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Oxidation of xenobiotics by plant microsomes, a reconstituted cytochrome P450 system and peroxidase: a comparative study.

The microsomal fraction from tulip bulbs (Tulipa fosteriana, L.) contains cytochrome P450 (CYP3, EC 1.14.14.1) and peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7.) enzymes catalyzing the NADPH--and hydrogen peroxide--dependent oxidation of the xenobiotic substrates, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosomethylaniline (NMA), aminopyrine and 1-phenylazo 2-hydroxynaphthalene (Sudan I), respectively. Oxidation of these model xenobiotics has also been assessed in a reconstituted electron-transport chain with a partially purified CYP fraction, phospholipid and isolated tulip NADPH:CYP reductase (EC 1.6.2.4.). Peroxidase isolated from tulip bulbs (isoenzyme C) oxidizes these xenobiotics, too. Values of kinetic parameters (Km, Vmax), requirements for cofactors (NADPH, hydrogen peroxide), the effect of inhibitors and identification of products formed from the xenobiotics by the microsomal fraction, partially purified CYP and peroxidase C were determined. These data were used to estimate the participation of the CYP preparation and peroxidase C in oxidation of two out of the four studied xenobiotics (NMA, Sudan I) in tulip microsomes. Using such detailed study, we found that the CYP-dependent enzyme system is responsible for the oxidation of these xenobiotics in the microsomal fraction of tulip bulbs. The results demonstrate the progress in resolving the role of plant CYP and peroxidase enzymes in oxidation of xenobiotics.

Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System↗

Molecular cloning of a peroxidase mRNA specifically expressed in the ink gland of Sepia officinalis.

A full-length cDNA encoding a peroxidase has been assembled from two different overlapping cDNA clones isolated from the cDNA library of Sepia officinalis ink gland and 5' RACE procedure. The cDNA of 2898 bp contains an open reading frame of 2778 bp corresponding to a protein of 926 amino acids. The protein shows 76% identity with a peroxidase isolated from the light organ of the squid Euprymna scolopes and approximately 30% identity with mammalian peroxidases. Northern blot analysis of mRNA from various tissues of Sepia officinalis reveals that peroxidase is exclusively expressed in the ink gland. These results represent the first characterization of a melanogenic peroxidase whose possible involvement in the biosynthesis of melanin is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Novel bacterial peroxidase without catalase activity from Flavobacterium meningosepticum: purification and characterization.

A novel bacterial peroxidase co-produced intracellularly with H(2)O(2)-forming nucleoside oxidase, was purified from the cell-free extract of Flavobacterium meningosepticum to homogeneity with 10.3% overall recovery through simple purification procedures including successive DEAE-Sephacel, phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B and Sephacryl S-300 chromatography. The relative molecular mass of the native enzyme was 220¿ omitted¿000 Da, and that of its subunit was 54¿ omitted¿000 Da. In contrast to other major intercellular peroxidases of bacterial origin, the enzyme did not show any catalase activity. The amino acid sequences of the 92 NH(2)-terminal amino acids and three internal peptides showed no significant homology with known peroxidases. The enzyme was not sensitive to the typical peroxidase inhibitors NaCN, NaF and NaN(3), while mercuric ion strongly inhibited the enzyme activity, and some carbonyl reagents were also found to have inhibitory effects. The enzyme showed a small K(m) value for H(2)O(2) (9.5 microM) compared to other peroxidases. On the basis of its visible absorption spectrum, the enzyme contained about 1.3 mol of heme per molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An improved method for the determination of NADH oxidase in the presence of NADH peroxidase in lactic acid bacteria.

The complexity of the coupled NADH oxidase-NADH peroxidase enzyme system in lactic acid bacteria makes it difficult to simultaneously determine the individual levels of both these enzymes spectrophotometrically. This study describes an improved assay to accurately determine low concentrations of NADH oxidase from enzyme suspensions containing NADH oxidase and NADH peroxidase. For the standardisation of the assay, pure NADH oxidase and NADH peroxidase were mixed in various proportions and the percentage recovery was estimated by both the currently available assay as well as by the improved assay reported in this study. The recovery of NADH oxidase using the currently available assay ranged from as low as -200% to as high as +102% as against 90-102% in the improved assay. The recovery percentage of NADH peroxidase ranged from 91% to 112% in both assays. The slopes of NADH oxidation by cell-free extracts of six lactic acid bacteria were also measured by both assays for the estimation of NADH oxidase and NADH peroxidase levels. The improved assay can further distinguish between NADH-H(2)O oxidase and NADH-H(2)O(2) oxidase and was successfully applied to identify the type of NADH oxidase in the lactic acid bacteria tested.

