Alpha-mannosidase activity in stallion epididymal fluid and spermatozoa

The expression of α-D-mannosidase activity was fluorometrically and electrophoretically assessed in spermatozoa, epididymal fluid and homogenates of stallion epididymal tissue. Enzyme activity had regional differences; it was higher (P < 0.05) in samples from the cauda epididymal region than in samples from the proximal caput region (largely composed of efferent ducts). Based on enzyme activity, as a function of pH of the assay substrate, electrophoretic analysis in native and native/SDS-PAGE conditions, and the effect of inhibitors or activators, we inferred the presence of at least two catalytically active forms of α-D-mannosidase. The neutral form of the enzyme (α-mannosidase II) was activated by Co²⁺, whereas the acid form (optimum pH 3.5 to 4.0) was sensitive to swainsonine (an inhibitor of α-mannosidase I), stabilized or stimulated by Zn²⁺, and not activated by Co²⁺ (activator of the neutral form). The activity of the acid form of the enzyme was highest in the epididymal fluid, where it seemed to be mainly in a secretory form. This form of the enzyme may have a role in plasma membrane remodeling associated with sperm maturation. In contrast, the activity of α-mannosidase II was higher in mature spermatozoa. It has been postulated that α-mannosidase II may act as a receptor in the recognition and binding of the complementary carbohydrate moieties present on the zona pellucida. With non-denaturing electrophoresis, α-D-mannosidase had an electrophoretic mobility of 0.35 and 0.24. When resolved by 1D and 2D SDS-PAGE (under denaturing conditions) the enzyme had a major protein band of molecular weight 154 kDa in spermatozoa and epididymal samples. Based on its properties under native conditions, we inferred that this enzyme might interact with other proteins and form transitory aggregates.     

Activation of residual acidic α-mannosidase activity in mannosidosis tissues by metal ions

The residual acidic α-mannosidase activity from mannosidosis tissues, representing between 1 and 8 % of the activity found in normal tissues, was significantly activated by Zn²⁺ and Co²⁺, whereas these metal ions respectively activated or inhibited the acidic enzyme activity from normal tissues. The defective enzyme from mannosidosis liver bound most effectively to the synthetic substrate in the presence of Co²⁺. This metal ion also improved the hydrolysis of a natural substrate by the acidic enzyme from mannosidosis liver. The results indicate that the defective enzyme in the disease has an altered capacity to bind metal ions. The demonstration that this defective enzyme can be activated may have an important bearing on the therapy of the disease.     

Digestive amylase and pectinase activity in the larvae of alfalfa weevil Hypera postica (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The alfalfa weevil Hypera postica is a serious economic pest in most alfalfa grown in many countries worldwide. Digestive α-amylase and pectinase activities of larvae were investigated using general substrates. Midgut extracts from larvae showed an optimum activity for α-amylase against starch at acidic pH (pH 5.0). α-Amylase from larval midgut was more stable at mildly acidic pH (pH 5–6) than highly acidic and alkaline pH. The enzyme showed its maximum activity at 35°C. α-Amylase activity was significantly decreased in the presence of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and sodium dodecylsulfate. On the contrary, K⁺ and Na⁺ did not significantly affect the enzyme activity. Zymogram analysis revealed the presence of one band of α-amylase activity in in-gel assays. Pectinase activity was assayed using agarose plate and colorimetric assays. Optimal pH for pectinase activity in the larval midgut was determined to be pH 5.0. Pectinase enzyme is more stable at pH 4.0–7.0 than highly acidic and alkaline pH. However, the enzyme was more stable at slightly acidic pH (pH 6.0) when incubation time increased. Maximum activity for the enzyme incubated at different temperatures was observed to be 40°C. Optimum pH activity for α-amylase and pectinase is not completely consistent with the pH prevailing in the larval midgut. This is the first report of the presence of pectinase activity in H. postica.     

