毛白杨细胞质抗坏血酸过氧化物酶基因的克隆及表达分析

利用同源克隆技术得到1个毛白杨细胞质抗坏血酸过氧化物酶基因,命名为PcAPX。该基因编码249个氨基酸残基,预测分子量为33.01kD。采用原核表达技术在大肠杆菌中表达并纯化该蛋白并进行酶活性分析,结果表明:重组PcAPX蛋白对抗坏血酸(AsA)和过氧化氢(H2O2)有很高的活性,其对抗坏血酸的米氏常数(Km)和最大反应速度(Vmax)分别为(0.71±0.03)mmol·L-1和(0.41±0.02)mmol·L-1·min-1·mg-1;对过氧化氢的Km和Vmax分别为(0.60±0.21)mmol·L-1和(0.35±0.12)mmol·L-1·min-1·mg-1,表明PcAPX对AsA和H2O2拥有较高的催化底物的能力和催化效率。利用实时定量RT-PCR分析毛白杨PcAPX基因的表达模式,结果表明其在老叶中表达量高于新叶、韧皮部、形成层和根部。该研究结果将进一步促进毛白杨APX基因家族成员参与植物生长调控的研究。     

Oxidative Metabolism of 4-Aminobutyrate by Rat Brain Mitochondria: Inhibition by Branched-chain Fatty Acid

Abstract: The oxidation of 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by nonsynaptosomal mitochondria isolated from rat forebrain and the inhibition of this metabolism by the branched-chain fatty acids 2-methyl-2-ethyl caproate (MEC) and 2, 2-dimethyl valerate (DMV) were studied. The rate of GABA oxidation, as measured by O₂ uptake, was determined in medium containing either 5 or 100 mM-[K⁺]. The apparent K_m for GABA was 1.16 ± 0.19 mM and the V_max in state 3 was 23.8 ± 5.5 ng-atoms O₂. min^?1. mg protein^?1 in 5 mM-[K⁺]. In a medium with 100 mM-[K⁺] the apparent K_m was 1.11 ± 0.17 mM and V_max was 47.4 ± 5.7 ng-atoms O₂. min^?1. mg protein^?1. The K_m for MEC was determined to be 0.58 ± 0.24 or 0.32 ± 0.08 mM, in 5 or 100 mM-[K⁺], respectively. For DMV, the K_i was 0.28 ± 0.05 or 0.34 ± 0.06 mM, in 5 or 100 mM-[K⁺] medium, respectively. The O₂ uptake of the mitochondria in the presence of GABA was coupled to the formation of glutamate and aspartate; the ratio of oxygen uptake to the rate of amino acid formation was close to the theoretical value of 3. Neither the [K²] nor any of the above inhibitors had any effect on this ratio. The metabolism of exogenous succinic semialdehyde (SSA) by these same mitochondria was also examined. The V_max for utilization of oxygen in the presence of SSA was much greater than that found with exogenously added GABA, indicating that the capacity for GABA oxidation by these mitochondria is not limited by SSA dehydrogenase. In addition, the branched-chain fatty acids did not inhibit the metabolism of exogenously added SSA. Thus, the inhibitors examined apparently act by competitively inhibiting the GABA transaminase system of the mitochondria.     

Ibuprofen Inhibits Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase Activity in the Bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae

Ibuprofen, one of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, inhibited arylamine N-acetyltransferase activity of Klebsiella pneumoniae both in vitro and in vivo. The NAT activities of Klebsiella pneumoniae were inhibited by ibuprofen in a dose-dependent manner both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the NAT activity was 0.675 ± 0.028 nmol/min/mg of protein for the acetylation of 2-aminofluorene. In the presence of 8 mM ibuprofen, the NAT activity was 0.506 ± 0.002 nmol/min/mg of protein for the acetylation of 2-aminofluorene. In vivo, the NAT activity was 0.279 ± 0.016 nmol/min/10¹⁰ colony forming units (CFU) for the acetylation of 2-aminofluorene. In the presence of 8 mM ibuprofen, the NAT activity was 0.228 ± 0.008 nmol/min/10¹⁰ CFU for the acetylation of 2-aminofluorene. The inhibition of NAT activity by ibuprofen was shown to persist for at least 4 h. For in vitro examination, the values of apparent K _m and V _max were 1.08 ± 0.05 mM and 9.17 ± 0.11 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively, for 2-aminofluorene. However, when 8 mM of ibuprofen was added to the reaction mixtures, the values of apparent K _m and V _max were 1.19 ± 0.01 mM and 6.67 ± 0.11 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively, for 2-aminofluorene. For in vivo examination, the values of apparent K _m and V _max were 1.24 ± 0.48 mM and 4.18 ± 1.06 nmol/min/10 × 10¹⁰ CFU, respectively, for 2-aminofluorene. However, when 8 mM of ibuprofen was added to the culture, the values of apparent K _m and V _max were 0.95 ± 0.29 mM and 2.77 ± 0.37 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively, for 2-aminofluorene, respectively. This report is the first finding of ibuprofen inhibition of arylamine N-acetyltransferase activity in a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Received: 28 January 1997 / Accepted: 12 February 1997     

l-Proline transport into renal OK epithelial cells: a second renal proline transport system is induced by amino acid deprivation

Influx of [³H]-l-proline into renal OK cells revealed that basal transport was mediated by the transporter SIT1. When cells were submitted for 8 h to amino acid deprivation, uptake of l-proline was now dominated by a low-affinity system with an apparent K _m of 4.4 ± 0.6 mM and a V _max of 10.2 ± 0.6 nmol/mg of protein/min operating in addition to the high-affinity SIT1 system with a K _m of 0.12 ± 0.01 mM and a V _max of 0.28 ± 0.04 nmol/mg of protein/min. The low- and high-affinity proline transporting systems were sensitive to inhibitors of JNK and PI-3 kinases, whereas a GSK-3 inhibitor affected only the upregulated transport system. Ion-replacement studies and experiments assessing substrate specificities for both systems provided strong evidence that SNAT2, that showed two- to threefold increased mRNA levels, is the responsible transporter mediating the increased proline influx under conditions of amino acid deprivation.     

Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>/H<Superscript>+</Superscript> exchange activity in the alkaliphile halotolerant cyanobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphanothece halophytica</Emphasis>

The activity of Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger to remove toxic Na⁺ is important for growth of organisms under high salinity. In this study, the halotolerant cyanobacterium Aphanothece halophytica was shown to possess Na⁺/H⁺ exchange activity since exogenously added Na⁺ could dissipate a pre-formed pH gradient, and decrease extracellular pH. Kinetic analysis yielded apparent K _m (Na⁺) and V _max of 20.7 ± 3.1 mM and 3,333 ± 370 nmol H⁺ min⁻¹ mg⁻¹, respectively. For cells grown under salt-stress condition, the apparent K _m (Na⁺) and V _max was 18.3 ± 3.5 mM and 3,703 ± 350 nmol H⁺ min⁻¹ mg⁻¹, respectively. Three cations with decreasing efficiency namely Li⁺, Ca²⁺, and K⁺ were also able to dissipate pH gradient. Only marginal exchange activity was observed for Mg²⁺. The exchange activity was strongly inhibited by Na⁺-gradient dissipators, monensin, and sodium ionophore as well as by CCCP, a protonophore. A. halophytica showed high Na⁺/H⁺ exchange activity at neutral and alkaline pH up to pH 10. Cells grown at pH 7.6 under high salinity exhibited higher Na⁺/H⁺ exchange activity than those grown under low salinity during 15 days of growth suggesting a role of Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger for salt tolerance in A. halophytica. Cells grown at alkaline pH of 9.0 also exhibited a progressive increase of Na⁺/H⁺ exchange activity during 15 days of growth.     

