Differential theophylline inhibition of alkaline phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase of bovine milk fat globule membranes

1. The effects of theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine) on alkaline phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase activities of bovine milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) were examined. 2. Theophylline inhibited MFGM alkaline phosphatase in a concentration-dependent manner with 50% inhibition produced by 99 +/- 28 microM theophylline. 3. The 5'-nucleotidase activity was resistant to theophylline inhibition with 50% inhibition produced by 33.9 +/- 3.1 mM theophylline. 4. Theophylline was an uncompetitive inhibitor of MFGM alkaline phosphatase with a Ki of 126 +/- 15 microM. 5. The extent of theophylline inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity was independent of the substrate utilized in the assay. 6. The effect of theophylline on bovine MFGM alkaline phosphatase was similar to theophylline effects on other mammalian alkaline phosphatases of liver/bone isoenzyme origin.     

Levamisole inhibition of alkaline phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase of bovine milk fat globule membranes

1. The effect of levamisole (LMS) on alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) and 5'-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) activities of bovine milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) was examined. 2. LMS inhibited MFGM alkaline phosphatase activity in a concentration-dependent manner with 50% inhibition produced by 49 +/- 23 microM LMS. 3. 5'-Nucleotidase was resistant to LMS inhibition with 30.9% inhibition produced by 10 mM LMS, the highest concentration tested. 4. LMS was an uncompetitive inhibitor of MFGM alkaline phosphatase with a Ki of 45 +/- 6 microM. 5. The extent of LMS inhibition of alkaline phosphatase was dependent on the substrate utilized in the assay. 6. The effect of LMS on bovine MFGM alkaline phosphatase was similar to LMS effects on other mammalian alkaline phosphatases of liver/kidney/bone/placental isoenzyme origin.     

Ferric reductase, superoxide dismutase and alkaline phosphatase activities in siderophore producing fungi

Enzymes associated with release of iron from internalized ferrated siderophore (ferrisiderophore reductase), with damage to the cell at high iron concentration (superoxide dismutase) and siderophore synthesis (alkaline phosphatase), were examined in 3 test fungi viz., Aspergillus sp. ABp4, Aureobasidium pullulans and Rhizopus sp. Extracellular ferrisiderophore reductase activity was present in all the three fungi, but Aureobasidium pullulans, that showed the highest activity (84.3 microM min(-1)), was the only one to produce intra-cellular ferric reductase (147.9 microM min(-1)). Superoxide dismutase was produced by Aureobasidium pullulans and Rhizopus sp., but not by Aspergillus sp. ABp4, that showed intra-cellular enzyme activity in case of ferric reductase and alkaline phosphatase. Maximum SOD activity was seen in Aureobasidium pullulans both extra-cellularly (93.83 ng ml(-1)) and intra-cellularly (57.14 ng ml(-1)). All the test fungi examined, produced intra-cellular alkaline phosphatase. There was no extracellular alkaline phosphatase. Among the three fungi, Aureobasidium pullulans showed highest alkaline phosphatase activity (129.9 microM min(-1)) and Aspergillus sp. ABp4 the least (76.4 microM min(-1)).     

Novel insect cell line capable of complex N-glycosylation and sialylation of recombinant proteins

