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PubMed1982

Purification of three arginine esterases from the venom of the Western Diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox).

Three acidic arginine esterases have been isolated from the venom of the Western Diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox). These components demonstrated marked differences in ionic characteristics, as noted by KCl gradient elution from a DEAE-Sephadex A-50 column. Molecular weights, as determined from gel permeation chromatography, were estimated at 25,100 (fraction D), 24,000 (B); and 22,900 (F) for the three separate enzymes. The two larger enzymes (B and D) exhibited similar activities toward the synthetic substrates alpha-N-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester and alpha-N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide. Hydrolysis rates were similar to commercial trypsin preparations. Fraction F exhibited a markedly lower activity as an arginine esterase and negligible activity as an arginine amidase. Arginine esterase activity was evident for all three enzymes in the presence of ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

The late onset form of C1 esterase-inhibitor deficiency presenting as food allergy.

Two cases of late onset recurrent angioedema associated with deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor are described. Both patients had life-threatening episodes of angioedema that they had related to the ingestion of certain foodstuffs. This was not confirmed by food challenges or by food allergy skin testing, although both patients had embarked on strict exclusion diets before the diagnosis of C1 esterase-inhibitor deficiency. Clinicians should be aware of the entity of late onset angioedema caused by C1 esterase deficiency mimicking food allergy and hence delaying the diagnosis of this potentially lethal condition.

Aged↗

PubMed1987

Chromosome 13 instability and esterase D expression in an osteosarcoma cell line.

In order to assess the involvement of the 13q14 region in the development of osteosarcoma, both osteosarcoma tumor cells and normal tissue from a retinoblastoma patient previously used in restriction fragment length polymorphism studies, and sarcoma cells and normal fibroblasts from other tumor patients, have been investigated with respect to esterase D (E.C. 3.1.1.1) expression and chromosome pattern. In spite of an increased number of apparently normal chromosomes #13, a 50% reduction in esterase D activity in osteosarcoma cells from the retinoblastoma patient was observed. This suggests that loss of the RB1 gene or an OSRC gene closely linked to the ESD and RB1 gene loci is involved in the development of the osteosarcoma tumor. No reduction in esterase D expression was seen in four other sarcoma cell lines.

Carboxylesterase↗

PubMed1989

Genetic heterogeneity in methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus revealed by esterase electrophoretic polymorphism.

136 methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus recovered from hospitalized patients in 18 countries were characterized by electrophoretic mobilities of three types of esterases. These were defined by their ranges of activity toward five synthetic substrates and their resistance to di-isopropyl fluorophosphate. Fourteen zymotypes were distinguished. Two, designated as 6 and 14, were found in 53 and 50 strains, respectively. Genetic diversity coefficients were lower for strains from France and from other European countries (H = 0.47 and 0.53, respectively) than for strains from North America (H = 0.79). On the basis of electrophoretic polymorphism of esterases, our work provides evidence that methicillin-resistance is expressed in genetically different strains. Variations in esterase electrophoretic pattern within methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus can make a significant contribution to the study of their epidemiology.

Cross Infection↗

PubMed1991

A microassay method for neurotoxic esterase determinations.

A microtiter plate reader with an associated computer to average triplicate samples and subtract blanks was used for reading and calculating neurotoxic esterase (NTE, also known as neuropathy target esterase) activities in spinal cord regions of hens 4 hr after administration of diisopropylphosphorofluoridate (DFP, 0.5 mg/kg sc). Although NTE inhibition is an early indicator of organophosphorus ester-induced delayed neuropathy. DFP-induced inhibition was not greater in regions of the spinal cord where pathological changes are most notable. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities and protein determinations were also done on these tissues using microassay methods. DFP-induced AChE inhibition was similar to NTE inhibition. In addition to the capability to be used for small regional esterase activity measurements, the microassay was advantageous because the number of samples incorporated into a single assay was increased and the time needed for the NTE assay was reduced by 50%. Total volume of incubate in each well was 0.3 ml; the incubate contained 1/20 quantities of sample and reagents necessary in more conventional assays. Validation of the microassay was performed by comparison with more conventional assays when measuring inhibition of NTE and AChE in brains of control and experimental hens of two different genetic strains (B13B13 and B21B21 white leghorns). Experimental birds were given DFP, 0.5 mg/kg sc, 24 hr before samples were collected. NTE activities in brains of control hens were similar using both types of NTE analytical procedures. Percentage inhibition of NTE caused by DFP was within 4% using both assay procedures in both strains of hens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed1995

Analysis of DNA flanking the xlnB locus of Streptomyces lividans reveals genes encoding acetyl xylan esterase and the RNA component of ribonuclease P.

