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Melibiose is hydrolyzed exocellularly by an inducible exo-alpha-galactosidase in Azotobacter vinelandii.

Azotobacter vinelandii hydrolyzed melibiose exocellularly, leading to an accumulation of free glucose and galactose in the medium. This enzyme could also be induced by galactose, raffinose, and stachyose. The alpha-galactosidase activity could be detected quantitatively by using p-nitrophenyl-alpha-galactopyranoside as a substrate for intact cells. Chloramphenicol totally inhibited the induction of this enzyme. However, benzyl alcohol inhibited the secretion of this enzyme but did not inhibit the biosynthesis of the enzyme.

Azotobacter↗

Regulation of lactose catabolism in Streptococcus mutans: purification and regulatory properties of phospho-beta-galactosidase.

Phospho-beta-galactosidase (P-beta-gal), the enzyme which catalyzes the first step in the metabolism of intracellular lactose phosphate, occurred at high specific activity in the cytoplasm in 12 of 13 strains of streptococcus mutans grown on lactose but not other carbon sources. The P-beta-gal from S. mutans SL1 was purified 13-fold using diethylaminoethyl-cellulose ion exchange and agarose A--0.5 M molecular exclusion column chromatography. The molecualr weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 40,000, and its pH optimum was 6.5 in three different buffer systems. P-beta-gal activity was inhibited by Co2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+, but other cations, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, orthophosphate, and fluoride had no effect upon enzyme activity. The kinetic response of P-beta-gal to a model substrate, o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside-6-phosphate, obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and the Km for this substrate was 0.19 mM. In addition to being under genetic control, P-beta-gal activity was regulated by a number of biologically active metabolites. Enzyme activity was inhibited in a sigmoidal fashion by phosphoenolpyruvate. The M 0.5 V value for phosphoenolpyruvate was 2.8 mM, and the Hill coefficient (n) was 3. In addition, P-beta-gal exhibited strong inhibition by ATP, galactose-6-phosphate, and glucose-6-phosphate. In contrast to inhibition of P-beta-gal activity by phosphoenolpyruvate, the inhibition exerted by ATP, galactose-6-phosphate, and glucose-6-phosphate obeyed classical Michaelis-Menten kinetics; the Ki values for these inhibitors were 0.55, 1.6, and 4.0 mM, respectively.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Position of the mutation in beta-galactosidase ochre mutant U118.

The Escherichia coli lacZ ochre mutant strain U118 was converted to an amber mutant and suppressed with supF, which inserts tyrosine. Enzymatically active beta-galactosidase was isolated. It contained tyrosine at residue number 17 instead of glutamic acid as in wild type.

Escherichia coli↗

Position of the lacZX90 mutation and hybridization between complete and incomplete beta-galactosidase.

The position of the termination codon in lacZX90 was determined by isolation of a lac+ revertant. Lysine was found to replace tyrosine at position 1,012 of beta-galactosidase, indicating that X90 protein lacked the carboxyl-terminal 10 residues. A heat- and urea-sensitive hybrid enzyme was formed in vivo when supC, which supplies tyrosine to the position in the polypeptide corresponding to the nonsense codon, was used to suppress lacZX90. This result shows that suppression that adds back the original amino acid may not lead to the production of the wild-type enzyme if the latter is multimeric, because incomplete chains can be incorporated into the oligomer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Transgalactosylation activity of ebg beta-galactosidase synthesizes allolactose from lactose.

ebg enzyme, the second beta-galactosidase of Escherichia coli, does not normally convert lactose into an inducer of the lac operon. We previously reported the existence of a mutant ebg enzyme that does make such an inducer in vivo (Rolseth et al., J. Bacteriol. 142:1036-1039, 1980). Here I report that the mutant enzyme makes inducer from lactose in vitro and that the inducer is allolactose. Allolactose is made from lactose by direct transgalactosylation at a rate that is 8 to 10% of the rate of lactose hydrolysis. Galactose is also transferred to glucose free in solution, but the resulting indirect transgalactosylation products are not allolactose or lactose. The ability to efficiently synthesize allolactose is a general property of class IV mutant ebg enzymes, whereas other classes of ebg mutant enzymes are unable to synthesize allolactose efficiently. The evolutionary implications of this new function are discussed.

Enzyme Induction↗

Protein fusions of beta-galactosidase to the ferrichrome-iron receptor of Escherichia coli K-12.

