灵芝UDP-葡萄糖4-差向异构酶酶学性质研究及其应用

【背景】灵芝多糖是灵芝的重要活性物质之一。UDP-葡萄糖4-差向异构酶（UDP-glucose 4-epimerase,UGE,EC 5.1.3.2）是灵芝多糖合成途径中糖供体生成的重要酶,其参与了UDP-葡萄糖与UDP-半乳糖的相互转化,与多糖中半乳糖残基含量密切相关。【目的】通过对来源于灵芝的UGE基因进行异源表达,丰富灵芝多糖糖供体合成途径重要酶的酶学特性信息,深入了解灵芝多糖代谢合成途径。【方法】以灵芝菌株（Ganoderma lingzhi） CGMCC 5.26的cDNA为模板,克隆得到UGE基因GL30389,并在Escherichia coli BL21（DE3）中诱导表达,产物纯化后进行酶学性质、酶动力学、底物专一性及转化率的研究。【结果】灵芝UGE的分子量为45 kDa。最适反应pH值为6.0,在pH 7.0—9.0范围内有较好的稳定性;最适反应温度为30℃,温度在40℃时稳定性最好。Fe²⁺和Mg²⁺对UGE有激活作用。以UDP-葡萄糖为底物时,K_m为0.824 mmol/L,V_max为769.230 μmol/（L·min）,k_cat为1.333 s^—1,k_cat/K_m为1.618 L/（mmol·s）。灵芝UGE对D-葡萄糖、半乳糖醛酸及N-乙酰葡萄糖胺有催化活性。通过优化pH、温度、底物与酶的配比、添加金属离子将转化率从16.0%提升至39.4%。【结论】灵芝UGE与植物来源的UGE酶学性质较为相似,其催化效率优于大部分细菌来源的UGE。本研究丰富了灵芝多糖糖供体合成途径重要酶的酶学特性信息,有利于深入了解灵芝多糖代谢合成途径。     

谷氨酸棒杆菌过氧化氢酶的异源表达、纯化以及酶学性质

过氧化氢酶能催化过氧化氢分解为水和氧气,在工业上有着较为广泛的应用。然而,纺织和造纸工业的特殊的高碱性环境,使得开发碱性过氧化氢酶有着重要的应用价值。利用大肠杆菌表达来自于谷氨酸棒杆菌的过氧化氢酶,对其表达条件进行了优化,并通过镍柱亲和层析的方法分离纯化重组蛋白,然后表征纯酶的酶学性质。最适表达条件为:诱导剂IPTG浓度0.2 mmol/L,诱导温度25℃,诱导时间11 h。过氧化氢酶比酶活达到55 266 U/mg,具有较高的催化活性。该酶具有相当宽泛的p H值适应范围,在p H 4.0–11.5范围内均具有较高的酶活性,并在p H 11.0条件下表现出最高的酶活性。将纯酶在p H 11.0的溶液中处理3 h时剩余酶活为93%,说明该酶在高碱条件下有良好的稳定性。该酶最适温度为30℃,在25–50℃热稳定性较好。其动力学参数Km为25.89mmol/L,Vmax为185.18mmol/(min?mg)。抑制剂十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)、尿素、Na N3、β-巯基乙醇、EDTA对酶活有不同程度的抑制作用。来源于谷氨酸棒杆菌的过氧化氢酶具有较高的催化效率、良好的碱耐受性,在工业生产中有较好...     

