Showing papers on "Esterase published in 2008"

Production Of Peracids Using An Enzyme Having Perhydrolysis Activity

Abstract: A process is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters. More specifically, carboxylic acid esters are reacted with an inorganic peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an enzyme catalyst having perhydrolysis activity. The present perhydrolase catalysts are classified as members of the carbohydrate esterase family 7 (CE-7) based on the conserved structural features. Further, disinfectant formulations comprising the peracids produced by the processes described herein are provided.

Exploiting Enzymatic (Reversed) Hydrolysis in Directed Self‐Assembly of Peptide Nanostructures

Abstract: Enzyme-catalyzed reactions can be exploited to control molecular self-assembly under physiological conditions by converting nonassembling precursors into self-assembly building blocks. Two complementary approaches based on aromatic short-peptide derivatives that form molecular hydrogels are demonstrated. Firstly, it is shown that esterase-directed self assembly via hydrolysis of hydrophobic N-(fluorenyl-9-methoxycarbonyl) (Fmoc)-peptide methyl esters give rise to formation of transparent hydrogels composed of defined peptide nanotubes. The internal and external diameters of these tubes are highly tunable, depending on the amino acid composition and chain length, of the building blocks. Secondly, protease-directed self-assembly of Fmoc-peptide esters is achieved via amide-bond formation (reversed hydrolysis) for combinations of Fmoc-threonine and leucine/phenylalanine methyl esters, producing fibrous hydrogels. Upon treatment with an esterase, these systems revert back to solution, thus providing a two-stage solution-gel-solution transition.

Inactive Methyl Indole-3-Acetic Acid Ester Can Be Hydrolyzed and Activated by Several Esterases Belonging to the AtMES Esterase Family of Arabidopsis

Abstract: The plant hormone auxin (indole-3-acetic acid [IAA]) is found both free and conjugated to a variety of carbohydrates, amino acids, and peptides. We have recently shown that IAA could be converted to its methyl ester (MeIAA) by the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) enzyme IAA carboxyl methyltransferase 1. However, the presence and function of MeIAA in vivo remains unclear. Recently, it has been shown that the tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) protein SABP2 (salicylic acid binding protein 2) hydrolyzes methyl salicylate to salicylic acid. There are 20 homologs of SABP2 in the genome of Arabidopsis, which we have named AtMES (for methyl esterases). We tested 15 of the proteins encoded by these genes in biochemical assays with various substrates and identified several candidate MeIAA esterases that could hydrolyze MeIAA. MeIAA, like IAA, exerts inhibitory activity on the growth of wild-type roots when applied exogenously. However, the roots of Arabidopsis plants carrying T-DNA insertions in the putative MeIAA esterase gene AtMES17 (At3g10870) displayed significantly decreased sensitivity to MeIAA compared with wild-type roots while remaining as sensitive to free IAA as wild-type roots. Incubating seedlings in the presence of [14C]MeIAA for 30 min revealed that mes17 mutants hydrolyzed only 40% of the [14C]MeIAA taken up by plants, whereas wild-type plants hydrolyzed 100% of absorbed [14C]MeIAA. Roots of Arabidopsis plants overexpressing AtMES17 showed increased sensitivity to MeIAA but not to IAA. Additionally, mes17 plants have longer hypocotyls and display increased expression of the auxin-responsive DR5:β-glucuronidase reporter gene, suggesting a perturbation in IAA homeostasis and/or transport. mes17-1/axr1-3 double mutant plants have the same phenotype as axr1-3, suggesting MES17 acts upstream of AXR1. The protein encoded by AtMES17 had a Km value of 13 μm and a Kcat value of 0.18 s−1 for MeIAA. AtMES17 was expressed at the highest levels in shoot apex, stem, and root of Arabidopsis. Our results demonstrate that MeIAA is an inactive form of IAA, and the manifestations of MeIAA in vivo activity are due to the action of free IAA that is generated from MeIAA upon hydrolysis by one or more plant esterases.

