Catalytic properties of testicular hyaluronidase after gamma-irradiation

The effect of gamma-irradiation on ovine testicular hyaluronidase was studied in aqueous solution. Following irradiation, hyaluronidase is inhibited, and the kinetics of inhibition follow a pattern in which Km and Vmax decline as radiation dose is increased. It was indicated that the binding affinity of the residual activity of hyaluronidase with substrate is enhanced and depends upon radiation damage. Effects of various agents such as pH, salts, PCMB and glutathione on irradiated hyaluronidase have been compared with non-irradiated enzyme. The irradiated hyaluronidase was more sensitive to inhibition by CuSO4 than the non-irradiated enzyme. The residual activity after irradiation is less refractory to FeCl3 inhibition and less sensitive to NaCl stimulation compared to non-irradiated hyaluronidase. pH response curves of ovine testicular hyaluronidase show two maxima which become more evident after irradiation.     

Isolation and purification of bovine testicular hyaluronidase

We developed a single-step method for chromatographic purification of the hyaluronidase extract on Sepharose blue, which produced high yield of the enzyme (95%) with high purity (40). Purification of hyaluronidase allowed us to obtain biological preparations standardized by the protein composition and enzyme activity and useful for basic and applied researches.     

Chick embryo fibroblasts produce two forms of hyaluronidase

Cultured chick embryo fibroblasts derived from skin and skeletal muscle exhibit hyaluronidase activity both associated with the cell layer and secreted into the medium. Although both forms of the enzyme have a number of similar characteristics (R.W. Orkin and B.P. Toole, 1980, J. Biol. CHem. 255), they differ in thermal stability at neutral pH and in behavior on ion-exchange chromatography. Both forms of the enzyme are equally stable at acidic pH for long intervals, but the cell-associated hyaluronidase is significantly less stable than the secreted froms at neutral pH and at temperatures more than or equal to 30 degrees C. Neither the presence of proteases nor inhibitors of hyaluronidase appear to be involved in the cell-asspcoated enzyme. Chromatography of the two forms of hyaluronidase on carboxymethyl cellulose reveals that most (60-90 percent) of the secreted form of the enzyme elutes at a lower ionic strength than the cell- associated enzyme. Treatment of the secreted form of hyaluronidase with neuraminidase shifts its elution profile on carboxymethyl cellulose toward that of the cell-associated form, and also decreases its thermal stability at neutral pH. In contrast, treatment of the secreted form of hyaluronidase with alkaline phosphatase has no detectable effect. These data suggest that the secreted hyaluronidase differs from the cellular form in possessing additional sialic acid residues which endow the former with increased stability in the extracellular milieu.     

Interfacial behaviour of bovine testis hyaluronidase

The interfacial properties of bovine testicular hyaluronidase were investigated by demonstrating the association of hyaluronidase activity with membranes prepared from bovine testis. Protein adsorption to the air/water interface was investigated using surface pressure-area isotherms. In whichever way the interfacial films were obtained (protein injection or deposition), the hyaluronidase exhibited a significant affinity for the air/water interface. The isotherm obtained 180 min after protein injection into a pH 5.3 subphase was similar to the isotherm obtained after spreading the same amount of protein onto the same subphase, indicating that bovine testicular hyaluronidase molecules adopted a similar arrangement and/or conformation at the interface. Increasing the subphase pH from 5.3 to 8 resulted in changes of the protein isotherms. These modifications, which could correspond to the small pH-induced conformational changes observed by Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy, were discussed in relation to the pH influence on the hyaluronidase activity. Adding hyaluronic acid, the enzyme substrate, to the subphase tested the stability of the interfacial properties of hyaluronidase. The presence of hyaluronic acid in the subphase did not modify the protein adsorption and allowed substrate binding to a preformed film of hyaluronidase at pH 5.3, the optimal pH for the enzyme activity. Such effects of hyaluronic acid were not observed when the subphase was constituted of pure water, a medium where the enzyme activity was negligible. These influences of hyaluronic acid were discussed in relation to the modelled structure of bovine testis hyaluronidase where a hydrophobic region was proposed to be opposite of the catalytic site.     

