Site-directed mutagenesis studies with EcoRV restriction endonuclease to identify regions involved in recognition and catalysis

Guided by the X-ray structure analysis of a crystalline EcoRV-d(GGGATATCCC) complex (Winkler, in preparation), we have begun to identify functionally important amino acid residues of EcoRV. We show here that Asn70, Asp74, Ser183, Asn185, Thr186, and Asn188 are most likely involved in the binding and/or cleavage of the DNA, because their conservative substitution leads to mutants of no or strongly reduced activity. In addition, C-terminal amino acid residues of EcoRV seem to be important for its activity, since their deletion inactivates the enzyme. Following the identification of three functionally important regions, we have inspected the sequences of other restriction and modification enzymes for homologous regions. It was found that two restriction enzymes that recognize similar sequences as EcoRV (DpnII and HincII), as well as two modification enzymes (M.DpnII and, in a less apparent form, M.EcoRV), have the sequence motif -SerGlyXXXAsnIleXSer- in common, which in EcoRV contains the essential Ser183 and Asn188 residues. Furthermore, the C-terminal region, shown to be essential for EcoRV, is highly homologous to a similar region in the restriction endonuclease SmaI. On the basis of these findings we propose that these restriction enzymes and to a certain extent also some of their corresponding modification enzymes interact with DNA in a similar manner.

Effect of recombinant hirudin, a specific inhibitor of thrombin, on endotoxin-induced intravascular coagulation and acute lung injury in pigs

We hypothesized that thrombin activation may play a prominent role in endotoxin-induced secondary organ failure, such as acute lung injury. To test this hypothesis, we administered a thrombin-specific inhibitor, recombinant hirudin, in endotoxemic pigs. The pigs were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and prepared with Swan-Ganz and extravascular lung water (EVLW) catheters. A total of 18 randomly selected animals received a pretreatment of 1,000 U/kg of hirudin, followed by a continuous infusion over 6 h of 500 U/kg/h given simultaneously with the infusion of 10 micrograms/kg/h of Salmonella abortus equi endotoxin. Another 18 animals received a continuous infusion over 6 h of endotoxin but did not receive hirudin. All animals were fluid resuscitated with 17 ml/kg/h of saline for the duration of the experiment. Data are expressed as the mean (95% confidence interval). Hirudin reduced the endotoxin-induced consumption of plasma fibrinogen from -110 (-138 to -82) mg/100 ml to -39 (-67 to -12) mg/100 ml (p = 0.0001) and endotoxin-induced increases in the soluble fibrin in plasma from 434 (369 to 499) ng/ml to 236 (171 to 300) ng/ml (p = 0.0002). These data suggest an effective inhibition of the endotoxin-generated thrombin by hirudin. Furthermore, hirudin significantly reduced endotoxin-induced increases in pulmonary vascular resistance from 32 (27 to 37) kdyn x s x cm-5 x kg to 20 (15 to 25) kdyn x s x cm-5 x kg (p = 0.0015) and increases in EVLW from 15.4 (13.2 to 17.6) ml/kg to 12.2 (10.0 to 14.4) ml/kg (p = 0.0299).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fluorogenic substrates for chymotrypsin with 2-quinolinone derivatives as leaving groups

Sensitive and convenient fluorometric assays for the determination of chymotrypsin have been developed by using the substrates Glt-Leu-Phe-NH-Meq, Glt-Phe-NH-FMeq and Glt-Leu-Phe-NH-FMeq, which have been synthesized utilizing the mixed anhydride method. The amidolytic activity of chymotrypsin was measured by the release of the highly fluorescent amine 7-amino-4-methyl-2-quinolinone (AMeq) or 7-amino-4-trifluoromethyl-2-quinolinone (AFMeq). The fluorescence properties of the synthesized substrates and the new fluorescent marker AFMeq were examined. Kinetic constants, as well as the maximum sensitivity for the hydrolysis of the new substrates, were determined. All new substrates permit a rapid and sensitive determination of chymotrypsin in a continuous assay system. As little as 0.7 ng of enzyme can be detected using the substrate Glt-Leu-Phe-NH-Meq, which is the most sensitive fluorogenic substrate thus far reported.