Production and characterization of thermostable alkaline phytase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus laevolacticus</Emphasis> isolated from rhizosphere soil

A novel phytase producing thermophilic strain of Bacillus laevolacticus insensitive to inorganic phosphate was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of leguminous plant methi (Medicago falacata). The culture conditions for production of phytase by B. laevolacticus under shake flask culture were optimized to obtain high levels of phytase (2.957 ± 0.002 U/ml). The partially purified phytase from B. laevolacticus strain was optimally active at 70 °C and between pH 7.0 and pH 8.0. The enzyme exhibited thermostability with ∼80% activity at 70 °C and pH 8.0 for up to 3 h in the presence/absence of 5 mM CaCl₂. The phytase from B. laevolacticus showed high specificity for phytate salts of Ca⁺ > Na⁺. The enzyme showed an apparent K _m 0.526 mM and V _max 12.3 μmole/min/mg of activity against sodium phytate.     

Detoxification of insecticides,allechemicals and heavy metals by glutathione S‐transferase SlGSTE1 in the gut of Spodoptera litura

Insect glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) play important roles in detoxifying toxic compounds and eliminating oxidative stress caused by these compounds. In this study, detoxification activity of the epsilon GST SlGSTE1 in Spodoptera litura was analyzed for several insecticides and heavy metals. SlGSTE1 was significantly up‐regulated by chlorpyrifos and xanthotoxin in the midgut of S. litura. The recombinant SlGSTE1 had V_max (reaction rate of the enzyme saturated with the substrate) and K_m (michaelis constant and equals to the substrate concentration at half of the maximum reaction rate of the enzyme) values of 27.95 ± 0.88 μmol/min/mg and 0.87 ± 0.028 mmol/L for glutathione, respectively, and V_max and K_m values of 22.96 ± 0.78 μmol/min/mg and 0.83 ± 0.106 mmol/L for 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene, respectively. In vitro enzyme indirect activity assay showed that the recombinant SlGSTE1 possessed high binding activities to the insecticides chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, malathion, phoxim and dichloro‐diphenyl‐trichloroethane (DDT). SlGSTE1 showed higher binding activity to toxic heavy metals cadmium, chromium and lead than copper and zinc that are required for insect normal growth. Western blot analysis showed that SlGSTE1 was induced in the gut of larvae fed with chlorpyrifos or cadmium. SlGSTE1 also showed high peroxidase activity. All the results together indicate that SlGSTE1 may play an important role in the gut of S. litura to protect the insect from the toxic effects of these compounds and heavy metals.     

Isolation and characterisation of two chymotrypsins from the midgut of Locusta migratoria

Two chymotrypsin isozymes (CTR 1 and CTR 2) from the midgut lumen of Locusta migratoria have been identified and purified. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry revealed an M_r of 22 679 (±30) for CTR 1 and 22 592 (±30) for CTR 2. Both chymotrypsins hydrolysed S-(Ala)₂ProPhe-pNA (CTR 1: K_m=0.29±0.01 mM, V_max=83.0±1.4 U/mg; CTR 2: K_m=0.42±0.01 mM, V_max=48.9±1.1 U/mg) and S-(Ala)₂ProLeu-pNA (CTR 1: K_m=0.50±0.04 mM, V_max=1.7±0.1 U/mg; CTR 2: K_m=1.12±0.08 mM, V_max=11.4±0.6 U/mg), but neither enzyme hydrolysed BTpNA, S-Phe-pNA, Ac-Leu-pNA or S-(Ala)₃-pNA. CTR 1 and CTR 2 activities were effectively inhibited by AEBSF, PMSF, TPCK, chymostatin, SBTI and BPTI. Using S-(Ala)₂ProPhe-pNA as the substrate, CTR 1 gave optimal activity between pH 8.0 and 10.0, while CTR 2 was optimally active over the range pH 8.0–11.0. The N-terminal 15 amino acids of the purified chymotrypsins were determined, revealing their unique sequences which are also different from another, previously characterised Locusta chymotrypsin.     

