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Erythrocyte hypotonic lesion stimulates plasmalemmal acetylcholine esterase.

Contrary to the rather high amount of acetylcholine esterase, histochemical methods revealed only an insignificant activity of that enzyme in the erythrocyte plasmalemma. Following hypotonic incubation many damaged red cells whether or not hemolyzed were heavily loaded with reaction products on the outer aspect of their membrane. The findings are consistent with a suggested allosteric activation of acetylcholine esterase in the moderately disintegrated cell membrane. Thus, the cytochemical demonstration of acetylcholine esterase is considered a means to assess the plasmalemmal integrity of individual red cells.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Plasma esterase activities in young and old patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair.

Previous research has shown substantial decrements in enzymes of drug metabolism (esterases) in older patients following fracture neck of femur and hip replacement surgery. The main aim of this study was to examine the effect of open inguinal hernia repair on the activities of four plasma esterases in old and young patients. Seventeen older patients (mean age+/-S.E.M. was 67.6+/-1.8) and 12 young patients (mean age+/-S.E.M. was 38+/-3.3) undergoing open hernia repair for clinical reasons were recruited. The activities of plasma benzoylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, acetylcholinesterase, and aspirin esterase were determined spectrophotometrically, before the operation, 1 day post operatively and 1 week later. There was no significant effect of hernia repair surgery on any of the four enzymes measured in young or old patients. Neither was there any significant difference in enzyme activity between young and old at any of the three time points. Hernia repair surgery is not associated with decrements in enzymes of drug metabolism in man. This contrasts with the previous findings in hip replacement surgery.

Journal Article↗

Effects of purified endo-beta-1,4-xylanases of family 10 and 11 and acetyl xylan esterases on eucalypt sulfite dissolving pulp.

Sulfite dissolving pulp from Eucalyptus grandis contained approximately 3.8% O-acetyl-4-O-methylglucuronoxylan with a molar ratio of xylose:4-O-methylglucuronic acid:acetyl group close to 13.6:1:6.2. The effects produced by purified endo-xylanases from two different glycosyl hydrolase families (family 10 and 11) as well as acetyl xylan esterases were examined and assessed on pulp in relation to their bleaching abilities. The purified endo-xylanases hydrolyzed only a limited portion (less than 30%) of the acetylglucuronoxylan present in the pulp. The enzymes of family 10 produced acetylated xylobiose and xylotriose whereas acetylated xylobiose was not observed among the products released from the pulp by the family 11 xylanases. The esterases however were not capable of deacetylating the acetylated aldouronic acids generated by the xylanases. Regardless of the different mode of action of the endo-xylanases on dissolving pulp, their effect on pulp bleaching was not related to the amount and nature of sugars generated or the glycosyl hydrolase family. No additional brightness gain was obtained when endo-xylanases were used in conjunction with acetyl xylan esterases, suggesting that the latter do not play an important role in biobleaching of eucalypt sulfite dissolving pulps.

Acetylesterase↗

A novel esterase from Burkholderia gladioli which shows high deacetylation activity on cephalosporins is related to beta-lactamases and DD-peptidases.

The gene (estB) encoding for a novel esterase (EstB) from Burkholderia gladioli (formerly Pseudomonas marginata) NCPPB 1891 was cloned in Escherichia coli. Sequence analysis showed an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 392 amino acid residues, with a molecular mass of about 42 kDa. Comparison of the amino acid sequence with those of other homologous enzymes indicated homologies to beta-lactamases, penicillin binding proteins and DD-peptidases. The serine residue (Ser(75)) which is located within a present class A beta-lactamase motif ([F,Y]-X-[L,I,V,M,F,Y]-X-S-[T,V]-X-K-X-X-X-X-[A,G,L]-X-X-[L,C]) was identified by site-directed mutagenesis to represent the active nucleophile. A second serine residue (Ser(149)) which is located within a G-x-S-x-G motif which is typically found in esterases and lipases was demonstrated not to play a significant role in enzyme function. The estB gene was overexpressed in E. coli using a tac promoter-based expression system. Investigation of EstB protein with respect to the ability to hydrolyse beta-lactam substrates clearly demonstrated that this protein has no beta-lactamase activity. The recombinant enzyme is active on triglycerides and on nitrophenyl esters with acyl chain lengths up to C6. The preference for short chain length substrates indicated that EstB is a typical carboxylesterase. As a special feature EstB esterase was found to have high deacetylation activity on cephalosporin derivatives.

