrolysed proteins substrates such as azocasein, azocoll, keratin azure and wool.     

Deactivation of cellulases by phenols

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials may result in the release of inhibitors and deactivators of cellulose enzyme hydrolysis. We report the identification of phenols with major inhibition and/or deactivation effect on enzymes used for conversion of cellulose to ethanol. The inhibition effects were measured by combining the inhibitors (phenols) with enzyme and substrate immediately at the beginning of the assay. The deactivation effects were determined by pre-incubating phenols with cellulases or β-glucosidases for specified periods of time, prior to the respective enzyme assays. Tannic, gallic, hydroxy-cinnamic, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids, together with vanillin caused 20-80% deactivation of cellulases and/or β-glucosidases after 24h of pre-incubation while enzymes pre-incubated in buffer alone retained all of their activity. The strength of the inhibition or deactivation effect depended on the type of enzyme, the microorganism from which the enzyme was derived, and the type of phenolic compounds present. β-Glucosidase from Aspergillus niger was the most resistant to inhibition and deactivation, requiring about 5 and 10-fold higher concentrations, respectively, for the same levels of inhibition or deactivation as observed for enzymes from Trichoderma reesei. Of the phenol molecules tested, tannic acid was the single, most damaging aromatic compound that caused both deactivation and reversible loss (inhibition) of all of enzyme activities tested.