Pyranosone dehydratase from the basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium: improved purification,and identification of 6-deoxy-d-glucosone and d-xylosone reaction products

Pyranose oxidase and pyranosone dehydratase (aldos-2-ulose dehydratase), enzymes which convert in coupled reactions d-glucose to -pyrone cortalcerone, peaked coincidently during idiophasic growth of Phanerochaete chrysosporium under agitated conditions. The enzymes were purified from mycelial extracts of the fungus and separated from each other by hydrophobic interaction chromatography on Phenyl-Sepharose and Phenyl-Superose. Two pyranosone dehydratase activity peaks, PD I and PD II, were resolved. The major PD I fraction, consisting about 74% of the total dehydratase activity, was further purified by anion exchange chromatography on Mono Q to yield apparently pure enzyme as judged by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration on Superose 12. Isoelectric focusing indicated microheterogeneity of the protein by the presence of at least five protein bands with pI 5.1–5.3. PD II had a pI of 5.75. Overall PD I purification was 60.7-fold with 50% yield. The enzyme acted on several osones (glycosuloses), with the preferred substrate being d-glucosone. d-Xylosone and 6-deoxy-d-glucosone were dehydrated at C-3-C-4 to give the corresponding 5-hydroxy-2,3-dioxoalcanals (4-deoxy-2,3-glycosdiuloses), new enzymatically produced sugar derivatives. The latter labile compounds were trapped as diphenylhydrazine or o-phenylenediamine derivatives and spectroscopically identified. The analogous d-glucosone dehydration product did not accumulate due to its further transformation. pH optimum of PD I activity was 6.0 and its pH stability was optimal at pH 7-11. The enzyme was sensitive to Me²⁺ chelating agents and some heavy metal ions (Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺).Abbreviations DMAB 3-dimethylaminobenzoic acid - DTT dithiothreitol - MBTH 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone-hydrochloride - PD pyranosone dehydratase - PMSF phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride - POD pyranose oxidase     

Purification,characterization, and comparison of anα-glucosidase (endo-oligo-1, 4-glucosidase) from the mesophileBacillus subtilis and the obligate thermophileBacillus caldolyticus

Thep-nitrophenyl--d-maltoside hydrolyzing-glucosidase from the mesophileBacillus subtilis 25S and the obligate thermophileBacillus caldolyticus C2 was purified, characterized, and compared in order to determine the molecular mechanisms that may confer thermostability of starch-degrading enzymes. Both enzymes showed endo-oligo-1,4-glucosidase activity owing to their identical hydrolysis of linear malto-oligosaccharides to maltose and glucose as determined by thin-layer chromatography. Neither enzyme showed activity againstp-nitrophenyl--d-glucopyranoside, maltose, isomaltose, isomaltotriose, or panose. The enzymes may tentatively be classified as a panose-producing pullulanase owing to their hydrolysis of pullulan. The 25S and C2 enzymes were composed of two identical subunits of M_r 55,000 and 60,000 respectively. Both the 25S and C2 enzymes have a pI of 4.85, pH optimum of 7.5 and 7.0, and K_m values for the chromogenic substratep-nitrophenyl--d-maltoside of 2.96 mM and 1.31 mM respectively. The 25S enzyme exhibited optimal activity between 35 and 37°C, and complete inactivation after 10 min at 45°C, while the C2 enzyme showed optimal activity at 60°C and retained 100% of initial activity at 60°C for 2 h. The C2 enzyme required a minimum of 0.02% 2-mercaptoethanol or 0.01 mM EDTA for thermostability. A comparison of the amino acid compositions showed an increase in the number of proline, alanine, and leucine residues for the thermostable C2 enzyme. These alterations in hydrophobicity may influence enzyme thermostability; this may be a factor in the design of engineered proteins for industrial use.Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 9985     

Amino acid metabolism in the thermophilic phototroph,Chloroflexus aurantiacus: properties and metabolic role of two l-threonine (l-serine) dehydratases

