Galactose oxidase action on galactose containing glycolipids--a fluorescence method

Features that alter the glycolipid sugar headgroup accessibility at the membrane interface have been studied in bilayer lipid model vesicles using a fluorescence technique with the enzyme galactose oxidase. The effects on oxidation caused by variation in the hydrophobic moiety of galactosylceramide or the membrane environment for galactosylceramide, monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and digalactosyldiacylglycerol were studied. For this study we combined the galactose oxidase method for determining the oxidizability of galactose containing glycolipids, and the fluorescence method for determining enzymatic hydrogen peroxide production. Exposed galactose residues with a free hydroxymethyl group at position 6 in the headgroup of glycolipids were oxidized with galactose oxidase and subsequently the resultant hydrogen peroxide was determined by a combination of horseradish peroxidase and 10-acetyl-3,7-dihydroxyphenoxazine (Amplex Red). Amplex Red reacts with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of horseradish peroxidase with a 1:1 stoichiometry to form resorufin. With this coupled enzyme approach it is also possible to determine the galactolipid transbilayer membrane distribution (inside-outside) in bilayer vesicles.     

A new immunosensing method by galactose oxidase-mediated electrocatalysis using a virtual beaker array

We report a novel and convenient method for the determination of glycoproteins, especially antibodies, using galactose oxidase (GAO) on the basis of the contents of galactosyl and N-acetylgalactosaminyl residues in carbohydrate chains of glycoproteins. GAO converts galactose residues to their corresponding aldehyde and H₂O₂, the latter being electroactive and quantifiable by DC amperometry. The method does not require processes such as antibody labeling or the use of enzyme-tagged secondary antibodies. For an array-type immunosensing, the platform surface for antigen immobilization was specially designed by using differentiated surface wetting property of hydrophobic and hydrophilic patterns. We patterned the hydrophobic surface of the poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrate by microcontact printing with the poly(amidoamine) dendrimer ink, providing hydrophilic patterns on a hydrophobic base substrate. By applying aqueous solution on the patterned surface, an array of free-standing water droplets was made. With the prepared virtual beaker array, electrochemical immunosensing was performed by using anti-dinitrophenyl-IgG as a model target protein. From immunoassay with GAO-mediated electrocatalysis, a good correlation in amperometric signal with the target IgG was registered. The total assay time was about 20 min, including antibody recognition and signal registration.     

External labeling of galactose in surface membrane glycoproteins of the intact myelin sheath.

The molecular organization of surface galactose residues in glycoproteins of the intact myelin sheath was investigated using the enzymatic membrane probe, galactose oxidase. Rat spinal cords treated under physiological conditions with this nonpermanent probe were labeled specifically in galactose residues by reduction with tritiated sodium borohydride. The enzymatically modified proteins from isolated myelin were analyzed electrophoretically and their specific radioactivities determined. Results indicated tritium label associated with a surprising variety of high molecular weight proteins. The most extensively labeled peak corresponded to the major myelin glycoprotein as indicated by the coincidence of tritium label with that of [14C]fucose used as an internal marker for the glycoproteins. The radioactivity associated with this protein was 1.1 to 2.7 times higher after treatment with galactose oxidase when compared to reduction in the absence of the enzyme and 1.4 to 4.8 times higher when oxidized and reduced after prior treatment with neuraminidase. The results suggest a complex heterogeneity of minor glycoproteins associated with isolated myelin. It is concluded that from this complexity of glycoproteins, a major glycoprotein is at least partially localized on the external surface of either the intact myelin sheath or the closely associated oligodendroglial plasma membrane. Such a localization of this glycoprotein and the probable localization of the other glycoproteins enhances their potential role in specific interactions in the process of mpyelination or myelin maintenance.     