Paucimannose or oligomannose structures are usually attached to glycoproteins produced by insect cells, while mammalian glycoproteins usually have complex glycans. The lack of complex glycosylation has limited the use of the insect cell baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS), despite its high productivity and versatility. The availability of cell lines capable of complex glycosylation can overcome such a problem and potentially increase the utility of BEVS. In this work the capability of two novel cell lines, one from Pseudaletia unipuncta (A7S) and one from Danaus plexippus (DpN1), to produce and glycosylate a recombinant protein (secreted human placental alkaline phosphatase, SeAP) was assessed. SeAP produced by Tn5B1-4 cells at a low passage number (<200) was utilized for comparison. The optimal conditions for the production of SeAP by DpN1 cells were defined, and the glycosylation profiles of SeAP produced by the cell lines were quantitatively determined. Both the A7S and the DpN1 cells produced lower concentrations of SeAP than the Tn5B1-4 cells. Less than 5% of the glycans attached to SeAP produced by the Tn5B1-4 cells had complex forms. Glycans attached to SeAP from A7S cells contained 4% hybrid and 8% complex forms. Galactosylated biantennary structures were identified. Glycans attached to SeAP produced by the DpN1 cell line had 6% hybrid and 26% complex forms. Of the complex forms in SeAP from DpN1, 13% were identified as sialylated glycans. The galactosyltransferase activity of the three cell lines was measured and correlated to their ability to produce complex forms. Even though neither novel cell line produced as much recombinant protein as the Tn5B1-4 cells, the glycosylation of SeAP expressed by both cell lines was more complete. These novel cell lines represent interesting alternatives for the production of complex glycosylated proteins utilizing the BEVS.     

The effect of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration on the glycosylation of recombinant protein produced by the insect cell-baculovirus expression system.

The effect of dissolved oxygen concentration on human secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) glycosylation by the insect cell-baculovirus expression system was investigated in a well-controlled bioreactor. Oligomannose-type N-linked glycans (i.e., Man2 to Man6 and Man3F) were present in SEAP produced by Spodoptera frusiperda Sf-9 (Sf-9) and Trichoplusia ni BTI-Tn-5B1-4 (Tn-5B1-4) insect cell lines. The relative amounts of the most highly processed glycans (i.e., Man3F and Man2 in the SEAP from Sf-9 and Tn-5B1-4 cells, respectively) were significantly higher at 50% of air saturation than at either 10% or 190% of air saturation. That is, glycan processing was inhibited at both low and high dissolved oxygen concentrations.     

The subcellular distribution of triphosphoinositide phosphomonoesterase in guinea-pig brain

1. Some properties of the triphosphoinositide phosphomonoesterase from the homogenates of guinea-pig brain were studied. The enzyme has an optimum pH range 6.7-7.3, is stimulated with KCl at a concentration of 0.1m, and under these conditions has K(m)1.43x10(-4)m. 2. A factor from the ;pH5 supernatant' of guinea-pig brain stimulates the enzyme activity over and above the stimulation produced by KCl. Subcellular fractions of guinea-pig brain varied in their response to the ;pH5 supernatant'. Maximum stimulation was observed with the P(1) fraction, containing myelin and nuclei. 3. An assay system for the enzyme was developed that contained optimum concentrations of both KCl and the ;pH5 supernatant'. Acid phosphatases were inhibited by NaF, but, in contrast with previous work, no EDTA was added to the assay system to inhibit the alkaline phosphatases. This reagent inhibited the triphosphoinositide phosphomonoesterase. It was estimated that the remaining fraction of non-specific phosphatases can account for only 14% of the observed triphosphoinositide phosphomonoesterase activity. 4. Subcellular fractions of guinea-pig brain were characterized by electron microscopy and subcellular markers. The triphosphoinositide phosphomonoesterase exhibited a distribution between the fractions similar to that of 5'-nucleotidase, but different from that of alkaline phosphatase.     

Alkyl- and aryl-substituted salicyl phosphates as detection reagents in enzyme-amplified fluorescence DNA hybridization assays on solid support.