The fusion-generating phage lambda plac Mu1 was used to produce fusions of lacZ to fhuA, the gene encoding the ferrichrome-iron receptor (FhuA protein) in the outer membrane of Escherichia coli K-12. Fusions to the fhuA gene in a delta (lac) strain were selected by their resistance to bacteriophage phi 80 vir. Ten independent (fhuA'-'lacZ) fusions were all Lac+ and were resistant to the lethal agents which require the FhuA protein as receptor, i.e., phi 80 vir, T5, T1, UC-1, and colicin M; none could utilize ferrichrome as the sole iron source. Specialized transducing phages were obtained by illegitimate excision from the chromosome of each of the fusion-bearing strains, and EcoRI fragments which encoded the fusions were subcloned into the high-copy plasmid pMLB524. Physical mapping of the fusion-containing plasmids confirmed the presence of three restriction sites which were also located on the chromosomal DNA of sequences near the fhuA gene. The direction of transcription of the fhuA gene was deduced from the direction of transcription of the (fhuA'-'lacZ) gene fusion. Identification of the chimeric proteins was made by both radiolabeling cells and immunoprecipitating the LacZ-containing proteins with antibody to beta-galactosidase and by preparing whole cell extracts from Lac+ cells containing the cloned gene fusions. Two sizes of (FhuA'-'LacZ) proteins were detected, 121 kDa and 124 kDa. The DNA sequences at the unique fusion joints were determined. The sequence information allowed us to identify three distinct fusion joints which were grouped as follows, type I fusions, 5'-ACT GCT CAG CCA A-3'; type IIa fusions, 5'-GCG GTT GAA CCG A-3'; and type IIb fusions: 5'-ACC GCT GCA CCT G-3'. To orient these fhuA fusion joints, the complete nucleotide sequence of the fhuA gene was determined from a 2,902-base-pair fragment of DNA. A single open reading frame was found which translated into a 747-amino acid polypeptide. The signal sequence of 33 amino acids was followed by a mature protein with a molecular weight of 78,992. Alignment of the amino acid sequence of the FhuA protein with the amino acid sequences presented for two other tonB-dependent receptor proteins in the outer membrane of E. coli showed an area of local homology at the amino terminus of all three proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation and characterization of mutations in the gene encoding an endogenous Bacillus subtilis beta-galactosidase and its regulator.

We have isolated mutations that appear to inactivate the gene (lacA) encoding an endogenous beta-galactosidase activity in Bacillus subtilis and in a closely linked negative regulatory element (lacR). Both genes map to the hisA-thrA region. The lacA mutations may help to avoid some of the problems arising from the use of the Escherichia coli lacZ gene as a reporter gene in B. subtilis.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Sensitive enzyme immunoassay with beta-D-galactosidase-Fab conjugate for detection of type A influenza virus antigen in clinical specimens.

The most sensitive method for diagnosis of type A influenza virus infection is isolation of the agent in cell culture. However, detection and identification may require several days to complete. This delay in diagnosis prevents effective use of the antiviral agents available for treatment of type A influenza infection. As a rapid diagnostic method, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is attaining increased usage for direct detection of viral antigen in clinical specimens. Standard EIA techniques, however, are usually not sensitive enough for reliable detection of viral antigen in respiratory secretions. We developed a conjugate consisting of the antigen-binding fragment of goat antirabbit immunoglobulin G coupled to beta-d-galactosidase, using the heterobifunctional reagent N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate. Other immunoreagents in our EIA consisted of guinea pig and rabbit antisera to influenza A/Brazil/11/78 (H1N1) for microtiter plate coating and primary antiserum, respectively. The sensitivity of this EIA was tested with 60 clinical specimens containing influenza A/England/333/80 (H1N1) which closely resembles A/Brazil. Of 31 initial specimens, collected within 24 h of the onset of symptoms, 27 (87%) were positive, using a fluorgenic substrate, and 18 of 29 (62%) specimens obtained 12 to 60 h after the initial specimens were positive, for a total of 75% (45 of 60). All positive reactions were specific, as shown in a confirmatory test with preimmune and hyperimmune guinea pig globulins. Clinical specimens negative for virus (n = 33) or containing heterologous respiratory viruses (n = 26) were negative in this system. These results indicate that EIA systems can be developed with a sensitivity approaching that required for clinical usefulness.

