Establishment of efficient 5-hydroxyvaleric acid production system by regenerating alpha-ketoglutaric acid and its application in poly(5-hydroxyvaleric acid) production

5-hydroxyvaleric acid (5-HV) is a versatile C5 intermediate of bio-based high-value chemical synthesis pathways. However, 5-HV production faces a few shortcomings involving the supply of cofactors, especially α-ketoglutaric acid (α-KG). Herein, we established a two-cell biotransformation system by introducing L-glutamate oxidase (GOX) to regenerate α-KG. Additionally, the catalase KatE was adapted to inhibit α-KG degradation by the H2O2 produced during GOX reaction. We searched for the best combination of genes and vectors and optimized the biotransformation conditions to maximize GOX effectiveness. Under the optimized conditions, 5-HV pathway with GOX showed 1.60-fold higher productivity than that of without GOX, showing 11.3 g/L titer. Further, the two-cell system with GOX and KatE was expanded to produce poly(5-hydroxyvaleric acid) (P(5HV)), and it reached at 412 mg/L of P(5HV) production and 20.5% PHA contents when using the biotransformation supernatant. Thus, the two-cell biotransformation system with GOX can potentially give the practical and economic alternative of 5-HV production using bio-based methods. We also propose direct utilization of 5-HV from bioconversion for P(5HV) production.

Fructosyl Amino Oxidase as a Therapeutic Enzyme in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an age-related disorder that is a global public health problem. The non-enzymatic Maillard reaction results in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Accumulation of AGEs in drusen plays a key role in AMD. AGE-reducing drugs may contribute to the prevention and treatment of AGE-related disease. Fructosamine oxidase (FAOD) acts on fructosyl lysine and fructosyl valine. Based upon the published results of fructosamine 3-kinase (FN3K) and FAOD obtained in cataract and presbyopia, we studied ex vivo FAOD treatment as a non-invasive AMD therapy. On glycolaldehyde-treated porcine retinas, FAOD significantly reduced AGE autofluorescence (p = 0.001). FAOD treatment results in a breakdown of AGEs, as evidenced using UV fluorescence, near-infrared microspectroscopy on stained tissue sections of human retina, and gel permeation chromatography. Drusen are accumulations of AGEs that build up between Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium. On microscopy slides of human retina affected by AMD, a significant reduction in drusen surface to 45 ± 21% was observed following FAOD treatment. Enzymatic digestion followed by mass spectrometry of fructose- and glucose-based AGEs (produced in vitro) revealed a broader spectrum of substrates for FAOD, as compared to FN3K, including the following: fructosyllysine, carboxymethyllysine, carboxyethyllysine, and imidazolone. In contrast to FN3K digestion, agmatine (4-aminobutyl-guanidine) was formed following FAOD treatment in vitro. The present study highlights the therapeutic potential of FAOD in AMD by repairing glycation-induced damage.

In vitro synthesis of oryzamutaic acid H using recombinant L-lysine ε-dehydrogenase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Oryzamutaic acids, possessing a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic skeleton, have been isolated and identified from a rice mutant. Although oryzamutaic acids are expected to be functional ingredients, their functionality is difficult to evaluate, because of their wide variety and presence in trace amounts. Furthermore, how oryzamutaic acid is synthesized in vivo is unclear. Therefore, we developed a simple enzymatic synthesis method for these compounds in vitro. We focused on L-lysine ε-dehydrogenase (LysDH) from Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which synthesizes α-aminoadipate-δ-semialdehyde-a precursor of oryzamutaic acids. LysDH was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Analysis of activity revealed that LysDH catalyzed the synthesis of oryzamutaic acid H at neutral pH in vitro. We synthesized 1.6 mg oryzamutaic acid H from 100 mg L-lysine. The synthesized oryzamutaic acid H exhibited UVA absorption, stability of temperature, and stability at a wide pH range. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report the enzymatic synthesis of oryzamutaic acid H in vitro and provides a basis for understanding the mechanisms of oryzamutaic acid synthesis in vivo.

A Study on the Candidate Gene Association and Interaction with Measures of UV Exposure in Pseudoexfoliation Patients from India

PURPOSE

Environmental and genetic factors are associated with development of Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS). Here we intended to elucidate the association of candidate genes in relevance to UV exposure in these patients.

METHODS

This is a case-control study of 309 subjects (N = 219 controls and 90 XFS cases) from India. PCR based direct sequencing was performed for candidate genes (LOXL1, POMP and TMEM136) followed by genotype and haplotype analysis. The promoter methylation status was assessed by Methylation specific PCR based direct sequencing of genomic DNA for all samples. The methylation status was compared with that of primary fibroblasts cultures established from patient's Tenon's tissue samples in subset of these patients.

RESULTS

SNPs rs3825942, rs41435250, rs8818 (LOXL1) and rs3737528 (POMP) showed significant association with XFS. LOXL1 gene haplotype GAGC (rs1048661- rs3825942- rs41435250-rs8818) was associated with lower risk for XFS with a p value 4.1961 × 10-6 (OR =0; 95%CI, 0.000-0.003). POMP gene haplotypes for intronic SNPs (rs1340815- rs3737528- rs913797) TCC and TTC were associated with increased risk for the disease (OR > 1.0). Significant correlation for SNPs rs3825942 of LOXL1 (ρ= -0.132) and rs3737528 of POMP (ρ = 0.12) was observed with measure of lifetime UV exposure (CUVAF value). Reduced LOXL1 gene expression was observed in cultured tenon fibroblasts from the patients that correlated with differential methylation of the Sp-1 binding sites at -253, -243bp upstream to the transcription start site of LOXL1 promoter region.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest a possible interaction for LOXL1 gene haplotype (GAGC) with the measure of ocular UV exposure in pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

One-Pot Purification and Immobilization of Phenylalanine Dehydrogenase from Bacillus nanhaiensi by Functional Reduced Graphene Oxide

The one-pot immobilization of halophilic phenylalanine dehydrogenase from marine microorganism with metal ions modified reduced graphene oxide (CRGO) material was studied. Phenylalanine dehydrogenase was from Bacillus nanhaiensi and expressed with a C-terminal His-tag. Investigation of CRGO, CRGO-PEI, CRCO-Mn, and CRGO-PEI-Mn for one-pot purification and immobilization of phenylalanine dehydrogenase from crude enzyme solution was carried out. Enzyme activity yield rate achieved 80.0% by immobilization with CRCO-Mn, and the loading capacity was 6.7 mg/mg. Manganese ion coordination greatly improved the selectivity of the CRGO for the target His-tagged enzyme. Furthermore, the effect of NaCl concentration on the immobilization was investigated, which the loading capacity of CRGO-PEI and CRGO-Mn-PEI was increased by 10.7% and 30.6% with 1 M NaCl, respectively. The adsorption curves of crude enzyme one-pot immobilized by CRGO-Mn and purified enzyme immobilized by CRGO-Mn were similar. Therefore, one-pot immobilization strategy is promising for industrial application with advantages such as high efficiency and low cost, which shorten the pipelines for enzyme discovery towards industrial applications through the establishing of marine enzyme collections.