Nine salicyl phosphate esters with hydrophobic substituents (5-phenyl, 5-(2,4-difluorophenyl), 5-tert-octyl, 5-cumyl, 5-(4-tert-butylphenyl, 5-(1-adamantyl), 5-(n-dodecyl), 5-(1,1-diphenylethyl, and 5-trityl) were synthesized and found to be good substrates for calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase. The enzymatic hydrolysis produced the corresponding salicylates, which were strongly fluorescent when excited by ultraviolet light around 300 nm with maximum emission at 420-435 nm. The salicylates were less soluble and/or more adhesive than the nonfluorescent salicyl phosphate substrates, resulting in localization of fluorescence signal, which is a requirement for membrane-based assays. The salicyl phosphates bearing 8-14 carbon substitutents were found to be suitable detection reagents for dot-blot DNA hybridization assays on nylon membrane using a biotinylated probe, allowing the detection of 125 pg of target pBR322 plasmid DNA using a simple apparatus consisting of a transilluminator, a camera. and a 455-nm cutoff optical filter.     

Culture in the rotating-wall vessel affects recombinant protein production capability of two insect cell lines in different manners

Summary The production of recombinant secreted alkaline phosphatase protein in virally infected insect cells was studied in shaker flask and high aspect rotating-wall vessel (HARV) culture. Two commonly used cell lines, Spodoptera frugiperda Sf-9 (Sf-9) and a nonaggregating isolate of the Trichoplusia ni BTI-Tn-5B1-4 (Tn-5B1-4) cell line, Trichoplusia ni Tn-5B1-4-NA (TN-5B1-4-NA), were used and monitored for 120-h postinfection. Different responses to culture in the HARV were seen in the two cell lines. While the Sf-9 cell line was able to produce slightly greater amounts of recombinant protein in the HARV than in shaker flask controls, the Tn-5B1-4-NA cell line produced significantly lesser amounts in the HARV than in the shaker flasks. Both cell lines exhibited longer life spans and longer periods of protein production in HARV culture than in shaker flask culture, presumably due to lower levels of shear encountered in the HARV. The important difference was in the protein production rate responses of the two cell lines. While the protein production rates of Sf-9 cells were comparable in both HARV and shaker flask cultures, the protein production rates of Tn-5B1-4-NA cells were much lower in HARV culture than in shaker flask cultures. The conclusion is drawn that cell line-specific adaptation to the HARV strongly influences recombinant protein production.     

The synthesis of some branched-chain-sugar nucleoside analogues.

1-(2,3-Epoxy-5-O-trityl-beta-D-lyxofuranosyl)uracil was treated with a number of carbon nucleophiles. Ethynyl lithium gave 3'-deoxy-3'-ethynyl-5'-O-trityl-ara-uridine, which was reduced to the corresponding 3'-ethenyl compound. Sodium cyanide gave 3'-cyano-3'-deoxy-5'-O-trityl-ara-uridine which upon alkaline hydrolysis gave the corresponding 3'-carboxamido compound. 1,3-Dithian-2-yl lithium gave 3'-deoxy-3'-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-5'-O-trityl-ara-uridine. The trityl group was removed from each of these compounds by mild acidic hydrolysis. Treatment of 2 with 0.1M H2sO4 and mercury (II) acetate afforded 3'-acetyl-3'-deoxy-ara-uridine which upon reduction with NaBH4 gave 3'-deoxy-3'-(1-hydroxyethan-1-yl)-ara-uridine. Acetylation of 6 yielded 5'-O-acetyl-3'-acetyl-2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxyuridine which upon reduction with NaBH4 produced a mixture of 5'-O-acetyl-2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxy-3'-(1-hydroxyethan -1-yl)uridine and 1-(R)[5-(S)-acetoxymethyl-4-(1-hydroxyethan-1-yl)-tetrahydrofuran- 2-yl]- uracil. Reduction of 14 with Raney nickel followed by removal of the trityl group gave 3'-deoxy-3'-methyl-ara-uridine.     

