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PKCzeta regulates TNF-alpha-induced activation of NADPH oxidase in endothelial cells.

Although oxidant generation by NADPH oxidase is known to play an important role in signaling in endothelial cells, the basis of activation of NADPH oxidase is incompletely understood. The atypical isoform of protein kinase C, PKCzeta, has been implicated in the mechanism of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced oxidant generation in endothelial cells; thus, in the present study, we have addressed the role of PKCzeta in regulating NADPH oxidase function. We showed by immunoblotting and confocal microscopy the presence of the major cytosolic NADPH oxidase subunits, p47(phox) and membrane-bound gp91(phox) in human pulmonary artery endothelial (HPAE) cells. TNF-alpha failed to activate oxidant generation in lung vascular endothelial cells derived from p47(phox-/-) and gp91(phox-/-) mice, indicating the requirement of NADPH oxidase in mediating the oxidant generation in endothelial cells. Stimulation of HPAE cells with TNF-alpha resulted in the phosphorylation of p47(phox) and its association with gp91(phox). Inhibition of PKCzeta by multiple pharmacological and genetic approaches prevented the TNF-alpha-induced phosphorylation of p47(phox), and its translocation to the membrane. PKCzeta was shown to colocalize with p47(phox), and inhibition of PKCzeta activation prevented the interaction of p47(phox) with gp91(phox) induced by TNF-alpha. Furthermore, inhibition of association of p47(phox) with gp91(phox) prevented the oxidant generation in endothelial cells. These data demonstrate a novel function of PKCzeta in signaling oxidant generation in endothelial cells by the activation of NADPH oxidase, which may be important in mediating endothelial activation responses.

Animals↗

Pulmonary artery NADPH-oxidase is activated in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

An NADPH-oxidase complex containing at least two protein components (gp91-phox and p22-phox) and a unique low redox potential (-245 mV) cytochrome b-245 is the source of superoxide generated for bacterial killing in neutrophils and has been suggested as the oxygen sensor in the carotid body. In pure cultures of smooth muscle cells from calf small pulmonary arteries (300 microns diameter) the presence of the 91 kD protein specific to this cytochrome was demonstrated by Western blot analysis with monoclonal antibody 48. Low-temperature-difference spectrophotometry of homogenates of these cells demonstrated the characteristic cytochrome b-245 spectrum when titrated between redox potentials of -152 and -345 mV, consistent with the low redox potential form. When these same cells were exposed to hypoxia (approximately 40 mmHg), superoxide production increased significantly from 1.4 +/- 0.2 to 73 +/- 12 nmoles.min-1 mg-1 protein. Hypoxic generation of superoxide was inhibited by the NADPH-oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI: 10 microM) but not by the mitochondrial inhibitor myxathiazole (10 microM). The hypoxic superoxide increase was significantly greater than that observed from smooth muscle cells from large pulmonary arteries or from large or small systemic arteries. Fluorescence immunocytochemistry revealed the presence of the NADPH-oxidase protein in the walls of pulmonary arteries in rat lung slices, and confocal microscopy showed the complex to be widely distributed in the vicinity of the arterial smooth muscle walls. In hypoxia or norepinephrine (NP)-induced vasoconstriction of pulmonary artery rings from cats, the sensitivity to inhibition by DPI was observed to be significantly greater for hypoxia (ED50 = 0.8 microM) than for NP-induced (ED50 = 13.4 microM) constriction. Together these observations demonstrate that the unique cytochrome b-245 containing NADPH-oxidase is present in pulmonary artery smooth muscle and that an NADPH-oxidase or NADH-oxidoreductase complex is activated to release superoxide by hypoxic conditions. It is concluded that a trans-membrane NADPH-oxidase is the most likely and that activation of this system may be involved in the initiation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Animals↗

Impact of mitochondria and NADPH oxidases on acute and sustained hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) matches lung perfusion with ventilation to optimize pulmonary gas exchange. However, it remains unclear whether acute HPV (occurring within seconds) and the vasoconstrictor response to sustained alveolar hypoxia (developing over several hours) are triggered by identical mechanisms. We investigated the effect of mitochondrial and NADPH oxidase inhibitors on both phases of HPV in intact rabbit lungs. These studies revealed that the sustained HPV is largely dependent on mitochondrial complex I and totally dependent on complex IV, whereas NADPH oxidase dependence was only observed for acute HPV. These findings were reinforced by an alternative approach employing lungs from mice deficient in the NADPH oxidase subunit p 47(phox). In these mice (which lack a subunit suggested to be important for the function of most NADPH oxidase isoforms), but not in gp 91(phox)-deficient mice (which represent only one isoform of NADPH oxidases), acute HPV was significantly reduced, while non-hypoxia-induced vasoconstrictions elicited by the thromboxane mimetic U46619 were not affected. We concluded that the acute phase and the sustained phase of HPV are differentially regulated, with NADPH oxidase activity predominating in the acute phase, while a strong dependence on mitochondrial participation was observed for the second phase.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗

Nitric oxide, an endothelial cell relaxation factor, inhibits neutrophil superoxide anion production via a direct action on the NADPH oxidase.

Nitric oxide provokes vasodilation and inhibits platelet aggregation. We examined the effect of nitric oxide on superoxide anion production by three sources: activated intact neutrophils, xanthine oxidase/hypoxanthine, and the NADPH oxidase. Nitric oxide significantly inhibited the generation of superoxide anion by neutrophils exposed to either FMLP (10(-7)M) or PMA (150 ng/ml) (IC50 = 30 microM). To determine whether the effect of nitric oxide on the respiratory burst was due to simple scavenging of O2+, kinetic studies that compared effects on neutrophils and the cell-free xanthine oxidase system were performed. Nitric oxide inhibited O2+ produced by xanthine oxidase only when added simultaneously with substrate, consistent with the short half-life of NO in oxygenated solution. In contrast, the addition of nitric oxide to neutrophils 20 min before FMLP resulted in the inhibition of O2+ production, which suggests formation of a stable intermediate. The effect of nitric oxide on the cell-free NADPH oxidase superoxide-generating system was also examined: The addition of NO before arachidonate activation (t = -6 min) significantly inhibited superoxide anion production. Nitric oxide did not inhibit O2+ when added at NADPH initiation (t = 0). Treatment of the membrane but not cytosolic component of the oxidase was sufficient to inhibit O2+ generation. The data suggest that nitric oxide inhibits neutrophil O2+ production via direct effects on membrane components of the NADPH oxidase. This action must occur before the assembly of the activated complex.

Calcium↗

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase in annulo-aortic ectasia disease: relation to elastic lamellae-associated proteins.

Lysyl oxidases (Lox), which are members of the amine oxidase family, are involved in the maturation of elastic lamellae and collagen fibers. Modifications of amine oxidases in idiopathic annulo-aortic ectasia disease (IAAED) have never been investigated. Our aim was to examine the expression of several proteins that might interfere with elastic fiber organization in control (n=10) and IAAED (n=18) aortic tissues obtained at surgery. Expression of amine oxidases and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO), and cellular phenotypic markers were examined by immunohistopathology and confocal microscopy. The expression of these proteins was assessed in relation to clinical and histomorphological features of the arterial wall. In control aorta, SSAO staining was expressed along elastic lamellae, whereas in aneurysmal areas of IAAED, SSAO was markedly decreased, in association with severe disorganization of elastic lamellae. Smooth muscle myosin heavy chain was also decreased in IAAED compared with controls, indicating smooth muscle cell dedifferentiation. Multiple regression analysis showed that elastic lamellar thickness (ELT) was correlated positively with the SSAO:elastin ratio and negatively with the Lox:elastin ratio, and that the clinical features of IAAED (aneurysm, thoracic aorta diameter, and aortic insufficiency) were positively correlated with ELT but not with SSAO. The relationship between SSAO expression and ELT suggests that this amine oxidase may be involved in elastic fiber organization. However, in advanced IAAED, the deficit in SSAO expression could be secondary to the decrease and fragmentation of elastic fibers and/or to vascular smooth muscle cell dedifferentiation.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)↗

Identification of a functional leukocyte-type NADPH oxidase in human endothelial cells :a potential atherogenic source of reactive oxygen species.