[Seroepizootiologic studies of the distribution of bovine herpesvirus type 1 and 2 (BHV 1, BHV 2) in Namibia]

From cattle breeding areas of Namibia a total of 2,800 sera from 1984-1987 were tested by Elisa for antibodies to BHV1 and BHV2. From north-east to south-west a drop in BHV2 antibody prevalences was found which paralleled the decrease in rainfall. With BHV1 the percentage of positive reacting sera was also highest in the northern communal areas (up to 80%). In the commercial farming area with best farming conditions the percentage was lowest, but it was south of here again higher in the areas of lower precipitation where farming conditions are less optimal.

Probing the function of individual amino acid residues in the DNA binding site of the EcoRI restriction endonuclease by analysing the toxicity of genetically engineered mutants

We have developed an assay that allows analysis of the activity of EcoRI restriction endonuclease (ENase) and its mutants in vivo. This assay is based on the fact that wild type (wt) EcoRI ENase is toxic for Escherichia coli cells not expressing the EcoRI methyltransferase (MTase). The viability factor defined by the ratio of the viable counts of E. coli cultures having or not having expressed the ecoRIR gene for a defined time is 10(-6) for wt EcoRI ENase and close to one for a totally inactive EcoRI ENase mutant. While the EcoRI MTase (M.EcoRI) provides substantial protection against the toxic effects of the wt EcoRI ENase and several of the mutants, some mutants become more toxic in the presence of M.EcoRI. Twenty-four different DNA-binding-site mutants of EcoRI ENase were characterized in their activity in vivo with this assay. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the structural integrity of the region at and around aa 200 seems to be very critical for the enzymatic function of EcoRI ENase: nonconservative replacements there lead to viability factors of 1-10(-2). While our results indicate that the region around aa 144 and 145 is also involved in the EcoRI ENase-catalyzed reaction, it is also evident that the effects of mutation there are not as large: viability factors of approx. 10(-3) are obtained even for drastic replacements. These results are discussed in the light of the x-ray structure analysis of an EcoRI ENase-DNA recognition complex.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A lyase deficiency: biochemical studies and family investigation of four generations

3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) lyase activity was determined by the recently described spectrophotometric method of Wanders et al. (1988a) in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes obtained from 33 members of a highly consanguineous Arab-Bedouin family belonging to four generations. Seven subjects were obligatory heterozygotes (parents and grandparents of three propositi); in seven additional subjects enzyme activity in both cell types was in the heterozygote range. No asymptomatic homozygotes were found. The results support the proposed autosomal recessive mode of inheritance of this disorder.

New, sensitive, radioactive-free bioluminescence-enhanced detection system in protein blotting and nucleic acid hybridization

A relatively simple, very sensitive bioluminescence-enhanced detection system for protein blotting and nucleic acid hybridization is described. The method utilizes antibodies conjugated with alkaline phosphatase or nucleotide probes complexed with alkaline phosphatase. Then the alkaline phosphatase takes part in a reaction by releasing D-luciferin (Photinus pyralis) from D-luciferin-O-phosphate. Liberated D-luciferin reacts with luciferase, ATP and oxygen under light emission. Light is measured using the Argus-100 a photon counting camera system or photographic films. Bound alkaline phosphatase conjugated antibodies or hybridized nucleotide probes can be visualized. The limit of detection is at present 5 to 50 fg of protein (IgG), corresponding, for example to 30 to 300 x 10(-21) mol. This means a much higher sensitivity of the detection system in comparison to systems used at present. Experiments concerning nucleic acid hybridization and visualization of the emitted light by a photon counting camera (Argus-100) are under investigation.