Antigens, Viral↗

A herpes simplex virus mutant in which glycoprotein D sequences are replaced by beta-galactosidase sequences binds to but is unable to penetrate into cells.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein gD is a major component of the virion envelope and is thought to play an important role in the initial stages of viral infection and stimulates the production of high titers of neutralizing antibodies. We assumed that gD plays an essential role in virus replication, and so to complement viruses with mutations in the gD gene we constructed a cell line, denoted VD60, which is capable of expressing high levels of gD after infection with HSV. A recombinant virus, designated F-gD beta, in which sequences encoding gD and a nonessential glycoprotein, gI, were replaced by Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase sequences, was selected on the basis that it produced blue plaques on VD60 cell monolayers under agarose overlays containing 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (X-Gal). F-gD beta was able to replicate normally on complementing VD60 cells. However, F-gD beta was unable to form plaques on noncomplementing Vero cells. Virions lacking gD were produced in normal amounts by Vero cells infected with F-gD beta, and the virus particles were distributed throughout the cytoplasm and on the cell surface, suggesting that gD is not essential for HSV envelopment and egress. Virions lacking gD were able to bind to cells, but were unable to initiate synthesis of viral early polypeptides. Plaque production of F-gD beta particles lacking gD was enhanced by polyethylene glycol treatment, suggesting that gD is essential for penetration of HSV into cells. Other HSV glycoproteins have been implicated in the entry of virus into cells, and thus this process appears to involve multiple interactions at the cell surface.

Animals↗

Assembly of gag-beta-galactosidase proteins into retrovirus particles.

We studied the expression of beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) and 15 gag-beta-gal fusion proteins in the presence of Moloney murine leukemia virus wild-type core (gag) proteins. Analysis indicated that proteins retaining the amino-terminal portion of gag through the capsid protein-coding region were incorporated into retrovirus particles. Proteins which deleted portions of the capsid protein were assembled into virions at low efficiency, indicating the importance of capsid protein interactions in retrovirus assembly. Fusion proteins which retained the amino-terminal matrix protein of the gag polyprotein but which lacked the capsid protein were released efficiently from cells in a nonviral form. The nonviral form was characterized by a high sedimentation coefficient and a low density, suggestive of membrane vesicles. While beta-gal was present in the cytoplasm of expressing cells, all fusion constructs were associated with cellular membranes. gag-beta-gal proteins which were capable of release from cells demonstrated a two-component immunofluorescence staining pattern consisting of a circle of fluorescence around the nucleus and a punctate pattern of staining throughout the remainder of the cell. Interestingly, fusions within the matrix protein were trapped intracellularly and yielded distinct perinuclear staining patterns, possibly localizing to the rough endoplasmic reticulum and/or Golgi. This observation suggests that Moloney murine leukemia virus gag proteins travel to the plasma membrane by vesicular transport associated with the cytoplasmic face of intracellular vesicles.

Animals↗

Heat shock-regulated production of Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The HSP90 gene of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a heat shock-inducible protein with an Mr of 90,000 (hsp90) and unknown function. We fused DNA fragments of a known sequence (namely, either end of a 1.4-kilobase EcoRI fragment which contains the S. cerevisiae TRP1 gene) to an EcoRI site within the coding sequence of the HSP90 gene. When these fusions are introduced into S. cerevisiae they direct the synthesis of unique truncated hsp90 proteins. By determining the size and charge of these proteins we were able to deduce the translational reading frame at the (EcoRI) fusion site. This information allowed us to design and construct a well-defined in-frame fusion between the S. cerevisiae HSP90 gene and the Escherichia coli lacZ gene. When this fused gene is introduced into S. cerevisiae on a multicopy plasmid vector, it directs the heat shock-inducible synthesis of a fused protein, which is an enzymatically active beta-galactosidase. Thus, for the first time, it is possible to quantitate the heat shock response in a eucaryotic organism with a simple enzyme assay.

Escherichia coli↗

Stimuli that induce a yeast heat shock gene fused to beta-galactosidase.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae contain a multigene family related to the Drosophila heat shock gene hsp70. Two members of this family, YG100 and YG101, have been previously characterized (Ingolia et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 2:1388-1398, 1982), and only YG100 was found to have elevated levels of transcription after heat shock. The yeast hsp70 genes contained on YG100 and YG101 were truncated and fused to the Escherichia coli lacZ gene contained on pMC1587 (Casadaban et al., Methods Enzymol. 100:283-308, 1983). The resulting plasmids directed synthesis of the beta-galactosidase gene as measured by in vitro enzyme assays and by colorimetric assays on plates. The expression level from the YG101 gene was constant under all the conditions tested, whereas expression driven by the YG100 gene could be induced over 50-fold. Other stimuli besides heat, including recovery from anoxia and high cell density, were found to strongly induce YG100 gene expression. Most physical and chemical stimuli tested, including UV irradiation, zymolyase treatment, and ethanol, did not stimulate expression of this heat shock gene.