Surface Chemistry Studies on the Formation of Mixed Stearic Acid/Phenylalanine Dehydrogenase Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett Films

This work investigates the physicochemical properties of mixed stearic acid (HSt)/phenylalanine dehydrogenase enzyme (PheDH) Langmuir films and their immobilization onto solid supports as Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films. PheDH from the aqueous subphase enters the surfactant matrix up to an exclusion surface pressure of 25.3 mN/m, leading to the formation of stable and highly condensed mixed Langmuir monolayers. Hydrophobic interactions between the enzyme and HSt nonpolar groups tuned the secondary structure of PheDH, evidenced by the presence of β-sheet structures as demonstrated by infrared and circular dichroism spectra. The floating monolayers were successfully transferred to solid quartz supports, yielding Y-type LB films, and then characterized employing fluorescence, circular dichroism, and microscopic techniques, which indicated that PheDH was co-immobilized with HSt proportionally to the number of transferred layers. The enzyme fluidized the HSt monolayers, reducing their maximum dipoles when condensed to their maximum, and disorganized the alkyl chains of the fatty acid, as detected with infrared spectroscopy. The stability of the mixed floating monolayers enabled their transfer to solid supports as LB films, which is important for producing optical and electrochemical sensors for phenylalanine whose molecular architecture can be controlled with precision.

Glyphosate Biodegradation Potential in Soil Based on Glycine Oxidase Gene (thiO) from Bradyrhizobium

Despite the intensive use of glyphosate (GP) and its ubiquitous presence in the environment, studies addressing the presence of microbial genes involved in glyphosate degradation in natural conditions are scarce. Based on the agronomical importance of Bradyrhizobium genus and its metabolic versatility, we tested the hypothesis that species or genotypes of Bradyrhizobium could be a proxy for GP degrader potential in soil. A quantitative PCR assay was designed to target a specific region of the glycine oxidase gene (thiO), involved in the oxidation of glyphosate to AMPA, from known sequences of Bradyrhizobium species. The abundance of the thiO gene was determined in response to herbicide application in soils with different GP exposure history both under field and microcosm conditions. The gene coding for RNA polymerase subunitB (rpoB) was used as a reference for the abundance of total Bradyrhizobia. The assay using the designed primers was linear over a very large concentration range of the target and showed high efficiency and specificity. In a field experiment, there was a differential response related to the history of glyphosate use and the native Bradyrhizobium genotypes. In a soil without previous exposure to herbicides, thiO gene increased over time after glyphosate application with most genotypes belonging to the B. jicamae and B. elkanni supergroups. Conversely, in an agricultural soil with more than 10 years of continuous glyphosate application, the abundance of thiO gene decreased and most genotypes belonged to B. japonicum supergroup. In a microcosm assay, the amount of herbicide degraded after a single application was positively correlated to the number of thiO copies in different agricultural soils from the Pampean Region. Our results suggest that Bradyrhizobium species are differently involved in glyphosate degradation, denoting the existence of metabolically versatile microorganisms which can be explored for sustainable agriculture practices. The relationship between the abundance of thiO gene and the GP degraded in soil point to the use of thiO gene as a proxy for GP degradation in soil.

Overexpression of an ethylene-forming ACC oxidase (ACO) gene precedes the Minute Hilum seed coat phenotype in Glycine max

BACKGROUND

To elucidate features of seed development, we investigated the transcriptome of a soybean isoline from the germplasm collection that contained an introgressed allele known as minute hilum (mi) which confers a smaller hilum region where the seed attaches to the pod and also results in seed coat cracking surrounding the hilum region.

RESULTS

RNAs were extracted from immature seed from an extended hilum region (i.e., the hilum and a small ring of tissue surrounding the hilum in which the cracks form) at three different developmental stages:10-25, 25-50 and 50-100 mg seed fresh weight in two independent replicates for each stage. The transcriptomes of these samples from both the Clark isoline containing the mi allele (PI 547628, UC413, ii R t mi G), and its recurrent Clark 63 parent isoline (PI 548532, UC7, ii R T Mi g), which was used for six generations of backcrossing, were compared for differential expression of 88,648 Glyma models of the soybean genome Wm82.a2. The RNA sequence data obtained from the 12 cDNA libraries were subjected to padj value < 0.05 and at least two-fold expression differences to select with confidence genes differentially expressed in the hilum-containing tissue of the seed coat between the two lines. Glyma.09G008400 annotated as encoding an ethylene forming enzyme, ACC oxidase (ACO), was found to be highly overexpressed in the mi hilum region at 165 RPKMs (reads per kilobase per million mapped reads) compared to the standard line at just 0.03 RPKMs. Evidence of changes in expression of genes downstream of the ethylene pathway included those involved in auxin and gibberellin hormone action and extensive differences in expression of cell wall protein genes. These changes are postulated to determine the restricted hilum size and cracking phenotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

We present transcriptome and phenotypic evidence that substantially higher expression of an ethylene-forming ACO gene likely shifts hormone balance and sets in motion downstream changes resulting in a smaller hilum phenotype and the cracks observed in the minute hilum (mi) isoline as compared to its recurrent parent.

Altered mechanics of vaginal smooth muscle cells due to the lysyl oxidase-like1 knockout

The remodeling mechanisms that cause connective tissue of the vaginal wall, consisting mostly of smooth muscle, to weaken after vaginal delivery are not fully understood. Abnormal remodeling after delivery can contribute to development of pelvic organ prolapse and other pelvic floor disorders. The present study used vaginal smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) isolated from knockout mice lacking the expression of the lysyl oxidase-like1 (LOXL1) enzyme, a well-characterized animal model for pelvic organ prolapse. We tested if vaginal smooth muscle cells from LOXL1 knockout mice have altered mechanics including stiffness and surface adhesion. Using atomic force microscopy, we performed nanoindentations on both isolated and confluent cells to evaluate the effect of LOXL1 knockout on in vitro cultures of vSMCs cells from nulliparous mice. The results show that LOXL1 knockout vSMCs have increased stiffness in pre-confluent but decreased stiffness in confluent cultures (p* < 0.05) and significant decreased surface adhesion in pre-confluent cultures (p* < 0.05). This study provides evidence that the weakening of vaginal connective tissue in the absense of LOXL1 changes the mechanical properties of the vSMCs. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition affecting millions of women worldwide, which significantly impacts their quality of life. Alterations in vaginal and pelvic floor mechanical properties can change their ability to support the pelvic organs. This study provides evidence of altered stiffness of vaginal smooth muscle cells from mice resembling pelvic organ prolapse. The results from this study set a foundation to develop pathophysiology-driven therapies focused on the interplay between smooth muscle mechanics and extracellular matrix remodeling.