Bacteria↗

[Anti-thyroid peroxidase in non-neoplastic thyroid pathology].

Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were prospectively assayed and compared with anti-microsome and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies in 203 patients (188 women, 15 men; mean age 42 +/- 14 years). These patients consulted for hyperthyroidism (n = 42, including 18 with Graves' disease), fumary hypothyroidism (n = 50, including 20 at the diagnosis stage), euthyroid diffuse or nodular goitre (n = 81) or benign euthyroid nodule (n = 14). Sixteen patients examined for fatigue, gynecomastia, menstrual disorders or overweight had normal thyroid function. Anti-thyroid peroxidase, anti-microsome and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were assayed by radioimmunology or indirect immunofluorescence. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were most frequently present in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, such as Graves' disease (72%) or primary hypothyroidism (70%), and correlated with anti-microsome antibody levels (r = 0.87; p less than 0.001). Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were absent in patients with benign euthyroid nodule; they were present in 22% of patients with euthyroid goitre and in 12% of control patients; their level decreased during replacement therapy for hypothyroidism. It is concluded that radioimmunological assays of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies should replace anti-microsome and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies in thyroid evaluation.

Adult↗

Urban polluted forest soils induce elevated root peroxidase activity in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings.

Plant biomass. mycorrhizal status and root peroxidase activity were measured in ectomycorrhizal Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings grown in urban polluted and native, non-polluted forest soils with added ammonium or potassium sulphates simulating N and S deposition of urban areas. Peroxidase activity in the fine roots of seedlings planted in polluted forest soils was higher than in those planted in non-polluted soils and correlated positively with the activities measured in an earlier study in the roots of mature Scots pines growing at the sites from where the soils were collected. Growth of seedlings and mycorrhizal status were not affected by the origin of soil. Exposing the seedlings to winter acclimation conditions for 6 weeks elevated peroxidase activity in the roots. The addition of ammonium or potassium sulphate to non-polluted soils did not induce elevated root peroxidase activity, although at the levels of 0.5 and 1.0 g of ammonium sulphate a slight increasing trend was observed. We suggest, that indirect biotic factors, i.e. changes in the community structure of soil fungi, early stages of recognition, and defence reactions of pine roots against saprophytic and pathogenic fungi may be participating in the elicitation of peroxidase (POD) activity, although the possible role of heavy metals cannot be excluded.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Tissue-specific functions of individual glutathione peroxidases.

The family of glutathione peroxidases comprises four distinct mammalian selenoproteins. The classical enzyme (cGPx) is ubiquitously distributed. According to animal, cell culture and inverse genetic studies, its primary function is to counteract oxidative attack. It is dispensible in unstressed animals, and accordingly ranks low in the hierarchy of glutathione peroxidases. The gastrointestinal isoenzyme (GI-GPx) is most related to cGPx and is exclusively expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. It might provide a barrier against hydroperoxides derived from the diet or from metabolism of ingested xenobiotics. The extreme stability in selenium deficiency ranks this glutathione peroxidase highest in the hierarchy of selenoproteins and points to a more vital function than that of cGPx. Plasma GPx (pGPx) behaves similar to cGPx in selenium deficiency. It is directed to extracellular compartments and is expressed in various tissues in contact with body fluids, e.g., kidney, ciliary body, and maternal/fetal interfaces. It has to be rated as an efficient extracellular antioxidant device, though with low capacity because of the limited extracellular content of potential thiol substrates. Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx), originally presumed to be a universal antioxidant enzyme protecting membrane lipids, appears to have adopted a variety of specific roles like silencing lipoxygenases and becoming an enzymatically inactive structural component of the mitochondrial capsule during sperm maturation. Thus, all individual isoenzymes are efficient peroxidases in principle, but beyond their mere antioxidant potential may exert cell- and tissue-specific roles in metabolic regulation, as is evident for PHGPx and may be expected for others.

Animals↗

DNA-enhanced peroxidase activity of a DNA-aptamer-hemin complex.