Luciferin derivatives in bioluminescence-enhanced enzyme immunoassays

Ultrasensitive bioluminescence immunoassays for the determination of peptides and proteins (illustrated with human urinary kallikrein, bradykinin and the determination of human urinary kallikrein antibody titres) have been developed. The usable ranges of the standard curves are from 5 pg to 5000 pg per litre. The relative intra-assay coefficients of variation of the tests were between 2% and 6%, and the inter-assay coefficients of variation between 4% and 12%.

The application of a photon-counting camera in sensitive, bioluminescence-enhanced detection systems for nucleic acid hybridization. Ultrasensitive detection systems for protein blotting and DNA hybridization, III

A relatively simple, bioluminescence-enhanced detection system for nucleic acid hybridization, using alkaline phosphatase as a label, was described recently (Hauber, R. & Geiger, R. (1988) Nucl. Acid Res. 16, 1213). The principle of detection is as follows: Alkaline phosphatase releases D-luciferin (Photinus pyralis) from D-luciferin-O-phosphate. Liberated D-luciferin reacts with luciferase, ATP and oxygen with light emission. Light produced is measured with a very sensitive photon counting camera system (Argus-100), allowing the visualization and localization of the specifically bound alkaline phosphatase on nitrocellulose sheets. Under non-optimized conditions the limit of detection is at present about 30 pg of pBR322. A sulphonylated nucleotide probe was used for hybridization.

Genetic engineering of EcoRI mutants with altered amino acid residues in the DNA binding site: physicochemical investigations give evidence for an altered monomer/dimer equilibrium for the Gln144Lys145 and Gln144Lys145Lys200 mutants

We have genetically engineered the Arg200----Lys mutant, the Glu144Arg145----GlnLys double mutant, and the Glu144Arg145Arg200----GlnLysLys triple mutant of the EcoRI endonuclease in extension of previously published work on site-directed mutagenesis of the EcoRI endonuclease in which Glu144 had been exchanged for Gln and Arg145 for Lys [Wolfes et al. (1986) Nucleic Acids Res. 14, 9063]. All these mutants carry modifications in the DNA binding site. Mutant EcoRI proteins were purified to homogeneity and characterized by physicochemical techniques. All mutants have a very similar secondary structure composition. However, whereas the Lys200 mutant is not impaired in its capacity to form a dimer, the Gln144Lys145 and Gln144Lys145Lys200 mutants have a very much decreased propensity to form a dimer or tetramer depending on concentration as shown by gel filtration and analytical ultracentrifugation. This finding may explain the results of isoelectric focusing experiments which show that these two mutants have a considerably more basic pI than expected for a protein in which an acidic amino acid was replaced by a neutral one. Furthermore, while wild-type EcoRI and the Lys200 mutant are denatured in an irreversible manner upon heating to 60 degrees C, the thermal denaturation process as shown by circular dichroism spectroscopy is fully reversible with the Gln144Lys145 double mutant and the Gln144Lys145Lys200 triple mutant. All EcoRI endonuclease mutants described here have a residual enzymatic activity with wild-type specificity, since Escherichia coli cells overexpressing the mutant proteins can only survive in the presence of EcoRI methylase. The detailed analysis of the enzymatic activity and specificity of the purified mutant proteins is the subject of the accompanying paper [Alves et al. (1989) Biochemistry (following paper in this issue)].

Changing the hydrogen-bonding potential in the DNA binding site of EcoRI by site-directed mutagenesis drastically reduces the enzymatic activity, not, however, the preference of this restriction endonuclease for cleavage within the site-GAATTC-

