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Insecticide resistance status, esterase activity, and electromorphs from mosquito populations of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae), in Houston (Harris County), Texas.

Culex quinquefasciatus Say is a vector of St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) in Texas. This disease is endemic and prevalent in the Houston area. Disease prevention through mosquito control is mainly targeted against adults by application of a resmethrin-piperonyl butoxide formulation (Scourge). Immature mosquitoes were collected from eight areas in Harris County during 1998. The susceptibility status of these populations to Scourge, malathion, and resmethrin, the latter alone or with an esterase inhibitor as a synergist, was determined using a bottle assay with females. The population structure was investigated by electrophoretic analysis of esterases and their activity. Individual females were also analyzed for esterase activity by plate assay and for isoenzyme pattern by native PAGE. Bioassays indicated high levels of resistance to malathion in all areas. In addition, the effectiveness of Scourge in mosquitoes from area 51 deteriorated throughout the season. A localized, distinctive esterase pattern and activity level was observed in mosquitoes from different areas. Overall, the frequency of esterases Est alpha 2 (A2)/Est beta 2 (B2) was higher than that of Est beta 1 (B1). Altogether, these results indicate the onset of a fragile situation for mosquito control that should be further analyzed to effectively maintain the SLE prevention program for Harris County.

Animals↗

Dog prostate arginine esterase is related to human prostate specific antigen.

We have analyzed prostatic proteins of canine and human seminal plasma. We have compared in particular the physicochemical characteristics of arginine esterase from dog to those of the prostatic specific antigen from man. Both are major secretory proteins in each species. Arginine esterase and prostate specific antigen are related enzymes belonging to the serine-protease class. Their enzymatic activity towards protein substrates appears similar. However their activity towards synthetic substrates indicate that arginine esterase is a trypsin-like enzyme whereas prostate specific antigen has some chymotrypsin-like activity. The canine enzyme is inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride while the human one is not. The amino acid sequence of a portion of the NH2-terminal of the 2 proteins share 58% homology. Their molecular weights are similar: 29 KDa for arginine esterase and 34 KDa for prostate specific antigen. These results show that arginine esterase and prostate specific antigen are distinct but closely related proteins. These results strongly suggest that the dog could be an excellent model for the elucidation of the presently unknown role of this class of abundant enzymes of prostatic origin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Strain differences of rat liver carboxylesterase activities related to the phenotype difference of esterase-3 (egasyn).

It was demonstrated that the inbred strain EHBR had the C phenotype of esterase-3 judging from the absence of liver microsomal beta-glucuronidase and the pattern of esterase activities of liver homogenates after analytical isoelectric focusing. In addition, in the strain EHBR, liver microsomal hydrolase activities of acetanilide and isocarboxazid which are hydrolyzed well by esterase-3 were lower than in outbred Sprague-Dawley rat and inbred LEW rat having the D phenotype of esterase-3. These results suggest that the phenotype difference of esterase-3 is possible to cause the strain differences of liver microsomal carboxylesterase activities.

Animals↗

Identification of carboxypeptidase and tryptic esterase activities that are complexed to proteoglycans in the secretory granules of human cloned natural killer cells.

