Inactivation of mushroom tyrosinase by hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) inactivates mushroom tyrosinase in a biphasic manner, with the rate being faster in the first phase than in the second one. The inactivation of the enzyme is dependent on H₂O₂ concentration (in the range of 0.05–5.0 mM), but independent of the pH (in the range of 4.5–8.0). The rate of inactivation of mushroom tyrosinase by H₂O₂ is faster under anaerobic conditions (nitrogen) than under aerobic ones (air). Substrate analogues such as L-mimosine, L-phenylalanine, p-fluorophenylalanine and sodium benzoate protect the enzyme against inactivation by H₂O₂. Copper chelators such as tropolone and sodium azide also protect the enzyme. Under identical conditions, apotyrosinase is not inactivated by H₂O₂, unlike holotyrosinase. The inactivation of mushroom tyrosinase is not accelerated by an OH^?dot generating system (Fe²⁺-EDTA-H₂O₂) nor is it protected by OH^dot scavengers such as mannitol, urate, sodium formate and histidine. Exhaustive dialysis or incubation with catalase does not restore the activity of H₂O₂-inactivated enzyme. The data suggest that Cu²⁺ at the active site of mushroom tyrosinase is essential for the inactivation by H₂O₂. The inactivation does not occur via the OH^dot radical in the bulk phase but probably via an enzyme-bound OH^dot.     

Inactivation kinetics of mushroom tyrosinase by cetylpyridinium chloride

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) was found to inactivate tyrosinase from mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). CPC can bind to the enzyme molecule and induce the enzyme conformation changes. The fluorescence intensity (at 338.4 nm) of the enzyme decreased distinctly with increasing CPC concentrations, and a new little fluorescence emission peak appeared near 372 nm. The inactivation of the enzyme by CPC had first been studied by using the kinetic method of the substrate reaction described by Tsou. The results showed that the enzyme was inactivated by a complex mechanism that had not been previously identified. The enzyme first quickly binds with CPC reversibly and then undergoes a slow irreversible inactivation. The inactivation reaction is a single molecule reaction and the apparent inactivation rate constant is a saturated trend being independent of CPC concentration if the concentration is sufficiently high. The micro rate constants of inactivation and the association constant were determined.     

Inactivation kinetics of mushroom tyrosinase in the dimethyl sulfoxide solution

Mushroom tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) is a kind of copper-containing oxidase that catalyzes both the hydroxylation of tyrosine into o-diphenols and the oxidation of o-diphenols into o-quinones and then forms brown or black pigments. In the present paper, the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide on the enzyme activity for the oxidation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) have been studied. The results show that low concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can lead to reversible inactivation of the enzyme, and the IC ₅₀ is estimated to be 2.45 M. Inactivation of the enzyme by DMSO is classified as mixed type. The kinetics of inactivation of mushroom tyrosinase at low concentrations of DMSO solution has been studied using the kinetic method of the substrate reaction. The rate constants of inactivation have been determined. The results show the free enzyme molecule is more fragile than the enzyme–substrate complex in the DMSO solution. It is suggested that the presence of the substrate offers marked protection of this enzyme against inactivation by DMSO.     

Cobalt tyrosinase: replacement of the binuclear copper of Neurospora tyrosinase by cobalt

The antiferromagnetically spin-coupled copper(II) pair in Neurospora tyrosinase was substituted by cobalt, yielding a stoichiometry of 2 mol of Co/mol of protein. The low magnitude of the high-spin Co(II) EPR signal indicates spin coupling of the two Co(II) ions similar to that observed in the native enzyme. The absorption spectrum with four transitions in the visible region of intermediate intensity (epsilon 607(670), epsilon 564(630), epsilon 526(465)), a shoulder at 635 nm, and the near-infrared bands at 1180 (epsilon 30) and 960 nm (epsilon 15) indicate tetrahedral coordination around the Co(II) center. The cobalt(II) tyrosinase is enzymatically inactive, and there is no evidence that it binds molecular oxygen. Upon addition of cyanide or the competitive tyrosinase inhibitors L-mimosine, benzoic acid, or benzhydroxamic acid te absorption spectrum changes in a characteristic manner. This optical perturbation shows that binding of these inhibitors (and presumably of the substrates) occurs at or near the metal site. One Co(II) ion can be removed preferentially by incubation with KCN at high pH, indicating the two ions not to be in an identical environment.     