BACKGROUND: In vitro selection (SELEX) previously identified short single-stranded DNAs that specifically bound N-methylmesoporphyrin IX (NMM), a stable transition-state analogue for porphyrin-metallation reactions. Interestingly, iron(III)-protoporphyrin (hemin) was a good competitive inhibitor for the DNA-catalyzed metallation reaction, and appeared to bind strongly to the NMM-binding DNA aptamers. We investigated the peroxidase activity of the aptamer-hemin complexes to see if the DNA component of the complex, like the apoenzymes in protein peroxidases, could enhance the low intrinsic peroxidatic activity of hemin. RESULTS: Two porphyrin-binding DNA aptamers bound hemin with submicromolar affinity. The aptamer-hemin complexes had significantly higher peroxidase activity than hemin alone, under physiological conditions. The Vobs of the PS2.M-hemin complex was 250 times greater than that of hemin alone, and significantly superior to a previously reported hemin-catalytic-antibody complex. Preliminary spectroscopic evidence suggests the coordination of the hemin iron in the complex changes, such that the complex more closely resembles horseradish peroxidase and other heme proteins rather than hemin. CONCLUSIONS: A new class of catalytic activity for nucleic acids is reported. The aptamer-hemin complexes described are novel DNA enzymes and their study will help elucidate the structural and functional requirements of peroxidase enzymes in general and the ways that a nucleic acid 'apoenzyme' might work to enhance the intrinsic peroxidatic ability of hemin. These aptamer-hemin complexes could be regarded as prototypes for redox-catalyzing ribozymes in a primordial 'RNA world'.

Catalysis↗

Binding of tellurium to hepatocellular selenoproteins during incubation with inorganic tellurite: consequences for the activity of selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase.

The metallic group XVIa elements selenium and tellurium possess remarkably similar chemical properties. However, unlike selenium, tellurium is not an essential micronutrient and, indeed, induces both acute and chronic toxicity in a variety of species. Despite this, very little is known of the molecular mechanisms of toxicity of tellurium, particularly with respect to potential chemical interactions with selenium-containing components in the cell. In this work we describe a novel interaction of inorganic tellurite with hepatocellular selenoproteins, particularly with selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase. The accumulation of (121Te)-tellurite into cultured primary rat liver hepatocytes was shown to be much more rapid than that of (75Se)-selenite on a molar basis. Neither the uptake of (121Te)-tellurite nor of (75Se)-selenite was affected by a large molar excess of the unlabelled counterpart, respectively. Interestingly, separation of the hepatocellular proteins on continuous pH denaturing gels demonstrated clear binding of radiolabelled tellurium to a number of protein bands, including one at 23 and one at 58 kDa, which corresponded to proteins readily labelled in cells treated with (75Se)-selenite. The binding of (121Te) to these proteins was insensitive to reduction with mercaptoethanol and not affected by pre-treatment of the cells with cycloheximide. When purified selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase was treated directly with (121Te)-tellurite, the protein became labelled in an analogous manner to that achieved in intact cells. This was not affected by coincubation of the enzyme with (121Te)-tellurite and one or both of its substrates. Additionally, incubation of the peroxidase with tellurite effectively inhibited its ability to catalyse glutathione-dependent reduction of hydrogen peroxide. These data suggest that inorganic tellurite delivers tellurium to the intracellular milieu in a form capable of binding to some intracellular selenoproteins and at least in the case of glutathione peroxidase, cause inhibition of catalytic activity. The nature of the binding seems not to be due to the insertion of tellurocysteine into the protein and the insensitivity to reductive cleavage with mercaptoethanol seems to preclude the formation of stable telluro-selenides in the proteins. These data may offer alternative explanations for the established toxicity of tellurium via disruption of selenoprotein function, particularly by the induction of intracellular oxidative stress by the inhibition of Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase.

Animals↗

A novel selenocystine-beta-cyclodextrin conjugate that acts as a glutathione peroxidase mimic.

