Non-enzymatic PLP-dependent oxidative deamination of amino acids induces higher alcohol synthesis

Pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) is an organic cofactor found in all transaminase enzymes. In this study PLP was used to replace the enzymatic deamination step in the Ehrlich pathway, for the oxidative conversion of amino acids into 2-keto acids. PLP functions in an enzymeindependent manner. It was further used in the synthesis of higher alcohols through a sequential enzymatic reduction in vitro and in vivo. PLP-dependent oxidation was investigated against five representative amino acids: valine, leucine, isoleucine, norvaline, and phenylalanine. In vitro amino acid oxidation resulted in approximately 45 ~ 75% [mole/mole] of each 2-keto acid conversion and in vitro ammonia formation was less than 2-keto acid formation, with 20% of conversion yields. Whole cell E. coli expressing reduction enzymes KivD/ADH with both single amino acid and amino acid mixture (4% yeast extract) gave the highest yield (30 ~ 55%) in the presence of the PLP-Cu complex and following enzymatic reactions.     

基于绿色低共熔溶剂法高效提取鸡骨草中的黄酮和皂苷

为了研究鸡骨草中总黄酮和总皂苷的最佳提取工艺,通过单因素试验和星点设计-响应面法,对低共熔溶剂的性质(如种类、组分摩尔比、含水量)、提取温度、提取时间、液料比等多个因素进行考察。结果显示,总黄酮的最佳提取条件为:摩尔比1∶2、含水量30%的氯化胆碱/乙二醇作溶剂,提取温度80℃,提取时间40min,液料比15∶1(mL/g);总皂苷的最佳提取条件为∶摩尔比1∶4、含水量25%的氯化胆碱/乳酸作溶剂,提取温度80℃,提取时间64min,液料比56∶1(mL/g)。在最佳条件下,总黄酮和总皂苷的提取率较传统提取溶剂分别提高了33.3%和96.4%。本研究为鸡骨草中黄酮和皂苷的高效、安全提取提供了一条新思路。     

Balance of macroergic compounds during the growth of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

The balance of energy-rich compounds (ERC) was drawn up for the growth of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans in a medium with ferrous ions as an energy source. The balance items and the phosphorylating efficiency of oxidation (P/2e-) were calculated basing on the experimental yield values using the ERC balance equation. At a specific growth rate of 0.1 h-1, 55% of ferrous ions are used for the synthesis of cell biomass, 7.5% for maintainance, 4% of the ions are oxidized to reduce NAD+, and 34% are used to produce ERC necessary for the reduction. Here, 24% of ERC are used for the synthesis of monomers from CO2, 42% for the production of NADH, 24% for the biomass synthesis from monomers, and 10% for maintaining cell activity. The P/2e- for the oxidation of ferrous ions is 0.19 mole of ERC per 2e-. This is possible only when the [Fe3+]/[Fe2+] ratio in the cell periplasm is 1 X 10(3)-1 X 10(4).     

Permeability and integrity properties of lecithin-sphingomyelin liposomes.

The properties of multibilayered liposomes formed from mixtures of sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine in varying mole ratio (all containing one mole dicetylphosphate per 10 moles of phospholipids) have been studied. The principal findings are: (1) Over the range 0 to 1 mole fraction sphingomyelin the liposomes exhibit multibilayer structure as visualized by electron microscopy using negative staining. (2) The two phospholipids differ in their interaction with dicetylphosphate in a bilayer structure. In mixtures of the two the effect of sphingomyelin is dominant. (3) The ability of sphingomyelin to form osmotically active liposomes depends on its fatty acid's composition. (4) Liposomes of all mole fractions of sphingomyelin are osmotically active if the C24: 1 fatty acid content of sphingomyelin exceeds 10% of the total acyl residues. The degree of osmotic activity, however, depends upon the molar ratio between the two phospholipids. The highest initial rate of water permeability was found for lecithin liposomes. The maximal change of volume by osmotic gradients was obtained for liposomes composed of 1:1 lecithin to sphingomyelin (mole ratio). (5) Permeability to glucose increased with increasing lecithin mole fraction. (6) Liposomes composed of 1:1 lecithin to sphingomyelin have the largest aqueous volume per mole of phospholipid as measured by glucose trapping. (7) The osmotic fragility of liposomes made of sphingomyelin is higher than for those made of lecithin but the highest osmotic fragility was obtained for liposomes containing lecithin and sphingomyelin in 1:1 molar ratio. (8) When the temperature is abruptly lowered to about 2 degrees C, lipsomes formed from phosphatidylcholine release about 20% of trapped glucose during a transient increase in permeability. Liposomes containing 0.5 mole fraction sphingomyelin release about 30% of the trapped glucose under these conditions. Liposomes composed of sphingomyelin alone do not exhibit this phenomenon.     