Study of alpha-methyldopa oxidation by tyrosinase

The pathway for alpha-methyldopa oxidation to alpha-methyldopachrome, by mushroom tyrosinase, is proposed. Characterization of intermediates in this oxidative reaction and stoichiometry determination have both been undertaken. The steps for alpha-methyldopa transformation into its aminochrome would be: alpha-methyldopa----o-alpha-methyldopaquinone-H+----o-alpha- methyldopaquinone----leuko-alpha-methyldopachrome----alpha- methyldopachrome. The stoichiometry for this conversion corresponded to the equation: 2 o-alpha-methyldopaquinone-H+----alpha-methyldopa + alpha-methyldopachrome. At very acid pH values, another route implying the addition of water to the quinonic ring, competes with the first one. Two chemical pathways can be proposed from alpha-methyldopaquinone-H+, the relative importance of which is determined by the pH. A theoretical and experimental kinetic approach was applied to this oxidative reaction. Rate constants and thermodynamic activation parameters of the chemical steps, have been evaluated. The results obtained confirmed that alpha-methyldopa oxidation by tyrosinase followed a scheme similar to that established for L-dopa and alpha-methylnoradrenaline.     

Inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase by tropolone

Tropolone inhibits both mono- and o-dihydroxyphenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase. Most of the inhibition exerted by tropolone was reversed by dialysis or by excess CU²⁺. The data indicate that tropolone and o-dihydroxyphenols compete for binding to the copper at the active site of the enzyme. Comparison between the effectiveness of various copper chelators showed that tropolone is one of the most potent inhibitors of mushroom tyrosinase; 50% inhibition was observed with 0.4 × 10^?6 M tropolone.     

Inhibition of tyrosinase by green tea components

The pigment melanin in human skin is a major defense mechanism against ultraviolet light of the sun, but darkened skin color, which is the result of increased and redistributed epidermal melanin, could be a serious aesthetic problem. Epidemiologically, it is well known that the consumption of green tea may help prevent cancers in humans and also reduce several free radicals including peroxynitrite. In the present study, to assess the efficacy of the inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase (monophenol monooxygenase EC 1.14.18.1), ten kinds of Korean traditional teas were screened for their tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Green tea was the strongest inhibitor, and the major active constituents in the tea are (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate (ECG), (-)-gallocatechin 3-O-gallate (GCG), and (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate (EGCG). All are catechins with gallic acid group as an active site. The kinetic analysis for inhibition of tyrosinase revealed a competitive nature of GCG with this enzyme for the L-tyrosine binding at the active site of tyrosinase.     

Enkephalins and exorphins oxidation by tyrosinase

Tyrosinase activity was tested on some tyrosine-containing peptides (enkephalins and exorphins). All they are substrates for tyrosinase, showing a good affinity for the enzyme, in some cases higher than tyrosine itself. Aminoacid analysis after hydrolysis of long-lasting incubation mixtures of tyrosinase with Leu-enkephalin in presence of reductants demonstrates the formation of DOPA. The production of a new peptide containing DOPA derived from the oxidation of Leu-enkephalin was revealed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).     