The effect of ultrasonic pre-treatment on the catalytic activity of lipases in aqueous and non-aqueous media

Abstract: Ultrasound has been used to accelerate the rates of numerous chemical reactions, however its effects on enzymatic reactions have been less extensively studied. While known to result in the acceleration of enzyme-catalysed reactions, ultrasonication has also been shown to induce enzyme inactivation. In this study we investigated the effects of ultrasonic pretreatment on lipases in both aqueous and non-aqueous media. Our results show that the ultrasonic pre-irradiation of lipases (from Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas fluorescens) in aqueous buffer and organic solvents enhanced enzymic activities. In addition, we report the enhancement of hydrolytic (esterase) and transesterification activities. On using pre-irradiated enzyme, we found that the conversion rate for the transesterification of ethyl butyrate to butyl butyrate, increased from 66% to 82%. Similarly, a 79% conversion of Jatropha oil to biodiesel was observed upon employing pre-irradiated enzyme, in contrast to a 34% conversion with untreated enzyme. CD spectra showed that while the enzyme's secondary structure remained largely unaffected, the microenvironments of aromatic amino acids were altered, with perturbation of the tertiary structure having also occurred. SEM analysis demonstrated significant morphological changes in the enzyme preparation as a result of ultrasonication. In contrast to the effects of ultrasonic irradiation on other enzymes, for the lipases focused upon in this study, we report an enhancement of biocatalytic activity, which is thought to originate from morphological changes on the macro and molecular levels.

Cloning, characterization and functional expression of an alkalitolerant type C feruloyl esterase from Fusarium oxysporum

Abstract: A hypothetical protein FoFaeC-12213 of Fusarium oxysporum was found to have high amino acid sequence identity with known type C feruloyl esterases (FAEs) containing a 13-amino acid conserved region flanking the characteristic G-X-S-X-G motif of a serine esterase. The putative FAE from the genomic DNA was successfully cloned in frame with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-factor secretion signal under the transcriptional control of the alcohol oxidase (AOX1) promoter and integrated in Pichia pastoris X-33 to confirm that the enzyme exhibits FAE activity. The molecular weight (62 kDa) and pI (6.8) were in agreement with the theoretical calculated values indicating the correct processing of the secretion signal in P. pastoris. The recombinant FAE was purified to its homogeneity and subsequently characterized using a series of model substrates including methyl esters of hydroxycinnamates, alkyl ferulates and monoferuloylated 4-nitrophenyl glycosides. The substrate specificity profiling reveals that the enzyme is a type C FAE showing broad hydrolytic activity against the four methyl esters of hydroxycinnamic acids and strong preference for the hydrolysis of n-propyl ferulate. Ferulic acid (FA) was efficiently released from destarched wheat bran when the esterase was incubated together with xylanase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum (a maximum of 67% total FA released after 1-h incubation). The esterase showed broad pH stability making it an important candidate for alkaline applications such as pulp treatment in the paper industry.

Bacterial cinnamoyl esterase activity screening for the production of a novel functional food product.

Abstract: Lactobacillus helveticus MIMLh5 was selected for its strong cinnamoyl esterase activity on chlorogenic acid and employed for the preparation of a food product containing a high concentration of free caffeic acid. The novel food product was demonstrated to display high total antioxidant power and potential probiotic properties.

Novel Family of Carbohydrate Esterases, Based on Identification of the Hypocrea jecorina Acetyl Esterase Gene