Human cloned 35S-labeled NK cells were disrupted by nitrogen cavitation, and their secretory granules were obtained by filtration through 5-micron and 3-micron membrane filters followed by Percoll density-gradient centrifugation. These granule preparations, which contained 35S-labeled chondroitin sulfate A proteoglycans, were sonicated and were analyzed for carboxypeptidase activity and tryptic serine esterase activity. A carboxypeptidase activity that digested angiotensin I to des-Leu-angiotensin I, Ile-His-Pro-Phe to Ile-His-Pro and Phe, and hippuryl-L-phenylalanine to hippuric acid and Phe was detected in the granules of these NK cells. As determined by cleavage of the tetrapeptide, the pH optimum of the carboxypeptidase was 7.0. As assessed by the cleavage of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine thiobenzyl ester (BLTe), the granule preparations also contained a serine esterase with trypsin-like specificity that had a pH optimum of 8.5. When the isolated secretory granules were disrupted and chromatographed on columns of Sepharose CL-2B in PBS, greater than 60% of the BLTe serine esterase activity and essentially all of the carboxypeptidase activity filtered as a macromolecular complex with approximately 8% of the 35S-labeled proteoglycans. Whereas treatment with 4 M urea or nonionic detergent failed to disrupt the macromolecular complex, the serine esterase activity was dissociated from the macromolecular complex in the presence of 3 M NaCl, demonstrating an ionic interaction with the proteoglycans. No difference was observed in the disaccharide composition of the chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans of the 35S-labeled proteoglycans that were complexed with the enzymes as compared to those that were not complexed. These studies indicate that the secretory granules of human NK cells contain serine esterase activity and carboxypeptidase activity, both of which have neutral pH optima, and both of which are bound to protease-resistant chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans.

Carboxypeptidases↗

Time course for neurotoxic esterase inhibition in hens given multiple diisopropyl fluorophosphate injections.

Neurotoxic esterase has been useful for predicting delayed neurotoxicity after acute administration of organophosphorus esters. The present study determined how it could be used to predict neurotoxicity after 20 daily sc injections of 0.05 mg/kg diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) in adult hens. Brain neurotoxic esterase activities were measured during the course of intoxication. No significant occurred after a single DFP injection but the level of inhibition gradually increased to a maximum of 54.3% after 20 injections. The time courses for inhibition of plasma cholinesterase, brain pseudocholinesterase and brain acetylcholinesterase were distinctly different from that for neurotoxic esterase and the former 3 enzymes reached a plateau of inhibition after 1 or 5 DFP injections. Walking behavior was regularly measured in treated hens and distinct motor impairment was first noted after 5 daily DFP injections. Brains, spinal cords and sciatic nerves were removed 24 hr after the last injection and examined microscopically. All hens exhibited central-peripheral distal axonopathy that was characteristic for organophosphate delayed neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicity developed in the absence of a high level of inhibition of neurotoxic esterase following multiple injections of DFP and the "critical" level neurotoxic esterase inhibition used to predict subchronic neurotoxicity may be lower than that used after single treatments.

Animals↗

[Evaluation of bradykinin levels and activation of Tame-esterase in Bronchial alveolar lavage fluid of patients with bronchial asthma].

Airway inflammation is a prominent feature of chronic airway disease as asthma and chronic bronchitis. Multiply cells released mediators and neurotransmitters which are likely to be involved in their origination. The purpose of this study was to establish the levels of kinin, albumin, TAME-esterase activity in BAL fluid of symptomatic and asymptomatic asthmatic patients and to determinate the relationship among mediators. There were significant increases in the mean concentrations of kinin, HSA, TAME-esterase activity in BAL fluid from patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis, compared with the controls (p < 0.005). Kinin mean concentration was in asthmatics 5313, 2 ng/ml, in chronic bronchitis patients 6796.2 ng/ml, versus 468.1 ng/ml in control group. TAME-esterase activity in investigated group was as follow asthmatics 12666 cmp, CB 15131, 3 cmp, versus 3695, 5 cmp in controls. We observed good correlation of kinin and TAME-esterase with HSA in BAL fluid suggest vascular origin of the mediators. The presence of kinins, TAME-esterase in BALs from symptomatic asthmatics and patients with chronic bronchitis provide strong evidence that kinins are involved in this group of lower airway diseases.

Adult↗

Effects of the residue adjacent to the reactive serine on the substrate interactions of Drosophila esterase 6.