Challenges of simultaneous measurements of brain extracellular GABA and glutamate in vivo using enzyme-coated microelectrode arrays

BACKGROUND

Although GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, quantifying in vivo GABA levels has been challenging. The ability to co-monitor both GABA and the major excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate, would be a powerful tool in both research and clinical settings.

NEW METHOD

Ceramic-based microelectrode arrays (MEAs) were used to quantify gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by employing a dual-enzyme reaction scheme including GABase and glutamate oxidase (GluOx). Glutamate was simultaneously quantified on adjacent recording sites coated with GluOx alone. Endogenous glutamate was subtracted from the combined GABA and glutamate signal to yield a pure GABA concentration.

RESULTS

Electrode sensitivity to GABA in conventional, stirred in vitro calibrations at pH 7.4 did not match the in vivo sensitivity due to diffusional losses. Non-stirred calibrations in agarose or stirred calibrations at pH 8.6 were used to match the in vivo GABA sensitivity. In vivo data collected in the rat brain demonstrated feasibility of the GABA/glutamate MEA including uptake of locally applied GABA, KCl-evoked GABA release and modulation of endogenous GABA with vigabatrin.

COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS

Implantable enzyme-coated microelectrode arrays have better temporal and spatial resolution than existing off-line methods. However, interpretation of results can be complicated due to the multiple recording site and dual enzyme approach.

CONCLUSIONS

The initial in vitro and in vivo studies supported that the new MEA configuration may be a viable platform for combined GABA and glutamate measures in the CNS extending the previous reports to in vivo GABA detection. The challenges of this approach are emphasized.

Dermal Collagen Stabilization by Polyphenols and Spray Drying as an Encapsulation Strategy

Collagen, the most abundant component in mammalian tissues, has a crucial impact at skin level. Both promotion and maintenance of cross-linked collagen at the skin are critical to sustain the functionality and appearance of that tissue. Lysyl oxidases, also known as LOX enzymes, are the major collagen cross-linking enzymes that play a pivotal role in homeostasis. This minireview summarizes evidence that describes an amino oxidase-like activity, which could be attributed to polyphenols, or where polyphenols could be required. We also discuss some available collagen formulations and the scientific evidence that describes the impact on dermal extracellular matrix. In addition, information about encapsulation strategies to carry polyphenols, and some examples are also provided.

Efficient production of d-amino acid oxidase in Escherichia coli by a trade-off between its expression and biomass using N-terminal modification

Native d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) that is expressed mostly as inclusion body and its toxicity for E. coli hamper efficient heterologous expression. In this study, the soluble expression of DAAO from Rhodosporidium toruloides (RtDAAO) was improved in E. coli through N-terminal modification, but the cell biomass was decreased. Then a trade-off between DAAO expression and biomass was achieved to obtain the highest volumetric activity of DAAO through regulated the number of N-terminus histidine residues. When variant ²H³G was fused with three N-terminus histidine residues, the volumetric activity was increased by 3.1 times and the biomass was not significant change compared with the wild type. Finally, the N-terminus disordered region of RtDAAO (HSQK) was replaced with HHHG and the variant enzyme activity reached 80.7U/mL (with a 40 percent of inactive DAAO reduced) in a 7.5L fermenter in 24h.

Advancing the development of glycated protein biosensing technology: next-generation sensing molecules

Research advances in biochemical molecules have led to the development of convenient and reproducible biosensing molecules for glycated proteins, such as those based on the enzymes fructosyl amino acid oxidase (FAOX) or fructosyl peptide oxidase (FPOX). Recently, more attractive biosensing molecules with potential applications in next-generation biosensing of glycated proteins have been aggressively reported. We review 2 such molecules, fructosamine 6-kinase (FN6K) and fructosyl amino acid-binding protein, as well as their recent applications in the development of glycated protein biosensing systems. Research on FN6K and fructosyl amino acid-binding protein has been opening up new possibilities for the development of highly sensitive and proteolytic-digestion-free biosensing systems for glycated proteins.

Alcohol-seeking behavior is associated with increased glutamate transmission in basolateral amygdala and nucleus accumbens as measured by glutamate-oxidase-coated biosensors

Relapse is one of the most problematic aspects in the treatment of alcoholism and is often triggered by alcohol-associated environmental cues. Evidence indicates that glutamate neurotransmission plays a critical role in cue-induced relapse-like behavior, as inhibition of glutamate neurotransmission can prevent reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior. However, few studies have examined specific changes in extracellular glutamate levels in discrete brain regions produced by exposure to alcohol-associated cues. The purpose of this study was to use glutamate oxidase (GluOx)-coated biosensors to monitor changes in extracellular glutamate in specific brain regions during cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior. Male Wistar rats were implanted with indwelling jugular vein catheters and intracerebral guide cannula aimed at the basolateral amygdala (BLA) or nucleus accumbens (NAc) core, and then trained to self-administer alcohol intravenously. A separate group of animals were trained to self-administer food pellets. Each reinforcer was accompanied by the presentation of a light/tone stimulus. Following stabilization of responding for alcohol or food reinforcement, and subsequent extinction training, animals were implanted with pre-calibrated biosensors and then underwent a 1-hour cue-induced reinstatement testing period. As determined by GluOx-coated biosensors, extracellular levels of glutamate were increased in the BLA and NAc core during cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior. The cumulative change in extracellular glutamate in both regions was significantly greater for cue-induced reinstatement of alcohol-seeking behavior versus that of food-seeking behavior. These results indicate that increases in glutamate transmission in the BLA and NAc core may be a neurochemical substrate of cue-evoked alcohol-seeking behavior.

Review of fructosyl amino acid oxidase engineering research: a glimpse into the future of hemoglobin A1c biosensing

Glycated proteins, particularly glycated hemoglobin A1c, are important markers for assessing the effectiveness of diabetes treatment. Convenient and reproducible assay systems based on the enzyme fructosyl amino acid oxidase (FAOD) have become attractive alternatives to conventional detection methods. We review the available FAOD-based assays for measurement of glycated proteins as well as the recent advances and future direction of FAOD research. Future research is expected to lead to the next generation of convenient, simple, and economical sensors for glycated protein, ideally suited for point-of-care treatment and self-monitoring applications.

