Activation of peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of chromogenic substrates by tetrazole and its 5-substituted derivatives

Peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 2,2-azino-di(3-ethyl-benzthiazolydine-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) is activated by tetrazole and its 5-substituted derivatives—5-amino-(AmT), 5-methyl-(MeT), 5-phenyl-(PhT), and 5-CF₃-(CF₃-T) tetrazoles. In phosphate-citrate or phosphate buffer (pH 6.4 or 7.2; 20°C), the activating effect of tetrazoles on TMB and ABTS oxidation decreased in the series AmT > MeT > T > PhT > CF₃-T and T > AmT > MeT > PhT, respectively. The coefficient (degree) of activation (), expressed in M^–1, determined for both substrates and all activators, depended on substrate type, buffer nature, and pH (it increased as pH increased from 6.4 to 7.2). For TMB oxidation, good correlation between log and the Hammet constants _meta for m-substituents in the benzene series NH₂, CH₃, C₆H₅, and CF₃ was found. It is suggested that AmT, MeT, and T can be used as activators of peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of TMB and ABTS in enzyme immunoassay and designing peroxidase-based biosensors.Translated from Prikladnaya Biokhimiya i Mikrobiologiya, Vol. 41, No. 2, 2005, pp. 148–157.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Karasyova, Gaponik, Metelitza.     

The effect of tetrazole and its amino derivatives on the kinetics of peroxidase oxidation of chromogenic substrates

The peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), o-phenylenediamine (PDA), and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was found to be activated by tetrazole and 5-aminotetrazole (AT) and weakly inhibited by 1,5-diaminotetrazole. The activating action of tetrazole and AT on the PDA and TMB oxidation was clearly discompetitive and that on ABTS was non-competitive. The coefficients (degrees) of activation alpha were determined for three substrates and two activators; they depended on the substrate type and the buffer nature and increased along with the pH growth from 6.4 to 7.2. For AT and tetrazole, the maximal alpha values were 4140 and 800 M(-1), respectively, upon the PDA oxidation and 3570 and 540 M(-1), respectively, upon the TMB oxidation. Lower alpha values (145 and 58 M(-1) for tetrazole and AT, respectively) were characteristic of the peroxidase oxidation of ABTS. The activation of peroxidase oxidation of the substrates by tetrazole and AT at pH > or = 5.4 was explained by the nucleophilic nature of the activators interacting with the amino acid residues in the peroxidase active site according to the mechanism of acid-base catalysis. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2004, vol. 30, no. 3; see also http://www.maik.ru.     

The Effect of Tetrazole and Its Amino Derivatives on the Kinetics of Peroxidase Oxidation of Chromogenic Substrates

The peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), o-phenylenediamine (PDA), and 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was found to be activated by tetrazole and 5-aminotetrazole (AT) and weakly inhibited by 1,5-diaminotetrazole. The activating action of tetrazole and AT on the PDA and TMB oxidation was clearly discompetitive and that on ABTS was non-competitive. The coefficients (degrees) of activation were determined for three substrates and two activators; they depended on the substrate type and the buffer nature and increased along with the pH growth from 6.4 to 7.2. For AT and tetrazole, the maximal values were 4140 and 800 M^–1, respectively, upon the PDA oxidation and 3570 and 540 M^–1, respectively, upon the TMB oxidation. Lower values (145 and 58 M^–1 for tetrazole and AT, respectively) were characteristic of the peroxidase oxidation of ABTS. The activation of peroxidase oxidation of the substrates by tetrazole and AT at pH 5.4 was explained by the nucleophilic nature of the activators interacting with the amino acid residues in the peroxidase active site according to the mechanism of acid–base catalysis.     