Purification and Characterization of a Co(II)-Sensitive α-Mannosidase from Ginkgo biloba Seeds

An α-mannosidase was purified from developing Ginkgo biloba seeds to apparently homogeneity. The molecular weight of the purified α-mannosidase was estimated to be 120 kDa by SDS–PAGE in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol, and 340 kDa by gel filtration, indicating that Ginkgo α-mannosidase may function in oligomeric structures in the plant cell. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme was Ala–Phe–Met–Lys–Tyr–X–Thr–Thr–Gly–Gly–Pro–Val–Ala–Gly–Lys–Ile–Asn–Val–His–Leu–. The α-mannosidase activity for Man₅GlcNAc₁ was enhanced by the addition of Co²⁺, but the addition of Zn²⁺, Ca²⁺, or EDTA did not show any significant effect. In the presence of cobalt ions, the hydrolysis rate for pyridylaminated Man₆GlcNAc₁ was significantly faster than that for pyridylaminated Man₆GlcNAc₂, suggesting the possibility that this enzyme is involved in the degradation of free N-glycans occurring in developing plant cells (Kimura, Y., and Matsuo, S., J. Biochem., 127, 1013–1019 (2000)). To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that plant cells contain an α-mannosidase, which is activated by Co²⁺ and prefers the oligomannose type free N-glycans bearing only one GlcNAc residue as substrate.     

Ganglioside sialidase distribution in mucolipidosis type IV cultured fibroblasts

The subcellular distribution of ganglioside sialidase in Mucolipidosis IV (ML IV) cells was characterized by a series of Percoll gradients. Similar to normal cells, the enzyme cosedimented with plasma membrane markers, although this activity was reduced and exhibited decreased solubility in ML IV cells. Only trace amounts of ganglioside sialidase (less than 5%) was found in the lysosomes of normal cells. This activity was apparently reduced in ML IV cells but its minute activity in controls excluded further characterization of these differences. Plasma membranes on 6.7 and 5.6% Percoll gradients were biomodally distributed. Ganglioside sialidase in normal cells was found to be in both the heavier and the lighter membrane fractions, whereas the enzyme in ML IV cells was associated mainly with the denser membrane fraction. These data indicate that the enzyme in ML IV cells is characteristically different from normal in that it exhibits reduced activity and solubility and a different plasma membrane distribution.     

Origin of α-mannosidase activity in CSF

The α-mannosidase activity in human frontal gyrus, cerebrospinal fluid and plasma has been analyzed by DEAE-cellulose chromatography to investigate the origin of the α-mannosidase activity in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The profile of α-mannosidase isoenzymes obtained in CSF was similar to that in the frontal gyrus but different from that in human plasma. In particular the two characteristic peaks of lysosomal α-mannosidase, A and B, which have a pH-optimum of 4.5 and are found in human tissues, were present in both the frontal gyrus and CSF. In contrast the majority of α-mannosidase activity in human plasma was due to the so called intermediate form, which has a pH-optimum of 5.5. The results suggest that the intermediate form of α-mannosidase in plasma does not cross the blood–brain barrier and that the α-mannosidase activity present in the cerebrospinal fluid is of lysosomal type and of brain origin. Thus the α-mannosidase activity in cerebrospinal fluid might mirror the brain pathological changes linked to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.     

Human mannosidosis--the enzyme defect

Normal human liver α-mannosidase exists in at least 3 forms, separable by DEAE cellulose chromatography. The A and B forms are most active at pH 4.4 while activity of form C is maximal at pH 6.0. In two cases of mannosidosis, examined by ion exchange chromatography and isoelectric focusing, both A and B forms were absent and the residual α-mannosidase activity was due to the presence of the C form in normal amounts.     

Biochemical Characterization of a Lysosomal α-Mannosidase from the Starfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asterias rubens</Emphasis>

Acidic α-mannosidase is an important enzyme and is reported from many different plants and animals. Lysosomal α-mannosidase helps in the catabolism of glycoproteins in the lysosomes thereby playing a major role in cellular homeostasis. In the present study lysosomal α-mannosidase from the gonads of echinoderm Asterias rubens was isolated and purified. The crude protein sample from ammonium sulfate precipitate contained two isoforms of mannosidase as tested by the MAN2B1 antibody, which were separated by anion exchange chromatography. Enzyme with 75 kDa molecular weight was purified and biochemically characterized. Optimum pH of the enzyme was found to be in the range of 4.5–5 and optimum temperature was 37 °C. The activity of the enzyme was inhibited completely by swainsonine but not by 1-deoxymannojirimycin. Ligand blot assays showed that the enzyme can interact with both the lysosomal enzyme sorting receptors indicating the presence of mannose 6-phosphate in the glycan surface of the enzyme. This is the first report of lysosomal α-mannosidase in an active monomeric form. Its interaction with the receptors suggest that the lysosomal enzyme targeting in echinoderms might follow a mannose 6-phosphate mediated pathway similar to that in the vertebrates.     