Two l-threonine (l-serine) dehydratases (EC 4.2.1.16) of the thermophilic phototrophic bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus Ok-70-fl were purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by procedures involving anion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Only one of the two enzymes was sensitive to inhibition by l-isoleucine (K _i=2 M) and activation by l-valine. The isoleucine-insensitive dehydratase was active with l-threonine (K _m=20 mM) as well as with l-serine (K _m=10 mM) whereas the other enzyme, which displayed much higher affinity to l-threonine (K _m=1.3 mM), was inactivated when acting on l-serine. Both dehydratases contained pyridoxal-5-phosphate as cofactor. When assayed by gel filtration techniques at 20 to 25° C, the molecular weights of both enzymes were found to be 106,000±6,000. In sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the two dehydratases yielded only one type of subunit with a molecular weight of 55,000±3,000. The isoleucine-insensitive enzyme was subject to a glucose-mediated catabolite repression.Abbreviations A absorbance - ile isoleucine - PLP pyridoxal-5-phosphate - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - TDH threonine dehydratase - U unit     

Purification and properties ofl-serine dehydratase fromLactobacillus fermentum ATCC 14931

l-Serine dehydratase fromLactobacillus fermentum was purified 100-fold. It was stabilized by the presence of 1 mM l-cysteine in 50 mM phosphate buffer. M_r=150,000 was determined by gel filtration. The enzyme consists of four apparently identical subunits (M_r=40,000) that were observed after treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate. The apparent K_m forl-serine was 65 mM. Fe⁺⁺ was required for the enzymatic activity, and the apparent K_m value for this reaction was 0.55 mM. Maximum enzymatic activity was observed at 45°C and pH 8.0 in 50 mM phosphate buffer. At pH values different from the optimum, a positive cooperativity between substrate molecules was observed. The activation energy of the reaction was 11,400 and 22,800 cal × mol^–1 for temperature values more than and less than 35°C respectively. The purified enzyme showed a maximum absorption between 400 and 420 nm, indicating the presence of pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP) as a prosthetic group. The PLP concentration was 0.027 µmoles per milligram of protein. The data suggest that there is 1 mol of PLP for each protein subunit.     

Purification and properties of glutamine synthetase from Bacillus polymyxa

Glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2) was purified to homogeneity from a free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria, Bacillus polymyxa. The holoenzyme, relative molecular mass (M_r) of 600 000 is composed of monomeric sub-units of 60 000 (M_r). The isoelectric point of the sub-units was 5.2. The pH optimum for the biosynthetic and transferase enzyme activity was 8.2 and 7.8, respectively. The apparent K _m values (K _m ^app ) in the biosynthetic reaction for glutamate, NH₄Cl and ATP were 3.2, 0.22 and 1 mM, respectively. In the transferase reaction the K _m values for glutamine, hydroxylamine and ADP were 6.5, 3.5 and 8×10^-4 mM respectively. L-Methionine-D-L-sulfoximine was a very potent inhibitor in both biosynthetic and transferase reactions. Similar to most Gram positive bacteria there was no evidence of in vivo adenylylation and the enzyme seemed to be mainly regulated by feed-back mechanism.Abbreviations PMSF phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride - TCA trichloroacetic acid - GS glutamine synthetase - MSO L-Methionine-D-L-sulfoximine - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - SVPDE snake venum phosphodiesterase     

Purification of glycollate oxidase from greening cucumber cotyledons

Glycollate oxidase (glycollate: oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.3.1) was purified to apparent homogeneity from crude extracts of greening cucumber cotyledons (Cucumis sat vus). Molecular sieving and chromatofocusing resulted in 700-fold purification and specific activity of 1 kat mg^-1 protein. The enzyme exhibited a M_r of 180,000, or 700,000, respectively, and is a tetramer or 16-mer made of identical subunits of M_r 43,000. Monospecific antibodies were raised against the homogeneous protein.     