Esterase 6 from Drosophila melanogaster is a carboxylesterase that belongs to the serine esterase multigene family. It has a basic histidine (His) at residue 187, adjacent to the reactive serine (Ser) at residue 188, whereas most other characterized members of the family have an acidic glutamate (Glu) in the equivalent position. We have used site-directed in vitro mutagenesis to replace the His codon of the esterase 6 gene with either Gln or Glu codons. The enzymes encoded by these active-site mutants and a wild-type control have been expressed, purified, and characterized. Substitution of Gln for His at position 187 has little effect on the biochemical properties of esterase 6, but the presence of Glu at this position is associated with three major differences. First, the pH optimum is increased from 7 to 9. Second, the mutant enzyme shows decreased activity for beta-naphthyl esters and p-nitrophenyl acetate but has gained the ability to hydrolyze acetylthiocholine. Finally, the Gibb's free energy of activation for the enzyme is increased. These results suggest that residue 187 interacts directly with the substrate alkyl group and that this interaction is fully realized in the transition state. We further propose that the presence of His rather than Glu at position 187 in esterase 6 contributes significantly to its functional divergence from the cholinesterases and that this divergence is due to different interactions between residue 187 and the substrate alkyl group.

Acetylthiocholine↗

Interactions between resin monomers and commercial composite resins with human saliva derived esterases.

Cholesterol esterase (CE) and pseudocholinesterase (PCE) have been reported to degrade commercial and model composite resins containing bisphenylglycidyl dimethacrylate (BisGMA), triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) or the latter in combination with urethane modified BisGMA monomer systems. In addition, human saliva has been shown to contain esterase like activities similar to CE and PCE. Hence, it was the aim of the current study to determine to what extent human saliva could degrade two common commercial composite resins (Z250 from 3M Inc. and Spectrum TPH from L.D. Caulk) which contain the above monomer systems. Saliva samples from different volunteers were collected, processed, pooled, and freeze-dried. TEGDMA and BisGMA monomers were incubated with human saliva derived esterase activity (HSDEA) and their respective hydrolysis was monitored using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Both monomers were completely hydrolyzed within 25 h by HSDEA. Photopolymerized composites were incubated with buffer or human saliva (pH 7.0 and 37 C) for 2, 8 and 16 days. The incubation solutions were analyzed using HPLC and mass spectrometry. Surface morphology characterization was carried out using scanning electron microscopy. Upon biodegradation, the Z250 composite yielded higher amounts of BisGMA and TEGDMA related products relative to the TPH composite. However, there were higher amounts of ethoxylated bis-phenol A released from the TPH material. In terms of total mass of products released, human saliva demonstrated a greater ability to degrade Z250. In summary, HSDEA has been shown to contain esterase activities that can readily catalyze the biodegradation of current commercial composite resins.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Production, isolation and characterization of a sterol esterase from Ophiostoma piceae.

We studied extracellular sterol esterase production by the ascomycete Ophiostoma piceae in liquid culture. Esterase activity was found in low levels in glucose medium but it was strongly induced by olive oil. An esterase was purified from the 0.5% olive oil-supplemented cultures using ultrafiltration followed by a single chromatographic step on a hydrophobic interaction column. The enzyme was a glycoprotein with 8% N-linked carbohydrate content, a molecular mass by SDS/PAGE around 56.5 kDa and an isoelectric point of 3.3. Its N-terminal sequence was TTVNVKYPEGEVV. Substrate specificity studies showed that the O. piceae esterase hydrolyzes p-nitrophenol esters, tributyrin, triolein and different cholesterol esters. Both affinity (Km) and catalytic constant (k(cat)) were positively affected by the length of the fatty acid esterifying glycerol and cholesterol. The presence of double bonds in the acyl chain increased the enzyme efficiency, although it affected the k(cat) values rather than the Km on the cholesterol esters. The O. piceae enzyme showed no interfacial activation. This enzyme could have biotechnological applications in paper manufacturing since it efficiently hydrolyzes both triglycerides and sterol esters, which form pitch deposits during manufacturing of softwood and hardwood paper pulps, respectively.

Ascomycota↗

C'1 ESTERASE EFFECT ON ACTIVITY AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE FOURTH COMPONENT OF COMPLEMENT.