A propionitrile-induced nitrilase of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodococcus</Emphasis> sp. NDB 1165 and its application in nicotinic acid synthesis

Rhodococcus sp. NDB 1165, a nitrile-transforming organism was isolated from temperate forest soil of Himalayas. The nitrilase (EC 3.5.5.2) activity of this organism had higher substrate specificity toward aromatic nitriles (benzonitrile, 3-cyanopyridine and 4-cyanopyridine) and unsaturated aliphatic nitrile (acrylonitrile) in comparison to saturated aliphatic nitriles (acetonitrile, propionitrile, butyronitrile and isobutyronitrile) nitrile and arylacetonitrile (phenylacetonitrile and indole-3-acetonitrile). The nitrilase of Rhodococcus sp. NDB 1165 was inducible in nature and propionitrile proved to be an efficient inducer. However, the salts of ferrous and cobalt ions had an inhibitory effect. Under optimized reaction conditions (pH 8.0 and temperature 45°C) the nitrilase activity of this organism was 2.39 ± 0.07 U/mg dry cell mass (dcm). The half-life of this enzyme was 150 min and 40 min at 45°C and 50°C respectively. However, it was quite stable at 40°C and around 58 % activity was retained even after 6 h at this temperature. The V _max and K _m value of this nitrilase were 1.67 μmol/ml min and 0.1 M respectively using 3-cyanopyridine as substrate. However, the decrease in V _max and K _m values (0.56 μmol/ml min and 0.02 M, respectively) were ␣observed at >0.05 M 3-cyanopyridine which revealed that this enzyme experienced uncompetitive inhibition at higher substrate concentrations. Under optimized reaction conditions, 1.6 M 3-cyanopyridine was successfully converted in to nicotinic acid using 2.0 mg resting cells (dcm)/ml reaction mixture in 11 h. This is the highest production of nicotinic acid i.e. 8.95 mg/mg resting cells (dcm)/h as compared to nitrilase systems reported hitherto.     

Heterologous expression and characterization of Choline Oxidase from the soil bacterium Arthrobacter nicotianae

In the course of a microbial screening of soil samples for new oxidases, different enrichment strategies were carried out. With choline as the only carbon source, a microorganism was isolated and identified as Arthrobacter nicotianae. From this strain, a gene coding for a choline oxidase was isolated from chromosomal DNA. This gene named codA was cloned in Escherichia coli BL21-Gold and the protein (An_CodA) heterologously overexpressed as a soluble intracellular protein of 59.1 kDa. Basic biochemical characterization of purified protein revealed a pH optimum of 7.4 and activity over a broad temperature range (15–70 °C). Specific activities were determined toward choline chloride (4.70 ± 0.12 U/mg) and the synthetic analogs bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-dimethylammonium chloride (0.05 ± 0.45 × 10^–2 U/mg) and tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)-methylammonium methylsulfate (0.01 ± 0.12 × 10^–2 U/mg). With increasing number of oxidizable groups, a significant decrease in activity was noted. Determination of kinetic parameters in atmorspheric oxygen resulted in K _M = 1.51 ± 0.09 mM and V _max = 42.73 ± 0.42 mU/min for choline chloride and K _M = 4.77 ± 0.76 mM and V _max = 48.40 ± 2.88 mU/min for the reaction intermediate betaine aldehyde respectively. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis of the products formed during the enzyme reaction with choline chloride showed that in vitro the intermediate betaine aldehyde exists also free in solution.     

Some characteristics of photosynthetic inorganic carbon uptake of a marine macrophytic red alga

Abstract Some characteristics of photosynthetic inorganic carbon uptake by Palmaria palmata, a marine red macroalga, have been measured under physiological conditions in artificial seawater. The apparent affinity of thallus for CO₂ [K_1/2(CO₂)] at pH 8.0 and 15°C was 21.4±3.0mmol m^?3 CO₂ under air, and 25.7±70mmol m^?3 CO₂ under N₂. The corresponding values of V_max were 2.98 ± 0.42 and 3.65±0.87 mmol O₂ evolved g Chr^?1 s^?l. The apparent K_m(CO₂) of isolated ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase was determined at pH 8.0 and 30 °C to be 30.2 mmol m^?3 CO₂, and the corresponding value of V_max was 19.67 μniol CO₂ g protein^?1 s^?1. The CO₂ compensation points of the thallus were measured in artificial seawater at pH 8.0 under air and N₂, using a gas-chromatographic method. The values were relatively low, rising from 10 cm³ m^?3 at 15°C, to 35 cm³ m^?3 at 25°C, but were not affected by the O₂ concentration. The lack of an effect of O₂ on photosynthesis and on compensation point indicates that there is little photorespiratory CO₂ loss in this macroalga. The high affinity of the thallus for CO₂, and the low CO₂ compensation concentrations, are consistent with the occurrence of bicarbonate uptake in this alga.     