Purification and some properties of the mannanases fromThielavia terrestris

Summary Thielavia terrestris NRRL 8126 cell free supernatants contained mannanase and -mannosidase when cultured on a complex media containing locust bean gum. Using acetone precipitation, SP-Sephadex C50 ion exchange chromatography and preparative gel electrophoresis, the crude enzyme was resolved into one -d-mannosidase and four -d-mannanase components. -d-mannosidase had a specific activity of 0.02 (U/mg) onp-nitrophenyl--d-mannopyranoside substrate. Mannanase components M1, M2, M3 and M4 had specific activities of 28.2, 38.7, 52.8 and 4.17 (U/mg) respectively on purified locust bean galactomannan substrate. pH optima for the enzymes were in the range 4.5–5.5. Mannanase component M4 manifested the greatest thermostability, retaining full activity for 3 h at 60°C. Molecular weights determined by SDS-PAGE were 72 000 for -mannosidase and 52 000, 30 000, 55 000 and 89 000 for M1, M2, M3 and M4 respectively. Carbohydrate contents of the enzymes ranged from 6–36%. Preliminary studies indicate that enzyme components hydrolyse the mannan substrate in a synergistic manner.     

N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase substrates prepared from glycoproteins by hydrazinolysis of the asparagine-N-acetylglucosamine linkage. Purification and structural determination of oligosaccharides with mannose andN-acetylglucosamine at the non-reducing termini

Sixteen asparagine-linked oligosaccharides ranging in size from (Man)₂(GlcNAc)₂ (Fuc)₁ to (GlcNAc)₆(Man)₃(GlcNAc)₂ were obtained from human ₁-acid glycoprotein and fibrinogen, hen ovomucoid and ovalbumin, and bovine fetuin, fibrin and thyroglobulin by hydrazinolysis, mild acid hydrolysis and glycosidase treatment. The oligosaccharides hadN-acetylglucosamine at the reducing termini and mannose andN-acetylglucosamine residues at the non-reducing termini and were prepared for use asN-acetylglucosaminyltransferase substrates. Purification of the oligosaccharides involved gel filtration and high performance liquid chromatography on reverse phase and amine-bonded silica columns. Structures were determined by 360 MHz and 500 MHz proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry and methylation analysis. Several of these oligosaccharides have not previously been well characterized.Abbreviations bis bisecting GlcNAc - DMSO dimethylsulfoxide - FAB fast atom bombardment - Fuc l-fucose - Gal d-galactose - GLC gas-liquid chromatography - GlcNAc or Gn N-acetyl-d-glucosamine - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - Man or M d-mannose - MES 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonate - MS mass spectrometry - NMR nuclear magnetic resonance - PIPES piperazine-N,N-bis(2-ethane sulfonic acid) the nomenclature of the oligosaccharides is shown in Table 1.     

Pyranose 2-dehydrogenase, a novel sugar oxidoreductase from the basidiomycete fungus Agaricus bisporus

A novel C-2-specific sugar oxidoreductase, tentatively designated as pyranose 2-dehydrogenase, was purified 68-fold to apparent homogeneity (16.4 U/mg protein) from the mycelia of Agaricus bisporus, which expressed maximum activity of the enzyme during idiophasic growth in liquid media. Using 1,4-benzoquinone as an electron acceptor, pyranose 2-dehydrogenase oxidized d-glucose to d-arabino-2-hexosulose (2-dehydroglucose, 2-ketoglucose), which was identified spectroscopically through its N,N-diphenylhydrazone. The enzyme is highly nonspecific. d-,l-Arabinose, d-ribose, d-xylose, d-galactose, and several oligosaccharides and glycopyranosides were all converted to the corresponding 2-aldoketoses (aldosuloses) as indicated by TLC. d-Glucono-1,5-lactone, d-arabino-2-hexosulose, and l-sorbose were also oxidized at significant rates. UV/VIS spectrum of the native enzyme (λ_max 274, 362, and 465 nm) was consistent with a flavin prosthetic group. In contrast to oligomeric intracellular pyranose 2-oxidase (EC 1.1.3.10), pyranose 2-dehydrogenase is a monomeric glycoprotein (pI 4.2) incapable of reducing O₂ to H₂O₂ (> 5 × 10⁴-fold lower rate using a standard pyranose oxidase assay); pyranose 2-dehydrogenase is actively secreted into the extracellular fluid (up to 0.5 U/ml culture filtrate). The dehydrogenase has a native molecular mass of ∼79 kDa as determined by gel filtration; its subunit molecular mass is ∼75 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE. Two pH optima of the enzyme were found, one alkaline at pH 9 (phosphate buffer) and the other acidic at pH 4 (acetate buffer). Ag⁺, Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, and CN^– (10 mM) were inhibitory, while 50 mM acetate had an activating effect. Received: 19 August 1996 / Accepted: 21 November 1996     