Nucleotide sequencing revealed the gene (axeA) encoding acetyl xylan esterase (AxeA) downstream from xlnB in the Streptomyces lividans DNA insert of plasmid pIAF42. AxeA consists of a catalytic- and a substrate-binding domain separated by a Gly-rich linker. The N terminus showed no significant homology with published esterases and acetyl xylan esterases, but some homology was found with the xylanases XylA and XylD and the NodB protein of Rhizobium species which is involved in the biosynthesis of root nodulation factors. The C terminus of AxeA is highly homologous to the C-termini of xylanases XlnB and TFXA, corresponding to the xylan-binding domain of these enzymes. Furthermore, the RNaseP RNA component was found immediately upstream from xlnB gene.

Acetylesterase↗

PubMed2005

Increased blood plasma hydrolysis of acetylsalicylic acid in type 2 diabetic patients: a role of plasma esterases.

Hydrolysis of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin), an antiplatelet drug commonly used in the prevention of stroke and myocardial infarction, seems to play a crucial role in its pharmacological action. Thirty-eight healthy volunteers and 38 type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled to test the hypothesis that the enhanced plasma degradation and lowered bioavailability of ASA in diabetic patients is associated with the attenuation of platelet response. Aspirin esterase activities were tested at pH 7.4 and 5.5. A significantly higher overall aspirin esterase activity was noted at pH 7.4 in the diabetic patients (P<0.003), corresponding to faster ASA hydrolysis (P<0.006). This increased activity was attributable to butyrylcholinesterase and probably to albumin, because it was effectively inhibited by eserine and 4-bis-nitrophenyl phosphate (P<0.01). No significant differences between control and diabetic subjects were found at pH 5.5 in either enzymatic activities or ASA hydrolysis rates. The enhanced plasma ASA degradation in diabetic subjects was significantly associated with the refractoriness of blood platelets to ASA (P<0.05) and modulated by plasma cholesterol (P<0.01). No direct effects of plasma pH or albumin were observed. In conclusion, higher aspirin esterase activity contributes to the lowered response of diabetic platelets to ASA-mediated antiplatelet therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Use of classical and 3-D QSAR to examine the hydration state of juvenile hormone esterase inhibitors.

Carboxylesterases are important enzymes in the metabolism of numerous pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. They are of importance in many detoxification pathways, but their endogenous role remains unclear. The most potent esterase inhibitors found to date are trifluoromethylketone (TFK) containing compounds, which have been shown to inhibit both mammalian and insect esterases at the low nM level. The detailed mechanism by which these compounds inhibit the enzyme is still unclear. They are highly hydrated in aqueous solutions, but their mechanism of inhibition suggests that inhibition occurs through the ketone, not the hydrated gem-diol. Some studies have stated that the ketone is the inhibitor, while others have reported the gem-diol as the active form. Using juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) as a model system, we examined this question using both classical QSAR and 3-D QSAR with comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA). Classical QSAR analyses demonstrated the high dependence of inhibitor potency upon log P as well as the limitations of sterically unfavorable substituents. The ketone form of the inhibitor consistently provided improved correlations over the gem-diol, with the final equations describing 72 and 69% of inhibitor activity, respectively, for 97 compounds. Initial CoMFA analyses for the ketone provided a significant equation for 108 compounds (q(2)=0.412, m=6); however all cross-validated values for the gem-diol form of the inhibitors were not statistically significant (q(2)<0.3). Inclusion of hydrophobicity descriptors in both CoMFA equations increased their significance; however the final ketone equation (q(2)=0.500, m=7) was still statistically improved over the gem-diol (q(2)=0.506, m=8). These results support those obtained for the classical QSAR analysis and further illustrate the importance of log P in the inhibition mechanism of these inhibitors. The CoMFA models also identified novel target areas for the synthesis of new JHE inhibitors. These results suggest that the ketone is the active form of TFK-containing inhibitors.

Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases↗

PubMed2004

Homologous expression of the feruloyl esterase B gene from Aspergillus niger and characterization of the recombinant enzyme.