Generation of a soluble IFN-gamma inducer by oxidation of galactose residues on macrophages

Depletion of macrophages from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) caused a marked decrease in galactose oxidase and sodium periodate, but not a calcium ionophore, stimulated Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production. Reconstitution of such depleted cultures with galactose oxidase treated macrophages, but not lymphocytes, restored IFN-gamma levels to those of control nonfractionated PBMC. Thus, galactose oxidase seemed to act on macrophages which in turn stimulated lymphocyte production of IFN-gamma. Unlike human cells which have terminal galactose residues on glycoproteins, murine cell glycoproteins terminate their oligosaccharide component in the order N-acetyl-neuraminic acid followed by D-galactose, N-acetyl-glucosamine, and glycoprotein. Galactose oxidase or sodium periodate only activated murine macrophages to stimulate lymphocyte IFN-gamma production after exposing D-galactose residues by the removal of the terminal N-acetyl-neuraminic acid residues with neuraminidase. Removal of such exposed terminal galactose residues with beta-galactosidase inhibited the effect of galactose oxidase on murine macrophages. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that oxidation of terminal galactose residues on macrophages is the initial site of action of galactose oxidase and sodium periodate. Studies with Boyden chambers have shown that galactose oxidase-treated macrophages released a soluble factor which stimulates lymphocyte production of IFN-gamma. Based on these findings, it appears that the oxidation of terminal galactose residues on the surface of macrophages leads to the induction and transmission of a soluble signal for lymphocyte production of IFN-gamma.     

Purification and properties of an endo-alpha-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminidase from Diplococcus pneumoniae.

An enzyme that hydrolyzes the O-glycosidic linkage between alpha-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and serine or threonine in mucins and mucin-type glycoproteins was purified by chromatography on an Affi-Gel 202 column or isoelectric focusing from filtrates of Diplococcus pneumoniae cultures. The final preparations were free of protease and a wide range of other glycosidase activities. The preparation obtained by isoelectric focusing was shown to consist of a single protein by gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. This preparation had an apparent molecular weight of about 160,000, determined by gel filtration, an optimum pH of 7.6, and an isoelectric point in the range pH 8 to 9. The enzyme releases the disaccharide Gal-GalNAc from a variety of glycopeptide and glycoprotein substrates and appears to have a specific requirement for an unsubstituted galactose in the nonreducing terminus and an alpha linkage between N-acetylgalactosamine and the aglycone. This is the only endoenzyme known capable of cleaving the linkage between a carbohydrate and serine or threonine residues in glycoproteins. The ability of this enzyme to act on macromolecular substrates and its pH optimum makes it ideally suited to explore the distribution and function of mucin-type glycoproteins on normal and cancer cell surfaces.     

Galactose-rich glycoproteins are on the cell surface of herpes virus-infected cells. 1. Surface labeling and serial lectin binding studies of Asn-linked oligosaccharides of glycoprotein gC

Cell-surface glycoproteins of mock-infected and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-infected BHK-21 and HEp-2 cells were radiolabeled by incubation with galactose oxidase followed by reduction with NaB3H4. The incorporation of radiolabel into glycoconjugates in both BHK-21 and HEp-2 cells was increased several fold following infection with HSV, showing an increase in surface-exposed Gal residues in the infected cells. This was further confirmed by an increase in binding of cell-surface-labeled glycoproteins gC and gB from HSV-infected BHK-21 cells to Ricinus communis agglutinin I, which is specific for beta-D-Gal residues. Prior treatment of cells with Clostridium perfringens neuraminidase enhanced the surface radiolabeling by the galactose oxidase/NaB3H4 method: HEp-2 cells exhibited over sixfold enhancement in labeling, while BHK-21 cells showed only a slight increase. HSV glycoprotein gC was the predominant cell-surface glycoprotein radiolabeled by the galactose oxidase/NaB3H4 method in virus-infected BHK-21 cells. The glycoprotein gC was purified by immunoaffinity column chromatography on monoclonal anti-gC-antibody-Sepharose. The radiolabel in the glycopeptides of gC was resistant to beta elimination, showing that it was associated only with Asn-linked oligosaccharides. A serial lectin affinity chromatography of glycopeptides on columns of concanavalin A-Sepharose, lentil (Lens culinaris) lectin-Sepharose, and Ricin I-agarose allowed the assignment of minimal oligosaccharide structures bearing terminal Gal residues in gC.     

Oxidase-peroxidase enzymes of Datura innoxia. Oxidation of formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester.