Characterization of the Isozymes of alpha-Mannosidase Located in the Cell Wall, Protein Bodies, and Endoplasmic Reticulum of Phaseolus vulgaris Cotyledons

Cotyledons of maturing Phaseolus vulgaris seeds contain three isozymes of α-mannosidase which can be separated by isoelectrofocusing. They have isoelectric points of 5.3, 5.8, and 6.5 to 7.5 and were named I, II, and III in order of ascending pI. All three had an acid pH optimum (4.5) and required Zn²⁺ for maximal activity. Isozymes I and II were present in the protein bodies. Together they accounted for 85% of the total activity. Isozyme III was essentially absent from isolated protoplasts but could be extracted from isolated cell walls. All three isozymes were also found to be associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, and the proportion of the total activity in this fraction decreased from 20% in immature cotyledons to 6% in mature cotyledons. The results are interpreted as evidence that newly synthesized α-mannosidase is sequestered in the lumen of the ER prior to its transport to the protein bodies or the cell wall.     

Production,Purification, and Characterization of α-Amylase from Solventogenic Clostridium sp. BOH3

A solventogenic strain of Clostridium sp. BOH3 produces extracellular α-amylase (7.15 U/mg protein) in reinforced clostridial medium supplemented with sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate (1 % w/v) and a small amount of starch (0.1 % w/v), which is essential for the expression of α-amylase. In the presence of α-amylase, BOH3 utilizes starch directly without any pretreatment and produces butanol almost equivalent (～90 %) to the production of butanol from glucose. α-Amylase can be purified from culture supernatant by using one-step weak anion exchange chromatography with a yield of 43 %. In peptide fingerprinting analysis, this enzyme shows homology with α-amylase produced by Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC824. However, the molecular weight is 54 kDa, which is smaller than α-amylase of ATCC824 (84 kDa). This enzyme has optimum temperature at 45–50 °C and optimum pH at 4.5–5.5. Under this condition, the enzyme activity is 91.32 U/mg protein, and its K _m and V _max values are 1.71?±?0.02 mg/ml and 96.13?±?0.15 μmol/min/mg protein, respectively. Activity of this α-amylase can be enhanced (>1.5 times) by addition of Ca²⁺ and Co²⁺ and its activity can be maintained at an acidic pH (pH 3–5) for about 24 h. These unique characteristics suggest that this enzyme can be used for saccharification of starch for production of biofuel in one pot.     

Characterization of the mutant α-mannosidase in bovine mannosidosis

Residual acidic α-mannosidase, varying in amount up to approx. 15% of normal values, can be measured in various organs of a calf with mannosidosis. The highest specific activity and relative proportion of residual activity were found in the liver. Chromatography on DEAE-cellulose showed that the residual activity was associated with two components, which were eluted at comparable positions with those found in normal tissues. The residual activity had a lower thermal stability and a higher K_m value for a synthetic substrate than did the normal enzyme. No differences in molecular weight or electrophoretic mobility between normal acidic α-mannosidase and the residual activity were observed by gel filtration and electrophoresis on cellulose acetate respectively. The isoelectric focusing profiles for the α-mannosidase in the normal and pathological livers were very similar. It is suggested that a mutant enzyme, resulting from a mutation in a structural gene, accounts for the residual acidic α-mannosidase in mannosidosis. The mutant enzyme, which cross-reacts with antiserum raised against normal bovine acidic α-mannosidase, is present at a decreased concentration compared with the normal enzyme. There is a correlation between the concentrations of residual activity and cross-reacting material in mannosidosis. α-Mannosidase with a pH optimum of 5.75 and which is activated by Zn²⁺ was also detected in the liver of the calf with mannosidosis. However, it is probably not a product of the defective gene because addition of Zn²⁺ indicated that it was also present in normal tissues.     

Biochemical and hydrolytic properties of multiple thermostable α-galactosidases from Streptomyces griseoloalbus: Obvious existence of a novel galactose-tolerant enzyme

