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Determination of glycolytic intermediates in a flow injection system using immobilized enzymes.

Some glycolytic enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, enolase and phosphoglyceromutase) were immobilized on a polyacrylamide-type bead polymer containing carboxylic functional groups activated by water-soluble carbodiimide. The immobilized enzymes were used for the determination of pyruvic acid, phosphoenolpyruvic acid, 2-phosphoglyceric acid and 3-phosphoglyceric acid in a flow injection system. The immobilized lactate dehydrogenase column was repeatedly employed for the determination of pyruvic acid in clinical samples. The results of the flow injection method accorded well in accuracy, sensitivity and reproducibility with those of soluble enzyme analysis.

Enzyme Stability↗

Immobilization of pig muscle enolase. Studies on the activity of subunits.

The native dimeric form of enolase from pig muscle was immobilized on Sepharose 4B activated with cyanogen bromide. The amount of matrix-bound enolase, its specific activity and kinetic properties depend on the extent of gel activation with CNBr. Only on the Sepharose activated with small quantities of CNBr the amount of protein which remained after treatment with Gdn.HCl was about 50% of the initially bound enolase, indicating that the enzyme was bound covalently to the matrix through a single subunit. The matrix-bound monomers obtained in this way were inactive and were unable to reassociate to dimers on addition of free subunits. The matrix-bound monomers obtained after KBr treatment were inactive but retained the ability to reassociate into active dimers after addition of free subunits. The results indicate that single matrix-bound subunits of pig muscle enolase are enzymatically inactive and dimeric structure is essential for catalytic activity.

Animals↗

Erythrocyte porphobilinogen synthase activity as an indicator of lead exposure in children.

The European standardized method for measuring porphobilinogen synthase (PBGS, EC 4.2.1.24) activity in peripheral erythrocytes is widely used in epidemiological studies of low-level Pb absorption. We have modified it to include activation with dithiothreitol (DTT). In children with concentrations of Pb in whole blood ranging from 0.29 to 1.93 mumol/L, we found the following statistically significant correlations (r): blood Pb vs nonactivated PBGS activity = -0.773 (p less than 0.005); blood Pb vs DTT-activated PBGS activity = -0.265 (p less than 0.005); blood Pb vs the ratio of DTT-activated/nonactivated PBGS activity = +0.818 (p less than 0.005). At a DTT-activated/nonactivated PBGS activity ratio of 1, which indicates no Pb-dependent inhibition of PBGS, a corresponding blood Pb concentration of 0.24 mumol/L (50 micrograms/L) would be predicted. In individuals with hematological disorders, the DTT-activated/nonactivated ratio better predicted blood concentration of Pb than did the nonactivated PBGS activity, and largely compensated for the high variability in PBGS activity. We also describe techniques to minimize contamination by Zn and Pb and to stabilize enzyme activity during collection, transport, storage, and analysis of samples.

Adolescent↗

Synthesis and biological activity of delta Phe4-enkephalins.

The delta Phe4-enkephalins have been synthesized and examined in an in vitro receptor binding assay and an in vivo tail flick analgesia test. The delta Phe4 residue was derived from Boc-Gly-Phe(beta-OH)-OH by spontaneous dehydration and azlactonization. The dipeptide azlactone was coupled directly with H-Leu-OBzl to yield a tripeptide which was converted into the pentapeptides after stepwise coupling with two amino acids using the water soluble EDC-HOBt method. Dehydroenkephalins were liberated with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of anisole. In the radioligand binding assay which did not contain an enzyme inhibitor [D-Ala2, delta Phe4, Leu5] enkephalin was almost twice as active as saturated [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin. The delta Phe4-enkephalins exhibited a considerably diminished activity as compared with the saturated peptide in the in vivo analgesic assay. These results are discussed with regard to the enzyme stability and receptor preference of dehydroenkephalins.

Analgesia↗

Crystal structures of Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase refined at 1.7 A resolution. II. Environment of bound NADPH and implications for catalysis.