Acetylation↗

Regioselective deacetylation of cellulose acetates by acetyl xylan esterases of different CE-families.

Cellulose acetate (CA) was found to be a substrate of several acetyl xylan esterases (AXE). Eight AXE from different carbohydrate esterase (CE) families were tested on their activity against CA with a degree of substitution of 0.7 and 1.4. The classification of the AXEs into CE families according to their structure by hydrophobic cluster analysis followed clearly their activity against CA. Within the same CE family similar, and between the CE families different deacetylation behaviours could be observed. Furthermore, each esterase family showed a distinct regioselective mode of action. The CE 1 family enzymes regioselectively cleaved the substituents in C2- and C3-position, while CE 5 family enzymes only cleaved the acetyl groups in C2-position. CE 4 family enzymes seemed to interact only with the substituents in C3-position. Evidence was found that the deacetylation reaction of the CE 1 family enzymes proceeded faster in C2- than in C3-position of CA. The enzymes were able to cleave acetyl groups from fully substituted anhydroglucose units.

Acetylation↗

[Acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency and lymphoproliferative syndromes].

About 20 cases of acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency have been reported in association with malignant lymphomas. We describe 3 such patients. The 3 patients studied were asymptomatic and had low C1q level. Danazol administration resulted in an increase of C1 esterase inhibitor in 2 patients. The complement activation in acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency could be explained by interaction with pathological cells of the spleen, the blood or the bone-marrow. The mechanism of decrease of C1 INH is discussed.

Aged↗

Transacetylations to carbohydrates catalyzed by acetylxylan esterase in the presence of organic solvent.

Various conditions were applied to test the ability of acetylxylan esterase (AcXE) from Schizophyllum commune to catalyze acetyl group transfer to methyl beta-D-xylopyranoside (Me-beta-Xylp) and other carbohydrates. The best performance of the enzyme was observed in an n-hexane-vinyl acetate-sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate (DOSS)-water microemulsion at a molar water-detergent ratio (w(0)) of about 4-5. Although the enzyme was found to have a half-life of about 1 h in the system, more than 60% conversion of Me-beta-Xylp to acetylated derivatives was achieved. Under identical reaction conditions, the enzyme acetylated other carbohydrates such as methyl beta-D-cellobioside (Me-beta-Cel), cellotetraose, methyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (Me-beta-Glcp), 2-deoxy-D-glucose, D-mannose, beta-1,4-mannobiose, -mannopentaose, -mannohexaose, beta-1,4-xylobiose and -xylopentaose. This work is the first example of reverse reactions by an acetylxylan esterase and a carbohydrate esterase belonging to family 1.

Acetylation↗

estA, a gene coding for a cell-bound esterase from Paenibacillus sp. BP-23, is a new member of the bacterial subclass of type B carboxylesterases.

Screening of a gene library from Paenibacillus sp. BP-23 generated in Escherichia coli led to identification of a clone that directed the production of lipolytic activity. From the sequencing data, we found an open reading frame encoding a protein of 485 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 53 kDa and a pI of 5.1. Absence of a signal peptide indicated that it was a cell-bound protein. Sequence analysis showed that the protein contained the signature G-XI-S-X2-G included in most serine-esterases and lipases. The cloned protein showed high homology with enzymes belonging to the bacterial subclass of type B carboxylesterases. The enzyme had a significant preference for esters of short-chain fatty acids and showed the kinetics behaviour of a true esterase. Maximum activity was found at pH 7.5 and 37 degrees C, although the enzyme was active in the pH range 6.0- 9.0 and at temperatures up to 45 degrees C. As expected for a serine-esterase, activity was inhibited by phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The interactions between juvenile hormone (JH), lipophorin, vitellogenin, and JH esterases in two cockroach species.