Culture Media↗

Vaccinia virus expression vector: coexpression of beta-galactosidase provides visual screening of recombinant virus plaques.

We constructed a plasmid coexpression vector that directs the insertion of a foreign gene of interest together with the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (beta gal) gene into the thymidine kinase (TK) locus of the vaccinia virus genome. Tissue culture cells that had been infected with vaccinia virus were transfected with a plasmid vector containing a foreign gene. TK- recombinants could be selected by a plaque assay on TK- cells in the presence of 5-bromodeoxyuridine and distinguished from spontaneous TK- mutants by the addition of a beta-gal indicator to the agarose overlay. Plaques that expressed beta-gal stained dark blue within several hours at 37 degrees C. Alternatively, TK- selection could be eliminated, and recombinant plaques could be readily identified solely by their blue color. The reverse procedure, in which the starting virus expresses beta-gal (i.e., forms blue plaques) and the desired recombinant has deleted the entire beta-gal gene (i.e., forms white plaques), is another alternative. Each protocol was tested by constructing vaccinia virus recombinants that express hepatitis B virus surface antigen.

Escherichia coli↗

Positive regulation of the beta-galactosidase gene from Kluyveromyces lactis is mediated by an upstream activation site that shows homology to the GAL upstream activation site of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In contrast to the Escherichia coli lac operon, the yeast beta-galactosidase gene is positively regulated. In the 5'-noncoding region of the Kluyveromyces lactis LAC4 gene, we mapped an upstream activation site (UAS) that is required for induction. This sequence, located between positions -435 and -326 from the start of translation, functions irrespective of its orientation and can confer lactose regulation to the heterologous CYC1 promoter. It is composed of at least two subsequences that must act in concert. One of these subsequences showed a strong homology to the UAS consensus sequence of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAL genes (E. Giniger, S. M. Varnum, and M. Ptashne, Cell 40:767-774, 1985). We propose that this region of homology located at about position -426 is a binding site for the product of the regulatory gene LAC9 which probably induces transcription of the LAC4 gene in a manner analogous to that of the GAL4 protein.

Base Sequence↗

Catabolite repression in Streptomyces venezuelae. Induction of beta-galactosidase, chloramphenicol production, and intracellular cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate concentrations.

Chloramphenicol production was studied in cultures of Streptomyces venezuelae growing in a simple buffered medium with ammonia as the nitrogen source and glucose, lactose, or a glucose-lactose mixture as the sole source of carbon. With each carbon source the antibiotic was formed during growth. In the glucose-lactose medium, the production pattern was biphasic; a marked decrease in the rate of synthesis was associated with depletion of glucose from the medium and a corresponding diauxie pause in growth. Cells of S. venezuelae contained an inducible beta-galactosidase. Induction by lactose was suppressed by glucose. Measurement of the concentration of intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate during growth of cultures with glucose or a glucose-lactose mixture as the source of carbon showed no appreciable changes coinciding with depletion of glucose or the onset of chloramphenicol biosynthesis. It is concluded that the cyclic nucleotide does not mediate selective nutrient utilization or control antibiotic biosynthesis in this organism.

Chloramphenicol↗

Escherichia coli growth on lactose requires cycling of beta-galactosidase products into the medium.

Growth on lactose was found to be restricted in an Escherichia coli strain deficient in its ability to transport glucose and galactose. If the latter sugars were removed from the medium as they were being produced, a wild-type strain grew only poorly, while the transport-deficient strain did not grow at all. These results suggested that all of the products of beta-galactosidase action on lactose are released into the medium before being metabolized. This contention was strongly supported by the finding that the appearance of products in the medium was equal to lactose disappearance at three limiting lactose concentrations and by an experiment which showed that essentially all of the label from added lactose ( [1-14C]glucose) was found in the medium as glucose when chased with unlabelled lactose.

Culture Media↗

The anomeric specificity of beta-galactosidase and lac permease from Escherichia coli.

Beta-Galactosidase was found to act on alpha-lactose slightly more than twice as rapidly as on beta-lactose for both the hydrolysis and transgalactosylis reactions. The effect was shown to be on the Vmax values; the Km values for the different anomeric forms were the same. The step of the reaction for which the enzyme has anomeric specificity was shown to be glycosidic bond breakage. The steps in glucose release or in the glucose acceptor reaction were not affected by anomeric composition. Neither allolactose hydrolysis nor transport of lactose into the cells by lac permease was sensitive to the anomeric composition of the substrate. The implications of these results for lac operon induction and for lactose metabolism are discussed.

Escherichia coli↗