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Biomedical subjects

S G Waley

Publications and source records attributed to S G Waley.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Purification of beta-lactamases by affinity chromatography on phenylboronic acid-agarose.

Several beta-lactamases, enzymes that play an important part in antibiotic resistance, have been purified by affinity chromatography on boronic acid gels. The procedure is rapid, appears to be selective for beta-lactamases, and allows a one-step purification of large amounts of enzyme from crude cell extracts. We have found the method useful for any beta-lactamase that is inhibited by boronic acids. Two kinds of boronic acid column have been prepared, the more hydrophobic one being reserved for those beta-lactamases that bind boronic acids relatively weakly. beta-Lactamase I from Bacillus cereus, P99 beta-lactamase and K 1 beta-lactamase from Gram-negative bacteria are among the better-known beta-lactamases that have been purified by this method. The procedure has also been used to purify a novel beta-lactamase from Pseudomonas maltophilia in high yield; the enzyme has an exceptionally broad substrate profile and hydrolyses monocyclic beta-lactams such as azthreonam and desthiobenzylpenicillin.

Chromatography, Affinity↗
PubMed1983

Characterization of the membrane beta-lactamase in Bacillus cereus 569/H/9.

The membrane-bound beta-lactamase from Bacillus cereus, strain 569/H/9, has been purified to apparent homogeneity. Nonionic detergent (0.5% Triton X-100) is required to keep the enzyme (traditionally called gamma-penicillinase and now called beta-lactamase III) in solution. Antibodies to beta-lactamase III have been prepared, and the membrane-bound enzyme is immunochemically distinct from the extracellular enzymes. beta-Lactamase III has a molecular weight of 31 500, in contrast to the extracellular enzymes beta-lactamase I and beta-lactamase II which have molecular weights of 30 000 and 22 000, respectively. The isoelectric point of beta-lactamase III is pH 6.8, whereas beta-lactamase I and beta-lactamase II have isoelectric points about 8.6 and 8.3. The amino acid composition of beta-lactamase III differs from those of beta-lactamase I and beta-lactamase II; however, the difference index between the compositions of beta-lactamase I and beta-lactamase III (52%) suggests relatedness. beta-Lactamase III is inactivated by 6 beta-bromopenicillanic acid and by the sulfone of 6 alpha-chloropenicillanic acid, and cephalosporins are poorer substrates than penicillins. beta-Lactamase III may be a membrane-bound class A beta-lactamase.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1983

The pH-dependence of class B and class C beta-lactamases.

The classification by structure allots beta-lactamases to (at present) three classes, A, B and C. The pH-dependence of the kinetic parameters for class B and class C have been determined. They differ from each other and from class A beta-lactamases. The class B enzyme was beta-lactamase II from Bacillus cereus 569/H/9. The plots of kcat against pH for the hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin by Zn(II)-requiring beta-lactamase II and Co(II)-requiring beta-lactamase II were not symmetrical, but those of kcat/Km were. A similar feature was observed for the hydrolysis of both benzylpenicillin and cephalosporin C by a class C beta-lactamase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results have been interpreted by a scheme in which two ionic forms of an intermediate can give product, but do so at differing rates.

Cephalosporinase↗
PubMed1983

Kinetic parameters from progress curves of competing substrates. Application to beta-lactamases.

The use of two substrates, one of them a reporter substrate, is often convenient. The time course of an enzymic reaction with competing substrates is given explicitly in the present paper. Kinetic parameters can be readily obtained. The method is applied to the hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin, with cephalosporin C as the reporter substrate, catalysed by a Pseudomonas beta-lactamase.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed1983

The inhibition of class C beta-lactamases by boronic acids.

Aromatic boronic acids are reversible inhibitors of the recently classified class C beta-lactamases. The boronic acids studied include ortho-, meta- and para-methyl-, -hydroxymethyl- and -formyl-phenylboronic acid. The beta-lactamases were chromosomally-encoded enzymes, one from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the other specified by the ampC gene of Escherichia coli. The inhibition may be correlated with our finding that these beta-lactamases are serine enzymes, i.e. their function entails the hydroxy group of a serine residue acting as a nucleophile.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1982

The acyl-enzyme mechanism of beta-lactamase action. The evidence for class C Beta-lactamases.