Multiple forms of ram and bull sperm hyaluronidase revealed by using monoclonal antibodies

Two monoclonal anti-sperm hyaluronidase-producing cell lines were isolated following inoculation of mice with ram sperm hyaluronidase monomer. Both lines produced antibodies of the IgG1 class; these bound to ram hyaluronidase after 'Western blotting' but did not recognize the native enzyme. Whereas the 1A4 antibody was specific for ram hyaluronidase, and did not react with 'blotted' bull, boar or rabbit hyaluronidase, the 1D6 antibody recognized bull as well as ram hyaluronidase. The antibodies could be used for immunocytochemical localization of hyaluronidase in fixed spermatozoa. However, although some form of denaturation was required to unmask or form the epitopes with which the antibodies reacted, the degree and type of fixation required was critical, for the epitopes were readily destroyed; in particular, they were very sensitive to chemical modification such as glutaraldehyde treatment. It could be demonstrated that, like ram, bull spermatozoa contained an extended oligomeric family of hyaluronidase forms, apparently the result of intermolecular disulphide cross-linking of monomers. In spermatozoa of both species, the enzyme was confined to the anterior acrosomal region of the head.     

Resistance of Dextran-Modified Hyaluronidase to Inhibition by Heparin

Properties of native and aldehyde dextran-modified hyaluronidase (with surface amino group modification about 98%) were investigated. Optimal endoglycosidase activity of the native enzyme was observed at 0.15 M NaCl and pH 5.5 and electrostatic interactions influenced the enzyme activity. The inhibitory effect of heparin on hyaluronidase activity slightly differed at pH 5.5 (1.5-fold inhibition) and 7.5 (1.2-fold inhibition). Ionic strength of the reaction medium only slightly influenced the effect of heparin. Modification of hyaluronidase with dextran increased hydrophobic interactions and steric hindrance. Conjugation with dextran increased the resistance of hyaluronidase activity to denaturing agents (urea, guanidinium hydrobromide) and extended the optimal conditions for maximal endoglycosidase activity (pH 4.5-6.5, the range of NaCl concentration from 0.1 to 0.3 M). The conjugation also reduced electrostatic effects on the active site of hyaluronidase and efficacy of heparin inhibition. At pH 7.5 the enzyme was almost insensitive to heparin. The resistance of dextran-modified hyaluronidase to heparin points to approaches for subsequent studies of the heparin binding site of this enzyme and biomedical trial of the stabilized enzyme for the treatment of acute cardiovascular lesions.     

天然产物中透明质酸酶抑制剂的研究

透明质酸酶抑制剂是对透明质酸酶的激活有抑制作用的物质。透明质酸酶是透明质酸的特异性裂解酶,而透明质酸在人体许多发育和调控过程中起重要作用,抑制透明质酸酶的活性可使透明质酸不被分解,维持正常的生理功能,笔者对天然产物中透明质酸酶抑制的研究开发进行了概述,并探讨了透明质酸酶抑制在医药及保健食品工业中的应用潜力。     

Do electrostatic interactions determine glycation of hyaluronidase derivatives with N-acetylhexosamines?

Using N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine as model agents for glycation of native hyaluronidase and its chondroitin sulfate modified form it has been shown that the modified enzyme exhibited higher inactivation than the native enzyme, while heparin caused similar inhibition of both forms. Such effect could be attributed to the development of electrostatic interactions as the modified hyaluronidase had altered surface electrostatic potential after chondroitin sulfate binding. However, variations in ionic strength of the medium containing enzyme derivatives have shown that their endoglycosidase activity changed in a similar manner and the effect on glycation represents a multifactor process. N-acetylhexosamines are natural labels of endothelial glycocalyx degradation products. Interaction of the hyaluronidase forms with charged hyaluronan fragments revealed significantly higher inactivation of the modified enzyme compared with the native enzyme. The glycation pattern observed in this study was opposite to that observed with mono- and disaccharides. Thus, it appears that the investigated hyaluronidase derivatives represent an informative enzymatic test in vivo for determination of the dominant type of glycation agents in blood circulation and their origin.     

Detection of acyl esterase activity on electrophoresis membranes and separation from hyaluronidase.

A method is described for the detection of acyl esterase activity on cellulose acetate membranes following electrophoresis of the enzyme. It uses the indigogenic substrate, indoxyl acetate, which directly forms the colored product visualized in the test. This substrate also detects activity of acetyl cholinesterase and pseudocholinesterase. With this method, bovine testicular hyaluronidase is shown to contain acyl esterase activity. By electrophoresis of hyaluronidase preparations at pH 6.8, esterase and hyaluronidase activities are separated, further assuring the specificity of the method for hyaluronidase.     