According to the X-ray structure analysis of an EcoRI-oligodeoxynucleotide complex [McClarin et al. (1986) Science 234, 1526], sequence specificity is mediated by 12 hydrogen bonds, 6 from each of the two identical subunits of the dimeric enzyme to the recognition site -GAATTC-: Arg200 forms two hydrogen bonds with guanine, while Glu144 and Arg145 form four hydrogen bonds to adjacent adenine residues. Changing the hydrogen-bonding potential at the recognition site without perturbing the rest of the interface should lead to the recognition of degenerate sequences [Rosenberg et al. (1987) in Protein Engineering (Oxender, D. L., & Fox, C. F., Eds.) pp 237-250, Liss, New York]. We have shown previously that replacing Glu144 by Gln and Arg145 by Lys affects the activity of the enzyme, not, however, its specificity [Wolfes et al. (1986) Nucleic Acids Res. 14, 9063]. We show now that also the mutation of Arg200 to Lys, the double mutation Glu144Arg145 to GlnLys, and the triple mutation Glu144Arg145Arg200 to GlnLysLys do not lead to a detectable degeneracy of the specificity of cleavage by EcoRI but significantly impair the catalytic activity of this enzyme. A detailed analysis of the steady-state kinetics of cleavage of pUC8 DNA and a tridecadeoxynucleotide substrate demonstrates that the reduction in activity for all DNA binding site mutants investigated so far is mainly due to a decrease in kcat, with the exception of the Arg200 to Lys mutant, which is only impaired in its KM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Syncatalytic inactivation of prolyl 4-hydroxylase by synthetic peptides containing the unphysiologic amino acid 5-oxaproline

Peptides containing the unphysiological amino acid 5-oxaproline (Opr) in the sequence R1-Xaa-Opr-Gly-OR2 were found to inactivate prolyl 4-hydroxylase from chick and human origins. Of the substances investigated, compounds with aromatic substituents R1 and R2 were particularly effective when compared with those with an aliphatic group or without a C-terminal blocking group. Both affinity of the individual peptides for the enzyme and partition ratio contributed to the differences in efficiency. Benzylcarbonyl-Phe-Opr-Gly-benzyl ester was the most effective substance tested, its concentration giving 50% inactivation in 1 h being 0.8 microM. Inactivation was only observed in the presence of 2-oxoglutarate and Fe2+. The Opr peptides enhanced the decarboxylation of 2-oxoglutarate by prolyl 4-hydroxylase, the Vmax values obtained with the individual peptides being positively correlated with their inactivating efficiency. Inactivation was prevented by high concentrations of peptide substrate and ascorbate. Lineweaver-Burk kinetics experiments suggested noncompetitive inhibition with respect to peptide substrate and ascorbate. Lysyl hydroxylase was not affected by Opr peptides in concentrations of up to 1.5 mM in either the presence or absence of prolyl 4-hydroxylase. The results suggest that the oxaproline compounds are specific syncatalytic inactivators of prolyl 4-hydroxylase.

Determination of leukocyte elastase-inhibitor complexes and leukocyte neutral proteinase inhibitor by enzyme immunoassays. Leukocyte elastase-inhibitor complexes in porcine blood, III

Sensitive enzyme immunoassays for the determination of total leukocyte neutral proteinase inhibitor and polymorphonuclear elastase-leukocyte neutral proteinase inhibitor complexes are described. The usable ranges of the standard curves were from 80 ng/l to 10 micrograms/l. The relative intra-assay coefficients of variation of the tests were between 2 and 4%, and the inter-assay coefficients of variation between 4 and 10%. In vitro and in vivo studies were performed with septic pigs and isolated leukocytes. The results show that leukocyte neutral proteinase inhibitor can be used in pigs as a parameter for the development of a septicaemia.

Neurochemical effects of the synthetic ACTH4-9-analog Hoe 427 (Ebiratide) in rat brain

The ACTH4-9-analog Hoe 427 systemically injected in a dose range from 0.01-10 micrograms/kg caused a fall in acetylcholine (ACh) content in different brain areas of the rat. This effect occurred 0.5 hour after a single administration and lasted up to 24 hours. The decrease in ACh content induced by Hoe 427 was more pronounced when the animals were pretreated with dexamethasone (over 7 days 1 mg/kg SC, daily). Coadministration of the choline uptake inhibitor hemicholinium-3 (HC-3) and Hoe 427 potentiated the decrease in ACh content induced by HC-3. In the same dose range Hoe 427 acutely evoked an increase of the activity of the enzyme choline acetyltransferase as well as an elevation of brain cyclic GMP content. These data indicate that Hoe 427 enhances ACh metabolism in rat brain after systemic administration.

