Biomedical subjects

G B Fincher

Publications and source records attributed to G B Fincher.

53 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Purification and characterization of three (1----4)-beta-D-xylan endohydrolases from germinated barley.

Three (1----4)-beta-D-xylan xylanohydrolases (xylan endohydrolases, EC 3.2.1.8) have been purified 1200-2800-fold from extracts of germinated barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Clipper) by a sequence of ammonium sulphate fractionation, Procion-blue-dye chromatography, ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The enzymes are likely to function in the depolymerization of cell wall arabinoxylans during mobilization of the starchy endosperm. They are classified as endohydrolases on the basis of analyses of products released during hydrolysis of a (1----4)-beta-xylan. The three xylan endohydrolases are monomeric proteins of apparent Mr 41,000 and all have isoelectric points of 5.2. The sequences of the 30 NH2-terminal amino acids of the three enzymes are the same, but it is not yet known whether they represent the products of separate genes or originate by differences in post-translational modification of a single gene product.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1989

Purification of (1-->3)-beta-glucan endohydrolase isoenzyme II from germinated barley and determination of its primary structure from a cDNA clone.

A (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan 3-glucanohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.39) of apparent M(r) 32,000, designated GII, has been purified from germinated barley grain and characterized. The isoenzyme is resolved from a previously purified isoenzyme (GI) on the basis of differences in their isoelectric points; (1-->3)-beta-glucanases GI and GII have pI values of 8.6 and > or = 10.0, respectively. Comparison of the sequences of their 40 NH2-terminal amino acids reveals 68% positional identity. A 1265 nucleotide pair cDNA encoding (1-->3)-beta-glucanase isoenzyme GII has been isolated from a library prepared with mRNA of 2-day germinated barley scutella. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the cDNA has enabled the complete primary structure of the 306 amino acid (1-->3)-beta-glucanase to be deduced, together with that of a putative NH2-terminal signal peptide of 28 amino acid residues. The (1-->3)-beta-glucanase cDNA is characterized by a high (G+C) content, which reflects a strong bias for the use of G or C in the wobble base position of codons. The amino acid sequence of the (1-->3)-beta-glucanase shows highly conserved internal domains and 52% overall positional identity with barley (1-->3, 1-->4)-beta-glucanase isoenzyme EII, an enzyme of related but quite distinct substrate specificity. Thus, the (1-->3)-beta-glucanases, which may provide a degree of protection against microbial invasion of germinated barley grain through their ability to degrade fungal cell wall polysaccharides, appear to share a common evolutionary origin with the (1-->3, 1-->4)-beta-glucanases, which function to depolymerize endosperm cell walls in the germinated grain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1988

The A- and B-chains of carboxypeptidase I from germinated barley originate from a single precursor polypeptide.

Carboxypeptidase I from germinated barley (Hordeum vulgare) grain consists of two peptide chains linked by disulfides; the A- and B-chains contain 266 and 148 amino acid residues, respectively (Sorensen, S. B., Breddam, K., and Svendsen, I. (1986) Carlsberg Res. Commun. 51, 475-485). A cDNA library prepared from mRNA isolated from scutella of 2-day germinated barley has now been screened with a mixed oligonucleotide encoding a peptide fragment of the A-chain. Nucleotide sequence analysis of a 1443-nucleotide pair cDNA clone revealed that both chains of the enzyme are translated from a single mRNA. The coding region of the A-chain is located at the 5'-end of the cDNA and is separated from the B-chain coding region by a 165-nucleotide pair linking region. The B-chain coding region is followed by a stop codon, a 187-nucleotide pair 3'-untranslated sequence, and a short polyadenylic acid tail. The results indicate that the A- and B-chains of barley carboxypeptidase I arise by endoproteolytic excision of a 55-residue linker peptide from a single precursor polypeptide chain. The putative linker peptide is rich in proline, lysine, and arginine residues, has an apparent pI of 11.9, and appears to be excised by cleavage of peptide bonds on the COOH-terminal side of serine residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1988

Chromosomal Location of Genes Encoding Barley (1-->3, 1-->4)-beta-Glucan 4-Glucanohydrolases.

Preparations of DNA from wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv Chinese Spring), barley (Hordeum vulgare, cv Betzes) and six euplasmic wheat-barley addition lines were digested to completion with restriction endonucleases and the products probed by Southern blot analysis using a cDNA-encoding barley (1-->3, 1-->4)-beta-glucanase isoenzyme II. It is shown that one of the barley (1-->3, 1-->4)-beta-glucanase genes is located on chromosome 1.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1986

The sequence statistics and solution conformation of a barley (1----3, 1----4)-beta-D-glucan.

