Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Kuramitsu

Publications and source records attributed to S Kuramitsu.

125 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Comparison of the activity of ionophores with other antibacterial agents against anaerobes.

Representative polyethers of each group in Westley's classification and related ionophore antibiotics were examined for in vitro activity against 25 anaerobic strains. Lasalocid (X-537A) and nigericin were found to have activity comparable in potency to some leading antianaerobe antibiotics, newer cephalosporins and nitroimidazoles, with a different spectrum as revealed by a spectral comparison. A strict relationship between their antianaerobe activity and either their structural features or cation transporting properties was not apparent.

Anaerobiosis↗

Ionization of the catalytic groups and tyrosyl residues in human lysozyme.

The pH difference absorption spectra of human lysozyme [EC 3.2.1.17] were measured. The difference spectra in the acidic region had a peak at 300 nm, as observed for hen and turkey lysozymes. The pH dependence curve of the extinction difference at 300 nm was well interpreted in terms of the pK values of the catalytic groups (3.4 for Asp 52 and 6.8 for Glu 35 at 0.1 ionic strength and 25 degrees C) determined from the pH dependence of the circular dichroism at 303.5 nm (Kuramitsu et al. (1974) J. Biochem. 76, 671--683) and the fluorescence excited at 305 nm (Kuramitsu et al. (1978) J. Biochem. 83, 159--170). The difference spectra of human lysozyme in the alkaline pH region were characteristic of tyrosyl ionization. The perturbation of tryptophyl residues, which had been observed for hen and turkey lysozymes (Kuramitsu & Hamaguchi (1979) J. Biochem. 85, 443--456), was not observed for human lysozyme. On the basis of the pH dependence curves of the extinction difference at 245 and and 295 nm, we roughly estimated the apparent pK values of the six tyrosyl residues as 9.2 9.2, 10.5, 10.9, 12.4, and 12.5. A time-dependent spectral change observed above pH 11 was not due to the exposure of buried tyrosyl residues on alkali denaturation but was due mainly to disulfide cleavage and exposure of buried tryptophyl residues.

Catalysis↗

Analysis of the acid-base titration curve of hen lysozyme.

The acid-base titration curves of hen egg-white lysozyme [EC 3.2.1.17] obtained by three groups (Sakakibara & Hamaguchi (1968) J. Biochem. 64, 613--619; Tanford & Roxby (1972) Biochemistry 11, 2192--2198; Pfeil & Privalov (1976) Biophys. Chem. 4, 23--32) were analyzed using the empirical formula of Linderstrøm-Lang. Hen lysozyme has 32 ionizable groups including the alpha-amino and alpha-carboxyl groups. Of the 21 groups other than the 11 arginyl residues, the pK values of 17 ionizable groups have been determined by various methods. Using these pK values, the pK values of the other four ionizable groups were estimated. The apparent pK values obtained were 2.0 (pKmit = 3.4), 2.1 (pKint = 3.5), 2.5 (pKint = 3.8), and 7.9 (pKint = 8.5) at 0.1 ionic strength and 25 degrees C. The titration curves obtained by the above three groups were consistently explained in terms of the same set of pKint values. The results obtained also showed that no buried and untitratable groups are present in the native lysozyme molecule.

Animals↗

Binding of substrate analogs to hen lysozyme in which Trp 62 is modified to kynurenine.