Peroxidase-catalyzed co-oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine in the presence of substituted phenols and their polydisulfides

The steady-state kinetics of the horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalyzed oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) has been studied in the presence of 2-amino-4-nitrophenol (ANP), gallic acid (GA) or 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone (DDS) and their polydisulfides poly(ADSNP), poly(DSGA), poly(DSDDS) at 20 degrees C in 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.4, supplemented with 5-10% dimethylformamide. The second-order rate constants for the reactions of ANP, GA, poly(DSGA) and poly(DSDDS) with HRP-Compound I (k2) and Compound II (k3) have been determined at 25 degrees C in 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.0 by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. ANP, GA and their polydisulfides strongly inhibited HRP-catalyzed TMB oxidation. Inhibition constants (Ki) and stoichiometric coefficients of inhibition (f) have been determined for these reactions. The most effective inhibitor was poly(DSGA) (Ki=1.3 microM, f=35.6). The oxidation of substrate pairs by HRP, i.e., TMB-DDS and TMB-poly(DSDDS) at pH 7.2 resulted in a approximately 8- and approximately 12-fold stimulation of TMB oxidation rates, respectively. The mechanisms of the HRP-catalyzed co-oxidation of TMB-phenol pairs are discussed.     

Activation of peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine with poly(salicylic acid 5-aminodisulfide)

5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) inhibited by a mixed mechanism the peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in 0.015 M phosphate-citrate buffer (pH 6.4) supplemented with 5% DMSO and 5% DMF. Poly(salicylic acid 5-aminodisulfide) (poly(SAADS)) in 0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.2-7.4) supplemented with 5% DMSO and 5% DMF effectively activated the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of TMB. The activation was quantitatively characterized by coefficients (M^–1) determined at different pH values: increased linearly with increase in pH up to the maximal value of 2.44·10⁵ M^–1 at pH 7.0. The activating effect of poly(SAADS) on the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of TMB is explained by the activator properties of polyelectrolyte, with its anionic form interacting with peroxidase sites responsible for the acid-base catalysis.     

Peroxidase-Catalyzed Co-oxidation of 3,3",5,5"-Tetramethylbenzidine with 2-Amino-4-nitrophenol, 4,4"-Dihydroxydiphenylsulfone, and Their Polydisulfides in Aqueous and Micellar Media

The effects of different concentrations of 2-amino-4-nitrophenol (ANP) and of its polydisulfide (poly(ADSNP)) on peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 3,3"5,5"-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) were studied at 20°C in reversed micelles of AOT (0.2 M) in heptane and in mixed reversed micelles of AOT (0.1 M)–Triton X-100 (0.1 M) in isooctane supplemented with 15% hexanol. The oxidation of TMB was activated nearly twofold in the presence of ANP and nearly fourfold in the presence of poly(ADSNP) in reversed micelles of AOT, whereas in the mixed micelles oxidation of the TMB–ANP pair was associated with inhibition of TMB conversion and poly(ADSNP) activated oxidation of TMB. The co-oxidation of TMB with 4,4"-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone (DDS) and with its polydisulfide (poly(DSDDS)) at different concentrations of phenol components was accompanied by activation of TMB conversion in 0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.4) supplemented with 5% DMF and in reversed micelles of AOT in heptane. The effect of pH of the aqueous solution on the initial oxidation rate of the TMB–DDS and TMB–poly(DSDDS) pairs and also the effect of hydration degree of reversed micelles of AOT on conversion of the same pairs by peroxidase were studied. A scheme of peroxidase-dependent co-oxidation of aromatic amine–phenol pairs is proposed and discussed. A significant part of this scheme is a nonenzymatic exchange of phenoxyl radicals with amines and of aminyl radicals with phenols.     

Inhibition of peroxidase oxidation of aromatic amines by substituted phenols

Peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of o-phenylene diamine (OPD) was competitively inhibited by trimethylhydroquinone (TMHQ), 4-tert-butylpyrocatechol (In5), and 4,6-di-tert-butyl-3-sulfanyl-1,2-dihydroxybenzene (In6). In6 was the most efficient inhibitor (Ki = 11 microM at 20 degrees C in 0.015 M phosphate-citrate buffer, pH 6.0). The effects of In5 and In6 were not preceded by periods of induction of OPD oxidation products (contrary to TMHQ). Peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was non-competitively inhibited by In6 and 3-(2-hydroxyethylthio)-4,6-di-tert-butylpyrocatechol (In4), whereas o-aminophenol (OAP) acted as a mixed-type inhibitor. The effects of all three inhibitors were preceded by an induction period, during which TMB oxidation products were formed. Again, In6 was the most efficient inhibitor (Ki = 16 microM at 20 degrees C in 0.015 M phosphate-citrate buffer supplemented with 5% ethanol, pH 6.0). Judging by the characteristics of the inhibitors, taken in aggregate, it is advisable to use the pairs OPD-In5 and OPD-In6 in systems for testing the total antioxidant activity of biological fluids of humans.     