The multiple α-galactosidases from Streptomyces griseoloalbus—α-Gal I, α-Gal II and α-Gal III were purified to homogeneity by a two-step chromatographic process. The molecular masses and pI of the three enzymes were 72, 57 and 35 kDa, and 4.41, 5.6 and 6.13, respectively. α-Gal I showed N-terminal sequence homology to S. coelicolor A3(2) family 27 α-galactosidase. The optimum pH and temperature of the three α-galactosidases were 5.0, 6.5 and 5.5 and 65, 50 and 55 °C, respectively. α-Gal I was stable up to 65 °C and α-Gal II and α-Gal III up to 55 °C for 2 h. Based on the hydrolytic properties α-Gal I could be classified as a member of GH27 family and α-Gal II and α-Gal III as members of GH36 family. Metal cations like Hg²⁺, Ag²⁺ and Cu²⁺ inhibited enzyme activity while Mg²⁺ enhanced the activity of α-Gal I. Interestingly α-Gal I showed unusual tolerance to even higher concentrations of galactose, unlike the other two α-galactosidases, which were competitively inhibited by galactose. Melibiose was a competitive inhibitor of all three enzymes. Histidine, tryptophan and carboxylic residues were essential for catalytic action of the three α-galactosidases.     

The effect of periodate oxidation and α-mannosidase treatment of Dolichos biflorus lectin

The effects of periodate and α-mannosidase treatment of the Dolichos biflorus lectin were determined. Destruction by periodate of 16% of the mannose residues of the lactin had no effect on its ability to agglutinate type A erythrocytes, precipitate blood group A + H substance or to be precipitated by concanavalin A. Removal of up to 40% of the mannose by either periodate or α-mannosidase rendered the lecton nonprecipitable by concanavalin A. The lectrin treated by α-mannosidase retained its ability to agglutinate erythrocytes and precipitate blood group A + H substance, but the lectin treated with periodate lost most of its activity.The results suggest that the complete integrity of the carbohydrate unit of the lectin is not necessary for its activity and that the periodate may be affecting the protein portion of the molecule as well as its carbohydrate residues. No conversion of form A to form B of the lectin was observed with either periodate oxidation or α-mannosidase treatment.     

Enzymatic Properties of Purified Alkaline Proteinase from Aspergillus sojae†

Some enzymatic properties of purified alkaline proteinase from Aspergillus sojae were investigated. The optimum pH for casein digestion was 11.0. The enzyme activity was almost completely lost at 60°C within ten minutes. At low temperature, the enzyme was highly stable at the range of pH 4.5 to 10.0. At 50°C, the most stable pH was around 6.0. None of metallic ions tested promoted the activity, but Hg²⁺ showed a remarkable inhibition. The Hg²⁺-treatment seemed to cause a large unfolding of the enzyme molecule. The enzyme was inhibited by potato inhibitor and a number of animal sera. Metal chelating reagents and sulfhydryl reagents tested had no effect on the activity, but DFP caused a marked inhibition. The sensitivity to DFP of the enzyme was about 1/300 of that of α-chymotrypsin. The enzyme was inhibited neither by TPCK nor by TLCK. As the result it was assumed that the structure of the active site of the enzyme is fairly different from that of trypsin, or of chymotrypsin.     

Residual altered α-mannosidase in human mannosidosis

The apparent Km of residual acidic α-mannosidase detected in fibroblast extracts from four unrelated patients with mannosidosis was increased to >25mM for a fluorogenic substrate compared to 0.86–0.96mM for controls. The mutant enzyme was also more labile with heat treatment. These findings indicate a mutation in the structural gene for this enzyme. The altered kinetics of mutant enzyme can result in apparently normal enzyme specific activity at high concentrations of fluorogenic substrate creating potential for errors in the diagnosis of mannosidosis.     

Characterization of α-mannosidase from Erythrina indica seeds and influence of endogenous lectin on its activity

α-mannosidase from Erythrina indica seeds is a Zn²⁺ dependent glycoprotein with 8.6% carbohydrate. The enzyme has a temperature optimum of 50 °C and energy of activation calculated from Arrhenius plot was found to be 23 kJ mol^− 1. N-terminal sequence up to five amino acid residues was found to be DTQEN (Asp, Thr, Gln, Glu, and Asn). In chemical modification studies treatment of the enzyme with NBS led to total loss of enzyme activity and modification of a single tryptophan residue led to inactivation. Fluorescence studies over a pH range of 3–8 have shown tryptophan residue to be in highly hydrophobic environment and pH change did not bring about any appreciable change in its environment. Far-UV CD spectrum indicated predominance of α-helical structure in the enzyme. α-Mannosidase from E indica exhibits immunological identity with α-mannosidase from Canavalia ensiformis but not with the same enzyme from Glycine max and Cicer arietinum. Incubation of E. indica seed lectin with α-mannosidase resulted in 35% increase in its activity, while no such activation was observed for acid phosphatase from E. indica. Lectin induced activation of α-mannosidase could be completely abolished in presence of lactose, a sugar specific for lectin.     