New details of NADPH binding to Lactobacillus casei dihydrofolate reductase have become visible as a result of crystallographic refinement to an R factor of 0.152 at 1.7 A resolution. Conformational torsion angles for bound NADPH have been extensively revised and specific interatomic contacts responsible for cofactor binding have been identified. In addition, several structurally conserved water molecules are seen to mediate the protein-ligand interaction. In the nicotinamide binding site three oxygen atoms of the enzyme lie in the plane of the pyridine ring and close to ring carbons 2, 4, and 6. The placement of these polar groups suggests that the enzyme stabilizes a C4-carbonium electronic isomer of oxidized nicotinamide in the transition state. Pyramidalization of ring nitrogen N1 in the transition state might be promoted by a fixed water molecule positioned to donate a hydrogen bond to the N1 lone pair orbital. Pyramidalization could also relieve an unfavorable steric contact due to the observed rotation of the nicotinamide's carboxamide group by 180 degrees from its most stable conformation.

Binding Sites↗

Biologically active peptide-containing fractions in schizophrenia and childhood autism.

It is well documented that peptides have a major role in the effective functioning of higher animals at all levels from enzyme stabilization to homeostatic mechanisms governing essential functions such as eating, sexual behavior, and temperature regulation. The effects of exogenously administered peptides on neurotransmitter release, uptake, metabolism and behavioral consequences are also well established. We have attempted to extend these findings by postulating peptidergic neurons as transducers of multisignal inputs, and that development of pathological states may be due to genetically-determined reduced levels of activity of key peptidases, leading to excretion of regulatory peptides into the circulation. We have been able to demonstrate that, in schizophrenia and autism (in well defined clinical cases), the patterns of peptides and associated proteins from urinary samples differ considerably from each other and from normal controls. In addition to this, further purification of the material obtained has led to the discovery of a number of factors capable of modulating the function of major neurotransmitters. Some of these are in the final stages of characterization as peptides, while the remainder are also probably peptides, as purification has been followed by both biological testing and chemical analysis for peptidic material. We have outlined a number of parameters which we consider relevant in any attempt to put psychiatric disorders on a biological foundation. Any new advances in the neurochemical understanding of such disorders must take into consideration the observations of several different disciplines including genetics and psychology. However, at this stage of research it is far too early to speculate on the relevance of the various biological activities to the etiology and symptomatology of schizophrenia and childhood autism.

Autistic Disorder↗

Enzymatic hydrolysis of DNA using a membrane bioreactor.

Aim of this work was a kinetic study of the deoxyribonuclease I (E.C. 3.1.21.1.) reaction in several conditions. Optimal reaction conditions with enzyme free in solution were determined. DNase activity was studied as function of several parameters such as pH, enzyme concentration, substrate concentration, cofactor concentration. The Km value of the free enzyme was also determined. Subsequently, the possibility to carry out the reaction in systems in which the enzyme was immobilized on the inner surface of the polymeric membranes was evaluated and realized. Experimental procedures, in these new conditions, permitted to determine the mass of immobilized enzyme and the percentage of the reaction product recovery. Results showed that the immobilization procedure determines a decay of the initial activity of enzyme, but there is an important increase of enzyme stability.

Animals↗

The isolated 48,000-dalton subunit of yeast DNA primase is sufficient for RNA primer synthesis.

The monoclonal antibody (mAb) 21A6, which specifically inhibits yeast DNA primase activity, has been used to verify whether only one of the two polypeptides of heterodimeric DNA primase (48 and 58 kDa) was responsible for DNA primase function in vitro. Immunoaffinity chromatography of a crude extract from cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on a mAb 21A6 protein A-Sepharose 6B column allowed the purification of the p48 primase polypeptide in an isolated form. This polypeptide was not derived through the dissociation of the four-subunit DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex, which can be purified from the same extract by affinity chromatography with a mAb recognizing the DNA polymerase alpha polypeptide. Therefore, free p48 was already present in the yeast extract and, possibly, within the cell. Isolated p48, devoid of any detectable p58 subunit, was sufficient for RNA primer synthesis, although free primase appeared to extend RNA primer-monomers to primer-multimers less efficiently. Primase activity associated with free p48 was highly unstable, indicating that although p48 bears the catalytic site, its association with the other polypeptides of the polymerase-primase complex plays an important role in stabilizing enzyme activity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Fibrolase. A fibrinolytic protein from snake venom.