Glucose-6-phosphate isomerase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Methanococcus jannaschii:</Emphasis> characterization of the first archaeal member of the phosphoglucose isomerase superfamily

ORF MJ1605, previously annotated as pgi and coding for the putative glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (phosphoglucose isomerase, PGI) of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Methanococcus jannaschii, was cloned and functionally expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified 80-kDa protein consisted of a single subunit of 45 kDa, indicating a homodimeric (₂) structure. The K _m values for fructose 6-phosphate and glucose 6-phosphate were 0.04 mM and 1 mM, the corresponding V _max values were 20 U/mg and 9 U/mg, respectively (at 50 °C). The enzyme had a temperature optimum at 89 °C and showed significant thermostability up to 95 °C. The enzyme was inhibited by 6-phosphogluconate and erythrose-4-phosphate. RT-PCR experiments demonstrated in vivo expression of ORF MJ1618 during lithoautotrophic growth of M. jannaschii on H₂/CO₂. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that M. jannaschii PGI was obtained from bacteria, presumably from the hyperthermophile Thermotoga maritima.     

A glucose-tolerant β-glucosidase from Prunus domestica seeds: Purification and characterization

A glucose-tolerant β-glucosidase was purified to homogeneity from prune (Prunus domestica) seeds by successive ammonium sulfate precipitation, hydrophobic interaction chromatography and anion-exchange chromatography. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 61 kDa by SDS-PAGE and 54 kDa by gel permeation chromatography. The enzyme has a pI of 5.0 by isoelectric focusing and an optimum activity at pH 5.5 and 55 °C. It is stable at temperatures up to 45 °C and in a broad pH range. Its activity was completely inhibited by 5 mM of Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺. The enzyme hydrolyzed both p-nitrophenyl β-d-glucopyranoside with a K_m of 3.09 mM and a V_max of 122.1 μmol/min mg and p-nitrophenyl β-d-fucopyranoside with a K_m of 1.65 mM and a V_max of 217.6 μmol/min mg, while cellobiose was not a substrate. Glucono-δ-lactone and glucose competitively inhibited the enzyme with K_i values of 0.033 and 468 mM, respectively.     

Molecular cloning,sequence analysis,expression and characterization of the endochitinase gene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma</Emphasis> sp. in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> BL21

The endochitinase DNA and cDNA from Trichoderma sp. were cloned, sequenced and expressed. The cloned DNA and cDNA sequences were 1,476 and 1,275 bp in length, respectively. There were three introns in DNA sequence in comparison with the cDNA sequence. The endochitinase protein contained three regions: the signal peptide, the prepro-region and the mature protein region. The gene fragment encoding the mature endochitinase was ligated into the expression vector pET-28a+, yielding pET-1. The plasmid pET-1 was transformed into the Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The clone bearing pET-1 was picked and cultured at 30°C for the expression of endochitinase. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the endochitinase was expressed in the periplasmic space and the purified protein showed a single band. The activity of 70.2 U/mg was obtained from the cellular extract of the recombinant strain. The activity of endochitinase was 2.5-fold higher at 24 h than at 16 h in the periplasmic space. The optimal pH and temperature of the recombinant endochitinase were determined to be 7.0 and 35°C, respectively. It was relatively stable within the pH range of 5–8. Significant activity stimulation by 1 mM Mg²⁺ and 5 mM Fe²⁺ and inhibition by 5 mM Co²⁺ and 5 mM Hg²⁺ were observed. The kinetic constants K_m, V_max and K_cat for the hydrolysis of the colloidal chitin were 1.5 mM, 1.37 μmol min⁻¹ and 6.23 min⁻¹, respectively.     