Highly purified C'1 esterase of human serum is capable of inactivating isolated fourth component of human complement (beta(1E)-globulin). Inactivation is accompanied by changes in electrophoretic and ultracentrifugal properties of beta(1E)-globulin. If non-sensitized sheep erythrocytes are present during the action of C'1 esterase on beta(1E)-globulin, a complex is formed consisting of cells and cytolytically active fourth component (EC'4). Thus, inactivation of beta(1E)-globulin by C'1 esterase appears to be preceded by a state of activation enabling beta(1E)-molecules to combine with cell membrane receptors. Acceptor groups appear to be present also in 7S gamma-globulin and in beta(1E)-globulin itself, since C'1 esterase can induce the formation of beta-beta and of beta(1E)-7S gamma-globulin complexes.

Animals↗

Non-specific esterases in partly mineralized bovine enamel.

Activity for non-specific esterase was demonstrated in the matrix of developing bovine enamel with alpha-naphthyl acetate and 5-bromoindoxyl acetate as the esterase substrates. By use of high-performance liquid chromatography gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, and electrophoresis three esterases were shown to be present in the enamel matrix. The enzymes showed highest activity at pH 6.5-7.5. In sections a strong reaction was observed in the secretory ameloblasts. The esterases may be proteolytic enzymes that participate in the degradation of the matrix proteins.

Amelogenesis↗

Cholesterol esterase in rat adipose tissue and its activation by cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase.

A high level of cholesterol esterase activity, comparable to that of hormone-sensitive triglyceridase, has been demonstrated in rad adipose tissue. Essentially all of the activity was in the isolated adipocytes, primarily in the 100,000 times g supernatant fraction of the adipocytes. Cholesterol esterase activity in the 100,000 times g supernatant fraction was increased 40 plus or minus 16% by incubation with ATP (0.5 mM), Mg-2+ (1.25 mM), and cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) (10 muM), conditions which also activated hormone-sensitive triglyceridase. Protein kinase inhibitor (rabbit skeletal muscle) blocked activation, and activation was restored by the addition of excess protein kinase (bovine skeletal muscle). In extracts prepared from adipocytes first incubated for 5 min with 10 muM epinephrine and 1 mM theophylline, there was no cyclic AMP-dependent cholesterol esterase activation, implying that the enzyme had been activated by a similar mechanism in the intact cell. The physiological role of this high level of cholesterol esterase activity in adipose tissue is unclear. Its relationship to hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase, with which it extensively co-fractionates, and its possible involvement in fat mobilization remain to be determined.

Adipose Tissue↗

Cytochemical demonstration of esterases in peripheral blood leukocytes.

Cytochemical methods for alpha naphthyl acetate esterase and chloroacetate esterase have been used to identify human monocytes and granulocytes. In this study, a standard procedure for staining alpha naphthyl acetate and chloroacetate esterase activities was modified by extending the range of pH of the incubation mixture and the duration of staining and was applied to cat, dog, goat, guinea pig, hamster, human, pig, rabbit, rat, and sheep leukocytes. The results for both enzymes showed (1) incubation time and pH had discrete effects on staining and (2) species differences for in vitro conditions to demonstrate esterase activity were pronounced.

Acetates↗

Molecular cloning of extremely thermostable esterase gene from hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus in Escherichia coli.

A genomic library of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus was constructed in Escherichia coli using pBluescript II SK(+) as a cloning vector. One positive clone exhibiting thermophilic ester-hydrolyzing activity was directly detected by an in situ plate assay using the chromogenic substrate 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-acetate. The plasmid isolated from the clone contained a 3.8 kb HindIII fragment from P. furiosus. Expression of active thermostable esterase in E. coli was independent of isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside, suggesting that the archaeal esterase gene was heterologously controlled by its own promoter sequence, not by the vector-located lac promoter. Assays of esterase activity in heat-treated extract of the recombinant E. coli showed the highest temperature optimum (100 degrees C) and thermostability (a half-life of 50 min at 126 degrees C) among esterases reported to date.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Directed evolution of an esterase for the stereoselective resolution of a key intermediate in the synthesis of epothilones.