Methanol or ethanol can replace water in the action of certain chromosomal beta-lactamases on benzylpenicillin: the products are alpha-methyl or alpha-ethyl benzylpenicilloate. The beta-lactamases were from a mutant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18S that produces the enzyme constitutively [Flett, Curtis & Richmond (1976) J. Bacteriol. 127, 1585-1586; Berks, Redhead & Abraham (1982) J. Gen. Microbiol. 128, 155-159] and from Escherichia coli K12 (the ampC beta-lactamase) [Lindström, Boman & Steele (1970) J. Bacteriol. 101, 218-231]. The variation of the rates of alcoholysis and hydrolysis with concentration of alcohol show that the rate-determining step is breakdown of an intermediate. This intermediate is likely to be the acyl-enzyme. The esters, alpha-methyl or alpha-ethyl benzylpenicilloate, are themselves substrates for the Pseudomonas beta-lactamase, benzylpenicilloic acid being formed. Thus this beta-lactamase can be an esterase. The kinetics for the hydrolysis of cloxacillin by the Pseudomonas beta-lactamase are consistent with the acyl-enzyme, formed by acylation of serine-80, being an intermediate in the overall hydrolysis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1982

A quick method for the determination of inhibition constants.

The inhibition constant Ki in the common case of competitive inhibition can be obtained by simple comparison of progress curves in the presence and in the absence of inhibitor. The difference between the times taken for the concentration of substrate to fall to the same value is used to obtain Ki. The procedure to use when the product inhibits is described. When there is mixed inhibition, reactions at different substrate concentrations are used to obtain both inhibition constants.

Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1982

Active sites of beta-lactamases. The chromosomal beta-lactamases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.

An acyl-enzyme was isolated from certain chromosomal beta-lactamases and a penicillin. The penicillin was cloxacillin which, although it is a substrate for these enzymes, has such a low kcat. that it functions as an inhibitor. The enzymes were from the mutant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18 S that produces the beta-lactamase constitutively [Flett, Curtis & Richmond (1976) J. Bacteriol. 127, 1585-1586; Berks, Redhead & Abraham (1982) J. Gen. Microbiol., in the press] and from Escherichia coli K-12 (the ampC beta-lactamase) [Boman, Nordström & Normak (1974) Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 235, 569-586]. The acyl-enzymes have been degraded to determine the residue labelled, and the sequence around it. The residue labelled is serine. The sequences around the labelled serine in these two beta-lactamases are exceedingly similar. However, the sequences are quite different from those around the active site serine in the beta-lactamases previously studied. There is thus more than one class of serine beta-lactamases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1981

An easy method for the determination of initial rates.

When the Michaelis-Menten equation is obeyed, the rate near the beginning of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction (or of an experiment on transport) can be found accurately from the slope of a chord joining two points on the progress curve. This slope gives the rate at an intermediate concentration. Exact values of this intermediate concentration are easily calculated from equations in the text, and a number of values have also been tabulated. Methods of using two chords to find the initial rate are given. A mid-point formula for numerical differentiation is advocated when the Michaelis-Menten equation does not hold.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1980

Production of a variant of beta-lactamase II with selectively decreased cephalosporinase activity by a mutant of Bacillus cereus 569/H/9.

1. Mutants of Bacillus cereus 569/H/9 have been screened in a search for strains that synthesize variants of beta-lactamase II. 2. One of these mutants (strain 569/H/9/1) produces a beta-lactamase II-like enzyme that shows a selective decrease in cephalosporinase activity. 3. beta-Lactamase II from strain 569/H/9/1 has been purified to apparent homogeneity and its kinetic properties have been examined. This enzyme resembles the parent beta-lactamase II in its relative activity with benzylpenicillin as substrate when Zn(II) is replaced by other metal ions, but differs detectably from the parent enzyme in its isoelectric point.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1980

The 1H nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy of cobalt(II)-beta-lactamase II.

The 1H n.m.r. spectra of beta-lactamase II in the presence of Co(II) were studied. Analysis of the spectra suggests that Co(II) binds at the same two metal-binding sites as does Zn(II). The binding of Co(II) at the first site is much weaker than the binding of Zn(II) at this site, whereas the binding of Co(II) at the second site is tighter than the binding of Zn(II). The binding of Co(II) to the mono-zinc(II)-enzyme caused only one marked change in the spectrum, namely a decrease in the intensity of the resonances assigned to the C-2 and C-4 protons of one histidine residue (residue E). However, when the spectra of the apoenzyme and the Co(II)-enzyme were compared, there were many differences. A significant fraction of the protons in the whole molecule are affected by the binding of Co(II) at the first metal-ion-binding site (where the ligands are the enzyme's sole thiol group and three histidine residues). This may be because the first site is internal, or because of a difference in conformation between the apoenzyme and the mono-Co(II)-enzyme. The second site may be located on the surface of the molecule.

Apoenzymes↗
PubMed1980

Kinetics of inactivation of beta-lactamase I by 6 beta-bromopenicillanic acid.