An enzyme system from Datura innoxia roots oxidizing formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester was purified 38-fold by conventional methods such as (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, negative adsorption on alumina Cy gel and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The purified enzyme was shown to catalyse the stoicheiometric oxidation of formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester to benzoylformic acid ethyl ester and formic acid, utilizing molecular O2. Substrate analogues such as phenylacetaldehyde and phenylpyruvate were oxidized at a very low rate, and formylphenylacetonitrile was an inhilating agents, cyanide, thiol compounds and ascorbic acid. This enzyme was identical with an oxidase-peroxidase isoenzyme. Another oxidase-peroxidase isoenzyme which separated on DEAE-chromatography also showed formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester oxidase activity, albeit to a lesser extent. The properties of the two isoenzymes of the oxidase were compared and shown to differ in their oxidation and peroxidation properties. The oxidation of formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester was also catalysed by horseradish peroxidase. The Datura isoenzymes exhibited typical haemoprotein spectra. The oxidation of formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester was different from other peroxidase-catalysed reactions in not being activated by either Mn2+ or monophenols. The oxidation was inhibited by several mono- and poly-phenols and by catalase. A reaction mechanism for the oxidation is proposed.     

o,o-Dityrosine in native and horseradish peroxidase-activated galactose oxidase

Treatment of galactose oxidase with catalytic amounts of horseradish peroxidase results in increases in both enzyme activity and Cu(II)-associated absorbance. This reaction requires O₂ and is reversed upon removal of O₂ or peroxidase. o,o-Dityrosine is detected in amino acid hydrolysates of peroxidase-treated galactose oxidase as a ninhydrin peak. Furthermore, even native enzyme contains this species as detected by fluorescence measurements. Peroxidase treatment increases the amount of dityrosine present. The dityrosine forms an intramolecular crosslink, the first such crosslink found in a nonstructural protein. The peroxidase-catalyzed formation of the dityrosine and putative precursor radical(s) is thought to involve a tyrosyl ligand to the Cu(II) in galactose oxidase. Such a radical may be involved in the activation observed.     

A possible role for microsomal hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in microsomal electron transport and mixed-function oxygenase activity.

Erythrocyte aging is accompanied by an overall reduction in surface carbohydrate content. A decrease in sialic acid and an increase in D-galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine in the terminal position of the glycoprotein polysaccharide chains are also observed in aged erythrocytes. In the light of these and other observations, it is proposed that the newly exposed galactose/galactosamine residues in the desialylated glycoproteins may serve as recognition signals triggering the elimination of senescent erythrocytes from circulation.     

Localization of penultimate carbohydrate residues in zona pellucida and acrosomes by means of lectin cytochemistry and enzymatic treatments

Lectins from peanuts (PNA) and soy beans (SBA) bind terminal residues of galactose (Gal) and N-acetyl-galactosamine (GalNAc) respectively. Galactose oxidase oxidizes the hydroxyl group at C-6 of terminal Gal and GalNAc blocking the binding of PNA and SBA. Binding of these lectins to sugar residues is also severely limited by the existence of terminal residues of sialic acid. In the present study, lectin cytochemistry in combination with enzymatic treatments and quantitative analysis has been applied at light and electron microscopical levels to develop a simple methodology allowing the in situ discrimination between penultimate and terminal Gal/GalNAc residues. The areas selected for the demonstration of the method included rat zona pellucida and acrosomes of rat spermatids, which contain abundant glycoproteins with terminal Gal/GalNAc residues. Zona pellucida was labelled by LFA, PNA and SBA. After galactose oxidase treatment, terminal Gal/GalNAc residues are oxidized, and reactivity to PNA/SBA is abolished. The sequential application of galactose oxidase, neuraminidase and PNA/ SBA has the following effects: (i) oxidation of terminal Gal/GalNAc residues; (ii) elimination of terminal sialic acid residues rendering accessible to the lectins preterminal Gal/GalNAc residues; and (iii) binding of the lectins to the sugar residues. Acrosomes were reactive to PNA and SBA. No LFA reactivity was detected, thus indicating the absence of terminal sialic acid residues. Therefore, no labelling was observed after both galactose oxidase--PNA/SBA and galactose oxidase--neuraminidase--PNA/SBA sequences. In conclusion, the combined application of galactose oxidase, neuraminidase and PNA/SBA cytochemistry is a useful technique for the demonstration of penultimate carbohydrate residues with affinity for these lectins. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The staining of sciatic nerve glycoproteins on polyacrylamide gels with concanavalin A-peroxidase.

