Phylogenetic relationships and intraspecific variations of loaches of the genus Lefua (Balitoridae,Cypriniformes)

Three nominal species are known in East Asian balitorid loaches of the genus Lefua, i.e. L. echigonia, L. nikkonis, and L. costata. Lefua echigonia, with large morphological variations was recently separated into two groups, L. echigonia including the holotype and L. sp., based on morphological and ecological traits. We performed protein and DNA analyses to elucidate phylogenetic relationships among loaches of the genus Lefua and to settle the taxonomic status of L. sp. We also investigated intraspecific variations in L. echigonia s. str. to shed light on the process of formation of freshwater fish fauna in Japan. Protein analyses using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that genetic distances between L. sp. and L. echigonia s. str. and between L. sp. and L. nikkonis were as large as that between L. echigonia s. str. and L. nikkonis. DNA analyses of the mitochondrial D-loop region showed that L. sp. and L. echigonia s. str. were monophyletic, respectively, while neither L. nikkonis nor L. costata was monophyletic and these species formed together a clade. The results supported the specific status of L. sp. and proposed reevaluation of the taxonomic status of L. nikkonis and L. costata. DNA analyses also showed that L. sp. was more closely related to L. echigonia s. str. than to the L. nikkonis-L. costata complex, and four local populations were distinguished in L. echigonia s. str. Distribution patterns of the four local populations of L. echigonia s. str. in Japan were approximately congruent with those of the medaka, Oryzias latipes, suggesting that differentiation in the two distantly related fishes have a common historical background.     

Enniatin has a new function as an inhibitor of Pdr5p, one of the ABC transporters in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Pdr5p is one of the major multidrug efflux pumps whose overexpression confers multidrug resistance (MDR) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By using our original assay system, a fungal strain producing inhibitors for Pdr5p was obtained and classified as Fusarium sp. Y-53. The purified inhibitors were identified as ionophore antibiotics, enniatin B, B1, and D, respectively. A non-toxic concentration of each enniatin (5 microg/ml, approximately 7.8 microM) strongly inhibited a Pdr5p-mediated efflux of cycloheximide or cerulenin in Pdr5p-overexpressing cells. The enniatins accumulated a fluorescent dye rhodamine 123, a substrate of Pdr5p, into yeast cells. The mode of Pdr5p inhibition of enniatin was competitive against FK506, and its inhibitory activity was more potent with less toxicity than that of FK506. The enniatins showed similar inhibitory profile as FK506 against S1360 mutants (S1360A and S1360F) of Pdr5p. The enniatins did not inhibit the function of Snq2p, a homologue of Pdr5p. Thus, it was found that enniatins are potent and specific inhibitors for Pdr5p, with less toxicities than that of FK506.     

Activity regulation of tyrosinase by using photoisomerizable inhibitors

Enzymatic activity of tyrosinase was controlled on the basis of cis-trans photoisomerization of inhibitors, 4-azobenzene carboxylic acid (ACA) and 4,4'-azobenzene dicarboxylic acid (ADCA). In the case of ACA, the cis form inhibited tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation of L-tyrosine more strongly than the trans form. On the contrary, in the case of ADCA, the cis form was less inhibitory. The oxidation rate was controlled reversibly by light irradiation in the course of the reaction. In the presence of ACA, UV light irradiation, which isomerized trans to cis form, decelerated the tyrosine oxidation, while visible light irradiation, which isomerized backward, accelerated the reaction. In contrast, in the presence of ADCA, UV light accelerated and visible light decelerated the reaction.     

Amino acids conserved at the C-terminal half of the ribonuclease T2 family contribute to protein stability of the enzymes

The ribonuclease MC1 (RNase MC1) from the seeds of the bitter gourd belongs to the RNase T2 family. We evaluated the contribution of 11 amino acids conserved in the RNase T2 family to protein folding of RNase MC1. Thermal unfolding experiments showed that substitution of Tyr(101), Phe(102), Ala(105), and Phe(190) resulted in a significant decrease in themostability; the T(m) values were 47-58 degrees C compared to that for the wild type (64 degrees C). Mutations of Pro(125), Gly(127), Gly(144), and Val(165) caused a moderate decrease in thermostability (T(m): 60-62 degrees C). In contrast, mutations of Asp(107) and Gly(173) did little effect on thermostability. The contribution of Tyr(101), Phe(102), Pro(125), and Gly(127) to protein stability was further corroborated by means of Gdn-HCl unfolding and protease digestions. Taken together, it appeared that Tyr(101), Phe(102), Ala(105), Pro(125), Gly(127), Gly(144), Leu(162), Val(165), and Phe(190) conserved in the RNase T2 family play an important role in the stability of the proteins.     

Pressure dependence of activity and stability of dihydrofolate reductases of the deep-sea bacterium Moritella profunda and Escherichia coli

To understand the pressure-adaptation mechanism of deep-sea enzymes, we studied the effects of pressure on the enzyme activity and structural stability of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) of the deep-sea bacterium Moritella profunda (mpDHFR) in comparison with those of Escherichia coli (ecDHFR). mpDHFR exhibited optimal enzyme activity at 50MPa whereas ecDHFR was monotonically inactivated by pressure, suggesting inherent pressure-adaptation mechanisms in mpDHFR. The secondary structure of apo-mpDHFR was stable up to 80°C, as revealed by circular dichroism spectra. The free energy changes due to pressure and urea unfolding of apo-mpDHFR, determined by fluorescence spectroscopy, were smaller than those of ecDHFR, indicating the unstable structure of mpDHFR against pressure and urea despite the three-dimensional crystal structures of both DHFRs being almost the same. The respective volume changes due to pressure and urea unfolding were -45 and -53ml/mol at 25°C for mpDHFR, which were smaller (less negative) than the corresponding values of -77 and -85ml/mol for ecDHFR. These volume changes can be ascribed to the difference in internal cavity and surface hydration of each DHFR. From these results, we assume that the native structure of mpDHFR is loosely packed and highly hydrated compared with that of ecDHFR in solution.     

Tosylated and azidated inulins as key substrates for further chemical modifications to access inulin-based advanced materials: an inulin-based glycocluster

We successfully synthesized inulin tosylates by treating commercially available inulin with tosyl chloride and triethylamine in N,N-dimethylacetoamide at the ambient temperature for 24h. The subsequent S(N)2 reactions using sodium azide afford inulin azides that can act as useful substrates for the following Huisgen cycloaddition with alkyne-terminated β-lactoside. The resultant inulin derivative having multiple β-lactosides has excellent affinity towards a β-lactoside binding lectin (RCA(120)). This synthetic strategy has various advantages, such as non-fragmentation of the inulin mainchain and wide applications for various alkyne-terminated functional units. Our strategy can be, therefore, used to develop various inulin derivatives that are applicable for food and medicinal industries.