The interactions of beta-methyl-GlcNAc, (GlcNAc)2, and (GlcNAc)3 with hen egg-white lysozyme [EC 3.2.1.17] in which Trp 62 is modified to kynurenine (Kyn 62-lysozyme) were studied by measuring the changes in the CD band and fluorescence due to the kynurenine at various pH values. The pH profiles of the binding constants of these saccharides to Kyn 62-lysozyme were very similar to those to intact lysozyme, although the binding constants were lower for the modified lysozyme than for intact lysozyme. The pK values of Asp 52, Glu 35, Asp 48, and Asp 101 in Kyn 62-lysozyme and in its complexes with beta-methyl-GlcNAc and with (GlcNAc)2 were in agreement with those of intact lysozyme and its complexes. The pK values of Asp 52 and Glu 35 in the modified lysozyme-(GlcNAc)3 complex were also in agreement with those of the complex with intact lysozyme, but the pK shift of Asp 101 was smaller for Kyn 62-lysozyme than for intact lysozyme. The significance of the decreased binding constants to Kyn 62-lysozyme is discussed. The pH dependence of the CD band due to the kynureinine in Kyn 62-lysozyme was interpreted in terms of the participation of the catalytic groups, Asp 52 (apparent pK 3.5) and Glu 35 (apparent pK 6.0), and the amino group of the kynurenine (apparent pK 0.75). This indicates that the ionization of the catalytic groups affects the state around Trp 62 and supports the previous proposal that there is a relation between the state around Trp 62 and the ionization of Glu 35 (Ikeda, K. & Hamaguchi, K. (1973) J. Biochem. 74, 221--230; (1975) ibid. 77, 1--16; Nakae et al. (1975) J. Biochem. 77, 993--1006). The intrinsic pK value of the amino group of the kynurenine at position 62 shifted from 2.1 to 0.8 on complexing with (GlcNAc)3, indicating between the kynurenine and the sugar residue at subsite B.

Animals↗

Binding of N-acetyl-chitotriose to Asp 52-esterified hen lysozyme.

The pH dependence of the binding constant of (GlcNAc)3 to Asp 52-esterified lysozyme was determined by the fluorescence technique. The pK values of Asp 101 in the modified lysozyme and its complex with (GlcNAc)3 were determined to be 4.5 and 3.6, respectively, at 25 degrees C and 0.1 ionic strength. This result is different from that obtained by Parsons and Raftery ((1972) Biochemistry 11, 1633--1638), who observed no pK shift of Asp 101. The macroscopic pK value of Asp 52 in intact lysozyme determined by them using the pH difference titration data of Asp 52-esterified lysozyme relative to intact lysozyme ((1972) Biochemistry 11, 1623--1629) was 4.5, which is higher by about one pH unit than the pK value determined by our group (Kuramitsu et al. (1974) J. Biochem. 76, 671--683; (1977) ibid. 82, 585--597; (1978) ibid. 83, 159--170. We found that their pH difference titration data in the absence and presence of saccharides can be consistently interpreted in terms of our pK values of Asp 52, Glu 35, and Asp 101, if we assume that the pK value of another ionizable group (probably Asp 48) is perturbed on esterification of Asp 52.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Difference absorption spectra, circular dichroism, and disulfide cleavage of hen and turkey lysozymes in the alkaline pH region.

The difference absorption spectra of hen and turkey lysozymes in the alkaline pH region had three maxima at around 245, 292, and 300 nm and had no isosbestic points. The ratio of the extinction difference at 245 nm to that at 295 nm changed with pH. These spectral features are quite different from those observed when only tyrosyl residues are ionized, and it was impossible to determine precisely the pK values of the tyrosyl residues in lysozyme by spectrophotometric titration. A time-dependent spectral change was observed above about pH 12. This is not due to exposure of a buried tyrosyl residue on alkali denaturation. The disulfide bonds and the peptide bonds in the lysozyme molecule were cleaved by alkali above about pH 11. The intrinsic pK value of Tyr 23 of hen lysozyme was determined to be 10.24 (apparent pK 9.8) at 0.1 ionic strength and 25 degrees C from the CD titration data. Comparison of the CD titration of turkey lysozyme with that of hen lysozyme suggested that Tyr 3 and Tyr 23 in turkey lysozyme have apparent pK values of 11.9 and 9.8, respectively.

Animals↗

Interactions on 3-deoxy and 6-deoxy derivatives of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine with hen lysozyme.

The interactions of deoxy derivatives of GlcNAc, 6-deoxy-GlcNAc, and 3-deoxy-GlcNAc with hen egg-white lysozyme [EC 3.2.1.17] were studied at various pH's by measuring the changes in the circular dichroic (CD) band at 295 nm. It was shown that 6-deoxy-GlcNAc and 3-deoxy-GlcNAc bind at subsite C of lysozyme and compete with GlcNAc. The pH dependence of the binding constant of 6-deoxy-GlcNAc was the same as that of GlcNAc. On the other hand, the binding constants of 3-deoxy-GlcNAc were 3--10 times smaller than those of GlcNAc in the pH range from 3 to 9. X-ray crystallographic studies show that O(6) and O(3) of GlcNAc at subsite C are hydrogen-bonded to the indole NH's of Trp 62 and Trp 63, respectively, but the above results indicate that Trp 63, not Trp 62, is important for the interaction of GlcNAc with lysozyme.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Interactions of alpha- and beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosamines with hen and turkey lysozymes.