Characterization of a Pseudomonas putida allylic alcohol dehydrogenase induced by growth on 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol.

We have been working to develop an enzymatic assay for the alcohol 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (232-MB), which is produced and emitted by certain pines. To this end we have isolated the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida MB-1, which uses 232-MB as a sole carbon source. Strain MB-1 contains inducible 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol (321-MB) and 3-methyl-2-buten-1-al dehydrogenases, suggesting that 232-MB is metabolized by isomerization to 321-MB followed by oxidation. 321-MB dehydrogenase was purified to near-homogeneity and found to be a tetramer (151 kDa) with a subunit mass of 37,700 Da. It catalyzes NAD+-dependent, reversible oxidation of 321-MB to 3-methyl-2-buten-1-al. The optimum pH for the oxidation reaction was 10.0, while that for the reduction reaction was 5.4. 321-MB dehydrogenase oxidized a wide variety of aliphatic and aromatic alcohols but exhibited the highest catalytic specificity with allylic or benzylic substrates, including 321-MB, 3-chloro-2-buten-1-ol, and 3-aminobenzyl alcohol. The N-terminal sequence of the enzyme contained a region of 64% identity with the TOL plasmid-encoded benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase of P. putida. The latter enzyme and the chromosomally encoded benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus were also found to catalyze 321-MB oxidation. These findings suggest that 321-MB dehydrogenase and other bacterial benzyl alcohol dehydrogenases are broad-specificity allylic and benzylic alcohol dehydrogenases that, in conjunction with a 232-MB isomerase, might be useful in an enzyme-linked assay for 232-MB.     

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.     

Purification and characterization of a chemotolerant alcohol dehydrogenase applicable to coupled redox reactions

The purification and characterization of an organic solvent tolerant, NADH-dependent medium-chain secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (denoted sec-ADH "A") from Rhodococcus ruber DSM 44541 is reported. The enzyme can withstand elevated concentrations of organic solvents, such as acetone (up to 50% v/v) and 2-propanol (up to 80% v/v). Thus, it is ideally suited for the preparative-scale enantioselective oxidation of sec-alcohol and the asymmetric reduction of ketones, using acetone and 2-propanol, respectively, as cosubstrates for cofactor-regeneration via a coupled-substrate approach. The homodimeric protein was found to bear tightly bound zinc and displayed a molecular mass of 38 kDa per subunit as determined by SDS gel electrophoresis. The optimal temperature ranged from 30-50 degrees C and the half-life at 50 degrees C was 35 h. In addition, excellent storage stability was found. The pH optimum for reduction is pH 6.5; pH 9.0 is preferred for oxidation. The enzyme followed a sequential reaction mechanism. The substrates are medium chain sec-alcohols or (omega-1)-ketones; primary alcohols or aldehydes are not accepted.     

Fatty Acid Composition of Lipid Extracts of a Thermophilic Bacillus Species

Studies on the relationship between cell synthesis and energy utilization in Hydrogenomonas eutropha have shown that the amount of oxidative energy required for synthetic reactions depends on the conditions of growth. The energy of hydrogen oxidation was most efficiently used when growth conditions were optimal (continuous culture, cells in exponential growth phase) and when the rate of growth was limited by H(2) or O(2) supply. Under these conditions, 2 to 2.5 atoms of oxygen were consumed by the oxyhydrogen reaction for the concomitant conversion of 1 mole of CO(2) to cell matter. This conversion efficiency, expressed as the O/C energyyield value, was observed with continuous cultures. A less efficient conversion was found with batch cultures. With limiting concentrations of CO(2) the rate of hydrogen oxidation was relatively high, and the O/C value was dependent on the growth rate. With nonlimiting concentrations of CO(2), the rate of hydrogen oxidation was strictly proportional to the rate of CO(2) fixation, and the O/C value was independent of growth rate. This proportionality between the rate of H(2) oxidation and the rate of CO(2) fixation suggested that energy supply regulates the (maximum) rate of growth. From the energy-yield measurements, we concluded that the oxidation of 1 mole of H(2) yields the equivalent of 2 moles of adenosine triphosphate for H. eutropha, and that at least 5 moles of this high-energy phosphate is required for the conversion of 1 mole of CO(2) into cellular constituents.     