Oxidation of 6-hydroxydopamine catalyzed by tyrosinase

• 1.1. The oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine) by O₂ catalyzed by tyrosinase yields 4-(2-aminoethyl)-1,2-benzoquinone, with its amino group protonated (o-dopaminequinone-H⁺, which evolves non-enzymatically through two branches or sequences of reactions, whose respective operations are determined by the pH of the medium.
• 2.2. The cyclization branch of o-dopaminequinone-H⁺ takes place in the entire range of pH and is the only significant branch at pH ⩾ 6.
• 3.3. The hydroxylation branch of o-dopaminequinone-H⁺ only operates significantly at pH < 6, and involves the accumulation of 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylethylamine (6-hydroxydopamine), identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
• 4.4. 6-hydroxydopamine is also a substrate of tyrosinase. The identification and evolution of the oxidation products of 6-hydroxydopamine has been carried out by spectrophotometry and HPLC assays.

     

Regulation of mammalian melanogenesis by tyrosinase inhibition

Melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) specifically induces differentiation of mammalian melanocytes. To further define the biochemical events elicited by this stimulus, we have cloned murine melanoma cells which are either highly responsive or nonresponsive to MSH, and have examined their ultrastructural appearance, their melanogenic activities, and also their expression of tyrosinase. We have found that the basal levels of melanogenic activity in pigmented and nonpigmented cells correlate with expression of surface MSH receptors rather than with production of tyrosinase. Nonpigmented cells produce a potent, highly stable inhibitor of melanogenesis; this inhibitor acts directly on tyrosinase to dramatically and abruptly suppress melanin production. This posttranslational control of tyrosinase activity may represent a critical regulatory point in mammalian pigmentation.     

Activation of mammalian tyrosinase by ferrous ions

Kinetic experiments are reported showing that mammalian tyrosinase from B16 mouse melanoma is significantly activated by catalytic amounts of ferrous ions. Monitoring of tyrosine oxidation by both dopachrome formation and oxygen consumption showed that ferrous ions at micromolar concentrations induce a marked enzymatic activity with 0.01 U/ml of highly purified tyrosinase, whereas no detectable reaction occurs in the absence of metal over a sufficiently prolonged period of time. The extent of the activating effect, which is specific for the reduced form of iron, is proportional to the concentration of the added metal with a typical saturation profile, no further effect being observed beyond a threshold value. Changing the buffer system from phosphate to hepes or tris results in a marked decrease of the Fe2(+)-induced activation. Scavengers of active oxygen species, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, formate and mannitol have no detectable effect on the tyrosinase activity. These results are accounted for in terms of an activation mechanism involving reduction of the cupric ions at the active site of the resting enzyme.     

Hydroxylation of p-substituted phenols by tyrosinase: further insight into the mechanism of tyrosinase activity

A study of the monophenolase activity of tyrosinase by measuring the steady state rate with a group of p-substituted monophenols provides the following kinetic information: k(cat)(m) and the Michaelis constant, K(M)(m). Analysis of these data taking into account chemical shifts of the carbon atom supporting the hydroxyl group (δ) and σ(p)(+), enables a mechanism to be proposed for the transformation of monophenols into o-diphenols, in which the first step is a nucleophilic attack on the copper atom on the form E(ox) (attack of the oxygen of the hydroxyl group of C-1 on the copper atom) followed by an electrophilic attack (attack of the hydroperoxide group on the ortho position with respect to the hydroxyl group of the benzene ring, electrophilic aromatic substitution with a reaction constant ρ of -1.75). These steps show the same dependency on the electronic effect of the substituent groups in C-4. Furthermore, a study of a solvent deuterium isotope effect on the oxidation of monophenols by tyrosinase points to an appreciable isotopic effect. In a proton inventory study with a series of p-substituted phenols, the representation of [Formula: see text] / [Formula: see text] against n (atom fractions of deuterium), where [Formula: see text] is the catalytic constant for a molar fraction of deuterium (n) and [Formula: see text] is the corresponding kinetic parameter in a water solution, was linear for all substrates. These results indicate that only one of the proton transfer processes from the hydroxyl groups involved the catalytic cycle is responsible for the isotope effects. We suggest that this step is the proton transfer from the hydroxyl group of C-1 to the peroxide of the oxytyrosinase form (E(ox)). After the nucleophilic attack, the incorporation of the oxygen in the benzene ring occurs by means of an electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism in which there is no isotopic effect.     