Laccase-catalyzed oxidation of 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propene using ABTS as mediator

The fungal laccases catalyzed oxidation of 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propene (2) with dioxygen in acetate buffer (pH 4.5) producing 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propane-1,2-diol (4) and its 1-O-acetyl and 2-O-acetyl derivatives 5 and 6, and 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (7). However, in phosphate buffer (pH 5.9), the same reaction produced only 4 and 7. When 4 was treated in the same fashion in the phosphate buffer, it was converted into 7 with more than 95 mol% yield. This, together with the formation of 5 and 6 in the acetate buffer, showed that 2 is converted into 3–5 via 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propane-1,2-epoxide (3) in the acetate buffer in the presence of ABTS. The major reaction of fungal laccase-catalyzed oxidation of 2 with dioxygen in the presence of ABTS is epoxidation of the double bond conjugated to the aromatic ring.     

Inhibition of 3,3",5,5"-Tetramethylbenzidine and o-Phenylenediamine Peroxidation with 1-Amino-2-Naphtol-4-Sulfonic Acid and Its Polydisulfide

The kinetics of coupled peroxidation of 3,3",5,5"-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and 1-amino-2-naphtol-4-sulfonic acid (ANSA) or its polydisulfide (poly(ADSNSA)) was studied in a 0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.4) at 20°C. Both ANSA and poly(ADSNSA) strongly inhibited the TMB oxidation resulting in a marked delay in the product formation. Stoichiometric inhibition coefficients f, i. e., the average numbers of free-radical particles terminated by one inhibitor molecule, were estimated. The free-radical trapping effect of poly(ADSNSA) was 7.5 times greater than that of ANSA. Kinetics of coupled o-phenylenediamine (PhDA) and ANSA or poly(ADSNSA) oxidation was studied in phosphate–citrate buffers at pH 3 to 7. No lag periods in oxidation product accumulation were observed under any of the reaction conditions. A weak activation of PhDA conversion depending on pH and PhDA/ANSA ratios was observed at low ANSA concentrations, whereas increased ANSA or poly(ADSNSA) concentrations were inhibitory. The degree of PhDA-inhibition was maximal in acid media, reached minimum at pH 5 to 6, and than again increased at pH above 6. A tentative mechanism of coupled aromatic amine–phenol bi-substrate system peroxidation is discussed.     

Peroxidase-catalyzed Oxidation of 3,3",5,5"-Tetramethylbenzidine in the Presence of 2,4-Dinitrosoresorcinol and Polydisulfide Derivatives of Resorcinol and 2,4-Dinitrosoresorcinol

A comparative study of the kinetics of peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 3,3",5,5"-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of 2,4-dinitrosoresorcinol (DNR), its polydisulfide derivative [poly(DNRDS)], and resorcinol polydisulfide [poly(RDS)], substances that competitively inhibit the formation of TMB conversion product, was carried out. The inhibition constants K _i for DNR, poly(DNRDS), and poly(RSD) were determined at 20°C and pH 6.4 to be 110, 13.5, and 0.78 M, respectively. The stoichiometric coefficients of inhibition were calculated to be 0.38 and 76 for poly(DNRDS) and poly(RDS), respectively. In the pH range 6.4–7.0, the initial rates of the peroxidative oxidation of TMB, and its mixtures with DNR and poly(DNRDS) and the K _i value for poly(RDS) substantially decreased with increasing pH. The kinetic parameters of poly(RDS) (K _i 0.22–0.78 M and f 76) suggest that it is the most efficient inhibitor of peroxidase oxidation of TMB: in micromolar concentrations, it completely stops this process and can be used in EIA.     