Paraglaciecola hydrolytica中新型β-琼胶酶Aga2的异源表达及酶学性质分析

琼胶寡糖具有抗氧化、抗肿瘤和调节肠道菌群等多种生物活性,而微生物来源的琼胶酶是酶法制备琼胶寡糖的重要工具酶。目前报道的琼胶酶数量较少,而具有优良酶学特性的琼胶酶数量更少,极大阻碍了酶法制备琼胶寡糖的工艺开发进程。因此有必要发掘更多微生物来源的新颖琼胶酶。从副居冰菌属Paraglaciecola hydrolytica细菌基因组中挖掘到一个新颖琼胶酶基因aga2,构建至表达载体 pET28a(+),并在大肠杆菌 BL21(DE3)中进行表达;通过镍金属亲和层析纯化蛋白并探究温度、pH、金属离子、NaCl浓度对Aga2活性的影响;采用¹³C核磁共振、薄层色谱和基质辅助激光解吸飞行时间质谱分析酶解产物。Aga2与已知琼胶酶的最高相似度为53.7%。同时Aga2在IPTG(Isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside)浓度为90 μmol/L,20℃下诱导9 h时,可溶性表达量最高。纯化的Aga2最适反应温度为50℃,且40℃孵育3 h后仍保持72.9%的相对酶活力,具有较好的温度稳定性。Aga2的最适pH为6.0,在不同pH(4-9)下放...     

海栖热袍菌葡萄糖异构酶基因xylA的克隆、表达及酶学性质

海栖热袍菌(Thermotoga maritima)是嗜极端高温的厌氧细菌,其产生的葡萄糖异构酶由于其出色的耐热性有着潜在的工业应用价值.由于海栖热袍菌苛刻的培养条件导致其葡萄糖异构酶产量较低.通过PCR方法克隆编码T. maritima MSB8葡萄糖异构酶基因xylA,构建重组质粒pHsh-xylA,转入Escherichia coli JM109,通过热激诱导表达.通过热处理和离子交换层析纯化两步得到电泳纯的酶制品,纯化倍数和回收率分别为8.02和49.02.对酶学性质研究表明,该重组酶为金属离子激活性酶,Mg2 ,Co2 对相对酶活有很强的激活作用,其最适pH为7.0,最适反应温度为95℃,且在pH 6～8之间有着较好的稳定性,在95℃下半衰期长达5 h以上.以葡萄糖为底物时的表观Km和Vmax分别为105 mmol/L和45.2 mol/min·mg.     

米曲霉酸性蛋白酶基因在毕赤酵母中的异源表达及酶学性质

酸性蛋白酶作为一类重要的天冬氨酸蛋白酶,被广泛应用于食品、医药和皮革等领域。为推动酸性蛋白酶的研究及应用,通过对发酵豆制品样品进行宏基因组测序,从中获得米曲霉酸性蛋白酶基因pepA,在毕赤酵母GS115中进行异源表达,并对重组酶PepA进行酶学性质分析。结果显示毕赤酵母发酵上清液中酸性蛋白酶的活性为50.62 U/mL。SDS-PAGE验证PepA的分子量约为50 kDa,且发酵上清液几乎无杂蛋白。PepA的最适pH值为4.5,最适温度为50℃,Mn~(2+)和Cu~(2+)对其具有激活作用,而Fe~(3+)、Fe~(2+)与Ca~(2+)则具有抑制作用。上述研究结果可为米曲霉酸性蛋白酶的异源表达及其相关工业应用提供指导。     

过表达GDP-D-甘露糖焦磷酸化酶(GMP)基因提高灵芝多糖的生产

灵芝多糖是灵芝的主要生物活性成分之一,具有多种药理活性,但灵芝多糖的低产量限制了其广泛应用.相关研究表明,灵芝中过表达多糖生物合成相关基因能够提高多糖产量,但过表达GDP-D-甘露糖焦磷酸化酶(GMP)基因提高灵芝多糖产量未有报道.本研究克隆获得了灵芝gmp基因,并成功构建出了过表达gmp基因的工程菌株(GMP菌株),...     