Fibrolase is an active fibrinolytic agent and possesses potential for use in thrombolytic therapy. Its mode of action had been characterized, both in vitro and in vivo. Possessing three disulfide bonds, native fibrolase is nonglycosylated and binds an intrinsic zinc atom. The zinc is essential for retention of activity and structural integrity. In solution, fibrolase is sensitive to changes in pH and temperature (Pretzer et al., 1991). At neutral to basic pH (pH 5-9), the solubility and stability of fibrolase is nearly constant. Little structural variation can be detected by CD spectroscopy. However, decrease in pH below 5 leads to a pronounced reduction in both the solubility and activity of fibrolase. At pH 3 and below, the solubility of fibrolase returns but the activity does not. This solubility profile is unusual in that the minimal solubility is well removed from the pI (which is 6.7). It is proposed that the behavior of fibrolase with variation in pH can be understood in terms of capacity to bind zinc. At pH 5 to 9, the protein binds zinc and the structure and activity are preserved. Near pH 5, the histidine residues which serve as ligands for the zinc become protonated and zinc binding is lost. Loss of zinc leads to local unfolding of a helical segment of fibrolase, exposing hydrophobic groups which allow the protein to rapidly aggregate. At lower pH values (1-3), the protein again adopts a more globular structure, similar to molten globule states, and the solubility increases. However, without the zinc, fibrolase remains inactive. Changes in pH also affect thermal stability. The Tm for fibrolase moves from 50 degrees C at pH 8 to 43 degrees C at pH 5. Increases in temperature also lead to removal of the zinc ion, again producing a partially denatured protein with a marked tendency to aggregate. In both cases (decrease in pH and increase in temperature), analysis of the CD spectra indicates that the protein has primarily lost alpha-helical secondary structure. A major change in structure can also be observed using NMR spectroscopy. At temperatures below 35 degrees C, the globular structure of fibrolase remains intact, although some increase in chain mobility can be noted with increased temperature. Upon melting, numerous signals collapse as the protein unfolds. Transition temperatures (Tm) as measured by CD and NMR are in good agreement. Similar structural changes can be induced by adding zinc chelators such as EDTA and DTT. This leads to complete loss of activity at EDTA concentrations above 1.0 mM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Electrostatic potential surfaces of the transition state for AMP deaminase and for (R)-coformycin, a transition state inhibitor.

The transition state for the hydrolysis of AMP by AMP deaminase has been characterized by heavy atom kinetic isotope effects (Merkler, D.J., Kline, P.C., Weiss, P., and Schramm, V.L. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 12993-13001). The experimentally established transition state includes a bond order of 0.8 to the attacking water nucleophile, a full bond order to the exocyclic 6-amino group, rehybridization of C-6 of the purine ring to sp3 and protonation of N-1 by Glu633. The transition state is one the path to formation of an unstable tetrahedral intermediate in which the exocyclic amine undergoes rapid protonation followed by its departure. In this mechanism, the highest energetic barrier on the reaction coordinate is the attack of the zinc-activated water. In a further test of this transition state structure, the electrostatic potential surface for the purine ring of the transition state has been determined by molecular orbital calculations and compared to that of the base of (R)-coformycin 5'-monophosphate, a slow onset, tight binding inhibitor of AMP deaminase that binds with an overall dissociation constant of 10(-11) M. The electrostatic potential surfaces of the aglycones of the transition state and (R)-coformycin are compared to the adenine ring of the substrate and to an alternative transition state structure in which the transition state is late, with fully bonded hydroxyl and fully protonated exocyclic amine. The results indicate a near-match of the electrostatic potential surfaces for the early transition state and (R)-coformycin. The electrostatic nature of the late transition state with a protonated amine leaving group differs both from the transition state determine by kinetic isotope effects and from that of (R)-coformycin analogues. The results provide evidence that the nature of the enzyme-stabilized transition state for adenine deamination involves an early transition state with a partially bonded hydroxyl group. The observed tight binding inhibition by (R)-coformycin analogues as transition state inhibitors results from the similarity of the partial charges on the inhibitors to that of the enzymatic transition state stabilized by AMP deaminase.

AMP Deaminase↗

Role of histidine 373 in the catalytic activity of coagulation factor XIII.