For the cockroach species Leucophaea maderae and Periplaneta americana two major juvenile hormone (JH)-binding proteins have been identified: lipophorin (Lp) and vitellogenin (Vg). Each of these macromolecules binds JH with an approximate affinity of K(d) of 10 nM. In Leucophaea the concentration of Lp is augmented by JH during vitellogenesis at the same time when Vg is induced de novo. The circulating levels of each of Lp and Vg at mid-vitellogenesis are in the 10 microM range. Similar values have been determined for Periplaneta. Total JH concentrations (bound and free) can be as high as micromolar in Leucophaea. However, because of the large quantities of the two major JH-binding proteins and their high affinity for JH, we can assume that the amount of free (unbound) JH in circulation is extremely low (the actual values are not know). The JH esterases (JHEs) of the hemolymph in both cockroach species have been isolated by anion exchange chromatography. The JHEs of Leucophaea bound to the anion exchange resin more tightly than the JHE of Periplaneta. The V(max) of the Leucophaea esterases fluctuated by a factor of 2 to 3 during vitellogenesis. The K(m) values for the two distinct esterases of Leucophaea were similar (about 0.15x10(-6) M). On the other hand, k(cat) of the JHEs for Leucophaea at ovulation time was two to three times higher than earlier during vitellogenesis, i.e. 23.30 min(-l) compared to 6.20 min(-1). The JHE of Leucophaea is shown to bind JH III with high affinity: K(d)=3x10(-9) M. However, since there are only very small amounts of JH available for degradation (due to the binding to Lp and Vg), the quantitative removal of JH from circulation, and this includes the release of bound JH, is indeed slow, with a measured half-life of 6-8 h. Classical kinetic assumptions are not met in conditions where the enzyme concentrations exceed by far that of the available substrate. Nonetheless, we attempted to determine the initial velocity of JH hydrolysis under natural conditions, i.e. for undiluted hemolymph, by measuring the initial velocities of JH hydrolysis in serially diluted hemolymph and extrapolating to zero dilution. For in vivo conditions we estimated an initial velocity of JH hydrolysis of <0.1 fmol microl hemolymph(-1) min(-1), i.e. four to five orders of magnitude lower than that measured at substrate saturation in vitro.

Animals↗

cDNA cloning and characterization of Bombyx mori juvenile hormone esterase: an inducible gene by the imidazole insect growth regulator KK-42.

The insect growth regulator (IGR) imidazole KK-42 induces hemolymph juvenile hormone esterase activity and precocious metamorphosis in Bombyx mori. As an initial step to understand the molecular action of KK-42, we isolated a full-length of juvenile hormone esterase cDNA from B. mori (BmJHE). The deduced amino acid sequence of BmJHE showed high identity to JHEs of Heliothis virescens (54%) and Choristoneura fumiferana (52%). Recombinant BmJHE protein expressed in the baculovirus expression system hydrolyzed 3H-JH III and JH analog, HEPTAT, indicating that BmJHE cDNA encodes functional JH esterase. Northern blot analysis showed that the BmJHE transcript was present predominantly in the fat body at the beginning of the last larval instar. During this instar, BmJHE transcript increased gradually until day 7, then decreased, and increased again on day 10 in the fat body. This temporary expression pattern was similar to that of JHE enzyme activity in hemolymph. In contrast, in the 4th instar, the BmJHE transcript was present in the fat body even though hemolymph JHE activity was very low. Western blot analysis using anti-BmJHE antiserum showed BmJHE protein was present in hemolymph during the 5th instar but not during the 4th instar. These results indicate that BmJHE protein is secreted into hemolymph at the metamorphic stage. Hemolymph JHE activity was high in precociously metamorphosed 4th instar larvae (treated KK-42) but low in normal 4th and extra-molted 6th instar larvae (fed 20E). KK-42-treated larvae showed high expression level of BmJHE transcript in the fat body, suggesting that KK-42 enhances BmJHE gene expression in the fat body.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of complement fragment 1 esterase inhibition on survival of human decay-accelerating factor pig lungs perfused with human blood.

BACKGROUND: The role of complement in hyperacute lung xenograft rejection has not been fully elucidated. The present study evaluates the effect of complement (C) 1 esterase inhibition on hyperacute rejection of human decay-accelerating factor (hDAF)-positive pig lung by human blood. METHODS: Using a modification of an established ex vivo model, right and left lungs from individual animals were surgically isolated and separately perfused. Pigs homozygous for hDAF were perfused with fresh human blood that was either untreated or treated with complement 1 esterase inhibitor (C1-Inh) at doses of 1 U/ml (n = 5), 5 U/ml (n = 3) or 10 U/ml plasma (n = 5). RESULTS: Only C1-Inh at 10 U/ml prolonged survival time (230 +/- 48.3 minutes) as compared with controls (65.6 +/- 26.5 minutes, p < 0.05) and diminished complement activation (C3a and C5a, p < 0.05). Interestingly, a low concentration of C1-Inh increased the pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR; 1 U/ml: 0.54 +/- 0.3; 10 U/ml: 0.19 +/- 0.08). Sequestration of neutrophils (92 +/- 3%) and platelets (64 +/- 13%) was not prevented by any concentration of C1-Inh. Tissue deposition of C3b and C5b-9 were diminished by hDAF expression, and further blunted by treatment, with 10 U/ml C1-Inh. CONCLUSIONS: Complement plays a critical role in early events of lung hyperacute rejection (HAR). However, even potent inhibition of C1 esterase and C3/C5 convertase, using serum C1-Inh in pig lungs homozygous for hDAF expression, does not prevent rapid lung injury. Our findings implicate innate immune pathways resistant to efficient complement regulation, and suggest a role for neutrophils and platelets in the lung's particular vulnerability.

