Purification and properties of neutral β-galactosidases from human liver

Two neutral β-galactosidase isozymes were purified from human liver. The initial step of purification was removal of the acidic β-galactosidases by adsorption on concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B conjugate. Subsequent purification steps included ammonium sulfate precipitation, diethylaminoethyl cellulose column chromatography, Sephadex G-100 gel filtration, and preparative polyacrylamide-gel isoelectric focusing. The final step of purification was affinity chromatography of the separated isoelectric forms on ?-aminocaproyl-β-d-galactosylamine-Sepharose 4B conjugate. The purified β-galactosidase isozymes had activity toward both β-d-galactoside and β-d-glucoside derivatives of 4-methylumbelliferone and p-nitrophenol with a pH optimum around 6.2. These enzyme forms were also found to possess lactosylceramidase II activity with a pH optimum in the range of 5.4 to 5.6, but not lactosylceramidase I activity and no activity toward galactosylceramide or GM₁-ganglioside. The molecular weight was found to be in the range of 37,500–39,500 for the two neutral isozymes and they had similar K_m and V values; the more acidic form (designated β-galactosidase N₁) was more heat stable than the other form (designated β-galactosidase N₂). Antibodies evoked against the N₁ and N₂ β-galactosidases gave identical precipitin lines retaining enzymatic activity. No cross-reactivity was observed between the neutral and the acidic isozymes when examined with the respective antisera.     

Purification and properties of an α-amylase inhibitor from wheat

Four inhibitors of α-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) were separated from an alcohol extract of wheat by ion-change chromatography on DE52-cellulose. One inhibitor, which showed the greatest specificity for human salivary amylase relative to human pancreatic amylase, has been purified by the following steps: (a) alcohol fractionation (60–90%) of water extract (b) ion-exchange chromatography on QAE-Sephadex A-50; (c) re-chromatography on DE52-cellulose and (d) gel filtration on Sephadex G-50. The purified inhibitor is 100 times more specific for human salivary amylase than for human pancreatic amylase. It shows an electrophoretic mobility of 0.2 on disc gel electrophoresis and a molecular weight of about 21 000. This inhibitor contributes about 16% to the total salivary amylase inhibiting power of the wheat extract.     

Synthesis and analysis of potential α1,3-fucosyltransferase inhibitors

Fucosyltransferases catalyze the transfer of l-fucose from an activated GDP-β-l-fucose to various acceptor molecules such as N-acetyllactosamine. Frequently fucosylation is the final step within the glycosylation machinery, and the resulting glycans are involved in various cellular processes such as cell–cell recognition, adhesion and inflammation or tumor metastasis. The selective blocking of these interactions would thus be a potential promising therapeutic strategy. The syntheses and analyses of various potential α1,3-fucosyltransferase inhibitors derived from GDP-β-l-fucose containing a triazole linker unit is summarized and the observed inhibitory effect was compared with that of small molecules such as GDP or fucose. To examine their specificity and selectivity, all inhibitors were tested with human α1,3-fucosyltransferase IX and Helicobacter pylori α1,3-fucosyltransferase, which is to date the only α1,3-fucosyltransferase with a known high resolution structure. Specific inhibitors which inhibit either H. pylori α1,3-fucosyltransferase or human fucosyltransferase IX with K_i values in the micromolar range were identified. In that regard, acetylated GDP-galactose derivative Ac-3 turned out to inhibit H. pylori α1,3-fucosyltransferase but not human fucosyltransferase IX, whereas GDP-6-amino-β-l-fucose 17 showed an appreciably better inhibitory effect on fucosyltransferase IX activity than on that of H. pylori fucosyltransferase.     

Cloning and functional characterization of an α-1,3-fucosyltransferase from Bacteroides fragilis

Bacteroides fragilis is a clinically important anaerobic pathogen present in the human gastrointestinal tract and is involved in a high number of anaerobic peritoneal infections. The complete genome sequence of B. fragilis NCTC 9343 revealed the presence of several putative fucosyltransferase gene homologues known as alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferases (α-1,3-FucTs). However, their expression and functional activities have not been studied. Here, we report the molecular cloning, functional expression, and characterization of the alpha-1,3-fucosyltransferase 3 (α-1,3-FucT3) enzyme from B. fragilis NCTC 9343. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach was used to clone the 331 amino acid long (MW, ～39 kDa) PCR product encoding fucosyltransferase enzyme. The enzyme had low identity of 30–40% with other known α-1,3-FucTs from Azospirillum sp, Rickettsia bellii, and different strains of Helicobacter pylori. An in vitro enzyme reaction analysis showed the ability of the enzyme to transfer the fucose moiety from guanosine-5′-diphosphate β-l-fucose to the N-acetyllactosamine to produce Lewis X. The reaction product, Lewis X was confirmed by thin layer chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy, and ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance analyses.     