Cultured human endothelial cells (EC) exposed to atherogenic low-density lipoprotein levels have increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The enzyme responsible for this ROS production elevation is unknown. We have examined for the presence of a functional leukocyte-type NADPH oxidase in EC to elucidate whether this enzyme could be the ROS source. The plasma membrane fraction of disrupted EC showed a reduced-minus-oxidized difference spectra with absorption peaks identical to those observed in the spectra of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase component, cytochrome b558. Western-blot analysis, using anti-gp91 -phox. anti -p22-phox. anti -p47-phox. and anti -p67-phox antibodies, demonstrated the protein expression of NADPH oxidase subunits in EC. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed the mRNA expression of gp91-phox, p22-phox, p47-phox, and p67-phox in EC. Sonicates from unstimulated EC produced no measurable superoxide; whereas, exogenously applied arachidonic acid activated superoxide generation in a manner that was dependent upon the presence of NADPH and both membrane and cytosolic fractions combined. Apocynin, a specific leukocyte NADPH oxidase inhibitor, was shown by Western-blot analysis of membrane and cytoplasmic fractions to inhibit the translocation of p47-phox to the membrane of stimulated EC. These findings support the presence of a functionally active leukocyte-type NADPH oxidase in EC. NADPH oxidase could be the major cellular ROS source in EC perturbation, which has been hypothesized to be a major contributing factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Acetophenones↗

Effects of flavonoids on xanthine oxidation as well as on cytochrome c reduction by milk xanthine oxidase.

That flavonoids inhibit xanthine oxidase from cow milk was confirmed by measuring oxygen consumption with an oxygen electrode. In contrast, flavonoids did not inhibit glucose oxidase, another oxygen consuming enzyme. Among the flavonoids tested, quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, chrysin, quercitrin, and morin were potent inhibitors of xanthine oxidase; their inhibition rates (%) were 80, 70, 69, 62, 59, and 51 at 100 microM (except chrysin at 50 microM), respectively. The xanthine oxidase-inhibiting activities of the flavonoids were not always well correlated with the suppressive activities of the flavonoids on cytochrome c reduction by a xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. The inhibition of xanthine oxidase by quercetin was not affected by cupric ion. The partition rates of the flavonoids between n-butanol and a buffer solution seemed to account for some of the inhibition.

Animals↗

Critical role for microglial NADPH oxidase in rotenone-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons.

Increasing evidence has suggested an important role for environmental toxins such as pesticides in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Chronic exposure to rotenone, a common herbicide, reproduces features of Parkinsonism in rats. Mechanistically, rotenone-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration has been associated with both its inhibition of neuronal mitochondrial complex I and the enhancement of activated microglia. Our previous studies with NADPH oxidase inhibitors, diphenylene iodonium and apocynin, suggested that NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide might be a major factor in mediating the microglia-enhanced rotenone neurotoxicity. However, because of the relatively low specificity of these inhibitors, the exact source of superoxide induced by rotenone remains to be further determined. In this study, using primary mesencephalic cultures from NADPH oxidase--null (gp91phox-/-) or wild-type (gp91phox+/+) mice, we demonstrated a critical role for microglial NADPH oxidase in mediating microglia-enhanced rotenone neurotoxicity. In neuron--glia cultures, dopaminergic neurons from gp91phox-/- mice were more resistant to rotenone neurotoxicity than those from gp91phox+/+ mice. However, in neuron-enriched cultures, the neurotoxicity of rotenone was not different between the two types of mice. More importantly, the addition of microglia prepared from gp91phox+/+ mice but not from gp91phox-/- mice to neuron-enriched cultures markedly increased rotenone-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, apocynin attenuated rotenone neurotoxicity only in the presence of microglia from gp91phox+/+ mice. These results indicated that the greatly enhanced neurotoxicity of rotenone was attributed to the release of NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide from activated microglia. This study also suggested that microglial NADPH oxidase may be a promising target for PD treatment.

Acetophenones↗

Regulation of lysyl oxidase and cyclooxygenase expression in human lung fibroblasts: interactions among TGF-beta, IL-1 beta, and prostaglandin E.

Prostaglandin E2, transforming growth factor-beta, and interleukin-1 beta variably regulate the expression of cyclooxygenase 1, cyclooxygenase 2, and lysyl oxidase in IMR90, human embryo lung fibroblasts. Prostaglandin E2 at 100 nM upregulates cyclooxygenase 1 mRNA by approximately three-fold while it downregulates lysyl oxidase mRNA levels. Notably, prostaglandin E2 suppresses the enhancing effect of TGF-beta on basal levels of lysyl oxidase mRNA. These changes in steady state mRNA levels reflect transcriptional level control, at least in part. Corresponding changes are seen in the protein levels of lysyl oxidase, cyclooxygenase 1 and cyclooxygenase 2 and catalytic activities of these enzymes, including net prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Cyclooxygenase 2 mRNA(t1/2, 30 min) is considerably less stable than that of cyclooxygenase 1 (t1/2, 4 h) while lysyl oxidase mRNA is unusually stable (t1/2 > 14 h). Taken together with the differing kinetics with which these genes respond to perturbation by these cytokines, the present results suggest a coordinated, autocrine-like mechanism of regulation of cyclooxygenase 1 and cyclooxygenase 2 and further point to the potential of their metabolic product, prostaglandin E2, to suppress the expression of lysyl oxidase in the inflammatory response to injury.