Inhibition of Peroxidase-Catalyzed Oxidation of Aromatic Amines by Substituted Phenols

Peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of o-phenylene diamine (OPD) was competitively inhibited by trimethylhydroquinone (TMHQ), 4-tert-butylpyrocatechol (InH5), and 4,6-di-tert-butyl-3-sulfanyl-1,2-dihydroxybenzene (InH6). InH6 was the most efficient inhibitor (K _i = 11 M at 20°C in 0.015 M phosphate–citrate buffer, pH 6.0). The effects of InH5 and InH6 were not preceded by periods of induction of OPD oxidation products (contrary to TMHQ). Peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was noncompetitively inhibited by InH6 and 3-(2-hydroxyethylthio)-4,6-di-tert-butylpyrocatechol (InH4), whereas o-aminophenol acted as a mixed-type inhibitor. The effects of all three inhibitors were preceded by an induction period, during which TMB oxidation products were formed. Again, InH6 was the most efficient inhibitor (K _i = 16 M at 20°C in 0.015 M phosphate–citrate buffer supplemented with 5% ethanol, pH 6.0). Judging by the characteristics of the inhibitors taken in aggregate, it is advisable to use the pairs OPD–InH5 and OPD–InH6 in systems for testing the total antioxidant activity of human biological fluids.     

Activation of Peroxidase-Catalyzed Oxidation of Aromatic Amines with 2-Aminothiazole and Melamine

The peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 3,3",5,5"-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), ortho-phenylenediamine (PDA), and 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is significantly accelerated in the presence of 2-aminothiazole (AT) and melamine (MA), and an increase in their concentrations is associated with a parallel increase in the k _cat and K _m values for TMB and PDA. The activation of the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of TMB and PDA is quantitatively characterized by a coefficient (degree) (M^–1) which significantly depends on pH in the range 6.2-6.4, 6.4-7.4, and 6.0-7.4 for the TMB–AT, TMB–MA, and PDA–MA pairs, respectively. An increase in the coefficient with increase in pH confirms nucleophilicity of activation of the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of the aromatic amines in the presence of AT and MA. Under optimal conditions the coefficients for the TMB–AT, PDA–AT, TMB–MA, and PDA–MA pairs vary in the limits of (1.90-3.53)·10³ M^–1.     

Peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine in the presence of 2,4-dinitrosoresorcinol and polydisulfide derivatives of resorcinol and 2,4-dinitrosoresorcinol

A comparative study of the kinetics of peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of 2,4-dinitrosoresorcinol (DNR), its polydisulfide derivative [poly(DNRDS)], and resorcinol polydisulfide [poly(RDS)], substances that competitively inhibit the formation of TMB conversion product, was carried out. The inhibition constants, Ki for DNR, poly(DNRDS), and poly(RSD) were determined at 20 degrees C and pH 6.4 to be 110, 13.5, and 0.78 microM, respectively. The stoichiometric coefficients of inhibition were calculated to be 0.38 and 76 for poly(DNRDS) and poly(RDS), respectively. In the pH range 6.4-7.0, the initial rates of the peroxidative oxidation of TMB, and its mixtures with DNR and poly(DNRDS) and the Ki value for poly(RDS) substantially decreased with increasing pH. The kinetic parameters of poly(RDS) (Ki 0.22-0.78 microM and f76) suggest that it is the most efficient inhibitor of peroxidase oxidation of TMB: in micromolar concentrations, it completely stops this process and can be used in EIA.     

Antioxidant activity of hydroxy derivatives of coumarin

The inhibition efficiency (antioxidant activity) of hydroxy derivatives of coumarin, such as esculetin, dicumarol, and fraxetin, was studied in the methemalbumin-H2O2-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) pseudoperoxidase system at 20 degrees C in a buffered physiological solution (pH 7.4) containing 6% DMF and 0.25% DMSO. The inhibitor's efficiency was quantitatively characterized by the inhibition constants (K(i), microM) and the inhibition degree (%). The K(i) values for esculetin, dicumarol, and fraxetin were 9.5, 15, and 26 microM, respectively. Esculetin and fraxetin inhibited pseudoperoxidase oxidation of TMB in a noncompetitive manner; dicumarol, in a mixed manner. The inhibiting activity ofesculetin in peroxidase-catalyzed TMB oxidation at pH 6.4 is characterized by a K(i) value equal to 1.15 microM, and the inhibition process is competitive. Esculetin was found to be the most effective antioxidant of plant origin among all derivatives previously studied in model biochemical systems.     