A novel artificial glutathione peroxidase mimic consisting of a selenocystine-di-beta-cyclodextrin conjugate (selenium-bridged-6, 6'-amino-selenocystine-6,6'-deoxy-di-beta-cyclodextrin), in which selenocystine is bound to the primary side of beta-cyclodextrin through the two amino nitrogen groups of selenocystine, was synthesized. The glutathione peroxidase activities of the mimic-catalyzed reduction of H(2)O(2), tert-butylhydroperoxide, and cumene hydroperoxide by glutathione are 4.1, 2.11, and 5.82 units/micromol, respectively. The first activity was 82 and 4.2 times as much as that of selenocysteine and ebselen, respectively. Studies on the effect of substrate binding on the glutathione peroxidase activity suggest that it is important to consider substrate binding in designing glutathione peroxidase mimics. The detailed steady-state kinetic studies showed that the mimic-catalyzed reduction of H(2)O(2) by glutathione followed a ping-pong mechanism, which was similar to that of the native glutathione peroxidase.

Binding Sites↗

Analysis of the kinetic and redox properties of NADH peroxidase C42S and C42A mutants lacking the cysteine-sulfenic acid redox center.

The flavoprotein NADH peroxidase from Enterococcus faecalis 10C1 has been shown to contain, in addition to FAD, an unusual cysteine-sulfenic acid (Cys-SOH) redox center. The non-flavin center cycles between reduced (Cys-SH) and oxidized (Cys-SOH) states, and the 2.16 A crystal structure of the non-native cysteine-sulfonic acid (Cys-SO3H) form of the wild-type peroxidase supports the proposed catalytic role of Cys42. In this study, we have employed a site-directed mutagenesis approach in which Cys42 is replaced with Ser and Ala, neither side chain of which is capable of redox activity. Reductive titrations of both C42S and C42A mutants lead directly to full FAD reduction with 1 equiv of either dithionite or NADH, consistent with elimination of the Cys-SOH center. Direct determinations of the redox potentials for the FAD/FADH2 couples yield values of -219 and -197 mV, respectively, for C42S and C42A peroxidases, indicating that the presence of Cys42-SH in the two-electron-reduced wild-type enzyme lowers the flavin potential by approximately 100 mV. Anaerobic stopped-flow analyses of the reduction of C42S and C42A peroxidases by NADH demonstrate that in both cases flavin reduction is rapid; these results are confirmed by enzyme-monitored, steady-state kinetic analyses which, in addition, give turnover numbers approximately 0.04% that of wild-type enzyme. These results are entirely consistent with the role proposed for Cys42 in the catalytic redox cycle of wild-type NADH peroxidase and indirectly support its function as a peroxidatic center in the homologous NADH oxidase.

Base Sequence↗

Analysis of the kinetic and redox properties of the NADH peroxidase R303M mutant: correlation with the crystal structure.

The crystal structure of the flavoprotein NADH peroxidase shows that the Arg303 side chain forms a hydrogen bond with the active-site His10 imidazole and is therefore likely to influence the catalytic mechanism. Dithionite titration of an R303M mutant [E(FAD, Cys42-sulfenic acid)] yields a two-electron reduced intermediate (EH(2)) with enhanced flavin fluorescence and almost no charge-transfer absorbance at pH 7.0; the pK(a) for the nascent Cys42-SH is increased by over 3.5 units in comparison with the wild-type EH(2) pK(a) of </=4.5. NADH titration of the mutant peroxidase yields the same EH(2) intermediate, but in contrast to the behavior of wild-type enzyme, this species can be reduced directly to an EH(4).NAD(+) complex. Kinetic analyses demonstrate that the R303M mutant is severely compromised, although active, with k(cat) = 3 s(-)(1) at pH 7.0, 5 degrees C; enzyme-monitored turnover results indicate that the steady-state consists predominantly of an E-FADH(2).NAD(+) species. When the oxidized mutant is reacted anaerobically with 0.9 equiv of NADH/FAD, a clearly biphasic pattern is observed at 450 nm; relatively rapid flavin reduction is followed by reoxidation at 2.6-2.7 s(-)(1) ( approximately k(cat)). Thus replacement of Arg303 with Met leads to an altered peroxidase form in which the rate-limiting step in turnover is the intramolecular transfer of electrons from FADH(2) --> Cys42-SOH. The crystal structure of the R303M peroxidase has been refined at 2.45 A resolution. In addition to eliminating the Arg303 interactions with His10 and Glu14, the mutant exhibits a significant change in the conformation of the Cys42-SOH side chain relative to FAD and His10 in particular. These and other results provide a detailed understanding of Arg303 and its role in the structure and mechanism of this unique flavoprotein peroxidase.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Peroxidase activity as a tool for studying the folding of c-type cytochromes.