尿苷二磷酸糖固定化酶合成法研究

利用生物酶进行体外催化反应合成不同种类的尿苷二磷酸糖（uridine diphosphate sugar,UDP-糖）,生物酶的重复利用率较低。为提高尿苷二磷酸糖的合成效率及增加产物种类,以镍螯合聚丙烯酸酯树脂为载体,对带有HIS标签的N-乙酰己糖胺激酶（N-acetylhexosamine kinase,NahK）和尿苷转移酶（uridine transferase,GlmU）进行固定化。以固定化NahK和固定化GlmU为催化酶,不同单糖作为底物,研究尿苷二磷酸糖的一锅法合成情况。利用Q柱对产物进行纯化,通过高效液相色谱法、质谱法、核磁共振氢谱法对反应产物进行检测。确定了镍螯合聚丙烯酸酯树脂对游离NahK和GlmU的实际载量分别为10和20 mg·g^-1。固定化酶量的最优配比为5.5 g固定化NahK和2.5 g固定化GlmU。固定化酶的最适pH和温度分别为8.0和35℃,且能在重复反应中稳定反应5个批次。葡萄糖、N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖和甘露糖可以参与一锅法反应,生成UDP-糖的相对分子质量分别为566、607、566,而葡萄糖醛酸、半乳糖和果糖在该体系下不能合成相应的UDP-糖。基于固定化酶技术,一锅法可合成UDP-葡萄糖、UDP-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖、UDP-甘露糖。     

基于麦芽糖诱导型启动子在枯草芽胞杆菌中异源表达麦芽四糖淀粉酶及其酶学性质的研究

麦芽四糖淀粉酶(Maltotetraose amylase, Mta)可以从淀粉的非还原末端特异性依次切割第4个α-1,4糖苷键形成麦芽四糖,目前在食品、医疗保健和造纸等领域具有重要应用。构建安全、高效的表达系统强化麦芽四糖淀粉酶的重组表达,进而降低以其为核心酶的麦芽四糖生物转化过程的生产成本具有迫切的现实需求。本研究将源自Pseudomonas saccharophila(DSM 654)的麦芽四糖淀粉酶基因mta在枯草芽胞杆菌Bacillus subtilis中重组表达,利用麦芽糖诱导型启动子实现其安全高效表达,之后对重组酶进行分离纯化和酶学性质表征。结果显示,将携带麦芽糖诱导型启动子P_glv的表达载体转入B.subtilis WB800N中,成功构建工程菌后进行诱导表达,并且利用金属离子螯合层析技术成功获得了Mta纯酶。酶学性质研究结果显示其最适反应温度为55℃,最适反应pH为7.5。动力学常数K_m为(1.26±0.17) g/L、k_cat/K_m为(2 275.07±32.83) L/s·g,...     

产酸克雷伯氏菌M5al普鲁兰酶的异源表达及酶学性质研究

普鲁兰酶(EC 3.2.1.41)是一类淀粉脱支酶,能够特异性水解淀粉中的α-1,6-糖苷键,从而提高淀粉的利用率,在以淀粉为原料的食品、纺织、生物燃料和洗涤剂等行业中具有重要的应用价值。本研究以产酸克雷伯氏菌Klebsiella oxytoca M5al基因组DNA为模板,将PCR扩增得到的普鲁兰酶基因pul A克隆至表达载体p ET28a(+),构建好的重组质粒转化大肠杆菌Escherichia coli BL21(DE3),在培养基中添加0.5 mmol/L异丙基硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)的条件下对该酶基因进行诱导表达,经镍柱纯化获得重组普鲁兰酶用于酶学性质研究。SDS-PAGE及Western Blot检测显示普鲁兰酶基因pul A在上述大肠杆菌宿主中成功获得了表达。该重组酶最适反应p H5.5,最适温度60℃。金属离子对酶活性有一定影响。Mn2+对酶活促进作用显著;Fe3+、Mg2+、Fe2+对酶活只有微弱的促进作用,而Cu2+对酶活造成强烈抑制。来源于Klebsiella oxytoca M5al的普鲁兰酶最适催化条件符合工业生产中淀粉糖化工艺的要求,具有应用于淀粉工业的潜力。     