Purification and characterization of a thermostable alkaline protease from alkalophilic Bacillus pumilus

AIMS: An investigation was carried out on the purification and characterization of an alkaline protease from Bacillus pumilus MK6-5. METHODS AND RESULTS: An alkalophilic Bacillus pumilus MK6-5 was grown in a laboratory fermenter containing 1% reverse osmosis concentrated cheese whey powder, 0.25% corn steep liquor, 1% glucose, 0.5% tryptone, 1% sodium citrate, 0.02% MgSO4.7H2O and 0.65% Na2CO3 at 35 degrees C and pH 9.6, agitation at 250 rev min(-1) and aeration of 1 vvm for 60 h. When the enzyme was purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion exchange and gel filtration chromatographies, a 26.2% recovery of enzyme with 36.6-fold purification was recorded. The purified protease was found to be homogenous by SDS-PAGE with molecular mass estimate of 28 kDa. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 11.5 and temperature of 55-60 degrees C. The Km and kcat values observed with synthetic substrates at 37 degrees C and pH 8.0 were 1.1 mmol l(-1) and 624 s(-1) for Glu-Gly-Ala-Phe-pNA and 3.7 mmol l(-1) and 826 s(-1) for Glu-Ala-Ala-Ala-pNA, respectively. The kinetic data revealed that small aliphatic and aromatic residues were the preferred residues at the P1 position. Inhibition profile exhibited by PMSF suggested the B. pumilus protease to be an alkaline serine protease. CONCLUSIONS: Bacillus pumilus MK6-5 produced a calcium-dependent, thermostable alkaline serine protease. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The thermostable alkaline protease from Bacillus pumilus MK6-5 will be extremely useful in ultrafiltration membrane cleaning due to its ability to work in broad pH and temperature ranges, and tolerance to detergents, unlike the mesophilic proteases which face these limitations.     

地衣芽孢杆菌D-1产碱性蛋白酶培养条件的优化

为了对产碱性蛋白酶的地衣芽孢杆菌D-1的培养条件进行优化,利用10 L发酵罐,采用正交设计19(34)试验,对培养温度、pH值、搅拌转速、通气量4条件进行优化,得到地衣芽孢杆菌D-1发酵产碱性蛋白酶的最优培养条件为:培养温度37.0℃,pH值7.5,通气量4L/min,搅拌转速300r/min.利用最优条件组合进行验证...     

Effect of silkworm hemolymph on N-linked glycosylation in two Trichoplusia ni insect cell lines

A recombinant N-linked glycoprotein, secreted human placental alkaline phosphatase (SEAP), was produced in two Trichoplusia ni insect cell lines using the baculovirus expression vector. Silkworm hemolymph (SH) was added to TNMFH + 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) medium to a concentration of 2.5% or 5%, and SEAP production and glycosylation in the presence of SH were compared with controls devoid of hemolymph. Growing Tn-4s cells in 5% SH-supplemented medium required progressive adaptation of the cells to SH, and adapted cells had a SEAP specific yield decreased by 2.5-fold compared with control cells not exposed to SH. Although SEAP produced in the control possessed little complex glycosylation (<1%), SEAP produced by SH-adapted cells in the presence of 5% SH possessed 8.7% sialylated structures, as well as unusual, asialylated, agalactosylated structures with a high degree of polymerization (DP). On the basis of enzymatic and mass-spectrometric analyses, we propose that these structures are glucosylated, high-mannose oligosaccharides. SEAP was also produced by Tn-4s cells without adaptation to SH when SH was added just prior to baculovirus infection, but SEAP specific yield was adversely affected (approximately fourfold reduction compared with control devoid of hemolymph), and glycosylation of SEAP produced under these conditions was characterized by large amounts of high-mannose and high-DP structures and an absence of complex structures. Similarly, Tn5B1-4 cells that were not adapted to SH had a SEAP specific yield reduced by approximately fivefold in SH-containing medium; however, these cells were able to produce 13.5% sialylated SEAP in the presence of 2.5% SH, whereas complex structures were not produced in the absence of SH. We propose that SH improves glycosylation either directly or indirectly by decreasing SEAP specific yield.     