The kinetics of the inactivation of beta-lactamase I from Bacillus cereus 569 by preparations of 6 alpha-bromopenicillanic acid showed unexpected features. These can be quantitatively accounted for on the basis of the inactivator being the epimer, 6 beta-bromopenicillanic acid. At pH 9.2, the rate-determining step in the inactivation is the formation of the inactivator. When pure 6 beta-bromopenicillanic acid is used to inactivate beta-lactamase I, simple second-order kinetics are observed. The inactivated enzyme has a new absorption peak at 326 nm. The rate constant for inactivation has the same value as the rate constant for appearance of absorption at 326 nm; the rate-determining step may thus be fission of the beta-lactam ring of 6 beta-bromopenicillanic acid. Inactivation is slower in the presence of substrate, and the observed kinetics can be quantitatively accounted for on a simple competitive model. The results strongly suggest that inactivation is a consequence of reaction at the active site.

Bacillus cereus↗
PubMed1980

Active sites of beta-lactamases from Bacillus cereus.

There are two extracellular beta-lactamases produced by Bacillus cereus 569. One of these enzymes, beta-lactamase I, is inactivated by 6-beta-bromopenicillanic acid: the site of reaction is serine-44. This is a conserved amino acid residue in the other beta-lactamases whose structures have been determined, and it becomes a good candidate for an active-site group in these enzymes. The inactivation may involve a rearrangement leading to a dihydrothiazine. The other extracellular enzyme produced by B. cereus, beta-lactamase II, is exceptional in requiring metal ions for activity. The Zn II and Co II enzymes (the former is more active) have been studied by nuclear magnetic resonance, and by absorption spectroscopy. The groups that bind the metal ion required for activity are three histidine residues and the enzyme's sole thiol group.

Bacillus cereus↗
PubMed1980

Kinetics of suicide substrates.

When suicide substrates inactivate enzymes during catalysis, formation of product and inactivation of enzyme proceed concurrently. The steady-state hypothesis is applicable when catalytic quantities of enzyme are used. Equations for the rate of inactivation have been derived and integrated to obtain equations describing progress curves.

Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1980

A spectroscopic study of metal ion and ligand binding to beta-lactamase II.

beta-Lactamase II has two metal-binding sites. The electronic spectra of Cd(II)- and Co(II)-substituted beta-lactamase II have been investigated. It is suggested that a thiol ligand is involved in metal binding at the first site. The stoichiometric dissociation constants for Co(II) binding to beta-lactamase II were estimated to be 0.13 and 2.66 mM (pH 6.0, 4 degrees C, 1 M NaCl) by equilibrium dialysis. Competition between Zn(II) and Co(II) for the first metal binding site suggests a value of 0.7 microM (pH 6.0, 30 degrees C, 1 M NaCl) for the dissociation constant of Zn(II). The electronic spectra of the Co(II) enzyme lead to the suggestion that the coordination geometries around the metal ions in the first and second sites are related to those of a distorted tetrahedron and octahedron, respectively.

Cephalosporinase↗
PubMed1980

Mechanism of substrate-induced inactivation of beta-lactamase I.

beta-Lactamase I (from Bacillus cereus 569/H) is inactivated by certain substrates (e.g. methicillin or cloxacillin) but not by others (e.g. benzylpenicillin). Emzyme that had been inactivated was found to be labelled stoichiometrically, as shown by the use of radioactive methicillin. Use of the penamaldate reaction showed the presence of a penicilloyl group in the enzyme inactivated by either methicillin or cloxacillin. In conditions under which enzymic activity was regained the penicilloyl group was shed. When the activity of beta-lactamase I was measured in 0.3-1.2 M guanidinium chloride the rates of hydrolysis of methicillin or cloxacillin (but not benzylpenicillin) were greatly reduced. The unliganded enzyme was stable. The results are explained by supposing that a normal intermediate, the acyl enzyme, is prone to unfold.

Bacillus cereus↗
PubMed1979

Identification of histidine residues that act as zinc ligands in beta-lactamase II by differential tritium exchange.

1. Four histidine-containing peptides have been isolated from a tryptic digest of the Zn2+-requiring beta-lactamase II from Bacillus cereus. One of these peptides probably contains two histidine residues. 2. The presence of one equivalent of Zn2+ substantially decreases the rate of exchange of the C-2 proton in at least two and probably three of the histidine residues of these peptides for solvent 3H. 3. It is concluded that peptides containing at least two of the three histidine residues acting as Zn2+ ligands at the tighter Zn2+-binding site of beta-lactamase II have been identified.

Amino Acids↗