An enzymatic method for the rapid measurement of the hemoglobin A1c by a flow-injection system comprised of an electrochemical detector with a specific enzyme-reactor and a spectrophotometer

A flow-injection analytical (FIA) system, comprised of an electrochemical detector with a fructosyl-peptide oxidase (FPOX-CET) reactor and a flow-type spectrophotometer, was proposed for the simultaneous measurement of glycohemoglobin and total hemoglobin in blood cell. The blood cell samples were hemolyzed with a surfactant and then treated with protease. In the first stage of operation, total hemoglobin in digested sample was determined spectrophotometrically. In the second stage, fructosyl valyl histidine (FVH) released from glycohemoglobin by the selective proteolysis was determined specifically using the electrochemical detector with the FPOX-CET reactor. The FIA system could be automatically processed at an analytical speed of 40 samples per hour. The proposed assay method could determine selectively only the glycated N-terminal residue of beta-chain in glycohemoglobin and total hemoglobin in blood cell. The enzymatic hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value calculated by the concentration ratio of the FVH to total hemoglobin, was closely correlated with the HbA1c values certified by the Japan Diabetic Society (JDS) and the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC).

Oxygen tolerance of an implantable polymer/enzyme composite glutamate biosensor displaying polycation-enhanced substrate sensitivity

Biosensors were fabricated at neutral pH by sequentially depositing the polycation polyethyleneimine (PEI), the stereoselective enzyme L-glutamate oxidase (GluOx) and the permselective barrier poly-ortho-phenylenediamine (PPD) onto 125-microm diameter Pt wire electrodes (Pt/PEI/GluOx/PPD). These devices were calibrated amperometrically at 0.7 V versus SCE to determine the Michaelis-Menten parameters for enzyme substrate, l-glutamate (Glu) and co-substrate, dioxygen. The presence of PEI produced a 10-fold enhancement in the detection limit for Glu (approximately 20 nM) compared with the corresponding PEI-free configurations (Pt/GluOx/PPD), without undermining their fast response time (approximately 2 s). Most remarkable was the finding that, although some designs of PEI-containing biosensors showed a 10-fold increase in linear region sensitivity to Glu, their oxygen dependence remained low.

A biosensor based on co-immobilized l-glutamate oxidase and l-glutamate dehydrogenase for analysis of monosodium glutamate in food

A monosodium glutamate (MSG) biosensor made by co-immobilized L-glutamate oxidase (L-GLOD) and L-glutamate dehydrogenase (L-GLDH) as the bio-component based on substrate recycling for highly sensitive MSG or L-glutamate determination, has been developed. Regeneration of MSG by substrate recycling provided an amplification of the sensor response. Higher signal amplification was found in the presence of ammonium ion. The sensor was standardized to determine MSG in the range of 0.02-3.0 mg/L. Linearity was obtained from 0.02 to 1.2 mg/L in presence of ammonium ion (10 mM) and NADPH (reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) (2 mM), but in absence of L-GLDH, the detection limit of MSG is confined to 0.1 mg/L. The apparent Km for MSG with L-GLOD-L-GLDH coupled reaction was 0.4451 mM but 1.9222 mM when only L-GLOD was immobilized. Cross linking with glutaraldehyde in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a spacer molecule has been used for the method of immobilization. The response time of the sensor was 2 min. The optimum pH and temperature of the biosensor has been determined as 7+/-2 and 25+/-2 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme immobilized on the membrane was used for over 50 measurements. The standard error of the sample measurement was 4-5%. The activity of the enzyme-immobilized membrane was tested over a period of 60 days.

Identification of essential amino acid residues in valine dehydrogenase from Streptomyces albus

Cys-29 and Cys-251 of Streptomyces albus valine dehydrogenase (ValDH) were highly conserved in the corresponding region of NAD(P)(+)-dependent amino acid dehydroganase sequences. To ascertain the functional role of these cysteine residues in S. albus ValDH, site-directed mutagenesis was performed to change each of the two residues to serine. Kinetic analyses of the enzymes mutated at Cys-29 and Cys-251 revealed that these residues are involved in catalysis. We also constructed mutant ValDH by substituting valine for leucine at 305 by site-directed mutagenesis. This residue was chosen, because it has been proposed to be important for substrate discrimination by phenylalanine dehydrogenase (PheDH) and leucine dehydrogenase (LeuDH). Kinetic analysis of the V305L mutant enzyme revealed that it is involved in the substrate binding site. However it displayed less activity than the wild type enzyme toward all aliphatic and aromatic amino acids tested.

Expression, purification, and physical characterization of Escherichia coli lipoyl(octanoyl)transferase

Lipoic acid is a sulfur-containing 8-carbon fatty acid that functions as a central cofactor in multienzyme complexes that are involved in the oxidative decarboxylation of glycine and several alpha-keto acids. In its functional form, it is bound covalently in an amide linkage to the epsilon-amino group of a conserved lysine residue of the "lipoyl bearing subunit," resulting in a long "swinging arm" that shuttles intermediates among the requisite active sites. In Escherichia coli and many other organisms, the lipoyl cofactor can be synthesized endogenously. The 8-carbon fatty-acyl chain is constructed via the type II fatty acid biosynthetic pathway as an appendage to the acyl carrier protein (ACP). Lipoyl(octanoyl)transferase (LipB) transfers the octanoyl chain from ACP to the target lysine acceptor, generating the substrate for lipoyl synthase (LS), which subsequently catalyzes insertion of both sulfur atoms into the C-6 and C-8 positions of the octanoyl chain. In this study, we present a three-step isolation procedure that results in a 14-fold purification of LipB to >95% homogeneity in an overall yield of 25%. We also show that the protein catalyzes the transfer of the octanoyl group from octanoyl-ACP to apo-H protein, which is the lipoyl bearing subunit of the glycine cleavage system. The specific activity of the purified protein is 0.541 U mg(-1), indicating a turnover number of approximately 0.2 s(-1), and the apparent Km values for octanoyl-ACP and apo-H protein are 10.2+/-4.4 and 13.2+/-2.9 microM, respectively.