The catalytic oxidation of phenol in aqueous media using cobalt(II) complexes derived from N-(aryl) salicylaldimines

The synthesis of tetradentate cobalt(II) salicylaldiminato complexes and their catalytic evaluation in the oxidation of phenol is reported. Tetradentate cobalt complexes [Co(Lⁿ)₂] were obtained by reacting the N-(aryl)salicylaldimine ligands (HL¹–HL⁶) with cobalt acetate in a 2:1 mole ratio. All complexes were characterized using FT-IR and elemental analysis. X-ray crystal structures of complexes 1, 2 and 5 have also been obtained. All complexes were found to be active for the oxidation process.     

Energetic aspects of the metabolism of reduced sulphur compounds in Thiobacillus denitrificans

Yields of Thiobacillus denitrificans on different substrates were compared. The organism was grown in a chemostat at a dilution rate of 0.03 h^-1. From the difference in the cell yields with (1) oxygen (6.40 g carbon per mole thiosulphate) and (2) nitrate (4.51 g carbon per mole thiosulphate) as an electron acceptor the experimental value for Y_ATP was estimated to be 1.75. The efficiency of the biosynthetic system would be 42% if 1 ATP should be needed in reversed electron transport, and 57% if this was 2 ATP per electron pair.It could be calculated that during anaerobic oxidation of thiosulphate with nitrate 1.41 or 1.16 ATP per 2 electrons are generated if 1 or 2 ATP respectively per thiosulphate is formed in substrate-level phosphorylation. For aerobic oxidation these figures are 2.40 and 2.16, respectively     

Hepatic alcohol oxidation and its metabolic liability.

The pathways responsible for ethanol oxidation and the toxic results of its metabolism are reviewed. The predominant pathway for ethanol oxidation at low ethanol concentrations involves alcohol dehydrogenase. However, at high alcohol concentrations, up to 50% of ethanol uptake is 4-methylpyrazole-intensitive. Oxidation of ethanol under these conditions is associated with a change in the steady-stage concentration of catalase-H2O2. Based on recent evidence, we conclude that it is unnecessary to postulate that ethanol is oxidized directly via cytochrome P-450. Acetaldehyde production from ethanol via the microsomal subfraction can be accounted for by the combined activities of catalase-H2O2 and alcohol dehydrogenase. The metabolism of ehtanol via alcohol dehydrogenase produces a marked reduction in the hepatocellular NAD-NADH sytems. This reduction is indirectly responsible for the inhibition of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, citric acid cycle activity, and fatty acid oxidation and may be related to some of the pathological effects observed following chronic consumption of alcohol. Attempts in inhibit alcohol dehydrogenase with alkylpyrazoles and activate catalase with substrates for peroxisomal H2O2-generating flavoproteins, while successful, may have limited applicability because of the native toxicity of the substrates themselves...     

Energetic aspects of CO oxidation in desulfovibrio desulfuricans

In cell suspension of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans B-1388, oxidation of CO as the only energy source is associated with reduction of SO42-. After a 2-h incubation of cells in 8% CO, 81% of the gas is converted. Oxidation of 1 mole CO results in formation of 0.23 mole H2S. Intracellular ATP content increases from 2.5 (control) to 8.3 nmoles/mg (during CO conversion). Dinitrophenol inhibits sulfate reduction and CO oxidation. CO dehydrogenase was detected in cytoplasmic and membrane cell fractions (59 and 34%, respectively).     