The faeB gene encoding the feruloyl esterase B (FAEB) was isolated from Aspergillus niger BRFM131 genomic DNA. The faeB gene, with additional sequence coding for a C-terminal histidine tag, was inserted into an expression vector under the control of the gpd promoter and trpC terminator and expressed in a protease deficient A. niger strain. Homologous overproduction allows to reach an esterase activity of 18 nkat mL(-1) against MCA as substrate. The improvement factor was 16-fold higher as compared to the production level obtained with non-transformed A. niger strain induced by sugar beet pulp. The corresponding secretion yield was estimated to be around 100 mg L(-1). Recombinant FAEB was purified 14.6-fold to homogeneity from an 8-day-old culture by a single affinity chromatographic step with a recovery of 64%. SDS-PAGE revealed a single band with a molecular mass of 75 kDa, while under non-denatured conditions, native enzyme has a molecular mass of around 150 kDa confirming that the recombinant FAEB is a homodimer. The recombinant and native FAEB have the same characteristics concerning temperature and pH optima, i.e., 50 degrees C and 6, respectively. In addition, the recombinant FAEB was determined to be quite stable up to 50 degrees C for 120 min. Kinetic constants for MCA, MpCA, and chlorogenic acid (5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid) were as follows: Km: 0.13, 0.029, and 0.16 mM and Vmax: 1101, 527.6, and 28.3 nkat mg(-1), respectively. This is the first report on the homologous overproduction of feruloyl esterase B in A. niger.

Aspergillus niger↗

PubMed2005

Interactive toxicity of chlorpyrifos and parathion in neonatal rats: role of esterases in exposure sequence-dependent toxicity.

We previously reported that sequence of exposure to chlorpyrifos and parathion in adult rats can markedly influence toxic outcome. In the present study, we evaluated the interactive toxicity of chlorpyrifos (8 mg/kg, po) and parathion (0.5 mg/kg, po) in neonatal (7 days old) rats. Rats were exposed to the insecticides either concurrently or sequentially (separated by 4 h) and sacrificed at 4, 8, and 24 h after the first exposure for biochemical measurements (cholinesterase activity in brain, plasma, and diaphragm and carboxylesterase activity in plasma and liver). The concurrently-exposed group showed more cumulative lethality (15/24) than either of the sequential dosing groups. With sequential dosing, rats treated initially with chlorpyrifos prior to parathion (C/P) exhibited higher lethality (7/23) compared to those treated with parathion before chlorpyrifos (P/C; 1/24). At 8 h after initial dosing, brain cholinesterase inhibition was significantly greater in the C/P group (59%) compared to the P/C group (28%). Diaphragm and plasma cholinesterase activity also followed a relatively similar pattern of inhibition. Carboxylesterase inhibition in plasma and liver was relatively similar among the treatment groups across time-points. Similar sequence-dependent differences in brain cholinesterase inhibition were also noted with lower binary exposures to chlorpyrifos (2 mg/kg) and parathion (0.35 mg/kg). In vitro and ex vivo studies compared relative oxon detoxification of carboxylesterases (calcium-insensitive) and A-esterases (calcium-sensitive) in liver homogenates from untreated and insecticide pretreated rats. Using tissues from untreated rats, carboxylesterases detoxified both chlorpyrifos oxon and paraoxon, while A-esterases only detoxified chlorpyrifos oxon. With parathion pretreatment, A-esterases still detoxified chlorpyrifos oxon while liver from chlorpyrifos pretreated rats had little apparent effect on paraoxon. We conclude that while neonatal rats are less capable than adults at detoxifying many organophosphorus insecticides including chlorpyrifos and parathion, toxicant-selective differences in detoxification play a role in sequence-dependent toxicity in both neonatal and adult rats with these two insecticides.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Doñana National Park survey using crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) as bioindicator: esterase inhibition and pollutant levels.

Utility of carboxylesterase and acetylcholinesterase inhibition as pesticide exposure biomarker was studied at Doñana National Park (SW Spain) in crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Activities were measured in animals from reference sites or potentially exposed to pesticides, and their reactivation studied after dilution or 2-PAM treatment. Crayfish from affected sites had significantly less carboxylesterase and acetylcholinesterase activity than reference ones. No significant differences were found after dilution or 2-PAM treatment, showing that inhibition was irreversible. High pesticide levels were found in water and/or soil at rice growing sites, and lower levels at other affected places. High metal levels existed at rice growing sites and lower at other affected and at both reference sites. A combined effect on esterase inhibition of pesticides and metals is proposed. This field study suggest that the rice growing areas near Guadiamar stream are most polluted, followed by strawberry and citrics growing zones near Partido and Rocina streams. However, no correlation exist between the pesticide concentration at different sites and the extent of esterase inhibition, indicating that other factors could affect esterase response of animals from polluted sites.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed2003

Rat NTE-related esterase is a membrane-associated protein, hydrolyzes phenyl valerate, and interacts with diisopropylfluorophosphate through a serine catalytic machinery.