Cyclooxygenase 1↗

Oxidative stress in scleroderma: maintenance of scleroderma fibroblast phenotype by the constitutive up-regulation of reactive oxygen species generation through the NADPH oxidase complex pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the in vitro activation of skin fibroblasts from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Fibroblasts were obtained from involved skin of patients with limited or diffuse SSc. Oxidative activity imaging in living cells was carried out using confocal microscopy. Levels of O2- and H2O2 released from fibroblasts were estimated by the superoxide dismutase (SOD)-inhibitable cytochrome c reduction and homovanilic acid assays, respectively. To verify NADPH oxidase activation, the light membrane of fibroblasts was immunoblotted with an anti-p47phox-specific antibody. Fibroblasts were stimulated with various cytokines and growth factors to determine whether any of these factors modulate ROS generation. Cell proliferation was estimated by 3H-thymidine incorporation. Northern blot analysis was used to study alpha1 and alpha2 type I collagen gene expression. RESULTS: Unstimulated skin fibroblasts from SSc patients released more O2- and H2O2 in vitro through the NADPH oxidase complex pathway than did normal fibroblasts, since incubation of SSc fibroblasts with diphenylene iodonium, a flavoprotein inhibitor, suppressed the generation of ROS. This suppression was not seen with rotenone, a mitochondrial oxidase inhibitor, or allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. Furthermore, the cytosolic component of NADPH oxidase, p47phox, was translocated to the plasma membrane of resting SSc fibroblasts. A transient increase in ROS production was induced in normal but not in SSc fibroblasts by interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), platelet-derived growth factor type BB (PDGF-BB), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), and H2O2. Treatment of normal and SSc fibroblasts with tumor necrosis factor a (TNFalpha), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, interferon-alpha (IFNalpha), IFNgamma, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSP), G-CSF, or connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) had no effect on ROS generation. Constitutive ROS production by SSc fibroblasts was not inhibited when these cells were treated with catalase, SOD, IL-1 receptor antagonist, or antibodies blocking the effect of TGFbeta1, PDGF-BB, and other agonists (IL-4, IL-6, TNFalpha, CTGF). In contrast, treatment of SSc fibroblasts with the membrane-permeant antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine inhibited ROS production, and this was accompanied by decreased proliferation of these cells and down-regulation of alpha1(I) and alpha2(I) collagen messenger RNA. CONCLUSION: The constitutive intracellular production of ROS by SSc fibroblasts derives from the activation of an NADPH oxidase-like system and is essential to fibroblast proliferation and expression of type I collagen genes in SSc cells. Our results also exclude O2-, H2O2, IL-1beta, TGFbeta1, PDGF-BB, IL-4, IL-6, TNFalpha, or CTGF as mediators of a positive, autocrine feedback mechanism of ROS generation.

Acetylcysteine↗

Cytochrome c oxidase--deficient myogenic cell lines in mitochondrial myopathy.

In a patient with mitochondrial myopathy, the defect of cytochrome c oxidase activity was restricted to some muscle fibers. To isolate cell lines with or without oxidase activity from a single muscle sample, primary cultured cells were transformed by replication origin-defective simian virus 40, and then cloned. The clones were examined by cytochemical staining for cytochrome c oxidase activity. Eight myogenic clones were completely devoid of activity, while the other myogenic and nonmyogenic clones were not. Deficiency of cytochrome c oxidase was stable in culture for at least a year after serial passaging. The amount of mitochondrial DNA in cytochrome c oxidase-deficient cells was the same as in control cells, and no deletion in the mitochondrial DNA was detected. Protein synthesis in mitochondria of the subunits of cytochrome c oxidase and subunit 6 of the ATP synthase complex was markedly decreased, whereas synthesis of the other subunits encoded by mitochondrial DNA was normal. These cloned cell lines provide an excellent system for clarifying the cause of mitochondrial myopathy and for investigating nuclear-mitochondrial genetic interaction.