Lipase catalyzed synthesis of cinnamyl acetate via transesterification in non-aqueous medium

Cinnamyl acetate is used as flavor and fragrance ingredient in food and cosmetic industries. This work focuses on the synthesis of cinnamyl acetate via lipase catalyzed transesterification of cinnamyl alcohol with vinyl acetate in non-aqueous medium. Among the different immobilized lipases employed, Novozym 435 was found to be the best catalyst in toluene as solvent. The effects of various parameters were studied systematically. With a mole ratio of 1:2 of cinnamyl alcohol to vinyl acetate and 10 mg catalyst, 96% conversion was obtained in 1 h at 40 °C. The ternary complex mechanism with inhibition by cinnamyl alcohol was found to fit the data well. The kinetics of the reaction was studied by using non-linear regression analysis. Enzymatic synthesis of cinnamyl acetate is an efficient process vis-à-vis chemical catalysis.     

Enzymatic synthesis of arginine-based cationic surfactants

A novel enzymatic approach for the synthesis of arginine N-alkyl amide and ester derivatives is reported. Papain deposited onto solid support materials was used as catalyst for the amide and ester bond formation between Z-Arg-OMe and various long-chain alkyl amines and alcohols (H2N-Cn2, HO-Cn; n = 8-16) in organic media. Changes in enzymatic activity and product yield were studied for the following variables: organic solvent, aqueous buffer content, support for the enzyme deposition, presence of additives, enzyme loading, substrate concentration, and reaction temperature. The best yields (81-89%) of arginine N-alkyl amide derivatives were obtained at 25 degrees C in acetonitrile with an aqueous buffer content ranging from 0 to 1% (v/v) depending on the substrate concentration. The synthesis of arginine alkyl ester derivatives was carried out in solvent-free systems at 50 or 65 degrees C depending on the fatty alcohol chain length. In this case, product yields ranging from 86 to 89% were obtained with a molar ratio Z-Arg-OMe/fatty alcohol of 0.01. Papain deposited onto polyamide gave, in all cases, both the highest enzymatic activities and yields. Under the best reaction conditions the syntheses were scaled up to the production of 2 g of final product. The overall yields, which include reaction, Nalpha-benzyloxycarbonyl group (Z) deprotection and purification, varied from 53 to 77% of pure (99.9% by HPLC) product.     

AN EXOCELLULAR POLYSACCHARIDE FROM THE DIATOM GOMPHONEMA OLIVACEUM1,2

An acidic polysaccharide produced by Gomphonema olivaceum was extracted with hot water after conversion to its potassium form. Recovered in 2–3% yield, the β-linked polysaccharide was composed primarily of d -galactose, d -xylose, and an alkalistable sulfate ester in the ratio of 1:1:1.2. Several other minor components including a uronic acid were observed but not further identified. Periodate oxidation was complete in 40 hr at 4 C with the consumption of 0.88 mole of oxidant and production of 0.26 mole of acid per sugar residue. Half of the d -galactose in the polysaccharide was not oxidized by periodate: the remainder was cleaved between C₂ and C₃. Of the d -oxylose residues, 35% were not oxidized; 15% were cleaved beetween C₂ and C₃; and 50%, presumbably a nonreducing side-chain moiety, afforded formic acid. From these data two possible structures have been proposed.     

Kinetics of Veratryl Alcohol Oxidation by Lignin Peroxidase and in situ Generated Hydrogen Peroxide in an Electrochemical Reactor

The cathodic reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, the current efficiency for the production of H₂O₂ and the oxidation of veratryl alcohol with an in situ generated hydrogen peroxide‐lignin peroxidase complex were studied in this paper. The complex was prepared by utilizing a novel preparation technique in an electrochemical reactor. The oxidation of veratryl alcohol (VA; 3,4‐dimethoxybenzyl alcohol) was carried out with or without lignin peroxidase under an electric field. The redox properties of veratryl alcohol on a carbon electrode in the presence of lignin peroxidase have been investigated using cyclic voltammetry. The kinetics of veratryl alcohol oxidation in an electrochemical reactor were compared to the oxidation when hydrogen peroxide was supplied externally. Further, the oxidation of veratryl alcohol by lignin peroxidase was optimized in terms of enzyme dosage, pH, and electrical potential. The novel electroenzymatic method was found to be effective using in situ generated hydrogen peroxide for the oxidation of veratryl alcohol by lignin peroxidase.     