Acid and Neutral Hydrolases in Trypanosoma cruzi. Characterization and Assay*

Twelve acid hydrolases, 4 near-neutral hydrolases and alkaline phosphatase were demonstrated in 0.34 M sucrose homogenates of Trypanosoma cruzi strain Y: p-nitrophenylphosphatase and α-naphthylphosphatase, with optimum pH at ? 6.0; α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, cathepsin A and peptidase I and III, with optimum pH between 5.0 and 6.0: and arylsulfatase cathepsin D, α-arabinase and α-mannosidase with optimum pH at ? 4.0 α-Glucosidase, gluccse-6-phosphatase and peptidase II had optimum pH at ? 7.0. β-Glycerophcsphatase had a broad pH-activity curve from 4.0 to 7.4, with maximum activity at pH 7.0. The main kinetic characteristics of these enzymes and their quantitative assay methods were studied. No activity was detected for α-fucosidase, β-xylosidase, β-glucuronidase, elaidate esterase. acid lipase, and alkaline phospho-diesterase.     

Production of Maltohexaose by α-Amylase from Bacillus circulans G-6

An α-amylase which produces maltohexaose as the main product from strach was found in the culture filtrate of Bacillus circulans G-6 which was isolated from soil and identified by the author.

The enzyme was purified by means of ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-Sepharose column chromatography and Sephadex G-200 column chromatography. The purified enzyme was homogeneous on disc electrophoresis. The optimum pH and temperature of the enzyme were around pH 8.0 and around 60°C, respectively. The enzyme was stable in the range of pH 5–10. Metal ions such as Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Co²⁺ inhibited the enzyme activity. The molecular weight was about 76,000. The yield of maltohexaose from soluble starch of DE (dextrose equivalent*) 1.8-12.6 was about 30%, and the combined action of the enzyme and pullulanase or isoamylase increased the yield of maltohexaose.     

Sequential processing of mannose-containing glycans by two α-mannosidases from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solitalea canadensis</Emphasis>

Two putative α-mannosidase genes isolated from the rather unexplored soil bacterium Solitalea canadensis were cloned and biochemically characterised. Both recombinant enzymes were highly selective in releasing α-linked mannose but no other sugars. The α-mannosidases were designated Sca2/3Man2693 and Sca6Man4191, and showed the following biochemical properties: the temperature optimum for both enzymes was 37 °C, and their pH optima lay at 5.0 and 5.5, respectively. The activity of Sca2/3Man2693 was found to be dependent on Ca²⁺ ions, whereas Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions almost completely inhibited both α-mannosidases. Specificity screens with various substrates revealed that Sca2/3Man2693 could release both α1-2- and α1-3-linked mannose, whereas Sca6Man4191 only released α1-6-linked mannose. The combined enzymatic action of both recombinant α-mannosidases allowed the sequential degradation of high-mannose-type N-glycans. The facile expression and purification procedures in combination with strict substrate specificities make α-mannosidases from S. canadensis promising candidates for bioanalytical applications.     

DAHP Synthetase and Its Control in Corynebacterium glutamicum

Properties of 3-deoxy-D-arabinoheptulosonate-7-phosphate (DAHP) synthetase from Corynebacterium glutamicum were examined using the cell free extract. The optimum pH for the reaction was broad ranging from 5.5 to 7.0 and the optimum temperature was 37°C. Co²⁺ inhibited the enzyme activity at 20°C, whereas Co²⁺ apparently stimulated the enzyme activity at 37°C because the ion protected the enzyme from inactivation at 37°C. Co²⁺ reversed the inhibition of the enzyme activity by EDTA. The activity of DAHP synthetase was feedback inhibited only weakly by l-phenylalanine, l-tyrosine or l-tryptophan alone, but was strongly inhibited synergistically by l-phenylalanine and l-tyrosine. l-Tryptophan enhanced the inhibition by the pair of l-tyrosine and l-phenylalanine. Maximal inhibition was near 90 % in the simultaneous presence of the three amino acids. Sensitivity of the enzyme to the inhibitors was lost during the purification process of the enzyme or during the reaction at 37°C. Especially sensitivity to l-tryptophan was easily lost. Co²⁺ protected the enzyme from the desensitization. Mutants resistant to p-fluorophenylalanine plus l-tyrosine (or 3-aminotyrosine) had DAHP synthetase which was released from the feedback inhibition by the three amino acids. The formation of the enzyme was not affected by aromatic amino acids.