Abstract: Plant cell walls have been shown to contain acetyl groups in hemicelluloses and pectin. The gene aes1, encoding the acetyl esterase (Aes1) of Hypocrea jecorina, was identified by amino-terminal sequencing, peptide mass spectrometry, and genomic sequence analyses. The coded polypeptide had 348 amino acid residues with the first 19 serving as a secretion signal peptide. The calculated molecular mass and isoelectric point of the secreted enzyme were 37,088 Da and pH 5.89, respectively. No significant homology was found between the predicated Aes1 and carbohydrate esterases of known families, but putative aes1 orthologs were found in genomes of many fungi and bacteria that produce cell wall-degrading enzymes. The aes1 transcript levels were high when the fungal cells were induced with sophorose, cellulose, oat spelt xylan, lactose, and arabinose. The recombinant Aes1 produced by H. jecorina transformed with aes1 under the cellobiohydrolase I promoter displayed properties similar to those reported for the native enzyme. The enzyme hydrolyzed acetate ester bond specifically. Using 4-nitrophenyl acetate as substrate, the activity of the recombinant enzyme was enhanced by d-xylose, d-glucose, cellobiose, d-galactose, and xylooligosaccharides but not by arabinose, mannose, or lactose. With the use of 4-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside monoacetate as substrate in a β-xylosidase-coupled assay, Aes1 hydrolyzed positions 3 and 4 with the same efficiency while the H. jecorina acetylxylan esterase 1 exclusively deacetylated the position 2 acetyl group. Aes1 was capable of transacetylating methylxyloside in aqueous solution. The data presented demonstrate that Aes1 and other homologous microbial proteins may represent a new family of esterases for lignocellulose biodegradation.

Identification and characterization of novel poly(DL-lactic acid) depolymerases from metagenome.

Abstract: Many poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-degrading microorganisms have been isolated from the natural environment by culture-based methods, but there is no study about unculturable PLA-degrading microorganisms. In this study, we constructed a metagenomic library consisting of the DNA extracted from PLA disks buried in compost. We identified three PLA-degrading genes encoding lipase or hydrolase. The purified enzymes degraded not only PLA, but also various aliphatic polyesters, tributyrin, and p-nitrophenyl esters. From their substrate specificities, the PLA depolymerases were classified into an esterase rather than a lipase. Among the PLA depolymerases, PlaM4 exhibited thermophilic properties; that is, it showed the highest activity at 70 °C and was stable even after incubation for 1 h at 50 °C. PlaM4 had absorption and degradation activities for solid PLA at 60 °C, which indicates that the enzyme can effectively degrade PLA in a high-temperature environment. On the other hand, the enzyme classification based on amino acid sequences showed that the other PLA depolymerases, PlaM7 and PlaM9, were not classified into known lipases or esterases. This is the first report on the identification and characterization of PLA depolymerase from a metagenome.

Understanding promiscuous amidase activity of an esterase from Bacillus subtilis

Abstract: Water works. Bacillus subtilis esterase BS2 is a promiscuous esterase that shows amidase activity. This amidase activity was shown to depend on a hydrogen-bond network with the substrate amide hydr ...

The lytic cassette of mycobacteriophage Ms6 encodes an enzyme with lipolytic activity.

Abstract: dsDNA bacteriophages use the dual system endolysin-holin to achieve lysis of their bacterial host. In addition to these two essential genes, some bacteriophages encode additional proteins within their lysis module. In this report, we describe the activity of a protein encoded by gene lysB from the mycobacteriophage Ms6. lysB is localized within the lysis cassette, between the endolysin gene (lysA) and the holin gene (hol). Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of LysB revealed the presence of a conserved motif (Gly-Tyr-Ser-Gln-Gly) characteristic of enzymes with lipolytic activity. A blast search within the sequences of protein databases revealed significant similarities to other putative proteins that are encoded by mycobacteriophages only, indicating that LysB and those proteins may be specific to their mycobacterial hosts. A screening for His(6)-LysB activity on esterase and lipase substrates confirmed the lipolytic activity. Examination of the kinetic parameters of recombinant His(6)-LysB for the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl esters indicated that although this protein could use a wide range of chain length substrates (C(4)-C(18)), it presents a higher affinity for p-nitrophenyl esters of longer chain length (C(16) and C(18)). Using p-nitrophenyl butyrate as a substrate, the enzyme showed optimal activity at 23 degrees C and pH 7.5-8.0. Activity was increased in the presence of Ca(2+) and Mn(2+). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of a protein with lipolytic activity encoded within a bacteriophage.