Sequencing and expression of a cellodextrinase (ced1) gene from Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens H17c cloned in Escherichia coli

Summary The nucleotide sequence of a 2.314 kb DNA segment containing a gene (cedl) expressing cellodextrinase activity from Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens H17c was determined. The B. fibrisolvens H17c gene was expressed from a weak internal promoter in Escherichia coli and a putative consensus promoter sequence was identified upstream of a ribosome binding site and a GTG start codon. The complete amino acid sequence (547 residues) was deduced and homology was demonstrated with the Clostridium thermocellum endoglucanase D (EGD), Pseudomonas fluorescens var. cellulose endoglucanase (EG), and a cellulase from the avocado fruit (Persea americana). The ced1 gene product Cedl showed cellodextrinase activity and rapidly hydrolysed short-chain cellodextrins to yield either cellobiose or cellobiose and glucose as end products. The Cedl enzyme released cellobiose from p-nitrophenyl--d-cellobioside and the enzyme was not inhibited by methylcellulose, an inhibitor of endoglucanase activity. Although the major activity of the Cedl enzyme was that of a cellodextrinase it also showed limited activity against endoglucanase specific substrates [carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), lichenan, laminarin and xylan]. Analysis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with incorporated CMC showed a major activity band with an apparent M _r of approximately 61000. The calculated M _r of the ced1 gene product was 61023.Abbreviations Ap ampicillin - ced1 gene coding for Ced1 - Ced1 cellodextrinase from B. fibrisolvens - CMC carboxymethylcellulose - LB Luria Bertani - ORF open reading frame - pNPC p-nitrophenyl--d-cellobioside - PC phosphate citrate - HCA hydrophobic cluster analysis     

Characterization and cellular localization by monoclonal antibodies of the 60 kDa mannose specific lectin of human promyelocytic cells,HL60

Myelomonocytic lineage cells express anM _r 60 000 mannose specific lectin, MR60 (Pimpaneauet al. (1991),Carbohydr Res 213: 95–108). Under non-reducing conditions, this protein migrates as a 120 000 protein. MR60 does not contain anyN-glycan moiety cleavable by the action ofN-glycanase. MR60 induces a sugar selective aggregation of beads coated with glycosylated albumin: beads bearing -d-mannosyl residues are aggregated while beads bearing -d-glucosyl residues are not. A monoclonal antibody Lec101B, specific for MR60, recognizes a singleM _r 60 000 protein by Western blotting. This monoclonal antibody does not label the cell surface of cells expressing MR60, but decorates intracellular vesicles upon permeabilization of these cells.     