Functional analysis of α1,3/4-fucosyltransferase VI in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

The α1,3/4-fucosyltransferases (FUT) subfamily are key enzymes in cell surface antigen synthesis during various biological processes. A novel role of FUTs in tumorigenesis has been discovered recently, however, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Here, we characterized FUT6, a member of α1,3/4-FUT subfamily, in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In HCC tissues, the expression levels of FUT6 and its catalytic product SLe(x) were significantly up-regulated. Overexpression of FUT6 in HCC cells enhanced S-phase cell population, promoted cell growth and colony formation ability. Moreover, subcutaneously injection of FUT6-overexpressing cells in nude mice promoted cell growth in vivo. In addition, elevating FUT6 expression markedly induced intracellular Akt phosphorylation, and suppressed the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitor p21. Bath application of the PI3K inhibitor blocked FUT6-induced Akt phosphorylation, p21 suppression and cell proliferation. Our results suggest that FUT6 plays an important role in HCC growth by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.     

Purification and characterization of a β-1,3-glucomannanase expressed in Pichia pastoris

The glycoside hydrolase β-1,3-glucomannanase is an enzyme that specifically breaks the β-1,3 glycosidic bond of the glucomannan, the main cell wall constituent of some yeasts. In this work, a codon optimized DNA sequence of the MAN5C gene from Penicillium lilacinum ATCC 36010 was expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris under the control of AOX1 promoter. The recombinant protein plMAN5C was purified from the shake flask culture and the stirred-tank bioreactor culture in yields of 30.0 mg/l and 224.0 mg/l, respectively. The purified protein had a specific activity of 14.6 U/mg at 37 °C, pH 4.5. Biochemical analysis showed that the optimal temperature and pH for plMAN5C were 50 °C and 4.5, respectively. The recombinant plMAN5C was efficient in lysis of the cell wall of the red yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides to form protoplast. Our work provided an effective system for heterogeneous production of β-1,3-glucomannanase, which should facilitate a more convenient application of this enzyme in biotechnology and other related areas.     

Purification and characterization of prokaryotically expressed human interferon-λ2

A system for the production of soluble interferon (IFN)-λ2 was developed by fusing the IFN-λ2, NusA protein, polyhistidine and S peptide genes and then expressing the fused product (Nus-His-S-tagged IFN-λ2) in Escherichia coli. The expressed fusion protein was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The fusion tag was removed from recombinant IFN-λ2 by cleavage with enterokinase. N-Terminal sequencing confirmed the identity of the purified protein. When compared with commercial IFN-α2b, IFN-λ2 had similar antiviral activity. The production and characterization of biologically active IFN-λ2 will be beneficial for its potential role in clinical applications.     

Purification and physical properties of sweet-almond α-galactosidase

1. α-Galactosidase from sweet almonds was purified about 2000-fold through eight steps. 2. The enzyme preparation was free from other related enzymes known to occur in sweet almonds, and behaved as a homogeneous protein on filtration through Sephadex G-75. 3. A molecular weight of about 33000 was determined from the gel-filtration data. 4. The ultraviolet-absorption spectrum and thermal inactivation of the enzyme are described. 5. The purified enzyme hydrolysed p-nitrophenyl α-d-galactoside at a much faster rate than melibiose. 6. The pH optimum was at 5·5–5·7. 7. Besides hydrolysis, it also catalysed transfer of galactosyl residues, chain elongation of melibiose and the synthesis of oligosaccharides from galactose.     

Purification and properties of calf liver γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase

Calf liver γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase has been purified some 400-fold by DEAE, gel permeation, and hydroxylapatite chromatography. The homogeneous enzyme is a dimer of 46,000-dalton subunits. The K_m values for substrates and cofactors and the apparent activation constants for ascorbate and catalase have been determined. Inhibition of the enzyme by a number of divalent metals supports the function of sulfhydryl groups in metal binding. An antibody to the enzyme has been obtained; this does not cross-react with homogeneous γ-butyrobetaine hydroxylase from a Pseudomonas strain. The antibody, coupled to Sepharose 4B, has been used to purify the calf liver hydroxylase 350-fold in one step.     