Benzoate treatment and the glycine index in nonketotic hyperglycinaemia

High-dose benzoate treatment aimed at reducing plasma glycine levels to normal reduces seizures and increases wakefulness in patients with nonketotic hyperglycinaemia (NKH). Since benzoate metabolism is dependent on the available glycine pool, and since the glycine pool is variably affected by the deficiency in the glycine cleavage enzyme system, we examined the importance of interpatient variability in benzoate requirement. To correct for the dietary glycine contribution, the glycine index was introduced as the molar requirement of benzoate dose necessary to normalize plasma glycine levels and subtracting from that the dietary glycine intake, both corrected for weight. The glycine index varied between 3.62 and 4.87 mmol/kg per day in five patients with a poor neurodevelopmental outcome and between 0.92 and 1.90 mmol/kg per day in four patients with a better neurodevelopmental outcome, and was 2.54 mmol/kg per day in a single patient with an intermediate outcome. The glycine index was stable over time within each patient. Exceeding the balance by either increasing food glycine intake or decreasing the benzoate dose resulted in increased glycine levels. Exceeding the glycine tolerance by increasing benzoate resulted in elevated and toxic levels of benzoate. The glycine index is a stable, individually specific parameter in patients with NKH. It has clinical consequences for the dose of benzoate required and the role of dietary management. Through its correlation with neurodevelopmental outcome, the glycine index points to potential genetic factors that could contribute to the psychomotor retardation in NKH.

Probing the H-protein-induced conformational change and the function of the N-terminal region of Escherichia coli T-protein of the glycine cleavage system by limited proteolysis

T-protein, a component of the glycine cleavage system, catalyzes a tetrahydrofolate-dependent reaction. Previously, we reported a conformational change of Escherichia coli T-protein upon interacting with E. coli H-protein (EH), showing an important role for the N-terminal region of the T-protein in the interaction. To further investigate the T-protein catalysis, the wild type (ET) and mutants were subjected to limited proteolysis. ET was favorably cleaved at Lys(81), Lys(154), Lys(288), and Lys(360) by lysylendopeptidase and the cleavages at Lys(81) and Lys(288) were strongly prevented by EH. Although ET was highly resistant to trypsinolysis, the mutant with an N-terminal 7-residue deletion (ETDelta7) was quite susceptible and instantly cleaved at Arg(16) accompanied by the rapid degradation of the resulting C-terminal fragment, indicating that the cleavage at Arg(16) is the trigger for the C-terminal fragmentation. EH showed no protection from the N-terminal cleavage, although substantial protection from the C-terminal fragmentation was observed. The replacement of Leu(6) of ET with alanine resulted in a similar sensitivity to trypsin as ETDelta7. These results suggest that the N-terminal region of ET functions as a molecular "hasp" to hold ET in the compact form required for the proper association with EH. Leu(6) seems to play a central role in the hasp function. Interestingly, Lys(360) of ET was susceptible to proteolysis even after the stabilization of the entire molecule of ET by EH, indicating its location at the surface of the ET-EH complex. Together with the buried position of Lys(81) in the complex and previous results on folate binding sites, these results suggest the formation of a folate-binding cavity via the interaction of ET with EH. The polyglutamyl tail of the folate substrate may be inserted into the bosom of the cavity leaving the pteridine ring near the entrance of the cavity in the context of the catalytic reaction.

Estrogen receptors alpha and beta have similar activities in multiple endothelial cell pathways

The presence of both estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and ERbeta in vascular cells has greatly increased the complexity of potential estrogen regulatory pathways in the cardiovascular system. Here, human umbilical vein endothelial cells were engineered using adenovirus vectors to express either ERalpha or ERbeta. The activities of ERalpha and ERbeta were compared in three distinct gene regulatory pathways, including inhibition of IL-1beta induction of E-selectin expression, inhibition of basal endothelin-1 production, and the ability to induce two matrix-stabilizing enzymes: tissue transglutaminase and a novel member of the lysyl oxidase family. Both ERs were active on these end points, although ERbeta was typically less efficacious than ERalpha. As no class of gene regulation could differentiate ERalpha from ERbeta activity, we characterized a novel steroid (7alpha-thiophenyl-E2) that bound with similar affinities to ERalpha and ERbeta, but functioned as an ERalpha agonist and ERbeta antagonist for all of these endothelial responses. This pattern of receptor subtype-selective activity was not unique to endothelial cells, but was also seen in metabolically active HepG2 cells, suggesting potential in vivo utility. The panel of endothelial responses coupled with a selective modulator should provide a means to characterize the roles of ERalpha and ERbeta in endothelial cells in vivo.

Development of a flow-injection analysis (FIA) enzyme sensor for fructosyl amine monitoring

An enzyme-sensor system with flow-injection analysis (FIA) has been developed for the detection of fructosyl amine compounds; the sensor utilizes fructosyl amine oxidase isolated from the marine yeast Pichia sp. N1-1 strain. With this FIA system 0.2 to 10 mmol L(-1) fructosyl valine can be determined. The sensor is approximately five times more sensitive to fructosyl valine, a model compound for glycated hemoglobin HbA1c, than to N(epsilon)-fructosyl lysine, a model compound for glycated albumin. This FIA system can also be used to detect fructosyl dipeptides. The operational stability of the sensor enabled more than 120 consecutive sample injections over a period of approximately 20 h.

Bienzymatic amperometric sensor for protein assay in milk

A new bienzymatic amperometric sensor is proposed for the assay of the protein content of milk. The sensor is based on two enzymes: carboxypeptidase A and L-amino acid oxidase. The response characteristics obtained for this sensor (detection limit of 1.5 micromol/L, linear concentration range between 1.8 and 2.8 micromol/L), as well as high selectivity over possible interferences from milk, made it applicable as a detector in flow injection analysis (FIA). The response characteristics obtained in the non-equilibrium conditions (FIA system) are: detection limit of 1.5 micromol/L and linear concentration range between 2 and 3.5 micromol/L. Without FIA, the average recovery of proteins from milk and milk products is 99.06 +/- 0.07% and, by utilization of FIA, it increased to 99.73 +/- 0.03. The sensor proved a good reliability for the assay of proteins in milk and milk products.

Regulation of the yeast glycine cleavage genes is responsive to the availability of multiple nutrients

The mitochondrial glycine cleavage complex has an important role in metabolism since it provides the cell with the ability to use glycine as sole one-carbon and sole nitrogen source. In previous studies we have found that the genes encoding the unique components of this complex (GCV1, GCV2 and GCV3) are regulated by the one-carbon status of the cell. Here we have examined the transcriptional regulation of these genes with respect to nitrogen source. Two controls are required for the full range of GCV2 expression. One acts through a GATA sequence known to be involved in the control of transcription in response to the quality of the available nitrogen source and the other acts through an eight-base palindrome immediately 5' of the GATA element. This palindromic sequence previously had no known function. These data expand the repertoire of nitrogen catabolite repression to include the poor nitrogen source glycine and the genes encoding the enzyme complex responsible for its catabolism. Furthermore, deletion analyses and mutagenesis have shown that the palindromic sequence is important for full repression of GCV2 in complex glucose-containing medium and functions in a manner that is different from control mediated by the GATA element.