Asialo-α1-acid glycoprotein resialylated with 9-amino-5-N-acetyl-d-neuraminic acid is resistant towards bacterial,viral and mammalian sialidases

We demonstrate that 9-amino-NeuAc transferred to asialo-₁-acid glycoprotein resists cleavage by bacterial, viral and mammalian sialidases. This is the first synthetic sialic acid analogue, which can be activated and transferred to glycoprotein, but is not a sialidase (EC 3.2.1.18) substrate.Abbreviations HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - BSA bovine serum albumin - NeuAc N-acetyl-d-neuraminic acid, 5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-d-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid - 9-Amino-NeuAc 9-amino-5-N-acetyl-d-neuraminic acid, 5-acetamido-9-trideoxy-d-glycero-d-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid - CMP-NeuAc cytidine-5-monophospho-N-acetyl-d-neuraminic acid - CMP-9-amino-NeuAc cytidine-5-monophospho-9-amino-5-N-acetyl-d-neuraminic acid - 9-azido-NeuAc 5-acetamido-9-azido-3,5,9-trideoxy-d-glycero-d-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid. Enzymes EC 3.2.1.18 sialidase, acylneuraminylhydrolase - EC 2.4.99.1 Galß1-4GlcNAc a(2-6)-sialytransferase     

Purification and characterization of a complex-bound and a free β-1,4-endoxylanase from the culture fluid of the anaerobic fungus Piromyces sp. strain E2

Two extracellular xylanases were purified to homogeneity from the culture filtrate of the anaerobic fungus Piromyces sp. strain E2 and their properties were studied. The enzymes are present in a High Molecular Mass complex (HMM-complex) and as free protein in nearly equal amounts. Both enzymes are most likely identical as all biochemical characteristics were identical. The molecular masses of the enzymes are 12.5 kDa, as estimated by gel chromatography and electrophoretic mobility. The activities of both enzymes are optimal at pH 6.0 and 50°C and the enzymes are stable up to 72h at 40°C. The enzymes have a pI of 9.1. The K _m and V _max, determined with xylan from oat spelts, were 3 mg · ml^-1 and 2600 IU · mg^-1 protein. The enzymes are active both on soluble and insoluble oat spelt xylan. The purified xylanases are inactive against Avicel, carboxymethylcellulose, p-nitrophenyl--d-glucoside, and p-nitrophenyl--d-xyloside. The products of the pure enzymes are predominantly xylo-oligosaccharides, indicating that the enzymes act as endoxylanases (1,4--d-xylan xylanohydrolases, EC 3.2.1.8).     

Purification and characterization of a sialidase fromClostridium chauvoei NC08596

The sialidase secreted byClostridium chauvoei NC08596 was purified to apparent homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, hydrophobic interaction-chromatography, FPLC ion-exchange chromatography, and FPLC gel filtration. The enzyme was enriched about 10 200-fold, reaching a final specific activity of 24.4 U mg^–1. It has a relatively high molecular mass of 300 kDa and consists of two subunits each of 150 kDa. The cations Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ and bovine serum albumin have a positive effect on the sialidase activity, while Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺, chelating agents and salt decrease enzyme activity. The substrate specificity, kinetic data, and pH optimum of the enzyme are similar to those of other bacterial sialidases.Abbreviations FPLC fast protein liquid chromatography - NCTC National Collection of Type Cultures - ATCC American Type Culture Collection - MU-Neu5Ac 4-methylumbelliferyl--d-N-acetylneuraminic acid - buffer A 0.02m piperazine, 0.01m CaCl₂, pH 5.5 - buffer B 0.02m piperazine, 0.01m CaCl₂, 1.0m NaCl, pH 5.5 - buffer C 0.1m sodium acetate, 0.01m CaCl₂, pH 5.5 - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - PAGE polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - Neu5Ac N-acetylneuraminic acid - BSM bovine submandibular gland mucin - GD1a IV³Neu5Ac, II³Neu5Ac-GgOse₄Cer - GM1 II³Neu5Ac-GgOse₄Cer - MU-Neu4,5Ac₂ 4-methylumbelliferyl--d-N-acetyl-4-O-acetylneuraminic acid - TLC thin-layer chromatography - HPTLC high performance thin-layer chromatography - EDTA ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid - EGTA ethylene glycol bis(2-aminoethyl-ethen)-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid - BSA bovine serum albumin - Neu5Ac2en 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid - IEF isoelectric focusing - IEP isoelectric point     