The serine hydrolases constitute multi-families of proteins that include lipases, esterases, and proteases. These enzymes contain a signature motif GXSXG, in which the serine residue acts as the nucleophile and initiates catalysis. This report describes the characterization of a novel serine hydrolase from rat. This enzyme exhibits a moderate sequence identity with the neuropathy target esterase (NTE), thus is designated NTE-related esterase (NRE). Transfection with the NRE cDNA resulted in marked increases in the hydrolysis of phenyl valerate and reactivity with diisopropylfluorophosphate. Such increases, however, were markedly or completely abolished in mutants that had a substitution (Ala, Cys, Asp, or His) on the serine residue in the GXSXG motif, providing direct evidence that NRE is a serine hydrolase. By Northern blot analyses, three NRE transcripts were detected and they differed markedly in length (approximately 2.6, 4.2, and 5.0 kb). The 4.2-kb transcript was present in all organs analyzed except the testis, in which both 2.6- and 5.0-kb transcripts were detected. The testicular transcripts were completely depleted in rats treated with clofibrate, whereas the levels of NRE mRNA in the liver were markedly increased in rats treated with perfluorodecanoic acid. Both clofibrate and perfluorodecanoic acid are efficacious activators of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha). The differential effects on the levels of NRE mRNA suggest that these chemicals regulate the expression of NRE through mechanism(s) rather than the activation of PPAR-alpha.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase inactivation by ester prodrugs of O6-benzylguanine derivatives and their rate of hydrolysis by cellular esterases.

To modulate the bioavailability and perhaps improve the tumor cell selectivity of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) inactivators, pivaloyloxymethyl ester derivatives of O6-benzylguanine (BG) were synthesized and tested as AGT inactivators and as substrates for cellular esterases. The potential prodrugs examined were the 7- and 9-pivaloyloxymethyl derivatives of O6-benzylguanine (7- and 9-esterBG), and of 8-aza-O6-benzylguanine (8-aza-7-esterBG and 8-aza-9-esterBG) and the 9-pivaloyloxymethyl derivative of 8-bromo-O6-benzylguanine (8-bromo-9-esterBG). The benzylated purines were all potent inactivators of the pure AGT and of the AGT activity in HT29 cells and cell extracts. Each ester was at least 75 times less potent than the corresponding benzylated purine against the pure human AGT. In contrast, the activities of esters and their respective benzylated purine were similar in crude cell extracts and in intact cells. The increase in potency of esters in cellular extracts could be explained by a conversion of the respective prodrug to the more potent benzylated purine in the presence of cellular esterases. The apparent catalytic activity (Vmax/Km) of liver microsomal esterase for 8-azaBG ester prodrugs was 70-130 times greater than for BG prodrugs and 10-20 times greater than for 8-bromo-9-esterBG. Tumor cell hydrolysis of the esters varied considerably as a function of cell type and prodrug structure. These data suggest that these or related prodrugs may be advantageous for selective AGT inactivation in certain tumor types.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Molecular cloning of neuropathy target esterase (NTE).

Covalent modification of NTE, a neuronal protein with serine esterase activity, by certain organophosphates (OP) initiates degeneration of long axons in the peripheral and central nervous system. Simple inhibition of NTE esterase activity does not initiate neuropathy; the latter requires aging of the OP bound to the catalytic serine residue so that a negatively-charged species is left attached to the active site. This may indicate that a non-esterase function of NTE is important for axonal maintenance. We have recently cloned NTE and shown that it is unrelated to any known serine hydrolases but contains a novel C-terminal domain which is conserved from bacteria to man. Furthermore, the catalytic serine is located within this domain at the centre of a helical hydrophobic segment of the polypeptide's secondary structure. The integrity of NTE would be severely compromised by the presence of a negatively-charged organophosphate moiety at this site. Implications for possible higher-order structures and functions for NTE are discussed.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1999

Promotion of organophosphate induced delayed polyneuropathy by certain esterase inhibitors.