The catabolism of phosphatidylinisitol by an EDTA-insensitive phospholipase A1 and calcium-dependent phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase in rat brain

1. A rat brain supernatant and microsomal fraction contained a phospholipase A1 enzyme which hydrolysed phosphatidylinositol at pH 8 in the absence of calcium. Triolein and phosphatidylcholine were not attacked under the same incubation conditions. 2. No evidence could be obtained for a phospholipase A2 in the microsomal preparation, and in the presence of Ca2+ the release of fatty acid observed was due to phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase followed by diacylglycerol lipase action. 3. Brain phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase showed extensive activity in the alkaline range (7-8.5) as well as at pH 5-5.5. The activity at higher pH values required higher calcium concentrations and disappeared on purification of the soluble enzyme by ammonium sulphate fractionation. 4. In general the ratio between inositol 1,2-(cyclic)phosphate and inositol 1-phosphate produced by phosphodiesterase action decreased with increasing pH.     

DNA modification in rat lungs following intratracheal or subcutaneous administration of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, benzo[a]pyrene or 2-aminoanthracene

Benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-, 2-aminoanthracene (2AA)- and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO)-mediated DNA modification were investigated in rat lungs by using alkaline sucrose gradient sedimentation. The exposure-route, the physicochemical nature of the administered compound and the number of treatments were all important in determining the extent of DNA modification. 4NQO produced qualitatively similar modification whether instilled intratracheally (i.t.) as a suspension or injected subcutaneously (s.c.) in a soluble form. BP and 2AA produced no DNA alteration when injected s.c; they did, however, modify DNA sedimentation when instilled as a suspension, but not until 24 h after treatment. Furthermore, BP caused no DNA modification at any sampling time when instilled in a lipid solvent. In contrast to the DNA modification observed at 24 h after a single i.t. treatment with a BP suspension, no such alteration was detected 12 or 24 h after the last of 5 similar daily treatments. These results are discussed with respect to mechanisms of differential transport, clearance and metabolism of administered carcinogens.     

Synthesis of 2-thiohydantoins and their S-glucosylated derivatives as potential antiviral and antitumor agents

A series of 3-alkyl-5-((Z))-arylidene-2-thiohydantoins 4a-1 were synthesized from the direct condensation of the aromatic aldehydes with 3-alkyl-2-thiohydantoins 3a-c, which in turn were prepared from the reaction of glycine (1) and alkyl isothiocyanates 2a-c. The alkylation of 4a-1 with methylthioethyl chloride gave 5-((Z))-arylidene-3-alkyl-S-(2-methylthioethyl)-2-thiohydantoins 5a-e. S-Glucosylation took place on the reaction of 4a-1 with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide under anhydrous alkaline conditions. These structures have been confirmed from a model study of the coupling of 4a with methylthioethyl chloride and alpha-D-glucose pentaacetate, respectively under Lewis acid conditions.     

Comparative recombinant protein production of eight insect cell lines

Summary A recombinantAutographa californica baculovirus expressing secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) gene was used to evaluate the expression of a secreted glycoprotein in eight insect cell lines derived fromSpodoptera frugiperda, Trichoplusia ni, Mamestra brassicae andEstigmene acrea. Because cell density was found to influence protein production, SEAP production was evaluated at optimal cell densities for each cell line on both a per cell and per milliliter basis. On a per cell basis, theT. ni-derived BTI-TN-5B1-4 cells produced a minimum of 20-fold more SEAP than theS. frugiperda-derived Sf9 or Sf21 cell lines and a minimum of 9-fold more than any of the other cell lines growing in serum-containing medium. On a per milliliter basis, BTI-TN-5B1-4 cells produced a minimum of fivefold more SEAP than any of the other cell lines tested. Using cell lines that were adapted to serum-free medium, SEAP yields were the same or better than their counterparts in serum-containing medium. At 3 days postinoculation, extracellular SEAP activity ranged from 59 to 85% of total SEAP activity with cell lines grown in serum-free and serum-containing media.     