Identification and characterization of the bacterial <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-gluconate dehydratase in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Achromobacter xylosoxidans</Emphasis>

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is known to utilize d-glucose via the modified Entner-Doudoroff pathway. Although d-gluconate dehydratase produced from this bacterium was purified and partially characterized previously, a gene that encodes this enzyme has not yet been identified. To obtain protein information on bacterial d-gluconate dehydratase, we partially purified d-gluconate dehydratase in A. xylosoxidans and investigated its biochemical properties. Two degenerate primers were designed based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the partially purified d-gluconate dehydratase. Through PCR performed using degenerate primers, a 1,782-bp DNA sequence encoding the A. xylosoxidans d-gluconate dehydratase (gnaD) was obtained. The deduced amino acid sequence of A. xylosoxidans gnaD showed strong similarity with that of proteins belonging to the dihydroxy-acid dehydratase/phosphogluconate dehydratase family (COG0129). This is in contrast to the archaeal d-gluconate dehydratase, which belongs to the enolase superfamily (COG4948). The phylogenetic tree showed that A. xylosoxidans d-gluconate dehydratase is closer to the 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase than the dihydroxy-acid dehydratase. Interestingly, a clade containing A. xylosoxidans enzyme was clustered with proteins annotated as a second and a third dihydroxy-acid dehydratase in the genomes of Clostridium acetobutylicum (Cac_ilvD2) and Streptomyces ceolicolor (Sco_ilvD2, Sco_ilvD3), indicating that the function of these enzymes is the dehydration of d-gluconate.     

Purification and characterization of myo-inositol 6-O-methyltransferase from Vigna umbellata Ohwi et Ohashi

The cyclitol 1d-4-O-methyl-myo-inositol (d-ononitol) is accumulated in certain legumes in response to abiotic stresses. S-Adenosyl-l-methionine:myo-inositol 6-O-methyltransferase (m6OMT), the enzyme which catalyses the synthesis of d-ononitol, was extracted from stems of Vigna umbellata Ohwi et Ohashi and purified to apparent homogeneity by a combination of conventional chromatographic techniques and by affinity chromatography on immobilized S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (SAH). The purified m6OMT was photoaffinity labelled with S-adenosyl-l-[¹⁴C-methyl]methionine. The native molecular weight was determined to be 106 kDa, with a subunit molecular weight of 40 kDa. Substrate-saturation kinetics of m6OMT for myo-inositol and S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) were Michaelis-Menten type with K _m values of 2.92 mM and 63 M, respectively. The SAH competitively inhibited the enzyme with respect to SAM (K _i of 1.63 M). The enzyme did not require divalent cations for activity, but was strongly inhibited by Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ and sulfhydryl group inhibitors. The purified m6OMT was found to be highly specific for the 6-hydroxyl group of myo-inositol and showed no activity on other naturally occurring isomeric inositols and inositol O-methyl-ethers. Neither d-ononitol, nor d-3-O-methyl-chiro-inositol, d-1-O-methyl-muco-inositol or d-chiro-inositol (end products of the biosynthetic pathway in which m6OMT catalyses the first step), inhibited the activity of the enzyme.Abbreviations DTT dithiothreitol - m6OMT myo-inositol 6-O-methyltransferase - SAH S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine - SAM S-adenosyl-l-methionine We are greatful to Professor M. Popp (University of Vienna) for helpful discussion and comment. This work was supported by Grant P09595-BIO from the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF).     