The plant lectin concanavalin A (Con A) possesses a remarkably specific capacity to bind primarily α-d-mannose or α-d-glucose sugar residues on macromolecules (cf. 1). The multivalent Con A will bind to carbohydrates on cell surfaces, and free binding sites on the attached Con A will bind to horseradish peroxidase which is a glycoprotein (2). Since peroxidase may be visualized by reaction with diaminobenzidine (3), it has been possible using this method to specifically “stain” carbohydrate residues on cell surface macromolecules (2, 4). The same principles for staining cell surfaces should apply to “staining” glycoproteins separated by polyacrylamide electrophoresis. In this paper, we examine the staining of glycoproteins in sciatic nerve by a Con A-peroxidase labeling technique. The method is more sensitive for mannose or glucose containing glycoproteins than the periodic acid-Schiff's (PAS) method commonly used.     

Cytochemical characterization of glycoproteins in the developing acrosome of rats. An ultrastructural study using lectin histochemistry, enzymes and chemical deglycosylation.

The composition and distribution of rat acrosomal glycoproteins during spermiogenesis have been investigated at light and electron microscopic level by means of a variety of morphological techniques including the application of lectins conjugated to peroxidase, digoxigenin and colloidal gold, enzyme and chemical deglycosylation procedures and conventional histochemistry. Results obtained with lectin histochemistry in combination with beta-elimination reaction and endoglucosaminidase F/peptide N-glycosidase F digestion suggest that glycoproteins of mature acrosomes contain both N- and O-linked oligosaccharides. N-linked chains of acrosomal glycoproteins contain mannose and external residues of N-acetylglucosamine and galactose. They also have fucose residues linked to the core region of the oligosaccharide side chains. O-linked oligosaccharide chains contain external residues of both galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine. Mannose, fucose, galactose and N-acetylglucosamine residues were detected in acrosomes at all steps of spermiogenesis. N-acetylgalactosamine residues were only observed in the late steps of the spermiogenesis. N-acetylneuraminic acid residues were not detected throughout the acrosomal development. At initial stages of acrosome formation, glycoproteins were preferentially distributed over the acrosomic granules. In cap phase spermatids, lectin binding sites were homogeneously distributed throughout the acrosomes; however, in mature spermatozoa, glycoproteins were predominantly located over the outer acrosomal membrane.     

A coupled enzyme assay for measurement of sialidase activity.

A multi-coupled enzyme assay system for determining sialidase activity is described. Enzymes, substrates and chromogens are reacted in situ and determined spectrophotometrically in ELISA microtiter plates. Sialidase is assayed by the extent of desialylated galactose on an appropriate sialoglycoconjugate (fetuin), which is otherwise unavailable for oxidation by galactose oxidase. The oxidation is monitored by the coupling of H2O2 released to a third enzyme, peroxidase. The rate of change of absorbance at 405 nm, resulting from the oxidized chromogen is a measure of the reaction rate of the coupled enzyme system. A similar system can be used for determining galactose oxidase in solution, or on blots using galactose as substrate. Due to the small-scale single-step measurement, the described assay is a sensitive, convenient, and inexpensive alternative to the classic colorimetric determination.     

Glycoproteins from human colonic adenocarcinoma. Isolation and characterization of cell surface carcinoembryonic antigen from a cultured tumor cell line.