Actinosynnema mirum DSM43827溶解性多糖单加氧酶的异源表达和酶学性质表征

溶解性多糖单加氧酶(lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases,LPMO)是近年来新发现的一类作用于结晶多糖(如纤维素和几丁质)的氧化酶;LPMO通过氧化的方式来裂解底物从而有利于水解酶系进一步作用,获得可溶性寡糖。为获得更多新酶资源,通过PCR方法从Actinosynnema mirum DSM 43827菌株中成功地克隆了编码LPMO的基因Amir_5334;将该基因构建到含麦芽糖结合蛋白(maltose binding protein,MBP)标签的pET-28a(+)载体(pET-28a-MBP)上,并转化至E.coli BL21(DE3)中进行诱导表达。利用镍柱亲和层析进行纯化,获得融合表达蛋白后,使用Factor Xa蛋白酶切除MBP标签,最终得到成熟的LPMO(Am5)。成熟Am5的预测分子量约为26 kDa,等电点为8.3。分析Am5序列发现,Am5与同家族中LPMO的序列一致性较低,具有良好的序列新颖性。酶学性质分析表明Am5是对几丁质有氧化活性而对纤维素无氧化活性的LPMO;与几丁质酶协同降解几丁质时可提高几丁质酶60%的水解效率;吸附实验显示,Am5对几丁质具有较强的吸附作用,而对纤维素吸附能力较弱。以上研究表明,Am5是一种针对几丁质底物具有高效选择性的新型氧化酶。     

过量表达OsUgp2基因提高紫芝多糖含量

尿苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶（UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase,UGPase）是多糖生物合成过程中重要的酶,水稻基因组中存在两个UGPase同源基因分别命名为OsUgp1和OsUgp2。构建了由构巢曲霉3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶基因启动子驱动OsUgp2表达的真菌过量表达载体,并通过农杆菌介导法将OsUgp2基因转入紫芝中,获得了潮霉素抗性的转化菌株。PCR和Southern杂交结果显示OsUgp2基因成功整合到受体紫芝基因组中。半定量RT-PCR检测结果显示外源基因OsUgp2在紫芝转     

Heterologous expression and characterization of glycoside hydrolase with its potential applications in hyperthermic environment

With the progressive focus on renewable energy via biofuels production from lignocellulosic biomass, cellulases are the key enzymes that play a fundamental role in this regard. This study aims to unravel the characteristics of Thermotoga maritima MSB8 (Tma) (a hyperthermophile from hot springs) thermostable glycoside hydrolase enzyme. Here, a glycoside hydrolase gene of Thermotoga maritima (Tma) was heterologously expressed and characterized. The gene was placed in the pQE-30 expression vector under the T5 promotor, and the construct pQE-30-Gh was then successfully integrated into Escherichia coli BL21 (DH5α) genome by transformation. Sequence of the glycoside hydrolase contained an open reading frame of 2.124 kbp, encoded a polypeptide of 721 amino acid residues. The molecular weight of the recombinant protein estimated was 79 kDa. The glycoside hydrolase was purified by Ni⁺²-NTA affinity chromatography and its enzymatic activity was investigated. The recombinant enzyme is highly stable within an extreme pH range (2.0–7.0) and highly thermostable at 80 °C for 72 h indicating its viability in hyperthermic environment and acidic nature. Moreover, the Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺ introduction stimulated the residual activity of recombinant enzyme. Conclusively, the thermostable glycoside hydrolase possesses potential to be exploited for industrial applications at hyperthermic environment.     

厌氧菌Sunxiuqinia sp. SH-52外切型海藻酸裂解酶的异源表达及酶学特征

【背景】目前已报道的海藻酸分解菌多数为好氧菌,未见有关厌氧菌的报道。从分离的海藻酸分解菌中表征的海藻酸裂解酶大多为内切型海藻酸裂解酶,外切型较少。【目的】研究来自厌氧海藻酸分解菌的海藻酸裂解酶基因,表征新型海藻酸裂解酶并阐明其酶学性质,为海藻酸裂解酶的多样性和微生物降解海藻酸机制提供理论依据。【方法】对来自厌氧海藻酸分解菌Sunxiuqinia sp. SH-52的海藻酸裂解酶SHA-4编码基因进行克隆,分析基因序列,构建重组质粒PGEX-4T-1-SHA-4并在大肠杆菌中实现异源表达,经纯化后对其酶学性质及降解特征进行研究。【结果】该酶在28°C、用0.1 mmol/L IPTG (异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷)条件下诱导6 h达到最大表达量,纯化后酶的比活力达到21 U/mg。酶学性质分析表明SHA-4的最适温度为37°C;最适pH为7.5;对PolyMG (杂聚古罗糖醛酸-甘露糖醛酸嵌段)具有底物偏好性;Na+对该酶的活性具有抑制作用,而金属离子Cu~(2+)具有明显促进作用,使活性提高了约168%;SHA-4催化海藻酸的Km值为2.5 mg/mL,Vmax为8.7 mg/(mL·min);SHA-4为外切型海藻酸裂解酶,降解海藻酸终产物为单糖。【结论】异源表达了来自一株厌氧海藻酸分解菌Sunxiuqiniasp.SH-52的海藻酸裂解酶SHA-4,该酶是PL6家族中第一个对PolyMG有底物偏好性的外切型海藻酸裂解酶,而且活性较高,作为工具酶有很好的应用前景,为海藻酸降解机制的探索提供了新的线索。     