Peroxidative metabolism of benzidine derivatives by Salmonella typhimurium

Benzidine and several derivatives are activated to mutagenic species in an H2O2-dependent Ames test system. Optical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy are employed in studies of the H2O2-dependent oxidation of benzidine and 3,5,3',5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) catalyzed by intact bacteria, and provide direct evidence for peroxidase activity in Salmonella typhimurium. The acetylase-proficient Ames tester strain TA98 and its acetylase-deficient derivative TA98/1,8-DNP6 are equally responsive to H2O2-dependent mutagenicity; enzymatic acetylation appears not to be involved in activation of benzidine, in this system. The H2O2-dependent mutagenicity of benzidine and oxidation of TMB are observed when the assays are carried out in acetate buffer (pH 5.5), but not in 2-[N-morpholino]ethane sulfonic acid (MES) buffer, at the same pH. This difference is interpreted in terms of the effects of these buffers on the intracellular pH of the bacteria. The H2O2-dependent mutagenicity of several benzidine congeners is also described.     

Inhibition of peroxidase oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine and o-phenylenediamine by 1-amino-2-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid and its polysulfide]

The kinetics of coupled peroxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine and 1-amino-2-naphtol-4-sulfonic acid (ANSA) or its polydisulfide (poly(ADSNSA)) was studied in 0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.4) at 20 degrees C. Both ANSA and poly(ADSNSA) strongly inhibited the TMB oxidation resulting in a marked delay in the product formation. Stoichiometric inhibition coefficients f, i.e., the average numbers of free-radical particles terminated by one inhibitor molecule, were estimated. The free-radical trapping effect of poly(ADSNSA) was 7.5 times greater than that of ANSA. Kinetics of coupled o-phenylenediamine (PhDA) and ANSA or poly(ADSNSA) oxidation was studied in phosphate-citrate buffers at pH 3 to 7. No lag periods in oxidation product accumulation were observed under any of the reaction conditions. A weak activation of PhDA conversion depending on pH and PhDA/ANSA ratios was observed at low ANSA concentrations, whereas increased ANSA or poly(ADSNSA) concentrations were inhibitory. The degree of PhDA inhibition was maximal in acid media, reached minimum at pH 5 to 6, and than again increased at pH above 6. Tentative mechanism of coupled aromatic amine phenol bi-substrate system peroxidation is discussed.     

On the role of bicarbonate in peroxidations catalyzed by Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase

The interaction of Cu,ZnSOD with H2O2 generates an oxidant at the active site that can then cause either the inactivation of this enzyme or the oxidation of a variety of exogenous substrates. We show that the rate of inactivation, imposed by 10-mM H2O2 at 25 degrees C and pH 7.2, is not influenced by 10-mM HCO3-; whereas the oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis-[3-ethylbenzothiazoline sulfonate] (ABTS=) is virtually completely dependent upon HCO3-. The reduction of the active site Cu(II) by H2O2, which precedes inactivation of the enzyme, occurred at the same rate in phosphate buffer with or without bicarbonate added. These results indicate that HCO3- does not play a role in facilitating the interaction of H2O2 with the active site copper, but they can be accommodated by the proposal that HCO3- is oxidized to HCO3*, which then diffuses from that site and causes the oxidation of substrates, such as ABTS=, that are too large to traverse the solvent access channel to the Cu(II).     