The binding constants of alpha- and beta-GlcNAc to hen and turkey lysozymes [EC 3.2.1.17] were determined at various pH's using the method proposed by Ikeda and Hamaguchi (1975) J. Biochem. 77, 1-16). The pH dependence of the binding of beta-GlcNAc to hen lysozyme was essentially the same as that for turkey lysozyme. The pH dependence curves of the binding constants of beta-GlcNAc to hen and turkey lysozymes were interpreted in terms of the participation of Glu 35 (pK 6.0), Asp 52 (pK 3.5), Asp 48 (pK 4.5), and Asp 66 (pK 1.5). The binding constants of alpha-GlcNAc to hen and turkey lysozymes were the same below pH 3.5 but were different above this pH. The main participant residues in the binding of alpha-GlcNAc were Glu 35, Asp 48, and Asp 66 for hen lysozyme and Glu 35 and Asp 66 for turkey lysozyme. The results obtained here were well explained by the following assumptions: (1) above about pH 4, alpha-GlcNAc binds to hen lysozyme in both alpha- and beta-modes, which correspond to the binding orientation of alpha-GlcNAc and that of beta-GlcNAc, respectively, as determined by X-ray crystallographic studies, but it binds predominantly in the beta-mode below about pH 4, (2) beta-GlcNAc binds to hen and turkey lysozymes predominantly in the beta-mode above about pH 4 and in both alpha- and beta-modes below pH 4, and (3) alpha-GlcNAc binds to turkey lysozyme predominantly in the beta-mode over the whole pH range studied.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Participation of the catalytic carboxyls, Asp 52 and Glu 35, and Asp 101 in the binding of substrate analogues to hen lysozyme.

The interactions of the substrate analogues, GlcNAc, beta-methyl GlcNAc, (GlcNAc)2, and (GlcNAc)3, with turkey egg-white lysozyme [ED 3.2.1.17], in which the Asp 101 of hen lysozyme is replaced by Gly, were studied at various pH values by measuring changes in the circular dichroic (CD) band at 295 nm. Results were compared with those for hen egg-white lysozyme. The modes of binding of these substrate analogues to turkey lysozyme were very similar to those hen lysozyme except for the participation of Asp 101 in hen lysozyme. The ionization constants of the catalytic carboxyls, Glu 35 and Asp 52, in the turkey lysozyme-(GlcNAc)3 complex were determined by measuring the pH dependence of the CD band at 304 nm, which originates from Trp 108 near the catalytic carboxyls. The ionization behavior of the catalytic carboxyls of turkey lysozyme in the presence and absence of (GlcNAc)3 was essentially the same as that for hen lysozyme. The pH dependence of the binding constant of (GlcNAc)3 to hen lysozyme was compared with that to turkey lysozyme between pH 2 and 8. The pH dependence of the binding constant for (GlcNAc)3 to turkey lysozyme could be interpreted entirely in terms of perturbation of catalytic carboxyls. In the case of hen lysozyme, it was interpreted in terms of perturbation of the catalytic carboxyls and Asp 101 in the substrate-binding site. The pK values of Asp 101 in hen lysozyme and the hen lysozyme-(GLcNAc)3 complex were 4.5 and 3.4, respectively. The binding constants of (GlcNAc)3 to lysozyme molecules with different microscopic protonation forms, with respect to the catalytic carboxyls, were estimated. The binding constant of lysozyme, in which Asp 52 and Glu 35 are deprotonated, to (GlcNAc)3 was the smallest. The other three species had similar binding constant to (GlcNAc)3.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Binding of N-acetyl-chitotriose to human lysozyme.