Animals↗

Proteolytic cleavage of MHC class I by complement C1-esterases--an overlooked mechanism?

The complement C1-esterases have been shown to cleave the MHC class I molecules, which are important participants in the activation of T lymphocytes, between the alpha 2- and the alpha 3-domain of the heavy chain. The possible involvement of the C1-esterases in the regulation of peripheral self-tolerance is discussed. It is hypothesized that the C1-esterase-mediated cleavage of the MHC class I molecules either induces: a soluble fragment of the outer two domains of the MHC class I molecule, in association with beta 2-microglobulin, to bind to the T cell receptors and prevent the cells from being activated, or produces a change in the exposure of the alpha 3-domain that remain on the cell surface, acting as mediator of a 'veto signal' that prevents these cells from being activated.

Complement C1s↗

Role of intracellular esterases in the production of esters by Acetobacter pasteurianus.

Esters are the major flavor compounds produced by Acetobacter sp. during vinegar production. The two genes encoding the esterases in the bacteria were disrupted, and the effects of the disruptions studied. When cultured in the presence of ethanol, the est1 gene-disrupted mutant (DE1K) did not produce any ethyl acetate or isoamyl acetate. However, the disruption of est2 did not affect the ester production. Ethyl acetate production by N-23 (pME122P) and DE1K (pME122P), which contain est1, was 1.7-fold higher than that by the wild type, N-23. On analyzing the relationship between ethyl acetate production and the extracellular ethanol and acetic acid concentrations, we found that the highest amount of ethyl acetate was produced when the molar ratio of ethanol and acetic acid was 1:1. These results indicate that the ester production by Acetobacter sp. is mostly catalyzed by the intracellular esterase, esterase-1, with ethanol and acetic acid used as the substrates.

Journal Article↗

Cloning and characterization of ethanol-regulated esterase genes in Acetobacter pasteurianus.

The esterase encoding genes, est1 and est2, were cloned from Acetobacter pasteurianus. Nucleotide sequence analysis of est1 revealed a gene of 954 bp, and est1 coded for an arylesterase with a molecular weight of 34863 Da consisting of 317 amino acids. The est2 gene contained an open reading frame composed of 1221 bp encoding an esterase with a molecular weight of 43389 Da consisting of 406 amino acids. The est1 gene showed some similarity, but the est2 gene showed no significant homology to other esterases reported in various microorganisms. Northern blot analysis of total RNA from A. pasteurianus revealed that transcription of the est1 gene was induced only when the cells were grown in a medium containing ethanol, and suggested that the est1 transcript is monocistronic. In contrast, transcription of the est2 gene was repressed in the presence of ethanol. In the absence of ethanol, expression of the est2-mRNA, capable of encoding a multiple number of proteins, was revealed by Northern blot analysis. In addition, deletion analysis indicated that the 5'-region of the est2 gene contained a cis-acting domain for est2 transcriptional regulation. Analysis of the est1 promoter using the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene as a reporter gene showed that the promoter within the 305-bp fragment upstream of the ATG initiation codon was responsible for the transcription in cells grown in the presence of ethanol. Primer extension analysis of est1-mRNA showed that the transcription initiation site was 49 bp upstream from the ATG initiation codon. The results of a gel mobility shift assay indicated that there is a regulatory protein related to est1 regulation, which may have some relation to the ethanol resistance of Acetobacter sp.

Journal Article↗

Inhibition of pig liver esterase by trifluoromethyl ketones: modulators of the catalytic reaction alter inhibition kinetics.