The peroxidase activity of c-type cytochromes increases substantially by unfolding. This phenomenon was used to study the equilibrium unfolding of ferricytochrome c. The peroxidase activity is already enhanced at low denaturant concentrations. The lowest free energy folding intermediate is easily detected by this method, while it is invisible using fluorescence or optical spectroscopy. The free energy difference between this folding intermediate and the native state depends on the strength of the sixth ligand of the heme-iron and the increase in peroxidase activity upon unfolding is shown to be a sensitive indicator of the strength of this ligand. Under fully denaturing conditions, the peroxidase activity is inhibited by protein-based ligands. It is shown that at least three different ligand groups can be responsible for this inhibition, and that at neutral or alkaline pH, the predominant ligand is not histidine. The use of peroxidase activity assays as a method to study the unfolding of cytochrome c is evaluated.

Animals↗

Spectral properties of environmentally sensitive probes associated with horseradish peroxidase.

The environmentally sensitive fluorescent probes 6-propionyl-2-(N,N-dimethylamino)naphthalene (PRODAN) and 2'-(N,N-dimethylamino)-6-naphthoyl-4-trans-cyclohexanioc acid (DANCA) form complexes with the heme binding site of apohorseradish peroxidase. The dissociation constants of the PRODAN and DANCA complexes were determined from anisotropy titration data to be approximately 8.7 x 10(-5) and 3.3 x 10(-4) M, respectively. From comparison of the steady state fluorescence spectra of PRODAN and DANCA in solvents of varying dielectric constants, and in the apohorseradish peroxidase complex, we conclude that the heme binding site of horseradish peroxidase is relatively polar. The lifetimes of PRODAN and DANCA in organic solvents of varying polarities can be fit to single exponential decays. However, the lifetimes of PRODAN and DANCA associated with apohorseradish peroxidase, determined using a background subtraction method to correct for the non-negligible fluorescence of unbound probe, fit best to a distribution of lifetime values. We attribute these lifetime distributions to microenvironmental heterogeneity which is also consistent with the observed dependence of the emission maxima of PRODAN-apohorseradish peroxidase upon the excitation wavelength. In neither the PRODAN nor the DANCA case was evidence found in the time-resolved data for relaxation of the protein matrix around the excited state probe dipole.

2-Naphthylamine↗

Dityrosine formation in calmodulin: cross-linking and polymerization catalyzed by Arthromyces peroxidase.

We employ bovine brain calmodulin, a protein that is subject to photoactivated dityrosine formation [Malencik, D. A., & Anderson, S. R. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 695; (1994) Biochemistry 33, 13363], as a model for the development of an efficient enzyme-catalyzed protein cross-linking technique. Key steps in the elaboration of the procedure are (1) identification of a peroxidase, from Arthromyces ramosus, that catalyzes dityrosine production in proteins that are not acted on by other common peroxidases, (2) monitoring of the intrinsic fluorescence of dityrosine to determine optimum reaction conditions, achieved with calmodulin in solutions containing boric acid-sodium borate (concentration > or = 0.2 M), approximately pH 8.3, approximately 40 degrees C, and (3) quenching of the reaction with reduced glutathione. Arthromyces peroxidase is the only common peroxidase able to catalyze significant dityrosine production in calmodulin, through a reaction that is largely intermolecular. Gel filtration yields fractions (accounting for approximately 40% of the initial calmodulin) that represent differing mobility ranges in NaDodSO4 polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and contain close to the maximum possible amounts of dityrosine. The various fractions undergo Ca2+-dependent conformational changes detected in sedimentation velocity and/or fluorescence anisotropy measurements. Most of the samples stimulate the Ca2+-dependent activity of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase. In catalytic assays utilizing the synthetic phosphatic acceptor peptide, the average activities range from 50 to 100% of that determined for native calmodulin. However, only the least polymerized fraction and the photogenerated calmodulin dimers significantly enhance the p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity of calcineurin. The ability to prepare soluble calmodulin polymers that retain a substantial degree of biological activity and exhibit the intense visible fluorescence of dityrosine illustrates the potential usefulness of Arthromyces peroxidase in the zero-length cross-linking of proteins.

Animals↗

Active site structure in cytochrome c peroxidase and myoglobin mutants: effects of altered hydrogen bonding to the proximal histidine.