The interaction of N-acetyl-chitotriose ((GlcNAc)3) with human lysozyme [EC 3.2.1.17] was studied at various pH values by measuring changes in the circular dichroic (CD) band at 294 or 255 nm and the data were compared with the results for hen and turkey lysozymes reported previously (Kuramitsu et al. (1974) J. Biochem.76, 671-683; Kuramitsu et al. (1975) J. Biochem. 77, 291-301). The pH dependence of the binding constant of (GlcNAc)3 to human lysozyme was different from those for hen and turkey lysozymes. The catalytic carboxyls of human lysozyme, Asp 52 and Glu 35, were not perturbed on binding of (GlcNAc)3. This is consistent with the previous findings that the macroscopic pK values of Asp 52 and Glu 35 of human lysozyme are 3.4 and 6.8 at 0.1 ionic strength and 25 degrees and were unchanged on complexing with (GlcNAc)3. An ionizable group with pK 4.5, which participates in the binding of (GlcNAc)3 to hen lysozyme and was assigned as Asp 101, did not participate in the binding of the saccharide to human lysozyme. Between pH 9 and 11, the binding constants of (GlcNAc)3 to hen lysozyme remained unchanged, whereas perturbation of an ionizable group with pK 10.5 to 10.0 was observed for human lysozyme. This group may be Tyr 62 in the active-site cleft. The binding constants of (GlcNAc)3 to human lysozyme molecules having different microscopic protonation forms, with respect to the catalytic carboxyls, were estimated using the binding constants obtained in the present experiments and the microscopic ionization constants of the catalytic carboxyls obtained previously. All four species of human lysozyme had similar binding constants to (GlcNAc)3. This result is different from those for hen and turkey lysozymes.

Acetylglucosamine↗

pH dependence of the binding constants of N-acetylglucosamine monomers to hen and turkey egg-white lysozymes.

The binding constants of N-acetylglucosamine (G1cNAc) and its methyl alpha- and beta- glycosides to hen and turkey egg-white lysozymes [EC 3.2.1.17], in the latter of which Asp 101 is replaced by Gly, were determined at various pH values by measuring changes in the circular dichroic (DC) band at 295 nm. The binding of beta-methyl-G1cNAc to turkey and hen lysozymes perturbed the pK value of Glu 35 from 6.0 to 6.5, the pK value of Asp 52 from 3.5 to 3.9, and the pK value of Asp 66 from 1.3 to 0.7. In addition, perturbation of the pK value of Asp 101 from 4.4 to 4.0 was observed in the binding of this saccharide to hen lysozyme. The binding of alpha-methyl-GlcNAc to hen and turkey lysozymes perturbed the pK value of Glu 35 to the alkaline side by about 0.5 pH unit, the pK value of Asp 66 to the acidic side by about 0.5 pH unit, and the pK value (4.4) of an ionizable group to the acidic side by about 0.6 pH unit. The last ionizable group was tentatively assigned to Asp 48. The pK value of Asp 52 was not perturbed by the binding of this saccharide. The pH dependence curves for the binding of GlcNAc to hen and turkey lysozymes were very similar and it was suggested that Asp 48, in addition to Asp 66, Asp 52, and Glu 35, is perturbed by the binding of GlcNAc.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Effects on tryptophyl absorption of the ionization of the catalytic carboxyls in hen and turkey lysozymes.

The difference spectra of hen and turkey egg-white lysozymes [EC 3.2.1.17] produced by acidification were measured. The difference spectra of both lysozymes had peaks at 295 and 301 nm which are characteristic of tryptophyl residues. The pH dependence curves of the extinction differences (delta eplision) at 301 nm and 295 nm for hen lysozyme were identical with the corresponding curves for turkey lysozyme. The pH dependence of delta eplision at 301 nm was analyzed assuming that the extinction at 301 nm is due to Trp 108 only, which interacts with the catalytic carboxyls, Glu 35 and Asp 52. The macroscopic pK values of Glu 35 and Asp 52 in both lysozymes thus determined were 6.0 and 3.3, respectively. These values were in excellent agreement with those determined by measuring the pH dependence of the circular dichroic band at 305 nm (Kuramitsu et al. (1974) J. Biochem, 76, 671-683; (1975) ibid. 77, 291-301). The pH dependence of delta eplision at 295 nm could not be completely explained in terms of the electrostatic effects of the catalytic groups on Trp 108.

Animals↗