On the reaction of sulfenyl iodide derivatives with azide

Based on the suggested mechanism of the Raschig catalytic iodine-azide reaction the use of azide for the azotometric estimation of sulfenyl iodide groups is proposed. In the Raschig reaction reduction of iodine to iodide and oxidation of azide to elementary nitrogen is specifically catalyzed by bivalent sulfur compounds; the reaction is usually formulated to proceed via hypothetical sulfenyl iodide derivatives. This has been explored with the use of available, relatively stable sulfenyl iodide derivatives. The -SI group oxidizes azide to nitrogen stoichiometrically: 1 mole of a sulfenyl iodide consumes 2 moles of sodium azide and yields 3 moles of elementary nitrogen. The specificity and limitations of the method are discussed.     

Prebiotic polymerization: Oxidative polymerization of 2,3-dimercapto-l-propanol on the surface of iron(III) hydroxide oxide

The oxidation of 2,3-dimercapto-l-propanol by ferric ions on the surface of iron(III) hydroxide oxide (Fe(OH)O) yielded polydisulfide oligomers. This polymerization occurred readily at low dithiol concentration under mild aqueous conditions. Polydisulfide polymers up to the 15-mer were synthesized from 1 mM dithiol in 5 ml water reacted with iron(III) hydroxide oxide (20 mg, 160 µ mole Fe) for 3 days under anaerobic conditions at 40 °C and pH 4. About 91% of the dithiol was converted to short soluble oligomers and 9% to insoluble larger oligomers that were isolated with the Fe (OH)O phase. Reactions carried out at the same ratio of dithiol to Fe(OH)O but at higher dithiol concentrations gave higher yields of the larger insoluble oligomers. The relationship of these results to prebiotic polymer synthesis is discussed.     

Anaerobic growth of Escherichia coli on formate by reduction of nitrate, fumarate, and trimethylamine N-oxide.

Anaerobic growth of E. coli, strain K-10, depending on formate oxidation by nitrate, fumarate, and trimethylamine N-oxide was followed in a medium containing peptone. The presence of formate and peptone was indispensable for growth with fumarate and trimethylamine N-oxide reduction. While there was no growth in the absence of acceptor, growth was observed in the absence of formate by nitrate reduction though not as much as under aerobic conditions. Per mole consumed formate equimolar succinate or trimethylamine was formed, but 1.2 mole of nitrate was produced, probably depending partly on peptone oxidation. The molar growth yield on formate was found to be 6.5, 7.6, and 7.0 g cells/mole depending on the reduction of nitrate, fumarate, and trimethylamine N-oxide, respectively, suggesting the formation of one mole ATP coupled to the anaerobic electron transfers from formate.     

In vitro analysis of the monolignol coupling mechanism using dehydrogenative polymerization in the presence of peroxidases and controlled feeding ratios of coniferyl and sinapyl alcohol

In this study, dehydrogenative polymers (DHP) were synthesized in vitro through dehydrogenative polymerization using different ratios of coniferyl alcohol (CA) and sinapyl alcohol (SA) (10:0, 8:2, 6:4, 2:8, 0:10), in order to investigate the monolignol coupling mechanism in the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), Coprinus cinereus peroxidase (CiP) or soybean peroxidase (SBP) with H₂O₂, respectively. The turnover capacities of HRP, CiP and SBP were also measured for coniferyl alcohol (CA) and sinapyl alcohol (SA), and CiP and SBP were found to have the highest turnover capacity for CA and SA, respectively. The yields of HRP-catalyzed DHP (DHP-H) and CiP-catalyzed DHP (DHP-C) were estimated between ca. 7% and 72% based on the original weights of CA/SA in these synthetic conditions. However, a much lower yield of SBP-catalyzed DHP (DHP-S) was produced compared to that of DHP-H and DHP-C. In general, the DHP yields gradually increased as the ratio of CA/SA increased. The average molecular weight of DHP-H also increased with increasing CA/SA ratios, while those of DHP-C and DHP-S were not influenced by the ratios of monolignols. The frequency of β-O-4 linkages in the DHPs decreased with increasing CA/SA ratios, indicating that the formation of β-O-4 linkages during DHP synthesis was influenced by peroxidase type.