Secreted placental alkaline phosphatase: a powerful new quantitative indicator of gene expression in eukaryotic cells

This paper describes a novel eukaryotic reporter gene, secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP). In transient expression experiments using transfected mammalian cells, we demonstrate that SEAP yields results that are qualitatively and quantitatively similar, at both the mRNA and protein levels, to parallel results obtained using established reporter genes. However, SEAP offers significant advantages in terms of ease of assay and assay expense, and also has the potential for quantitative assay at levels as low as 0.2 pg/ml of culture medium. These attributes suggest that SEAP may have general utility in experiments which rely on the accurate measurement of reporter gene expression levels.

Learning and memory processes of an ACTH4-9 analog (ebiratide; Hoe 427) in mice and rats

These experiments investigated the effects of the new ACTH4-9 analog ebiratide (Hoe 427) [H-Met(O2)-Glu-His-Phe-D-Lys-Phe-NH-(CH2)8-NH2 X 3 CH3COOH] on memory processes in mice and rats in five training tasks. With all five training and testing procedures (inhibitory avoidance test with ECS- or scopolamine-induced amnesia, up-hill avoidance, one-way shuttle box avoidance and eight-arm radial maze) ebiratide was most effective in a dose range of 1-10 micrograms/kg SC.

A new type of ultrasensitive bioluminogenic enzyme substrates. I. Enzyme substrates with D-luciferin as leaving group

Derivatives of D-luciferin, D-luciferin methyl ester, D-luciferin O-sulfate, D-luciferin O-phosphate, D-luciferyl-L-N alpha-arginine and D-luciferyl-L-phenylalanine were used as highly sensitive substrates for carboxylic esterase, arylsulfatase, alkaline phosphatase and carboxypeptidases A, B and N. Enzymatic cleavage of the compounds by enzymes leading to the release of D-luciferin was demonstrated. Kinetic constants have been determined for D-luciferin methyl ester and carboxylic esterase, for D-luciferin O-sulfate and arylsulfatase, for D-luciferin O-phosphate and alkaline phosphatase, for D-luciferyl-L-phenylalanine and carboxypeptidase A, and for carboxypeptidases B and N and D-luciferyl-L-N alpha-arginine. All compounds proved to be highly sensitive substrates for the respective enzymes, permitting a limit of detection for enzymes between 10 and 500 fg per assay.

Schilder disease (1912): report of a case

We describe a case of Schilder disease in a young woman pointing out the most reliable diagnostic criteria for differentiating the disease from adrenoleukodystrophy. We stress the diagnostic usefulness of ultrastructural analysis, even of poorly preserved specimens.

Comparison of reaction rates in trypsin-catalysed transamidation of porcine insulin and its B29-arginine analogue

[B29-Arginine]porcine insulin was prepared from des-(B23-30)-insulin and synthetic octapeptide with the aid of trypsin. Comparison of reaction rates in trypsin-catalysed transamidation of this compound and porcine insulin with threonine ether ester showed that this reaction is determined only by conformational effects and structural features of amino acids leaving from and entering into B30, not by the structure and the pKa value of the basic amino acid in B29.