Oxidation of Benzidine and Its Derivatives by Thyroid Peroxidase

Human thyroid peroxidase (hTPO) catalyzes a one-electron oxidation of benzidine derivatives by hydrogen peroxide through classical Chance mechanism. The complete reduction of peroxidase oxidation products by ascorbic acid with the regeneration of primary aminobiphenyls was observed only in the case of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). The kinetic characteristics (k(cat) and K(m)) of benzidine (BD), 3,3'-dimethylbenzidine (o-tolidine), 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine (o-dianisidine), and TMB oxidation at 25 degrees C in 0.05 M phosphate-citrate buffer, pH 5.5, catalyzed by hTPO and horseradish peroxidase (HPR) were determined. The effective K(m) values for aminobiphenyls oxidation by both peroxidases raise with the increase of number of methyl and methoxy substituents in the benzidine molecule. Efficiency of aminobiphenyls oxidation catalyzed by either hTPO or HRP increases with the number of substituents in 3, 3', 5, and 5' positions of the benzidine molecule, which is in accordance with redox potential values for the substrates studied. The efficiency of HRP in the oxidation of benzidine derivatives expressed as k(cat)/K(m) was about two orders of magnitude higher as compared with hTPO. Straight correlation between the carcinogenicity of aminobiphenyls and genotoxicity of their peroxidation products was shown by the electrophoresis detecting the formation of covalent DNA cross-linking.     

Propyl gallate inhibition of iodide and tetramethylbenzidine oxidation catalyzed by human thyroid peroxidase

The kinetic characteristics (kcat, Km, and their ratio) for oxidation of iodide (I-) at 25 degrees C in 0.2 M acetate buffer, pH 5.2, and tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) at 20 degrees C in 0.05 M phosphate buffer, pH 6.0, with 10% DMF catalyzed by human thyroid peroxidase (HTP) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were determined. The catalytic activity of HRP in I- oxidation was about 20-fold higher than that of HTP. The kcat/Km ratio reflecting HTP efficiency was 35-fold higher in TMB oxidation than that in I- oxidation. Propyl gallate (PG) effectively inhibited all four peroxidase processes and its effects were characterized in terms of inhibition constants Ki and the inhibitor stoichiometric coefficient f. For both peroxidases, inhibition of I- oxidation by PG was characterized by mixed-type inhibition; Ki for HTP was 0.93 microM at 25 degrees C. However, in the case of TMB oxidation the mixed-type inhibition by PG was observed only with HTP (Ki = 3.9 microM at 20 degrees C), whereas for HRP it acted as a competitive inhibitor (Ki = 42 microM at 20 degrees C). A general scheme of inhibition of iodide peroxidation containing both enzymatic and non-enzymatic stages is proposed and discussed.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolism by White Rot Fungi and Oxidation by Coriolopsis gallica UAMH 8260 Laccase

We studied the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by using white rot fungi previously identified as organisms that metabolize polychlorinated biphenyls. Bran flakes medium, which has been shown to support production of high levels of laccase and manganese peroxidase, was used as the growth medium. Ten fungi grown for 5 days in this medium in the presence of anthracene, pyrene, or phenanthrene, each at a concentration of 5 μg/ml could metabolize these PAHs. We studied the oxidation of 10 PAHs by using laccase purified from Coriolopsis gallica. The reaction mixtures contained 20 μM PAH, 15% acetonitrile in 60 mM phosphate buffer (pH 6), 1 mM 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), and 5 U of laccase. Laccase exhibited 91% of its maximum activity in the absence of acetonitrile. The following seven PAHs were oxidized by laccase: benzo[a]pyrene, 9-methylanthracene, 2-methylanthracene, anthracene, biphenylene, acenaphthene, and phenanthrene. There was no clear relationship between the ionization potential of the substrate and the first-order rate constant (k) for substrate loss in vitro in the presence of ABTS. The effects of mediating substrates were examined further by using anthracene as the substrate. Hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) (1 mM) supported approximately one-half the anthracene oxidation rate (k = 2.4 h⁻¹) that ABTS (1 mM) supported (k = 5.2 h⁻¹), but 1 mM HBT plus 1 mM ABTS increased the oxidation rate ninefold compared with the oxidation rate in the presence of ABTS, to 45 h⁻¹. Laccase purified from Pleurotus ostreatus had an activity similar to that of C. gallica laccase with HBT alone, with ABTS alone, and with 1 mM HBT plus 1 mM ABTS. Mass spectra of products obtained from oxidation of anthracene and acenaphthene revealed that the dione derivatives of these compounds were present.