Adolescent↗

Vascular amine oxidases are needed for leukocyte extravasation into inflamed joints in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: Leukocyte traffic from the blood to the joints is crucial in the pathogenesis of arthritis. A bifunctional endothelial cell-surface glycoprotein, AOC3 (amine oxidase, copper-containing 3; also known as vascular adhesion protein 1), has both adhesive and enzymatic properties. We undertook this study to determine the contribution of AOC3 and its oxidase activity to leukocyte trafficking into inflamed joints in vivo. METHODS: We used gene-modified animals, molecular modeling, an AOC3 enzyme inhibitor, oxidase assays, and arthritis models (adjuvant-induced arthritis [AIA] in rats and anti-type II collagen antibody-induced arthritis in mice) to dissect the importance of AOC3 in vivo. RESULTS: The AOC3 inhibitor fitted well with a covalent binding mode into the active site of the AOC3 crystal structure. It selectively blocked the oxidase activity of AOC3 in enzyme assays. Intraperitoneal and oral administration of the AOC3 inhibitor significantly ameliorated rat AIA. In anti-type II collagen antibody-induced arthritis in mice, the AOC3 inhibitor also improved the outcome of the joint inflammation. The acute semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase blockade by the inhibitor had even more pronounced effects than genetic deletion of AOC3. Enzymatic analyses showed that the inhibitor also blocked 2 other structurally very closely related AOCs, but not any of more than 100 other enzymes tested. CONCLUSION: These are the first data to demonstrate that the enzymatic activity of the atypical endothelial adhesion molecule AOC3, and possibly that of other closely related ecto-oxidases, is crucial for leukocyte exit from the vessels in inflamed joints in vivo.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)↗

NADPH oxidase produces reactive oxygen species and maintains survival of rat astrocytes.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by activated astrocytes have been considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, while NADPH oxidase is an essential enzyme involved in ROS-mediated signal transduction. The goal of the present study was to determine whether NADPH oxidase plays a role in ROS generation and cell survival in rat astrocytes. We found that the release of ROS in rat astrocytes was significantly increased by stimulation with calcium ionophore or opsonized zymosan, which are known to trigger a respiration burst in phagocytes by the NADPH oxidase pathway. Further study indicated that diphenylene iodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, significantly suppressed the increase of ROS release caused by the calcium ionophore or opsonized zymosan. Cell survival assay and fluorescence double dyeing with acridine orange and ethidium bromide showed that DPI dose- and time-dependently decreased the viability of normal astrocytes, whereas exogenous supplementation of H2O2 can reverse the survival of DPI-treated astrocytes. For the first time, our results suggest that NADPH oxidase is an important enzyme for the generation of ROS in astrocytes, and the ROS generated by NADPH oxidase play an essential role in astrocyte survival.

5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid↗

Streptomyces: a superior source for cholesterol oxidase used in serum cholesterol assay.

The present study compared three cholesterol oxidase sources (Nocardia, Streptomyces, and Pseudomonas sps.) for serum cholesterol assay. We found cholesterol oxidase isolated from Streptomyces was superior than those isolated from Nocardia and Pseudomonas sps. Performances of the reagent contained Streptomyces cholesterol oxidase was excellent and comparable to the performances obtained from reagent contained Nocardia cholesterol oxidase. Moreover, the reagent containing Streptomyces cholesterol oxidase had the lowest cost and had the longest shelf-life ($U.S. 0.17/mL, 10 weeks) compared to the reagent contained Nocardia ($U.S. 0.50/mL, 8 weeks) or Pseudomonas ($U.S. 0.20/mL, 6 weeks) cholesterol oxidase.

Cholesterol↗

Fusion-mediated microinjection of active amine and diamine oxidases into cultured cells: effect on protein and DNA synthesis in chick embryo fibroblasts and in glioma cells.

Serum amine oxidase and/or porcine kidney diamine oxidase were trapped within reconstituted Sendai virus envelopes, and retained their activity. The trapped enzymes that were detected by radioimmunoblots were microinjected into cultured cells by fusion. When diamine oxidase was microinjected into cultured fibroblasts of chick or rat embryos, a temporary arrest in protein and DNA synthesis was observed. The inhibitory effect was more significant when both serum amine oxidase and kidney diamine oxidase were microinjected into those cultured cells. Fibroblasts of either chick or rat embryos transformed by Rous sarcoma virus were more susceptible to the injected enzymes than the normal cultures, showing a complete arrest in protein and DNA synthesis within 4 hours. Similar results were obtained by microinjecting diamine oxidase into cultured glioma cells. The injected enzyme catalyzed the oxidation of intracellular polyamines. The resulting oxidation product (hydrogen peroxide and aminoaldehydes) apparently caused the arrest in the synthesis of macromolecules.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)↗

Cationic proteins of neutrophil azurophilic granules: protein-protein interaction and blockade of NADPH oxidase activation.