Kinetics of lipase catalyzed isoamyl acetate synthesis at high hydrostatic pressure in hexane

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of isoamyl acetate in hexane at 10–250 MPa at 80°C and 1–100 MPa at 40°C resulted in activation volumes of −12.9 ± 1.7 and −21.6 ± 2.9 cm³ mol⁻¹, respectively. Increasing pressure from 10 to 200 MPa resulted in approximately 10-fold increase in V _max at both 40 and 80°C. Pressure increased the K _m from 2.4 ± 0.004 to 38 ± 0.78 mM at 40°C. In contrast, at 80°C the pressure did not affect the K _m.     

Catalytic properties of enzymes from Erwinia carotovora involved in transamination of phenylpyruvate

K _m for L-phenylalanine, L-glutamic acid, L-aspartic acid, and the corresponding keto acids were calculated, as well as V _max was measured for the following pairs of substrates: L-phenylalanine-2-ketoglutarate, L-phenylalanine-oxaloacetate, L-glutamic acid-phenylpyruvate, and L-aspartic acid-phenylpyruvate for aminotransferases PAT1, PAT2, and PAT3 from Erwinia carotovora catalyzing transamination of phenylpyruvate. The ping-pong bi-bi mechanism was shown for the studied aminotransferases. The substrate inhibition (K _s) of PAT3 with 2-ketoglutarate and oxaloacetate was 10.23 ± 3.20 and 3.73 ± 1.99 mM, respectively. It was shown that L-β-(N-benzylamino)alanine was a competitive inhibitor with respect to L-phenylalanine for PAT1 (K _i = 0.32 ± 0.07 mM, K _m = 0.45 ± 0.1 mM, V _max = 11. 6 ± 0.4 U/mg) at 25 mM concentration of 2-ketoglutarate in the reaction medium. L-β-(N-methylamino)alanine is a noncompetitive inhibitor with respect to L-phenylalanine for PAT3 (K _I = 138.4 ± 95.4 mM, K _m = 13.7 ±3.9 mM, V _max = 18.6 ± 4.1 U/mg) at 2 mM concentration of 2-ketoglutarate in the reaction medium. L-stereo isomers of nonprotein analogues of aromatic amino acids were studied as substrates for PAT1, PAT2, and PAT3. L-β-(2-Br-phenyl)alanine, L-β-(4-Br-phenyl)alanine, L-β-(2-F-phenyl)alanine, and L-(2-F)tryptophan were good substrates for all three aminotransferases; L-α-methyl-β-(2-Br-phenyl)alanine and L-O-benzyltyrosine were substrates only for PAT3; L-β-(4-F-phenyl)alanine was a substrate for PAT1 and PAT3. Thus, these analogues of aromatic amino acids can be stereoselectively synthesized using the studied aminotransferases in the presence of the corresponding keto acids.     

Immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase on sporopollenin from Lycopodium clavatum

Sporopollenin is a natural polymer obtained from Lycopodium clavatum, which is highly stable with constant chemical structure and has high resistant capacity to chemical attack. In this study, immobilization of lipase from Candida rugosa (CRL) on sporopollenin by adsorption method is reported for the first time. Besides this, the enzyme adsorption capacity, activity and thermal stability of immobilized enzyme have also been investigated. It has been observed that under the optimum conditions (Spo-E_(0.3)), the specific activity of the immobilized lipase on the sporopollenin by adsorption was 16.3 U/mg protein, which is 0.46 times less than that of the free lipase (35.6 U/mg protein). The pH and temperature of immobilized enzyme were optimized, which were 6.0 and 40 °C respectively. Kinetic parameters V_max and K_m were also determined for the immobilized lipase. It was observed that there is an increase of the K_m value (7.54 mM) and a decrease of the V_max value (145.0 U/mg-protein) comparing with that of the free lipase.     