东亚钳蝎毒透明质酸酶的纯化和部分性质的研究

用CM-SephadexC50,CM-SephadexC25和SephadexG-75凝胶过滤,从东亚钳蝎毒中提纯蝎毒透明质酸酶,应用低pH系统不连续聚丙烯酰胺凝胶圆盘电泳,SDS-不连续聚丙烯酰胺凝胶垂直板电泳鉴定均为单一条带,活力提高34倍,产率为12％,纯品无出血活性,无神经毒性。用凝胶过滤法和SDS电泳法测得分子量为54000,PAS染色证实为糖蛋白。 纯化的透明质酸酶的最适pH为4.5～6.5,最适温度为37℃,该酶对热的稳定性比蛇毒透明质酸酶高一些,但在碱性环境中也易失活。0.15MNaCl对酶活性有明显稳定作用,Fe~(2+)、Fe~(3+)及肝素对酶活性有明显的抑制作用,Cu~(2+)对酶活力也有一定影响。     

Activity of native and dextran-modified hyaluronidase in in vitro and in vivo systems

Modified hyaluronidase derivatives have been obtained. Covalent coupling of the enzyme with aldehyde dextran results in 65-85% protein binding to the carrier, residual catalytic activity accounting for 90-100% of the baseline. Modified hyaluronidase is more thermostable than the native enzyme. The data on intravenous drug distribution in the mouse organs are promising and ensure effective use of modified hyaluronidase for the treatment of pulmonary diseases.     

Unsuitability of indoxyl acetate as a substrate for the assay of testicular hyaluronidase

The most recently published method for the assay of testicular hyaluronidase preparations was based on the premise that the enzyme also exhibited carboxylesterase activity towards indoxyl acetate. Studies on the relative enzyme activities of various hyaluronidase preparations towards hyaluronate and indoxyl acetate, the relative stabilities towards pH, temperature and mechanical shaking and the behaviour towards a variety of inhibitors, showed that the activities towards the two substrates reflected the presence of at least two different enzyme systems in the preparations. Gel chromatography and polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis experiments confirmed these conclusions and the collective findings clearly establish that methods based on the use of indoxyl acetate cannot be employed to measure testicular hyaluronidase activity.     

Characterization of hyaluronidase isolated from Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix (Southern Copperhead) venom

Snake venoms are a rich source of enzymes including many hydrolytic enzymes. Some enzymes such as phospholipase A2, proteolytic enzymes, and phosphodiesterases are well characterized. However many enzymes, such as the glycosidase, hyaluronidase, have not been studied extensively. Here we describe the characterization of snake venom hyaluronidase. In order to determine which venom was the best source for isolation of the enzyme, the hyaluronidase activity of 19 venoms from Elapidae, Viperidae, and Crotalidae snakes was determined. Since Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix venom showed the highest activity, this venom was used for purification of hyaluronidase. Molecular weight was determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectroscopy and was found to be 59,290 Da. The molecular weight value as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was 61,000 Da. Substrate specificity studies indicated that the snake venom enzyme was specific only for hyaluronan and did not hydrolyze similar polysaccharides of chondroitin, chondroitin sulfate A (chondroitin 4-sulfate), chondroitin sulfate B (dermatan sulfate), chondroitin sulfate C (chondroitin 6-sulfate), chondroitin sulfate D, chondroitin sulfate E, or heparin. The enzyme is an endo-glycosidase without exo-glycosidase activity, as it did not hydrolyze p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucuronide or p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide. The main hydrolysis products from hyaluronan were hexa- and tetrasaccharides with N-acetylglucosamine at the reducing terminal. The cleavage point is at the beta1,4-glycosidic linkage and not at the beta1,3-glycosidic linkage. Thus, snake venom hyaluronidase is an endo-beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase specific for hyaluronan.     

Immunoenzymic studies on testicular hyaluronidase from rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Hyaluronidase from rhesus monkey testes was purified by detergent extraction, ammonium sulphate fractionation, Sephadex G-200 column chromatography and concanavalin A-Sepharose affinity chromatography. The purified hyaluronidase showed one protein band on acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Antibodies to the purified hyaluronidase were raised in rabbits and showed a single precipitin line by Ouchterlony gel diffusion. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 62,000. The Km was 0.5 mg/ml for hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid at 37 degrees C. The optimum pH for the enzyme was 5.0 but activity was present over a broad pH range. The hyaluronidase was inhibited by HgCl2, CuSO4, FeSO4 and p-chloromercuribenzoate all at a concentration of 2 x 10(-4) M. Cysteine protected the enzyme against HgCl2 inhibition.     

Subunit structure of 6-phosphofructokinase from brewers' yeast.