Factor XIII catalysis proceeds via formation of thioester acyl enzyme intermediate involving an active site cysteine residue at position 314. The contribution of other residues to catalysis has not been established. Earlier studies of the pH dependence of factor XIII activity suggested the existence of a putative active site histidine. We used chemical modification and oligonucleotide directed site-specific mutagenesis to investigate the role of histidines. Photo-oxidation with methylene blue resulted in a complete loss of catalytic activity under conditions that oxidized histidine but did not affect the essential cysteine. Single substitution of each of the 14 histidine residues in the a-subunit of factor XIII by asparagine or alanine led to mutants with catalytic activities generally not significantly different from the wild-type recombinant enzyme. The only exceptions were the H373N and H373A mutants that were poorly expressed, had no detectable rate of [14C]putrescine incorporation into dimethylcasein, and failed to cross-link fibrin gamma-chains. Thus, the a-subunit His-373 may function in the active site of factor XIII, by analogy with papain's mechanism, as a histidinium cation that increases the nucleophilicity of the essential Cys-314. Decreased expression levels of His-373 mutants also indicate that this residue may be critical for enzyme stability.

Binding Sites↗

Barley oxalate oxidase immobilized on zirconia-coated alkylamine glass using glutaraldehyde.

A method for immobilizing barley oxalate oxidase to zirconia coated alkylamine glass through the process of glutaraldehyde coupling has been described. The immobilized enzyme retained 97.2% of the specific activity, with a conjugation yield of 6.63 mg/g support and showed an increase in optimum pH. The Km value of immobilized enzyme was unaltered but Vmax was decreased compared to free enzyme. The conjugated enzyme was stable at 4 degrees C for 2 years. A number of inorganic ions and metabolic substances did not denature the immobilized enzyme. The clinical importance of this work is demonstrated.

Amines↗

[Determination of the general prothrombin level and detection of its functionally inactive forms using the enzyme ecamulin purified from Echis multisquamatus venom].

The method for determination of the general prothrombin level and detection of its inactive forms (prothrombin-1, decarboxylated prothrombin, etc.) has been worked out. Enzyme ecamulin was purified from the venom of Echis multisquamatus. Ecamulin test was used for plasma of practically healthy people and patients with hypertension. The results obtained proved that this test is informative and precise. Comparison of two tests, prothrombin and ecamulin ones, permits characterizing the state of blood coagulation and finding functionally inactive prothrombin forms which are the markers of some pathological states.

Adult↗

Immobilization of L-asparaginase into a biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol)-albumin hydrogel: I: Preparation and in vitro characterization.

The feasibility of the immobilization of Escherichia coli L-asparaginase into a hydrogel matrix made of poly-(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and BSA was demonstrated. After immobilization a 200-fold increase in the Km value was observed. The use of an L-aspartic acid analogue, carbobenzoxy-L-aspartic acid and surface modification by methoxy-PEG of molecular mass 5 kDa cause a only a slight gain in affinity of the enzyme for its natural substrate. The immobilized L-asparaginase has an optimal activity over a larger range of pH than the native enzyme, owing to the effect of the matrix. At a physiological pH of 7.3, the immobilized enzyme retained 90% of its activity compared with only 43% for the native form. The immobilized enzyme retained a high proportion of its initial activity, more than 90% after 50 days of incubation at 37 degrees C, even in the presence of its substrate. This may be compared with a half-life of 2 days observed for native enzyme incubated under the same conditions. These results suggest that the BSA-PEG matrix can be very useful for enzyme immobilization and, taking into account the good biocompatibility of the matrix, one can expect that this matrix will provide a functional bioreactor for use in vivo.

Animals↗

A needle-type sensor for monitoring glucose in whole blood.

A new surface-process technology employing electrochemical fixation of a bioactive substance (enzyme and heparin) to a sensor electrode was developed to provide biocompatability and functionality. The fabrication process includes electroentrapment of glucose oxidase and heparin on a platinum electrode by using 1,3-phenylenediamine codeposition. Electrochemically grown 1,3-phenylenediamine was also used as the outer coating of the sensor's enzyme electrode in order to extend the linear range. The sensor shows a sensitivity of 3 nA/mM and a linear range from 40 to 400 mg/dL at 37 degrees C when tested in whole blood. This sensor is characterized by a fast response. The sensor shows a minimum change in its performance when stored inactive in buffer for 12 weeks. When tested at physiologic glucose levels, the sensor demonstrates satisfactory low interference from common interfering substances. This technology seems promising for the preparation of implantable intravascular biosensors.

Anticoagulants↗