Purification and characterization of sialidase fromClostridium sordellii G12

Sialidase secreted by the urease-positiveClostridium sordellii strain G12 was isolated from culture medium and purified to apparent homogeneity as estimated by Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) and sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). For this purpose, ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, isoelectric focusing, and FPLC on ion-exchange resin and gel filtration materials were used. The sialidase was purified 159 300-fold from 5 l of culture medium, yielding 9 g of enzyme protein with a specific activity of 480 U/mg. For the denatured (SDS-PAGE) and native (FPLC) sialidase relative molecular masses of 40 000 and 38 500 Da, respectively, were estimated. The substrate specificity, kinetic data, and pH-optimum of the enzyme are similar to those of other bacterial sialidases. The influences of salt or serum proteins on enzyme activity are of interest.Abbreviations MU-Neu5Ac 4-methylumbelliferyl -d-N-acetylneuraminic acid - Ganglioside GD1a IV³NeuAc, ll³NeuAc-GgOse₄Cer - Neu5Ac2en 2-deoxy-2,3-didehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid     

Extracellular cross-linking of xylan and xyloglucan in maize cell-suspension cultures: the role of oxidative phenolic coupling

Cell-suspension cultures of maize (Zea mays L.) released soluble extracellular polysaccharides (SEPs) into their medium. Some or all of the SEPs had feruloyl ester groups. Pulse-labelling with [³H]arabinose was used to monitor changes in the SEPs M_r (estimated by gel-permeation chromatography) with time after synthesis. Newly released ³H-SEPs were 1.3–1.6 MDa, but between 2 days and 3 days after radiolabelling (in one experiment) or between 5 days and 6 days (in another), the ³H-SEPs abruptly increased to 17 MDa, indicating extensive cross-linking. The cross-linking involved both [³H]xylan and [³H]xyloglucan components of the SEPs. The cross-links could be cleaved by alkali, returning the SEPs to their original M_r. In 0.1 M NaOH at 37°C, 58% cleavage was effected within 24 h. The requirement for such prolonged alkali treatment indicates that ester-bonded (e.g. diferuloyl) groups were not solely responsible for the cross-linking. Bonds cleaved only by relatively severe alkali could include benzyl ether linkages formed between sugar residues and oxidised phenolics that had quinone methide structures. The ability of alkali to cleave the cross-links was independent of the age of the ³H-SEP molecules. Cross-linking of ³H-SEPs in vivo was delayed (up to approx. 7 days after radiolabelling) by exogenous sinapic acid, chlorogenic acid or rutin—agents predicted to compete with the oxidative coupling of feruloyl-polysaccharides. The cross-linking was promoted by exogenous ferulic acid or l-tyrosine, possibly because these compounds acted as precursors for polysaccharide feruloylation, thus providing additional partner substrates for the oxidative coupling of previously formed ³H-SEPs. The ability of certain phenolics to prevent the cross-linking of ³H-SEPs supports the idea that the cross-linking involved phenolic oxidation.Abbreviations DTT Dithiothreitol - K_av Elution volume relative to those of high-M_r dextran (K_av=0) and sucrose (K_av=1) - MLG Mixed-linkage -(13),(14)-d-glucan - M_r Relative molecular mass - PCW Primary cell wall - SEP Soluble extracellular polysaccharide - TFA Trifluoroacetic acid - V₀ Void volume (centre of elution peak of high-M_r dextran) - V_i Totally included volume (centre of elution peak of sucrose)     

Purification and properties of cAMP dependent and independent histone kinases from human leukocytes