Purification and characterization of α(2-6)-sialyltransferase from human liver

A Gal1-4GlcNAc (2-6)-sialyltransferase from human liver was purified 34 340-fold with 18% yield by dye chromatography on Cibacron Blue F3GA and cation exchange FPLC. The enzyme preparation was free of other sialyltransferases. It did not contain CMP-NeuAc hydrolase, protease, or sialidase activity, and was stable at –20°C for at least eight months. The donor substrate specificity was examined with CMP-NeuAc analogues modified at C-5 or C-9 of theN-acetylneuraminic acid moiety. Affinity of the human enzyme for parent CMP-NeuAc and each CMP-NeuAc analogue was substantially higher than the corresponding Gal1-4GlcNAc (2-6)-sialyltransferase from rat liver.Abbreviations FPLC fast protein liquid chromatography - NeuAc 5-N-acetyl-d-neuraminic acid - 9-amino-NeuAc 5-acetamido-9-amino-3,5,9-trideoxy-d-glycero-2-nonulosonic acid - 9-acetamido-NeuAc 5,9-diacetamido-3,5,9-trideoxy-d-glycero--d-2-nonulosonic acid - 9-benzamido-NeuAc 5-acetamido-9-benzamido-3,5,9-trideoxy-d-glycero--d-galacto-2-nonulosonic acid - 9-fluoresceinyl-NeuAc 9-fluoresceinylthioureido-NeuAc - 5-formyl-Neu 5-formyl--d-neuraminic acid - 5-aminoacetyl-Neu 5-aminoacetyl--d-neuraminic acid - CMP-NeuAc cytidine-5-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid - G_M1 Gal1-3GalNAc1-4(NeuAc2-3)Gal1-4Glc-ceramide - ST sialyltransferase - DTE 1,4-dithioerythritol Enzyme: Gal1-4GlcNAc (2-6)-sialyltransferase, EC 2.4.99.1.     

Purification and properties of human serum dopamine-β -hydroxylase

1. Two different molecular forms of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase were isolated from human serum; a major component (Peak I enzyme) with a molecular weight of 368000 and with a higher specific activity and a minor component (Peak II enzyme) with a molecular weight of 188000 and with a lower specific activity. 2. Both forms require ascorbic acid for the activity, and are stimulated by fumarate. Addition of N-ethylmaleimide or copper also increased the activity. The optimal pH of both forms in the presence of 20mM tyramine as substrate is 5.0. 3. Km values toward tyramine of Peak I enzyme and Peak II enzyme were 1.67 mM and 14.2 mM respectively. 4. Both Peak I enzyme and Peak II enzyme are glycoprotein.     

Purification and properties of α-d-mannosidase from rat epididymis

1. alpha-d-Mannosidase from rat epididymis was purified 300-fold. beta-N-Acetyl-glucosaminidase and beta-galactosidase were removed from the preparation by treatment with pyridine. Zn(2+) was added during the purification to stabilize the alpha-mannosidase. 2. Mammalian alpha-mannosidase is most stable at pH6. At lower pH values it undergoes reversible spontaneous inactivation. The enzyme is also subject to irreversible inactivation, which is delayed by the addition of albumin. 3. Reversible inactivation of alpha-mannosidase is accelerated by EDTA and reversed or prevented by Zn(2+). Other cations, such as Co(2+), Cd(2+) and Cu(2+), accelerate inactivation and the action of a toxic cation can be prevented by Zn(2+) or by EDTA in suitable concentration. 4. The enzyme is stabilized by substrate and neither Zn(2+), EDTA nor a toxic cation has more than a small effect in the assay of an untreated preparation. The addition of Zn(2+) is necessary, however, for a constant rate of hydrolysis during prolonged incubation of the enzyme with substrate. In an EDTA-treated preparation, Zn(2+) reactivates the enzyme during the assay. 5. Evidence is presented that alpha-mannosidase is a dissociable Zn(2+)-protein complex, in which Zn(2+) is essential for enzyme activity.     

Purification and properties of α-d-mannosidase from jack-bean meal

1. α-Mannosidase from jack-bean meal was purified 150-fold. β-N-Acetyl-glucosaminidase and β-galactosidase were removed from the preparation by treatment with pyridine. Zn²⁺ was added during the purification to stabilize the α-mannosidase. 2. At pH values below neutrality, α-mannosidase undergoes reversible spontaneous inactivation at a rate dependent on the temperature, the degree of dilution and the extent of purification. The enzyme is also subject to irreversible inactivation, which is prevented by the addition of albumin. 3. Reversible inactivation of α-mannosidase is accelerated by EDTA and reversed or prevented by Zn²⁺. Other cations, such as Co²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺, accelerate inactivation; an excess of Zn²⁺ again exerts a protective action, and so does EDTA in suitable concentration. 4. Neither Zn²⁺ nor EDTA has any marked effect in the assay of untreated enzyme. In an EDTA-treated preparation, however, Zn²⁺ reactivates the enzyme during assay. 5. It is postulated that α-mannosidase is a dissociable Zn²⁺–protein complex in which Zn²⁺ is essential for enzyme activity.     