Preparation of deacetyl-, lyso-, and deacetyl-lyso-GM(3) by selective alkaline hydrolysis of GM3 ganglioside

Three methods (using GM3 quantities ranging from a few milligrams to grams) have been developed to prepare, in high yield, the three derivatives of ganglioside GM3 [alpha-Neu5Ac-(2-3)-beta-Gal-(1-4)-beta-Glc-(1-1)-ceramide]: deacetyl-GM3 [alpha-Neu-(2-3)-beta-Gal-(1-4)-beta-Glc-(1-1)-ceramide], lyso-GM3 [alpha-Neu5Ac-(2-3)-beta-Gal-(1-4)-beta-Glc-(1-1)-sphingosine], and deacetyl-lyso-GM3 [alpha-Neu-(2-3)-beta-Gal-(1-4)-beta-Glc-(1-1)-sphingosine]. This is the first report of the preparation of lyso-GM3 by a one-pot reaction. We can now define the optimal conditions for the different preparations. Preparation of deacetyl-GM3: alkaline reagent, 2 M KOH in water; GM3 concentration, 33 mg/ml; reaction temperature, 90 degrees C; reaction time, 3.5 h; nitrogen atmosphere. Preparation of deacetyl-lyso-GM3: alkaline reagent, 8 M KOH in water; GM3 concentration, 10 mg/ml; reaction temperature, 90 degrees C; reaction time, 18 h; nitrogen atmosphere. Preparation of lyso-GM(3): alkaline reagent, 1 M sodium tert-butoxide in methanol; GM3 concentration, 10 mg/ml; reaction temperature, 80 degrees C; reaction time, 18 h; anhydrous conditions. The percentage yield of deacetyl-GM3 was 70;-75%, that of deacetyl-lyso-GM3 100%, and of lyso-GM3 36;-40%.Deacetyl-GM3, deacetyl-lyso-GM3, and lyso-GM3 were purified by column chromatography, and chemical structures were confirmed by electron spray-mass spectrometry.     

A Celloidin Infiltration-Frozen Section Sequence for Enhanced Preservation of Phosphatases in Bone

The effect of the following embedding procedures on the acid and alkaline phosphatase content of decalcified mouse tibiae has been studied: embedding in 23% gelatine for 18 hr at 37° C, embedding in paraffin wax in vacuo for 1 hr at 58° C, and impregnation with 4% celloidin in diethyl ether and ethanol at 4° C for 2-3 days. Unsupported tissues were also used to demonstrate these enzymes for comparison with the above procedures. Tibiae were first fixed in 10% neutral formalin at 4° C for 15 hr, decalcified in equal volumes of 2% formic acid and 20% sodium citrate at pH 4.9 for not more than 5 days and then washed in distilled water before carrying out the embedding schedules. The celloidin-impregnated tibiae were placed in 70% ethanol to harden the celloidin and then washed in distilled water for 1-2 hr. These tibiae and those embedded in gelatine were cast in a gelatine block which was then hardened in 10% neutral formalin at 4° C for 2 hr. Sections of these and unsupported tibiae were cut at 15 μ on a freezing microtome. Decalcified tibiae embedded and blocked in paraffin wax were sectioned at 15 μ on a base sledge microtome. The enzymes were demonstrated using the coupling azo dye method given by Pearse (Histochemistry, 1st Ed. 1954). The stable diazotates of 4 benzoyl amino 2-5 diethoxyanilene, 3 nitro toluidine and o-dianisidine were used. Of the embedding procedures paraffin wax embedding produced the greatest loss of both enzymes. Gelatine embedding and infiltration with celloidin were equally good for the demonstration of acid phosphatase but for alkaline phosphatase the celloidin method was superior. The gelatine embedded material did not produce consistently good results. Celloidin-impregnated tibiae could be stored without marked deterioration of the enzyme content for longer than gelatine-embedded tibiae.     