The sequence statistics and aqueous solution conformation of the 40 degrees water-soluble (1----3,1----4)-beta-D-glucan isolated from barley (Hordeum vulgare) have been modeled realistically using the known sequence-distributions of (1----3) and (1----4) linkages, theoretical conformational analysis, and the statistical mechanical theory of polymer-chain conformation. This barley beta-glucan fraction consists of (1----4)-beta-glucooligosaccharides, predominantly of d.p. 4 or less, joined by single beta-(1----3) linkages. Approximate treatments of the sequence statistics which do not take into account the small mole fraction (approximately 2%) of (1----4)-beta-glucooligosaccharides of d.p. approximately 10 significantly underestimate the chain extension in solution. A correct prediction of the observed chain extension is achieved when these longer, highly extended (1----4)-beta-glucooligosaccharide blocks are included in a model which randomly incorporates all (1----4)-beta-glucooligosaccharide segments in the proportions observed experimentally. Chain flexibility in the 40 degrees water-soluble beta-glucan fraction is shown to arise principally from the isolated beta-(1----3) linkages; blocks of two or more contiguous beta-(1----3) linkages provide a source of additional flexibility which may influence the properties of barley beta-glucan fractions containing a significant proportion of such sequences.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗

PubMed1986

Primary structure of the (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-D-glucan 4-glucohydrolase from barley aleurone.

During germination of barley grains, the cell walls of the starchy endosperm are degraded by (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-glucanases (EC 3.2.1.73) secreted from the aleurone and scutellar tissues. The complete sequence of the aleurone (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-glucanase isoenzyme II comprises 306 amino acids and was determined by sequencing nine tryptic peptides (110 residues) and aligning them with the amino acid sequence deduced from a cDNA clone encoding the 291 NH(2)-terminal residues. Although no amino acid sequence homology with a bacterial (1-->3)(1-->4)-beta-glucanase is apparent, close to 50% homology is found with two large regions of a (1-->3)-beta-glucanase from tobacco pith tissue. The gene for barley (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-glucanase isoenzyme II shares with that for the alpha-amylase isoenzyme 1 a strongly preferred use of codons with G and C in the wobble position (94% and 90%, respectively). Both enzymes are secreted from the aleurone cells during germination. Such one-sided codon usage is not characteristic for the gene encoding the (1-->3)-beta-glucanase of tobacco pith tissue or the hor2-4 gene encoding the B(1) hordein storage protein in the endosperm.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1986

Development of (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-d-Glucan Endohydrolase Isoenzymes in Isolated Scutella and Aleurone Layers of Barley (Hordeum vulgare).

An immunological assay has been used to investigate the synthesis of (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.73) isoenzymes from isolated barley aleurone layers and scutella. Enzyme release from both tissues is enhanced by 1 micromolar gibberellic acid and 10 millimolar Ca(2+), although increases induced by gibberellic acid are observed only in the presence of Ca(2+). Isoenzyme I is synthesized predominantly in the scutellum, while isoenzyme II is synthesized exclusively in the aleurone. A third, putative isoenzyme III has been detected in significant proportions in scutellar secretions and may also be secreted from aleurone layers. Both gibberellic acid and Ca(2+) appear to preferentially enhance isoenzyme II secretion from the aleurone and isoenzyme III secretion from scutella. The patterns of isoenzyme secretion are suggestive of tissue-specific differences in expression of the genes which code for (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-glucanase isoenzymes. Qualitatively similar results were obtained with barley cultivars harvested in Australia and North America.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1985

Messenger RNAs from the Scutellum and Aleurone of Germinating Barley Encode (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-d-Glucanase, alpha-Amylase and Carboxypeptidase.

Polyclonal antibodies raised against barley (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-d-glucanase, alpha-amylase and carboxypeptidase were used to detect precursor polypeptides of these hydrolytic enzymes among the in vitro translation products of mRNA isolated from the scutellum and aleurone of germinating barley. In the scutellum, mRNA encoding carboxypeptidase appeared to be relatively more abundant than that encoding alpha-amylase or (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-d-glucanase, while in the aleurone alpha-amylase and (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-d-glucanase mRNAs predominated. The apparent molecular weights of the precursors for (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-d-glucanase, alpha-amylase, and carboxypeptidase were 33,000, 44,000, and 35,000, respectively. In each case these are slightly higher (1,500-5,000) than molecular weights of the mature enzymes. Molecular weights of precursors immunoprecipitated from aleurone and scutellum mRNA translation products were identical for each enzyme.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1984

Biosynthesis of arabinogalactan-protein in Lolium multiflorum (Italian ryegrass) endosperm cells. Subcellular distribution of galactosyltransferases.