Summary Histone kinase activity was purified from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by ammonium sulphate precipitation of a 180 000 × g supernatant, followed by DEAF-cellulose chromatography and gelfiltration. On DEAE-cellulose cAMP dependent kinase activity eluted in two peaks, I and III, at 1.2 mmho and 6.5 mmho, respectively. Catalytic subunit (C) from both peaks had M_r 33 000, 3.0S. Regulatory subunit (R) from peak I and III both had M_r 33 000 upon gelfiltration, but sedimented at 2.8–3.0S and 3.0–3.2S, respectively. R₂ and R₄ subunits were identified. The R-C dimer from peak I and III sedimented at 4.8S and (4.8)–5.1S, respectively. The holoenzyme from peak I had M_r 165 000, 6.7S, which suggest a R₂C₂ structure, while that of peak III sedimented at 6.7S, but eluted at M_r 330 000 (2R₂C₂) by gelfiltration.The K _m ^app for peak I and III enzymes were, respectively: histone IIA 0.5 mg/ml (both forms), ATP 18 m and 23 m, and cAMP 5 × 10^–8 m and 6.3 × 10^–8 m. Both enzymes had pH optimum 6.7–6.9 and were equally sensitive to Ca²⁺ temperature and protein kinase inhibitor. The substrate specificity was histone VS histone IIA = histone VIS casein > phosvitin. Peak I enzyme, but not peak III enzyme, was dissociated by histone and high ionic strength and reassociation of R and C subunits were facilitated by ATP-Mg. It is concluded that peak I and III enzymes represent type I and II cAMP dependent protein kinases, respectively. Type I comprises 20–30% of cAMP dependent protein kinase activity and is absent from the 180 000 × g supernatant of gently disrupted cells.Purified catalytic subunit had K _m ^app (ATP) 20 m with rabbit muscle glycogen synthase I as substrates. Synthase I from rabbit muscle and human leukocytes were phosphorylated by catalytic subunit to synthase D (ratio of independence less than 0.07).cAMP independent histone kinase activity eluted in one peak (Peak II) at 3 mmho. The enzymatic activity sedimented at 3.4S and eluted from gelfiltration with M_r 78 000. K _m ^app for ATP was 78 m and for histone IIA 0.5 mg/ml. The enzyme was sensitive to temperature, but less sensitive than cAMP dependent protein kinase to Ca²⁺, and insensitive to protein kinase inhibitor. The substrate specificity was histone IIA > histone VS = histone VIS, while casein and phosvitin were poor substrates. Glycogen synthase I was not phosphorylated. The cAMP independent histone kinase activity comprised 15% of the total histone kinase activity in a crude homogenate of leukocytes. Its physiological substrate is unknown.Abbreviations AR activity ratio for cAMP dependent protein kinase - cAMP adenosine cyclic 3:5-monophosphate - cIMP inosine cyclic 3:5-monophosphate - cGMP guanosine cyclic 3:5-monophosphate - Glucose-6-P glucose-6-phosphate - DDT dithiothreitol - EGTA ethylene glycol-bis-(-aminoethylether)-N, N-tetraacetic acid - PMSF phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride - PKI protein kinase inhibitor - RI ratio of independence for glycogen synthase - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate     

Purification and characterization of a (R)-2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A NAD-dependent (R)-2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.4), selectively catalyzing the oxidation at the (R)-center of 2,3-butanediol irrespective of the absolute configuration of the other carbinol center, was isolated from cell extracts of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Purification was achieved by means of streptomycin sulfate treatment, Sephadex G-25 filtration, DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B chromatography, affinity chromatography on Matrex Gel Blue A and Superose 6 prep grade chromatography leading to a 70-fold enrichment of the specific activity with 44% yield. Analysis of chiral products was carried out by gas chromatographic methods via pre-chromatographic derivatization and resolution of corresponding diasteromeric derivatives. The enzyme was capable to reduce irreversibly diacetyl (2,3-butanediol) to (R)-acetoin (3-hydroxy-2-butanone) and in a subsequent reaction reversibly to (R,R)-2,3-butanediol using NADH as coenzyme. 1-Hydroxy-2-ketones and C₅-acyloins were also accepted as substrates, whereas the enzyme was inactive towards the reduction of acetone and dihydroxyacetone. The relative molecular mass (M _r) of the enzyme was estimated as 140 000 by means of gel filtration. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel the protein decomposed into 4 (identical) subunits of M _r 35 000. Optimum pH was 6.7 for the reduction of acetoin to 2,3-butanediol and 7.2 for the reverse reaction.Abbreviations GC-MS gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - i.d. internal diameter - M _r relative molecular mass - MTPA-Cl -methoxy--trifluoromethylphenyl acetic acid chloride - PEIC 1-phenylethylisocyanate