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.     

Heterologous expression and characterization of recombinant purple acid phosphatase from red kidney bean

Purple acid phosphatases (PAPs) are dinuclear metallohydrolases of widespread occurrence. In a first step to understand structure-function relationship of PAP from red kidney bean (kbPAP), we cloned its cDNA and functionally expressed the enzyme in insect cells. kbPAP cDNA encodes a protein of 459 amino acids with 99% identity to the published primary structure (T. Klabunde et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 226 (1994) 369-375). N-terminally the cDNA encodes 27 amino acids with characteristics for a signal directing the nascent protein to the endoplasmic reticulum. A baculovirus vector was constructed containing cDNAs of kbPAP and green fluorescent protein, the latter to serve as transfection and infection marker. Heterologous expression in High Five insect cells afforded a dimeric, disulfide-linked phosphatase of 110 kDa, identical to the mass of native kbPAP. Purification in three steps yielded 1.5 mg recombinant protein per liter of culture medium with a specific activity of 266 units/mg, slightly exceeding that of native kbPAP. The recombinant protein was functionally indistinguishable from native kbPAP, despite differences in glycosylation and sensitivity to redox reagents.     

Changes in enzyme activities involved in formation and interconversion of UDP-sugars during the cell cycle in a synchronous culture of Catharanthus roseus

Changes in the activities of enzymes involved in UDP-sugar formation [UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.9), sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) and UDP-glucuronic acid pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.44)], and interconversion [UDP-glucuse 4-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.2), UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.22), UDP-glucuronic acid decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.35) and UDP-xylose 4-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.5)] were investigated during the cell cycle in a synchronous culture of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. The specific activities of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and UDP-glucose 4-epimerase increased in the G2 phase before the first cell division, and those of sucrose synthase, UDP-glucose dehydrogenase and UDP-glucuronic acid pyrophosphorylase increased in the G1 phase after the first cell division. However, during the cell cycle, UDP-glucuronic acid decarboxylase and UDP-xylose 4-epimerase did not change significantly in their specific activities. Changes in enzyme activities are discussed in relation to those reported previously for cell wall composition (S. Amino et al. 1984. Physiologia Plantarum 60: 326–332).     

真菌细胞色素P450在大肠杆菌中的表达

【背景】真菌细胞色素P450蛋白在大肠杆菌中表达水平低甚至不表达,近期研究发现通过对该类蛋白氨基端(N端)氨基酸序列的修饰可优化其表达水平。【目的】在大肠杆菌系统中表达预测功能为P450酶的焦曲霉094102菌株的Au8002蛋白,为真菌P450蛋白在大肠杆菌表达系统中的N端氨基酸序列修饰策略提供有效依据。【方法】对野生型P450蛋白Au8002的氨基酸序列进行分析,对其N端序列进行了3种序列修饰,并在诱导蛋白表达时添加P450生物合成前体5-氨基乙酰丙酸(5-ALA),研究N端氨基酸序列修饰策略及前体添加对真菌P450在大肠杆菌中蛋白表达的影响。【结果】SDS-PAGE和Westernblot检测结果显示,对目的蛋白进行的3种氨基酸序列修饰均使Au8002蛋白获得了表达,前体5-ALA的添加提高了目的蛋白表达量。其中对目的蛋白进行N端全长截短时可部分增加其可溶性,同时也验证了其特征性的CO结合能力。【结论】对预测为P450酶的菌株094102蛋白Au8002氨基端(N端)氨基酸序列的修饰有效解决了其在大肠杆菌内不表达的难题,实现了其可溶性表达;另一方面P450生物合成前体5-ALA的添加也能有效提高该类蛋白的表达水平,上述策略对改善其它该类蛋白在大肠杆菌内的表达水平具有借鉴意义。     