Intracellular membranes from protoplasts of Italian-ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) endosperm cells have been fractionated on sucrose density gradients and identified on the basis of putative-marker-enzyme assays. Galactosyltransferases capable of incorporating galactose from UDP galactose into 66% ethanol-soluble products are associated with all membrane fractions. Affinity chromatography of the ethanol-insoluble products on (murine myeloma protein J539)-Sepharose reveals that the enzymes responsible for the synthesis of polymers containing (1----6)-beta-D-galactose residues are associated exclusively with subcellular fractions enriched in Golgi-derived membranes. This suggests that the Golgi apparatus plays an important part in the synthesis of the carbohydrate component of the ryegrass arabinogalactan-protein.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

PubMed1984

Polyproline II Confirmation in the Protein Component of Arabinogalactan-Protein from Lolium multiflorum.

Circular dichroism spectra of the arabinogalactan-protein from suspension-cultured Lolium multiflorum (ryegrass) endosperm cells demonstrate the presence of polyproline II conformation in the protein moiety of the proteoglycan. Subject to a number of theoretical and practical constraints of the method, it can be estimated that at least 30% of the protein component is in this conformation.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1983

Biosynthesis of Arabinogalactan-Protein in Lolium multiflorum (Ryegrass) Endosperm Cells : III. Subcellular Distribution of Prolyl Hydroxylase.

The peptidyl prolyl hydroxylase responsible for the formation of hydroxyproline during arabinogalactan-protein biosynthesis in Lolium multiflorum (ryegrass) endosperm cells is a membrane-associated enzyme which will catalyze the hydroxylation of poly(l-proline) in the presence of oxygen, alpha-ketoglutarate, ferrous ion, and ascorbate. The K(m) for poly(l-proline) (8000 molecular weight) is 40 micromolar. The enzyme will also hydroxylate the protocollagen analog (Pro-Pro-Gly)(5).4H(2)O.Fractionation of membranes from protoplast lysates on a discontinuous sucrose/sorbitol density gradient, followed by centrifugation on a linear sucrose gradient in the presence of Mg(2+), leads to a clear separation of a number of membrane components. The membrane components have been tentatively identified using marker enzymes and assayed for peptidyl prolyl hydroxylase. It is concluded that the ryegrass prolyl hydroxylase is enriched in Golgi-derived membranes, but that significant amounts are also located in other subcellular fractions, including the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1982

Isolation of plasma membrane from protoplasts of Lolium multiflorum (ryegrass) endosperm cells.

Plasma membranes have been isolated from protoplasts of suspension-cultured ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) endosperm cells. The protoplast membrane is coated before cell disruption with murine myeloma protein J539, a galactose-binding immunoglobulin A. The plasma membrane is labelled with 125I by using chemically or enzymically catalysed iodination techniques, or, more conveniently, by using 125I-labelled myeloma protein J539, which enables the membrane to be simultaneously coated and labelled. Protoplast lysis is effected by gentle mechanical means after swelling in hypo-osmotic medium. The plasma-membrane fraction is recovered at low centrifugal forces by fractionation of cell lysates on a discontinuous sucrose/sorbitol gradient. The plasma-membrane fraction is enriched 96-fold on a protein basis with respect to the specific radioactivity of 125I-labeled myeloma protein J539 in the homogenate. Electron microscopy showed long membrane profiles often associated with one another.

Carrier Proteins↗

PubMed1982

Purification and chemical properties of two 1,3;1,4-beta-glucan endohydrolases from germinating barley.

Two 1,3;1,4-beta-glucan endohydrolases have been purified from extracts of germinating barley by ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Both enzymes are monomeric, basic proteins. Enzyme I has a molecular weight of 28000 and an isoelectric point of 8.5, while enzyme II has a molecular weight of 33000 and an isoelectric point greater than 10. Enzyme II is a glycoprotein containing 3.6% carbohydrate, of which three residues are probable N-acetylglucosamine, but enzyme I contains only traces of associated carbohydrate. The amino acid compositions of the two 1,3;1,4-beta-glucan endohydrolases are similar and the cross-reactivity of antibodies raised against the purified enzymes suggests that they share common antigenic determinants.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1978

Tissue Slice and Particulate beta-Glucan Synthetase Activities from Pisum Epicotyls.

beta-Glucan synthetase activity in growing regions of pea (Pisum sativum L.) epicotyls was assayed by supplying UDP-glucose to particulate fractions of tissue homogenates or to thin tissue slices. Particulate fractions are less active in forming alkali-insoluble glucan than slices from the same tissue, although many kinetic characteristics (pH and Mg(2+) optimum, apparent K(m)) are similar for the two systems. Synthesis by tissue slices progresses linearly without lag period for at least an hour and is proportional to cut surface area. It is much more rapid from UDP-glucose than from glucose, glucose-1-P, or sucrose. Tests with plasmolyzing agents and trypsin support the conclusion that synthesis from UDP-glucose by slices occurs at accessible surfaces of cut cells. Analyses of glucan products by GLC of partially methylated and acetylated derivatives and by hydrolysis with various beta-glucanases all show that both beta-1,3 and beta-1,4 linkages are formed by particulate fractions and slices at substrate concentrations ranging from micro- to millimolar. beta-1,4 Linkages predominate at low substrate (5 mum) concentration. Kinetic data indicate that the capacity to synthesize beta-1,3-glucan is substrate-activated, and this product predominates in preparations supplied with high (5 mm) substrate.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1977

Kinetic properties and substrate specificities of two cellulases from auxin-treated pea epicotyls.