The kinetics of substrate hydrolysis by pig liver esterase show activation by various substrates as well as activation by organic solvents (both Vmax and Km increase) [Barker, D.L., & Jencks, W.P. (1969) Biochemistry 8, 3890]. The trifluoromethyl ketones 1,1,1-trifluoro-4-phenylbutan-2-one (TPB) and 1,1,1-trifluoro-4-(p-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one (OH-TPB) are slow, tight binding inhibitors of pig liver esterase with Ki values of 6.8 X 10(-9) M and 6.0 X 10(-9) M, respectively. Acetonitrile, TPB, and OH-TPB as well as the substrates pNPA and ethyl lactate caused a 15-130-fold increase in the rate of association (kon), and dissociation (koff), of the enzyme--TPB complex. The value of Ki (koff/kon) did not change. The effect cannot be attributed to half-sites reactivity since an increase in koff of OH-TPB is also observed with enzyme monomers. The results are consistent with a model proposed for the catalytic reaction (Barker & Jencks, 1969) which invokes two binding sites on each esterase subunit, a catalytic site and an effector site. Occupation of the effector site can increase koff and kon for the inhibitors TPB and OH-TPB. Not all compounds which bind at the effector site increase koff. Butanol binds at the effector site but does not effect koff of TPB. The results also indicate that an aromatic or a hydrophobic structure and a carbonyl group are required for optimal interaction with the effector site.

Animals↗

Ortho effects for inhibition mechanisms of butyrylcholinesterase by o-substituted phenyl N-butyl carbamates and comparison with acetylcholinesterase, cholesterol esterase, and lipase.

Phenyl carbamates are used to treat Alzheimer's disease. These compounds inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. The goal of this work was to determine the chemical characteristics of ortho substituents that make some carbamates better inhibitors of butyrylcholinesterase than of acetylcholinesterase, cholesterol esterase, and lipase. The inhibition constants, Ki, Ki', kc, and ki were measured for nine different carbamates. The values were plotted according to Hammett, Taft-Kutter-Hansch, and Swan-Lupton to obtain constants that correlated the chemical nature of the substituents with inhibition potency. It was found that the negative charges of tetrahedral intermediates were more stabilized by ortho electron-withdrawing substituents of the inhibitors in butyrylcholinesterase than in acetylcholinesterase. This result confirmed formation of 3-pronged hydrogen bonds for the oxyanion hole of butyrylcholinesterase and 2-pronged hydrogen bonds for the oxyanion hole of acetylcholinesterase. Furthermore, it was found that ortho electron-donating substituents of the inhibitors accelerated inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase by ortho polar effects. Conformations of enzyme-inhibitor tetrahedral intermediates for butyrylcholinesterase were different from those for acetylcholinesterase and cholesterol esterase; ortho substituents in the tetrahedral intermediates were located far from the negatively charged carbonyl oxygens in butyrylcholinesterase, but close to the negatively charged carbonyl oxygens in acetylcholinesterase and cholesterol esterase. In conclusion, electron-donating substituents in the ortho position were better inhibitors of butyrylcholinesterase than acetylcholinesterase, while electron-withdrawing substituents were better inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Effect of hypothermia on kinetic characteristics of acetylcholine esterase in rat erythrocyte membranes.

We studied kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics of acetylcholine esterase in rat erythrocyte membrane after whole-body hypothermia (20 degrees C) of different duration. Hypothermia increased the degree of substrate inhibition for acetylcholine esterase, maximum rate, and Michaelis constant. The temperature dependence of acetylcholine esterase activity remained practically unchanged.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Crystal structure of a bacterial cocaine esterase.

Here we report the first structure of a cocaine-degrading enzyme. The bacterial esterase, cocE, hydrolyzes pharmacologically active (-)-cocaine to a non-psychoactive metabolite with a rate faster than any other reported cocaine esterase (kcat = 7.8 s-1 and KM = 640 nM). Because of the high catalytic proficiency of cocE, it is an attractive candidate for novel protein-based therapies for cocaine overdose. The crystal structure of cocE, solved by multiple anomalous dispersion (MAD) methods, reveals that cocE is a serine esterase composed of three domains: (i) a canonical alpha/beta hydrolase fold (ii) an alpha-helical domain that caps the active site and (iii) a jelly-roll-like beta-domain that interacts extensively with the other two domains. The active site was identified within the interface of all three domains by analysis of the crystal structures of transition state analog adduct and product complexes, which were refined at 1.58 A and 1.63 A resolution, respectively. These structural studies suggest that substrate recognition arises partly from interactions between the benzoyl moiety of cocaine and a highly evolved specificity pocket.

Acylation↗