Heterologous expression and biochemical characterization of a highly active and stable chloroplastic CuZn-superoxide dismutase from Pisum sativum

Background

CuZn-Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a unique enzyme, which can catalyzes the dismutation of inevitable metabolic product i.e.; superoxide anion into molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme has gained wide interest in pharmaceutical industries due to its highly acclaimed antioxidative properties. The recombinant expression of this protein in its enzymatically active and stable form is highly desired and hence optimization of culture conditions and characterization of the related biochemical properties are essential to explore the significance of the enzyme in physiological, therapeutic, structural and transgenic research.

Results

High-level expression of the chloroplastic isoform of Pisum sativum CuZn-SOD was achieved at 18°C, upon isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside induction and the process was optimized for maximum recovery of the protein in its soluble (enzymatically active) form. Both crude and purified protein fractions display significant increase in activity following supplementation of defined concentration Cu (CuSO₄) and Zn (ZnSO₄). Yield of the purified recombinant protein was ~ 4 mg L⁻¹ of culture volume and the bacterial biomass was ~ 4.5 g L⁻¹. The recombinant pea chloroplastic SOD was found to possess nearly 6 fold higher superoxide dismutase activity and the peroxidase activity was also 5 fold higher as compared to commercially available CuZn-superoxide dismutase. The computational, spectroscopic and biochemical characterization reveals that the protein harbors all the characteristics features of this class of enzyme. The enzyme was found to be exceptionally stable as evident from pH and temperature incubation studies and maintenance of SOD activity upon prolonged storage.

Conclusions

Overexpression and purification strategy presented here describes an efficient protocol for the production of a highly active and stable CuZn-superoxide dismutase in its recombinant form in E. coli system. The strategy can be utilized for the large-scale preparation of active CuZn-superoxide dismutase and thus it has wide application in pharmaceutical industries and also for elucidating the potential of this protein endowed with exceptional stability and activity.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12896-015-0117-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Activity,extraction and stability of enzymes involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis in Citrus

The effects of EDTA, 2-mercaptoethanol and bovine serum albumin on the extraction and stability of hexokinase, phosphoglucomutase, UDPglucose pyrophosphorylase and 1,3-β-glucan synthase from Mexican lime bark have been examined. The activity of these enzymes was generally increased and stability was tested in refrigerated and frozen extracts. Bovine serum albumin was the best stabilizing agent for phosphoglucomutase and 1,3-β-glucan synthase, but the former was more stable in refrigerated and the latter in frozen extracts. UDPglucose pyrophosphorylase stability was strongly dependent on the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol. The fact that the activity of 1,3-β-glucan synthase is the lowest of the four enzymes even in the presence of optimal concentrations of its activator strongly suggests that it is the key enzyme in the regulation of the metabolic pathway.     

Purification and characterization of fungal and mammalian phosphomannose isomerases

Phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) is essential for the production of yeast cell walls. An inhibitor which inhibits the fungal enzyme without altering the activity of the mammalian enzyme would be a potential fungicidal agent, increasingly important in view of the increasing mortality from visceral mycoses in immunosuppressed patients. We have purified human, porcine, andCandida albicans enzymes 29,000-fold to homogeneity, and characterized their physical properties, as well as their kinetic parameters, inhibition constants, andpH dependences. Surprisingly, in view of the large differences betweenPseudomonas aerugenosa andSaccharomyces cerevisiae PMI, the human andC. albicans enzymes are almost identical. We suggest therefore that species-selective inhibition of the fungal rather than mammalian enzyme may require molecules which bind away from the substrate binding pocket of the enzyme.Abbreviations PMI phosphomannose isomerase - Tris/HCl tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane - Hepes 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-piperazine-1-ethanesulfonic acid - Mes 2-(N-morphilino) ethanesulfonic acid