DNA cleavage by AatI and StuI is sensitive to Escherichia coli dcm methylation

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The application of a photon-counting camera in very sensitive, bioluminescence-enhanced detection systems for protein blotting. Ultrasensitive detection systems for protein blotting and DNA hybridization, II

A relatively simple, very sensitive bioluminescence-enhanced detection system for protein blots was described recently. This method utilizes antibodies conjugated with alkaline phosphatase. Alkaline phosphatase releases D-luciferin (Photinus pyralis) from D-luciferin-O-phosphate. Liberated D-luciferin reacts with luciferase, ATP and oxygen with light emission. The light produced is measured with a very sensitive photon counting camera (Argus 100), permitting visualization and localization of the alkaline phosphatase-conjugated antibodies on nitrocellulose sheets. Under non-optimized conditions the limit of detection is at present 5 to 500 fg of protein (rabbit immunoglobulin G), corresponding to 30 to 3 amol. The method is therefore 10(5) times more sensitive than other used at present.

A sensitive, bioluminescent-enhanced detection method for DNA dot-hybridization

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Human urinary kallikrein--amino acid sequence and carbohydrate attachment sites

The amino acid sequence of human urinary kallikrein was determined by protein-chemical methods. The peptide chain contains 238 amino acid residues. Ten half-cystine residues form five disulfide bridges. Six carbohydrate side chains could be identified, three of them are N-glycosidically linked to asparagine which is present in the acceptor sequon Asn-Xaa-Thr (or -Ser) and three are O-glycosidically linked to two serine residues and one threonine residue, respectively. Comparison of the primary structure of human urinary kallikrein with that of other serine proteinases especially porcine kallikrein and rat kallikrein shows a high degree of homology. IVGGWECEQHSQPWQAALYHFSTFQCGGILVHRQWVLTA AHCISDNYQLWLGRHNLFDDENTAQFVHVSESFPHPGFN MSLLENHTRQADEDYSHDLMLLRLTEPADTITDAVKVVE LPTQEPEVGSTCLASGWGSIEPENFSFPDDLQCVDLKIL PNDECEKAHVQKVTDFMLCVGHLEGGKDTCVGDSGGPLM CDGVLQGVTSWGYVPCGTPNKPSVAVRVLSYVKWIEDTIAENS.

Neutral proteinase inhibitors in PMN leukocytes. II. Isolation and characterization of a neutral proteinase inhibitor from porcine PMN leukocytes

An inhibitor of neutral proteinases was purified from porcine PMN leukocytes by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 superfine and ion-exchange chromatography on Mono S. Thus an inhibitor preparation with a specific inhibitory activity against chymotrypsin of 10 IU/mg was obtained. In dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis a single protein band with an apparent molecular mass of 40 kDa was found under reducing conditions. Under non-reducing conditions the inhibitor forms higher molecular mass aggregates. On isoelectric focusing several protein bands with isoelectric points between pH 7.0 and 7.5 could be separated. The amino-acid composition of the inhibitory protein was determined. The inhibition mechanism was studied and association rate constants (kon) were measured and calculated for the reaction with chymotrypsin as well as leukocyte and pancreatic elastase. In Western blot analysis and in enzyme immunoassay studies crossreactivity between antibodies directed against porcine leukocyte neutral proteinase inhibitor and the corresponding inhibitor of bovine PMN leukocytes could be demonstrated.

A new, very sensitive, bioluminescence-enhanced detection system for protein blotting. Ultrasensitive detection systems for protein blotting and DNA hybridization, I

A relatively simple, very sensitive bioluminescence-enhanced detection system for protein blots is described. The method utilizes antibodies conjugated with alkaline phosphatase. The alkaline phosphatase then takes part in a reaction by releasing D-luciferin (Photinus pyralis) from D-luciferin-O-phosphate. Liberated D-luciferin reacts with luciferase, ATP and oxygen with light emission. The light is detected by a sensitive photographic film, thereby permitting the visualization of the alkaline phosphatase-conjugated antibodies. Under non-optimized conditions the limit of detection is at present 5 to 50 pg of protein, corresponding e.g. to 30 to 300 x 10(-18) mol of rabbit immunoglobulin G. The detection system is therefore 100 times more sensitive than other systems used at present.

Site Directed Antisera to the D-2 Polypeptide Subunit of Photosystem II

Three synthetic oligopeptides were used for preparation of antibodies against the D-2 polypeptide of thylakoid membranes. Their sequence was chosen from a model of the folding of the amino acid sequence of the D-2 polypeptide subunit through the membrane that predicted these sequences to be exposed at the membrane surface. For the Merrifield solid-phase method on a fully automated synthesizer the Na-amino group was protected by a fluorenyl-9-methylcarbonyl group. The oligopeptides were coupled to serum albumin by EDAC for immunizations in rabbits.

Antisera with high titer were obtained for the two oligopeptides that contained the amino acid sequence of the D-2 protein from amino acid 230 to 235 and from 235 to 241. The antisera reacted with the D-2 polypeptide, separated on SDS gel and agglutinated the thylakoid membrane.

It is known that certain photosystem II functions are impaired by short time trypsin treatment of the membrane. The antisera were used to show that under these conditions the D-2 polypeptide in the membrane is very sensitive. The trypsination yielded two cleavage products detected by the two antisera, a 20 kDa fragment blotted by antiserum against amino acids 230 to 235 and a 10 kDa fragment blotted by the antiserum against amino acids 235 to 241. As the polypeptide cleavage occurs between the two epitopes, the trypsin cut is therefore at arginine 234. This supports the prediction that the sequence containing this arginine is the most exposed part of the D-2 polypeptide on the membrane (matrix) surface. It is proposed that the high sensitivity of the D-2 polypeptide accounts for the known effect of membrane trypsination on QA accessibility in photosystem II.

Synthesis and characterization of luciferin derivatives for use in bioluminescence enhanced enzyme immunoassays. New ultrasensitive detection systems for enzyme immunoassays, I

Derivatives of luciferin, D-luciferin methyl ester, D-luciferyl-L-phenylalanine, D-luciferyl-L-N alpha-arginine, D-luciferin-O-sulphate and D-luciferin-O-phosphate, were synthesized for use as highly sensitive substrates for enzyme assays. The luciferin derivatives were characterized by ultraviolet and fluorescence spectrophotometry, by amino acid analysis and by fast atom bombardement mass spectrometry. Enzymatic cleavage of the compounds by enzymes leading to the release of D-luciferin was demonstrated. Kinetic constants were determined for the following enzyme/substrate pairs: D-luciferin methyl ester/carboxylic esterase, D-luciferyl-L-phenylalanine/carboxypeptidase A, D-luciferyl-L-N alpha-arginine/carboxypeptidase B, D-luciferin-O-sulphate/arylsulphatase, D-luciferin-O-phosphate/alkaline phosphatase. All compounds proved to be acceptable substrates for the respective enzymes, D-luciferin-O-phosphate being accompanied by an especially high turnover number (kcat = 1010 s-1) with alkaline phosphatase.

Bioluminescence enhanced enzyme immunoassay. New ultrasensitive detection systems for enzyme immunoassays, II

Ultrasensitive bioluminescence immunoassays for the determination of peptides and proteins (illustrated with human urinary kallikrein, bradykinin and the determination of human urinary kallikrein antibody titers) have been developed. The usable ranges of the standard curves are from 5 pg to 5000 pg per liter. The relative intra-assay coefficients of variation of the tests were between 2 and 6%, and the interassay coefficients of variation between 4 and 12%.

Biochemistry of human tissue (urinary) kallikrein

Human urinary kallikrein was purified by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 and affinity chromatography on aprotinin-Sepharose, followed by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose. Thus an enzyme preparation with a specific activity of 1100 U/mg protein (substrate: AcPheArgOEt) was obtained. In dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis two protein bands with apparent molecular weights of 41 kDa (form B) and 34 kDa (form A) have been separated. On isoelectric focusing different protein bands with isoelectric points between 3.75 and 4.25 were found. Both forms (form A and B) could be separated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and characterized by dodecyl-sulfate electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. The kinetic constants for the kallikrein-catalyzed hydrolysis of AcPheArgOEt and DValLeuArgNan were determined. The Ki value for the tissue kallikrein aprotinin complex was measured as well as the bimolecular velocity constant for the inhibition by diisopropyl fluorophosphate was determined as 9 +/- 2 1 x mol-1 x min-1). The amino acid composition and the amino acid sequence of active human tissue (urinary) kallikrein is presented.

Site directed mutagenesis experiments suggest that Glu 111, Glu 144 and Arg 145 are essential for endonucleolytic activity of EcoRI

We have constructed a plasmid (pRIF 309+) carrying the EcoRI restriction endonuclease gene and the f1 origin of replication. Upon transformation of this plasmid into E. coli and infection with bacteriophage f1 single stranded plasmids are produced which can be used for sequencing and site directed mutagenesis. Using this single stranded DNA and synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides we have introduced point mutations at defined positions of the EcoRI gene. Since in pRIF309+ the EcoRI gene is under the control of the pL-promoter, high level expression of the mutated EcoRI gene could be obtained upon induction. Mutant EcoRI enzymes were purified to homogeneity and characterized in structural and functional terms. Our results demonstrate that the Glu 111----Gln, Glu 144----Gln and Arg 145----Lys -mutants adopt a very similar conformation as the wild type enzyme, but have by two orders of magnitude smaller specific activities than the wild type enzyme, mainly due to a reduction of the Vmax-value.

Biological activity in vivo of insulin analogues modified in the N-terminal region of the B-chain

[AlaB5]Insulin as well as a hybrid analogue of insulin and "insulin-like growth factor" (IGF-I), in which the N-terminal amino-acid sequence H-Phe-Val-Asn-Gln- of the B-chain has been replaced by the tripeptide H-Gly-Pro-Glu-of IGF-I, have been prepared by the partial-synthetic route. Their biological activity in vivo has been compared with that of other analogues in rabbits, mice and rats as far as data are available. These rodents respond differently, rats being less sensitive to modifications than rabbits and mice. The results explain unexpected discrepancies discussed in previous papers.

Isolation and characterization of porcine leukocyte elastase. Leukocyte elastase-inhibitor complexes in porcine blood, II

Porcine leukocyte elastase was purified from granulocytes by chelating chromatography on copper chelate Sepharose and by ion exchange chromatography on CM-Sepharose. Thus an enzyme preparation with a specific activity (substrate: MeOSuc(Ala)2ProValNan) of 89.3 U/mg protein was obtained. Dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis revealed one protein band corresponding to a molecular mass of 27 kDa. The amino acid composition was determined and isoleucine was identified as the only N-terminal amino acid residue. The bimolecular velocity constant for the inhibition by diisopropyl fluorophosphate was determined as 2000 1 . mol-1 . min-1. The dissociation constants, Ki, of the complexes of porcine leukocyte elastase with various inhibitors were calculated. The kinetic constants for the elastase-catalysed hydrolysis of MeOSuc(Ala)2ProValNan, Suc(Ala)2ValNan and Suc(Ala)3Nan were determined, as well as the kinetic constants of the inactivation of leukocyte elastase by active site mapping reagents. Detergents such as Triton X-100, Tween 20 and Brij 35, as well as porcine serum albumin, activated the porcine leukocyte elastase preparation.

The growth of single crystal and the determination of crystallographic parameters of (L-tryptophan)A1-insulin and (D-tryptophan)A1-insulin

The crystal-growing conditions and the results of preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of (L-Try)A1-insulin and (D-Try)A1-insulin are reported. The single crystals of this pair of insulin analogue suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis have been grown in the citrate buffer system by still-setting method. They both belong to the trigonal system with space group R3. The parameters of the unit cell (L-Trp)A1-insulin are aH = 80.31A, cH = 37.45A and those of (D-Trp)A1-insulin aH = 79.48A, cH = 43.81A. There are two molecules in an asymmetric unit. The obtained results are discussed.