Certain esterase inhibitors elicit or intensify the clinical expression of various insults to axons. This phenomenon was called promotion of axonopathies because these chemicals are not additive neurotoxicants nor do they interfere with the pharmacokinetics. Characterization of promotion was carried out by using organophosphate induced delayed polyneuropathy (OPIDP) as a model. The search for a physiological explanation of promotion has the following background: (1) Promotion expresses clinically the biochemical lesions which are otherwise well compensated (such as 30/40% neuropathy target esterase (NTE) inhibition by neuropathic organophosphates). (2) Promotion is not specific because axonopathies of different origin are affected. (3) Promoters are effective when given several days before the neuropathic insult. (4) Promotion is less effective in young animals as compared with adults. (5) Promotion occurs when axons, but not necessarily the cell body, are targeted by promoters. (6) Repeated dosing with a promoter failed to produce axonopathy. Based on this evidence it is suggested that promotion might interfere with a mechanism(s) of compensation and/or repair of long axons. The target of promotion of axonopathies is thought to be similar or linked to NTE which is defined as the phenyl valerate esterase activity (PVE) in nervous tissues resistant to paraoxon and sensitive to mipafox (40 and 50 microM, pH 8.0, 20 min, respectively). Mipafox (50 microM) resistant PVEs include some activity sensitive to the promoter phenylmethane sulfonylfluoride (PMSF) but no correlation was found between its inhibition and promotion. A complete titration curve of paraoxon-resistant PVEs by mipafox (0-1 mM) dissected, besides NTE (I50 about 10 microM), another PVE with an I50 of approximately 200 microM. This enzyme was present in hen brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve, corresponding to about 10, 20 and 30% of NTE activity, respectively, and was sensitive both in vitro and in vivo to promoters and much less so to neuropathic NTE inhibitors. By means of chromatography, other workers have identified in soluble extracts of peripheral nerves two forms of mipafox-sensitive PVEs with different molecular weights and different sensitivity to mipafox. These might correspond to NTE and to the other enzyme. Inhibition in vivo of the latter also correlated with promotion.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Qualitative detection of selenium in fortified soil and water samples by a paper chromatographic-carboxyl esterase enzyme inhibition technique.

Thevetia peruviana seed carboxyl esterase was employed as a biosensor for the detection of selenium compounds by an enzyme inhibition technique on paper chromatograms. The selenium compounds (sodium selenite and selenium dioxide) appeared as white spots on a magenta background due to the inhibition of Thevetia peruviana seed carboxyl esterase (substrate 1-naphthyl acetate, coupling reagent Fast blue B salt). The minimum detectable amounts were about 5 microg of sodium selenite and 5 microg of selenium dioxide. Many other animal and plant carboxyl esterases gave no inhibition spot under the same conditions. Soil and water samples were fortified with sodium selenite and selenium dioxide. A procedure for preparing test solutions and conditions for paper chromatography was established.

Apocynaceae↗

PubMed1986

Acute myelomonocytic leukemia: an unusual variant with both granulocytic and monocytic esterases in the leukemic cells.

By using the combination of alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase and chloroacetate esterase for cytochemical detection of monocytes and granulocytes, respectively, we examined and identified five adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia whose leukemic cells often (20 to 30%) had the characteristics of both monocytes and granulocytes. All five patients were men, 23 to 82 years of age. Two patients had manifestations of preleukemia. One of these two patients had received treatment for lymphoma for 12 months before acute myelomonocytic leukemia was diagnosed. One patient had gum hypertrophy, and two had leukemia cutis. At the time of initial examination, four patients had blood leukocyte counts higher than 80,000/mm3 and one had leukopenia. Four patients received chemotherapy; three responded temporarily but died within 1 year after the myelomonocytic leukemia had been diagnosed. The patient with leukopenia has remained in complete remission for 2 years. With more frequent use of double esterase stains for classification of acute myeloid leukemias, this variant of acute myelomonocytic leukemia should be detected more often and its clinical behavior should be better understood.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Purification of three pectin esterases from ripe peach fruit.

Three isoforms of pectin esterase (PE1-PE3) (pectin pectyl-hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.11.) were purified to homogeneity from ripe peach fruit (Prunus persica cv. Coronet). The three enzymes were basic proteins of M(r) 34,000 as determined by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis but were separated by FPLC cation-exchange chromatography. The proteins were N-terminally blocked but amino acid sequences were obtained for peptides released from two of the three isoforms. The sequences revealed a threonine/lysine substitution in a comparison between isoform PE2/isoform PE3, and there were regions of sequence similarity with other plant pectin esterases. The proteins did not bind to concanavalin A and were not stained by the periodate-Schiff reagent suggesting a low or zero level of glycosylation. Polyclonal antisera to isoform PE3 also bound to isoforms PE1 and PE2. The study provides the enzyme protein sequence and immunological basis for an evaluation of the role of pectin esterases in normal and abnormal ripening of peach fruit.

Amino Acid Sequence↗