Temporal and dose-response features in swine fed corn screenings contaminated with fumonisin mycotoxins

Fumonisin B₁ (FB₁), a mycotoxin produced byFusarium moniliforme andF. proliferatum, induces liver damage and pulmonary edema in swine. We examined the temporal and dose-response features of FB₁ toxicosis in male weanling crossbred pigs fed nutritionally balanced diets, containing corn screenings naturally contaminated with fumonisins, for 14 days. Total fumonisins (FB₁ and FB₂) in diets 1 through 6 were assayed at 175, 101, 39, 23, 5, and <1 ppm (below detectable concentrations), respectively. Clinical signs, serum biochemical alterations, and morphologic changes were evaluated. Pigs were weighed, and bled for hematologic and clinical chemistry evaluation on days 5 and 14. They were euthanized on day 14, or earlier if respiratory distress was observed. Respiratory distress developed in 3/5 pigs fed diet 1 between days 4 and 6 due to severe pulmonary edema and pleural effusion. Histologic evidence of hepatic injury was present in all pigs fed diets 1 and 2, 3/5 on diet 3, and 1/5 on diet 4. Serum bilirubin and cholesterol concentrations, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and arginase (ARG) activities were elevated in pigs fed diets 1 and 2. Based on liver histopathology, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for fumonisin toxicity in swine was <23 ppm total fumosins for the 14-day period. Based on regression analyses of the clinical chemistry profiles at 14 days, the NOAEL was <12 ppm, with ALP being the most sensitive parameter. In conclusion, pulmonary edema occurred only at the highest fumonisin concentration (175 ppm), while liver damage occurred at much lower concentrations with a NOAEL of <12 ppm.Abbreviations ALP alkaline phosphatase - ALT alanine aminotransferase - ARG arginase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - ELEM equine leukoencephalomalacia - FB₁ fumonisin B₁ - GGT gamma-glutamyl transferase - NOAEL no observed adverse effect level     

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in biofilm on stainless steel by treatment with an alkaline cleaner and a bacteriophage

AIMS: To determine the effectiveness of an alkaline cleaner used in food-processing plants and a lytic bacteriophage specific for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in killing wild type and rpoS-deficient cells of the pathogen in a biofilm. METHODS AND RESULTS: Wild type and rpoS-deficient cells were attached to stainless steel coupons (c. 7-8 log CFU per coupon) on which biofilms were developed during incubation at 22 degrees C for 96 h in M9 minimal salts media (MSM) with one transfer to fresh medium. Coupons were treated with 100 and 25% working concentrations of a commercial alkaline cleaner (pH 11.9, with 100 microg ml(-1) free chlorine) used in the food industry, chlorine solutions (50 and 100 microg ml(-1) free chlorine), or sterile deionized water (control) at 4 degrees C for 1 and 3 min. Treatment with 100% alkaline cleaners reduced populations by 5-6 log CFU per coupon, a significant (P < or = 0.05) reduction compared with treatment with water. Initial populations (2.6 log CFU per coupon) of attached cells of both strains were reduced by 1.2 log CFU per coupon when treated with bacteriophage KH1 (7.7 log PFU ml(-1)) for up to 4 days at 4 degrees C. Biofilms containing low populations (2.7-2.8 log CFU per coupon) of wild type and rpoS-deficient cells that had developed for 24 h at 22 degrees C were not decreased by more than 1 log CFU per coupon when treated with KH1 (7.5 log PFU ml(-1)) at 4 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: Higher numbers of cells of E. coli O157:H7 in biofilms are killed by treatment with an alkaline cleaner than with hypochlorite alone, possibly through a synergistic mechanism of alkaline pH and hypochlorite. Populations of cells attached on coupons were reduced by treating with bacteriophage but cells enmeshed in biofilms were protected. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The alkaline pH, in combination with hypochlorite, in a commercial cleaner is responsible for killing E. coli O157:H7 in biofilms. Treatment with bacteriophage KH1 reduces populations of cells attached to coupon surfaces but not cells in biofilms.