Polymorphism and partial characterization of digestive enzymes in the spiny lobster Panulirus argus.

Abstract: We characterized major digestive enzymes in Panulirus argus using a combination of biochemical assays and substrate-(SDS or native)-PAGE. Protease and amylase activities were found in the gastric juice while esterase and lipase activities were higher in the digestive gland. Trypsin-like activity was higher than chymotrypsin-like activity in the gastric juice and digestive gland. Stability and optimal conditions for digestive enzyme activities were examined under different pHs, temperature and ionic strength. The use of protease inhibitors showed the prevalence of serine proteases and metalloproteases. Results for serine proteases were corroborated by zymograms where several isotrypsins-like (17–21 kDa) and isochymotrypsin-like enzymes (23–38 kDa) were identified. Amylases (38–47 kDa) were detected in zymograms and a complex array of non-specific esterases isoenzymes was found in the digestive gland. Isoenzyme polymorphism was found for trypsin, amylase, and esterase. This study is the first to evidence the biochemical bases of the plasticity in feeding habits of P. argus . Distribution and properties of enzymes provided some indication on how the digestion takes place and constitute baseline data for further studies on the digestion physiology of spiny lobsters.

Isolation of a low-temperature adapted lipolytic enzyme from uncultivated micro-organism

Abstract: Aims: The aim of the study was to isolate a novel lipolytic enzyme from the activated sludge of uncultured micro-organisms Methods and Results: The metagenomic DNA was directly extracted from the activated sludge, and a metagenomic library was constructed by using the pUC vector The library was screened for lipolytic enzyme activity on 1% tributyrin agar plate A clone among c 100 000 recombinant libraries showed the lipolytic activity The putative lipolytic gene encoding lipo1 from the metagenomic library was subcloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 using the pET expression system The expressed recombinant enzyme was purified by Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity chromatography and characterized using general substrates of lipolytic property The gene consisted of 972 bp encoding a polypeptide of 324 amino acids with a molecular mass of 35·6 kDa Typical residues essential for lipolytic activity such as penta-peptide (GXSXG) and catalytic triad sequences (Ser166, Asp221 and His258) were detected The deduced amino acid sequence of lipo1 showed low identity with amino acid sequences of esterase/lipase (32%, ZP_01528487) from Pseudomonas mendocina ymp and esterase (31%, AAY45707) from uncultured bacterium This lipolytic enzyme exhibited the highest activity at pH 7·5 and 10°C At thermal stability analysis, lipo1 was more unstable at 40°C than 10°C Conclusions: An activity based strategy has been an effective method for fishing out a low-temperature adapted lipolytic enzyme from the metagenomic library This lipo1 enzyme can be considered to belong to the hormone-sensitive lipase family due to the enzyme’s oxyanion hole by the sequence HGGG Significance and Impact of the Study: Lipo1 is a novel psychrophilic esterase obtained directly from the metagenomic library Owing its support of significant activity at low temperature, this enzyme is expected to be useful for potential application as a biocatalyst in organic chemistry

Effects of some metals on carbonic anhydrase from brains of rainbow trout.

Abstract: Carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme was purified from rainbow trout brain by Sepharose-4B-L: -tyrosine-sulfanilamide affinity chromatography. The enzyme was obtained with a specific activity of 2,275 EU mg(-1) and a yield of 22.5%. The sample obtained from the affinity column was used for kinetic properties and inhibition studies. Both optimum and stable pH were found as 9.0 in 1 M Tris-SO(4) at 4 degrees C, respectively. To check the purity and subunit molecular weight of enzyme, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed, and MW was found as approximately 29.0 kDa. The molecular weight of native enzyme was estimated to be approximately 27.3 kDa by gel filtration chromatography. The purified enzyme had apparent K (m),V (max), and k (cat) as follows: 0.92 mM, 0.207 micromol.min(-1) and 43.6 s(-1) for p-nitrophenylacetate. The inhibitory effects of Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ag(I), and Cd(II) on CA enzyme activity were determined using the esterase method under in vitro conditions at low concentrations of the corresponding metals. The obtained IC(50) values, which cause 50% inhibition on in vitro enzyme activity, were 0.05, 30, 0.31, 159, and 82.5 mM for cobalt, copper, zinc, silver, and cadmium, respectively. K ( i ) values were also calculated from Linewaever-Burk plots for these substances as 0.014, 27.68, 2.15, 193.86, and 94.18 for cobalt, copper, zinc, silver, and cadmium, respectively; it was determined that cobalt, silver and cadmium inhibited the enzyme competitively, copper inhibited noncompetitively while zinc inhibited the enzyme uncompetitively.