Two cellulases purified from growing regions of auxin-treated peas (buffer-soluble and buffer-insoluble) hydrolyze cellulose powder, partially substituted carboxymethylcellulose (CM-cellulose), higher cellodextrins, and certain mixed linkage glucans (e.g. barley beta-glucan), at rates comparable to these reported for the most active fungal cellulases, and with kinetics and product formation characteristic of endohydrolase action. They are unable to cleave 1,3-linkages in beta-glucans, or 1,4-linkages in dextrins containing excessive substitution at C6, alpha configuration, alternating beta-1,3- and 1,4-linkages, or residues other than anhydroglucose. They are not active towards cellobiose or the 1,4-linkage adjacent to the reducing end of cellodextrin chains. It is concluded that buffer-soluble and buffer-insoluble cellulases are true beta-1,4-glucan 4-glucanohydrolases (EC 3.2.1.4). On a molar basis, Vmax values for buffer-insoluble are higher than buffer-soluble cellulase acting towards any of the substrates tested, but Km values towards CM-cellulose and cellohexaose are essentially identical. Both cellulases were inhibited by C12+, Hg2+, and sulfhydryl-binding reagents. Buffer-insoluble, but not buffer-soluble, cellulose was inactivated by reagents that bind serine and threonine, which reflects differences in their amino acid composition. No major qualitative differences have been detected in the mode of action of the two enzymes. Despite marked differences in their physical and immunological properties, close similarities between buffer-soluble and buffer-insoluble enzymic properties suggest that their active sites are the same.

Cellulase↗

PubMed1974

Chemical and physical properties of an arabinogalactan-peptide from wheat endosperm.

1. An arabinogalactan-peptide from wheat endosperm was studied by using physicochemical techniques and some aspects of its chemical structure were determined. 2. The arabinogalactan-peptide is a non-associating, polydisperse macromolecule ([unk]=22000) which exhibits only minor non-ideal effects in aqueous solution. 3. Examination of the products of partial acid hydrolysis of the polysaccharide component showed that arabinose is present in the alpha-l-arabinofuranosyl configuration, and i.r.-absorption spectroscopy and optical-rotation studies suggest that the d-galactopyranose residues are linked by glycosidic linkages in the beta-anomeric configuration. 4. The arabinogalactan is linked to a peptide which represents 8% (w/w) of the arabinogalactan-peptide and which may be present as a molecular core. Partial degradation of the polymer by successive treatment with oxalic acid and NaOH showed that the linkage between polysaccharide and peptide involves galactose and hydroxyproline residues and is glycosidic in nature. A tentative model is proposed for the structure of the wheat endosperm arabinogalactan-peptide. 5. The subcellular location and function of the arabinogalactan-peptide is discussed in relation to previous work with related molecules.

Amino Acids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Post-translational processing of barley beta-glucan endohydrolases in the baculovirus-insect cell expression system.

Two cDNAs encoding barley (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.73) isoenzymes EI and EII have been expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cell cultures using the baculovirus AcNPV vector. Modifications to both the 5' and 3' ends of the cDNAs were required before satisfactory levels of expression were obtained. The modified cDNAs directed high levels of (1-->3,1-->4)-beta-glucanase expression in the Sf9 insect cell cultures, with yields of approximately 10 mg/liter of isoenzyme EI (expEI) and 15 mg/liter of isoenzyme EII (expEII). Amino acid sequence analyses showed that the expressed enzymes were processed correctly at their amino termini. However, affinity chromatography of the isoenzyme expEII on concanavalin-A (conA)-Sepharose indicated that, although the enzyme is glycosylated, the structures of the carbohydrate chains differ from those of the native enzyme. When a cDNA encoding the homologous barley (1-->3)-beta-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39) isoenzyme GII was expressed in insect cells, aberrant amino-terminal processing of the nascent polypeptide was sometimes observed. The forms with incompletely removed signal peptides retained their substrate specificity, but exhibited slightly reduced catalytic efficiency, altered chromatographic behavior, and reduced stability at elevated temperatures. The results show that high levels of expression of recombinant plant proteins can be obtained in insect cells, but they emphasize the need to characterize thoroughly the products that are expressed in the heterologous insect cell system before comparisons are made with the native enzyme or with engineered enzyme mutants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