Purification and properties of an α-amylase produced by a cassava-fermenting strain ofMicrococcus luteus

An extracellular α-amylase produced by a cassava-fermenting strain ofMicrococcus luteus was purified 26-fold by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. The molar mass was estimated to be approximately 56 kDa. The optimum temperature of the enzyme was 30°C, optimum pH 6.0 and optimum substrate concentration was 0.6% (W/V). Treatment of the enzyme at 70°C for 10 min resulted in 70% loss of activity. The activation energy was determined to be 34.8 kJ/mol. The activity of the enzyme was enhanced by Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ and inhibited by EDTA, KCN and citric acid. The enzyme may find some application in local food processing.     

Purification and some properties of an α-amylase glucoamylase fusion protein from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A fusion gene containing the Bacillus subtilis -amylase gene and Aspergillus awamori glucoamylase cDNA was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The resulting bifunctional fusion protein having both -amylase and glucoamylase activities secreted into the culture medium was purified to apparent homogeneity by affinity chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The enzyme had an apparent molecular mass of 150 kDa and showed an optimum pH and temperature of 6.0 and 60 °C, respectively. The main hydrolysis products from soluble starch were glucose and maltose.     

Intracellular precursor forms of transferrin, α1-acid glycoprotein,and α1-antitrypsin in human liver

Ion-exchange chromatography of dialyzed human plasma and of buffer extracts of acetone-dried powder from human liver was used to analyze 13 different plasma proteins which are synthesized in the liver. Specific intracellular forms which differ from the plasma forms were found for transferrin, α₁-acid glycoprotein, α₁-antitrypsin, and albumin. The intracellular forms were labeled earlier than the plasma forms, when liver slices were incubated with radioactive leucine, suggesting that they are precursor forms of the proteins in the bloodstream. The liver form of transferrin was found to have the same molecular weight and N-terminus as the plasma form, but it differed from the plasma form by the absence of sialic acid. For α₁-acid glycoprotein two different liver forms were observed, both of which had lower molecular weights than the plasma form. One of these liver forms was analyzed further. Its polypeptide chain was found to have a blocked N-terminus, as does the plasma form. However, in contrast to the plasma form, it did not contain sialic acid. Its content of N-acetyl glucosamine was about one-third and the content of neutral hexoses about two-thirds of that found in the plasma form. Circular dichroism spectra were similar for liver and plasma forms and indicated a predominant β structure with very little α-helix content for both.     

Purification and properties of α-d-mannosidase from the limpet, Patella vulgata

1. alpha-Mannosidase from the limpet, Patella vulgata, was purified nearly 150-fold, with 40% recovery. beta-N-Acetylglucosaminidase was removed from the preparation by treatment with ethanol. The final product was virtually free from beta-galactosidase. 2. Limpet alpha-mannosidase was assayed at pH3.5 and at this pH it was necessary to add Zn(2+) for full activity. At pH5, the enzyme had the same activity in the presence or absence of added Zn(2+). 3. On incubation at acid pH, the enzyme underwent reversible inactivation, which was prevented by adding Zn(2+). 4. EDTA accelerated inactivation and the addition of Zn(2+) at once restored activity. No other cation was found to reactivate the enzyme. 5. Cl(-) had an unspecific effect on hydrolysis by limpet alpha-mannosidase. It increased the rate of reaction with substrate. The anion did not prevent or reverse inactivation by EDTA. 6. It is concluded that alpha-mannosidase is a metalloenzyme or enzyme-metal ion complex, dissociable at the pH of activity, and that it requires Zn(2+) specifically.     

Reassessment of the acceptor specificity and general properties of the Lewis blood-group gene associated α-3/4-fucosyltransferase purified from human milk

The acceptor specificity and general properties of a Lewis blood-group gene associated -3/4-L-fucosyltransferase isolated from human milk have been examined at the penultimate purification stage involving affinity chromatography on GDP-hexanolamine Sepharose, and after a subsequent gel filtration step on Sephacryl S-200. Both preparations transferred fucose to theO-4 position ofN-acetylglucosamine in Type 1 (Gal1-3GlcNAc-R) acceptors and theO-3 position of glucose in lactose-based (Gal1-4Glc) oligosaccharides, and both used Type 1 sialylated compounds when the terminalN-acetylneuraminic acid was present in -2,3 linkage. The striking difference between the two preparations was in their reactivity with Type 2 (Gal1-4GlcNAc-R) chains; after Sephacryl S-200 chromatography the apparentK _M values for the -3/4- preparation with unsubstituted low-molecular-weight Type 2 oligosaccharides were considerably increased. Substitution of the terminal galactose with sialic acid in -2,3 linkage decreased theK _M values for low-molecular-weight oligosaccharides but no detectable incorporation of fucose was observed intoN-acetyllactosamine end-groups of glycoproteins withN-linked oligosaccharide chains, irrespective of the presence of sialic acid in the terminal sequences.Deceased 25 June 1991.