The globins and peroxidases, while performing completely different chemistry, share features of the iron heme active site: a protoporphyrin IX prosthetic group is linked to the protein by the proximal histidine residue. X-ray absorption spectroscopy provides a method to determine the local structure of iron heme active sites in proteins. Our previous studies using X-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed a significant difference in the Fe-N epsilon bond length between the peroxidases and the globins [for a review, see Powers, L. (1994) Molecular Electronics and Molecular Electronic Devices, Vol. 3, p 211 CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, FL]. Globins typically have an Fe-N epsilon distance close to 2.1 A while the Fe-N epsilon distance in the peroxidases is closer to 1.9 A. We have proposed [Sinclair, R., Powers, L., Bumpus, J., Albo, A., & Brock, B. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 4892] that strong hydrogen bonding to the proximal histidine is responsible for the shorter bond length in the peroxidases. Here we use site-specific mutagenesis to eliminate the strong proximal hydrogen bonding in cytochrome c peroxidase and to introduce strong proximal hydrogen bonding in myoglobin. Consistent with our hypothesis, elimination of the Asp235-His175 hydrogen bond in CcP results in elongation of Fe-N epsilon from approximately 1.9 to approximately 2.1 A. Conversely, introduction of a similar strong proximal hydrogen bond in myoglobin shortens Fe-N epsilon from approximately 2.1 to approximately 1.9 A. These results correlate well with other biochemical data.

Aspartic Acid↗

Horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization of cardanol in the presence of redox mediators.

Horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization of cardanol in aqueous organic solvent was investigated in the presence of a redox mediator. Cardanol is a phenol derivative from a renewable resource mainly having a C15 unsaturated hydrocarbon chain with mostly 1-3 double bonds at a meta position. Unlike soybean peroxidase (SBP), it has been shown that horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is not able to perform oxidative polymerization of phenol derivatives having a bulky meta substituent such as cardanol. For the first time, redox mediators have been applied to enable horseradish peroxidase to polymerize cardanol. Veratryl alcohol, N-ethyl phenothiazine, and phenothiazine-10-propionic acid were tested as a mediator. It is surprising that the horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization of cardanol took place in the presence of N-ethyl phenothiazine or phenothiazine-10-propionic acid. However, veratryl alcohol showed no effect. FT-IR and GPC analysis of the product revealed that the structure and properties of polycardanol formed by HRP with a mediator were similar to those by SBP. This is the first work to apply a redox mediator to enzyme-catalyzed oxidative polymerization. Our new finding that oxidative polymerization of a poor substrate, which the enzyme is not active with, can take place in the presence of an appropriate mediator will present more opportunities for the application of enzyme-catalyzed polymerization.

Catalysis↗

Catalytic characteristics of peroxidase from wheat grass.

The crude enzyme extract of wheat grass was heated at 60 degrees C for 30 min, followed by ammonium sulfate fractionation and isoelectric chromatofocusing on Polybuffer exchanger (PBE 94) for purification. The purified peroxidase was then characterized for its catalytic characteristics. It was found that AgNO3 at a concentration of 0.25 mM and MnSO4 and EDTA at concentrations of 5 mM significantly inhibited the activity of wheat grass peroxidase. However, KCl, NaCl, CuCl2, CaCl2, ZnCl2, and MgCl2 at concentrations of 5.0 mM and HgCl2 at a concentration of 0.25 mM enhanced enzyme activity. Chemical modification significantly influenced the activity of wheat grass peroxidase. Particularly, N-bromosuccinimide (5 mM) inhibited 16% of the enzyme activity, whereas N-acetylimidazole (2.5 mM), diethyl pyrocarbonate (2.5 mM), and phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (2.5 mM) enhanced by 18-29% of the enzyme activity. Such results implied that tryptophan, histidine, tyrosine, and serine residues are related to enzyme activity. The pH optima for wheat grass peroxidase to catalyze the oxidation of o-phenylenediamine (OPD), catechol, pyrogallol, and guaiacol were 5.0, 4.5, 6.5, and 5.0, respectively. The apparent Km values for OPD, catechol, pyrogallol, and guaiacol were 2.9, 18.2, 2.5, and 3.8 mM, respectively. Under optimal reaction conditions, wheat grass peroxidase catalyzed the oxidation of OPD (an aromatic amine substrate) 3-11 times more rapidly than guaiacol, catechol, and pyrogallol (phenolic substrates containing one to three hydroxy groups in the benzene ring).

Buffers↗