Alterations in cell surface glycoproteins have been implicated in malignancy. We examined surface membrane proteins of a cultured cell line, SKCO-1, which had been derived from a human colonic adenocarcinoma. Cell surface labeling of SKCO-1 cells with galactose oxidase, followed by reduction with sodium borotritide, revealed five major labeled glycoproteins upon sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. At least three additional labeled glycoproteins could be detected if galactose oxidase treatment was preceded by neuraminidase treatment. Some, but not all, of the glycoproteins could be iodinated by lactoperoxidase. The predominantly labeled glycoprotein (GPI) had a molecular weight of 200,000 and co-migrated in SDS gel with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). GPI was not removed from the cell surface by EDTA, hypertonic saline, or sonication but was released from the membrane by detergents. This glycoprotein was subsequently purified using lectin-agarose columns and gel filtration. GPI was judged homogenous by protein- and carbohydrate-stained SDS-polyacrylamide gels and had an amino acid composition similar to that of CEA. The carbohydrate composition of GPI was qualitatively similar to CEA but quantitatively distinct. GPI had a greater proportion of sialic acid and galactosamine and less fucose and glucosamine than CEA. Immunological studies, however, demonstrated identity between GPI and CEA. A study of the turnover rate of GPI showed it to have a half-life of 5 days.     

Enzymatic O-glycosylation of kappa-caseinomacropeptide by ovine mammary Golgi membranes

The results of subcellular fractionation of sheep mammary gland membranes indicate that N-acetylgalactosaminyl polypeptide transferase and galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase, which are involved in the assembly of disaccharide units of kappa-casein, are localized chiefly in Golgi membranes. The glycosyltransferase activities incorporating N-acetyl [1-14C] galactosamine and [U-14C] galactose from uridine diphosphate N-acetyl [1-14C] galactosamine and uridine diphosphate [U-14C] galactose, respectively, were measured after membrane solubilization with Triton X-100 either with unglycosylated caseinomacropeptide, or with this polypeptide containing the N-acetylgalactosamine side chain residues (desialylated and degalactosylated caseinomacropeptide). Radioactive N-acetylgalactosamine was incorporated in the unglycosylated acceptor peptide, and the glycosidic bonds in the product were alkali labile, suggesting that they were linked to the hydroxyamino acid residues. In addition radioactive N-acetylgalactosamine was released after alpha N-acetyl-D-galactosaminidase treatment of labelled caseinomacropeptide. [U-14C] galactose was incorporated in the desialylated and degalactosylated acceptor peptide. Reductive alkaline treatment of [U-14C] galactose peptide resulted in the release of a major product, the chromatographic properties of which in TLC were identical with authentic galactosyl (1 leads to 3) N-acetylgalactosaminitol. The structure of the labelled disacchariditol determined after periodate oxidation (two equivalents) by gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that the [U-14C] galactose was linked to position C-3 on the N-acetylgalactosaminyl-residue. The anomery of the galactose, as determined by a chemical method, indicates unambiguously a beta configuration.     

Formation of lymphocyte colonies under serum-free culture conditions in normal individuals and patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

This paper describes a culture system which supports the formation of B cell and some T cell colonies under serum-free conditions in peripheral blood samples of normal individuals and patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) of B cell type. In this system, serum is replaced by bovine serum albumin, transferrin, cholesterol, insulin and catalase or horseradish peroxidase. In addition, it is necessary to add staphylococcus protein A, mitomycin-treated T cells as feeders and phytohemagglutinin leukocyte-conditioned medium as a source of growth factors. The plating efficiency is greatly enhanced when normal cells are incubated with galactose oxidase prior to plating and when CLL cells are exposed sequentially to neuraminidase and galactose oxidase.     

Purification of galactose oxidase from Dactylium dendroides by affinity chromatography on melibiose-polyacrylamide

Galactose oxidase is a fungal enzyme which is known to oxidize the C-6 hydroxymethyl of galactose and galactosamine to an aldehyde group. It has been widely used in glycoconjugate research, for example in the labeling of asialoglycoproteins. We have developed a simple affinity purification for galactose oxidase using melibiose-polyacrylamide. This affinity procedure was used to purify the enzyme from ammonium sulfate precipitates of culture filtrates of Dactylium dendroides. The material containing proteases and other contaminants is eluted in the buffer wash. The galactose oxidase is then specifically eluted from the column with buffer containing 0.1 M D-fucose or D-galactose. Using this procedure, the enzyme was also purified from commercial samples of galactose oxidase which contain high proteolytic activity.     