Monitoring of alpha-ketoglutarate in a fermentation process using expanded bed enzyme reactors

A bienzyme flow injection system is presented for the monitoring of alpha-ketoglutarate produced in a fermentation process, using glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and glutamate oxidase (GlOx) immobilised in two serially connected expanded bed reactors. The use of expanded bed resulted in unhindered passage of the bacterial cells through the columns, and thereby the need of a separate filtering step (e.g. microdialysis) was avoided. In the first reactor, alpha-ketoglutarate was converted to L-glutamate by GDH in the presence of ammonia and NADH. In the following reactor, L-glutamate was converted by GlOx to alpha-ketoglutarate, ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, which was detected in an electrochemical flow-through cell at +650 mV vs. Pt/(0.1 M KCl). The detection limit of alpha-ketoglutarate in the coupled packed bed reactors was 1 microM (defined as 3 S/N), the linear range 0-100 microM, and the sensitivity 0.80 nA/microM (R(2) 0.99). In the coupled expanded bed reactors, the detection limit of alpha-ketoglutarate was 7 microM (defined as 3 S/N), the linear range and the sensitivity being 0-500 microM and 0.11 nA/microM (R(2) 1.00), respectively. The response time (defined as the time between peak rise and return to baseline) was 5 min for coupled packed beds (injection of supernatant), and 12 min for coupled expanded beds (injection of sample containing cellular and particulate matter). Several other parameters, such as reactor stability, flow rate dependency, bed expansion, glutamate interference, etc. were investigated and characterised. When analysing real samples from a fermentation broth, the same results were obtained independent of the nature of the reactor system (packed or expanded bed). The hereby described system can easily be automatised and controlled from a personal computer.

Theoretical study of the conformation of the lipoamide arm in a mutant H protein

The lipoamide arm of the H protein plays a pivotal role in the catalytic cycle of the glycine decarboxylase complex (GDC) by being successively methylamine loaded (Hmet), reduced (Hred), and oxidized (Hox). In a previous study, we calculated free-energy surfaces as a function of the lipoamide arm position of the three forms of the wild-type protein and found close agreement with the available experimental data. Our simulations, together with crystallographic and NMR data, showed that the methylamine-loaded arm is locked in a cavity by interaction with Ser12, Glu14, and Asp67. In this work, we investigate the behavior of the methylamine-loaded form of a mutant H protein (HEA) where Glu14 has been replaced by Ala. We find that the arm can still be held in the cavity but that the energy barrier to release of the arm is halved from approximately 40 kcal mol(-1) for Hmet to approximately 12 kcal mol(-1) for HEA. To compensate for the loss of Glu14, the methylamine group shifts toward Ser66 in the mutant form. These results provide a structural basis for the equilibrium between the loaded and the unloaded forms of the arm observed by Gueguen et al. (Gueguen et al., J Biol Chem 1999;274:26344-26352) in HEA.

Real-time electrochemical imaging using an individually addressable multi-channel electrode

We developed a real-time electrochemical imaging method that uses a multiple enzyme-modified microelectrode. The method will enable the investigation of the functions of biological materials and cells. To test its effectiveness, we imaged the two-dimensional concentration distribution for hydrogen peroxide and L-glutamate in a standard solution. The multiple electrode consists of an 8 x 8 array of 30 x 30 microm2 carbon micro electrode. Each electrode was connected to a 64-channel potentiostat that could apply a potential to all electrodes at the same time. The multiple electrode was coated with an Os-polyvinylpyridine based polymer (Os-gel) containing horse radish peroxidase (HRP) to detect hydrogen peroxide, which is a very common product of oxidase enzyme. When measuring glutamate, which is a well-known neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nerve system, we modified the electrode with a bilayer of Os-gel-HRP and GluOx. The detection limit of our method was 1 microM and images of the glutamate concentration-distribution changes induced by local injection of glutamate through microcapillary were obtained in real time.

Molecular cloning and biological activity of a novel lysyl oxidase-related gene expressed in cartilage

We cloned a cDNA encoding a novel lysyl oxidase-related protein, named LOXC, by suppression subtractive hybridization between differentiated and calcified ATDC5 cells, a clonal mouse chondrogenic EC cell line. The deduced amino acid sequence of mouse LOXC consists of 757 amino acids and shows 50% identity with that of mouse lysyl oxidase. Northern blot analysis showed a distinct hybridization band of 5.4 kilobases, and Western blot analysis showed an immunoreactive band at 82 kilodaltons. Expression of LOXC mRNA was detected in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and embryonic fibroblast C3H10T1/2 cells, whereas none of NIH3T3 fibroblasts and myoblastic C2C12 cells expressed LOXC mRNA in vitro. Moreover, the LOXC mRNA and protein levels dramatically increased throughout a process of chondrogenic differentiation in ATDC5 cells. In vivo, LOXC gene expression was localized in hypertrophic and calcified chondrocytes of growth plates in adult mice. The conditioned media of COS-7 cells transfected with the full-length LOXC cDNA showed the lysyl oxidase activity in both type I and type II collagens derived from chick embryos, and these activities of LOXC were inhibited by beta-aminopropionitrile, a specific inhibitor of lysyl oxidase. Our data indicate that LOXC is expressed in cartilage in vivo and modulates the formation of a collagenous extracellular matrix.

Glycine cleavage enzyme complex: rabbit H-protein cDNA sequence analysis and comparison to human, cow, and chicken

The H-protein is one of the four essential components (H-, L-, P-, and T-proteins) of the mammalian glycine cleavage enzyme complex, the major degradative pathway of glycine. We have isolated the full-length cDNA of the H-protein gene from the rabbit (Oryctolagus caniculus) by reverse transcription of liver poly-A mRNA and determined its nucleotide sequence (GenBank Acc. No. BankIt 31828

Self-referencing ceramic-based multisite microelectrodes for the detection and elimination of interferences from the measurement of L-glutamate and other analytes

A self-referencing technique utilizing two microelectrodes on a ceramic-based multisite array is employed for confirmation and elimination of interferences detected by enzyme-based microelectrodes. The measurement of L-glutamate using glutamate oxidase was the test system; however, other oxidase enzymes such as glucose oxidase can be employed. One recording site was coated with Nafion with L-glutamate oxidase and bovine serum albumin (BSA) cross-linked with glutaraldehyde while the other had Nafion with BSA cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. Differences in the chemistry of the two recording sites allowed for identification and elimination of interfering signals to be removed from the analyte response. The electrode showed low detection limits (LOD = 0.98 +/- 0.09 microM, signal-to-noise ratio of 3), fast response times (T90 approximately 1 s), and excellent linearity (R2 = 0.999 +/- 0.000) over the concentration range of 0-200 microM for calibrations of L-glutamate in vitro. The selectivity and dimensions of the multisite electrode allow in vivo glutamate measurements. This electrode has been applied to in vivo measurements of the clearance of locally applied glutamate and release of glutamate in the prefrontal cortex of anesthetized rats. In addition, a aimilar approach has been applied to the development of a microelectrode for measures of glucose.

The amino-terminal region of the Escherichia coli T-protein of the glycine cleavage system is essential for proper association with H-protein

T-protein is a component of the glycine cleavage system and catalyzes the tetrahydrofolate-dependent reaction. Our previous work on Escherichia coli T-protein (ET) showed that the lack of the N-terminal 16 residues caused a loss of catalytic activity [Okamura-Ikeda, K., Ohmura, Y., Fujiwara, K. and Motokawa, Y. (1993) Eur. J. Biochem. 216, 539-548]. To define the role of the N-terminal region of ET, a series of deletion mutants were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis and expressed in E. coli. Deletions of the N-terminal 4, 7 and 11 residues led to reduction in the activity to 42, 9 and 4%, respectively, relative to the wild-type enzyme (wtET). The mutant with 7-residue deletion (ETDelta7) was purified and analyzed. ETDelta7 exhibited a marked increase in Km (25-fold) for E. coli H-protein (EH) accompanied by a 10-fold decrease in kcat compared with wtET, indicating the importance of the N-terminal region in the interaction with EH. The role of this region in the ET-EH interaction was investigated by cross-linking of wtET-EH or ETDelta7-EH complex with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide, a zero-length cross-linker, in the presence of folate substrates. The resulting tripartite cross-linked products were cleaved with lysylendopeptidase and V8 protease. After purification by reversed-phase HPLC, the cross-linked peptides were subjected to Edman sequencing. An intramolecular cross-linking between Asp34 and Lys216 of wtET which was not observed in wtET alone and an intermolecular cross-linking between Lys288 of wtET and Asp-43 of EH were identified. In contrast, no such cross-linking was detected from the cross-linked product of ETDelta7. These results suggest that EH, when it interacts with ET, causes a change in conformation of ET and that the N-terminal region of ET is essential for the conformational change leading to the proper interaction with EH.

Determination of the ratio of D- and L-amino acids in brewing by an immobilised amino acid oxidase enzyme reactor coupled to amperometric detection

To determine the quantity of free amino acids, the D- and L-forms separately, is an important task in modern nutritional studies. The aim of our present work was to develop rapid, routine methods for fast determination of the different forms of free amino acids. We utilized two enzymes (L-amino acid oxidase, D-amino acid oxidase) with broad specificity. In our home-made reactors, the enzymes were immobilized in a thin-layer Plexi-cell on natural protein membrane. The enzyme-cell was built into a FIA system and the hydrogen peroxide generated during the enzymatic reaction was determined by an amperometric detector. The electrode potential was fixed at +100 mV. The parameters for the biochemical and electrochemical reactions were optimized in each case. The optimal pH value for measuring L- and D-amino acids was found ca. 8.8 and 9.5, respectively. The LAO reactor could be used for more than 900 measurements, while the DAO reactor for about 1000 measurements. The working concentration range was between 0.1-3 and 0.2-3 mM, respectively. The same standard solution (L- and D-Methionine, 1 mM) was injected 25 times sequentially and the standard deviations were 2 and 2.7%, respectively. After determining the optimal parameters, the specificity of the immobilized enzyme preparations towards different amino acids and in samples from different stages of brewing was investigated.

Redox hydrogel based bienzyme electrode for L-glutamate monitoring

Amperometric bienzyme electrodes based on coupled L-glutamate oxidase (GlOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were constructed for the direct monitoring of L-glutamate in a flow injection (FI)-system. The bienzyme electrodes were constructed by coating solid graphite rods with a premixed solution containing GlOx and HRP crosslinked with a redox polymer formed of poly(1-vinylimidazole) complexed with (osmium (4-4'-dimethylbpy)2 Cl)II/III. Poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE) was used as the crosslinker and the modified electrodes were inserted as the working electrode in a conventional three electrode flow through amperometric cell operated at -0.05 V versus Ag¿AgCl (0.1 M KCl). The bienzyme electrode was optimized with regard to wire composition, Os-loading of the wires, enzyme ratios, coating procedure, flow rate, effect of poly(ethyleneimine) addition, etc. The optimized electrodes were characterized by a sensitivity of 88.36 +/- 0.14 microA mM(-1) cm(-2), a detection limit of 0.3 microM (calculated as three times the signal-to-noise ratio), a response time of less than 10 s and responded linearly between 0.3 and 250 microM (linear regression coefficient = 0.999) with an operational stability of only 3% sensitivity loss during 8 h of continuous FI operation at a sample throughput of 30 injections h(-1).

Determination of lysine in pharmaceutical samples containing endogenous ammonium ions by using a lysine oxidase biosensor based on an all-solid-state potentiometric ammonium electrode

A new potentiometric method is proposed to determine lysine in pharmaceutical samples. This method is based on a lysine biosensor consisting of a chemically immobilized lysine oxidase membrane attached to an all-solid-state ammonium electrode. Lysine is degraded in the sensor to release ammonium, which is detected by means of the ammonium electrode. The presence of endogenous ammonium in the samples interferes with these determinations, since the response measured corresponds to the sum of the ammonium generated enzymatically and that present in the sample. This is a general drawback for all biosensors based on the detection of ammonium. Study of samples containing both lysine and ammonium showed that concentration ranges exist in which a near-logarithmic relationship between potentials measured and lysine concentrations is found. Therefore, within these ranges, lysine can be determined by using the standard addition method, with the subsequent data treatment involving an iterative linearization procedure. Results obtained with the proposed potentiometric method are consistent with those given by the standard method for amino acid analysis.

Determination of L-phenylalanine based on an NADH-detecting biosensor

An enzyme carbon paste electrode containing three different enzymes was developed for the determination of L-phenylalanine. This sensor is based on the enzymatic/electrochemical recycling of tyrosinase in combination with salicylate hydroxylase and L-phenylalanine dehydrogenase (PADH). The enzymes salicylate hydroxylase and tyrosinase were coimmobilized first in a carbon paste electrode for the sensitive detection of NADH. The principle of the bienzyme scheme is as follows: the first enzyme, salicylate hydroxylase, converts salicylate to catechol in the presence of oxygen and NADH. The second enzyme, tyrosinase, then oxidizes the catechol to o-quinone, which is electrochemically detected and reduced back to catechol at the electrode at an Eappl = -50 mV vs Ag/AgCl. This results in an amplified signal due to the recycling of the catechol and o-quinone between tyrosinase and the surface of the electrode. Prior to adding PADH, the salicylate hydroxylase-tyrosinase carbon paste electrode was characterized in terms of its sensitivity to NADH, pH dependence, buffer composition, interferences, and stability. Interference from ascorbic acid and uric acid was found to be minimal. Human serum was used to investigate whether this bienzyme system was suitable for the detection of NADH in serum and blood samples. The sensitivity for NADH was increased by a factor of 33 times using the bienzyme amplification scheme (electroreduction of o-quinone at Eappl = -50 mV) as opposed to the salicylate hydroxylase single-enzyme system (at which catechol would have been oxidized at Eappl = +150 mV vs Ag/AgCl). The detection limit for NADH achieved by the bienzyme carbon paste electrode was 1 vs 100 microM for the single-enzyme carbon paste electrode. The salicylate hydroxylase-tyrosinase system was then coupled with phenylalanine dehydrogenase for L-phenylalanine determination. This multienzyme sensor was able to achieve a linear range of 20-150 microM and a detection limit of 5 microM for L-phenylalanine. The sensitivity is sufficient since the reference clinical range for L-phenylalanine is 78-206 microM.

Biosensor for neurotransmitter L-glutamic acid designed for efficient use of L-glutamate oxidase and effective rejection of interference

An amperometric biosensor for L-glutamic acid (Glu) was constructed by the adsorption and dip coating of L-glutamate oxidase (GluOx, 200 U ml-1 phosphate buffer, pH 7.4) onto 60-micron radius Teflon-coated Pt wire (1 mm exposed length). The enzyme was then trapped on the surface by electropolymerisation of o-phenylenediamine that also served to block electroactive interference. This procedure afforded electrodes with similar substrate sensitivity compared with the classical approach of immobilising enzyme from a solution of monomer, and represents an approximately 10,000-fold increase in the yield of biosensors from a batch of enzyme. A number of strategies were examined to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of the Pt/PPD/GluOx sensors operating at 0.7 V versus SCE. Pre-coating the Pt with lipid and incorporation of the protein bovine serum albumin into the polymer matrix were found to improve the performance of the electrode. The sensors had a fast response time, high sensitivity to Glu, with an LOD of about 0.3 mumol l-1, and possessed selectivity characteristics suggesting that monitoring Glu in biological tissues in vivo may be feasible.

A genomic polymorphism located downstream of the gcvP gene of Escherichia coli that correlates with ecological niche

Current evolutionary theory proposes that niche-adapted microbial populations might evolve through selection for favoured genotypes followed by clonal expansion (Maynard-Smith, 1991). Possible correlations between genomic variation and ecological niche in Escherichia coli isolates derived from human and animal sources were investigated by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. A 1.6-kb polymorphic marker was identified which was present in 60% of isolates from human clinical specimens but was present in less than 5% of isolates derived from ovine and bovine faeces. The marker maps to a region of the chromosome located immediately downstream from the gene encoding the glycine decarboxylase P-protein (gcvP). DNA sequences from marker-positive and marker-negative isolates exhibit an abrupt loss of homology immediately downstream from the transcription termination point of the gene which extends for at least 130-base pairs beyond the gcvP transcription terminator. Sequences spanning this region in marker-negative isolates exhibit similarity to the cognate sequence from E. coli K-12, while the corresponding region in marker-positive isolates bears no similarity to any other published sequence. The utility of the marker for investigating the occurrence of human-derived E. coli in the environment was studied in a rural stream. Although the stream carried a high background of animal-derived E. coli, the marker could only be detected in isolates obtained downstream of the human faecal input. The polymorphism therefore shows promise for identification of human-derived E. coli within environments containing isolates from multiple and diverse sources. The methods described here could be used to generate further markers suitable for investigating microbial population ecology.

Synthesis and characterization of selenolipoylated H-protein of the glycine cleavage system

H-protein of the glycine cleavage system has a lipoic acid prosthetic group. Selenolipoic acid is a lipoic acid analog in which both sulfur atoms are replaced by selenium atoms. Two isoforms of bovine lipoyltransferase that are responsible for the attachment of lipoic acid to H-protein had an affinity for selenolipoyl-AMP and transferred the selenolipoyl moiety to bovine apoH-protein comparable to lipoyl-AMP. Selenolipoylated H-protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Selenolipoylated H-protein was 26% as effective as lipoylated H-protein in the glycine decarboxylation reaction, in which reduction of the diselenide bond of selenolipoylated H-protein is catalyzed by P-protein. The diselenide form of selenolipoylated H-protein was a poor substrate for L-protein, and the rate of reduction was 0.5% of that of lipoylated H-protein. The rate of the overall glycine cleavage reaction with selenolipoylated H-protein was <1% of that with lipoylated H-protein. These results are consistent with the difference in the redox potential between the diselenide and disulfide bonds. In contrast, selenolipoylated H-protein showed three times as high glycine-14CO2 exchange activity as lipoylated H-protein, presumably because the rate of reoxidation of reduced selenolipoylated H-protein is much higher than that of lipoylated H-protein.

Molecular characterization of GCV3, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene coding for the glycine cleavage system hydrogen carrier protein

YAL044, a gene on the left arm of Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome one, is shown to code for the H-protein subunit of the multienzyme glycine cleavage system. The gene designation has therefore been changed to GCV3, reflecting its role in the glycine cleavage system. GCV3 encodes a 177-residue protein with a putative mitochondrial targeting signal at its amino terminus. Targeted gene replacement shows that GCV3 is not required for growth on minimal medium; however, it is essential when glycine serves as the sole nitrogen source. Studies of GCV3 expression revealed that it is highly regulated. Supplementation of minimal medium with glycine, the glycine cleavage system's substrate, induced expression at least 30-fold. In contrast, and consistent with the cleavage of glycine providing activated single-carbon units, the addition of the metabolic end products that require activated single-carbon units repressed expression about 10-fold. Finally, like many amino acid biosynthetic genes, GCV3 is subject to regulation by the general amino acid control system.