Isolation and partial characterization of three isoamylases of Rhyzopertha dominica F. (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

Three isoamylases of Rhyzopertha dominica (termed RdA70, RdA79, and RdA90 according to their relative mobility in gel electrophoresis) were isolated by ammonium sulfate fractionation and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. RdA70 and RdA79 showed an optimal pH of 7.0, whereas for RdA90 the optimal pH was 6.5. The three isoamylases remained stable at 50 °C for 1 h, but at 60 °C, all lost 50% of their activity in 20 min and were completely inactivated in 1 h. RdA70 and RdA79 were inhibited by albumin extracts from wheat samples varying widely in amylase inhibitory activity; however, RdA90 was highly resistant to inhibition. β-Mercaptoethanol up to 30 mM increased the activity of the three isoamylases by 2.5-fold. The action pattern of the three isoamylases was typical of endoamylases; however, differences were observed on the hydrolytic efficiency rates measured as V_max/K_m ratio on starch, amylopectin, and amylose. The hydrolyzing action of RdA90 on starch and amylopectin (V_max/K_m = 90.4 ± 2.3 and 78.9 ± 6.6, respectively) was less efficient than that on amylose (V_max/K_m = 214 ± 23.2). RdA79 efficiently hydrolyzed both amylopectin and amylose (V_max/K_m = 260.6 ± 12.9 and 326.5 ± 9.4, respectively). RdA70 hydrolyzed starch and amylose at similar rates (V_max/K_m = 202.9 ± 5.5 and 215.9 ± 6.2, respectively), but amylopectin was a poor substrate (V_max/K_m = 124.2 ± 7.4). The overall results suggest that RdA70 and RdA79 appear to belong to a group of saccharifying isoamylases that breaks down long fragments of oligosaccharide chains produced by the hydrolytic action of RdA90. The simultaneous action of the three isoamylases on starch, aside from the high resistance of RdA90 to wheat amylase inhibitors, might allow R. dominica to feed and reproduce successfully on the wheat kernel.     

A pull-down assay for 5' AMP-activated protein kinase activity using the GST-fused protein

An assay using a specific peptide (SAMS peptide) as a substrate is widely used for determination of AMP-activated protein kinases (AMPK) activity. However, it is not an efficient assay for crude AMPK preparations. In this study, we modified the assay by using the SAMS peptide fused to glutathione-S-transferase (GST-SAMS) instead of the SAMS peptide on its own. Radioactivity incorporated into GST-SAMS can be recovered easily by precipitation with glutathione-agarose. The kinetic parameters of partially purified AMPK for the GST-SAMS were as follows. The V_max was 0.26±0.012 nmol/min/mg of total proteins and K _m for GST-SAMS was 110±12 μM. The parameters for ATP were 0.40±0.016 nmol/min/mg of total proteins (V_max) and 202±21 μM (K _m ). The activity of AMPK in this system was stimulated about threefold by the AMPK activators, AMP or 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide ribotide (ZMP), and inhibited by the AMPK inhibitors, adenine 9-β-d-arabinofuranoside (ara-A) and iodotubercidin. These values correlate well with those for the SAMS peptide reported previously. Thus, we succcssfully established a convenient and rapid method to measure AMPK applicable, even for crude enzyme preparations.     

d-glucose uptake in human liver cell cultures

Summary The kinetic parameters ford-glucose uptake were studied in human liver cell cultures under strictly defined experimental conditions. Using a wide concentration range (0.005 to 30 mmol/l), the kinetic data obtained suggested strongly thatd-glucose in human liver cell cultures can be transported by two separate systems. For the high-affinity system, the apparentK _m was 0.645±0.21 mmol/l and the V_max, 12.49±3.74 nmol/mg protein per min. For the low-affinity system, the apparentK _m was 6.91±0.58 mmol/l and the V_max, 79.90±5.27 nmol/mg protein per min. At a concentration of 2.1×10⁻⁷ mol/l, cytochalasin B preferentially inhibited the high-affinityd-glucose site or transport system. The time course ofd-glucose uptake, studied in two cell lines from patients with hereditary fructose intolerance, was significantly higher than for the control lines. This work was supported by Grant I.N.S.E.R.M. CRL 77-5-210-4.