The directed evolution of an esterase from Pseudomonas fluorescens using the mutator strain Epicurian coli XL1-Red was investigated. Mutants were assayed for their ability to hydrolyze a sterically hindered 3-hydroxy ester, which can serve as a building block in the synthesis of epothilones. Screening was performed by plating esterase producing colonies derived from mutation cycles onto minimal media agar plates containing indicator substances (neutral red and crystal violet). Esterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of the 3-hydroxy ester (ethyl or glycerol ester) was detected by the formation of a red color due to a pH decrease caused by the released acid. Esterases isolated from positive clones were used in preparative biotransformations of the ethyl ester. One variant containing two mutations (A209D and L181V) stereoselectively hydrolyzed the ethyl ester resulting in 25% ee for the remaining ester.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Subcellular distribution of the nonspecific esterase in the mouse epididymis with special reference to regional differences.

The subcellular distribution of esterases was studied in mouse epididymis by using 5-bromo-indoxyl-acetate as a substrate. In all the cells of the duct, a low level of esterase activity was detected except in one of the five segments of the head--segment IV; in one of the three types of apical cells--the "prominent cells"; and in the "clear cells" scattered in the middle and distal parts. In these cells, the intensity of the reaction was high. The reaction product was consistently found in the endoplasmic reticulum and was more abundant in cells showing a high level of activity than in others. In cells with low esterase activity, the reaction was mainly restricted to this organelle. In highly active cells, the spectrum of subcellular locations was selectively enlarged and esterase was demonstrated in almost all cell compartments, including the cell membrane, nuclear envelope, mitochondria, lytic structures, and, more rarely in the Golgi apparatus or microvilli. These locations were dependent on cell type. A weak enzyme activity also appeared on mature spermatozoa.

Animals↗

Novel fluorescent phosphonic acid esters for discrimination of lipases and esterases.

Lipases and esterases are responsible for carboxylester hydrolysis inside and outside cells and are useful biocatalysts for (stereo)selective modification of synthetic substrates. Here we describe novel fluorescent suicide inhibitors that differ in structure and polarity for screening and discrimination of lipolytic enzymes in enzyme preparations. The inhibitors covalently react with the enzymes to form fluorescent lipid-protein complexes that can be resolved by gel electrophoresis. The selectivities of the inhibitors were determined by using different (phospho)lipase, esterase and cholesterol esterase preparations. The results indicate that formation of an inhibitor-enzyme complex is highly dependent on the chemical structure of the inhibitor. We identified inhibitors with very low specificity, and other derivatives that were highly specific for certain subgroups of lipolytic enzymes such as lipases and cholesterol esterases. A combination of these substrate-analogous activity probes represents a useful toolbox for rapid identification and classification of serine hydrolase enzymes.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗

Age-related decrement in cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity is associated with decreased levels of mRNA encoded by two CTL-associated serine esterase genes and the perforin gene in mice.

The age-related decline in cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity has been recognized for many years. Age-related alterations in several immunologic events have been suggested to be partly or completely responsible for this decline. We had previously demonstrated (Bloom et al., Cell. Immunol. 1988. 144: 440) in mice that a deterioration in the lytic mechanism may be at least in part responsible for the decline in CTL activity. We now report that this decline correlates with an age-related decrease in serine esterase activity released into the supernatant medium in the process of generating CTL. Northern analyses were then used to examine the effect of age on expression of genes encoding for perforin and two CTL-associated serine esterases. The products of all three of these genes have all been postulated to play roles in CTL-mediated lysis. We show that the expression of all three of these genes appears to decline with age in the process of generating allogeneic CTL. These alterations in gene expression correlated both with diminished cytolytic and released esterase activities generated by mixed leukocyte culture in spleen cells of old mice compared to young. The age-related decline in gene expression could not be attributed to shifts in T cell subsets, but CD8+ cells generated by allogeneic stimulation of nylon wool-passed spleen cells from old mice expressed significantly less cytolytic activity than those from young. This report is the first demonstration of an age-related decrease in expression of a functionally related group of genes. In addition, these findings are compatible with the suggested roles for perforin and serine esterase release in CTL-mediated target cell lysis.

Aging↗