Activation of mouse peritoneal macrophages alters the structure and surface expression of protein-bound lactosaminoglycans

We have begun to analyze and compare the surface carbohydrates present on populations of resident and activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. The activated macrophage populations studied include TG-elicited macrophages, BCG-activated macrophages, and resident macrophages cultured for 24 hr in the presence of lymphokines or heterologous serum. Analysis of glycopeptides generated by pronase digestion of surface glycoproteins labeled by the neuraminidase/galactose oxidase/NaB3H4 method indicates that the macrophage surface contains a class of high m.w. carbohydrates susceptible to degradation by endo-beta-galactosidase, lactosaminoglycans. These lactosaminoglycans are sialylated type 2 carbohydrates containing the repeating lactosamine disaccharide Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc as well as fucose residues. Macrophage activation was observed to markedly alter surface lactosaminoglycans. The alterations observed include 1) an increase in surface expression as determined by both an increase in neuraminidase/galactose oxidase/NaB3H4 labeling and by the ability of activated but not resident macrophages to bind I antibodies as assayed by indirect immunofluorescent surface staining, 2) the addition of alpha-galactose residues, and 3) an increase in GlcNAc beta 1-6Gal branching as indicated by an increased resistance to endo-beta-galactosidase degradation and by the ability of activated macrophages to bind I antibodies. These observations demonstrate that macrophage activation results in specific and substantial alterations in protein-bound surface carbohydrates.     

Site-specific modification of recombinant proteins: a novel platform for modifying glycoproteins expressed in E. coli

The site-specific modification of proteins is expected to be an important capability for the synthesis of bioconjugates in the future. However, the traditional repertoire of reactions available for the direct modification of proteins suffers from lack of specificity, necessitating costly downstream processing to isolate the specific species of interest. (1) Here, we use a well-established, glycan-specific chemistry to PEGylate model glycoproteins, each containing a unique reactive GalNAc attached to a specifically engineered threonine residue. By engineering E. coli to execute the initial steps of human, mucin-type O-glycosylation, we were able to obtain homogeneous site-specifically modified glycoproteins with fully human glycan linkages. Two mucin-based reporters as well as several fusion proteins containing eight-amino-acid GalNAc-T recognition sequences were glycosylated in this engineered glycocompetent strain of E. coli. The use of one sequence in particular, PPPTSGPT, resulted in site-specific glycan occupancy of approximately 69% at the engineered threonine. The GalNAc present on the purified glycoprotein was oxidized by galactose oxidase and then coupled to hydroxylamine functionalized 20 kDa PEG in the presence of aniline. The glycoprotein could be converted to the PEGylated product at approximately 85% yield and >98% purity as determined by comparison to the products of control reactions.     

Enzymatic enhancement of the catalytic rate of sulfhydryl oxidase

The rate of oxidation of glutathione by solubilized sulfhydryl oxidase was significantly enhanced in the presence of horseradish peroxidase (donor:hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.7). This enhancement was proportional to the amount of active peroxidase in the assay, but could not be attributed solely to the oxidation of glutathione catalyzed by the peroxidase. A change in the Soret region of the horseradish peroxidase spectrum was observed when both glutathione and peroxidase were present. Moreover, addition of glutathione to a sulfhydryl oxidase/horseradish peroxidase mixture resulted in a rapid shift of the absorbance maximum from 403 nm to 417 nm. This shift indicates the oxidation of horseradish peroxidase. Spectra for three isozyme preparations of horseradish peroxidase, two acidic and one basic, all underwent this red-shift in the presence of sulfhydryl oxidase and glutathione. Cysteine and N-acetylcysteine could replace glutathione. Addition of catalase had no effect on the oxidation of peroxidase, indicating that the peroxide involved in the reaction was not derived from that released into the bulk solution by sulfhydryl oxidase-catalyzed thiol oxidation. Further evidence for a direct transfer of the hydrogen peroxide moiety was obtained by addition of glutaraldehyde to a sulfhydryl oxidase/horseradish peroxidase/N-acetylcysteine mixture. Size exclusion chromatography revealed the formation of a high-molecular-weight species with peroxidase activity, which was completely resolved from native horseradish peroxidase. Formation of this species was absolutely dependent on the presence of both the cysteine-containing substrate and sulfhydryl oxidase. The observed enhancement of sulfhydryl oxidase catalytic activity by the addition of horseradish peroxidase supports a bi uni ping-pong mechanism proposed previously for sulfhydryl oxidase.