An analysis of 6-phosphofructokinase from brewers' yeast in the presence of sodium dodecylsulfate reveals the occurrence of four components with the following molecular weights: alpha = 140000, beta = 130000, and alpha' = 92000, beta' = 87000. It was found that the alpha- and beta-components can be converted to the alpha' and beta' components by treatment of the native preparation with hyaluronidase. A comparison of the molecular weight obtained by ultracentrifugation and gel filtration with the results obtained by dodecylsulfate electrophoresis after treatment with hyaluronidase reveals that the alpha' and beta' components are the smallest molecular structures obtained upon dissociation of the native enzyme. The mechanism of action of hyaluronidase suggests a desensitization of the alpha and beta components of the enzyme towards dodecylsulfate. Thus, in the absence of hyaluronidase treatment; only an apparent molecular weight for the alpha and beta component is obtained. The analysis indicates that the native enzyme might be composed of four different subunits with an alpha, beta, alpha' and beta' configuration. It is not excluded that the native enzyme consists only of alpha- and beta-chains.     

Hyaluronidase in meningococcus]

A total of 204 meningococcus strains were tested for the presence of hyaluronidase, and 45.5% of the strains were found to contain it. Strains penetrating into the cerebrospinal fluid were the ones which largely produced the enzyme (in 83% of the cases). The enzyme was revealed only in 25.5% of the strains habituating on the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Hyaluronidase was mostly found in the meningococcus strains referred to the serological group A; strains of other serological groups and ungrouped strains produced the enzyme in 23.7% of the case only. There was no correlation between the capacity to form hyaluronidase and the virulence determinable in intraperitoneal infection of mice.     

Inhibition of hyaluronidase by fully O-sulfonated glycosaminoglycans.

We report a new flow injection assay (FIA) method for determining hyaluronidase activity and the inhibitory effects of chemical fully O-sulfonated glycosaminoglycans on this enzyme. The products of enzymatic action on hyaluronidase can be detected by FIA using fluorometric detection with the fluorogenic reagent 2-cyanoacetamide. The major products derived from hyaluronan by the action of mammalian testicular hyaluronidase (a hydrolyase) were confirmed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and capillary electrophoresis. The FIA method was next applied to the assay of hyman urinary hyaluronidase activity and the screening of hyaluronidase inhibitors. The human urinary hyaluronidase activity measured ranged from 46 to 59 turbidity reducing units/mg protein. Among the glycosaminoglycans only heparin showed hyaluronidase inhibition. Chemically O-sulfonated glycosaminoglycans showed IC(50) values of hyaluronidase inhibition that correlated with the degree of O-sulfonation. Heparin was found to inhibit hyaluronidase activity noncompetitively, while chemically O-sulfonated HA strongly inhibited hyaluronidase through both competitive and noncompetitive effects.     

Characterization of lizard venom hyaluronidase and evidence for its action as a spreading factor

Hyaluronidase was isolated from the lizard (Heloderma horridum horridum) crude venom. The chemical properties were characterized and compared to the same enzyme from other sources. The enzyme was found to be a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 63,000 daltons. It possesses an isoelectric point and pH optimum of 5.0, and was observed to be extremely temperature sensitive. The role of hyaluronidase as a spreading factor which serves to aid in the diffusion of toxins has been suspected for a long time; yet no experimental proof has been offered until now. It was shown that hyaluronidase promotes the spread of the hemorrhagic area in mice when injected with hemorrhagic toxin. Thus experimental evidence is supplied for the first time that the enzyme plays a role as a "spreading factor" in the toxic action of venom.     

Snake venom hyaluronidase: An evidence for isoforms and extracellular matrix degradation

The present study attempts to establish the isoforms of hyaluronidase enzyme and their possible role in the spreading of toxins during envenomation. Screening of venoms of 15 snakes belonging to three different families revealed varied hyaluronidase activity in ELISA-like assay, but with relatively similar pH and temperature optima. The zymograms of individual venoms showed varied activity banding patterns and indicated the presence of at least two molecular forms of the enzyme. During envenomation, activity of hyaluronidase is considered crucial for the spreading of toxins and is presumed to distort the integrity of extracellular matrix through the degradation of hyaluronic acid in it. This property has been addressed through localization of hyaluronic acid in human skin and muscle tissue sections using the probe, biotinylated hyaluronic acid binding protein. Faint and discontinuous staining pattern of hyaluronidase treated tissue sections over intense staining of untreated tissue sections confirm the selective degradation of hyaluronic acid in extracellular matrix and thus provide an evidence for the spreading property of the enzyme.     

Regulation of hyaluronidase inhibition through its chemical modification

The modification of hyaluronidase by aldehydodextran regulates inhibition of the enzyme by heparin. A 70-90% modification of the surface amino groups of hyaluronidase results in sharp conformational changes and a substantial decrease of its inhibition by heparin, whereas hyaluronidase derivatives with a modification degree of 96-100% are practically uninhibited.