Biodegradation and Detoxification of Malathion by of Bacillus Thuringiensis MOS-5

Abstract: 3 Abstract: Efficiency of a strain of B. thuringiensis MOS-5 (Bt), isolated from agricultural waste water near Berket El-Sabaa Egypt contaminated with organophosphorus insecticide, for degradation of malathion was investigated. It was able to utilize malathion as a sole carbon and energy source and to degrade it cometabolically. In a minimal salt medium supplied with 250 mg 1 malathion ether alone -1 or incombination with glucose or yeast extract MOS-5 caused 99.32% reduction in malathion after 30 days. Addition of glucose (5 g l ) and yeast extract (0.5 g l ) increased the growth rate 10 and 10 fold, -1 -1 4 5 respectively, compared to malathion alone. Results of HPLC, gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed that one malathion-derived compound mal-monocarboxylic acid (M MA) was producted after three days. Two additional malathion derivatives, mal-dicarboxylic acid (MDA) and unidentified mal-x were detected after 7 days. MMA and MDA were the major degrading compounds. Esterase activity involved in malathion degradation was also determined in culture filtrate of MOS-5. Results indicated that esterase activity was two folds more in the presence of yeast extract compared to glucose. These results indicate that Bt MOS-5 may consider as highly potential candidate in the biodegradation of organophosphorus in contaminated soil.

Catalytic Promiscuity in the α/β-Hydrolase Superfamily: Hydroxamic Acid Formation, C ? C Bond Formation, Ester and Thioester Hydrolysis in the C ? C Hydrolase Family

Abstract: The haloperoxidase family of alpha/beta-hydrolases contains enzymes of several different catalytic activities, including esterases, C-C hydrolases and cofactor-independent haloperoxidases (perhydrolases), but the molecular basis of this catalytic promiscuity is not fully understood. The C-C hydrolase enzyme MhpC from E. coli is shown to possess esterase and thioesterase activity, and the ability to activate hydroxylamine as a nucleophile to form hydroxamic acid products. The ratio of these activities was examined for nine site-directed mutant enzymes that contained mutations at nonessential residues in the enzyme active site. Higher levels of esterase and thioesterase activity were found in mutants Phe173Gly and Trp264Gly; this might be due to increased amounts of space in the active site. Higher levels of hydroxamic acid formation activity were found in mutant Asn109His-a mutation found in many haloperoxidase enzymes. Wild-type and mutant MhpC enzymes were also capable of C-C bond formation in organic solvents, and the highest activity was observed in nonpolar solvents. The results provide experimental support for the catalytic promiscuity shown in this family of enzymes, and indicate that differences in catalytic function can be introduced by point mutations.

A novel assay reveals the blockade of esterases by piperonyl butoxide

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Conventional in vitro assays sometimes fail to reveal esterase inhibition by piperonyl butoxide (PBO), although synergism studies suggest loss of esterase-mediated sequestration of insecticide does take place. A new in vitro assay has been devised that routinely reveals binding between PBO and these esterases. RESULTS: The new ‘esterase interference’ assay detects the blockade of resistance-associated esterases in a species, Myzus persicae Sulzer, where this has not previously been seen. The assay also demonstrates directly the protective effect esterases may confer to target sites of insecticides. CONCLUSION: The new assay reveals esterase blockade by PBO and thus has the potential to be used as a high-throughput screening method for other potential synergists. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry