Production of long-chain isomaltooligosaccharides from maltotriose using the thermostable amylomaltase and transglucosidase enzymes

Amylomaltase and transglucosidase were combined to produce long-chain isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOs). IMOs are effective prebiotics that stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in human intestines and thus promote better overall health. In this study, the p17bAMY amylomaltase was expressed from its gene, which had been directly isolated from soil samples, while transglucosidase was purchased and purified by a gel-filtration column. Crude amylomaltase was purified by heat treatment, Q-, and phenyl-sepharose column. The purified amylomaltase had a molecular weight of 57 kDa. Specificity on the substrates of the amylomaltase was also studied and it was found that this enzyme was able to catalyze transglucosylation activity using substrates G₂ to G₇. However, G₃ was the most preferred substrate for the enzyme. Here, K _m-G3 and k _cat/K _m were 23 mM and 1.72 × 10⁸ mM/min, respectively. Amylomaltase and transglucosidase were tested both alone and in combination on a G₃ substrate to study the efficient process for the IMOs production. The obtained products from the enzymatic reactions were monitored using the TLC analytical method and a densitometer. The amylomaltase led to products containing linear maltooligosaccharides, while the transglucosidase produced short-chain IMOs. Interestingly, when amylomaltase and transglucosidase were used in combination, long-chain IMOs with sizes larger than IMO₄ were observed under the determined condition.     

Molecular imprinting of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases from Paenibacillus sp. A11 and Bacillus macerans with gamma-cyclodextrin

Cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase catalyzes the formation of a mixture of cyclodextrins from starch by an intramolecular transglycosylation reaction. To manipulate the product specificity of the Paenibacillus sp. A11 and Bacillus macerans cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases towards the preferential formation of gamma-cyclodextrin (CD(8)), crosslinked imprinted proteins of both cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases were prepared by applying enzyme imprinting and immobilization methodologies. The crosslinked imprinted cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases obtained by imprinting with CD(8) showed pH and temperature optima similar to those of the native and immobilized cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases. However, the pH and temperature stability of the immobilized and crosslinked imprinted cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases were higher than those of the native cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases. When the catalytic activities of the native, immobilized and crosslinked imprinted cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases were compared, the efficiency of the crosslinked imprinted enzymes for CD(8) synthesis was increased 10-fold, whereas that for cyclodextrin hydrolysis was decreased. Comparison of the product ratios by high-performance anion exchange chromatography showed that the native cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases from Paenibacillus sp. A11 and Bacillus macerans produced CD(6) : CD(7) : CD(8) : > or = CD(9) ratios of 15 : 65 : 20 : 0 and 43 : 36 : 21 : 0 after 24 h of reaction at 40 degrees C with starch substrates. In contrast, the crosslinked imprinted cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases from Paenibacillus sp. A11 and Bacillus macerans produced cyclodextrin in ratios of 15 : 20 : 50 : 15 and 17 : 14 : 49 : 20, respectively. The size of the synthesis products formed by the crosslinked imprinted cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases was shifted towards CD(8) and > or = CD(9), and the overall cyclodextrin yield was increased by 12% compared to the native enzymes. The crosslinked imprinted cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases also showed higher stability in organic solvents, retaining 85% of their initial activity after five cycles of synthesis reactions.     

Identification of essential histidines in cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase isoform 1 from Paenibacillus sp. A11

The isoform 1 of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase, EC 2.4.1.19) from Paenibacillus sp. A11 was purified by a preparative gel electrophoresis. The importance of histidine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and carboxylic amino acids for isoform 1 activity is suggested by the modification of the isoform 1 with various group-specific reagents. Activity loss, when incubated with diethylpyrocarbonate (DEP), a histidine modifying reagent, could be protected by adding 25 mM methyl-beta-cyclodextrin substrate prior to the modification. Inactivation kinetics of isoform 1 with DEP resulted in second-order rate constants (k(inactivation)) of 29.5 M(-1)s(-1). The specificity of the DEP-modified reaction for the histidine residue was shown by the correlation between the loss of isoform activity and the increase in the absorbance at 246 nm of N-carbethoxyhistidine. The number of histidines that were modified by DEP in the absence and presence of a protective substrate was estimated from the increase in the absorbance using a specific extinction coefficient of N-carbethoxyhistidine of 3,200 M(-1)cm(-1). It was discovered that methyl-beta-CD protected per mole of isoform 1, two histidine residues from the modification by DEP. To localize essential histidines, the native, the DEP-modified, and the protected forms of isoform 1 were digested by trypsin. The resulting peptides were separated by HPLC. The peptides of interest were those with R(t) 11.34 and 40.93 min. The molecular masses of the two peptides were 5,732 and 2,540 daltons, respectively. When the data from the peptide analysis were checked with the sequence of CGTase, then His-140 and His-327 were identified as essential histidines in the active site of isoform 1.     

Insights into antifolate resistance from malarial DHFR-TS structures

Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (PfDHFR-TS) is an important target of antimalarial drugs. The efficacy of this class of DHFR-inhibitor drugs is now compromised because of mutations that prevent drug binding yet retain enzyme activity. The crystal structures of PfDHFR-TS from the wild type (TM4/8.2) and the quadruple drug-resistant mutant (V1/S) strains, in complex with a potent inhibitor WR99210, as well as the resistant double mutant (K1 CB1) with the antimalarial pyrimethamine, reveal features for overcoming resistance. In contrast to pyrimethamine, the flexible side chain of WR99210 can adopt a conformation that fits well in the active site, thereby contributing to binding. The single-chain bifunctional PfDHFR-TS has a helical insert between the DHFR and TS domains that is involved in dimerization and domain organization. Moreover, positively charged grooves on the surface of the dimer suggest a function in channeling of substrate from TS to DHFR active sites. These features provide possible approaches for the design of new drugs to overcome antifolate resistance.     

The role of tryptophan-48 in catalysis and binding of inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase

Dihydrofolate reductases (DHFRs) from Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and various species of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms have a conserved tryptophan (Trp) at position 48 in the active site. The role in catalysis and binding of inhibitors of the conserved Trp48 of PfDHFR has been analysed by site-specific mutagenesis, enzyme kinetics and use of a bacterial surrogate system. All 19 mutant enzymes showed undetectable or very low specific activities, with the highest value of k(cat)/K(m) from the Tyr48 (W48Y) mutant (0.12 versus 11.94M(-1)s(-1)), of about 1% of the wild-type enzyme. The inhibition constants for pyrimethamine, cycloguanil and WR99210 of the W48Y mutants are 2.5-5.3 times those of the wild-type enzyme. All mutants, except W48Y, failed to support the growth of Escherichia coli transformed with the parasite gene in the presence of trimethoprim, indicating the loss of functional activity of the parasite enzyme. Hence, Trp48 plays a crucial role in catalysis and inhibitor binding of PfDHFR. Interestingly, W48Y with an additional mutation at Asn188Tyr (N188Y) was found to promote bacterial growth and yielded a higher amount of purified enzyme. However, the kinetic parameters of the purified W48Y+N188Y enzyme were comparable with W48Y and the binding affinities for DHFR inhibitors were also similar to the wild-type enzyme. Due to its conserved nature, Trp48 of PfDHFR is a potential site for interaction with antimalarial inhibitors which would not be compromised by its mutations.     

Discovery of new non-pyrimidine scaffolds as Plasmodium falciparum DHFR inhibitors by fragment-based screening

In various malaria-endemic regions, the appearance of resistance has precluded the use of pyrimidine-based antifolate drugs. Here, a three-step fragment screening was used to identify new non-pyrimidine Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (PfDHFR) inhibitors. Starting from a 1163-fragment commercial library, a two-step differential scanning fluorimetry screen identified 75 primary fragment hits. Subsequent enzyme inhibition assay identified 11 fragments displaying IC₅₀ in the 28-695 μM range and selectivity for PfDHFR. In addition to the known pyrimidine, three new anti-PfDHFR chemotypes were identified. Fragments from each chemotype were successfully co-crystallized with PfDHFR, revealing a binding in the active site, in the vicinity of catalytic residues, which was confirmed by molecular docking on all fragment hits. Finally, comparison with similar non-hit fragments provides preliminary input on available growth vectors for future drug development.     

Expression of cyclodextrinase gene from Paenibacillus sp. A11 in Escherichia coli and characterization of the purified cyclodextrinase

The expression of the Paenibacillus sp. A11 cyclodextrinase (CDase) gene using the pUC 18 vector in Escherichia coli JM 109 resulted in the formation of an insoluble CDase protein in the cell debris in addition to a soluble CDase protein in the cytoplasm. Unlike the expression in Paenibacillus sp. A11, CDase was primarily observed in cytoplasm. However, by adding 0.5 M sorbitol as an osmolyte, the formation of insoluble CDase was prevented while a three-fold increase in cytoplasmic CDase activity was achieved after a 24 h-induction. The recombinant CDase protein was purified to approximately 14-fold with a 31% recovery to a specific activity of 141 units/mg protein by 40-60% ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Toyopearl 650 M, and Phenyl Sepharose CL-4B chromatography. It was homogeneous by non-denaturing and SDS-PAGE. The enzyme was a single polypeptide with a molecular weight of 80 kDa, as determined by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. It showed the highest activity at pH 7.0 and 40 degrees C. The catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) values for alpha-, beta-, and gamma- CD were 3.0 x 10(5), 8.8 x 10(5), and 5.5 x 10(5) M(-1) min(-1), respectively. The enzyme hydrolyzed CDs and linear maltooligosaccharides to yield maltose and glucose with less amounts of maltotriose and maltotetraose. The rates of hydrolysis for polysaccharides, soluble starch, and pullulan were very low. The cloned CDase was strongly inactivated by N-bromosuccinimide and diethylpyrocarbonate, but activated by dithiothreitol. A comparison of the biochemical properties of the CDases from Paenibacillus sp. A11 and E. coli transformant (pJK 555) indicates that they were almost identical.     

Molecular mutagenesis at Tyr-101 of the amylomaltase transcribed from a gene isolated from soil DNA

The wild-type (WT) amylomaltase gene was directly isolated from soil DNA and cloned into a pET19b vector to express in E. coli BL21(DE3). The ORF of this gene consisted of 1,572 bp, encoding an enzyme of 523 amino acids. Though showing 99% sequence identity to amylomaltse from Thermus thermophilus ATCC 33923, this enzyme is unique in its alkaline optimum pH. In order to alter amylomaltase with less coupling or hydrolytic activity to enhance cycloamylose (CA) formation through cyclization reaction, site-directed mutagenesis of the second glucan binding site involving in CA production was performed at Tyr-101. The result revealed that the mutated Y101S enzyme showed a small increase in cyclization activity while significantly decreased disproportionation, coupling and hydrolytic activities. Mutation also resulted in the change in substrate specificity for disproportionation reaction. The WT enzyme preferred maltotriose, while the activity of mutated enzyme was the highest with maltopentaose substrate. Product analysis by HPAEC-PAD demonstrated that the main CAs of the WT amylomaltase were CA29-CA37. Y101S mutation did not change the product pattern, however, the amount of CAs formed by the mutated enzyme tended to increase especially at long incubation time. The article is published in the original.     

Synthesis,structural characterization,and biological properties of pentyl- and isopentyl-α-D-glucosides

The study was devoted to the synthesis of pentyl glucosides (PenG_n) and isopentyl glucosides (Iso-PenG_n) by transglycosylation using recombinant cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase from Bacillus circulans A11, β-cyclodextrin as a glucosyl donor and 1-pentanol and isopentanol as acceptors. TLC and MS analysis indicated at least 3 products which were in accordance with PenG_n and IsoPenG_n having glucose, maltose and maltotriose attached to the alkyl groups of both alcohols. Two products of each glucoside were purified by preparative TLC and their structures were identified by NMR technique to be pentyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (PenG₁), pentyl-α-D-maltopyranoside (PenG₂), isopentyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (IsoPenG1) and isopentyl- α-D-maltopyranoside (IsoPenG₂). The effect of water-in-hexadecane emulsion on emulsion-forming properties showed that PenG₂ had the highest emulsifying activity. Adding PenG₂ to the insoluble Corynebacterium glutamicum amylomaltase from Escherichia coli transformants (A406R), helped to perform it to more soluble conformation. Moreover, it was found that PenG_1,2 exhibited a higher antibacterial activity against E. coli ATCC 25922 than that of IsoPenG_1,2. Hence, the biological properties of the synthesized products may be useful for their applications as emulsifying, solubilizing and antibacterial agents.     

Enzymatic synthesis of propyl-α-glycosides and their application as emulsifying and antibacterial agents

Alkyl glycosides have been effectively used in many industries because of their biodegradable, emulsification and antibacterial properties. In this study, the alkyl glycoside of propyl glycosides (PG_n) was synthesized using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and 1-propanol through the transglycosylation reaction of recombinant cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) from the Bacillus circulans A11. The optimal condition for the synthesis of propyl glycosides consisted of an incubation of 1.5% (w/v) β-CD and 500 U/mL of CGTase in a water/propanol content containing 10% (v/v) 1-propanol at pH 6.0, 50°C for 96 h. Upon analysis of the product at the optimal condition by TLC, at least three products which move faster than glucose were observed. These transferred products were formed with molecular weights of 222.1, 384.1 and 546.4 daltons as determined by mass spectrometry analysis; these values were in accordance with propyl glucoside (PG₁), propyl maltoside (PG₂) and propyl maltotrioside (PG₃), respectively. PG₁ and PG₂ were produced and prepared on a large scale and subsequently purified by preparative TLC. The combined ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR analysis confirmed that the structures of PG₁ and PG₂ were propyl-α-D-glucopyranoside and propyl-α-D-maltopyranoside, respectively. Both PG₁ and PG₂ showed emulsification activity and stability in their formation in water and n-hexadecane. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of both products was determined and it was found that PG₂ had a higher antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli than that of PG₁.