We have previously reported inhibition of cell-free activation of the neutrophil superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase by a soluble cationic protein of neutrophil granules and by low concentrations of human defensin. Subcellular fractionation carried out in the current study indicated that the inhibitory substance was derived from azurophilic granules, was released into the medium on cell stimulation, and was resistant to phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). Phorbol ester was the most effective stimulus for the release of the blocking activity. The possibility was raised that granule protein(s) act in vivo as negative modulators of superoxide production. Gel filtration of granule extract revealed a markedly retarded protein peak exhibiting oxidase-blocking activity and containing lysozyme as the main protein. Because lysozyme did not exert inhibitory effects on oxidase activation, association of the inhibitory protein with lysozyme was assumed. Indeed a column of immobilized lysozyme retained a fraction of the granule extract's oxidase-blocking activity. Elution with a low-pH buffer recovered a component capable of inhibition of the NADPH oxidase in stimulated neutrophils and in the cell-free system. The main 29-kDa protein band in the eluted fraction was identified as proteinase 3, a serine protease of azurophilic granules. Enzymatically active as well as PMSF-blocked conventionally purified proteinase 3 interfered with phorbol myristate acetate-induced superoxide release. These findings support the hypothesis that exocytosed granule constituents may prevent excessive activation of the NADPH oxidase.

Cell Fractionation↗

An electron microscopic and enzymic study of rat liver peroxisomal nucleoid core and its association with urate oxidase.

The appearance of the characteristic crystalloid core of rat liver peroxisomes is emulated by the electron microscopic (EM) appearance of highly purified urate oxidase prepared from the same tissue. The purity of the enzyme preparation was established by gel electrophoresis under various conditions and the specific enzyme activity was at least as high as any previously reported. The amino acid composition of urate oxidase was determined. As additional evidence for close association of the peroxisomal core with urate oxidase, it was demonstrated that the biphasic changes in rat liver urate oxidase activity in response to prolonged starvation were paralleled by changes in the EM appearance of peroxisomes. Under comparable conditions catalase, another peroxisomal enzyme, did not show the same changes in activity as did urate oxidase. Evidence for the possible identity of urate oxidase with the peroxisomal crystalloid of rat liver has been presented, all materials having been obtained from, and experiments performed with, the rat.

Amino Acids↗

Expression of the glucose oxidase gene from Aspergillus niger in Hansenula polymorpha and its use as a reporter gene to isolate regulatory mutations.

The glucose oxidase gene (god) from Aspergillus niger was expressed in Hansenula polymorpha using the methanol oxidase promoter and transcription termination region and the MF-alpha leader sequence from Saccharomyces cerevisiae to direct secretion. The expression cassette was cloned into the S. cerevisiae vector YEp13 and used to transform H. polymorpha strain A16. In the initial transformants plasmid replication was unstable, but was stabilized by a growth regime consisting of alternating cycles of selective and non-selective growth. The stabilized strain was grown to high cell density by fed-batch fermentation. Upon induction of the MOX promoter, glucose oxidase synthesis was initiated. At the end of the fermentation, the culture density was 76 g dry weight/1 and 108 IU/ml (0.5 g/1 or 0.65% dry weight) glucose oxidase was found in the culture medium; a further 86 IU/ml (0.43 g/1 or 0.56% dry weight) was recovered from the cell lysate. A plate assay was used to monitor glucose oxidase levels in individual colonies. This was then used to isolate mutants which showed abnormal regulation of god expression or which showed an altered pattern of secretion. One mutant, which showed increased production of glucose oxidase, was grown to high cell density by fed-batch fermentation (100.6 g/l) and produced 445 IU/ml(2.25 g/l or 2.2% dry weight) extracellularly and 76 IU/ml (0.38 g/l or 0.4% dry weight) intracellularly. The mutant thus not only increased total production but exported 83% of the total enzyme made compared to 55% in the parent strain.

Aspergillus niger↗