Indirect oxidation of 6-tetrahydrobiopterin by tyrosinase

6-Tetrahydrobiopterin is known to bind to an allosteric site of tyrosinase to directly inhibit the enzyme. However, simultaneous measurements of ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra and oxygen consumption led us to conclude that the inhibition was due to oxidation of 6-tetrahydrobiopterin by dopaquinone. Immediately after addition of 6-tetrahydrobiopterin, tyrosinase stopped producing dopachrome from either tyrosine or dopa. Duration of inhibition was proportional to the concentration of added 6-tetrahydrobiopterin and the enzyme activity was fully restored after the inhibition. Surprisingly, there was a rapid consumption of oxygen during the inhibition period. In addition, absorption spectra indicated that the only reaction that occurred during the inhibition was oxidation of 6-tetrahydrobiopterin to 7,8-dihydrobiopterin. In the absence of tyrosine or dopa, tyrosinase did not oxidize 6-tetrahydrobiopterin, suggesting that a reaction intermediate between dopa and dopachrome was a target for the inhibition. We propose a new mechanism in which dopa is oxidized to dopaquinone and the latter, instead of producing dopachrome, is reduced back to dopa by 6-tetrahydrobiopterin.     

The inhibition of tyrosinase by pyridinones.

3-Hydroxypyridine-4-ones have potential as orally active chelators of iron(III) and therefore may find application in the treatment of thalassaemia. An undesirable feature of these molecules is that they inhibit tyrosinase. We have established that alkyl substitution at position 2 in the aromatic ring minimizes interaction with tyrosinase and does so without appreciably influencing the affinity for iron(III).     

Inactivation of bacteria by Purogene

The bacteriocidal efficacy of Purogene, a stabilized aqueous solution of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) was examined using bacteria of concern to public health. The organisms tested were: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Yersinia enterocolitica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes Group A, Salmonella typhimurium and Bacillus subtilis . The test organisms responded differently to inactivation by Purogene. At least a 4 log reduction in bacterial counts was noted when Purogene was applied at a concentration of 0.75 mg/l. Since Purogene is a stabilized complex, it was necessary to provide a chemical environment suitable for the release of ClO₂ in this solution. This was done by varying the pH of Purogene from 3.5 to 8.6 (pH of Purogene is 8.6) while keeping the pH of the experimental medium constant (pH 7.0). The results showed that Purogene was most efficacious at the lowest pH tested (pH 3.5). This indicates that as chlorine dioxide solutions were reduced to chlorite (which predominates at pH 8.6), their bacteriocidal efficacy was reduced, suggesting free chlorine dioxide as the active disinfecting species.     

Inactivation of poliovirus by chloramine-T

Since concern has recently been expressed about the presence of genotoxic substances due to chlorination of water and wastewater, chloramine-T (CAT) is proposed as an alternative disinfectant to chlorine. The viricidal properties of chlorine and CAT were compared. Kinetics of inactivation of poliovirus type 2 by chlorine and CAT in chlorine demand-free water were investigated by using a kinetic apparatus. Inactivation of the virus by chlorine and CAT occurred in two steps. The initial linear part of the inactivation curve followed a pseudo-first-order reaction with the virus. An obvious dose-response relationship was demonstrated with CAT. The rate of inactivation of the virus by CAT was faster in acid medium than in alkaline medium. Inactivation kinetic studies were performed at different temperatures, and the kinetic, Arrhenius, and thermodynamic parameters were evaluated. The rate of inactivation of poliovirus type 2 by chlorine was faster than that by CAT under identical conditions. A mechanism for the viral inactivation in acid conditions was proposed which led to a rate equation consistent with the experimental results. The results indicate that CAT may be an effective viricide against poliovirus type 2 in an acid medium.